Kevork Djansezian/BAFTA LA/Getty Images for BAFTA LA(NEW YORK) -- Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is facing a felony charge of indecent assault and battery on an 18-year-old busboy in Massachusetts stemming from an incident in July 2016 at a Nantucket bar, according to a criminal complaint filed in Nantucket District Court. Spacey, 59, is scheduled to be arraigned in Nantucket District Court on Jan. 7, the complaint showed. A criminal complaint, obtained by ABC News, was issued on Thursday by Nantucket District Court Clerk Magistrate Ryan Kearney following a public show-cause hearing. The criminal complaint was issued "against Kevin S. Fowler, also known as Kevin Spacey." The Cape and Islands State Police Detective Unit launched an investigation into the former "House of Cards" actor after a young man contacted them by phone in October 2016 and alleged that Spacey plied him with beer and whiskey after meeting him at the Club Car in Nantucket, where he had worked that summer as a busboy, and sexually assaulted him, according to the criminal complaint. In a subsequent face-to-face interview with detectives, the young man said he hung around the bar after he finished work on July 7, 2016, and talked to Spacey and even got an autograph from the actor for himself and his girlfriend. "Things started to get a little fuzzy when [the alleged victim] and Spacey went over to the piano" at the Club Car, the criminal complaint reads. He told investigators he "had at least four or five beers before Spacey said they should switch to whiskey, allegedly adding, 'Let's get drunk,'" according to the complaint. The alleged victim admitted he lied to Spacey about his age, saying he was a 23-year-old college student attending Wake Forest University, the complaint states. He said Spacey tried to get him to go back to where he was staying on Nantucket, but he repeatedly declined the invitation, the complaint reads. At one point during the night, he and Spacey were near the bar's piano with other customers singing when he alleged Spacey started rubbing his thigh and then unzipped the victims pants and began groping his genitals, the complaint alleges. The busboy told detectives "he wasn't sure if Spacey went into his pants through the open zipper," or if the actor groped his genitals over his pants and boxer shorts, according to the complaint. He said while Spacey was touching him, he was texting and communicating with his girlfriend on Snapchat, and even sent her Snapchat video of Spacey groping him, according to the complaint. He said the inappropriate touching occurred for about three minutes, the complaint reads. The alleged victim told detectives that when Spacey went to the restroom, a woman came up to him and noticed that he was in distress. He said that when he told the woman that Spacey was "trying to rape" him, the woman told him to leave, according to the complaint. The busboy said he ran to his grandmother's house where he was spending the summer and woke up his younger sister to tell her what happened. He said the next day he told his mother, a former TV news anchor in Boston, and she told him to report the incident to police, according to the complaint. Detectives also interviewed the owner of the bar and several employees and customers, but none of them witnessed Spacey doing anything inappropriate with the alleged victim, according to the complaint. The alleged victim's mother held a press conference in November 2017 to speak about the incident. "The victim, my son, was a star-struck, straight, 18-year-old young man who had no idea that the famous actor was an alleged sexual predator or that he was about to become his next victim," she told reporters. "Kevin Spacey bought him drink, after drink, after drink and when my son was drunk, Spacey made his move and sexually assaulted him." Spacey could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, but posted a 3-minute YouTube video of himself on his verified Twitter account in the voice of his former character on "House of Card" Frank Underwood. The video was is titled "Let Me Be Frank." "I shocked you with my honesty, but mostly I challenged you and made you think. And you trusted me even though you knew you shouldn't," Spacey, wearing an apron with Santa Claus figures on it, said in the video. "So we're not done no matter what anyone says. Besides I know what you want, you want me back. Of course, some believed everything and have just been waiting with bated breath to hear me confess it all. They're just dying to have me declare that everything said is true and that I got what I deserved. "But you wouldn't believe the worst without evidence, would you? You wouldnt rush to judgment without facts, would you? Did you? No, not you. Youre smarter than that," Spacey went on. "Of course they're going to say I'm being disrespectful, not playing by the rules, like I ever played by anyone's rules before. I never did and you loved it." In Oct. 2017, actor Anthony Rapp claimed in a BuzzFeed interview that Spacey made sexual advances towards him at a party in 1986 when he was 14 and Spacey was 26. When the story was made public, Spacey posted a statement on Twitter saying he is "beyond horrified" by the story, but doesn't remember the encounter. He went on to say he was examining himself and now chooses "to [openly] live as a gay man." Spacey issued an apology to Rapp, but claimed he didn't remember the incident. "But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years," Spacey said in his statement at the time. Following the allegations by Rapp and the accusations made by Nantucket busboy, the producers of "House of Cards" announced it was severing ties with Spacey. The Netflix show returned for its final season without Spacey's character. Spacey was also removed from the movie "All the Money in the World," which he had already filmed. Director Ridley Scott re-shot Spacey's scenes with his replacement, Christopher Plummer. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Moving to a new city can be full of anxiety and excitement. When you feel scared, you cant enjoy the... 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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 Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 20:43:19|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close A tourist visits the Ellora Caves near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, India, on Dec. 23, 2018. The 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploitation but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India. (Xinhua/Zhang Naijie) File photo shows passengers queue to board an electric train at Lebu Railway Station in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, March 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Shoubao) ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- As Ethiopia embarked on huge infrastructure development, the engagement of Chinese companies, from road to railway infrastructure construction sectors, is widely considered as a connecting bridge to the East African country's aspirations. Ethiopians, who have recently witnessed modern road and railway infrastructure projects built with Chinese technologies and standards, speak highly of Chinese engagement in Ethiopia's booming transportation sector in particular and the country's development in general. ROADS The East African country recently awarded a contract agreement to Chinese construction giant China Railway Construction Corporation-21 Group (CRCC-21) to built a much-awaited road project in the country's western part, an area known as the source of Ethiopia's major export commodity coffee. Courtesy to the road project's strategic significance to Ethiopia's overall development, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir gathered in the western town of Jimma, some 350 km west of the capital Addis Ababa, to witness the official commencement of the project with a corner-stone laying ceremony. The 79 km Jimma-Agaro-Dedesa road project is said to be a "high-quality road project" with 1.3 billion Ethiopian birr (about 46 million U.S. dollars) construction budget. Coffee growers in Jimma town and its surroundings also regard the road project as a gateway towards better economic importance and integration to markets across the country. Haji Hussien, a coffee farmer from Agaro town, told Xinhua after attending the corner-stone laying ceremony on the outskirt of Jimma town that farmers in his area sell coffee products at a very low price due to the lack of convenient transportation to major coffee markets. "We offer one kilo of coffee in Jima and Agaro for close to 60 Ethiopian birr (about 2 U.S. dollars), while the price is more than double in the capital Addis Ababa," Hussien told Xinhua. "I hope we will get the fruits of our labor with the help of this road," he said, urging the road project's swift completion. CRCC-21, which has previously completed two other road projects in Ethiopia, also stressed its commitment to "mobilize all resources that are available to finalize the project in time and up to the standard." "Our presence in this country gives us lots of opportunities to contribute to Ethiopia's development as well as to further strengthen the partnership between China and Ethiopia," Zhuang Jidong, President of CRCC-21, told Xinhua. Chinese companies, as the pioneers in Ethiopia's road infrastructure development sector, have so far realized remarkable road projects starting from the Addis-Adama Toll Expressway, which connects Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa to Adama, capital of Ethiopia's largest regional state Oromia. As the first-of-its-kind road infrastructure project in Africa's second populous country, the expressway is also seen by Ethiopian experts as a proof to Ethiopia's positive gains from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as the initiative aspires to see a better integrated and connected world. Costantinos Bt. Costantinos, professor of public policy at the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, told Xinhua in a recent interview that the 500 million U.S. dollars Addis Ababa-Adama expressway, which has become the first toll expressway in Ethiopia and East Africa, "signifies Ethiopia's cooperation with China in the implementation of the BRI." "The initiative, which underscores the importance of infrastructure projects such as railways, highways, and airways has brought various opportunities for Ethiopia as well as Africa's infrastructure development over the past few years," Costantinos said. The 85 km expressway, which was inaugurated in May 2014, was funded partly by the Export-Import Bank of China and built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) using Chinese technology and standards. RAILWAYS Residents of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, now cherish the Chinese-built Addis Ababa Light Rail, a 475 million U.S. dollars project built with Chinese technology and currently operated by a Chinese team. The light rail, which was 85 percent funded by the Export-Import Bank of China, has so far transported more than 100 million city dwellers crossing the city since it went operational in September 2015, according to figures from the Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC). Anteneh Habtamu, who works in the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE), always takes the light rail to and from his home located on the northern edge of the city. "Living in Addis Ababa where the traffic congestion often gets worse as we waste hours in the taxi in daily basis, the coming of this railway is wonderful," Habtamu told Xinhua. "There were times that I was in a quarrel at office, only for being late. This has never happened since I started to use the light rail," he said. Apart from the highly-regarded Addis Ababa Light Rail, Ethiopians are now also effectively utilizing the Chinese-built Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway (or Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway) that connects landlocked Ethiopia and the Red Sea nation Djibouti. File photo shows a train runs on the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway during an operational test near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) Considered as Ethiopia's long-term solution to increasing export commodities and reducing import costs, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway is Africa's first transnational electrified railway. Since the 752 km railway commenced its commercial freight and passenger services in January this year, it has so far transported more than 65,000 passengers and 30,000 containers of various types, according to ERC. KEEN INTEREST FROM CHINESE COMPANIES Amid Ethiopia's aspirations to further transform its road and other infrastructures, Chinese companies are also showing keen interest to contribute to Ethiopia's ambitions. China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which has seen its stock in the Ethiopian construction industry rise fast taking part in landmark projects, including the Addis Ababa ring road project, the Addis Ababa-Adama toll expressway as well as extension of the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, had in Oct. this year revealed its plan to open a regional office in Ethiopia. File photo shows the inaugural ceremony of Lebu-Akaki-IT Park Addis Ababa City outside ring roads project in Ethiopia's Capital Addis Ababa, Aug. 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) In an interview with Xinhua, Deputy General Manager of CCCC east Africa branch Wei Qiangyu, said "the new regional office to be located in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa will have a technology and innovation center, equipped with modern laboratories, to help us competently and timely execute a number of railway, airport, road and building construction projects we have in Ethiopia and beyond." Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 21:57:20|Editor: mmm Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday condemned the deadly suicide attack on the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry in Tripoli, which killed at least three. "UNSMIL strongly condemns the cowardly terrorist attack on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured," the UN agency said in a statement. The attack on state institutions constitutes an attack on all Libyans, the statement stressed. "We will work with the Libyan people to prevent terrorist groups from turning Libya into a haven or an arena for their crimes," said UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame. The government called on the Libyans to take caution following the attack, and stressed the need for unity "against terrorist acts that target the country's security and stability". At least three people were killed and 10 others, including a paramedic, injured on Tuesday during a terrorist attack on the Libyan Foreign Ministry's headquarters in the capital Tripoli, the Health Ministry said. The attack occurred at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), when a car bomb exploded right behind the ministry's building, an official of the Foreign Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Afterward, a group of gunmen entered the building from the front and back entrances and exchanged heavy fire with the security forces, he added. In September, Islamic state (IS) militants attacked the headquarters of the National Oil Corporation in the center of Tripoli, killing two and injuring several others. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 22:12:26|Editor: mmm Video Player Close NAIROBI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A bomb blast has killed at least two people and injured 13 others in Somalia's southern town of Baidao, police said on Tuesday. A police officer who declined to be named told Xinhua that the bomb placed along the road exploded as the youth of the town gathered to hold traditional celebrations. A resident, Ahmed Nur, told Xinhua by phone that the area was targeted because it was where the youth were holding the celebrations. "Everyone felt panic and shocked when they suddenly heard a huge blast which rocked the area and everyone began to run for his safety," he said. No one has claimed responsibility for the latest attack but the militant group al-Shabab has conducted similar attacks in the past. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 22:32:32|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Henan Province will provide financial institutions that support the real economy with a maximum bonus of 8 million yuan (about 1.16 million U.S. dollars), as part of the province's efforts in financial reform. Newly established private financial institutions with a paid-in capital of over 1 billion yuan (including 1 billion yuan) will be rewarded up to 8 million yuan, and those with a paid-in capital between 100 million yuan and 1 billion yuan will be given subsidies up to 5 million yuan, according to local authorities. A series of incentives will also be offered to top-ranked banks with rewards of up to 2 million yuan based on their annual performance and contribution to Henan's economy. Companies in Henan applying for domestic and overseas listings will also receive subsidies. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 22:57:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Yuan Mu, former director of the Research Office of the State Council and also former head of the leading Party members' group of the Office, passed away in Beijing due to illness at the age of 91 on Dec. 13, 2018, an official statement said Tuesday. When Yuan was seriously ill or after he died, some leaders from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) extended their regards or offered their condolences to him or his family. Yuan was born in December 1927 in Xinghua County, Jiangsu Province. Yuan became the director of the Research Office of the State Council in September 1988. Between August 1990 and April 1995, he was head of the leading Party members' group and director of the Office. Yuan was a member of the Standing Committee of the eighth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 23:17:47|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close by Keren Setton JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli ruling coalition's decision on Monday to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections has led the country into a three-month rocky election campaign, as incumbent Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu is under investigation over corruption allegations. A decision by the Israeli attorney general on whether to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looming, although no specific date has been set. Heads of Netanyahu's six coalition parties issued a statement on Monday, saying they "unanimously agreed" to dissolve the Knesset (parliament) and go for early elections. The parliament is expected to disperse on Wednesday and the elections will be held on April 9, 2019. The surprise announcement came after it became apparent that Netanyahu's narrow coalition could not secure a vote on a contentious law about drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli military. For months, there has been speculation that the Israeli leader will bring forward the elections originally scheduled for November 2019. Political analysts said Netanyahu prefers to head to the polls while being still under investigation rather than already indicted, as some of his coalition partners have vowed to demand his resignation once he is under indictment. "The prime minister understands that the noose around his neck is tightening," said Zehava Galon, former member of parliament and former head of the left-wing Meretz party. So far, Netanyahu has categorically denied all allegations, saying "there will be nothing, because there is nothing." Israeli media has reported that General Attorney Avichai Mandelblit said his decision on the indictment is independent from the political timeline. However, Mandelblit also said he would not publish the decision around the time of elections, with an apparent aim not to influence the democratic process. "The timing for Netanyahu now is perfect," Galon told Xinhua. Netanyahu, who also served a short term as Prime Minister in the 1990s, has been Israel's top leader for the past decade. His current four-year tenure is the longest one in decades in a country known for plenty of political turbulence. For Netanyahu, the upside of the surprise move to call snap elections is that it will be unlikely for several of his strong challengers, such as former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Benny Gantz, to form a party in such a short period of time. According to several polls, Gantz would be a close second behind Netanyahu and might take a bite from some of his voters. But now being caught off guard, Gantz will be most likely forced to merge into an existing party. A poll conducted by the Maariv newspaper hours after the announcement of the early elections showed that Netanyahu's Likud party will win 30 seats in parliament, the same number as it has now. Netanyahu has been leading in polls for years, with no challenger significantly threatening him. Still, the ongoing corruption investigations are likely to make the upcoming election a real risk for the leader. The snowball effect of early elections began in mid-November when then Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, who accused Netanyahu of being weak in face of frequent attacks from the Gaza Strip, resigned from the government, in a sign of deep divisions within Netanyahu's ruling coalition. However, the real driver of the decision to call early elections was perhaps the announcement by State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan last week that the police had completed investigations and his office would soon submit recommendations for the attorney general. "A corruption indictment means the end of Netanyahu's political career ... He cannot afford to limply run in an election campaign," said Reuven Hazan, a professor at the political science department of Hebrew University. But even if his indictment came ahead of the elections, the complex procedure entailed for charging a sitting prime minister will take so much time that Netanyahu may continue to serve for more time, Galon noted. Notably, the opposition in Israel has yet to find a candidate with enough political clout to threaten Netanyahu. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 23:32:53|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree expanding the list of Ukrainian individuals and entities subject to sanctions, the government said Tuesday. Moscow will add over 200 Ukrainian citizens and legal entities to the list that already has 322 individuals and 68 entities, according to a Russian government statement. "This was done to protect the interests of the Russian state, companies and citizens," Medvedev tweeted following his signing of the decree. On Nov. 1, Russia published the initial blacklist, targeting Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's son Olexiy, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy, key ministers and important businessmen. The sanctions, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in October, include freezing non-cash funds, uncertificated securities and property controlled by the blacklisted in Russia and banning their withdrawal of capital from Russia. Relations between Kiev and Moscow have been deteriorating since early 2014 over Crimea and armed conflicts in eastern Ukraine. Kiev has imposed a series of sanctions against Russia since then. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 23:52:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SHENYANG, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A section of the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, is scheduled to start operation on Saturday. In the initial period, trains will run up to 300 km per hour between Shenyang and the city of Chengde in Hebei Province, Qu Xiangjin, director of the office of Liaoning provincial railway construction management, told a press briefing on Tuesday. The high-speed railway service will cut the travel time on the section to as short as two hours and 21 minutes, nearly nine hours shorter than the current fastest normal rail trip, said Qu. Six pairs of trains will run daily in the first week and as of Jan. 5, the number of trains will be increased to 15 pairs, Qu said. After the whole of Beijing-Shenyang high-speed railway is put into operation, the travel time between the two cities will be cut to a minimum of two and a half hours. The 698-km high-speed railway, designed for a maximum speed of 350 km per hour, will connect nine high-speed railways in northeast China in the future. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 01:13:11|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United States has once again embarrassed itself by indicting two alleged Chinese hackers for breaking into computers of U.S. government agencies, companies as well as other nations. It's a slanderous campaign by the United States, which routinely depicts itself as cyber-espionage victim while pointing an accusatory finger elsewhere. This time around Washington has taken a different approach, stressing that the alleged Chinese hackers have stolen secrets from other countries as well. There's only one problem: No conclusive proof exists to support the alleged crimes. International Business Machines (IBM), which is on the list of "victim companies," said it had no evidence that sensitive data and client information had been compromised. In fact, it was not the first time for the United States, which has a notorious record in cyber issues, to cook up unfounded accusations against "Chinese hackers" via anonymous sources. "Lanxiang Vocational School," a Chinese vocational school offering courses in subjects like cooking, auto repair and hairdressing, was reported as the "Chinese stronghold of hackers" by The New York Times several years ago, making the news source the butt of public jokes. Coincidentally, Bloomberg Businessweek in a report two months ago claimed that China implanted malicious chips in the hardware of U.S. companies, which was swiftly denied by Apple and Amazon. For long, it has been an open secret that U.S. cyber intelligence and institutionalized cyber forces hack into and eavesdrop on foreign governments, enterprises and individuals. But U.S. authorities and Western media have been working diligently to divert attention from that unpleasant fact by making bizarre accusations against China instead. As China is steadfast in safeguarding cyber security and opposing all forms of cyber espionage, U.S. allegations of cyber espionage against China are unacceptable and have violated the basic norms of international relations and seriously undermined Sino-U.S. cooperation. It should be borne in mind that accusing others of cyber espionage merely to cast a country in a poor light won't help address cyber security issues in the long run. Let's hope Washington quickly figures this out. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 03:43:35|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Turkey-backed rebels in northern Syria received orders Tuesday from their Turkish backers to brace for an imminent Turkish military campaign against Kurdish militia in the city of Manbij, a war monitor reported. The Turkish forces gave orders to the rebels in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo to raise the level of readiness and brace for a military campaign that could be launched within hours, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The campaign will start in the city of Manbij in the northern countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria, the SOHR said. The residents in Manbij are on alert as well as the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council. The war monitor, based in the United Kingdom, said the Turkey-backed rebels have started a media war ahead of the Turkish assault, by disseminating news about the Turkish plan. The U.S. forces in Manbij are patrolling areas near the frontline with the Turkey-backed rebels on the western outskirts of the city. The SOHR said Manbij is on high alert among the Kurdish-led militia as well as the Turkey-backed rebels in that part of the country. Turkey has for long urged the withdrawal of the Kurdish militia of the People's Protection Units (YPG) from Manbij. Turkey regards the YPG and their allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as separatists and terrorists, due to their links with the Turkey-banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). However, the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition has been backing the Kurdish militia in several battles against the Islamic State (IS) in key areas of northern Syria, mainly the former IS de facto capital of Raqqa. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently said that his forces and allied rebel fighters in Syria would launch a campaign against the Kurdish militia in the eastern side of the Euphrates river in eastern Syria and in Manbij. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 03:48:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of spray-painting swastikas on U.S. President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to media reports. Jose Ortega of Los Angeles was arrested Sunday on suspicion of felony vandalism, said a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The star is located on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland Avenue in Los Angeles. A witness saw Ortega tag the star late Sunday afternoon and called the police, authorities said. He is being held in lieu of more than 20,000 U.S. dollar bail, according to Los Angeles County jail records. The graffiti had since been cleaned off from Trump's star. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 03:48:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CAIRO, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The first stage of the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Sudan will be completed by the end of January 2019, the spokesman of the Egyptian electricity ministry told Xinhua on Tuesday. "Operation tests are expected to start by the end of January 2019," said Ayman Hamza, the spokesman of Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, noting that the cost of the project is about 6.7 million U.S. dollars. Hamza's remarks came following a meeting between Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker and Sudanese Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity Kedir Kesem in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the field of electricity. Hamza added that the linkage line is about 100 km long, and the 100-MW transmission line in the first phase is 220 KV and will be raised to about 500 KV in the second phase. The project comes in line with Egypt's plan to become a regional energy hub. Egypt has signed contracts of electricity interconnection lines with Saudi Arabia that are scheduled to begin operation in 2021 with a capacity up to 3,000 MW. The first phase is expected to start within the first half of 2019 and to begin operation in 2020 with a capacity of 1,200 MW. Egypt is already electrically interconnected with Jordan and Libya, and it also signed a memorandum of understanding for power interconnection with Cyprus and Greece. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 04:08:40|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday the ongoing partial government shutdown won't end until a border wall is approved, demonstrating his unwillingness to budge on the issue. "I can't tell you when the government is going to reopen... (Not until) we have a wall, a fence, whatever they'd like to call it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, noting that "much of it is 30 feet high." "It's a barrier from people pouring into our country... It's a barrier from drugs. There is a problem in this world today called human trafficking... We are not going to let that take place," the president said. "We can't do it without a barrier, we can't do it without a wall." The partial government shutdown, which began midnight Friday, was triggered by the White House and Congress' failed attempts to resolve a budget impasse over the funding of the president's promised U.S.-Mexico border wall. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday that a physical barrier is off the option. "What we do support -- Democrats and Republicans -- is real, effective border security. But not a wall. The wall is President Trump's bone to the hard right." "Democrats have always been for smart and effective ways to secure our border," Schumer said. "We are pushing for technology, like drones and sensors, and inspection equipment." Trump has long demanded 5 billion U.S. dollars for the border wall, a centerpiece of his 2016 campaign, but Democrats were only willing to approve a funding of 1.3 billion dollars to enhance border security. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told "Fox News Sunday" that the White House has given a "counter-offer" that was "between those two numbers." Schumer on Monday denounced the White House for sending mixed messages. "Different people from the same White House are saying different things about what the President would accept or not accept to end his #TrumpShutdown, making it impossible to know where they stand at any given moment," Schumer tweeted. The U.S. Senate will return on Thursday and consider business if a deal is reached on government funding. Mulvaney said on Sunday the ongoing partial government shutdown would likely extend into the new year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 06:04:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses were triggered on Tuesday evening to a heavy Israeli missile attack that targeted areas in the countryside of the capital Damascus, according to the state media outlets. The Israeli attack was carried out from inside the Lebanese airspace, said the state TV, adding that the air defenses have intercepted a number of missiles, some of which were intercepted while over Lebanon. The residents in Damascus heard a series of explosions in the capital and saw the flaring air defense missiles chasing targets in the sky. Meanwhile, Lebanese reports said Israeli warplanes infiltrated the Lebanese airspace on Tuesday evening at the time of the attack. The official media outlets haven't given details about the targeted sites, but said the air defenses were responding to the attack over the western countryside of Damascus. For its side, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that the Israeli missile attack targeted areas in the western and southwestern countryside of Damascus. It said a number of missiles hit three targets, which it claimed are weapon depots that belong to the Lebanese Hezbollah group. The Israeli attack is the latest in a string of missiles strikes targeting Syrian positions throughout the crisis over the pretext that they are targeting positions of Iranian-backed forces and allied Hezbollah fighters. The last attack was late last month and targeted military positions in the town of Kisweh in the western countryside of Damascus. In September, Moscow equipped Damascus with the S-300 air defense missile system, but local reports said that this advanced system hasn't been used yet. Air defense missile is seen in the sky over the capital Damascus on Dec. 15, 2018. The Syrian official TV said the Syrian air defenses are intercepting enemy missiles in the vicinity of the capital. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) DAMASCUS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses were triggered on Tuesday evening to a heavy Israeli missile attack that targeted areas in the countryside of the capital Damascus, according to the state media outlets. The Israeli attack was carried out from inside the Lebanese airspace, said the state TV, adding that the air defenses have intercepted a number of missiles, some of which were intercepted while over Lebanon. The residents in Damascus heard a series of explosions in the capital and saw the flaring air defense missiles chasing targets in the sky. Meanwhile, Lebanese reports said Israeli warplanes infiltrated the Lebanese airspace on Tuesday evening at the time of the attack. The official media outlets haven't given details about the targeted sites, but said the air defenses were responding to the attack over the western countryside of Damascus. For its side, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that the Israeli missile attack targeted areas in the western and southwestern countryside of Damascus. It said a number of missiles hit three targets, which it claimed are weapon depots that belong to the Lebanese Hezbollah group. The Israeli attack is the latest in a string of missiles strikes targeting Syrian positions throughout the crisis over the pretext that they are targeting positions of Iranian-backed forces and allied Hezbollah fighters. The last attack was late last month and targeted military positions in the town of Kisweh in the western countryside of Damascus. In September, Moscow equipped Damascus with the S-300 air defense missile system, but local reports said that this advanced system hasn't been used yet. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-26 06:34:07|Editor: ZD Video Player Close An air defense missile is seen in the sky over Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 25, 2018. The Syrian air defenses were triggered on Tuesday evening by what appeared to be a missile attack around the capital Damascus, state TV reported. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) DAMASCUS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses intercepted an Israeli missile attack that targeted areas in the western countryside of the capital Damascus on Tuesday evening, the state TV reported. Citing a military source, the state TV said the air defenses intercepted most of the Israeli missiles before reaching their targets, adding that only a weapon depot was damaged and three soldiers were wounded. The Israeli attack was carried out from inside the Lebanese airspace, said the state TV, adding that some of the missiles were intercepted while over Lebanon. The residents in Damascus heard a series of explosions in the capital and saw the flaring air defense missiles chasing targets in the sky. Meanwhile, Lebanese reports said Israeli warplanes infiltrated the Lebanese airspace on Tuesday evening at the time of the attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said that the Israeli missile attack targeted areas in the western and southwestern countryside of Damascus. It said a number of missiles hit three targets, which it claimed are weapon depots that belong to the Lebanese Hezbollah group. The Israeli attack is the latest in a string of missiles strikes targeting Syrian positions throughout the crisis over the pretext that they are targeting positions of Iranian-backed forces and allied Hezbollah fighters. The last attack was late last month and targeted military positions in the town of Kisweh in the western countryside of Damascus. In September, Moscow equipped Damascus with the S-300 air defense missile system, but local reports said that this advanced system hasn't been used yet. New Delhi: The visionary leadership and endearing personality of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were fondly remembered by the entire country on Tuesday - his 94th birth anniversary. Leading the heartfelt tributes for the iconic leader was PM Narendra Modi who, along with politicians cutting across party lines, paid homage at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Sha were among the first to reach Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where they offered a floral tribute to Vajpayee. PM Modi also took to Twitter to honour the memory of a figure who played an important role in shaping the future of the party, the country and its people. "Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," he wrote, alongwith a video showing priceless glimpses from Vajpayee's life. ?? ???? ?????, ????? ???????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??-?? ???? Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of. pic.twitter.com/CnD1NtQCWp Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2018 Former PM Manmohan Singh and several other leaders from the opposition also honoured the memory of Vajpayee - many attending the sombre event at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. A commemorative Rs 100 coin to honour Vajpayee was released a day earlier - on Monday by PM Modi in the presence of several union ministers. Vajpayee passed away on August 16 at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi following a prolonged illness. The veteran leader, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998-2004, was the first ever person from the BJP to have become the nation's Prime Minister. Vajpayee served as Prime Minister thrice -- briefly in 1996, and then for two terms between 1998 and 2004. BJP plans on celebrating December 25th of every year as 'Good Governance Day.' New Delhi: The nation on Tuesday remembered former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary. Vajpayee, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior. The 10th prime minister of India, Vajpayee, breathed his last on August 16, 2018. The veteran BJP leader served three terms as the prime minister - first for a period of 13 days in 1996, then for 13 months from 1998 to 1999, and a full term from 1999 to 2004. The administration of Narendra Modi in 2014 declared that Vajpayee's birthday would be marked as Good Governance Day. He was conferred India`s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, by then President Pranab Mukherjee in 2015. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday inaugurate the Bogibeel Bridge - India's longest rail-cum-road bridge - in Assam's Dibrugarh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister H D Deve Gouda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. The 4.94-km-long bridge is being inaugurated on late PM AB Vajpayee's birth anniversary on December 25. Bogibeel Bridge on the Bramhaputra river is India's only fully welded bridge for which european codes and welding standards were adhered to for the first time in the country, said Chief Engineer Mohinder Singh. He added that a fully welded bridge has a low maintenance cost. The bridge, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,900 crore, has a "serviceable period of around 120 years", he said. The bridge reduces travel time from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh to four hours and will cut out the detour of over 170 km via Tinsukia. It will also reduce Delhi to Dibrugarh train-travel time by about three hours to 34 hours as against 37 hours presently. The bridge has a two-line railway track on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the top deck. For the first time in Indian Railways, the girder has steel floor system for railway tracks and concrete for road. The first train on the bridge will start at around 11 am on Tuesday. (WIth inputs from agencies) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated that minorities were not being treated well in India. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Imran Khan said that the Quaid-e-Azam of Pakistan envisaged a separate nation for Muslims because he realised that Muslims would not be treated as equal citizens by the Hindu majority. The Pakistan Prime Minister further said that Jinnah envisaged Pakistan as a democratic, just and compassionate nation, pointing that the Quaids early political career was as an ambassador for Hindu Muslim unity. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief wrote, Quaid envisaged Pakistan as a democratic, just and compassionate nation. Most importantly he wanted our minorities to be equal citizens. It should be remembered that his early political career was as an ambassador for Hindu Muslim unity. His struggle for a separate nation for Muslims only started when he realised that Muslims would not be treated as equal citizens by the Hindu majority. Naya Pak is Quaid's Pak & we will ensure that our minorities are treated as equal citizens, unlike what is happening in India, he further tweeted. This comes days after Imran Khan cited a statement by critically-acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah over mob violence to allege that minorities were not safe in India. Imran Khan had also said that his government would "show" the Narendra Modi government in India "how to treat minorities" and make them feel safe in their country. All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, among others, had hit out at Imran Khan over his remark. Owaisi advised the Pakistan Prime Minister to learn from India about inclusive politics and minority rights. The AIMIM chief tweeted, According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics & minority rights. Bogibeel: Shortly after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off the first train on the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam's Dhemaji. Speaking on the occasion, the PM said, ''About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to that vision of Atal Ji. The inauguration of the Bogibeel Bridge is a historic feat and I am glad to be here in Assam, among you all on this special day.'' ''The Bogibeel Bridge is a lifeline for the people of Assam. It has enhanced connectivity between Assam and other parts of the nation. It will improve trade and boost the economy,'' PM Modi said. While thanking all those who were involved in the construction of the historic Bridge, the PM said, ''Things have changed after May 2014 when topmost priority is being accorded to key projects. Delayed infra projects were adversely impacting India's development trajectory. When we assumed office, we added speed to these projects and worked towards their quick completion.'' ''The NDA govt is working on many more projects that will be launched in the coming days,'' the PM added. Attacking the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government, the PM accused the previous regime of neglecting the northeast and doing nothing for its development. ''Four years ago nobody would have imagined that a man who was involved in a helicopter scam would be brought to India. Our government managed to do it,'' the PM said in an apparent reference to alleged VVIP chopper scam middleman Christian Michel. The Prime Minister earlier inaugurated the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam. The PM, who reached Dibrugarh in the afternoon from New Delhi, flew directly to Bogibeel in a chopper and dedicated the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge to the nation from the south bank of the river. After greeting people, standing on the foothold of his vehicle, PM Modi deboarded the car and walked a few metres on the bridge along with Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The PM crossed the bridge in his cavalcade to the north bank of Brahmaputra, where he flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express. The train will run five days a week. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours. The strategically important bridge, which begins at Dibrugarh and ends at Dhemaji districts of Assam, will remove communication bottlenecks to several districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, is also likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. The Congress-led UPA government had declared it a national project in 2007. December 25 happens to be Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Due to the inordinate delay in its implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 per cent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 km from the earlier 4.31 km. The bridge is part of the infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. "The bridge will enhance the national security of the eastern region by facilitating swift movement of defence forces and their equipment. It was constructed in such a way that even a fighter jet can land on it in case of emergency," a source said. A senior army official had earlier said the biggest advantage of the bridge will be the easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. "This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometers," he had said. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma had also said that the bridge will provide logistical support for the Indian Army manning the border. The road distance from Dibrugarh to Itanagar will be reduced by 150 km and the railway travel distance between these two points will shorten by 705 km, he had said. The bridge and the train will be a boon for the people of Dhemaji as major hospitals, medical colleges and airport are in Dibrugarh, the third-largest city in the Northeast. (With PTI inputs) Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister has sparked a controversy after he was caught on camera asking to 'mercilessly' kill the accused in the murder of a Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) worker. Media reports suggest that the Chief Minister was apparently speaking to a senior police officer following the death of JDS leader Honnalagere Prakash. "Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy caught on cam telling someone on the phone 'He(murdered JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why did they murder him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem," tweeted news agency ANI. #WATCH Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy caught on cam telling someone on the phone 'He(murdered JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why did they murder him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem. (24.12.18) pic.twitter.com/j42dqiRs0a ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 Defending himself, Kumaraswamy said, "It (kill assailants mercilessly) was not my order, I was emotional at that moment. They (killers) are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person (JDS leader Prakash), this is how they are misusing bail." Prakash was killed by four assailants due to alleged personal rivalry in Karnataka's Maddur town in Mandya district on Monday. "Prakash, 50, was attacked by four men with a machete on Monday evening due to suspected personal rivalries. He succumbed to his injuries," Maddur police station sub-inspector Kumara had said. The JDS worker was also a former Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member of the district, the police officer had said. A hunt was on to nab the accused, he had added. Expressing shock over the party activist's death, Kumaraswamy had said, "Prakash was a loyal party worker. The district police have been directed to take steps to arrest the accused." (With inputs from agencies) BENGALURU: While the inauguration of the Bogibeel Bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Assam on Tuesday was welcomed by many, it reportedly brought disappointment for former Prime Minister and JD (S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, who had laid the foundation stone of the longest rail-cum-road bridge, over not being invited to the event. Though the PM inaugurated the 4.9 km long bridge at Bogibeel across Brahmaputra river, built at a cost of Rs 5,900 crore, its foundation stone was laid by Gowda when he was the prime minister in 1997. "Railway line to Kashmir, Delhi Metro and Bogibeel rail-road bridge were among the projects I had sanctioned (as prime minister). I had sanctioned the budget of Rs 100 crore for each of these projects and laid their foundation stones. People have forgotten today," Gowda said. Replying to a question from reporters on the sidelines of a function in Bengaluru as to how he felt about the inauguration of the project started by him, the former prime minister said he had given the nod for many projects. To a question whether he received an invitation, Gowda quipped, "Aiyo Rama! Who will remember me? Some newspapers might have mentioned about it." On the enormous delay in completing the project, he said, "That is where I differ. I completed the Hassan-Mysuru project in 13 months. I completed two bridges on time. Anagwadi bridge (across Ghataprabha). Go and see the bridge on Krishna river. "Some people from Bombay Karnataka region say that Deve Gowda did not do anything (for the north Karnataka region), go and see it," he added. Amid much fanfare, the Prime Minister on Tuesday inaugurated the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam. The PM, who reached Dibrugarh in the afternoon from New Delhi, flew directly to Bogibeel in a chopper and dedicated the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge to the nation from the south bank of the river. After greeting people, standing on the foothold of his vehicle, PM Modi deboarded the car and walked a few metres on the bridge along with Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The PM crossed the bridge in his cavalcade to the north bank of Brahmaputra, where he flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express. The train will run five days a week. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours. The strategically important bridge, which begins at Dibrugarh and ends at Dhemaji districts of Assam, will remove communication bottlenecks to several districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, is also likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. The Congress-led UPA government had declared it a national project in 2007. December 25 happens to be Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Due to an inordinate delay in its implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 per cent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 km from the earlier 4.31 km. The bridge is part of the infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. "The bridge will enhance the national security of the eastern region by facilitating the swift movement of defence forces and their equipment. It was constructed in such a way that even a fighter jet can land on it in case of emergency," a source said. A senior army official had earlier said the biggest advantage of the bridge will be an easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. "This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometers," he had said. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma had also said that the bridge will provide logistical support for the Indian Army manning the border. The road distance from Dibrugarh to Itanagar will be reduced by 150 km and the railway travel distance between these two points will shorten by 705 km, he had said. The bridge and the train will be a boon for the people of Dhemaji as major hospitals, medical colleges and airport are in Dibrugarh, the third-largest city in the Northeast. (With PTI inputs) Bengaluru: Landed in a controversy for his 'kill mercilessly' remark, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday defended himself saying that it was not his order, he made the statement out of emotions. "It (kill assailants mercilessly) was not my order, I was emotional at that moment. They (killers) are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person (JDS leader Prakash), this is how they are misusing bail," Kumaraswamy said. The Chief Minister on Monday was caught on camera asking to 'mercilessly' kill the accused in the murder of a Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) worker. Media reports suggested that the Chief Minister was apparently speaking to a senior police officer following the death of JDS leader Honnalagere Prakash. "Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy caught on cam telling someone on the phone 'He(murdered JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why did they murder him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem," news agency ANI quoted Kumaraswamy as saying. H Prakash was killed by four assailants due to alleged personal rivalry in Karnataka's Maddur town in Mandya district on Monday. "Prakash, 50, was attacked by four men with a machete on Monday evening due to suspected personal rivalries. He succumbed to his injuries," Maddur police station sub-inspector Kumara had said. The JDS worker was also a former Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member of the district, the police officer had said. A hunt was on to nab the accused, he had added. Expressing shock over the party activist's death, Kumaraswamy had said, "Prakash was a loyal party worker. The district police have been directed to take steps to arrest the accused." (With inputs from agencies) Los Angeles: Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenager at a bar in Massachusetts. He will appear in court on January 7 over the incident, which allegedly occurred in Nantucket in July 2016. On Monday, Spacey posted a video in which he appeared to deny any wrongdoing while in character as Frank Underwood from "House of Cards", the BBC reported. "I`m certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didn`t do," he said in the clip. "You wouldn`t believe the worst without evidence, would you?" he said. "You wouldn`t rush to judgements without facts." The three-minute clip, which is titled "Let Me Be Frank", marks Spacey`s first public appearance since the first allegation of sexual assault was made against him last November. The alleged victim is the son of former television news presenter Heather Unruh, who spoke publicly about the incident in 2017. She accused Spacey of buying her then 18-year-old son alcohol -- the drinking age in Massachusetts is 21 -- and then groping him. In Monday`s video, Spacey speaks in Frank Underwood`s accent and addresses the viewer directly, much like he did throughout his five seasons on House of Cards. "Of course some believed everything," he said. "They`re just waiting with bated breath to hear me confess it all," the BBC quoted him as saying. "They`re going to say I`m being disrespectful, not playing by the rules," he added. "Like I ever played by anyone`s rules before. I never did. And you loved it." Frank Underwood was the power-hungry and conniving protagonist of the Netflix series, and murdered a journalist and a politician before he was killed off ahead of season six. Spacey has also been accused by actor Anthony Rapp of making a sexual advance in 1986 and a number of other allegations have since emerged. Spacey said he had no memory of the event but publicly apologised before issuing an "absolute" denial of the other allegations. Separately, in September, the Los Angeles County District Attorney`s office said Spacey would not be prosecuted over an accusation of sexual assault that allegedly took place in 1992. It said it fell outside of California`s statute of limitations. The UK police have also been probing several allegations that centre around his time serving as artistic director at London`s Old Vic theatre. The #MeToo controversy has led to Spacey being axed from a number of roles, including from "House of Cards" and the 2017 film "All the Money in the World", which was re-shot without him. A film in which he appears, "Billionaire Boys Club", also took a record-breaking low of $126 on its first night in US cinemas in August. New Delhi: One of the most adorable couples of B-Town, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh attended Kapil Sharma and Ginni Chatrath's wedding reception in Mumbai last night. Dippy darling looked beautiful in a pink saree while Ranveer looked dapper in blue. The couple were all smiles for the paps as they reached JW Marriot, Mumbai where the party was organised. Videos of Deepika and Ranveer burning the dance floor are doing rounds on the internet. Check them out: Well, there is a reason that every single girl out there is wishing for a 'Ranveer Singh' in her life. The actor is head over heels in love with his wife Deepika Padukone and the two continue to give us couple goals each day. Ranveer and Deepika got married on November 14 this year in a Konkani style ceremony and a day later solemnized their wedding as per Sindhi tradition. 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. The actress donned traditional attire at both these receptions and looked every bit regal. For the third reception, however, Deepika ditched the traditional look and wore a Zuhair Murad custom ensemble. The outfit had a thigh-high slit, flaunting her long beautiful legs. NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reportedly begun an investigation into the anti-Sterlite protests in which 13 people were killed in May this year. As reported by news agency ANI, the CBI has summoned documents from Tamil Nadu Police for the probe into the case. The documents include information on who gave the order to issued the 15 weapons that were used to open fire and who signed and collected these weapons. The CBI has also reportedly asked for documents which have details of who ordered the firing which led to the death of 13 protesters and injuring several others in the protests. The statements of the family members of the thirteen victims who died have been recorded along with statements of those who were injured in the firing. The CBI probe comes days after an autopsy report of the victims revealed that 12 of the 13 protesters were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration against Vedanta's copper smelter in Tamil Nadu in May. According to the report they were hit by bullets in the head or chest, and half of those were shot from behind. Two others died after bullets pierced the sides of their heads, according to the reports produced by forensic medicine experts from several government hospitals. In the case of 17-year-old J Snowlin, the youngest to be killed, a bullet entered the back of his head and exited through her mouth, the autopsy found. On May 22, at least 13 people were killed and over 60 persons were injured after police opened fire at people protesting against the Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi. After the autopsy report, the family of one of the deceased said that their stand has been vindicated. "We had been saying that they were shot in their heads by the police. But nobody listened. Now, it's revealed in the autopsy report," the cousin of a victim killed in the protests in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu said. LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that a 25-feet tall statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed in State Secretariat - Lok Bhawan. "Atalji had strong ties with Uttar Pradesh. He started his public life from Balrampur in the state and represented Lucknow as an MP for five terms," the Chief Minister said, adding that a number of schemes are being launched in the name of the former prime minister. "Atalji was the foundation of 'sushasan' (good governance). He learnt the nuances of politics from Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and became a symbol of trust in politics," Adityanath said. ''A 21-metre tall statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed inside Lok Bhawan in Lucknow,'' UP CM said. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath: A 21-metre tall statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed inside Lok Bhawan in Lucknow. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/dukLXbuitU ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 25 December 2018 The monk-politician made this announcement while attending an event to celebrate Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who represents Lucknow in Lok Sabha, and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik also attended the event. The UP CM said that Vajpayee remained a soldier of democracy for a long time and set an example for all people's representatives. Vajpayee passed away in Delhi on August 16 after a prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honours the next day. Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh stressed that people could learn from Vajpayee how to behave and work in public life. "He was very affectionate even when angry...He was victorious not only in the field of diplomacy but also in war...The barriers of political parties got demolished merely by his presence," the Union Minister said. Naik said it was a pleasant coincidence that Vajpayee shared his birthday with Jesus Christ and Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya. The three leaders earlier paid homage to all on behalf of the people of the state. "Vajpayeeji was the 'mahanayak' (superhero) of politics and the accepted leader of the country...Not only people of his party speak highly about him but leaders of opposition parties also praised him," he said. "Atalji had the quality of taking everyone along and he took the country to new heights...Despite being an MP from Lucknow he did not get a house constructed for himself," Naik said. He described Vajpayee as a rare talent. Recalling the BJP's Mumbai convention in 1980, when Vajpayee was the party's national president, Naik said M C Chagla, an eminent jurist, diplomat and former Union minister had said in his address that the country's future prime minister was sitting beside him and those words came true in 1996. Yogi, Singh and Naik also offered floral tributes to Vajpayee. (With Agency inputs) . 2:3 . , " " , . " , . , " ", ... Noida: The Noida Police on Tuesday issued an order banning people from offering prayers at a public park, which triggered a controversy. According to news agency ANI, the Noida Poice issued an order directing the managers of industrial units and multi-national companies to restrict their employees from offering prayers in open public spaces in Sector 58, which caused inconvenience to the general public. ''The Noida Police have issued a notice asking companies to ensure that no religious activities are carried out in a park in Sector-58 by their employees, that includes Friday Namaz,'' ANI reported. Noida: Police have issued a notice asking companies to ensure that no religious activities are carried out in a park in Sec-58 by their employees, that includes Friday namaz.Notice also states that companies will be held responsible if employees are found offering namaz in parks. pic.twitter.com/MY9PqzuDQk ANI (@ANI) 25 December 2018 The notice also specifically warned that the firms would be held responsible for any breach of this directive. It was widely believed that the notice pointed to the Namaz offered by Muslims in open public spaces. However, with the order triggering a controversy, Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal clarified that the notice was not meant for any "particular religion". News agency IANS quoted a senior official as saying that at least a dozen companies in Sector 58 of Noida have been served the notice by the concerned police station. Earlier this year, a controversy erupted in Haryanas Gurugram after newly-launched right-wing organisation Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti disrupted Friday Namaz at 10 places including Atul Kataria Chowk, Sikanderpur, Cyber Park Sector 40, Wazirabad and Mehrauli-Gurgaon road and IFFCO Chow. Haryana Chief Minister had also courted controversy by saying that one should offer Namaz in mosques and Eidgahs instead of public places and if there is a shortage of places for offering Namaz, then it should be offered at the personal place. These are not such issues which should be displayed at public places, the Haryana CM said. An unknown number of terrorists stormed a government building in Kabul on Monday and killed at least 43 people. Another 10 are reportedly injured. The terrorists took civilians hostage on Monday afternoon and opened fire inside the government building as they engaged security personnel in a gun battle. This was shortly after a suicide car bomb attack outside the Ministry of Public Works. Wahid Majrooh, the country's spokesperson for Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the death toll on Tuesday morning but it is not yet known if all the attackers have been neutralised. Local reports suggest that the timing of the attack was extremely unfortunate as the building was full of employees with many resorting to locking themselves in to stop the terrorists. Some of those injured were rescued and rushed to local hospitals. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks but in recent times, government building have been frequently targeted by Taliban who are believed to be on the rise again. The recent decision of US President Donald Trump to pull out a sizeable chunk of his troops in Afghanistan is also being seen as a condition that could aid in Taliban's resurgence in the country. (With inputs from Reuters and local news agencies) Lahore: Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments reference by Islamabad-based Accountability Court on Monday. After the verdict, Sharif was arrested in the court and taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after the court accepted his request. Sharif in his application to the court said that he wanted to serve the sentence at Kot Lakhpat jail as his family members and his personal physicians live in Lahore. A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their leader. However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the workers for trying to reach the jail. According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with "better class" facilities. "The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table, two chairs, a TV set and newspaper," they said. Sharif has been shifted to the barrack where former president Asif Ali Zardari was also kept in corruption cases in 1990s. Upon reaching Kot Lakhpat jail, doctors carried out a medical examination of Sharif and found him physically fit. Commenting on the verdict on Monday, Sharif said his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. Sharif's lawyers said the accountability court's verdict will be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. The Accountability Court verdict concluded a series of three court cases Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in July last year. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. The apex court set the deadline for December 24 to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the Sharif family. The three-time former prime minister has maintained that the cases against him were initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team in the Panama Papers case was biased. The enemy violated ceasefire regime 11 times, and used the weapons prohibited by the Minsk Agreements Open source The militants violated the ceasefire regime 11 times in Donbas; as a result, one Ukrainian soldier sustained injuries, the press office of the Joint Forces Operation reports on Facebook. As of 6 p.m., during the current day, the Russian occupation forces transgressed the ceasefire regime 11 times. Two cases of use of the weapons prohibited by the Minsk Agreements were recorded, reads the message. Related: Militants did not violate ceasefire in Donbas over day, - HQ It is also noted that the rival conducted the shelling from 82mm mortars on the positions of the JFO in the area of settlement Kriakovka and Vodyane. The strongholds of our forces were shelled from grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms in the area of Novooleksandrivka, Kamianka, Pisky, Taramchuk, Chermalyk, Hruntove, Vodiane, all in in Mariupol sector, reads the message. Related: Militants violate ceasefire regime in Donbas three times, - Ukrainian military One Ukranian soldier sustained injuries, the message concludes. According to the HQ, the situation in the JFO zone remains controlled by the Ukranian forces. As we reported earlier, the militants shelled the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas. In particular, the strongholds near Novooleksandrivka, Kriakovka, Pesky, Kamianka, Vodiane and Taramchuk came under fire. The Russian government has expanded the list of individuals and legal entities of Ukraine that fall under the Russian counter-sanctions, by more than 200 positions. TASS reports that, citing the governments press service. "Due to the signed resolution, the lists of individuals and legal entities, in respect of which special economic measures would be applied, are expanded to a total of more than 200 individuals and organizations," it says. As reported, earlier the head of the Russian government Dmitry Medvedev, tweeted that he had signed a government decree expanding the lists of individuals and legal entities against which the sanctions would be applied 'due to Kyivs unfriendly actions against Russian citizens and legal entities'. First Vice-Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko claimed that she would bring up in Minsk the question of increasing the presence of the OSCE mission in the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, Krym.Realii reports. We are very concerned about the question of the militarization of the peninsula, which was a tourist place. Crimea has never had as many weapons as today. We require the monitoring of this Ukrainian territory, Gerashchenko claimed. According to her, Crimea remains closed for every monitoring mission, whether it is the OSCE SMM or the Red Cross, which have no access to the prisons in the occupied Crimea, as well as the UN mission on torture prevention. Related: Captured Ukrainian sailor sends letter from remand center On November 25, 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. November 25, the ships of the Ukrainian Navy with two armored gunboats and a sea mule tugboat have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. The intention to make the transition was informed in advance in accordance with international standards in order to ensure the safety of navigation. However, contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, the Russian coast guard ships - Sobol class patrol boat, Don border guard cruiser, Mangust class patrol boat and Suzdalets anti-submarine warfare ship performed blatantly aggressive acts against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, reads the message. It is specified that Don border guard cruiser rammed the Ukrainian armored artillery boat, which led to the damage of the main engine, planting and accommodation rail, life float is lost. The Ukrainian Navy states that "the dispatcher service of the occupiers refuses to ensure the right of freedom of navigation, guaranteed by international agreements. 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. Members of the Iraqi Cabinet of Ministers voted to include the Christmas Day in the list of public holidays. This is stated in the message of the government posted on Twitter. "The Iraqi government declares Christmas an official holiday throughout Iraq. Merry Christmas to our Christian citizens, to all Iraqis and to those who are celebrating Christmas all over the world now," it says. According to some data, about 1.4 million Christians lived in Iraq in 2003, but since then their number has greatly decreased and now there are about 300 thousand Christians. We have witnessed the birth of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, as Catholics and Protestants have gathered here today. I want to thank you for your support in obtaining the Ukrainian church, which is independent from Moscow and recognized by the world's Orthodoxy. We dont have and wont have a state church. But there is real religious freedom, which we all cherish. With all the diversity, we are united by Ukraine and faith in the birth and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Poroshenko claimed. Pope Francis mentioned Ukraine and asked for peace in the traditional Urbi et Orbi Christmas message. May the Lord, who is born, bring relief to dear Ukraine, which eagerly wants to regain a lasting peace. With the piece that respects the rights of every nation, a country can rise after suffering and restore decent living conditions for its citizens. I assure my closeness to the Christian communities in this region and pray for that fraternity and friendship can be built," the Vatican News quotes the text of the Christmas sermon of the pontiff. At the same time, it is worth noting that this year, the topic of fraternity in general was central one in the Christmas message of the Pope. He didnt specify the names of those added to the list Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev stated on the list expansion of the individuals and legal entities of Ukraine, in respect of whom the counter-sanctions are imposed, as he reported on Twitter. The list of individuals and legal entities of Ukraine, in respect of whom special restrictive measures will be applied, is expanded. I have issued the relevant decree, the Prime Minister said. Related: European Union officially extended sanctions against Russia He added that these decisions have been adopted to protect the interests of the Russian state, companies and citizens of Russia. It is still unknown who was to the list. As we reported earlier, on November 1, 2018, Russias Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree, which introduces sanctions against 322 Ukrainian citizens and 68 companies. In particular, sanctions were imposed against Ukraines Internal Minister Arsen Avakov, acting Health Minister Ulyana Suprun and Culture Minister Yevgen Nyshchuk, Minister of Education Liliya Grynevych, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan, Ecology Minister Ostap Semerak, Information Policy Minister Yuriy Stets, Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak, Deputy Defence Minister for European integration Anatoliy Petrenko and Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. Related: U.S. sanctions media portals linked to Russian oligarch Presidents son Oleksiy and Poroshenkos Press Secretary Svyatoslav Tseholko were included on the list; however, the president's name is not there. Earlier, President Petro Poroshenko introduced the early-adopted decision of the National Security and Defense Council on personal sanctions against the number of legal entities and individuals connected with the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The order was signed on May 14, 2018, and published on the website on the Presidential Administration on May 18. A hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures with modern yoga moves and a silk hammock. Pre-registration required. Please note: Aerial Yoga at the Yoga Art Space studio requires pre-registration through our website at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. If no one registers for a class, the class may be cancelled between 6-12 hours prior to the class start time. Though this event is shown as a regular, weekly class each week on the Alabi calendar, there are occasionally times when the class will be cancelled in advance such as for certain holidays. All updates and cancellations are on the studio calendar at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. What is Aerial yoga? Aerial Yoga is a hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures infused with modern yoga moves and an silk fabric hammock. Do I need Previous Yoga Experience? No previous yoga experience necessary to enjoy an Aerial yoga class. In fact it can be easier than normal yoga! The silk hammock acts like a support whenever you require it, almost like having your own personal yoga teacher giving you assistance throughout the entire yoga class! Another advantage of having the support of the hammock is that 90% of students are able to complete more challenging poses, such as handstands! Can Everybody do Aerial Yoga? Yes and no. Students who have had a previous injury can find Aerial yoga much easier to participate in then normal yoga. This is due to the the weight being evenly distributed between your body, the hammock and the earth. People who suffer any of following contraindications are advised NOT to participate in an Aerial yoga class: if you have had recent surgery of any sort, if you suffer glaucoma, if you are pregnant, if you suffer a heart condition (including very high or low blow pressure), if you get vertigo, if you have had a recent stroke or a hernia, if you have osteoporosis or any bone weakness, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or if you have had botox in the last six hours. What Should I Wear? All jewellery items must be removed before participating, a t-shirt must be worn to cover the armpit area and leggings are advised to avoid the silk rubbing on the skin and creating irritation. Please have clean feet or, alternatively, bring a pair of socks with you. A photo exhibition by former LA Times photojournalist, Don Bartletti, documenting Central American stowaways on Mexican freight trains. Bartletti shares stories from his 30-plus year career. Join us Friday, October 5, 6:00 pm 8:00 pm for the opening of Enriques Journey, a photo exhibition by former LA Times photojournalist, Don Bartletti, documenting Central American stowaways on Mexican freight trains. Bartletti will share stories from his 30-plus year career as a photojournalist. The exhibit opens October 5 and runs through December 28, 2018 at the New Mexico Humanities Council, 4115 Silver SE, Albuquerque. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday, 9:00 am 4:00 pm. In the vast migration thats changing the face of America, thousands of Central Americans annually attempt a harrowing 1,500-mile journey through the length of Mexico on the tops of freight trains. Nearly all are visited by cruelty, hunger and fatigue. Stowaways call the unscheduled train they run to catch La Bestia or The Beast. Some are maimed or killed by the iron wheels. In the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mara Salvatrucha gangsters, corrupt immigration and police officers and opportunist citizens hunt them like animals. By contrast, in the state of Veracruz trackside residents throw gifts of food, water and clothing to migrants as the train passes by. Among these migrants are children as young as 12 who travel alone. Most are trying to find parents usually mothers - who left them behind years ago to work in the U.S. For children, the dream of reunification becomes the quest for the Holy Grail. Success comes only to the brave and the lucky. In 2003, Bartlettis six-part photo essay in the Los Angeles Times, Enriques Journey was awarded a Pulitzer for Feature Photography. Bartletti was the first U.S. photojournalist to document the ongoing Central American diaspora of children clinging to freight trains and their dreams of crossing into the U.S. Bartletti has an interesting New Mexico connection, too. In 2003, he was assigned to photograph legendary New Mexico author, Tony Hillerman, for a Los Angeles Times Travel Section story written by Hillerman. Bartletti will share with exhibit reception guests his wild adventure in the Sandia Foothills capturing the portrait of a New Mexico treasure. Enriques Journey exhibition is part of the "Democracy and the Informed Citizen" initiative, which is administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. The series is aimed at deepening the public's knowledge and appreciation of the interconnections joining democracy, the humanities, journalism and an informed citizenry. Special thanks go to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for its generous support of the initiative and to the Pulitzer Prizes for their partnership. Thanks, too, to the City of Albuquerque's KiMo Theatre as a major sponsor of the series. N.M. Wildlife and Wildscapes: The Art of Julia... PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Free Wellness Check for All Adopted Cats and Dogs PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) 12:03 | Chincha (Ica region), Dec. 25. Year after year, Chincha inhabitants celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ to the rhythm of Hatajo de Negritos and Las Pallitas dances performed by men and women, respectively. Both Hatajo de Negritos and Las Pallitas are musical and dance expressions featuring people stomping, singing, as well as playing the violin and the guitar. The foot stomping involves rhythmic moves of African descent to the beat of musical instruments evoking melodies with Andean influence. Hatajo de Negritos Hatajo de Negritos is traditionally danced by men, whereas Las Pallitas is exclusive of women. They are performed together as part of Christmas celebrations, particularly in Chincha province. Dressed in white, dancers represent slaves and ancient Afro-descendant inhabitants who move around stamping their feet, chanting phrases, and holding jingle bells with ribbons tied around them. During the festivities, males wear colorful sashes. Each of them carries a bell and an eye-catching whip with rattles. Las Pallitas For their part, Las Pallitas Quechua word for ladies or shepherds carry multicolored batons called " azucenas " while stamping their feet or singing carols. Women wear bright color dresses and tulle veils. Nowadays, the dance is replicated in Huaral and some districts in Lima. In these places, dancers wear multicolored costumes, silk sashes adorned with sequins, turbans, and hats. The different Christmas celebrations all over Peru prove the country's cultural richness, which is evidenced in multiple festivities held in Andean and Amazon communities, some of them declared National Cultural Heritage. However, the coastal area keeps pace with the rest of the territory since Christmas is lived with great intensity in this region as well. (END) MAO/RMB/MVB Chincha located south of Peruvian capital Lima is popular for hosting Afro-Peruvian descendants who celebrate Christmas in a unique way: with traditional dances.Published: 12/25/2018 Hoy compartamos los valores de solidaridad y bondad que nos identifican como peruanos. Hagamos de esta Navidad un espacio para fortalecer la familia y difundamos el mensaje de unidad para hacer del Peru un pais mas pujante, justo e igualitario. Felices fiestas para todas y todos. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump said progress is being made in the talks with Pyongyang, reports Armenpress. Progress being made. Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim!, Trump said on Twitter. Earlier US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told KNSS that Washington expects Trump- Kim Jong-un 2nd meeting will take place in early 2019. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The death toll in the attack at government offices in Kabul has reached 43, Xinhua reported citing Afghanistan's Healthcare Ministry, TASS reports. Earlier reports said 27 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack. Xinhua said 10 more people were injured. A group of armed militants attacked government offices in the Afghan capital and took hostage employees of the Afghan Ministry of Public Works and the administration dealing with providing assistance to the families of people killed and disabled in the war. After setting off a car bomb near the Ministry of Public Works, militants opened fire. Two more explosions occurred after that. Taking advantage of the ensuing panic, the attackers broke into the building. The government forces eliminated two militants three hours after the attack. Some reports indicate that there were three attackers in total. Around 200 people were evacuated from the building. The media reported that the government forces' operation lasted for around 7 hours. No terrorist organization operating in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for the attack. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Syrian-Armenians, other compatriots, who have resettled in Armenia, are holding a campaign outside the Diaspora ministry: they are protesting against the closure of the ministry, reports Armenpress. The campaign participants stated that Armenia doesnt have diplomatic representatives in all countries, but the Diaspora ministry has been in contact with the Armenian communities of numerous states and made their voices heard in the Homeland. In addition, the ministry has presented different proposals in the government as a result of which the issues of Diaspora-Armenians in Armenia have been solved or simplified. They express concern that the significant works carried out by the ministry so far are just being ignored. This is in case when great number of Armenians live abroad. The campaign participants plan to submit a letter to the acting Prime Minister to present their concerns. Levon Antonyan, head of the department of the Armenian community of the Middle East, told reporters that numerous Diaspora-Armenians have joined the call to preserve the ministry. During those days we receive multiple telephone calls from the Armenian communities of different countries of the world. The representatives state that the ministry should continue its activities. Preserving the ministry is a very important task. We met with the minister who is trying to discuss this issue with the acting PM. A discussion is expected tomorrow. We think that not having an institute in general will have a serious consequence. Moreover, the pre-election program of My Step alliance contains points relating to the Diaspora, he said, adding that they need to carry out a concrete common policy on the Diaspora. A group of ministry staff members together with the campaign participants walked to the governments building to give the letter. A government official accepted the letter. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. An imported measles case has been documented in Armenia. The lab test confirmed the case on December 24. The patients has arrived from Russia with already visible symptoms, the healthcare ministry told ARMENRPESS. The nationality and identity of the patient was undisclosed. The ministry released a statement, noting that the only preventive measure for the disease is vaccination. Details of the abovementioned particular case werent immediately clear. The ministry said that people who get at least two doses of vaccinations develop a 97-98% immunity from the disease and maintain it for a lifetime. Below is a factsheet of the World Health Organization (WHO) on measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. Under the Global Vaccine Action Plan, measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in five WHO Regions by 2020. WHO is the lead technical agency responsible for coordination of immunization and surveillance activities supporting all countries to achieve this goal. Measles is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 1012 days after infection, include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards. Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, and severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with low routine coverage, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths. While global measles deaths have decreased by 84 percent worldwide in recent years from 550,100 deaths in 2000 to 89,780 in 2016 measles is still common in many developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. An estimated 7 million people were affected by measles in 2016. The overwhelming majority (more than 95%) of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita incomes and weak health infrastructures. The measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s. It is safe, effective and inexpensive. WHO recommends immunization for all susceptible children and adults for whom measles vaccination is not contraindicated. Reaching all children with 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination, should be the standard for all national immunization programmes. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia Ara Babloyan had meetings with President Armen Sarkissian, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on the eve of completion of his term in office, the Parliament told Armenpress. During the meetings the role of the Parliament in the countrys progress was emphasized, in particular in the directions of improving the legislative field, conducting control functions, development of political forces and civil society, ensuring transparency of legislative activity and etc. The legal activities of the Parliament of 6th convocation, the works carried out in international platforms and parliamentary structures have been summed up and appreciated. The officials expressed hope that the newly-elected Parliament will continue the parliamentary traditions aimed at boosting the activity of the legislative body. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The Seismic Protection Territorial Service SNCO of Armenias ministry of emergency situations will cooperate with the Japanese Challenge, the ministry told Armenpress. The Challenge is a private company that provides innovative products for security and disaster prevention. Within the framework of the cooperation, it is expected to test the devices provided by the Japanese company across Armenia, and in case of positive results, the equipment will be installed and applied in the country. The work of EQGuard-(Earthquake Sensor Alarm Equipment) issues alert before the arrival of strong shakingis. Built-in accelerometer detects P wave and issues earthquake alert before the arrival of strong shaking by S wave. EQG-has a specialized software to distinguish between earthquake and living noise generated near EQG-, which prevents it issuing of erroneous alert. EQGuard- can send the signals to control the connected equipment like broadcasting facility, elevator, production facility etc. in accordance with the estimated seismic intensity level of the earthquake. Seven EQGuard-devices have been provided by the Challenge to the Seismic Protection Territorial Service for testing. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. In a Christmas Eve call with a young child Monday night, U.S. President Donald Trump asked a 7-year-old named Coleman whether he or she still believes in Santa Claus, saying that was a "marginal" age for knowing the truth, CNN reported. "Are you still a believer in Santa? Because at seven, it's marginal, right?" Trump asked the child. Coleman's response, though inaudible to the press, left Trump with a chuckle and a smile. The call came around 6:30 p.m. as the President and first lady Melania Trump spoke on separate phones to children whose calls to NORAD had been patched through to the White House lines. "Well, honey, happy Christmas, and you just take care of yourself and say hello to your family, OK? Say hello to everybody," Trump said. In another phone call, Trump took a child's belief in Santa as a given. "What's Santa going to get you for Christmas?" he asked, according to pool reports. "Have a great Christmas, and I'll talk to you again, OK?" NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, has made a tradition of using its radar system to track Santa on his trip around the globe every Christmas Eve. The tradition, which began with a phone line mix-up in 1955, continued this year despite the ongoing government shutdown. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Suicide attackers hit the headquarters of Libyas foreign ministry in Tripoli on Tuesday, opening fire before blowing themselves up inside, a security source told Reuters. Sky News Arabia reported that 1 person has died and another five were wounded in the attack. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. S7 Space, a Russian private company, has said it is launching the implementation of the project on creating an orbital spaceport. S7 is the operator of the Sea Launch Floating Spaceport. "We are starting the work to implement the Orbital Cosmodrome project. We suggest applying the rich experience gained by the domestic cosmonautics in long-term manned missions in its creation," the report says, according to TASS. The company calls on state corporations, commercial companies and ambitious upstarts to cooperate. "The goal will become a stimulus for the development of technologies and boosting private-state partnership in the implementation of the prospects of the space industry, as well as provide the high demand of the Russian cosmonautics in the global movement into space," the report says. S7 Space also published a video footage with the concept of its space program on its Facebook page. Carrier rockets are expected to be launched under the Sea Launch project, and cargoes are to be delivered to the future orbital spaceport to be further delivered to Mars. S7 Space has the Orbital Cosmodrome section on its website, but it is empty yet. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Special Investigative Service has received a response from Russian authorities to an inquiry regarding the citizenship of Mikayel Harutyunyan, a former defense minister of Armenia who is wanted on charges of overthrowing constitutional order, the Special Investigative Service told ARMENPRESS. At the same time, the Special Investigative Service said it has sent additional inquiries to clarify when exactly Harutyunyan was granted Russian citizenship. Colonel-General Mikayel Harutyunyan is accused of breaching constitutional order during the deadly March 1 events in 2008, when he served as defense minister. The March 1 case is an ongoing investigation of the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan, when clashes between demonstrators and security personnel left 10 people dead, including police officers. The arrest warrant for Harutyunyan remains outstanding. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The joint tender announced by the defense ministry and the Hi-Tech Cybersecurity Center was held December 24-25. The purpose of the tender is to create high-tech solutions in the defense system, efficient application, as well as maximal utilization of skills of conscripts. Caretaker defense minister Davit Tonoyan attended the second stage of the tender, the ministry said. Tonoyan spoke to commission members and experts, and was familiarized with the skills of conscripts who are participating in the event. Conscripts subject to winter draft who have in-depth professional knowledge in informational and communication technologies, practical problem-solving as well as IT are participating in the tender. The commission will choose the best who will be deployed for mandatory service in respectively divisions in order to utilize their skills in the process of creating high-tech solutions in the defense system. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Acting prime ministers spouse Anna Hakobyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of My Step and City of Smile Foundations, today met with acting healthcare minister Arsen Torosyan, introduced the Foundations activities and future programs in fight against cancer, reports Armenpress. The meeting was also attended by deputy healthcare minister Anahit Avanesyan, acting director of the Hematology Center after Professor R. Yolyan Samvel Danielyan, as well as a number of representatives of the field. Acting minister Arsen Torosyan stated that the fight against cancer is one of the three main directions adopted by the ministry. We need to understand how we should move on in fighting cancer, starting from point-based solutions up to strategic research, global investments, as well as to develop a strategy in fight against cancer. I know that your Foundation carries out major works in combating childhood cancer and I would like that we cooperate and the works are done simultaneously in order to achieve results, the acting healthcare minister said. In her turn Anna Hakobyan attached importance to the cooperation and noted that good results can be achieved only thanks to constant actions. Cancer is such a complex field that we cannot leave it on the shoulders of the state and our approach is that I, as the spouse of the acting PM, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, are ready to assist and also receive instructions and implement them to contribute to fighting cancer, she said. At the end of the meeting the sides reached several agreements for the continuation of future cooperation. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The Yerevan City Council has approved the citys 2019-2023 action plan with 28 votes in favor, 10 against and 12 abstentions. Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Sargsyan said that the plan has been designed by taking into account the September 23 early election of the city council. The main goal of the five-year plan is to outline the city economy development directions by taking into account existing problems. The plans and actions of the upcoming five years have been developed based on development priorities of the capital, existing problems and funding opportunities. The plan is aimed at the development of all sectors of the urban economy. The purpose of the plan is to implement systematic reforms by using new approaches, taking into account the interests and rights of citizens, Sargsyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Passengers and crew of the December 21 Moscow-Yerevan Flight 4377 are considered at-risk if they havent been vaccinated against measles as one of the passengers tested positive for the disease in Yerevan after arrival. The passenger showed symptoms and lab tests confirmed the disease on December 24. The passenger arrived on December 21. In order to prevent the further spread of the infection we urge to seek medical attention at the nearest medical facility or dial 010 550601, Immunization-Preventive National Program leader Gayane Sahakyan said on Facebook. Although Sahakyan did not mention which airline operated the flight, online schedules state that the Russian Nordwind Airlines fly daily from Moscow to Yerevan with the flight number N4 377. An imported measles case has been documented in Armenia. The lab test confirmed the case on December 24. The patients has arrived from Russia with already visible symptoms, the healthcare ministry told ARMENRPESS. The nationality and identity of the patient was undisclosed. The ministry released a statement, noting that the only preventive measure for the disease is vaccination. Details of the abovementioned particular case werent immediately clear. The ministry said that people who get at least two doses of vaccinations develop a 97-98% immunity from the disease and maintain it for a lifetime. Below is a factsheet of the World Health Organization (WHO) on measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. Under the Global Vaccine Action Plan, measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in five WHO Regions by 2020. WHO is the lead technical agency responsible for coordination of immunization and surveillance activities supporting all countries to achieve this goal. Measles is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 1012 days after infection, include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards. Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, and severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with low routine coverage, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths. While global measles deaths have decreased by 84 percent worldwide in recent years from 550,100 deaths in 2000 to 89,780 in 2016 measles is still common in many developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. An estimated 7 million people were affected by measles in 2016. The overwhelming majority (more than 95%) of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita incomes and weak health infrastructures. The measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s. It is safe, effective and inexpensive. WHO recommends immunization for all susceptible children and adults for whom measles vaccination is not contraindicated. Reaching all children with 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination, should be the standard for all national immunization programmes. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The invasion of the Turkish military to Syria can take place at any moment, expert on Turkish studies Rafayel Sahakyan told a press conference in ARMENPRESS, adding that most probably Turkey now reaches certain agreements with international players. Therefore, its not ruled out that Turkey may enter into Syrias territory by the end of the year. Succeeding in Afrin Turkey strengthened its positions in Syria and increased its influence: it took control from Kurds in Afrin. Recently Turkey launched a new operation in the eastern part of Euphrates which will cover quite a major space, he said. If Turkey succeeds in this case as well, it will take under its control a territory with 30-40km depth up to the border with Iraq, by making a buffer zone. It turns out that Syrias entire north will be under the Turkish control, Rafayel Sahakyan said. Talking about Turkeys previous operations in Syria, the expert said Ankara is solving several issues: Turkey is making a number of changes to change the demographic picture, it sets up Turkish schools, mosques. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, 25 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 25 December, USD exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 484.00 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 551.52 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.05 drams to 7.03 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 612.16 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 0.81 drams to 19578.02 drams. Silver price down by 0.24 drams to 228.36 drams. Platinum price down by 0.51 drams to 12293.16 drams. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian says Russia is the natural ally of Armenia, Armenpress reports the President said in an interview to the Indian WION TV (World Is One News). The President reminded that Armenias acting prime minister announced that there will be no change in our foreign policy, which is natural. Russia is a natural ally of Armenia. This partnership has not started ten years ago or hundred years ago. We are good allies for centuries. I think we are, were and will be stable and good allies in the future, Armen Sarkissian said. President Sarkissian also commented on the statement of John Bolton who said they offer to sell American weapons to Armenia. The Armenian President said that is just an offer. Tomorrow we can have other offers as well. I leave that to government to decide what sort of weapons they want to buy. But the reality is that Armenia is the only country that is and can become a bridge between East and West. We are a member of Eurasian Economic Union, we have very good relations with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. For us its a very important step forward because at the end of the day if you look at the local, Armenian market as an economy, 3.5 million population is not an attractive market, he said. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan participated in the reception organized by the foreign ministry on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the acting PM congratulated and conveyed warm wishes to the staff of the foreign ministry on the upcoming holidays. We can say that the foreign policy achievements of our country in 2018 were recorded inside the country, because, in fact, throughout the world a key change in the reputation of Armenia is taking place, and this change that started in May and reached the peak by the December 9 early parliamentary elections create firm basis for us to record serious achievements in foreign policy and diplomacy, Pashinyan said, adding that this year Armenia recorded 2 key democratic victories, one of which was the non-violent, velvet, popular revolution that took place in April-May and that second was the parliamentary election, which, according to the assessment of international observers, was unprecedented in the history of Armenia, who also recorded that the election was in line with the democratic standards. Why is it so important to say particularly at the foreign ministry? Because unfortunately, during the past times the MFA, the diplomatic corps had to give explanations, find different formulations for a long time following the elections to avoid or minimize the negative impact on the country, Pashinyan said, hoping that the accumulated energy will be spent on the real goals. I think for the upcoming period our key goal should be raising awareness of the nature of Nagorno Karabakh issue in international community, because unfortunately its not always and not everywhere that people have the proper information. This is an issue that is really a matter of national security. We must be confident that the international community understands the nature of Nagorno Karabakh issue the way it exists. Unfortunately, today we cannot record this everywhere and its necessary to seriously work in this direction, he said. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the importance of using Armenias reputation for fostering investments, highlighting the role of the diplomatic corps in this mission. Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed that there can be no deviations from democracy in the future, and he democratic reforms will continue in 2019. A real rule of law must be established in Armenia with an independent judicial system and the authorities of Armenia should pursue foreign policy based on legitimacy, as a Government authorized by the people presenting the interests of the people, he said, adding that being authorized by the people gives great power, I hope that in 2019 the people will feel the power of your activities, your professionalism, and skills like you today feel the power of having the mandate of the people. Nikol Pashinyan thanked for their diplomatic service and wished new achievements. A number of diplomats were awarded for their contribution to the proper organization of the 17th summit of Francophonie. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan JEFFREY FEBI ON 25 AUGUST 1942, the Japanese first attacked the Allied forces in Milne Bay. In preparation for the anticipated attack from an advancing Japanese army, the Allies set up infrastructure in and around Alotau, including airstrips, roads and slipways. Relics of these now litter the coastline, jungles and waters of the bay of which Alotau is part. In my time at Alotau, I travelled to a village called Ladava, 40 minutes drive west of the town. When I arrived, students from the local Catholic Mission primary school were emerging from their classrooms for lunch break. I looked towards the sea and noticed beach, sea and sky were eerily gloomy and dark. It was as if the low hanging rain clouds had conspired with the beach and the sea to hide something from me. Even the coastline on the other side of the bay was almost totally hidden. But this did not dampen my enthusiasm to see what Id come for. Id heard about it and had decided to take this trip to see it for myself. A few minutes walk from the school to a point on the shore, the shrubs, soil and sea reveal a secret - a slipway; constructed by the Americans. This abandoned facility, now at the mercy of harassing waves and tree roots, is about 80 metres long. What fascinated me about this wreck is that the locals believe former US President John F Kennedys torpedo boat made its last stop here for servicing and refuelling before journeying on to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Alotau was a major naval base during the war so it is quite possible the boat might have made a stopover. The slipway wreck is the object of affection for a crocodile, which comes ashore frequently to hunt for nearby dogs. According to local belief, the crocodile is the spirit of a witch looking for her prized kill. This slipway is part of the infrastructure that played an important role in the Battle of Milne Bay, where for the first time Allied troops defeated Japanese land forces, resulting in a withdrawal and complete abandonment of their strategic objective. This defeat prompted Field Marshal Sir William Slim, British Commander in Burma to encourage and motivate his troops with: If the Australians have done it, so can we. Many other fascinating and forgotten relics on the periphery of Alotau still remain hidden. Time will reveal these treasures. Alotau could easily become a PNG tourist hub with its attractive landscape and people, its real assurance of peace and tranquility, and the fact it served as a strategic allied base that was used to defeat the advancing Japanese land forces. Tourists, who plan to travel to Alotau in the near future, should consider visiting Ladava village before travelling to other exotic islands like the Trobriands. President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday unveiled Iran's first annual budget since the return of US sanctions, saying it had been adjusted to take account of Washington's "cruel" measures. The president announced a 20 percent increase in public sector wages in a sign of the economic challenges the Islamic republic has faced since the United States pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this year. The speech gave only a few general points of the budget -- which will now be scrutinised and voted on by parliament -- but acknowledged the pressure Iran was under. "Last year we faced some problems," Rouhani told parliament in a televised speech, referring to the widespread protests that hit the country almost exactly a year ago, sparked by anger over economic and political conditions. "Those events caused the Americans to change their position regarding the Islamic republic and the nuclear deal," he said. "The real objective of the US in all of this conspiracy and sanction and pressure... is to bring the powerful Islamic republic of Iran to its knees," he said, vowing that the US "will definitely be defeated." The renewed US sanctions include an embargo on Iran's crucial oil sector. The new budget did not say how many barrels of oil Iran hopes to sell in the next financial year, which starts in late March, but analysts believe it will be considerably less than the approximately 2.5 million it sold per day prior to Trump's withdrawal. The US granted waivers to eight key buyers of Iranian oil -- including China, India and Turkey -- though this has been a double-edged sword for Iran since it also helped push down the global price. - Forex 'practically zero' - Rouhani came to power in 2013 representing the more moderate side of Iran's ruling elite, hoping a compromise on the country's nuclear programme would reduce tensions with the West and allow foreign investment to boost the stunted private sector. The return of sanctions has ended that hope, and forced Rouhani more towards the self-sufficient "resistance economy" preferred by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Concern over the economy pushed many Iranians to secure their savings in dollars and gold, triggering a run on the Iranian rial, which has lost around half its value since Trump announced the pullout. "At one point early this year our foreign exchange cash reserve was practically zero, forcing the government to take hard decisions to save the country," Rouhani told parliament. The government has pressured exporters to return their dollars to Iran, and Rouhani said they would lose tax incentives if they failed to repatriate their cash. The central bank has used the returning dollars to shore up the collapsing rial, which has recovered to around 110,000 per dollar on unofficial exchanges. The rial's fall drove up prices across the board, with food and drink costs up 60 percent in the year to November according to the central bank. The judiciary launched a fierce crackdown on currency speculators, dubbed "economic disruptors" that has seen dozens of traders put on trial and at least three businessmen executed. The so-called "sultan of coins", Vahid Mazloomin, was hanged in October after being found guilty of amassing two tonnes of gold coins. But sanctions and fraud are only part of the story in an economy with many long-standing problems. Its banking sector is riddled with bad loans, while many key industries from oil and gas to construction are dominated by semi-state groups with opaque links to the government and military. The budget was delayed several times in recent weeks, with reports that Khamenei had demanded unspecified changes to the final document. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks at parliament in the capital Tehran on December 25, 2018 as he presents his government's 2019-2020 budget Pope Francis called for peace and "fraternity" and Queen Elizabeth II warned against "tribalism", as millions across the world celebrated Christmas on Tuesday -- after US President Donald Trump caused a festive furore by raising doubts about Santa Claus's existence during a call with a child. Some 50,000 worshippers gathered at the Vatican to hear the pontiff's sixth "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) message appealing for peace in conflict zones such as Syria and Yemen, which face humanitarian crises. "My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity," he told pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square on Tuesday, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. "Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas... Fraternity among persons of different religions." Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, had used his mass on Monday night to urge people to curb "insatiable greed". The pontiff said he hoped a truce in conflict-ravaged Yemen would end a devastating war that has killed around 10,000 people since 2015 and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. The pope also spoke of the war in Syria, which has forced millions from their homes and reduced swathes of the country to rubble. He called for a "political solution" to the conflict "so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country". Francis also said he hoped for renewed peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians "that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love." - 'Little town' celebrations - Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were marking Christmas, with services held from Indonesia to Iraq. This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of it coming from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark due to a US government shutdown -- though it ultimately reopened thanks to private donations. One festive service not affected was the military's annual Santa Claus "tracker", which sees North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deliver live updates on his international gift delivery route. Fielding calls from children anxious to know if their presents would arrive on time, Trump risked a spell on Santa's naughty list by telling one child that believing in the jolly man in red at age seven was "marginal". Entrenching the unfestive tone on Christmas morning, Trump used a news conference following his annual holiday call to US troops to reel off a laundry list of complaints, including his disdain for the US Federal Reserve and the opposition Democrats, whom he blames for the shutdown. "It's a disgrace what's happening in our country. But other than that, I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas," the president said. - Celebrations despite conflicts - In Bethlehem, visitors were able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after a major renovation. Visitors from across the world gathered in the "little town" on Christmas Eve for midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. While for many who celebrate the festival Christmas is a time to gather with loved ones, many were struggling with unforeseen events and hardships. At a little church just outside Indonesia's tsunami disaster zone, a few dozen congregants gathered on Christmas day to pray for the victims. The tsunami, triggered by a volcanic eruption, left more than 400 people dead when it smashed into popular beaches on southern Sumatra and the western edge of Java, inundating tourist hotels and coastal settlements. "This Christmas is different because we're celebrating it during a disaster," Rahmat Carita congregant Eliza told AFP. "For me, it's a chance to contemplate. God's love is real, we must not forget that." Queen Elizabeth II warned of religious "tribalism" in a Christmas message delivered against a backdrop of Britain bickering over its impending exit from the EU. The tone of the 92-year-old monarch's annual TV appearances reflected a sombre mood sweeping the island nation as it ponders the perils of leaving the European project after 46 years. "Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism," Elizabeth said. Spain's second-largest city Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack during the Christmas holidays. And in France, groups of "yellow vest" anti-government demonstrators are spending Christmas day at makeshift protest camps on roundabouts across the country, eating devilled eggs and foie gras with new friends they have made in weeks of rallies against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron. burs-mdo/ft Pope Francis appealled for peace in conflict zones such as Syria and Yemen Celebrations at St. Joseph's cathedral in the Vietnamese city of Hanoi on Christmas Eve Christmas morning in the predominantly Iraqi Christian town of Qaraqosh with a mass at the Mar Behnam and Mart Sarah Syriac Catholic Church, which was damaged and defaced during its occupation by Islamic State (IS) group fighters A Santa Claus passing near the controversial Israeli separation barrier, as he arrives in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Christmas morning mass at the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in Qamishli in northeastern Syria Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank is located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier In Germany the Berliner Seehunde (Berlin seals) swimming club held their traditional Christmas bath at the Orankesee lake Christmas Eve mass in Surabaya city, Indonesia Russia on Tuesday expanded its economic sanctions on Ukraine, adding more than 250 people and businesses to a blacklist first announced at the start of November. According to a decree by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, 245 individuals and seven companies, mostly in the energy and defence sectors, were sanctioned by Moscow. Relations between Moscow and Kiev have deteriorated since a pro-Western government came to power after the 2014 revolt against a pro-Russian leader, Moscow's annexation of the Crimea and the outbreak of war in eastern Ukraine. A total of 567 individuals and 75 Ukranian companies now face Russian economic sanctions, which put a freeze on any assets they have in Russia. On his Twitter account, Medvedev said the sanctions were "to defend the interests of the Russian government, businesses and people." Tensions between the two neighbours have worsened since November when Russia's coastguard captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews off the Crimean coast. Among those sanctioned on Tuesday were Ukrainian defence, energy, insurance and logistics companies as well as Odessa's mayor and other high-ranking Ukraine officials. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Kiev has taken a series of measures against Russian interests, including blocking Russian internet services and social media. The conflict pitting pro-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. According to a decree by Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, pictured September 2018, 245 individuals and seven companies, mostly in the energy and defence sectors, were sanctioned by Moscow Two women have been captured on camera fighting in the street with huge blades over a drink of Coca-Cola. The bizarre incident was filmed by eyewitnesses with smartphones in the Costa Rican capital city of San Jose. The footage begins with one woman, wearing a black top and shorts, waving a large knife in her hand and shouting threats at someone off camera. A fight then breaks out between her and another woman, wearing jeans and a yellow top, who is armed with a similar blade. Two women have been captured on camera fighting in the street with huge blades over a drink of Coca-Cola. Photo: CEN/ Australscope The women grapple in the street while repeatedly stabbing and slashing at each other with their blades. Onlookers shout at them to stop and two other woman, one of them on crutches, bravely try to intervene before a burly cop arrives to split up the pair. Isidro Calvo, head of police operations in San Jose, said the women started fighting after falling out over a bottle of Coke. They were arrested immediately. Both are homeless women and there were clear signs of them being drunk, he said. The women grapple in the street while repeatedly stabbing and slashing at each other with their blades. Photo: CEN/ Australscope Officers confirmed they managed to split up the pair who were both bleeding from stab wounds. The women, named only by their surnames of Alvarado and Cano, were taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries. After leaving hospital, they were taken to a police station to face charges. Both are said to have problems with alcohol. -Australscope In news thats more oh, no than ho, ho, ho, Germany is suffering a serious Santa shortage. Known as Weihnachtsmanners, their men-in-red fulfill a more bespoke role than traditional Father Christmases, with families paying for a personal visit from the main man as a traditional treat for their children. But what was once considered a nice little earner for students about $158 per visit for an elite Santa has become a bit passe, with excessive study demands and a decline in Christianity seen as the two main reasons for the drop in interest. Germany is experiencing a Santa shortage this Christmas. Source: Getty Images, file The Berlin Santa Claus Office, which typically takes about 2500 bookings a year, said it now had fewer than 200 Father Christmases on its books down from 500. We are suffering a Santa drought, employee Petra Henkert told German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel. Weihnachtsmanners traditionally visit families to deliver Christmas-themed stories or songs, creating a magical experience for children. The Times reports parents are continuing to make desperate online pleas for a Santa to come to their rescue. If you have red robes, thick boots, a long beard and the time and inclination to visit our family on Christmas Eve we would be thrilled, one post read. US President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday he would not reopen the government until he gets $5 billion to fund his border wall, as the partial government shutdown dragged into a fourth day. Trump's demand for a physical barrier on the US-Mexico border -- a pillar of his election platform -- has been rejected by Democrats and some Republicans. In retaliation, Trump refused last week to sign a wider spending bill, temporarily stripping funding from swaths of the government. "I can't tell you when the government is going to be open," the Republican president told reporters at the White House after his annual Christmas teleconference with US troops. "I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they'd like to call it." Trump reaffirmed a claim made on Twitter Monday that he had approved a contract for the construction of 115 miles (185 kilometers) of wall in Texas, although the White House has not offered any details on the project. He said he would visit that stretch of the border "at the end of January for the start of construction." "It's going to be built, hopefully rapidly," he said. The president said he aimed to have a barrier stretching across 500 to 550 miles of the 2,000-mile border, and "to have it either renovated or brand new by election time." "It's going to all work out," he said, adding that some furloughed federal workers also favor the construction of border wall Trump says will discourage illegal immigration. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said at the weekend the president "must abandon the wall, plain and simple" to reopen the government. Trump ended the session by railing against the Democrats and former FBI director James Comey, whom he sacked in May 2017 in a move he later said stemmed from frustration over the federal investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign Russian interference in the 2016 US vote. "It's a disgrace, what's happening in our country," Trump said. "But other than that, I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas." US President Donald Trump answered calls from people calling into the NORAD Santa tracker phone line in the White House on Christmas Eve Turkey on Tuesday warned France against protecting a US-backed Kurdish militia in Syria and said Ankara's military power was enough to defeat the Islamic State after US troops withdraw. Washington's decision to pull out all 2,000 ground forces from Syria has stunned most allies, including France, but was greeted with approval by Turkey. Ankara believes its forces supporting Syrian opposition fighters will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters from the US-backed People's Protection Units (YPG). "If France is staying to contribute to Syria's future, great, but if they are doing this to protect the (militia), this will bring no benefit to anyone," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to Hurriyet daily. Turkey views the YPG militia as a sister "terrorist" organisation of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara, the US and the European Union. President Donald Trump last week ordered the withdrawal of US ground forces deployed in Syria to provide training to the YPG under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance battling the Islamic State. Cavusoglu told Turkish media during a briefing that Ankara has "the power to neutralise (IS) alone" amid fears that a US pull-out will hurt the fight against Islamic State. The US presence has also been seen by analysts as key to pushing against Iranian and Russian influence. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said a Turkish delegation would head to Moscow "today, tomorrow" to discuss the US pull-out, TRT state broadcaster reported. Erdogan added he expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for face-to-face talks about the issue. He had already invited Trump to visit Turkey in 2019, the White House said on Monday, as ties improve between the NATO allies amid past strains over US support to the YPG. - France 'supports' YPG - Trump's shock move put allies on the backfoot, with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday saying "an ally must be reliable". In a sign of the growing diplomatic rift between the two leaders, Macron also said "I deeply regret the decision" by Trump to pull out troops. France is a member of the international coalition against IS led by the US against jihadists in Syria and Iraq. The French military has stationed fighter jets in Jordan and artillery along the Syrian border in Iraq as part of the coalition, as well as an undisclosed number of special forces on the ground. French ministers said in the aftermath of Trump's announcement that the fight against IS continued as the group had not been fully eliminated from the region. Cavusoglu hit out at French "support" of the YPG, which he said was "no secret" as he slammed French officials' meetings with leaders of the SDF's political wing last week. The co-chairs of the Syrian Democratic Council were in Paris on Friday and warned that a Turkish attack could bring the battle against the IS in Syria to a halt. They also called for French support in assuring the region's peace and stability. Kurdish-led forces on Monday with aerial support from the coalition closed in on the two main spots where jihadists defended their eastern Syria stronghold. - Military reinforcements - Critics say thousands of IS members are still in Syria and could pose a threat with some analysts concerned the withdrawal could lead to a resurgence of IS. But Erdogan has previously said Ankara will intervene in the coming months against IS and the YPG, telling Trump on Sunday that Turkey would "eradicate" the last elements. Cavusoglu said the US withdrawal "should not serve the YPG's separatist agenda". Turkey over the weekend sent military reinforcements to the the border with Syria, with parts of the convoy entering Syria in areas held by Turkish-backed Syrian rebels. Turkey has previously launched two operations with the rebels in Syria against IS in August 2016 and against the YPG in its northwestern enclave of Afrin in January 2018. Washington's decision to pull out all 2,000 ground forces from Syria has stunned most allies Erdogan has asked Trump to visit Turkey in 2019 Territory control in Syria, as of December 21 January ... a time we look ahead with optimism and intent to better ourselves and how we live. Our resolutions for a new year are often health-oriented with a vow to improve our well-being and safety. We may pledge to lose weight, exercise regularly or eat less fast food. Some resolutions require little sacrifice while others require firm commitment and effort. One effort that can be made to help protect our health that requires very little effort or sacrifice is to test our homes for radon. January has been designated as National Radon Action Month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increase awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. Radon is a carcinogen, which means that it causes cancer, and because we cant see, smell or taste it, it is easy to forget that radon may be a problem in any home. It is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is found in almost all soils in every part of the United States. It enters the air after seeping into homes through the ground from cracks and other holes in a homes foundation. Without proper ventilation, it becomes confined inside and consequently is included in the air we breathe. Alarmingly, exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The EPA estimates that radon kills 21,000 people each year and about 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. The EPA and the state Department of Health have designated Cayuga County as a high-risk radon county due to the fact that many residences have already been shown to have high levels of radon. The only way to know if you are at risk for radon exposure is to test your home. Conducting a radon test is as easy as opening a package, placing the detector in a designated area, and after a set number of days, sending the detector back to the lab for analysis. If your home does have an elevated level of radon, a qualified radon mitigation contractor can make repairs to solve the problem and protect your family. The Cayuga County Health Department is encouraging all residents to test their homes for radon. These kits are available for all residents of Cayuga County at no charge and can be picked up at the following distribution points: Cayuga County Health Department, 8 Dill St., Auburn Seymour Public Library, 176 Genesee St., Auburn Port Byron Library, 12 Mentz Drive, Port Byron Weedsport Free Library, 2795 E. Brutus St., Weedsport Springport Free Library, 171 Cayuga St., Union Springs Aurora Free Library, 370 Main St., Aurora Powers Library Association, 29 Church St., Moravia Sennett Town Hall, 931 Cherry St. Road, Auburn Make the small effort to ensure that your home is safe and that your health is not at risk because of radon. Testing your home, and making repairs if necessary, is a small price to pay for the health of you and your loved ones. And it's one resolution that is easy to keep! Melissa Field writes on behalf of the Cayuga County Health Department. For more information, call (315) 253-1560. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dec. 26, 1993 (No Dec. 25 edition) Marcia Cillan visited the Finger Lakes area this holiday season. But without her crown, few would know that she's special. She is a package of paradoxes: intellectually powerful and personally unassuming, she wears a crown and yet is unpretentious. Cillan, 23, is the reigning Miss New York State, though no bubble-headed beauty queen. A Manhattan resident, she is currently employed as a marketer for securities and trust information services at the Wall Street firm of J.P. Morgan. Cillan is a graduate of Georgetown University and also attended Oxford University in England. Additionally, Cillan belongs to the National Association for Female Executives and is listed in the World Who's Who of Women. So, Miss New York is a stuffy intellectual? Most certainly not. She is pragmatic and resourceful. Bothered by a persistent crackle in her hotel room television, she twisted a hand towel, lodged it against the speaker, and abated annoying noise. "See, that's all it needed a sound filter," said Cillan. "Both my parents are engineers, so I sort of know a little bit about electronics." Cillan is at ease munching a sub sandwich in the lobby of the Auburn Holiday Inn, and she prefers a simple cotton shirt sporting the name of her Washington, D.C., alma mater to wearing high-priced designer fashions. Compiled by Jeremy Boyer Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SKANEATELES Charles Dickens and his cast of over 50 characters caroled their final holiday tunes Monday. The Dickens Christmas events in Skaneateles wrapped up after five weekends of horse-drawn wagon rides, live music and performances put on by the Dickens team. Carolers spread their holiday cheer outside shops and businesses on the corner of Jordan and Fennel streets. Because of the touristy buzz around Dickens Christmas, some of those businesses couldn't be happier with the crowds the events attract. "Dickens (Christmas) brings more people to the area ... it's a family activity," said Sarah Wiles, a co-owner of Mid-Lakes Navigation. Mid-Lakes Navigation, located on Jordan Street, provides an array of daily cruises on Skaneateles Lake. But their cruise season doesn't kick off until May. Despite the offseason, the Mid-Lakes office remains open through the rest of the year. Sometimes the cruise-and-dine business will book weddings months in advance. Wiles said the Dickens events can come in handy for the start of a slow winter. A tradition for many, the month-long Dickens campaign is a "good shot in the arm," Wiles said. Hilary Fenner, the executive director of the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce, said the Dickens festivities "absolutely help" local businesses. "The whole event is sponsored by downtown businesses and shops, and realistically, all the shops on Jordan Street and some of East Genesee Street benefit," Fenner said. Fenner added that even the event parking was set up to promote merchants. Dave Conochule, a resident of Auburn, said he and his family came to have a good time. "It actually gave me a chance to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done," Conochule said. Staff writer Dan Orzechowski can be reached at (315) 282-2239 or dan.orzechowski@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @OrzechowskiDan. Love 1 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. SSG (Securitystudies.org, by David Reaboi (Excerpt: Khashoggi: Qatari Asset in life; Qatari Asset in Death) The narrative focusing on the death of Jamal Khashoggi was to be put into the service of both Qatar and Turkeys main interest, undermining the stability of its rival, Saudi Arabia. When complete, the successful information operation would depict Khashoggi a heroic martyr to independent journalism and freedom, while Saudi Arabia would be the embodiment of evil and callousness. It is clear now that, not only was Khashoggi transmogrified in death into a major front in Qatars war on its Gulf neighbors; in life, he was Qatars asset in that war, as well. The effort to transform Khashoggi from the political operative he was into a journalist and martyr for freedom was an information operation waged largely in the United States. It targeted a diverse audience spanning from echo chamber commentators and media figures to politicians, who would then be moved to act based on the new attitude and information the campaign had inserted into the discussion. This operational aspect is of primary importance; as information operations always work to advance policy interests, in order to succeed, these perceptions must affect policymakers and cause them to alter policy. As the news of Khashoggis disappearance and death broke, nearly the entire media was abuzz with praise for the late columnist and engaged in an effort to turn him into a martyr for democratic values, free expression and freedom. As the Post described him recently, [Khashoggi was] a writer of modest influence beyond the Middle East when he was alive. In death, he has become a symbol of a broader struggle for human rights. No outlet did more in the service of cementing that symbolism than the Washington Post and its news and editorial staff. Since October, that outlet has functioned unofficially as the most relentless and influential anti-Saudi lobbying shop in the nations capital. Indeed, the successful campaign of hagiography spearheaded by The Post prompted Time Magazineto name Khashoggi and other members of the media Person of the Year. Of course, in order to do this, the media largely ignored salient facts about him that emerged almost immediately: his long history as an apologist and propagandist for the Muslim Brotherhood; his youthful collaboration with Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda in Afghanistan; his antipathy toward both Israel and Shia Muslims; as well as rumors about his questionable and financial links to Qatari intelligence. Now, shockingly, the Washington Post itself has largely revealed those rumors to be true. We now know that Jamal Khashoggi was never a journalistat least, not in the usual sense of the word; he was a highly-partisan operative who worked with a handler to publish propaganda at the behest of the Emirate of Qatar. He was, in other words, an agent of influence. Rumors have floated inside the Beltway about the contents of Khashoggis text messages and, potentially, evidence of wire transfers from Qatar found at his residences in Turkey and in Virginia. The Posts pre-Christmas release of this information is almost certainly in an effort to get ahead of a story that another outlet is pursuing, and frame some rather explosive revelations in the least damaging way. In an extensive background portrait of Khashoggi buoyed with accounts from sympathetic friends, reporters Souad Mekhennet and Greg Miller admit that, text messages between Khashoggi and an executive at Qatar Foundation International show that the executive, Maggie Mitchell Salem, at times shaped the columns he submitted to The Washington Post, proposing topics, drafting material and prodding him to take a harder line against the Saudi government. The article also glides past crucial context about the relationships Khashoggi cultivated with Islamists and Muslim Brotherhood figures, especially in recent years, and why these connections are important to the work he was doing on behalf of Qatar. Still, this report is crucial because the campaign to lionize Khashoggi and to destroy the US-Saudi relationship was built on the fiction that the Saudis had killed a mere journalist. Knowing the truth about Khashogginot only his anti-Americanism and pro-Islamism (which, for most of the media, is no sin), but his ties to Qatari information operatorswould complicate the narrative greatly. The gory murder of a spy in the process of a rendition to his home country isnt pretty, but its a far cry from the image the media wanted to present. Before anyone else did so, we at the Security Studies Group (SSG) understood the implications of this information operation and aggressively began pushing back on pundits who were attempting to create a false Khashoggi hagiography. In time, some journalists and media figures began to question the defensibility of their position and to withdraw to positions that they found more secure. Over the course of the next hours and days, SSG generated several research products, including backgrounders, articles and interviews that punctured the narrative by linking Khashoggi to the Muslim Brotherhood and other extremist Islamist groups. We had opened the narrative space in the debate for questioning and thoughtfully assessing Khashoggis Islamist background and sympathies. SSG Sr. Fellow Matt Brodsky published the first widely-distributed article about the late columnists Brotherhood connections, Why is the Media Ignoring the Most Glaring Questions about Jamal Khashoggi ? at the Spectator. Using our research, soon other allies felt emboldened enough to publish aggressive push-backs on the unwarranted praise for Khashoggi in the mainstream media. The inevitable hysterical overreaction from the press made it possible for us to increase not only the visibility of our message, but the credibility that comes from the publics recognition of blatant media bias. The rancor of the echo chamber was best captured byPost, which noticed our campaign and tried to do damage control on October 19 with, Conservatives mount a whisper campaign smearing Khashoggi in defense of Trump : In recent days, a cadre of conservative House Republicans allied with Trump has been privately exchanging articles from right-wing outlets that fuel suspicion of Khashoggi, highlighting his association with the Muslim Brotherhood in his youth and raising conspiratorial questions about his work decades ago as an embedded reporter covering Osama bin Laden Our offensive to highlight Khashoggis Muslim Brotherhood links and pro-Islamist sympathies was so successful that the Qatar-funded Brookings Institute issued a paper on October 19, On Jamal Khashoggi, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Saudi Arabia , to address (and begrudgingly acknowledge) the columnists Ikhwan membership and subsequent support for the Islamist movement. Even devoid of context for most readers, The Posts recent acknowledgement of these connectionsto the Brotherhood, as well as to elements of the Qatari network of foundations in Doha and Washington, especiallyoffers a great deal of vindication for our efforts in the service of accurate analysis. This didnt stop many commentators and media voices in the United States from partaking in this influence operation for reasons of their own. But before the partisan American echo chamber could engage, though, foreign sources would shape the stream of facts that could be molded into a potent narrative about Khashoggis death. On Friday, December 21st Gov. Cooper vetoed House Bill 1029 , a technical corrections bill which among other things, would have made municipal charter school employees eligible for state benefits.In his veto statement Cooper said,For years Gov. Cooper has been telling us how important education is and how we need to give our students the best possible education.Gov. Cooper's veto will make it more difficult for four municipalities in the Charlotte area to staff municipally-authorized charter schools.Cooper said the bill would lead to "taxpayer funded re-segregation."The governor is wrong for a variety of reasons.Such a statement falsely assumes that the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools are integrated and charter schools only reverse that process. Anyone familiar with charter schools knows that they are frequently located near troubled public schools, and in communities which are already - for a variety of reasons - highly segregated. If a student is moving from a racially concentrated public school to a racially concentrated charter school, it doesn't follow that charter schools lead to segregation. To say so is to not understand reality or much research that says otherwise (See here here and here Gov. Cooper talks about better educational opportunities and increased parental involvement. I guess that's fine as long as long as the child is assigned to a government-funded school, with a government regulated curriculum and government approved teachers. Parents who want a better public or private education for their children, good luck. You're on your own, because the governor and most of his Democratic brethren don't trust you.Choosing a better education for your child is now equated to a racist act - segregation. It's appalling and it's not true.Cooper's statement reveals the depth of control that Progressives seek over our lives. Parents, the people who know their children best, the ones who know what type of environment their child needs to flourish and the ones who have the most want their children to succeed - must have their choices taken away because they allegedly produce undesirable outcomes.Remember the governor's statement the next time he says he cares about giving kids the best possible educational opportunities.Actions speak louder than words - much louder. 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. Donald Trump, answering a phone call about Santa Claus from a child, 7, on Christmas Eve: "Are you still a believer in Santa? Because at seven it's marginal, right?" Trump sat in front of a roaring fireplace with his wife Melania. Donald Trump, answering phone call from 7-year-old on Christmas Eve: "Are you still a believer in Santa? Because at seven it's marginal, right?" pic.twitter.com/VHexvFSbQ1 The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) December 25, 2018 America, you are welcome. Reuters: A Cincinnati gentleman, running from a police officer who spotted him shoplifting from Walmart, accidentally ran right to the rear entrance of the nearby police station. According to police, "(Jeremy) Roberts made what can only be described as a tactical error and ran directly to the rear of the Cincinnati Police Department District 3 station, which is located just south of Walmart and where he was 'greeted by numerous officers.'" (WCPO, thanks Charles Pescovitz!) News / National by Staff reporter A Harare lawyer, Fred Machokoto of Machokoto and Partners Legal Practitioners, was yesterday jailed 60 months for embezzling $57 000 in trust funds.Machokoto was jointly charged with another lawyer, Mr Pardon Nhokwara who was also a signatory to the trust fund and his firm Machokoto and Partners was cited as the first accused. However, Nhokwara and the firm were both acquitted of all charges after their evidence proved that they were not working in cahoots with Machokoto.Machoko will however, serve 24 months after Harare magistrate Ms Victoria Mashamba suspended 12 months on condition of good behaviour and another 24 months if he repays the $57 000 on or before March 30, 2019.The two had been out on $200 bail.Prosecuting, Mrs Idah Mateke-Maromo told the court that in 2013 four farmers, Patience Tsvakwi, Killiot Mukanya, Robert Makwanya, Tawanda Mungwari and Simbarashe Murerwa got offer letters from the Ministry of Lands for various pieces of land on Lot 3A Triangle Ranch in Chiredzi, which was formerly owned by Triangle Limited.The farmers, who are the complainants, planted and harvested their sugar cane and delivered it to Triangle Limited for sale.Triangle Limited refused to give them their money and they approached the High Court for recourse through their lawyers Machokoto and Partners.In their application, they sought the eviction of Triangle Limited from the plots. They also wanted the court to intervene so that they could get their payments for the sugar cane they had delivered.The farmers won their case but before they could execute the court order, Triangle agreed to pay them a total of $57 000, the court heard.The company then transferred the money through their lawyers Scanlen and Holderness into Machokoto and Partners trust account. Despite the money having been transferred, Machokoto and Partners went on to instruct the Sherriff to attach property belonging to Triangle Limited on the basis that the funds had not reflected in their account.On April 5 last year, Machokoto went to Triangle Limited in the company of the Sheriff where he demanded payment of $68 098-89. To avoid having their property attached, Triangle Limited, transferred the $68 098,89 into Machokoto and Partners trust account.Since Triangle had made another payment, Machokoto was supposed to refund the $57 000 to Scanlen and Holderness.Instead, Machokoto, who was a signatory to the trust account, converted the money to his personal use.This prompted Scanlen and Holderness to sue the farmers in a bid to recover their money and a default judgment was granted in favour of the law firm. A report was then made to the police, leading to Machokoto's arrest. News / National by Staff reporter Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's wife, Mrs Marry Chiwenga, has urged the privileged in society to assist the less-privileged especially during this time of the year, which is a time for giving.In an interview after donating groceries worth thousands of dollars to Tichakunda Children's Home in Hatcliffe, Harare, yesterday, Mrs Chiwenga said her motivation was to teach her children, who accompanied her, the spirit of sharing."It's not me who is really giving, but it's my children that I want to teach to give. I want them to appreciate that they are very privileged and to use their privileges to help the underprivileged. So I brought them here," she said.Added Mrs Chiwenga: "I want my children to have the Christmas spirit, the spirit of sharing, giving and loving without expecting anything in return. We have come here and they have done that. I hope what I am teaching them is a life lesson not only to them but to the children of Tichakunda as well, because I truly believe in my heart that one day these children will be successful," she said.Mrs Chiwenga acknowledged the work that Mrs Winnie Masaraure, the founder of Tichakunda, was doing in assisting the less privileged in her society.She appealed to Government to consider allocating land to the children's home which is currently leasing land that it was using to produce crops to survive.Tichakunda Children's Home started off with 338 children drawn from Hatcliffe area, the majority of them orphans. Today, the home has 570 children, 31 of whom live at the home while the rest come in every day for free education.Mrs Masaraure said she was appealing for assistance to register her home, complete construction of cluster homes and a vocational centre to cater for children who have completed their studies at the school. News / National by Staff reporrer Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday dismissed claims in the private media alleging corruption in the procurement of airspace management and radar surveillance systems.The Zimbabwe Independent yesterday alleged a Spanish company, Indra, was awarded the contract without going to tender and appeared to accuse Minister Matiza and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) of corruptly handling the matter.Minister Matiza cleared the air on the matter yesterday in a statement to The Herald."In 2013, CAAZ issued an open international tender for financing and supply of radar systems, navigational aids systems and air traffic control training simulator. The radar surveillance tender was won by Intelcan of Canada and (the)communication systems tender (was) won by AME ATM of South Africa."The Indra tender award for the radar surveillance system was contested in the Supreme Court by Selex, a competitor from Italy, and the award was set aside. The Supreme Court, in its determination, directed that the matter be dealt with under a fresh tender," said Minister Matiza.He said five years lapsed without CAAZ addressing the matter due to lack of funding."Five years lapsed without the CAAZ addressing the national airspace management challenges due to lack of funding in the economy and absence of vendor financing as well. The international aviation community and airlines raised safety and security concerns about the Zimbabwean airspace and the need for the issues to be addressed urgently."Indra Sistemas of Spain through the Spanish Embassy in Harare presented a proposal to finance the project in 2017. The ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe board then sought authority to undertake direct negotiations with the company and that authority was granted by the Office of the President and Cabinet as was provided for in the now repealed Procurement Act (Chapter 22:14) under PBR 11089 of 2 November 2017," said Minister Matiza.He said the Office of the President and Cabinet endorsed the deal."The Office of the President and Cabinet reconfirmed its support for the project by its letter dated 22nd October 2018. Based on this approval the CAAZ negotiated a contract with Indra and is implementing the project with funding being provided by Afreximbank," said Minister Matiza.This is contrary to allegations by a local independent weekly that Minister Matiza had not followed Government procurement procedure in the US$33 million deal for air traffic control systems. News / National by Staff reporter THE High Court has declared unconstitutional the refusal by Ihlathi High School in Bulawayo to release results of an Ordinary Level candidate over outstanding fees and referred the matter to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt).The pupil, Prudence Moyo from Ihlathi High School through her lawyer Mr Bruce Masamvu of Dube-Tachiona and Tsvangirai Legal Practitioners asked the court to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court for a constitutional declaration.The school has since February 2016 been refusing to release the results demanding to be paid the outstanding fees. In papers filed at the Bulawayo High Court, the headmaster of Ihlathi High school and the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavima were cited as respondents.Justice Nicholas Mathonsi ruled that the conduct of the respondents was inconsistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe."The conduct of the respondents to withhold applicant's Ordinary Level results on the basis of non-payment of school fees is inconsistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and is invalid to the extent of its inconsistency," ruled the judge.He said the actions of the respondents were unlawful and an infringement on the applicant's right to education in terms of section 75 (1) (a) as read with section 81(1) (f) of the constitution."The matter is hereby referred to the ConCourt in terms of section 175 (1) and (5) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe," ruled Justice Mathonsi. Prudence did Form One to Four at Ihlathi High School in Tshabalala."Having completed her Ordinary Level examination, the results were released by the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council to the school in 2016," said Mr Masamvu.At the time the Ordinary Level results were released, Prudence owed Ihlathi High School $412. Mr Masamvu said the applicant's basis for the application was for the court to make a declaratory order."From the date results were released the respondents have refused to release the said Ordinary Level results to the applicant until payment of full school fees arrears. I seek an order that the refusal by the respondents to release the applicant's Ordinary Level results on the basis of failing to pay school fees is unconstitutional as it violates the constitutional right to education and rights of children," he argued."Furthermore, the respondents' actions are also unlawful as they are not provided for by any law. There are lawful ways upon which the respondents can recover their unpaid fees".Mr Masamvu said the respondents' conduct has infringed on the pupil's fundamental right to education as she has failed to progress with her education without the O-Level results."The Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees a right to basic adult education which is State funded and as such the respondents have no right to infringe on the minor child's rights on the basis of failing to pay school fees. The conduct of the respondents further does not in any way advance the best interest of the minor child," he said.Mr Masamvu said the conduct of the respondents was an abuse and deprivation of the applicant's education."I submit that the provisions of Section 6 and Section 21 of the Education Act (25:04) which provide for payment of school fees do not give the powers to withhold examination results where school fees are not paid," he said.In 2011, the Bulawayo High Court ruled that it is parents who undertake to pay all fees for their children when they bring them to school and failure to do so should result in legal proceedings being instituted against them.The court ruled that school fees payment obligation was a contract entered into between a parent or guardian and the school concerned and not the pupil. It said the said contract can either be express or implied.The court also made it clear that it was improper to use pupils as pawns to enforce payment by either turning them away or withholding examination results. News / National by Staff reporter PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday met Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) representatives to discuss challenges faced by teachers in effectively carrying out their duties.The PTUZ delegation was led by its president Dr Takavafira Zhou and requests, among other issues, that teachers' salaries be paid in US dollars and that teachers' children be exempt from paying tuition fees.Briefing journalists after the meeting, PTUZ secretary general Mr Raymond Majongwe, said they had an obligation to present their grievances to President Mnangagwa, who is the Head of State and Government and "not any other imaginary power or president". He described the meeting as a huge success.Mr Majongwe said President Mnangagwa pledged to look into issues they raised before making a formal response."We were able to articulate the challenges that the teachers are facing," said Mr Majongwe.He said it would be difficult for teachers to return to work if not paid in US dollars."We ran through a coterie of serious challenges that we are facing, from salary issues. Our demands are clear that because of the purchasing power parity theory, it is going to be very difficult for teachers to return to work if we are not going to be paid in US dollars because the prices out there in the shops are just beyond the reach of many. We were also able to raise issues relating to our day-to-day demands about the allowances that we are earning, issues around infrastructure, challenges of teachers with disability, issues around housing for teachers and many other proposals that we were able to give to the President," he added.He described the meeting as rare. "The most important aspect being that this was a rare opportunity; the first of its kind," said Mr Majongwe.He said they articulated challenges facing teachers and are looking forward to the President's response."I will be naive to think that the President is going to stand and say 'I will give you back your bonuses.You are going to be paid in US dollars'. The most important thing is we articulated and unequivocally put a clear position from the PTUZ and its membership that these are the challenges that we are facing and we honestly expect the President to respond. In his own words, he said he had understood and he is going to meet his ministers and deliberate on those and respond to us formally," said Mr Majongwe.Mr Zhou said they also proposed solutions to some of the challenges faced by teachers."For example, we have teachers who are teaching up 120 pupils. We told him that there is an excess of teachers that are not employed," he said."They have suspended the recruitment of new teachers and even those excess teachers after recruiting, we can still engage on a Government-to-Government (basis) with neighbouring countries and those teachers can get employed. We have also highlighted that teachers are incapacitated. The basic salary of a teacher is $284 and from that $284, a mere uniform for a Form 1 pupil is ranging between $850 and $2 000," said Mr Zhou."We also proffered solutions like a teacher may be allowed that three of his or her children must not pay tuition fees and (school) levy so that you can lessen the burden and other things like boarding fees," he said."Those who work for the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority do not pay for electricity and those who work for Zimbabwe National Water Authority do not pay for water but there is no direct benefit for teachers," he said. News / National by Staff reporter GOVERNMENT is mulling fuel rationing as the country reels from worsening shortages and growing queues in the middle of the festive season, an energy sector official has said.This comes as Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya yesterday told the parliamentary portfolio committee on Energy and Power Development that Zimbabwe had enough fuel to service the country's growing vehicle population, arguing that fuel queues were a product of panic buying. Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) acting chief executive, Eddington Mazambani told the same committee yesterday that rationing was the only way to manage the worsening fuel crisis.Mazambani who told the committee a fortnight ago that Zimbabwe was running dry as the US$60 million disbursed by government had already run out and said Zera would be working with operators to enforce rationing."The other option, Mr Chairman, that we might have to consider as a country, although not desirable, is rationing because we don't have the product. It's not a desirable solution, but with the situation we have at the moment (we should) try and have a demand-side management," Mazambani said.Mazambani said the energy regulator was mulling a proposal to enforce rationing and possibly impose a ban on jerry cans and drums at fuel stations."We might have to do a paper to recommend for the introduction of rationing unless the situation improves. We also need to work together with the operators to try and contain issues of containers, drums and jerry cans. If you go to any service station with the product, you see more of drums and jerry cans," he added.Three weeks ago, government allocated US$60 million to import 100 million litres which ran out in a week as part of the money was to clear arrears for fuel supplies rendered to local dealers.Zera warned that Zimbabwe would plunge into a fuel crisis if foreign currency is not made available.Suppliers have chosen to hold on to their fuel at bonded warehouses in Harare's Msasa industrial area, demanding payment upfront, plunging the country into a fuel crisis which has seen motorists spend over 48 hours in queues. With the situation not getting any better, Zimbabwe is likely to endure a dry festive season as fuel woes continue.Zera says a long-term solution to the fuel crisis would be to revamp the defunct public transport system so as to reduce the demand for fuel or use Zimbabwe as an inland port for other landlocked countries like Zambia, DRC, and Malawi.According to Mangudya fuel gobbles 45% of total foreign currency receipts annually, but allayed fears of fuel shortages during the festive season."We are here to assure you Mr Chairman that the facilities, the measure that we have put in place are continuous and that we are going to have fuel being delivered on our service stations," Mangudya said.Government entered into a US$40 million per month deal for the next 14 months with Trafigura to supply 14 million litres per week. Trafigura supplies Puma and Petrotrade, among other fuel dealers. Engen also supplies seven million litres per week to the local market on a continuous basis worth US$25 million per month. Glencorp supplies Total outlets, 10 million litres per week up to 2020 at US$32,2 million per month.Zimbabwe requires two million litres of petrol and three million litres diesel per day.The unavailability of fuel in recent days had also seen commuter omnibuses hiking fares by almost double, while fuel dealers were charging about US$15 for five litres of petrol and US$12 for five litres of diesel.Mangudya blamed the spike in demand for fuel to the growing vehicle population in the country which has jumped 50% to 1,8 million from last year. News / National by Staff reporter An MDC activist and Mutasa businessman who was arrested in alleged connection with a robbery, only to be charged with resisting arrest, has been acquitted and will now institute legal proceedings against his torture by the police.Tawanda Terera of Terera Business Centre in Mutasa - who could hardly walk when he first appeared in court - was absolved of any wrongdoing by magistrate Anniah Ndiraya after a full trial.Ndiraya demanded investigations into the police's conduct and a medical report revealed that Terera had been tortured in police custody.His lawyer Brian Majamanda told Eastern News that his client was suing the police for torture."My client was severely injured in the hands of the police and we have a medical report to back that up and he has instructed me to initiate legal proceedings to demand justice from the police," Majamanda said.He was medically examined at Nyanga District Hospital on instruction from the court following his initial appearance in court.Terera was initially arrested in connection with robbery and unlawful entry but he only appeared in court on resisting arrest charges.He was arrested in a midnight raid at his shop, allegedly donning his MDC Alliance regalia, and he requested that he changes into ordinary clothes which request was granted by the police.Majamanda said police, however, went on to torture him while he was in their custody to demand a confession and that he discloses the whereabouts of three other suspects in the robbery and unlawful cases they are connecting him with.Pictures of his swollen face and underfoot blood blisters from assault with a cable went viral, eliciting widespread condemnation.Human rights lawyer Passmore Nyakureba then described the pictures as deplorable, adding that the responsible cops needed to be prosecuted for the criminal conduct and sued for damages. News / National by Staff reporter Two members of the Zimbabwe National Army have been slapped with $400 fines for assaulting two female police officers as they resisted arrest after bashing a Udcorp employee who had denied their request for unspecified assistance.Trymore Zviitirei, 29, and Itai Clever Kufakunesu, 36, had been convicted on their own pleas of guilt to all three assault charges before magistrate Tendai Mahwe.They were being charged with assault as defined by section 89 (1)(a) of the Crminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23 for attacking the Udcorp official and two counts of assaulting a peace officer for contravening section 176 of the same Act.Prosecuting, Matthew Chimutunga informed the court how the duo made a request to a security guard with Udcorp on December 13 at 2000 hours but their request for assistance was declined.They then grabbed him by the hand and dragged him while he was resisting.Two female police officers - Nomsa Muchena and Tserukai Mwahlupo - who were called to arrest the duo, were also later assaulted as they claimed they would not be arrested by women as they were trained soldiers.Zviitirei even fled with handcuffs into the dark. News / National by Staff Reporter Director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mary Chingonzo has challenged business people to engage in competitive businesses and shun unfair trade practices as the country riles in economic challenges due to u8nscrupulous conducts by some operators.She made the remarks in Bulawayo yesterday at the Commemoration of the world competition day held under the theme- digital economy , innovation and competition."This commemoration should serve as an awareness campaign on the need to observe the principles of fair competition as well as adherence to the tariffs competition's law policy," said Chingonzo.World Competition Day celebrated on the 5th of December was endorsed and enforced by the United Nations conference in 1980 to implement the restrictive business practicesAt the Bulawayo event recently, stakeholder said policies are the biggest contributors to the monopolies in the country."Competition rules are designed to assure fair competition to benefit the consumer," Cecilia Mashava said"They also allow competition on merit, based on prices that one can offer, quality of products, services and innovation."The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and communications technology or (ICT) , Sam Kundishora also urged the public to support innovation."There is need to support innovation so that it matures into a product that contributes to the economic activities of the country," said Kundishora.He also said there is a need to match the Information and communications technology or (ICT) rate with that of the country's high literacy rate considering that is not constrained by the geographical barriers. News / National by Staff reporter The Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has questioned the engagement of two prominent politicians for work-related training at the Harare Magistrates' Court despite the duo facing serious graft-related charges at the same courts.Former Cabinet Ministers Savior Kasukuwere and Supa Mandiwanzira - who are studying for law degrees with the University of Zimbabwe - are currently engaged as interns at the lower courts.Kasukuwere is charged with four counts of abuse of office from his time in Government while Mandiwanzira is facing the same charges after he allegedly engaged South African firm, Megawatt Company, to provide services to NetOne without going to tender.He is also accused of appointing his personal assistant, Tawanda Chinembiri, to the Postal Telecommunications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) board.Head of the OPC's corruption-busting unit Mr Tabani Mpofu told The Sunday Mail that the engagement of the two former Cabinet Ministers is untenable."We are very concerned that two accused persons who are appearing at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing corruption charges have been accepted and allowed to do their attachment for their law studies at the same courts."That inevitably does not inspire confidence in the public with regards to the criminal justice system operating efficiently and transparently, where these two accused persons are concerned: these are Supa Mandiwanzira and Saviour Kasukuwere," said Mr Mpofu."This runs the risk of undermining public confidence in our criminal justice system and our sincerity in the fight against corruption."They are working in the very same corridors where we have our records. For example, Supa Mandiwanzira was in the corridors a day before he was to appear in court."Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Deputy Secretary Mr Sithembinkosi Msipa, however, declined to comment."I am not able to comment about that. What we need is proper communication and then we will be able to issue a statement on that, but I'm not at work today (yesterday); I am not in a position to give you any comment."JSC is a policy-making body of the Judiciary.Government is intensifying the war against graft.According to Mr Mpofu, the special unit has begun lifestyle audits for individuals suspected to have amassed ill-gotten wealth.Authorities are also looking into corruption-related cases raised in the Auditor-General's recent report with a view of starting prosecutions."Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) is currently undertaking those (lifestyle audits) and we have got a few cases in the pipeline emanating from that exercise. We don't want to jeopardise the integrity of investigations, but what I can tell you is there will be prosecutions emanating from lifestyle audits, not only for people from Zimra."When we approach these cases it is only incidental what professions these people are but we are looking at a number of individuals in the public service and politicians."And also, you know that the Auditor-General presents a report to Parliament; we are now carefully studying the report with the view of preferring criminal charges against those implicated in the reports."The AG's report will not just be another report presented to Parliament and allowed to gather dust in Government offices."We want to assist the AG by taking corrective measures in our courts."Come 2019, we will see prosecutions emanating from irregularities of the report."Upbeat on convictionsThe team is confident that the 22 cases of high-level corruption it is presently prosecuting will result in conviction.Mr Mpofu said most of the accused persons are employing legal technicalities of applying for exception to charges at higher courts in order to frustrate proceedings. Accused persons can apply for exception to charges if the prosecution fails to prove a prima facie case against them."The general public perception is that none of these cases have yet to see convictions in court; and it is an understandable attitude," he said."But the fact of the matter is we cannot short cut, circumvent or short circuit due processes."When these accused person are arrested and brought to the courts, they have got the laws of the country available to them."What we have noted is that in all corruption cases before the courts, none of the accused persons are anxious to have their trials commence in court."We have seen many court applications at the commencement of the trial whose effect is to delay the commencement of the trial."To members of the public this may appear to be vindication for those who say that criminal corruption cases will not be successfully prosecuted, but that is not the case."Due process has to be followed."And in all these cases where applications have been made due process will be exhausted and the trials will commence."Our first trial commenced in August; the Wicknell (Chivayo) case was the first one we worked on."And it is on public record that at every stage that we sought to commence the trial, the accused person in that case put an application to the court whose effect was to delay the commencement."As we speak, Wicknell Chivayo made an application for exception to the charges; that application was thrown out by the Magistrates' Court and he has since appealed to the High Court against the magistrate's decision to throw out his exception charges."As I speak to you, the matter is with the High Court after the Judge reserved judgement on the matter."We have got many other cases that we sought to start prosecuting in court and we face similar applications, but convictions will come after due processes."Due processes cannot be short circuited; there is no way around it."The crack unit was established by President Mnangagwa to improve efficiency in prosecuting graft cases. News / National by Staff reporter President Mnangagwa has extended the tenure of the commission of inquiry investigating the sale of State land since 2005 by nine months to give it ample time to wrap up the probe, it has been learnt.The seven-member Justice Tendai Uchena-led team was sworn in on February 1 this year.Although its term is supposed to expire on January 31 next year, the commission applied for an extension to complete investigations and hearings in four provinces that remain outstanding.Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza confirmed the development to The Sunday Mail yesterday."An extension has been sought and granted by His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa, for a further nine months for the commission to complete the four remaining provinces."The period of extension will be gazetted," she said.In a statement last week, Justice Uchena issued a strong-worded warning to property developers and members of the public who continue trading in State land."We have noted with concern that the public continues to purchase urban State land from cooperatives and developers who fail to follow due process in the selling, allocation, development and servicing of urban State land."Cooperatives, developers, local authorities, individual State land sellers and any other State land actors are warned against continued sale of State land in cases where the commission has expressed reservations," said Justice Uchena.The terms of reference for the commission include investigating and ascertaining the status of land in terms of ownership, occupation and development.To date, investigations have been conducted in six provinces - Bulawayo, Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Manicaland.The extension will allow the team to comb Harare, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Midlands.The commission conducted visitations where necessary, summoned witnesses and recorded proceedings and testimonies. The findings will be handed over to President Mnangagwa, who has since put land barons on notice.Where prima facie cases for possible criminal conduct are dictated, the evidence is being funnelled to law enforcement agents.Justice Uchena is being assisted by Mr Andrew Mlalazi, Mr Stephen Chakaipa, Dr Tarisai Mutangi, Dr Heather Chingono, Ms Vimbai Nyemba and Ms Petronella Musarurwa.Mrs Mabhiza is secretary to the commission. News / National by Staff reporter DIVERSIFIED telecommunications firm, TelOne, has lost over US$3 million in the 10 months to October this year due to vandalism of network infrastructure.Of the US$3 million, US$2, 2 million was in lost revenue as customers could not use TelOne's services while US$913 000 went towards repairing the network.TelOne managing director Mrs Chipo Mtasa, said this in Mazowe last week while addressing members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on ICT after their tour of the Mazowe Earth Satellite Station."The scourge of vandalism has led to the following challenges for TelOne; monthly revenue loss . . . (and) loss of customer confidence in TelOne's service leading to a damage of the company's reputation," said Mrs Mtasa."The company's reputation index has deteriorated from 54, 4 percent in Q1 (first quarter) 2018 to 51 percent in Q3 2018 (and) incurred costs of more than US$913 000 for repair of damaged network through labour costs and cost of replacing the stolen cables."More than 30 000 customers have been affected by the service disruptions thereby impacting revenue generation. TelOne lost most of its revenue in May (US$399,927); June (US$446,316); July (US$207,130) August (US$334,116); and September (US$286,428).In terms of replacing the vandalised network, TelOne equally paid more in May (US$155,953); June (US$156,050); July (US$74,223); August (US$114,366) and September (US$117,295).Network vandalism has been prevalence in Harare (50 percent) and Bulawayo (12 percent).TelOne has since intensified night patrols in Harare and Bulawayo with guards being deployed in areas that have been the worst affected such as Hatfield, Waterfalls, Highlands, Borrowdale, Glenview, Kambuzuma and Southerton.The guards cost TelOne US$550 000 this year alone.In the 10 months to October 31, about 122 network vandals have been arrested during night patrols.Mrs Mtasa said there has been a 270 percent rise in the incidences of network vandalism across the country, with 393 cases recorded this year compared to 106 cases last year.Rising global prices of copper, which have shot up to US$6 200 per tonne recently, appears to be fuelling the surge in illicit copper dealings across the country.Mrs Mtasa said investigations and previous arrests have pointed to "the fact that most of the stolen copper is smuggled out of the country through the country's border posts"."The country is losing to this scourge as copper has to be imported for replacement of stolen cables thus costing the economy in substantial foreign currency," said Mrs Mtasa.On November 14, three incidents were recorded affecting 1 210 customers.TelOne is now imploring the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on ICT to lobby the rest of the parliamentarians to align the Criminal Law Amendment Act, with the Copper Act.While the Criminal Law Amendment Act prescribes a mandatory 10 year jail sentence for network vandalism, the Copper Act provides a fine or imprisonment as the court may decide for persons in possession of copper without a copper trading license.Mrs Mtasa said the Copper Act is not deterrent enough as it provides for lesser penalties for persons found in possession of copper without trading licences.She also called for tighter border controls to preclude exportation of copper. News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF has admitted that the government's monetary policies have failed and that it fears the worsening economic crisis could lead to riots.The ruling party's committee on the economy made the admission during Zanu-PF's annual conference at Mzingwane High School in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, which ended yesterday.Christopher Mushohwe, who chaired the committee, said it was high time the government scrapped the multicurrency system because it was causing untold suffering among the poor."The multi-currency systems are not working," he said in reference to the emergence of the three-tier pricing system with a number of businesses preferring the United States dollar to bond notes."The government should address the cost of living adjustments."The bond notes, which were introduced in 2016, have significantly lost value in the last three months after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ordered banks to separate foreign currency-denominated accounts from those based on real-time gross settlement (RTGS) balances.Exchange rates between the surrogate currency and the US dollar plummeted, forcing shops and pharmacies to start charging in foreign currency.However, the government continues to insist that the bond note remains at par with the US dollar.Mushohwe said in light of the economic difficulties brought about by the currency chaos, the government must ensure that tobacco farmers were paid in foreign currency.He urged the government to take stern measures against cash barons and revoke licences of retailers charging in foreign currency.Meanwhile, in its central committee report on national security, Zanu-PF said there was likelihood that the economic crisis could spark protests against the government."The skyrocketing prices of basic commodities and continued unjustified shortages of other goods presents a security challenge, which has the potential of causing riots which can be manipulated by the restless unemployed and politically disgruntled opposition elements," read the report."The national security (cluster) will endeavour to discern whether this trend is not an economic sabotage strategy by some detractors aiming to destabilise the country."Last month, the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa organised a protest in Harare demanding that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government must arrest the economic collapse.However, despite the acknowledgement of the economic rot, the Zanu-PF Esigodini jamboree was characterised by heavy spending and flaunting of wealth by the ruling party's elite.On Friday, the Mzingwane High School grounds were decorated with an array of top-of-the-range vehicles and a number of delegates were dressed to kill.Over 500 livestock were slaughtered and these included cattle, chickens, goats, sheep, guinea fowls and turkeys.Across the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway, it remained business as usual as residents in the dusty Esigodini township continued to hustle for survival.The situation was also the same at Mawabeni rural service centre, a few kilometres from the venue of the conference.There was no sign that residents took notice of the indaba.A shopkeeper at Mawebeni, Nobuhle Moyo, said the Zanu-PF conference did not have any impact on their business."They came to Esigodini to do their things alone without us. It's a no-go area for us. We didn't benefit anything from it;" she said.Moyo said people were going on with their everyday life as if nothing was happening."People are busy tending to their fields. They are not even bothered because they are not part of the event. We are minding our own business," she said.Another villager, Nkosilathi Khumalo, said Zanu-PF did not respect the people of Esigodini."We don't care that we are not part of the conference," he said."These people, instead of travelling all those long distances to converge here, should have used those resources to cater for social services and pay striking doctors."How can right-thinking people come to wine and dine amongst hungry and dying citizens? "They don't care about us," he said. News / National by Staff reporter THE Health Services Board (HSB) says it will take disciplinary action on the 553 striking doctors and radiographers after they disobeyed a 12-hour ultimatum to return to work, further straining negotiations between government and the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA).Secretary for Health and Child Care Gerald Gwinji told journalists at a Press conference that the deadline expired at 0915 hours yesterday, adding that the striking doctors and radiographers now faced disciplinary action.The HSB vice-chairperson Auxillia Chideme-Munodawafa defended the tough stance, saying it was the prerogative of Finance minister Mthuli Ncube to decide on whether to pay the striking doctors the amounts they were demanding, and not the HSB.The 553 doctors and radiographers withdrew their services on December 1, but their job action was deemed illegal and un-procedural, resulting in government approaching the Labour Court on December 20 to resolve the matter."Most or all of the health workers who had withdrawn their labour have not reported to work in the timeframe stipulated in the disposal order by the Labour Court," Chideme-Munodawafa said."Government is accordingly proceeding to institute disciplinary action against all health workers who participated in the unlawful collective job action," the HSB said.The Labour Court had ruled that the job action was illegal, saying the striking doctors and radiographers must return to work within 12 hours, and adding that they would not be paid for hours they were away from work.The Labour Court also ruled that the HSB was entitled to take disciplinary action against the striking ZHDA members and that they should bear the Health ministry (applicant's) full legal costs.Gwinji admitted that the strike had an impact on the patients, adding that junior doctors and radiographers were critical, but he said some doctors continued to report for work."Indeed 553 striking doctors and radiographers is a large number, but we have close to 40 000 health workers in the system. However, junior doctors and radiographers are critical and certainly there is an impact," Gwinji said.Chideme-Munodawafa said a lot of issues that the striking doctors demanded had already been addressed through the bipartite negotiating forum, adding that drugs had been coming in batches after the Health ministry appealed to various partners.But in a statement, the ZHDA castigated the Health ministry for rushing to the Labour Court when Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga had been roped in to negotiate with the doctors and end the impasse."To the best of our knowledge, a communication was made to VP Chiwenga regarding the grievances raised by the doctors, and hence, we are still waiting in anticipation for the response before any further deliberations are conducted."To this effect, we are suspending all negotiations with HSB and the Ministry of Health until such a time that an honest, comprehensive and satisfactory offer has been proffered through the bipartite negotiation panel," the ZHDA statement read. They said if the HSB had not dragged the association before the Labour Court and allowed Chiwenga to provide oversight over the negotiations; the industrial action could have ended."HSB has negated and reversed all progress thus made to terminate the industrial action. Zimbabweans, for the first time in many years, are being deprived of their right to access basic quality healthcare services in the festive season."We blame the HSB for failing to manage the industrial action that has marked day 23 today (yesterday). After a nationwide consultation with our members, doctors have agreed not to return to work under hazardous and psychologically stressful working conditions, until their grievances are satisfactorily addressed."They said the HSB could not expect them to report back to duty without a salary and to raise the legal costs, adding that the whole issue smacked of a hidden political agenda."We fear that there is a hidden agenda and some officials at HSB are now politicising this industrial action to gain favours from those in higher offices instead of resolving the grievances," the ZHDA statement read.Meanwhile, the opposition MDC party said courts were not a solution to the doctors crisis."Any attempt by government to resolve the impasse though the courts is not only ill informed, but extends the period of crisis resolution," MDC said in a statement yesterday."Having a court of law dealing with the legality of a job action does not entail that the problem has disappeared. In fact, the issues being raised by the medical practitioners are legit and reasonable. The doctors want the ratio between patients and clinical personnel reduced, drugs procured, health facilities improved, equipment sourced and medical supplies ensured." News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday urged Zimbabweans to work together to create a prosperous Zimbabwe desired by all as he wished the nation a Merry Christmas. He described 2018 as a historic year which marked the start of a process of renewal and recovery.In his Christmas message to the nation, President Mnangagwa said the road to recovery would be bumpy in some cases but urged people to be patient."2018 was a historic year for our beloved nation as we began the process of national renewal and recovery," said the President."There is so much more to be done and there will be further bumps along the road. I am aware that many will have a difficult Christmas. I encourage all of us to be patient, resilient and to work harder in collective unity as we create a better, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe for all. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year," he said.President Mnangagwa acknowledged the role played by those who volunteer their time to help the needy."I would like to acknowledge all our brothers and sisters who volunteer their time and energies to help those in need and less fortunate than ourselves."This spirit of volunteerism is a true blessing and should be celebrated by us all. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember to love our neighbour as ourselves and to do to others as we would have them do to us," said the President."Christmas is a time for celebration. A time to take a break from daily pressures in order to be together with the family, and to appreciate those closest to us. It is a time to cherish the greatest gift from God Almighty: the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ."President Mnangagwa continued: "This Christmas, we reflect on the lessons from Christ's birth and life, lessons around faith, love and forgiveness. I give thanks for the Christmas Miracle, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour."Christmas is also a time to recognise those who work daily for the benefit of others. Whose contributions often go unnoticed." President Mnangagwa also wished the nation a prosperous 2019 ahead of New Year celebrations next week. News / National by Staff reporter Matabeleland North province's Lupane district is facing a crippling shortage of early childhood education (ECD) teachers, officials have said.This was revealed last Thursday at the launch of the Citizen Participation in Development Programme by the Rural Communities Empowerment Trust (RuCet) in Lupane.Lupane district schools inspector Lovemore Ncube told participants at the event that Lupane had a serious shortage of ECD teachers.He indicated that the only option was for parents to hire para-teachers, who they would pay as government had frozen the recruitment of qualified teachers."We have 109 primary schools in the district, yet we have only 18 qualified ECD teachers. It is not that we have a shortage of these teachers alone, there is even a shortage of heads as most of our schools have acting heads," Ncube said."The only way to deal with ECD teacher shortages is for parents to hire para-teachers to teach ECD A and B, and pay them. Finance and Economic Development minister (Mthuli Ncube) has since said there is no money, and this means government is unable to hire teachers."Ncube said since it is a constitutional right for children to be taught in their mother tongue, it was also necessary that those who teach ECD classes were able to converse in the pupils' mother language. Ncube was responding to concerns raised by participants who complained of the over-deployment of non-Ndebele-speaking teachers in the area.Another parent said there was a serious challenge in his ward where a school was being manned by three teachers.Lupane's Kusile Rural District Council chief executive officer, Christopher Chuma, blamed parents who did not send their children to school for the crisis."The problem is that you parents do not send your children to school. All along, there were temporary teaching posts that were being taken up by people from outside the district. Lupane is the most affected by the shortages. Even if the freezing of recruitment is lifted, there can be a very few qualified teachers within the district to take up the posts. Please, can we educate our children so that they become qualified for the jobs," Chuma said.This was dismissed by RuCet deputy board chairperson, Thembelani Dube who said qualified local teachers who were trained at Hillside Teachers' College and United College of Education in Bulawayo, among others, were presently unemployed."People are sending their children to school. Recently, many job-seeking qualified teachers registered at Mhlahlandlela government offices in Bulawayo, and the database shows that we have a huge number of unemployed teachers from Lupane and surrounding districts," Dube said."There is no reason why teachers who do not speak the learners' language should be deployed here, when there is a huge number of unemployed teachers."Dube appealed to government to prioritise the recruitment of local unemployed teachers. He also urged stakeholders to engage Lupane State University to initiate an ECD teaching programme to alleviate the shortage of local teachers. News / National by Staff reporter HWANGE district junior parliamentarians, senators and councillors plan to lobby the government to align marriage laws with the Constitution in a bid to end child marriages.A position paper presented by the group at a recently held district stakeholders meeting on the increase of child sexual abuse cases, which was organised by Basilwizi Trust and Buwalo Matiliko Trust (BMT), shows that although other factors such as poverty and cultural practices play a key role, the non-alignment of laws was a major stumbling block in the fight to end marriages involving children.Research showed that 28 girls had dropped out of school due to pregnancy or early marriages in the last quarter of 2018 in the district. According to police statistics, Hwange district experienced a 40% increase in child sexual abuse and early child marriage cases."Numerous initiatives have been proffered by government and civil society organisations to try and minimize early marriages, but to no avail. To date, we still continue to experience more girl children dropping out of school due to early marriages. From a sample of four secondary schools done in the district, it came out that a total of 28 girls had dropped out of school either due to early pregnancies or marriages during the third term of 2018."At the launch of the World Vision child protection project, in September this year, the police confirmed that girl child abuse was on the rise by approximately 40% from 2017. The issue of early marriage shortens a girl's childhood, creates serious physical and psychological health risks and denies her of her rights," the position paper read."The major challenge perpetuating child marriage in the rural areas in Zimbabwe is the non-alignment of the marriage laws to the national Constitution. The civil marriage (Marriage Act 5.11) sets the legal age of marriage at 16 and permits marriages of those below 16 on the consent by the Chief Justice or Ministry of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and yet the legal age of majority is at 18 years. Why the difference?"The new Constitution, enacted in 2013, protects girls from being compelled or pledged into marriage against their will, while the 2016 landmark constitutional ruling outlawed child marriages, making some sections of the Marriages Act ultra vires.The junior lawmakers said perpetrators often took advantage of the conflicting laws to marry off young girls."Early marriages under customary law are widespread. Registered customary law is silent on the legal age of marriage, creating a fertile ground for child abuse and the proliferation of child marriages. Upon falling pregnant, most minors resort to eloping and co-habiting with their partners; living as husband and wife. This type of marriage realises many divorce cases, since there is nothing that binds them."The paper called for concerted efforts by stakeholders in ensuring enforcement of the laws to curb child marriages."Addressing child marriage in Hwange district is an urgent matter, given that children are future leaders and also in light of realising the constitutional provision on gender equality and promotion of women participation in the development process," the paper read."To this end, it demands the concerted efforts by all actors involved, such as parents, the judiciary, government, non-governmental organisations, religious, communities and tribal leaders to end child marriages."In January 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Marriages Act, which permitted girls as young as 16 to be married with their parents' consent, was unconstitutional. The Constitution recognises 18 years as the legal minimum age for marriage. Despite the various international, regional and domestic legislation that prohibit child marriages, the practice is still rampant in Zimbabwe.BMT director, Anna Mandizha-Ncube, whose organisation is implementing a project targeting early child marriages and gender-based violence, said government should facilitate the alignment of conflicting laws."Poverty is playing an integral role in child marriages and also the non-alignment of laws. We have Acts of Parliament that are in conflict and as a result of having no legal statutes that allow law enforcers to act on perpetrators. People are taking advantage of the loopholes," Mandizha-Ncube said."We now need to have a petition that will be submitted to Parliament. We are going to assist the junior councillors and parliamentarians to lobby the ministry and parliament."The dialogue was attended by officials from the National Prosecuting Authority, Victim Friendly Unit, civil society, traditional leaders, government departments, councillors and district administrator. News / National by Staff reporter THE internal power struggle rocking the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), pitting national chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa and secretary general Victor Matemadanda, is heading for an explosive finish after one faction held a meeting at the weekend to plot the ouster of their leader, NewsDay has gathered.Mutsvangwa, who is indisposed with an undisclosed illness, has not been seen in public for some time, stands accused of being behind wild-cat demonstrations by a group of former liberation war fighters calling itself the Welfare Committee.The group stormed President Emmerson Mnangagwa's office last week, demanding outstanding allowances dating back to 1997 and accused Matemadanda of stalling their progress as well as rubbishing the deputy Defence minister's war credentials.Matemadanda allegedly convened a meeting of selected war veterans provincial chairpersons on Saturday in Kadoma at which strategies for Mutsvangwa's removal were discussed, as well as a plan to protect the ZNLWVA secretary general."The meeting was disguised as a business forum to discuss command agriculture as well as synergies for war veterans to make a living but the major issue was to discuss a way to get rid of Mutsvangwa. There is a slush fund in place to make sure the structures of the association deal with chairpersons and other officials seen as not towing the line as well as the campaign against Mutsvangwa," a source told NewsDay but declined identification.The meeting was chaired by Mashonaland West ZNLWVA provincial chairperson, Cornelius Muoni and was also attended by other chairpersons from Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Mashonaland East and Harare.ZNLWVA deputy national chairperson Headman Moyo confirmed the meeting, but said he did not attend."I have been advised of the meeting, but I am on holiday and do not have much details. Talk to Muoni," said Moyo who has been acting leader as Mutsvangwa recuperates. Moyo said a meeting of the ZNLWVA national executive will be held "after the festive season to deal with these issues".Muoni confirmed the meeting and also said that discussions around Mutsvangwa "were raised"."That issue [Mutsvangwa's removal] came up but was not on our agenda. We were discussing command agriculture and the recent demonstrations by that small group. He [Mutsvangwa] has been criticising command agriculture, but has not explained his reasons."He has not been working well with others, and there is a feeling within our ranks that he is behind the recent demonstrations. Now we need the national executive to deal with the issue. We already have resolutions from our members that we have not acted on favourably," Muoni said.Muoni confirmed that Matemadanda attended the meeting and claimed other chairpersons had not attended due to "fuel problems". Efforts to get a comment from Matemadanda drew blanks as he was said to be in meetings, with his aide answering his mobile phone.In November, war veterans in Mashonaland West reportedly passed a no confidence vote on Mutsvangwa over his reported denigration of the command agriculture programme and having failed to meet structures since his appointment as Mnangagwa's Special Adviser last November. Calls for Mutsvangwa's ouster were supported by war veterans in Mashonaland East province amid claims the fight for control of the former fighters was part of an internal war of attrition between Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.Mutsvangwa has since been removed as Mnangagwa's top aide.A meeting of the association's districts in Mashonaland East rejected the claims and confirmed their confidence in Mutsvangwa's leadership.Mutsvangwa is reportedly being targeted after openly attacking petroleum mogul Kuda Tagwirei, who has been funding the command agriculture programme. Tagwirei, seen as Chiwenga's protege, has been accused of "State capture" in a messy fight for the control of the fuel industry in Zimbabwe as well as in the 'skewed' allocation of foreign currency by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. IS resurgence concerns grow following US pullout announcement An American withdrawal from the Syrian conflict means France is likely to become the biggest foreign power to remain in the country, and there are fears the so-called Islamic State could reclaim territory after losing 99% percent of its occupied land in recent years. On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his deep regret after learning his US counterpart would withdraw US troops from Syria, where a civil war has endured since 2011, displacing millions. Watch Euronews correspondent Anelise Borges report in the video player above. Suspected IS militants who beheaded tourists acted alone Two men who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State terror group after beheading two female hikers in Moroccos Atlas Mountains acted alone, officials say, describing them as lone wolves. The remains of Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, from Denmark, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway were found last week en route to a popular hiking and trekking destination in North Africas highest peak. At least 13 men have been detained in relation to their murders, a Moroccan security and intelligence spokesman said. Der Spiegel files criminal complaint against sacked reporter Former Der Spiegel journalist Claas Relotius could face criminal charges over allegations he persuaded readers of a partially faked story about Syrian orphans to make donations to a personal bank account. Relotius landed himself and German news magazine Der Spiegel in hot water last week after admitting he falsified some of the 60 stories he wrote for the publication. The American ambassador to Germany has also stepped forward with complaints against the magazine after the news broke, accusing it of institutional bias against the Trump administration. Macron appeals for calm after Yellow Vest protests enter sixth week French President Emmanuel Macron has called for called for "order" after anti-government "yellow vest" protests marred a sixth weekend across France. Speaking during a visit to the central African state of Chad on Sunday, he said: said: "There must be order now, calm and harmony. Our country needs it. According to the interior ministry, around 38,600 people took part in a sixth round of nationwide protests on Saturday. Turkey to take Khashoggi investigation to UN Turkey is to carry the investigation into Jamal Khashoggis murder to the United Nations, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. Cavusoglu also called on Riyadh to publicly share their findings on the case. Washington Post columnist Khashoggi was killed in October after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. US officials, including the CIA, say Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman likely ordered his assassination. As it happened on Monday, December 24 This is how we covered key developments this morning: Previously called Missing Pieces, Lost and Found is a New Zealand documentary series currently in its fourth season. Hosted by David Lomas, the series not only helps people find missing relatives but uncovers cultural identities and discovers lost family heritage. One recent show had me particularly emotional when a 35-year-old daughter discovered the story of the mother she was separated from as a baby. Tragically the French mother had committed suicide 10 years previously after being unable to cope with the grief of not being able to find her daughter for all those years. Her death had also led to the breakdown of wider family relationships in France. The meeting of the NZ-raised daughter with her long-lost French family was deeply emotional for all sides and ultimately brought significant healing to the wider family in unimaginable ways. What was lost was found, what was broken was healed. I cried like a baby. For a long time. Just as well it was dark, I had to take the dog for a walk to get some space to reflect. Finding Identity At its heart Lost and Found, and its international colleagues (Ive watched both the Australian and British equivalents) is all about people finding a missing part of their lives, filling a hole that just cant be filled in any other way. The strong desire to know who we are and where we come from just cant be satisfied until we have that connection, even if the connection is not what we anticipate. It should be no surprise that knowing who we are and where we come from is the cry of our hearts. We are designed to know our identity and our designer wants us know who we are. Psalm 139 Perhaps this is why Psalm 139 is one of the most well-known Psalms in the Bible. It gives us the connection that we need; it provides the most comprehensive answer to the question, who am I? The psalmist writes in Psalm Chapter 139, Verses 13-14, For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Combined with all the other verses of this psalm, the most beautiful picture of our creation and identity can be drawn. While we have earthly parents, we ultimately have a heavenly creator, a Father, who knew us before we even knew ourselves. Completeness Lost and Found is a wonderful celebration of life, but its stories are often mired in tragedy because of the broken nature of humanity and the reality of adversity. Not every story has a happy ending. Psalm 139 gives us a happy ending, every single time, should we choose to embrace the bigger picture of who we are and where we come from. I would argue, from both my own experience and the experiences of those Ive ministered to, that finding our identity as a son or daughter of the living God makes the most profound difference to our lives. Knowing our identity in God is the most significant way to find the kind of life in this world that Jesus said we can have. In John Chapter 10 Verse 10 Jesus says, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Note the life to the full part; this is the deep sense of knowing who we are despite the imperfections that surround us in this world. The toolbox Because of what I see and experience in this world I believe that the ability to find our identity is perhaps the most significant tool we can have in our evangelism toolbox. Just watch the end of Lost and Found to see the difference it makes in this world, let alone the difference finding our bigger identity makes to our eternity. You Say by Lauren Daigle Artist Lauren Daigle made a significant contribution to our understanding of our identity in God when she released her song, You Say, in July of this year. The lyrics speak directly to the issue of identity, with the chorus summing it up: You say I am loved when I cant feel a thing You say I am strong when I think I am weak You say I am held when I am falling short When I dont belong, oh You say that I am Yours And I believe, oh I believe What You say of me I believe. When we know, in the deepest part of our heart that that we are loved, that we are strong, that we are held and that we belong to God, can be the most life-transforming and comforting emotion that we have the opportunity to embrace. I should know, Ive had to learn this lesson over many years, and am still learning it. Summary One of the most sung songs in the world aptly summarises our ability to end the search for our identity when we open our heart to God. John Newton wrote in his 1779 poem, I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. May we know the peace the passes human understanding that comes with knowing who we are and where we come from, and may we take that message to all of those seeking to find what theyve lost. Grant Harris has been the Senior Pastor of Windsor Park Baptist Church in Auckland, New Zealand, for ten years. Hes also been the Chaplain to the SkyCity NZ Breakers Basketball Club for the last eight years. Because of his own journey, one of his hobby-horses now that hes an old man (well hes 48!) is helping people find something theyve lost their identity. He thinks that finding identity in God is the real deal. You can contact Grant at grant.harris@windsorpark.org.nz The 55th anniversary of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was held in New Delhi on 24th December 2018. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, was the chief guest and he witnessed the raising day parade along with delegates from Nepal and Bhutan on the occasion. In his address Kiren Rijiju said, in addition to border guarding duty, SSB is also playing important role in activities such as civic action, perception management and skill development programmes and he also spoke on the contribution of the SSB in disaster management operations with 2 battalions serving in National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Minister highlighted the challenges being faced by the force and commended valour and commitment of officers and jawans serving in border areas as well as left-wing extremism infested states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. He presented president police medal and Indian police medal to the officers and the staff. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) After the Chinese incursion of 1962, it was felt that the borders of the country could not be protected with the force of rifles alone. The government felt the backing and resolute will of a committed border population together with an in-depth understanding and familiarity of the terrain as well as the culture and ethos of the border population was required to defend the borders effectively. As a result, a unique, unconventional yet specialized organization, which would function in the far, flung, vulnerable, strategic, remote, climatically and topographically difficult border areas and motivate the border population across several states towards the cause of protecting Indias national sovereignty was conceived as Special Service Bureau in 1962 and eventually created in March 1963. The SSB was renamed as the Sashastra Seema Bal in January 2001. SSB is part of the para-military force of India. It's getting hard out there for car dealerships. It's no secret that the way people buy cars is changing, and with the explosion of online auto sales, many traditional automotive dealerships are being forced to generate a greater sense of community in order to win new and repeat business. Strategies that have been successfully employed by car dealerships include maintaining a robust social media presence, hosting 'track days' where clients test new vehicles on a closed track and, in Tottori, Japan, selling some of the best damn noodle soup in the country.Katsumi Yoshida opened the used car dealership, Hot Air, in Tottori in 2002, but it wasn't until 2012 that he decided to make and sell ramen from the space as well. Six years later he's getting a nod from none other than the Michelin Guide for his shio (salt broth) ramen.If it feels strange for a used car dealer to be the recipient of a prestigious food award, consider that said prestigious food award was created and is maintained by a tire company. Yup, it's a bizarre world we live in where the people who sell tires also make soup, and then the people who made the tires tell us how good the soup is.Not so bizarre for Yoshida, however, who grew up tasting ramen with his grandmother and has been developing his appreciation for the dish ever since, often using trips to drop off used vehicles as opportunities to try various ramen recipes in different towns over the years. For him, marrying his automotive business with his go-to dish was an obvious choice. So he converted an old meeting room into a place for locals and customers to eat and soon word of his skills in the kitchen started to spread.Earlier this year, a man in a suit walked into Yoshida's shop and told him that his ramen would receive a nod in November's 'Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka + Tottori 2019' in the 'Bib Gourmand' category, which recognizes restaurants restaurants serving dishes under a certain price point. Yoshida's ramen costs just 800 Japanese Yen, or about $9.50, which seems like a steal for something good enough for a Michelin Guide.Here's a look inside his unique dealership/ramen shop (heads up, it's in Japanese):It's tricky to imagine this exact strategy working in Canada, but it sure seems to be doing the trick for Yoshida. Would you sample poutine made at your local used car dealership? Pope Francis has condemned human greed and consumerism, reminding Christians during a traditional Christmas Eve Mass that 'the food of life is not material riches but love'.'In our day, for many people, life's meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess of material objects,' the pontiff said during the service in St Peter's Basilica.'An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive,' he added.The Christmas Eve service in St Peter's is one of the most important ceremonies in Catholic liturgy, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.Francis entered the basilica on Monday night, preceded by a procession of cardinals wearing golden robes.Before Mass, Francis lifted a cloth covering a baby Jesus figure, and 10 children from Italy, China, Panama, Congo, Romania and Japan laid flowers by the shrine.If we think of the manger where Jesus was born, 'we understand that the food of life is not material riches but love, not gluttony but charity, not ostentation but simplicity,' the Pope said.At Christmas, 'we must not lose our footing or slide into worldliness and consumerism' and we should ask ourselves: 'do I break my bread with those who have none?' he added. A two-year-old boy bled to his death following a home circumcision at a migrant center in Italy this weekend. The boy is said to have died because of severe blood loss when the procedure went wrongBotched CircumcisionThe boy's twin brother, who also underwent the same procedure, was also hospitalized. He was admitted to the Sant'Andrea hospital and was later moved to the pediatric intensive care unit of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Staff at Gemelli said he is now in stable condition.The twin brothers, who were not named, were born in Italy in January 2017 to a woman of Nigerian origin, who has five other children in Nigeria.The mother, who is believed to have sought asylum in the country, is a Catholic but asked for the operations in respect for the Islamic traditions of Nigeria.Doctor Who Carried Out Operation ArrestedThe police arrested the doctor who carried out the operation. The man, a Libyan-born U.S. citizen, called for emergency assistance when the child started to bleed profusely. Italian media described the 66-year-old as a self-proclaimed doctor.The operation took place in a migrant refuge provided by the nonprofit organization Arci."The two children are hosted in a welcome centre that Arci has run with Monterotondo Council since 2009," Arci's Rome branch said in a statement. "It is a tragedy that leaves us speechless! We are anxiously awaiting a medical update on the second child."Circumcision In ItalyCircumcisionis not available in public health institutions in Italy and having the procedure at a private clinic can be costly."As a result, those from poorer backgrounds can "end up in the hands of unscrupulous and unskilled people, who for 50 or 20 practise circumcision," saidFoad Aodi, who founded the association of foreign doctors in Italy (AMSI) and Co-mai, an organization that supports the Arab community.Aodi said that up to 35 percent of circumcisions in Italy were performed at home in a clandestine manner. Uber Technologies Inc., which halted its self-driving car program after the death of a pedestrian in March, will return a handful of self-driving cars to public roads in Toronto, Pittsburgh and San Francisco on December 20, the company said.Uber said in Pittsburgh it received the all-clear from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation this week.The self-driving car program has been suspended as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S. investigated the pedestrian fatality in Tempe, Arizona, and as state officials reviewed Uber's authorization.This is the first time Uber is returning autonomous vehicles to public roads since the accident. In order to collect data, Uber had previously deployed some autonomous vehicles in manual mode, meaning that human drivers were operating them at all times.The cars deployed Thursday in San Francisco and Toronto, for example, will run in the manual, human-driven mode.RELATEDUber execs were warned of collision risks five days before fatal self-driving crashGoogle's robotic spinoff launches ride-hailing serviceTrue autonomous testing will resume in Pittsburgh, but it will be more limited than before. Uber's cars will drive at speeds of 40 km/h or below, the company said. Uber announced a number of other safety measures, including improvements to braking, operator training and driver monitoring.'Over the past nine months, we've made safety core to everything we do,' said Eric Meyhofer, head of Uber's Advanced Technologies Group. Iran Human Rights (IHR); December 25, 2018: A prisoner was hanged at Isfahan Central Prison on murder charges. According to the IHR sources, prisoner Vahid Jahangiri was executed on Monday, December 17, at Isfahan Central Prison. He was sentenced to death for an alleged murder committed seven years ago. Vahid had always denied the accusation. However, Vahid was sentenced to death because of testimony from a so-called witness, the source said. Vahid was from the Iranian city of Isfahan and the victim was from Golpayegan. The source said that the victim was killed in Isfahan. The Iranian media outlets have not published news related to the aforementioned execution so far. According to Iran Human Rights annual report on the death penalty, 240 of the 517 execution sentences in 2017 were implemented due to murder charges. There is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in issuing a death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and intent. Hamid Bagheri Dermani Executed for Economic Corruption Iran Human Rights (IHR), December 22, 2018: Hamid Bagheri Dermani, a businessman known by the State-run Iranian media as the "Sultan of Bitumen", was executed Saturday morning, December 22, on alleged economic corruption charges. According to ISNA, Hamid Bagheri Dermani had been charged with bribery and corruption. Refering to the Tehran Revolutionary Court, the report says that Mr. Bagheri Dermani was found, among others, guilty of forging documents to secure state-backed loans for the establishment of front companies which he used to procure more than 300,000 tons of bitumen - a substance used in making asphalt. - one of Iran's most profitable industries. Hamid Bagheri Dermiani's case was initially processed by the newly established anti-corruption court but later sent to the Revolutionary Court where he was charged with "spreading corruption on earth" and sentenced to death in October 2018. Iranian Supreme Court upheld Bargheri Dermanis death sentence quickly after the verdict was issued. He is the third person to be executed for corruption charges since the head of the Judiciary, with the approval of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, signalized harder punishments for corruption including the launch of a special anti-corruption court in August 2018. Two other businessmen, Vahid Mazloumin and Mohammad Esmaeel Ghasemi, were executed in November 2018 for corruption charges. Iran Human Rights (IHR) had strongly condemned the executions for the charges of economic corruption. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the Director and spokesperson for the organization, said: "The death penalty is an inhumane punishment, and the international law prohibits death sentence for economic corruption, which is not considered as the most serious crimes. Besides, the prisoners were sentenced to death as a result of an unfair trial in an illegal Court. The primary purpose of the execution of these two people is to create fear in society, not to combat corruption. Iranian authorities know that the system, with corrupt organs such as the Judiciary and the Supreme leader who has absolute power and zero accountability, are the main sources of corruption in the country. We call on the Iranian authorities to put an end to the policy of using the death penalty as a solution to all its problems". | 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 One in four employees to quit if Tet bonus falls short: survey 27 percent of Vietnamese employees will quit in 2019 if they don't receive the Tet bonus they expect. Photo by Shutterstock/Dragon Images Twenty-seven percent of Vietnamese employees say they will quit early next year if their Tet bonuses arent good enough. Tet, Vietnams largest holiday, falls from February 2-9 next year. Over half, or 55 percent, of employees said they would join other colleagues in demanding that employers increase their bonuses if the amount did not meet their expectations, a survey by top online job service VietnamWorks has found. About 28 percent of respondents in various sectors were not satisfied with the bonus they received in the most recent Tet (February 2018), Vietnams Lunar New Year, said the survey, which polled almost 500 human resource experts and 3,400 job seekers. The Tet bonus is an important factor for job seekers, with 53 percent saying they look for this information when searching for a job. However, over six out of ten employers do not publish this information in their job postings. The survey found that most employers, 64 percent, give employees Tet bonuses exceeding the value of their monthly salaries. A majority, 60 percent, of employers plan to maintain the same Tet bonus that they gave this year, while almost a third of them, 30 percent, are looking to increase it. Bonuses are typically given based on the companys performance or individual performance, according to 72 percent of employers. In general, employees are satisfied with the criteria, the survey found. It also found that benefits package attractiveness was a decisive factor for job applicants. A quarter of both employees and employers said that welfare is one of the most important factors influencing a persons decision to apply for a job. The majority of jobseekers, 86 percent, said they frequently look up information on welfare and benefits while searching and applying for jobs. Most employees, 84 percent, put out relevant information on employee benefits in their job postings. Although a high number of employees, 47 percent, are currently happy with their current benefit packages, almost a quarter of them, 23 percent, said they would quit if their employers do not give them the package they expect. Resignations for benefits-related reasons will most likely occur in the IT software sector, with 35 percent of employees affirming such a move. On prospects for new jobs, 28 percent of the respondents said those who have more than 2 years of experience are most likely to find a new jobs with better benefits. However, 44 percent of employers said they plan to keep benefit packages the same as last Tet or reduce them this year. Major Vietnamese cities overrun by holiday crowds on Christmas Eve Parishioners and holiday-goers flooded downtown streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on Monday. Hanoi In Hanoi, Catholics gathered at the St. Joseph Cathedral to attend the church service to mark the birth of Jesus. People walk around the main cathedral of the Archdiocese in Hanoi to see photo exhibition on Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus. The cathedral is strikingly beautiful at this time of the year with elaborate Christmas decorations that attracting thousands of people, particularly in the night. Not everyone who go out for Christmas in Hanoi understand the origin of the holiday. Many said they are not Christian, they just want to part of the atmosphere. A dance performance by little girls started at 9 p.m. on December 24 outside the St. Josephs Cathedral, also known as the Big Church. A group of French parishioners attend mass at the Hanoi's St. Joseph Cathedral. Saigon Nguyen Ke Khanh in HCMC's Binh Tan District took his family to the downtown area, a 45-minute drive from his house, to enjoy the bustling atmosphere of Christmas Eve. The Bui Vien pedestrian street in the backpacker precincts, a popular hangout for Westerners, was one of the most crowded places in Saigon during Christmas. Father Nguyen Chi Linh, chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam, said that Christmas in Vietnam is no longer just a religious event but has become the holiday of the large public. "The biggest message of Christmas is peace, and when people celebrate Christmas, they are willing to let go of conflicts." A boy with a Christmas hat looks at the crowd around him, sitting on his father's shoulders on Bui Vien Street. A dinosaur joins the parade in Bui Vien. A man dressed as Santa Claus presents balloons to kids in front of Saigons iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in District 1. Although the 138-year-old cathedral is under construction for restoration work, which is scheduled to extend until 2023 instead of next year as planned earlier, it has been decorated for the occasion and continues to draw the crowds. The "Pink Church" Tan Dinh, District 3, the second largest church in Saigon after the Notre Dame Cathedral, was crowded on Christmas Eve. Government leaders also made Christmas part of their agenda. The city's Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan and the country's top legislator Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan paid visits to Christian leaders in HCMC during the season. Uplifting moments of 2018 we can take with us A mother-son reunion after 43 years and a dying girls eye donation are among 2018's most heartwarming stories in Vietnam. Long time no see Nguyen Thanh Chau, or Vance McElhinney of Northern Ireland, kisses his Vietnamese mother Le Thi Anh in Quy Nhon, February 10, 2018. They met each other after 43 years. Photo by VnExpress A British man who was among 100 babies rescued from an orphanage in Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 returned home this year to celebrate his first Tet, Lunar New Year, with his Vietnamese mother in February. Nguyen Thanh Chau, or Vance McElhinney as he is known in Northern Ireland, was admitted to an orphanage after his mother, Le Thi Anh, had an accident in 1975 and was hospitalized for more than two months. An airlift campaign organized by the U.K. newspaper Daily Mail took the child to the U.K., where he was adopted by a new family and started a new life. When he reached his twenties, he decided to go looking for his biological family, with a small photo carrying a relatives name on the back. After a long search, he finally found his relatives in Vietnam and reunited with his biological mother after a DNA test proved their relationship. After 43 years away, the long lost son had an emotional reunion with his biological mother in Quy Nhon Town, Binh Dinh Province. An eye for an eye, in compassion Nguyen Hai An, a seven-year-old girl from Hanoi, has inspired a lot of organ donors after deciding to donate her cornea before dying of a brain tumor in February 2018. Photo by VnExpress/H.A. Nguyen Hai An, a seven-year-old girl in Hanoi, won the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people after she donated her cornea before dying of a brain tumor last February. Her act was described as "rare" and "heroic" in a country where theres a strong belief that people need all their body parts for the afterlife. An was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September 2017, and her condition had worsened rapidly. During her time in hospital, her mother discussed the idea of donating her organs with An. However, Vietnamese laws only allow hospitals to take corneas from people under 18 years old. Nevertheless, the little girl decided to donate her cornea after seeing many people struggling in the hospital. Many people have been motivated by An and signed up to be organ donors. A friend in need is a friend indeed Xuka (F) and her pup suffered minor burns while alerting their owners of a deadly fire in HCMC in March, saving their lives. Photo by VnExpress/via Danny Nguyen Two pooches, named Alaskan Xuka and Siu Husky, took Vietnams social media by storm after a 29-year-old man, Danny Nguyen, who had a narrow escape in the Carina Plaza fire last March, shared the story on his Facebook page. Nguyen and his five-month pregnant wife were sleeping in their apartment on the first floor of the Carina Plaza in District 8 when the building caught fire. The two dogs started scratching the bedroom door and barking in the middle of the night, waking up the couple. "They were our saviors," he said. "If they hadn't started barking, we could have been burnt alive." The Carina Plaza fire killed 13 people and injured 28, making it the citys deadliest blaze in the last 15 years. Grass is greener on the outside Hai Chan (Two Paws), had two paws amputated and spent 10 years in a cage before being rescued. She now enjoys lying on the grass in the open at the Ninh Binh Bear Rescue Center in northern Vietnam. Photo by Four Paws/Bogdan Baraghin A picture released in May by Four Paws, an international animal welfare organization, shows a bear, Hai Chan (Two Paws), lying on the grass at the Ninh Binh Bear Rescue Center in northern Vietnam, breathing in the fresh air. Shed been held captive in a bear bile farm for about 10 years before being rescued. Her two other paws had been amputated by the farm's owner to make bear paw wine, believed to be a health-boosting tonic in Chinese medicine. After years of captivity, freedom to lie in the open on green grass is sheer luxury. Take some if you need it A photo shared on Facebook shows a charity box in Ho Chi Minh City that invites the needy to take three notes from it. Last May, the image of a donation box in the heart of Saigon went viral on social media, drawing positive comments from many Facebookers as a "beautiful and humanitarian" act. The money box, which stands on a street corner in District 10, was the brainchild of the districts general clinic. It aims to lend a helping hand to poor people and street children who are struggling to buy food. Staff from the clinic and generous passers-by drop small change, mainly VND5,000 ($0.21) notes, into the box. What struck people all across the country was a small sign stuck on the side of the box, which reads: "Take three notes if you are in need." Kidnapped and sold, young woman returns home Uplifting moments of 2018 we can take with us Chinese man helps trafficked Vietnamese woman return home - EDITED Lo, a 20-year-old Vietnamese woman in the central province of Nghe An, was reunited with her family last October, seven years after she was kidnapped and sold to a Chinese man for VND60 million ($2,576 ). During her time in China, she was physically abused by her "husband" to the extent that she lost her baby. About a year ago, she accidentally met another Chinese man who managed to help her escape. They lived together as a couple and he brought her across the border to Vietnam to visit the family and report the case to local police. Unselfish action saves drowning man A photo shared on Facebook shows a completely drenched Bong, who jumped into a river to save a drowning man. Pham Van Bong, 22, a resident of the central province of Quang Nam, became a hero overnight after he jumped into a raging river to save a drowning man. Bong was on his way back home when he saw a man lose control while driving due to the tough weather conditions triggered by Storm Usagi in November. He fell into the river. Bong immediately stopped his vehicle and jumped into the river, crying out for help. Sometime later, locals rowed a boat to where the two men stood, carrying life jackets, and got both of them safely to the shore. Authorities are investigating why a Vietjet Air plane landed on the wrong runway at the Cam Ranh Airport Tuesday. The plane carrying 163 passengers took off at 11:14 a.m. from Cam Ranh International Airport in the south central coast to Ho Chi Minh City. Several minutes after takeoff, a technical alarm forced the captain to bring the plane back to Cam Ranh Airport. However, it landed on an unauthorized runway, a mistake similar to one committed by a Vietnam Airlines plane at the same airport last April. Weather conditions were optimal and all systems were fully functional at the point of landing, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said Tuesdsay. No passenger or crew member was hurt by the landing mistake. Another flight was arranged for all passengers to continue their journey. The incident was deemed "serious," second only to aviation accidents in Vietnam's classification of errors, prompting the CAAV to suspend the flight crew pending further investigation. The CAAV has also decided not to allow an increase in the number of flights by the budget air carrier to the countrys major airports like Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Cam Ranh and Da Nang before a thorough inspection on its operational processes is carried out. The Cam Ranh International Airport has two runways, only one of which is active. The other had completed construction but was not operational yet. Vietnam currently requires markings only for runways that are already in use. No markings are needed for those still under construction. Following the Vietnam Airlines incident, the CAAV has suggested changes to the regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future, including the marking of unused runways. Vietnams aviation industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The country served 106 million air passengers this year, up 12.9 percent from last year and highest of all time. In Thua Thien-Hue, the Pa Ko celebrate their harvest festival, Aza, with communal harmony. A central Vietnam harvest fest retains its traditional trappings Harvest festival of central Vietnam ethnic group Every year after the harvest season, the Pa Ko, an ethnic minority community living in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, celebrate the Aza festival. This year, the festival was held on Thursday, December 20. The festival begins with the shamans making offerings to the gods. Most of the Pa Ko men are dressed in their colorful traditional attire, mostly red and black striped hand-woven fabric worn like a sarong, draped over bare chests like a sash and wrapped around their heads like a turban. The offerings made by the shamans include chicken, pork, rice, sticky rice and seeds. Two items that are crucial to this ritual are brocade and flowers made with bamboo. The Aza festival is the most significant cultural and spiritual event for the Pa Ko, so every house looks to offer the most precious gifts they can to the gods. The village elder conducts the Giang (God) worshiping ceremony that also has a foretelling tradition to it. He will seek blessings for next years harvest. After worshiping at home, representatives of each family, men and women in their traditional attire, bring offerings to the central house. At the central, or communal house, the offerings of all residents are arranged for the main festival ceremony. The Pa Ko people celebrate the Aza festival to pray for a better New Year, good health and for their children to do well. Representatives of various clans go around a tree along with their offerings after they get permission from the shamans. After the ceremony the village elders and clan leaders toast the successful conduct of a festival with traditional wine drunk from bamboo glasses. For several years now Ruby Home Vietnam has been organizing unforgettable Christmas parties for expats living and working in HCMC. This year the party was hosted in the beautiful surroundings of Ruby Homes front yard, decorated with colorful balloons, streamers and other Christmas decorations. The place was filled with jovial expat residents of Ruby Home, dressed up like participants in a Caravan Festival. The partygoers were involved in colorful mini games and danced to many kinds of music from around the world. There is something that deeply inspired all of them from many nations to come together as one family to share and celebrate this annual festival. The participants with colorful dressed up like Caravan Festival. This year has been particularly successful for Ruby Home Vietnam, with almost all 34 local apartments being leased to expats from all over the world. These have most recently included professionals from Mexico and Austria to add to our existing long-term expats from the likes of Australia, India, France, America, and Japan. Some wishes were so touching that we could only capture in our guests own languages. David Castro said in Spanish. He meant: "I just want to wish all my family, friends and loved ones a Happy Christmas. It has been a long time away from everyone, I am on the other side of the world, but I love you all very much. Take care and Merry Christmas!" Francois Lapauw said in French and meant: "I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, in particular of course to my family and friends, whom I think about a lot although Im far away from them. And I hope everyone is happy, whatever they do and wherever they are. Many happy returns to all, thank you very much and Merry Christmas!" Many gifts for the partygoers. Mathi said to his brother in Tamil: "My brother was blessed with a baby recently. So I would like to convey my Christmas wishes to the newborn baby." There is no place in HCMC friendlier or cozier than Ruby Home Vietnam. Living far from your home country can create its own anxieties, but Ruby Home is a place where expats can feel true hospitality, safety and comfort away from home. Our serviced apartments are furnished and include a comfortable couch for relaxing after work, and we provide multi-service support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have you visited us yet for a chance to experience what we offer? So follow us to ensure you dont miss out on any of the exciting upcoming opportunities at Ruby Home.May you have a Christmas filled with dreams come true, wonder and love. Merry Christmas everyone! Warm Christmas at Ruby Home Vietnam Warm Christmas at Ruby Home Vietnam - Chi Nhi lam giup em a Visit us for more details https://www.facebook.com/rubyhome.vietnam/ OPEC Fund Partners Ameriabank to Address Problems and Help to Improve the Life of People in Armenia. T. Alnassar. Generation A: Edition 14. Exclusive Chance to Begin Your Professional Career with Ameriabank Katna Armenian cheeses enter the market: the new project of Galaxy Group of Companies US$30m OPEC Fund loan to Ameriabank to promote sustainable energy and support small businesses in Armenia Google Ad Black Friday at ucom: up to 70% discount for smart home devices, gadgets and smartphones 116 million AMD assistance to minors with disabilities in Shirak Province from Mikayel Vardanyan Discussion on the topic IT infrastructure as the basis of the digital economy with the participation of the heads of telecommunication companies in Armenia Statement nn the ongoing Aggression by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Armenia "We condemn any attempts at borderisation, as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May" Joint statement The United States is deeply concerned about reports of intensive fighting today between Armenia and Azerbaijan.ANTONY J. BLINKEN Statement of the MFA of Armenia Ookla has awarded Ucom with The fastest fixedline network in Armenia award UCOM keeps on supporting the 42 YEREVAN programming school Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan They should not be positioned near civilian communities neither in Armenia nor in Artsakh Humanitarian and human rights protection needed following the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh Google Ad Galaxy Group of Companies expands its activities in Belarus: a new TIME and Pandora store launched I think its a good moment to invest in Armenia. Head of Markets at Symbiotics Vincent Lehner Ameriabank has Raised USD 17.5M Tier 2 Capital UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide 1217 new cases Occupation forces opened fire on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 20 times over the past 24 hours, three servicemen were injured, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters has reported. "On December 24 Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire 20 times. Seven cases of using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements were recorded ... three soldiers were injured," the report on Facebook reads. The Former Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate plans to go to Ukraine's Constitutional Court to appeal a law that obliges it to include affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church in its name. "We intend to defend our rights by all legal methods. We forwarded a request to the president of Ukraine, asking him to use his veto right, but, as we can see, he hasn't used this right... Since it is a violation of constitutional norms and principles, we are initiating an appeal to the Constitutional Court," the website of the church's synodal information and awareness raising department quoted the church's chief lawyer, Alexander Bakhov, as saying. "After this law enters into force and after it starts to be applied in practice, it will give a broader understanding as to what we can do to defend our rights," Bakhov said. As reported, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed into law a bill on December 22, obliging the former Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to indicate affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church in its name. The Verkhovna Rada passed this bill on December 20. MPs from the Opposition Bloc faction earlier announced their plans to ask the Prosecutor General's Office and the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to respond to irregularities that may have accompanied the parliament's adoption of the above mentioned bill. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced that he has signed a decree expanding the list of Ukrainian individuals and business entities subjected to Russian restrictive measures. "The list of Ukrainian individuals and entities, which will be subjected to specific restrictive measures, has been expanded. I signed a relevant decree," the prime minister said on Twitter. "This was done to protect the interests of the Russian state, Russian companies and citizens," Medvedev said. The daughter of a jailed Iranian political activist says her mother is seriously ill. Hangemeh Shahidi's daughter, Parmis Taherian announced on her Twitter account, "After 180 days of my mother's solitary confinement, and by her lawyer's perseverance, I succeeded to meet her for half an hour." According to Ms. Taherian, her mothers health condition is really "very grave", and her relatives are deeply worried, but she did not elaborate on the nature of her illness. Hengameh Shahidi, 43, was arrested on June 26, 2018, in Kish Island, south of Iran. On December 1, the official news agency of the Iranian government, IRNA, reported that Shahidi has been sentenced to more than twelve years in prison on unspecified charges. "Given the confidentiality of the proceedings and the security nature of the case I cannot disclose details about the court's verdict," her lawyer Mostafa Tork Hamedani told IRNA. He said Shahidi had received twelve years and nine months in prison, plus temporary bans on joining political groups, online or media activity, and leaving the country. Immediately after placing Shahidi behind bars, Tehran's Prosecutor-General, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi accused her of blatantly insulting the Islamic Republic's judiciary and its authorities on a daily basis. Shahidi was the advisor on women's affairs to reformist candidate Mehdi Karroubi during the disputed 2009 presidential election and has been a fierce critic of the judiciary for locking up journalists and activists. When the 2009 election sparked rigging allegations and mass protests, she was locked up for three years on charges of propaganda against the system, taking part in illegal gatherings and acting against national security. Shahidi was detained again in 2017 for several months and accused of working for foreign-based media groups. She later wrote open letters denouncing the charges as "baseless lies", while also criticizing reformist politicians for failing to support dissidents. In May, a copy of her latest court summons was uploaded on her Twitter account, in which she was accused of "making insults". A parliamentary motion banning child marriage in Iran has been rejected by Majles (parliament), an MP reported. A member of women's faction in the Islamic Republic's parliament, Tayyebeh Seyavoshi says, "The Legal and Judicial Commission of Majles has rejected a parliamentary motion that proposed a ban on allowing under thirteen-year-old girls to marry." Following the rejection, Ms. Seyavoshi says, "We are waiting for the Commission's official report, and then, decide on our next step." According to a member of the Legal and Judicial commission, Yahya Kamalpour, the motion was rejected after Grand Ayatollahs and sources of emulation" vehemently opposed it. Without referring to a time frame, Ms. Seyavoshi announced that more than 300 girls under nine, and between 30,000 to 40,000 girls under 13-14 years old marry in Iran. Earlier on December 4, a prominent member of the Islamic Republic's Cultural and Social Council for Women had defended child marriage, arguing it protects girls from a life of prostitution and illegal abortions. Fereshteh Rouhafza had told the state-run Iran Labor News Agency (ILNA) on December 4, that in light of the rapidly growing number of increasingly young girls undergoing illegal abortions and joining the sex trade, opposition to child marriage is wrong. Rouhafza, who is in charge of planning and policy for the council, declined to provide evidence of her claims about Irans young women, saying the statistics are available, but it would be irresponsible to make them public. "Publishing the statistics will encourage other underage girls to follow suit. I believe revealing such statistics is harmful to society, Rouhafza said. Rohafzas comments reflect the position of the conservative clerical establishment toward child marriage. Insisting that Prophet Muhammad is the perfect example for all Muslims, they note that he married a six-year-old bride, Aisha, with whom he consummated the marriage when she was only nine years old. According to Irans Association of Childrens Rights, the number of girls married in Iran under the age of 15 climbed from 33,383 in 2006 to 43,459 in 2009, a 30 percent increase in three years. Experts say the increase is due to deepening poverty and parents desire to control their daughters sexuality. The Islamic Republics civil code stipulates that the legal age of marriage in Iran is thirteen for girls and fifteen for boys. However, the civil code allows girls as young as nine to marry with the consent of their father or the permission of a judge. After two weeks of back and forth discussions and secret negotiations, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has finally submitted his new budget to parliament. Preparing the budget covering March 21, 2019-March 20, 2020 has apparently been a painstaking exercise, as Irans economy is gripped by multiple crises, compounded by tough U.S. sanctions. The most severe and immediate problem for Tehran is Irans oil exports, which provide the largest chunk of the budget but have been halved in recent months due to sanctions imposed on November 5. The budget bill was supposed to be submitted to parliament two weeks ago, but Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded to review the document. In his speech to parliament on Tuesday, Rouhani ascribed President Donald Trumps tough policies towards Iran to internal popular protests. He said that unrest in Iran last December and January convinced Washington to adopt a new, tougher position against the Islamic Republic. President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran on May 8 and reimposed crippling economic sanctions. According to IRNA, Rouhani also highlighted two other points. First, he said that if oil was not such a big revenue source for the state, Iran would be less vulnerable to U.S. sanctions. Second, he emphasized that in order to save itself from corruption the state must become more transparent. Rouhani, under pressure from international watchdogs, has proposed a series of four bills to strengthen the countrys laws against money laundering, corruption and financing terrorism. The conservative hardliners, however, have so far blocked the new laws, despite approval by parliament. Below the podium where Rouhani was speaking there was a banner expressing best wished to Christians on Christmas. So far very little information is available on the details of the new budget bill. The most prominent Sunni cleric in Iran has been allowed to travel out of the country for the first time in almost a decade. Mawlana Abdol-Hamid (also known as Molavi AbdulHamid) arrived in Oman's capital city Oman, on Sunday, December 23, where he was welcomed and received by many people. The official website of Shaikh Abdol-Hamid reported that he is visiting Oman just to meet Ulama (religion experts) and lay people from diverse groups. Reportedly, more than one-third of Omans population belongs to Baluch community and many of senior officials of the country are also Baluch. Oman has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran in recent years and reportedly has even served as a venue for secret meetings between the two sides. It is possible that Abdol-Hamid's visit is the result of an Omani request or a goodwill gesture by Iran to a friendly country in the region. Abdol-Hamid was previously banned to visit foreign countries and the mainly Sunni populated areas inside Iran. As recent as last October, the 72-year-old Sunni cleric told pro-reform daily E'temad that he was not allowed to leave Iran for Qatar to visit his relatives. The influential Sunni leader also disclosed, "During the previous period, heavy pressures were exerted (on me and other Iranian Sunni leaders). While Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was president, I was officially banned from leaving Iran" adding, "I sent a message to President Ahmadinejad inquiring about the reason for being banned.'It has got nothing to do with me, others are responsible for the ban, Ahmadinejad responded." Abdol-Hamid appealed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, telling him that Iranian Sunnis are unlucky as they are discriminated against at home and looked upon suspiciously abroad for being Iranian citizens. "Many Sunni countries do not accept us andclaim that we are the emissaries of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, we are facing restrictions inside our homeland, Iran. We are struggling with problems in and outside Iran", the Sunni leader said. Molavi Abdulhamid has always been the spearhead of defending Sunni rights in Iran. He has even called for Sunnis to be allowed to run for the countrys presidency. Sunnis are facing more problems than Shiites in Iran, and securing religion freedom is one of the most important requests Sunnis have from the next president," said Molavi Abdulhamid, in a sermon, on May 5, 2017, at Friday Prayer in the mainly Sunni city of Zahedan in southeast Iran. His request contradicts Irans constitution, which explicitly stipulates that candidates should embrace and endorse the official religion of the country the Shiite branch of Islam. Earlier, in a guideline note, on April 19, 2017, the Chairman of the Guardian Council, Ahmad Jannati, 91, had even called for the disqualification of all non-Muslims nominated for City and Village Councils membership, in constituencies where Muslims form the majority of the population. According to unofficial statistics, up to 9 per cent of the Iran's population are Sunni Muslims; mostly Kurds in northwest, Arabs in southwest, Khuzestan province; Baluchis in Sistan and Baluchistan province; Larestanis in Larestan and Bandar Abbas; and a smaller number of Persians, Pashtuns and Turkmens in the northeast. Sunni activists have always accused Iranian authorities of discrimination and practicing sectarian persecution against their community. In July 2015, Tehran municipality, backed by security forces, demolished the only Sunni mosque in the capital, provoking anger among the Sunnis. In a recent report, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran claimed that Zahedans Friday Prayer Leader, Molavi Abdulhamid, is not allowed to travel to anywhere outside Sistan and Baluchistan, save Tehran. Meanwhile, other Iranian Sunni clergmen are forbidden to visit Sistan and Baluchistan province, the report said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 Trend: Bakcell, the First Mobile Operator and the Fastest Mobile Internet Provider in Azerbaijan held yet another Introduction to mobile telecommunications seminar for journalists. The main purpose of the seminar, traditionally held for five years in a row, is to enlighten the local journalists in such areas as the essentials of mobile telecommunications, modern technologies, innovations and latest trends. Seminar held with participation of more than 30 journalists from various leading media sources of the country was designed to increase the level of awareness in the area of mobile telecommunications as well as further development of professional skills of journalists who are covering this industry. Mobile telecommunications is one of the fastest growing industries. Therefore, behavior and demands of mobile communication services users, as well as the products and services offered by the mobile operators change rapidly. We are conducting this kind of seminars on regular basis in order to ensure that journalists, who cover the telecommunications and information technologies area are well-aware of all the novelties, and to help them raise their professional level even further says Suheyla Jafarova, Head of PR and Corporate Communications Department of Bakcell. During the seminar, held in Sheki city, the journalists received the opportunity to take part in interactive sessions on such topics as The latest state of mobile internet: applications and devices, Video consumption the leading force of modern content policy, Mobile financial services, Customer care digitalization, 4G network advantages and coverage and Digital Natives. The leading specialists of Bakcell representing various areas and departments have provided the journalists with detailed information about the latest products and services of the company, as well as the new WiFi in your home product. Note that the seminar lasted for 2 days. *** About Bakcell Bakcell, the First Mobile Operator and Leading Mobile Internet Provider of Azerbaijan, offers a wide range of products and Services to users of modern mobile communications Services. The company provides its customers with the best-in-class 4G mobile internet. The 4G services of Bakcell are already available in Baku and Absheron peninsula, as well as central parts of more than 40 regions of Azerbaijan. With more than 7000 base stations, Bakcell network covers 99% of the population and 93% of the land area of the country (except for the occupied territories). In 2017, Bakcell network has been recognized as the Best in Test in Azerbaijan by P3 Communications, being one of the most trusted independent authorities in mobile benchmarking. Bakcell has been recognized as the Fastest Mobile Network in Azerbaijan. This award, presented by world-famous Ookla company, recognizes Bakcells commitment to delivering fastest speeds to customers all across Azerbaijan. For more information about Bakcell products and services, please visit www.bakcell.com or call 555. For press releases please see www.bakcell.com/az/news (or www.bakcell.com/en/news for press releases in English). If you are not a Bakcell subscriber, but wish to find out about Bakcell and its products and services, please call 012 498 89 89. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: The Second Committee of the Colombian Parliament on Foreign Affairs, Security and National Defense adopted a resolution supporting Azerbaijans fair position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani embassy in Colombia told Trend on Dec. 25. The document was officially handed over to Charge d'affaires of the Azerbaijani embassy in Colombia Hamid Zeynalov. The importance of bilateral relations between Colombia and Azerbaijan was stressed in the resolution. Colombias concern about the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan as a result of Armenias aggression against Azerbaijan, as well as about ethnic cleansing of the Azerbaijanis in these territories was expressed in the resolution. According to the resolution, Colombia condemns Armenias aggression and calls on the international community to assess this as a crime against humanity. The deep regret that the Azerbaijani lands are still under occupation and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unresolved has been expressed in the document. In this resolution, Colombia calls for peaceful settlement of the conflict on the basis of international legal instruments, including the corresponding resolutions of the UN Security Council. According to the resolution, the unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from all the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the creation of conditions for the immediate return of Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced people to their native lands is required. The full support of the Second Committee of the Colombian Parliament on Foreign Affairs, Security and National Defense for all efforts of the Azerbaijani government and people to defend their country was expressed in the final part of the resolution. The high activity of the Azerbaijani embassy in Colombia was also emphasized. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 Trend: President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The Serbian president congratulated President Aliyev on his birthday, and wished him the best of health and success in his presidential activity. President Aliyev thanked for the attention and congratulations. The presidents hailed the successful development of strategic partnership between the two countries in a variety of areas, and expressed their confidence that Azerbaijan-Serbia bilateral cooperation will continue expanding in the years ahead. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of a new education block of the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel-General Ramil Usubov reported to President Aliyev. President Aliyev laid flowers at the statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the square of the Police Academy. The president then cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the new building, and viewed conditions created there. President Aliyev then viewed the newly-purchased official cars. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Trends interview with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov - What are the results of this years ongoing negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? How do you see their perspectives, especially against the background of recent reassuring statements? - First of all, I would like to note that the position of our country regarding the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been repeatedly voiced at the highest level on all international platforms. The conflict should be resolved on the basis of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders. As for the legal basis for settlement, it is necessary to remind that this basis is primarily constituted by the four resolutions of the UN Security Council, which is responsible for ensuring peace and security throughout the world, numerous resolutions and decisions of other international organizations (including the OSCE, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Non-Aligned Movement, GUAM, NATO, European Parliament, etc.), as well as joint documents adopted in bilateral and multilateral formats. Unfortunately, the negotiations carried out for many years have yielded no results. However, the recent developments taking place in Armenia, as well as the talks that took place between the Azerbaijani president and the Armenian prime minister on the sidelines of the CIS summits in Dushanbe and St. Petersburg, as well as my three meetings with the Armenian foreign minister give grounds for certain optimism regarding a progress in the negotiation process. In a joint statement by heads of the delegations of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries and the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on Dec. 6, adopted at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan, agreement was reached to continue negotiations on a fair and lasting peaceful settlement of the conflict. This means the format of negotiations remains unchanged. The document also reflects the call for compliance with the agreement reached in Dushanbe at the level of the leaders of the two states and for taking concrete steps to prepare the people of both countries for peace. Another important point is that the joint statement reflects the idea of the need to conduct intensive results-oriented negotiations in the near future at the level of Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities in order to encourage a fair and lasting settlement. I would like to point out that this approach is fully supported by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. In general, I consider it appropriate to note that after the election held in December this year, the current Armenian authorities, having received a full-fledged mandate from the people of Armenia, should demonstrate the political will to resolve the conflict and, in accordance with good-neighborliness philosophy, act in the name of achieving peace, stability and sustainable development in the region. I believe that the Armenian people, having given such a mandate, thereby already expressed their position. We hope that in the coming 2019, certain progress will be achieved in terms of the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the normalization of relations between the two countries. Progress in resolving the conflict, creating conditions for peace, security and stability in the entire region, primarily will open up opportunities for economic growth in Armenia itself. Our country, just like it ensures safety of its citizens representing other ethnic groups, is ready to do the same in accordance with its international obligations regarding citizens of Armenian origin in Nagorno-Karabakh region and to grant them the right of self-governing at the high level within the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region is ready to return to their homes, and this aspect was again voiced in the recently released statement of the community. If you remember, some time ago there were contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, but, unfortunately, as a result of the actions of the previous authorities of Armenia, these contacts were interrupted. You know, it is impossible to take the land and move with it to another place. After the settlement of the conflict, of course, these two communities will have to live together. That is why it is important to restore contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh region and encourage these contacts. - What significant success of Azerbaijan in relations with international organizations could you mention? The year 2018 was remembered by a number of achievements of our country, which continues its line of active representation and cooperation within international organizations. Among them, it is safe to mention the UN and the agencies in its system, as well as various regional organizations. Thus, on Sept. 25-Oct. 1, a number of events, speeches and important meetings took place as part of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, during which our countrys position on issues of concern to Azerbaijan and topical issues on international agenda met widespread understanding and support. On Dec. 17, the UN General Assembly adopted the Azerbaijan-proposed resolution Missing Persons, which focuses the attention of the international community on the need to respect and comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law, prevent cases when persons go missing in armed conflicts, and take all necessary measures to search for missing people, including cooperation to establish the fate of missing persons in accordance with international obligations. This important initiative re-emphasized the humanistic nature of Azerbaijans foreign policy, its adherence to international law and the obligations arising from it, as well as the determination to seek compliance with these rules by the UN member states. On April 3-5, the Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Baku, where representatives of 117 states and 16 international organizations took part. The Final Document and the Baku Declaration adopted following the conference reflected the consolidated support for Azerbaijans position on the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I would also like to emphasize the resolution adopted Dec. 12 by the European Parliament on the implementation of the EUs Common Foreign and Security Policy. This resolution reaffirmed the settlement of existing conflicts on the basis of the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders. The chairmanship of our country in the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) July 1-Dec. 31 was also very active; during its period, four meetings at the ministerial level and more than 20 meetings of thematic working groups were held, and the relevant documents assessing the progress achieved in various areas were adopted on our initiative. I would especially like to highlight the growing unequivocal support from the international community regarding the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a result of our consistent efforts, the wording supporting territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders has become more widely used in the diplomatic lexicon. Numerous documents and statements adopted following bilateral and multilateral meetings, including the final document of the Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, the final declaration of the NATO summit, the aforementioned resolution of the European Parliament, joint statements of meetings held in various tripartite formats, as well as a number of statements adopted on a bilateral basis, expressing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country within the internationally recognized borders, serve to even more strengthening the already existing broad legal framework for resolving the conflict. During the year, our applications for membership in electoral bodies of a number of international organizations were also successful. For example, on June 6 in Paris, Azerbaijan was elected to the UNESCO Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and a day later in New York, Azerbaijan was elected to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in November in Dubai, Azerbaijan was elected to the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 2019-2022, Azerbaijans representative became a member of the ITU Radio Regulations Board, etc. Thus, in 2018, Azerbaijan continued to promote its interests within various international organizations. - What prospects were opened up for developing new oil and gas fields and laying the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline with the signing of the agreement on the legal status of the Caspian Sea this year by the Caspian countries? - The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed by the leaders of the Caspian Five in August 2018, opened up new, unique opportunities for cooperation of the countries. The Convention regulates the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the use of the Caspian Sea and its rich natural resources. It outlines the delimitation parameters of the Caspian Sea. The signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was a truly historic event that marked the goodwill of the five Caspian countries. This document is significant for our country because it outlines the sovereign and exclusive rights of coastal countries to use the rich natural resources of the sea. Thus, the Convention ensures the consistency and safety of implementation of various projects in the oil and gas industry, as well as implementation of other economic activity in the sea. It creates conditions for the freedom and safety of navigation, which plays an important role in terms of the development of trade in the Caspian Sea and the economies of our countries. In general, such a goal as turning the Caspian Sea into a zone of peace, good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation will be achieved as a result of implementation of the provisions of the Convention. Azerbaijan, as a country that has historically been a pioneer in the implementation of big projects in the Caspian Sea, plans to continue and expand cooperation with the Caspian countries. Thanks to the successful energy policy, Azerbaijan has managed to guarantee its economic security, as well as gain the authority as a reliable partner, producer and transit country by contributing to Europes energy security. Presently, the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, a big infrastructure and energy project, is underway with Azerbaijans initiative and participation. This project is significant in terms of transporting natural gas from the Caspian region to Europe, and we are always ready to provide neighboring, friendly countries, wishing to use transit routes through Azerbaijan, with our capabilities. - As is known, Azerbaijan will chair the Non-Aligned Movement for three years from 2019. What can this important event bring to our country? - While pursuing its consistent policy of developing international cooperation, Azerbaijan, as is known, joined the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 2011. It is one of the biggest international structures, including 120 states as its members, 17 countries with observer status and 10 international organizations with the same status. NAM has its own rather long history. Such well-known state leaders of the past as Josip Broz Tito, Jawaharlal Nehru, Fidel Castro and many others left a mark in this history. In a very short period of time, our country was able to clearly demonstrate its capabilities and was honored to lead NAM in 2019-2022. As is known, the Final Document of the NAM Ministerial Conference in Baku in April stressed support for a number of our foreign policy initiatives, as well as the need to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijans territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders in accordance with four resolutions of the UN Security Council. Azerbaijans chairmanship in NAM, with a view to further enhance the international authority of this structure, will be based on three priorities: promotion of the Bandung principles, strengthening the unity within the organization, and increasing the effectiveness of NAM. I can say with confidence that our countrys chairmanship in NAM will provide additional opportunities for conveying our position globally. The 120 members of the organization make up two thirds of the UN member states, which creates opportunities to influence the adoption of certain decisions. At the same time, the chairmanship in NAM may be a convenient format for the promotion of new initiatives put forward by our country. In turn, the implementation of initiatives will guarantee a further increase in Azerbaijans political authority in the world. - Is there a possibility to sign an agreement on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU in 2019? Apart from visa simplification, what dividends will it bring to Azerbaijan? Azerbaijan wants to develop equal and mutually beneficial partnership relations with the EU. The last year of our partnership was very productive in terms of advancing the agenda of cooperation with the EU. In this regard, I would like to emphasize the Partnership Priorities document between Azerbaijan and the EU, initialed with participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Council of the EU Donald Tusk in Brussels on July 11 and finalized as adopted on Oct. 15 as part of the Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Partnership in Luxembourg. It is necessary to also mention the new comprehensive agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan, which will open an important stage in our bilateral cooperation, as well as the negotiations underway in this regard. The negotiation process still continues. Naturally, this requires some time, because we and our EU partners need a serious, quality agreement. This agreement will lay legal foundations for bilateral relations and strengthen the partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU in various areas. We believe it will be a strategic document based on equal partnership and common interests. Moreover, this agreement is necessary not only for us, but also for the EU member states. Regarding the agreement on simplifying the visa regime, I would like to remind that it has been in force for several years. Its logical continuation includes the complete abolition of the visa regime with the EU. This means visa liberalization. But it is taking some time. - What will be the foreign policy priorities of Azerbaijan in 2019? As in the ending year, in the coming year, our country under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will pursue an independent, multifaceted, balanced and active foreign policy based on national interests and defending Azerbaijans positions on the world stage. Today, Azerbaijan is a state that, as an initiator and participant in major projects, is developing a regional cooperation and enjoys international prestige. The foreign policy achievements of our country, now perceived as a reliable partner, are, of course, based on the ability to build balanced relations with neighboring and other countries, equal dialogue and cooperation relations based on mutual interests. The foreign policy priorities in 2019, of course, primarily include strengthening the sovereignty and independence of our country, eliminating the consequences of the Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan and restoring our territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, as well as continuing implementation of large-scale projects, where Azerbaijan is an initiator and a participant, further development of mutually beneficial cooperation with all international actors, including states, their unions and international organizations. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: The launch of hydrogen purification unit at Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery will contribute to production capacity and quality, head of the refinery Hashem Namvar said, Trend reports via Iranian media. The launch of the new unit has considerably decreased the amount of sulfur produced in the refinery, deeming it a substantial progress and a giant leap in the production of high quality diesel fuel. The new unit is capable of recycling 35,000 tons of solid sulfur per annum, the head of the refinery said. Namvar noted that one of the main objectives of the new project is protecting the environment. The commissioning of the new unit will prevent the emission of seven million tons of sulfur oxide to the environment. One of the main indicators while assessing fuels like diesel is the amount of sulfur they contain, he said, adding that amount of sulfur has been decreased from 10,000 mg to 50 mg at the new hydrogen purification unit. Thanks to the latest technologies used at the unit, emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide has decreased by 11,100 tons, Namvar added. The hydrogen purification unit was commissioned in the eighth month of the current Iranian year (started March 21) and produces 15 million liters of diesel per day. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: In the current Iranian year (started March 21), so far, Iran has exported 160,000 tons of goods compatible with accepted Iranian standards through the country's Mehran customs to Iraq, head of Mehran's Standard Office Ismail Mahdavipour said, Trend reports via Iranian media. He noted that the goods are thoroughly checked by the Standard Office before being exported. Main export products were building materials, he said. During the reported period, 554 tests were done on the exports goods in the labs of the Standard Office, Mahdavipour said, adding that most of the tests were done on lime and sodium carbonate exports. Last Iranian year, 282,000 tons of goods compatible with Iranian standards were exported to Iraq. Mehran is located 100 kilometers south-west of Ilam city, which is the capital of Ilam province. Tehran, Iran, Dec.25 Trend: Deputy Minister of Iran's Roads and Urban Development announced that a thousand new cars will be added to the country's railways. "Now, 1,300 passenger carriages are active on the country's railroads, and some 800 were removed due to burnout. We hope to add another 1,000 wagons to the rail network," Saeed Mohammadzadeh said on the sidelines of the visit from the Qazvin-Rasht railway, Trend reports citing IRNA. Speaking of cargos, Mohammadzadeh said that with addition of some 3,000 cars over the last 5 years, there are currently some 25,000 wagons on the country's railways. Mohammadzadeh went on to say that 200 locomotives will also be added to the country's railroads. Irico Abhar Company in Zanjan province is the largest and most equipped railroad wagon manufacturer in the country that, unfortunately, due to lack of financing, isn't used properly. We do hopw that this company will be able to step up to our railway needs," said Mohammadzadeh. Tehran, Iran, Dec.25 Trend: At the first meeting of the Chabahar executive committee, the Memorandum of Understanding on the operation of Chabahar port agreement was signed by the representatives of Iran, India and Afghanistan. The Deputy Director of Port and Economic Affairs of the Iran's Organization of Ports and Marine announced that the Memorandum of Operating Procedures for the Chabahar Agreement has been signed by the representatives of Iran, India and Afghanistan. "Consideration of customs and land transport issues was one of the important issues at the meeting, which stipulated that the relevant working group would carry out the necessary executive studies, the deputy head of Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran for port affairs, Mohammad Ali Hasanzadeh said, Trend reports via IRNA. The second meeting of the committee will be hosted by India in the first half of 2019, he said. Hasanzadeh went on to say that "The Chabahar Day Meeting", in order to develop trade and transit of Chabahar port with the participation of Iran, India and Afghanistan along with Central Asian countries, will be held on 26th February 2019 in Chabahar port. The Tripartite Transit Agreement between Iran, India and Afghanistan aims at expediting, facilitating and promoting the transit of Chabahar, connecting India and Afghanistan to the countries of Central Asia through the Chabahar port, developing exports of the three countries, and establishing an international corridor between the countries, was signed by the presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan and the Prime Minister of India in June of 2016, he said. According to the agreement between the three countries, the IPGL Company, as Chabahar Port Operator, is responsible for the discharge, supply and marketing activities, the official said. Economic and political representatives of India, Afghanistan and Iran, in addition to holding meetings to review the obstacles and important solutions for the implementation of the Chabahar Port agreement, in addition to visiting different parts of the Shahid Beheshti port, also visited the facilities of the Chabahar port, and learned about the port's investment, commercial and transit opportunities. Details added (first version posted on 12:13) Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: India is interested in joining the Lapis Lazuli international route, Trend reports referring to spokesperson of the port Vefa Safarli-Abdullazade on Dec. 25. The first transit cargo has arrived from Afghanistan to the Baku International Sea Trade Port along the Lapis Lazuli corridor, she added. Nine trucks left Afghanistans Herat city on December 13 and arrived in Baku along this corridor, she said. The total volume of cargo is 175 tons. The cargo was transported through Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Afterwards, the cargo is expected to be transported through Azerbaijan to Georgia and Turkey, and then to the country of destination, Safarli-Abdullazade said. The cargoes are transported via trains and vehicles through Afghanistans Torghundi city in Herat province and supplied to Turkmenistans Ashgabat city and from there to the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, as part of the Lapis Lazuli international route. The corridor stretches to Azerbaijans Baku city, then through Georgias Tbilisi city to Turkeys Ankara city with branches to Georgian Poti and Batumi, then from Ankara to Istanbul. The project budget, which aims at facilitating transit logistics and simplification of customs procedures, is estimated at $2 billion. The large-scale project is aimed at increasing the economic integration of the region and increasing the trade volumes. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: The first transit cargo arrived at the Baku International Sea Trade Port via the Lapis Lazuli international route, Trend reports Dec. 25. Speaking at the ceremony dedicated to the arrival of the first cargo to Azerbaijan via this route, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai expressed gratitude to the government of Azerbaijan for comprehensive support and assistance in the implementation of the project. He noted that the Lapis Lazuli corridor will be expanded and Afghanistan will make every effort to make this route the most important one from Afghanistan to Europe. In turn, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Erkan Ozoral noted the importance of the route for Afghanistan and other countries. He said that this route will turn into an important corridor that will provide access of Afghan goods to world markets. The ambassador noted that Lapis Lazuli is of strategic importance for Turkey and Azerbaijan. Nine trucks left Afghanistans Herat city on December 13 and arrived in Baku along this corridor Dec. 25. The total volume of cargo is 175 tons. The cargoes are transported via trains and vehicles through Afghanistans Torghundi city in Herat province and supplied to Turkmenistans Ashgabat city and from there to the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, as part of the Lapis Lazuli international route. The corridor stretches to Azerbaijans Baku city, then through Georgias Tbilisi city to Turkeys Ankara city with branches to Georgian Poti and Batumi, then from Ankara to Istanbul. The project budget, which aims at facilitating transit logistics and simplification of customs procedures, is estimated at $2 billion. The large-scale project is aimed at increasing the economic integration of the region and increasing the trade volumes. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 Trend: The blockchain technology will be introduced in all government agencies in Uzbekistan to minimize the human factor and prevent corruption schemes, Bobir Akilkhanov, Investment Director for Technologies of the Digital Trust Fund of Uzbekistan told Trend on Dec. 25. Akilkhanov reminded that the Fund has been established in line with the resolution of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Sept. 2, 2018 in order to attract and consolidate investor funds for the implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the field of digital economy development, including those related to the introduction of the blockchain technology. According to Akilkhanov, many institutions of the public sector of Uzbekistan face difficulties caused by lack of monitoring systems and a single database. The probability of corruption schemes is always present when data can be changed. We offer solutions to this problem through introduction of the blockchain. We plan to introduce the technology in all government agencies. The human factor and access to databases make data manipulation possible. The blockchain has to be implemented in these areas first and foremost, the director of the Fund said. He underlined that there is an understanding among the heads of state agencies of how important this tool is. We have already signed a memorandum with the Center for Expertise and Standardization of Drugs and Medical Devices, and the blockchain has already been introduced there. According to the memorandum signed with the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Art under the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, the Unified Electronic Ticket Operations Accounting System will be created, Akilkhanov said. A memorandum was also signed with the Academy of the Prosecutor General of Uzbekistan, which will ensure the safety and integrity of information resources. The blockchain will help identify the authenticity of diplomas, certificates, and performance data. Access to libraries, dormitories, sports complexes will also be under reliable protection, as the blockchain completely eliminates the possibility of data distortion and manipulation, the Digital Trust representative said. Akilkhanov concluded stressing that it is not enough to simply introduce new technologies: it is necessary to put a lot of effort to make technological innovations get integrated in society. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.25 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan and Vilnius International Airport in Lithuania may arrange transfer passenger flow, Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications told Trend. "Potential transfer passenger flow via Heydar Aliyev International Airport from Vilnius International Airport might be generated to such destinations as: Bahrain International Airport, Bangkok International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Dubai International Airport and Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport. These destinations are not directly served from Vilnius International Airport and have significant passenger traffic," said the ministry. As per last year passenger flow statistics, the Lithuanian Transport and Communications Ministry said that there were around 5,510 passengers travelling between Lithuania and Azerbaijan, mainly on Vilnius International Airport Heydar Aliyev International Airport route. "As for today representatives of Lithuanian airports havent approached Azerbaijan Airlines yet due to the fact that passenger traffic is very low to initiate negotiations about direct flight possibilities," said the ministry. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Residents of 653 villages do not have access to drinking water in Kyrgyzstan. It was stated at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on agrarian policy, water resources, ecology and regional development, Trend reports referring to 24.kg. According to the State Secretary of the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, Housing and Public Utilities Samat Borubaev and Askarbek Toktoshev, Director of the Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater Department, water supply systems were not built in 390 villages during Soviet time, and the water supply systems in 263 villages are more than fifty years old. As Askarbek Toktoshev noted, 250 million soms have been budgeted for the restoration and construction of water supply. He also told about the implementation of Ala-Too Bulagy program. In addressing the issue of providing the population with clean drinking water, money is allocated by the Islamic Development Bank $ 23 million, the Asian Development Bank $ 25.7 million, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development $ 100 million. In addition, the government of China promises $ 100 million in the form of a grant. Askarbek Toktoshev voiced a number of problems in providing the population with drinking water, including the transformation of land for housing construction, the complexity of the process of preparing and coordination of the necessary documents with government departments. The report of the representative of the department did not satisfy the deputies. In their opinion, the started objects are not completed. Deputy Abylkaiyr Uzakbaev suggested not to forget about the treatment facilities during construction of irrigation system in the settlements. The government of Kyrgyzstan was given an assignment. The deputies proposed to consider the responsibility of persons due to whom drinking water issues were not resolved. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: The operational control of Irans Shahid Beheshti port, as part of the strategic Chabahar port, has been officially leased to Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) for a temporary period of 18 months, and a 10-year period afterwards, Trend reports via Mehr News Agency. Mohammad Ali Hassanzadeh, deputy head for ports and economic affairs at Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran, told reporters on the sideline of a trilateral meeting between Iran, Afghanistan and India on Chabahar Agreement, that a part of the IPGL tasks during its management over Shahid Beheshthi port will include loading and unloading, supplying equipment and marketing. He noted that Chabahar Agreement would facilitate transit of goods between India and Afghanistan and play an important role in the economic growth of the region. He said that Chabahar port offers the most tariff incentives for ports and maritime services among other ports in the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf regions, saying Chabahar is the best spot for transit and trade between India, Afghanistan and other countries in the region, especially the CIS states. Talking about the session held between members of the follow-up committee on Chabahar ports trilateral agreement, Hassanzadeh said the session discussed a wide range of topics including choosing routes for goods transfer, plans for marketing, how to attract businessmen and investors, discussing the opportunities and capacities available for using the Chabahar port in the supply chain, as well as facilitating trade, the role of operators, customs, and exchange of information. The project to develop Shahid Beheshti Port Irans only oceanic port started in 2007 through an investment amounting to $1 billion. The annual cargo tonnage of the port, according to reports, reaches as high as 8.5 million tons. The agreement for leasing the operational control of Shahid Beheshti Port was signed during President Hassan Rouhanis visit to New Delhi in February 2018. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: It is important for Iran to develop relations with friendly, fraternal and neighboring Azerbaijan, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a meeting with Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Trend reports with reference to the website of the Iranian Presidential Administration. Today, we are witnessing close cooperation and relations between Tehran and Baku, he said. Because of its close culture and religion, the Azerbaijan Republic is one of the closest countries to Iran and we have had good relations with the country since its independence." He described cooperation in areas such as industry, pharmaceuticals, science and technology as developing, and said Iran and Azerbaijan took an important decision for using energy resources in Caspian Sea. I hope with the efforts of the authorities of the two countries, we will witness faster implementation of the agreement, because this is a win-win agreement to the interest of the two countries and nations, he added. On the cooperation between the two countries in construction of the North-South Corridor, Rouhani said that with full implementation of the North-South Corridor, the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean will be connected to the Azerbaijan Republic, Russia, the Black Sea, and Eastern and Northern Europe. He added that legal regime of the Caspian Sea is very important for all Caspian states, and to date good steps have been taken in this regard. We believe the regional issues and disagreements must be resolved through dialogue and political solutions, said Rouhani. We should try to resolve regional issues within political framework through dialogue with protecting the rights of the nations. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to help resolve regional disputes. Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi met in Tehran to discuss bilateral and regional issues, Trend reports referring to IRNA. According to Pakistan foreign ministry statement, Foreign Minister Qureshi reached Tehran on his first official visit to Iran on Monday along with Foreign Secretary and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the governments policy of outreach in the neighborhood. Foreign Minister held detailed talks with his Iranian counterpart on strengthening the already close bilateral relations rooted in common history, culture and people-to-people ties and reaffirmed to increase cooperation, it added. The statement further said Foreign Minister Qureshi elaborated that Prime Minister Imran Khan envisions strengthening ties with Iran in diverse fields with emphasis on expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation and development. Foreign Minister Zarif reaffirmed Irans commitment to deepen relations with Pakistan in trade, investment, connectivity and border management, said the statement. The two Foreign Ministers deliberated on recent developments concerning peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and on the ways to strengthen cooperation in supporting an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process, it added. The statement said Iran and Pakistan being the closest neighbors of Afghanistan, sharing the longest borders with Afghanistan, have important status and role in the Afghan peace process. Both countries were also central towards evolving a shared approach for long term economic progress and prosperity in the region. Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan needed to work together as nobody else loses or gains more in this regard, it said. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning on the third leg of his whirlwind three-day four-nation tour, following visits to Afghanistan and Iran. The foreign minister's tour to Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia is aimed at taking regional countries on board about Pakistan's fresh push to jumpstart the Afghan reconciliation process. At least nine students were killed and 27 others injured after a bus overturned on a university campus, Trend reports with the reference to Press TV. The incident happened on Tuesday at the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University in Tehran, nestling in the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. Seven students, two women and five men, lost their lives on the spot while two others died in hospitals. The death toll might further rise as some of the injured are in critical condition. Tehran police experts are probing into the exact reasons behind the incident. Iran has a high death rate resulting from road traffic accidents in the world. The high number of deaths in traffic accidents comes despite major steps taken by the Iranian government over the past years for the enhancement of the quality of the countrys roads and improvement of the safety standards in automotive industry. President Hassan Rouhani expressed condolences over deadly bus accident at Azad University campus on Tuesday, saying the officials should fully investigate the case and adopt all measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents, Trend reports citing IRNA. His condoling message reads that the grievous accident which killed several students and wounded dozens others created a wave of sorrow for the Iranian noble nation. Describing the deceased as children of the nation and assets of the countrys future, he prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace and wished patience for the families of the victims. Relevant officials need to launch a full-scale probe into the case and adopt all necessary measures to prevent recurrence of such accidents, Rouhani said, calling for providing the injured with full treatment services. A bus overturned on the campus of the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University in northwestern Tehran on Tuesday, claiming the lives of nine students and injuring more than two dozen others. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The creation of new "states" in the territory of Arab countries is a long-standing plan of a number of Western countries that are guided by the ancient "divide and rule" principle. One of these "states", planned to be created in the territory of Iraq, is the so-called independent "Kurdistan". Many attempts were made to create an independent Kurdistan. Moreover, a referendum was held on Sept. 25, 2017 in the Kurdish autonomy in Iraq, the results of which were not recognized by the world. The main reason for not recognizing the outcome of the referendum in Erbil was related to instability in Iraq and Syria. Afterwards, under the pretext of fighting the terrorists of the "Islamic State" (IS) group, the US began to actively support PYD/YPG, the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). As is known, on Dec. 12, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Turkish Armed Forces would launch a new military operation in northern Syria against PYD/YPG. After this statement on Dec. 19, US President Donald Trump declared victory over the IS in Syria. Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that the Syrian policy of Washington is doomed to failure, but the fact is that the US plans are not limited to Syria. According to the Iraqi TV channel Alhurra, the US will soon withdraw 2,130 servicemen from Syria and send them to Erbil. Amid the US-Turkish controversy over Syria and the US support for PYD/YPG, Erbil is actively receiving senior political figures from different Western countries. For example, on Dec. 17, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok arrived in Erbil, the administrative center of the Kurdish autonomy in Iraq. Blok, who was accompanied by Ambassador of the Netherlands to Iraq Matthijs Wolters and a group of investors and entrepreneurs, was welcomed by interior minister of the Kurdish autonomy Karim Sinjari and Head of the Department of Foreign Relations Falah Mustafa Bakir. In turn, on Dec. 11, US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry arrived in Erbil to discuss energy issues with local authorities. Among the countries actively developing economic relations with the Kurdish autonomy in Iraq are China and India. In fact, according to Iraqs legislation, Kurdish autonomy is entitled to develop relations with other countries. But a question arises: why does all this happen amid the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria? Obviously, all the recent events testify that the issue of independence of Kurdistan will sooner or later be put on the agenda. But first of all, the economic crisis in the autonomy should be overcome. In turn, the conflict in Syria - the problem with PYD/YPG - should be resolved and Turkey is actively dealing with that. The elimination of PYD/YPG is vital for Turkey, but one should remember that before the "referendum", Erbil was one of Ankara's important allies. By urging Erbil to hold a "referendum" of independence, the US deprived Turkey of one of its main allies in the region. But this does not mean that Ankara is not aware of the expected events. It is unknown how long it will take to clear the Syrian northern regions of PYD/YPG, and at the same time, what efforts will be required for the economic development of Kurdish autonomy in Iraq. Perhaps taking all this into account, Ankara will continue to do everything necessary to return Erbil to its sphere of influence as Ankara is well aware that the issue of independence of the Kurdish autonomy in Iraq will again be put on the agenda after the settlement of the conflict in Syria. --- Rufiz Hafizoglu, deputy editor-in-chief of Trend Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu US President Donald Trump said in a statement on Monday that Saudi Arabia has agreed to pay for the reconstruction of Syria rather than the United States financing the reconstruction of that country, Sputnik reports. "Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States," Trump said via Twitter. Trump has welcomed Riyadh's decision, adding that it is "nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the US, that is 5000 miles away." US President Donald Trump has said Saudi Arabia will spend the "necessary money" to help reconstruct war-torn Syria, without offering any details, Trend reports referring to Aljazeera. Trump's comments on Monday came days after he took to Twitter to announce the withdrawal of all 2,000 US troops from Syria while also abruptly declaring victory over ISIL in the country. The surprising decision on Wednesday contradicted his own experts' assessments and sparked surprise and anger among some of Washington's allies. On Monday, in his latest unexpected foreign policy statement made on Twitter, Trump said Riyadh would step in to support Syria following the US military withdrawal. "Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. See?" Trump wrote. "Isn't it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbours rather than a Great Country, the US, that is 5,000 miles away. Thanks to Saudi A!" There was no immediate comment from the Saudi government, which in October delivered $100m to the US, two months after pledging the sum to help stabilise parts of Syria and just as international outcry over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Riyadh's shifting narratives about his fate grew. The UK monarch has remained carefully and deliberately neutral on all political matters in her 66 years on the throne, Trend reports referring to CNN. But in her Christmas message this year, three months before Britain is due to leave the European Union amid deep political divisions, Queen Elizabeth II appeals for people to show more respect to those with opposing views. "Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding," the Queen will say. In excerpts of her televised address released by Buckingham Palace on Monday, the 92-year-old also argues that the Christian message of "peace on earth and goodwill to all" is timeless, and "needed as much as ever." While the Queen never wavers from her politically neutral stance -- she does not mention Brexit directly -- her message ends a year in which the divisions over the issue have widened. It also comes at a time when national populists surge across Europe and as US President Donald Trump continues to sow division for political gain. Queen Elizabeth II poses for a photo after she recorded her annual Christmas Day message, in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom. The message features Queen Elizabeth II sitting at a desk in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, with a black-and-white photograph of her, Prince Philip and Prince Charles as a baby. She appears in an ivory silk dress designed by Angela Kelly and a yellow gold brooch with carved ruby and diamond embellishments designed by Andrew Grima -- which was a gift from The Duke of Edinburgh in 1966. The monarch also will talk about how "faith, family and friendship" have been a "source of personal comfort and reassurance" through the "many changes" she has seen over the years. In last year's address, Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester terror attack and the Grenfell Tower fire in London. The coalition and the opposition agreed on Monday night that only laws agreed upon by both sides will be brought to a vote by the Knesset, which is also to vote to dissolve ahead of elections in April. The coalition is planning two days, next Monday and Tuesday, of intensive votes on various bills before parliament is dissolved, Trend reports referring to Haaretz. Among the bills that will not be brought for a vote is one that would authorize the Culture Ministry to cut state funding to institutions seen as disloyal to the state. Another vote now to be deferred relates to the death penalty for terrorists, which was to have had its first vote in this Knesset and was expected to have passed thanks to an agreement with Yisrael Beiteinu. Also on the list of postponed legislation is the bill that would have permitted acceptance committees to operate in communities of up to 700 households rather than 400, as the law now provides for. The so-called Gideon Saar bill, which would limit the presidents choice in calling on a candidate to form a government following elections. The bill was meant to head off the prospect that President Reuven Rivlin could call on someone in the Likud party other than the partys head, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself. It will also not pass, but Netanyahu said that the President's Residence had given an assurance that Rivlin would retain the current custom of appointing the head of the largest party to form a government following the spring elections. MK Dov Khenin (Joint List) told Haaretz: I feel satisfaction in the fact that we have been able to prevent the coalition from the bringing problematic bills from the right wing to a vote next week." Khenin said the opposition "waged a war of attrition to postpone the vote on these bills week after week and our action proved itself. The coalitions plan has failed. To those asking whether moving up the elections is good or bad, I say that at least from this standpoint, something good has happened here. Russia has earned at least $120 billion over the two years after signing an agreement with OPEC+ countries due to oil price adjustments, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Kommersant daily in an interview published on Tuesday, Trend reports referring to TASS. "Over the two years of the agreement with OPEC+, Russia earned at least an additional $120 billion, according to estimates. That's why it is important to assess the effectiveness of cooperation with OPEC countries for the state as a whole," Novak said. The energy minister talked about smaller numbers before. He told Rossiya 24 TV channel on December 13 that Russian oil companies earned an additional 2 trillion rubles ($29 billion) since the agreement was signed, and the federal budget received around 5 trillion rubles ($72.9 billion). Russia and OPEC signed an agreement on cooperating in stabilizing the oil market at the end of 2016. The agreement also includes other non-OPEC countries - Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Oman and others. The Russian finance ministry is considering issuing Eurobonds in euros and possibly yuan in 2019 and the amount of the euro deal could be higher than in 2018, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said, Trend reports referring to Reuters. He also said it would be hard to fulfill the borrowing plan of Russias government bonds known as OFZs for 2019 in full. Of course, a lot will depend on whether there will be restrictions on debt or not next year, Siluanov said. The U.S. Senate has proposed new sanctions against Russia that would effectively prevent U.S. and other big foreign investors from purchasing newly-issued Russian debt. Russias digital economy development national program will receive more than 1.8 trillion rubles ($26.2 bln) in 2019-2024 over the next 5 years, said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday, Trend reports referring to TASS. "The estimated amount of funding for 2019-2024 for the national digital economy development program will exceed 1.8 trillion rubles, of which more than a trillion are funds from the federal budget," said Medvedev at the meeting of the government commission on digital development, and using information technology to improve the quality of life and business conditions. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goldstrike Resources Ltd. (GSR.V) is pleased to report that Terrence King, John Kuehne and Lucy Zhang were re-elected as directors of the Company at its Annual General and Special Meeting held on December 14, 2018. In addition, Ewan Webster and William Jung were elected to replace Dr. Lawrence Dick and Reimar Koch, both of whom have retired. Dr. Ewan Webster is an exploration geologist who began his career in geology at the University of Glasgow, Scotland where he was awarded a First-Class Honours degree. He then went on to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Calgary, funded by Geoscience B.C., for which he focused on unraveling aspects of the structure, stratigraphy, tectonics and metamorphism of southeastern British Columbia. Dr. Webster went on to become an instructor in the Geological Technology program at Yukon College. He currently sits on the Board of Lucky Strike Resources Ltd. and is a senior consultant to two syndicates carrying on exploration focused in northwest British Columbia. Mr. Jung graduated in accounting at the University of British Columbia, is a former chartered accountant and has over 35 years of experience in the areas of finance and business. He has worked with a major international chartered accounting firm as well as in private industry. During the past 25 years Mr. Jung has principally been involved in the management of publicly listed companies. He is currently a director and Chief Financial Officer of Columbia Crest Gold Corp., and a director and Corporate Secretary of Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. and a director of Lucky Strike Resources Ltd., all of which are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at Goldstrike, I want to sincerely thank Dr. Dick and Mr. Koch for their service to the company, and I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Koch as an advisor to the Company," said Mr. King. Terrence King is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Lucy Zhang is Chief Financial Officer of the Company and William Chornobay is Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Messrs. Kuehne, Jung and Webster will sit as independent directors of the Company. Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP was re-appointed as auditor of the Company and the shareholders approved the amendments to the Companys Stock Option Plan set out in the Information Circular for the Meeting. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Terrence E. King President and Chief Executive Officer For new information from the Companys programs, please visit Goldstrikes website at GoldstrikeResources.com. For further information follow the Goldstrikes tweets at Twitter.com/GoldstrikeRes or contact Jeff Stuart of King James Capital Corporation, handling Investor Relations for the Goldstrike, by telephone at (604) 210-2150 or by email at jstuart@kingjamescapital.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Tunisia and Turkey agreed on Monday to set up a common roadmap to develop bilateral economic cooperation, Xinhua reported. At a press briefing after a meeting between Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, Jhinaoui said they discussed the development of trade and economic exchanges between the two countries. The Tunisian foreign minister said he mentioned during the meeting measures initiated by his government in favor of the imports of Turkish goods. "The measures announced at the beginning of this year, in favor of Turkish products imports, essentially aim at consolidating the Tunisian trade balance," said Jhinaoui. Cavusoglu started his two-day official visit to Tunisia on Sunday. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkish police are conducting an operation against drug traffickers in Istanbul's Esenyurt district, Trend reports referring to Turkish media. Forty people suspected of drug trafficking have been detained as part of the operation. Moreover, 250 police officers are involved in the operations to arrest drug dealers. The operation to detain drug traffickers will be conducted in other areas of Istanbul as well. Recently, 1,271 tons of narcotics were seized during the police operation carried out by the police in the province of Erzincan. In January-February 2018, 3,722 kilograms of heroin were confiscated, the Turkish Interior Ministry said earlier. During the reporting period, 16,802 kilograms of psychotropic substances and 202 kilograms of Bonzai drugs were confiscated in Turkey. In total, 20,000 tons of heroin was confiscated in Turkey in 2017. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu had said that the country is facing a great risk and must tighten the fight against drug addiction and drug trafficking. The minister noted that during 2016, 520 people died from drug overdose in Turkey, and in 2017, the death toll reached 1,020 people. "The death toll from drug overdose is growing every year," the minister said. The minimum age of Turkish citizens who started using drugs is 13 years old, the average age 36 years old, the maximum age - 65 years old. Thus, 2.9 percent of the country's population account for drug addicts aged 15-24, 2.8 percent - those aged 25-44, 2.3 percent - drug addicts aged 45-64. There are 22 centers in the country where the drug addicts are undergoing treatment. Some 18 percent of the total number of people arrested in the country in 2016 accounted for drug dealers. More than 300,000 people have been detained in Istanbul for using and selling drugs over the past four years. ---- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey condemns the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 43 people, Trend reports via Turkish media. Turkey also expresses condolences to the families of those killed during the terrorist attack, as well as to all Afghan people. On Dec. 24, a group of armed men attacked government buildings in Kabul, taking hostage employees of the National Authority for Disabled People and Martyrs' Families. The extremists staged three explosions and opened fire. The death toll was reported to be 43. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu How To Be: An Architect | Onmanorama Career Guidance EP 01 Its been a hectic few weeks for Waleska Mendez. The Queens resident intervened in a violent attack on a 16-year-old Jewish boy by a group of teenagers, using a broom to scare off the assailants, on November 29th. In response, City Comptroller Scott Stringer showed up at Masbia, the soup kitchen where she volunteers, last week and presented her with a commendation from the city, For unparalleled bravery and selfless actions against hatred and antisemitism. Very few people would go out and do what you did, said Stringer. Sometimes we take that granted, that there are heroes everywhere we go, but that's not always the case. Waleska Mendez is a true New York City hero not just a leader in her community but someone who stands up for others and protects her neighbors from harm. We should all aspire to be more like her. Read her story here: https://t.co/ioHOzhxq75 pic.twitter.com/SGm1bQuwks Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) December 18, 2018 In addition, Mendez revealed many New Yorkers came forward with offers of money, and clothes for her two children. And I turned the offer down, she said. Because I dont think its right. The idea of materially benefiting from the incident made her feel uncomfortable. Someone needs to help, and I helped, she said. I was the person there. It couldve been someone else. What makes this all the more poignant is the fact that Mendez doesnt have a job. Her unemployment benefits recently ran out. And her landlord raised the rent on her Corona apartment from $1,300 to $2,000. So she and her sons will be moving out in the New Year, 14 years after she moved in. For the time being, she's putting her stuff in storage and will be staying with friends. Or maybe family. We keep the spirits up, said Mendez, who wont be celebrating Christmas this year. I hope everything gets better for 2019. We're working on it. She continues to send her resume out. She has two associates degrees from La Guardia College. Ideally, Mendez said, shell get to work at a school, and figures her bilingual skills will help her. Listen to Arun Venugopal's report on Waleska Mendez and the Forest Hills assault for WNYC: The attack outside the soup kitchen resulted in the arrests of Jonathan Torres, 18, and a 17-year-old male. Both were charged with first-degree felony gang assault and second-degree felony assault. A spokesperson for the Queens District Attorney said the investigation is ongoing and that the defendants are next in court on January 16th. A call to Torres's attorney was not immediately returned. Mendez said many more people actually participated in the attack, and expressed surprise that she was never interviewed by the police about the attack, despite being a witness. More than anything, she was shocked by the reaction of the young bystanders, who showed no sense of empathy for the victim, recording videos of the incident instead of helping him or calling the police. The attack rattled the Bukharian Jewish community, and prompted calls for hate crimes charges. Mendez said it suggests theres considerable work to be done in the educational system, but argued that families and society bear responsibility as well. We cannot let the City of New York and the Department of Education do all the job. Arun Venugopal is a reporter who focuses on issues of race and immigration at WNYC. You can follow him on Twitter at @arunNYC. Taimur Ali Khan The little munchkin's first birthday was a cozy get-together at the sprawling lawns of the Pataudi Palace. Now, that The most famous star kid about to turn two and his parents Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan have jetted him off to South Africa for a really outstanding birthday. Yes the little fellow will be going on a wildlife safari on his second birthday. Dad Saif Ali Khan told Mumbai Mirror that "Kareena and I will be shooting an ad in Cape Town for a luggage brand. After that we are going to ride horses and see some big cats for Tim's birthday." Clearly,Taimurs parents want to give him the most excellent experiences in life from riding a sleigh in Switzerland when he was hardly one to have a fun with a swim in the Maldives, he is actually living a princely life. Watching the big cats would definitely be a treat for the small heart. It is quite obvious that he loves animals. Earlier from feeding the cow to riding a horse and interacting with a cat in Mehboob Studios, he captured may times when seeing many animals. Birds of prey are majestic creatures, feasting on all sorts of small animals to keep our urban ecosystem in balance. And apparently they are taking their hunting to the next logical frontier: Transit hubs. The NYPD Special Operations unit Tweeted a photograph of a red-tailed hawk found at Penn Station, the hellhole that turns into a hellscape during the holiday season, explaining that the hawk "attempted to beat the holiday rush last night but missed the train." Meet Penn Stations Early Bird traveler, This Red Shouldered Hawk attempted to beat the holiday rush last night but missed the train. #NYPD ESU Detective Bucchignano safely captured the uninjured bird and sent it on its way. #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/ybQnLDtfLb NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) December 24, 2018 Apparently the hawk had chased a pigeon into the stationand into an empty information boothon Sunday night around 10 p.m. Detective Joseph Bucchignano managed to capture the hawk and the NYPD released it over the Hudson River. A police source joked to the Daily News, "He was just trying to do lunch," while the Post offered this NYPD source's pun, "The officers used their eagle eye to take the hawk into custody and set him free." Fun fact: Detective Bucchignano was one of the two NYPD detectives who found the engagement ring that fell into a subway grate in Times Square last month. He was on Ellen recently, where he and colleague Detective Brian Glacken brought the ring to the newly engaged couple, who had been visiting from Great Britain. This post has updated to reflect that hawk was actually a red-tailed hawk, as ID'd by Manhattan Bird Alert. Parts of the federal government were preparing to shut down at midnight on Friday as negotiations between President Trump and lawmakers continued. Much of the government is already funded through the end of the fiscal year in September, thanks to five bills passed earlier this year that cover about $900 billion of the $1.2 trillion in operating expenses for federal agencies. Departments that will be unaffected by the shutdown include Defense, Labor, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services. About two-thirds of the federal workforce is also fully funded. Mandatory spending will be unaffected, so Social Security and Medicare payments should continue without interruption. Heres a rundown on the parts of the federal government that will be affected: * Nine federal departments and several dozen independent agencies will close up shop, including: * Department of the Treasury * Department of Agriculture * Homeland Security Department * Department of the Interior * Department of State * Department of Housing and Urban Development * Department of Transportation * Department of Commerce * Department of Justice * Peace Corps * General Services Administration * Small Business Administration * More than 420,000 federal employees will work without pay, though they likely will be paid once the government reopens. That includes: * 41,000 federal law enforcement and correctional officers from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives * 53,000 Transportation Security Administration employees * 42,000 Coast Guard employees * As many as 54,000 Customs and Border Protection employees * 5,000 Forest Service firefighters * 3,600 National Weather Service forecasters * About 380,000 federal employees would be placed on temporary leave without pay, including: * 44,000 Forest and National Park Service employees * 41,000 Department of Commerce employees * 17,000 NASA employees * 52,000 IRS employees * 7,100 Housing and Urban Development employees * 18,300 Transportation Department employees * National Park Service employees likely will be furloughed, resulting in some park shutdowns. During the shutdown in January 2018, the agency asked employees to keep parks accessible as possible while still following the law. About one-third of national parks closed completely, while others were open but lacked staff. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said Friday that he will use state funds to keep the Grand Canyon open. * Thousands of government contractor employees will also miss work, and many will not receive back pay. * The shutdowns effects arent limited to furloughs and service delays. According to William G. Resh and Susannah Bruns Ali, academics who study public policy, repeated shutdowns erode the governments ability to function properly. The fallout from a shutdown could substantially impact the long-term ability to retain, recruit, and manage the career civil service and contracted employees that comprise our national government, Resh and Ali write. For more, see their analysis at Government Executive. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Parts of the federal government were preparing to shut down at midnight on Friday as negotiations between President Trump and lawmakers continued. Much of the government is already funded through the end of the fiscal year in September, thanks to five bills passed earlier this year that cover about $900 billion of the $1.2 trillion in operating expenses for federal agencies. Departments that will be unaffected by the shutdown include Defense, Labor, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services. About two-thirds of the federal workforce is also fully funded. Mandatory spending will be unaffected, so Social Security and Medicare payments should continue without interruption. Heres a rundown on the parts of the federal government that will be affected: * Nine federal departments and several dozen independent agencies will close up shop, including: Department of the Treasury Department of Agriculture Homeland Security Department Department of the Interior Department of State Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Transportation Department of Commerce Department of Justice Peace Corps General Services Administration Small Business Administration * More than 420,000 federal employees will work without pay, though they likely will be paid once the government reopens. That includes: 41,000 federal law enforcement and correctional officers from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 53,000 Transportation Security Administration employees 42,000 Coast Guard employees As many as 54,000 Customs and Border Protection employees 5,000 Forest Service firefighters 3,600 National Weather Service forecasters * About 380,000 federal employees would be placed on temporary leave without pay, including: 44,000 Forest and National Park Service employees 41,000 Department of Commerce employees 17,000 NASA employees 52,000 IRS employees 7,100 Housing and Urban Development employees 18,300 Transportation Department employees * National Park Service employees likely will be furloughed, resulting in some park shutdowns. During the shutdown in January 2018, the agency asked employees to keep parks accessible as possible while still following the law. About one-third of national parks closed completely, while others were open but lacked staff. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said Friday that he will use state funds to keep the Grand Canyon open. Story continues * Thousands of government contractor employees will also miss work, and many will not receive back pay. * The shutdowns effects arent limited to furloughs and service delays. According to William G. Resh and Susannah Bruns Ali, academics who study public policy, repeated shutdowns erode the governments ability to function properly. The fallout from a shutdown could substantially impact the long-term ability to retain, recruit, and manage the career civil service and contracted employees that comprise our national government, Resh and Ali write. For more, see their analysis at Government Executive. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Weve lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. On the other hand, wed be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in China Health Group Inc. (HKG:8225). What Is Insider Selling? Its quite normal to see company insiders, such as board members, trading in company stock, from time to time. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But equally, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. For example, a Harvard University study found that insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year. See our latest analysis for China Health Group China Health Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Chairman Xia Guo bought HK$1.1m worth of shares at a price of HK$0.32 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher, an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. That purchase may suggest an expectation of positive returns over the long term. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Xia Guo. Xia Guo bought 20.08m shares over the last 12 months at an average price of HK$0.28. You can see the insider transactions over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! SEHK:8225 Insider Trading December 25th 18 There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership Story continues For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Its great to see that China Health Group insiders own 47% of the company, worth about HK$83m. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At China Health Group Tell Us? It is good to see recent insider purchase. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. Once you factor in the high insider ownership, it certainly seems like insiders are positive about China Health Group. Thats what I like to see! I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can find historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph. But note: China Health Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. A "minor Christmas miracle": A man waiting for a northbound 1 train at the West 66th Street subway station found a Chanel purse full of $100 bills and turned it over the policewho found the very relieved owner. Richard Taverna told West Side Rag that he had finished a workout at the West 63rd Street YMCA and was heading uptown when he spotted the purse last Thursday, "I picked it up and had a quick look to see if there was any identification with it. I just saw a piece of paper with some Russian writing on it." He put it in his gym bag, intending to bring it to the station's agent (on the southbound platform) the next day, but "got tied up and forgot about it until I was getting ready for bed." So he opened the purse and realized that the paper was, West Side Rag reports, "actually an envelope containing [one hundred] 100-dollar bills." Taverna brought the purse to the 20th Precinct on Friday morning, and it turned out that a woman, who was going to Europe for a vacation, had reported she lost a purse missing at the 66th Street station. There was a minor Christmas miracle in our precinct today... A man found $10,000 on a subway bench that had accidentally been left behind by another rider, and he turned it all in. It was a pleasure meeting and speaking with this wonderful #UWS resident! https://t.co/8LUTSSR6Ch NYPD 20th Precinct (@NYPD20Pct) December 22, 2018 He explained his instinct to turn the money in to the Post, "Its just too much for someone to just take. Im glad this is bringing people joy, especially during the holidays." It is possible to turn found property over to the police and still eventually keep it if it goes unclaimed. According to city guidelines, if someone finds cash or other property and turns it over to the NYPD, they could potentially make a claim on it if, according to the NYPD, "the property has not been returned to the legitimate owner/claimant, or otherwise disposed of, and the property has been held in excess of the time parameters below:" Property having a value of less than $100 - 3 months; Property having a value of $100 or more, but less than $500 - 6 months Property having a value of $500 or more, but less than $5,000 - 1 year Property having a value of $5,000 or more - 3 years. After the time expires, the finder can legally become a keeper if they "bring a copy of the Property Clerk Invoice to claim the property." Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 20, 2018) - IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX: IMG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") today provides an update on Brownfield Project milestones. Gord Stothart, Executive Vice President and COO for IAMGOLD, stated: "These low-capex, short payback projects are illustrative of the short-cycle investments we have undertaken at our mines to transform the assets and leverage existing infrastructure. Throughout past years and into 2018, we have continued to achieve our targeted project milestones and execute on our growth strategy. With the road construction commencing at Saramacca, the project is well underway and on track to delivering first ore to the mill during the second half of 2019. In just over 28 months we have taken this project from a Greenfield property with no defined resource to declaring, this past September, attributable Reserves of 1.0 million ounces, and now to commencing construction. The CIC and Oxygen plant projects at Rosebel and Essakane, respectively, are adding low cost marginal ounces with quick returns. I commend our mine site and project teams for continuing to improve the assets and deliver on project execution." Saramacca The Company received approval from the Suriname Ministry of Natural Resources to commence construction on the 18 km long section of the main Saramacca haul road outside of the Rosebel Mineral Lease. Construction of the 5 km long section of the Saramacca haul road on the Rosebel Mineral Lease commenced in November 2018, connecting into the existing haulage network. The commencement of road construction allows the Saramacca project to remain on schedule to deliver ore from Saramacca to the Rosebel mill by the second half of 2019. The project is contemplating the use of experienced local Surinamese contractors with a proven track record on major civil projects at Rosebel and elsewhere, with supplemental work performed by the Rosebel mine operations department. The approval was obtained as part of the Environmental and Social Impact Analysis (ESIA) review that is currently underway by local authorities and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Rosebel Story continues Construction of a new carbon-in-column (CIC) plant has been completed and commissioning has commenced. The plant is expected to be fully operational in January 2019. The plant has been installed between the two existing ponds at the Rosebel Tailings Management Facility and will be used to passively treat tailings decant water to recover residual gold that is present in the solution as a result of lost recovery in the Rosebel carbon-in-leach (CIL process) and of downstream leaching of tailings after it has left the process plant. This plant is expected to recover a minimum of 5,000 gold ounces annually at a marginal operating cost of about US$35/ounce to cover additional power and elution costs. Total cost of the project is US$1.6 million, and the onsite construction effort began in October 2018. Essakane Dry Commissioning of the Oxygen Plant has commenced, with the start-up team from the supplier presently on site. The Company expects the plant to be fully operational in January 2019. The operation of the plant will improve gold leaching kinetics in the Essakane CIL circuit by injecting oxygen directly into the leach tanks versus the current practice of injecting air. This change is expected to increase overall gold recovery at Essakane by a minimum of 0.5 percentage points as well as reduce the negative impacts of processing graphitic ore present in some ore zones at Essakane. The additional recovery will add at least 2,000 gold ounces annually at a marginal operating cost of about US$175/ounce, primarily to cover incremental power requirements. The plant will additionally realize an estimated 10% savings in cyanide consumption, or about US$1.2 million annually. Total cost of the project is US$5.8 million, and the onsite construction effort began in May 2018. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding expected, estimated or planned gold production, all-in sustaining costs and other cost estimates, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures and statements regarding the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, exploration results, life-of-mine estimates and potential Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "prospective", "significant", "significant potential", "substantial", transformative", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned gold production, unexpected increases in all-in sustaining costs or other costs, unexpected increases in capital expenditures and exploration expenditures, variation in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted, changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement. About IAMGOLD IAMGOLD (www.iamgold.com) is a mid-tier mining company with four operating gold mines on three continents. A solid base of strategic assets in North and South America and West Africa is complemented by development and exploration projects and continued assessment of accretive acquisition opportunities. IAMGOLD is in a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise. For further information please contact : Indi Gopinathan, Investor Relations Lead, IAMGOLD Corporation Tel: (416) 360-4743 Mobile: (416) 388-6883 Martin Dumont, Senior Analyst Investor Relations, IAMGOLD Corporation Tel: (416) 933-5783 Mobile: (647) 967-9942 IAMGOLD Corporation Toll-free: 1 888 464-9999 info@iamgold.com Please note: This entire news release may be accessed via fax, e-mail, IAMGOLD's website at www.iamgold.com and through Newsfile's website at www.newsfilecorp.com. All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov. Si vous desirez obtenir la version francaise de ce communique, veuillez consulter le http://www.iamgold.com/French/accueil/default.aspx * Protesters had been seeking to march on presidential palace * Bashir says those destroying public property "traitors" * President has been in power since military coup in 1989 KHARTOUM, Dec 25 (Reuters) - At least three Sudanese protesters were wounded by gunshots on Tuesday when security forces dispersed rallies in the capital, witnesses said, after a week of demonstrations against President Omar al-Bashir's three-decade rule. A Reuters witness said security forces barred protesters at one location in Khartoum from marching on the presidential palace by firing teargas and shots in the air. Three witnesses told Reuters that three protesters were wounded by gunshots, one of them in the head. A police spokesman was not immediately available to comment. Officials have previously said the security forces exercised restraint and dealt with the protesters in a "civilised manner". Officials and witnesses have previously said at least 12 people have been killed in the unrest so far. Amnesty International said on Tuesday at least 37 people had died. Rising prices, shortages of basic commodities and a cash crisis have driven protesters to the streets across Sudan to demonstrate against Bashir, who took power in a military coup backed by Islamists in 1989. Protesters, who had gathered at several locations across Khartoum on Tuesday to march on the palace, have previously targeted offices of the ruling party, torching several of them. Bashir, one of the longest serving rulers in Africa and the Middle East, told a rally in central Jazeera state on Tuesday that people who had destroyed institutions and burned public property were "traitors" and "mercenaries". Three witnesses, one of them a doctor who has been offering medical support to the protesters, said three people were wounded by bullets. "Three guys were shot next to me. One in the neck, one in the chest, and one in the head," one of the witnesses said by telephone, asking not to identified. Story continues Since the demonstrations started spreading on Dec. 19, police have dispersed protesters with tear gas and sometimes used live ammunition, residents say. The authorities have shuttered schools and declared curfews and a state of emergency in several regions. Journalists at the daily Al-Sudani said one of their colleagues was beaten by security forces after protesters passed next to the independent newspaper's offices. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Additional reporting by Hesham Hajali and Omar Fahmy in Cairo Writing by Nadine Awadalla Editing by Edmund Blair) South Korea said Monday it will fine German automaker BMW 11.2 billion won ($10 million) for allegedly dragging its feet in recalling cars with faulty engines linked to dozens of engine fires. BMW vehicles bursting into flames made headlines in South Korea earlier this year, with local media reporting more than 40 cases in 2018 and some parking lots refusing to accept BMW cars over fears they could catch fire. The auto giant recalled more than 170,000 vehicles in South Korea with a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler, which the firm blamed for the fires. In August, it announced a recall for Europe and some Asian countries -- including South Korea -- of 480,000 cars affected by the same problem, before expanding it to more than one million additional diesel cars two months later. "BMW announced earlier that it had become aware of the connection between the faulty EGR cooler and the fire only on July 20 this year," the South Korean transport ministry said in a statement, announcing the results of a five-month probe. "But we discovered that... BMW's German headquarters had already formed a special team in October 2015 tasked with solving the EGR cooler problem." In addition to the fine, the ministry will also ask prosecutors to investigate BMW for allegedly delaying acknowledgement of the issue on purpose and dragging its feet on the recall. In South Korea, six out of 10 imported cars are from Germany, with BMW selling nearly 39,000 in the first six months of this year, according to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association. The United Kingdom has agreed to sign up to the Common Transit Convention which allows freight to transit nation states without incurring multiple border charges. Britain had membership of the convention as a member of the European Union, but its withdrawal from the Europe Union would see that membership lapse. However, the convention will allow border checks to be performed away from the port, thus allowing for the flow of trade to run more smoothly. In a statement, the British Government said: "Membership of the CTC, and its supplementary convention the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities in the Trade of Goods, reduces administrative burdens on traders by removing the need for additional import/export declarations when transiting across multiple customs territories." Members of the convention pay duties only on arrival at the cargo's final destination, the government's statement said, while "countries who are not in the Convention would have to pay each time their goods crossed a border." Industry has welcomed the news with the Port of Dover's Director of Corporate Development and Operational Businesses, Barbara Buczek, explaining that Dover had campaigned for the country to join the convention as it recognised the benefits for both the port and its customers, whether there was an agreed European Union withdrawal deal or not. Buczek added, "As a convention which has the European Union as an existing member and one which requires such members to agree to any new requests to join, this is a positive sign that both sides do indeed recognise that there is no alternative to keeping this vital trade artery flowing. This is a welcome and reassuring development for our customers and the logistics industry." Don't miss it. Register today . Don't miss it. Register today. Permalink See more from Benzinga 2018 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan soldiers are seen onboard a ship during the Zamora 200 military exercise in La Guaira, Venezuela January 8, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's foreign ministry on Tuesday described as "interventionist and disrespectful" U.S. comments on a weekend incident in which the country's navy stopped two ships exploring for oil for Exxon Mobil off Guyana's coast. Each of the neighboring South American countries says the incident on Saturday occurred within its territorial waters. In response to the event, the U.S. State Department said Venezuela had behaved "aggressively" and called on the country to "respect international law and the rights of its neighbors." "It is evident that the U.S. government is interfering in a matter that is not at all incumbent upon it, with the goal of promoting corporate interests closely linked to the Washington ruling elite," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has accused the United States of plotting to invade Venezuela and overthrow his government, while Washington has placed sanctions on Venezuela's debt and members of Maduro's government over accusations of corruption, human rights violations and election-rigging. A century-long territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has flared up in recent years with Exxon's discovery of more than 5 billion barrels of oil and gas off Guyana's coast. In OPEC-member Venezuela, crude output is hovering near 70-year lows amid a severe economic crisis. Guyana says Caracas gave up its claim to the Essequibo, a sparsely populated jungle area making up two-thirds of Guyana's territory, after an 1899 ruling by an international tribunal, but Venezuela later backtracked on that decision. The U.N. this year referred the dispute to the International Court of Justice. Two vessels owned by Norway's Petroleum Geo-Services and under contract by Exxon Mobil were conducting seismic survey work in the area. The ships stopped their work and turned east after the Venezuelan navy told them Guyana did not have jurisdiction there. When asked on Monday if there were plans for the vessels to resume their activities, Guyana Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said the government was "in discussion" with Exxon. Neither Exxon nor PGS immediately responded to requests for comment on Tuesday, and the U.S. State Department declined to comment. Story continues On Monday, the Caricom group of 15 Caribbean nations including Guyana - many of which have historically received subsidized oil from Venezuela under Caracas' Petrocaribe program - said it viewed the "interception" by Venezuela's navy "with grave concern." "Such acts violate the sovereign rights of Guyana under international law," the group said in a statement. (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Dan Grebler) By Leanne Italie, Associated PressNEW YORK OCo Coffee lovers can also be lovers of other things, clearly, but the true java head surely wouldn't scoff at a related holiday gift.Here are some ideas.(For more Gazette lists, check out our lists page.) Opinion The new red lines on Russias western frontier The Russia-Ukraine standoff is not exactly between the two countries, but it is one between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) led by the United States. It is an echo of the old Cold War between the then two superpowers, America, and 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. More than 10,000 Denver convictions for low-level marijuana possession from before the drug was legalized in Colorado are likely to be erased, but Colorado Springs has no plans for a blanket amnesty. For too long, the lives of low-income residents and those living in our communities of color have been negatively affected by low-level marijuana convictions, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said recently in a statement. This is an injustice that needs to be corrected, and we are going to provide a pathway to move on from an era of marijuana prohibition that has impacted the lives of thousands of people. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers disagrees that marijuana convictions from the prohibition era should be wiped clean. Denver is unique because the city and county courts are combined, Suthers said, whereas, locally, the system is split between the municipal court and the 4th Judicial District, which covers El Paso and Teller counties. I can only speak for myself as mayor, but given my background, I believe people ought to be held accountable for intentional violations of the law, said Suthers, who was Colorado U.S. attorney, state attorney general and 4th Judicial District attorney, all law enforcement positions. Its unclear whether the 4th Judicial District has jurisdiction to expunge past, low-level marijuana convictions, said spokeswoman Lee Richards. In any case, low-level marijuana cases were rare in District Court, Richards said. The vast majority went through municipal court while others in District Court were often accompanied by more serious charges like robbery, she said. Denvers move could affect what the mayors office said are thousands of convictions between 2001 and 2013, when a ballot measure passed by state voters in 2012 legalizing recreational use of marijuana took effect. Hancocks announcement follows an initiative last month by Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty to vacate convictions and seal court records for defendants charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana that would be legal today. We are taking this significant step as a matter of fundamental fairness and to relieve eligible offenders of the collateral consequences associated with their conviction, Dougherty said in a statement announcing the Moving On from Marijuana plan. Our office is committed to pursuing justice in every case and, as such, ensuring that now legal conduct does not continue to have an adverse impact on peoples lives. Hancocks office said that expunging the criminal convictions is part of a multi-pronged approach to ensuring that communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs can benefit from the legalization of marijuana. Other steps include using marijuana tax revenue expected to account this year for 3.6 percent of the citys revenue to support neighborhoods with low- and moderate-income residents. We need to better understand the obstacles, business conditions and regulatory hurdles preventing individuals from seeking employment or business ownership in the cannabis industry, Hancock said. We believe in equal opportunity for all, and that includes those working in the cannabis industry. Denver District Attorney Beth McCann has been working with Hancocks administration to formulate the proposal, DA spokeswoman Maro Casparian said. Our office has been actively participating with the courts and the working group that is focused on this issue, she said in a statement. We are supportive of the concept and are currently examining the legal issues and processes required to review cases in which people were convicted of low-level possession of marijuana. A marijuana industry spokesman lauded the move. What we are seeing is a trend to expunge low-level marijuana convictions stemming from a failed drug war that disproportionately impacted communities of color and other vulnerable populations, said Peter Marcus, communications director of the Boulder-based Terrapin Care Station. Mayor Hancock and Boulder County District Attorney Dougherty should be applauded for recognizing that a successful marijuana legalization program must also right the wrongs of a failed prohibitionist era. After last months elections, recreational marijuana will be legal in 10 states and the District of Columbia, and medical marijuana is legal in 33 states. conrad.swanson@gazette.com @conrad_swanson Theres still a stocking being stuffed in the Pikes Peak region, despite Santa Claus already having made his rounds. TORONTO, Dec. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CAMROVA RESOURCES INC. (TSX V "CAV" OTC: BAJFF, SSE: CAVCL, CAVUSA) ("Camrova" or the "Company") announced today it has entered into an option agreement (the "Option") with Armex Mining Corp., a private mining company located in Vancouver, British Columbia ("Armex") granting it the right, effective as of December 24, 2018 (the "Effective Date") to earn up to a 50% interest in and to certain mineral claims adjacent to and forming part of Armex's Goldstream Mine Project located approximately 100 kilometers north of Revelstoke, British Columbia (the "Property"). Under the terms of the Option, Camrova is entitled to earn its interest by making cash payments aggregating CAD$5,000,000 and incurring exploration and related capital expenditures on the Property aggregating CAD$45,000,000 over five years following the Effective Date, as follows: Cash Payments: (A) the sum of $125,000 on or before 90 days from the Effective Date; (B) the sum of $125,000 on or before 12 months from the Effective Date; (C) the sum of $500,000 on or before 24 months from the Effective Date; (D) the sum of $1,000,000 on or before 36 months from the Effective Date; (E) the sum of $2,000,000 on or before 48 months from the Effective Date; and (F) the sum of $1,250,000 on or before 60 months from the Effective Date. Exploration Expenditures: (A) $250,000 on or before March 31, 2019; (B) $250,000 on or before July 31, 2019 (C) $2,500,000 on or before 12 months from the Effective Date; (D) $5,000,000 on or before 24 months from the Effective Date, (E) $10,000,000 on or before 36 months from the Effective Date, (F) $20,000,000 on or before 48 months from the Effective Date, and (G) $7,500,000 on or before 60 months from the Effective Date. All exploration expenditures must be in accordance with work programs directed and approved by Armex, including preparation of a NI 43-101 compliant Feasibility Report prior to the final payment date. Camrova will be entitled to earn a 1% interest in the Property for each $900,000 of Exploration Expenditures, provided the Cash Payments required to that date have also been made. Camrova is entitled to terminate the Option on 60 days written notice, subject to its obligation to maintain the Property in good standing. If Camrova has earned less than a 25% interest at the time of termination, Armex will have the right to repurchase all or any portion of the Optionee's interest by repaying 100% of the cash payments plus 125% of the Exploration Expenditures made to the date of termination or such proportion of such amounts as corresponds to the interest repurchased. Camrova has also arranged a private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000CDN (the "Private Placement") of up to 8,000,000 common shares of which 6,000,000 will be flow through common shares and 2,000,000 will be non-flow through common shares. The Private Placement will be offered as 2,000,000 units ("Units") comprised of 3 flow through shares and 1 non-flow through share offered at $0.50 per Unit, of which $0.10 allocated as to the non-flow through share and $0.1333 will be allocated to each of the flow through shares. The net proceeds of the flow-through portion of the Private Placement will be used to cover expenditures on the Property qualifying as "Canadian Exploration Expense". The net proceeds of the non-flow-through portion of the placement after paying transaction costs will be used to pay the first cash payment due under the Option and for working capital. The Private Placement is subject to acceptance for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange and completion of closing procedures. Camrova intends to close the Private Placement in 2018, but there is a risk that given the reduced business hours and reduced manpower during the Christmas season it may be unable to do so. Camrova also wishes to advise that it is in advanced discussions with Sociedad Contractual Minera Oximin ("Oximin"), a private mining company incorporated in Chile, to acquire certain mining assets located in Chile. The terms of the acquisition have not yet been finalized, although the parties hope to be able to enter into a binding letter of intent shortly. Camrova is also in discussions with Armex to acquire certain mining assets located in the Province of British Columbia which include an earned interest in the Property covered by the Option and certain other mining and milling assets. In the event that Camrova and Armex are able to reach agreement in respect of the purchase and sale of such assets, the Option would be terminated and replaced by the terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition agreement. Readers are cautioned, however, that Camrova and Armex may not be able to reach agreement in respect of the proposed asset acquisition, in which case Camrova would unlikely be able to raise the required funds to meet the cash and expenditure payments in order to keep the Option in good standing. The Board of directors of Camrova has reviewed the above transactions and has authorized management to continue negotiations with a view to reaching definitive agreements as quickly as possible. The terms of both proposed transaction have not yet been finalized and remain subject to negotiation. There is a risk that none of the transactions described in this release will close or will close on the terms set out above. Camrova anticipates issuing a further news release early in 2019 on the outcome of such negotiations which, if successful, will remain subject to TSXV and possibly shareholder approval. About Camrova Resources Inc. Camrova is a Canadian mining company. Camrova holds an option to earn up to a 50% interest in a portion of the Goldstream Mine property referred to above and owns a 7.24% interest in the Boleo copper-cobalt-zinc mine located in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Camrova is working to identify and evaluate project opportunities that are consistent with its technical expertise and have the potential for near-term generation of cash flow and value creation. For further information, please contact Camrova's CFO Kris Misir at 647-632-3444 (email: kris.misir@camrovaresources.com) or Interim CEO Tom Ogryzlo at 416-271-0879 (email at info@camrovaresources.com). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). These statements can be identified by expressions of belief, expectation or intention, as well as those statements that are not historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the requirement for the Company to raise additional debt or equity capital to fund exploration expenditures and cash payments in order to earn an interest in the Property, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary approvals to complete the Private Placement, the ability of the Company to successfully negotiate and enter into a binding agreement with Oximin, the ability of the Company to successfully negotiate and enter into a binding agreement to acquire additional mining assets from Armex to allow for the Option to be replaced by the terms of an acquisition agreement in respect of the additional mining assets. The forward-looking statements are based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which the Company believes are reasonable as of the current date. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and as a result undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties can be found in the Company's reporting documents filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including its Management Discussion and Analysis. Forward-looking statements are given only as at the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Hi Manjit,Im sorry to hear how things went with your GMAT. Although 620 is not a bad start, a likely reason for your score drop from your practice exams to your real GMAT is that you had a number of lingering quant and verbal weaknesses that were exposed on test day. Looking at your previous study routine, it appears that your prep was centered on doing practice questions. While engaging in practice is a necessary part of improving your GMAT skills, such practice is only beneficial after you have studied the topics on which those questions are based. Thus, consider adjusting your study plan such that it allows for linear learning, meaning that you are able to learn and practice one topic at at time. By following such a structured study plan, you can find and fix your weaknesses and ensure that no stone is left unturned.For example, if you are learning about Number Properties, you should develop as much conceptual knowledge about Number Properties as possible. In other words, your goal will be to completely understand properties of factorials, perfect squares, quadratic patterns, LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, and remainders, to name a few concepts. After carefully reviewing the conceptual underpinnings of how to answer Number Properties questions, practice by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties. When you do dozens of questions of the same type one after the other, you learn just what it takes to get questions of that type correct consistently. If you aren't getting close to 90 percent of questions of a certain type correct, go back and seek to better understand how that type of question works, and then do more questions of that type until you get to around at least 90 percent accuracy in your training. If you get 100 percent of some sets correct, even better. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics.When you are working on learning to answer questions of a particular type, start off taking your time, and then seek to speed up as you get more comfortable answering questions of that type. As you do such practice, do a thorough analysis of each question that you don't get right. If you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question? By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to efficiently fix your weaknesses and in turn improve your GMAT quant skills.Follow a similar routine for verbal. For example, lets say you start by learning about Critical Reasoning. Your first goal is to fully master the individual topics: Strengthen the Argument, Weaken the Argument, Resolve the Paradox, etc. As you learn about each question type, do focused practice so that you can track your skill in answering each type of question. If, for example, you get a weakening question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not recognize the specific question type? Were you doing too much analysis in your head? Did you skip over a keyword in an answer choice? You must thoroughly analyze your mistakes and seek to turn weaknesses into strengths by focusing on the question types you dread seeing and the questions you take a long time to answer correctly.When practicing Reading Comprehension, you need to develop a reading strategy that is both efficient and thorough. Reading too fast and not understanding what you have read are equally as harmful as reading too slow and using up too much time. When attacking Reading Comprehension passages, you must have one clear goal in mind: to understand the context of what you are reading. However, you must do so efficiently, so you need to avoid getting bogged down in the details of each paragraph and instead focus on understanding the main point of each paragraph. That being said, do not fall into the trap of thinking that you can just read the intro and the conclusion and thereby comprehend the main idea of a paragraph. As you read a paragraph, consider how the context of the paragraph relates to previous paragraphs, so you can continue developing your overall understanding of the passage. Furthermore, as you practice Reading Comprehension, focus on the exact types of questions with which you struggle: Find the Main Idea, Inference, Authors Tone, etc. As with Critical Reasoning, analyze your incorrect Reading Comprehension answers to better determine why you tend to get a particular question type wrong, and then improve upon your weaknesses. Keep in mind that GMAT Reading Comprehension passages are not meant to be easy to read. So, to better prepare yourself to analyze such passages, read magazines with similar content and style, such as the Economist, Scientific American, and Smithsonian.Sentence Correction is a bit of a different animal compared to Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. There are three aspects to getting correct answers to GMAT Sentence Correction questions: what you know, such as grammar rules, what you see, such as violations of grammar rules and the logic of sentence structure, and what you do, such as carefully considering each answer choice in the context of the non-underlined portion of the sentence. To drive up your Sentence Correction score, it is likely that you will have to work on all three of those aspects.Regarding what you know, first and foremost, you MUST know your grammar rules. Let's be clear, though: GMAT Sentence Correction is not just a test of knowledge of grammar rules. The reason for learning grammar rules is so that you can determine what sentences convey and whether sentences are well-constructed. In fact, in many cases, incorrect answers to Sentence Correction questions are grammatically flawless. Thus, often your task is to use your knowledge of grammar rules to determine which answer choice creates the most logical sentence meaning and structure.This determination of whether sentences are well-constructed and logical is the second aspect of finding correct answers to Sentence Correction questions, what you see. To develop this skill, you probably have to slow way down. You won't develop this skill by spending under two minutes per question. For a while, anyway, you have to spend time with each question, maybe even ten or fifteen minutes on one question sometimes, analyzing every answer choice until you see the details that you have to see in order to choose the correct answer. As you go through the answer choices, consider the meaning conveyed by each version of the sentence. Does the meaning make sense? Even if you can tell what the version is SUPPOSED to convey, does the version really convey that meaning? Is there a verb to go with the subject? Do all pronouns clearly refer to nouns? By slowing way down and looking for these details, you learn to see what you have to see in order to clearly understand which answer to a Sentence Correction question is correct.There is only one correct answer to any Sentence Correction question, there are clear reasons why that choice is correct and the others are not, and those reasons are not that the correct version simply "sounds right." In fact, the correct version often sounds a little off at first. That correct answers may sound a little off is not surprising. If the correct answer were always the one that sounded right, then most people most of the time would get Sentence Correction questions correct, without really knowing why the wrong answers were wrong and the correct answers were correct. So, you have to go beyond choosing what "sounds right" and learn to clearly see the logical reasons why one choice is better than all of the others.As for the third aspect of getting Sentence Correction questions correct, what you do, the main thing you have to do is be very careful. You have to make sure that you are truly considering the structures of sentences and the meanings conveyed rather than allowing yourself to be tricked into choosing trap answers that sound right but don't convey logical meanings. You also have to make sure that you put some real energy into finding the correct answers. Finding the correct answer to a Sentence Correction question may take bouncing from choice to choice repeatedly until you start to see the differences between the choices that make all choices wrong except for one. Often, when you first look at the choices, only one or two seem obviously incorrect. Getting the right answers takes a certain work ethic. You have to be determined to see the differences and figure out the precise reasons that one choice is correct.To improve what you do when you answer Sentence Correction questions, seek to become aware of how you are going about answering them. Are you being careful and looking for logic and details, or are you quickly eliminating choices that sound a little off and then choosing the best of the rest? If you choose an incorrect answer, consider what you did that resulted in your arriving at that answer and what you could do differently in order to arrive at correct answers more consistently. Furthermore, see how many questions you can get correct in a row as you practice. If you break your streak by missing one, consider what you could have done differently to extend your streak.As with your Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension regimens, after learning a particular Sentence Correction topic, engage in focused practice with 30 questions or more that involve that topic. As your skills improve, you will then want to practice with questions that test you on skills from multiple Sentence Correction topics.In order to follow the path described above, you may consider using an online self-study course, so take a look at the GMAT Club reviews for the best quant and verbal courses You also may find it helpful to read this article aboutFeel free to reach out with any further questions._________________ "a remarkable man, of great probity of character, and of high social and political standing among all classes throughout Indiana and elsewhere" "an alert and fearless advocate of right against wrong" Grand Old Partisan salutes James Hinton, born in Raleigh on Christmas Day 1834. Age thirteen, he moved to Terre Haute with his parents, who were free blacks. His school had been founded by Hiram Revels, later to become the first African-American U.S. Senator. Though medically unfit for military service, he recruited volunteers for several 'colored' regiments during the Civil War. The successful real estate investor turned his attention to politics. Advancing educational opportunities for all was his principal focus. He delivered powerful speeches on behalf of Republican candidates in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, as well as Indiana. "The forces of truth and the principles of liberty, born in the days of the revolution, and proclaimed in the Declaration of 1776 have placed the negro for the first time in his history on this continent in position to realize that he is a man and an American citizen." Hinton was delegate to the GOP's 1872 national convention. In 1880, he was elected to the state house. Years later, he collapsed and died while delivering a campaign speech. A bust of James Hinton is displayed at the state capitol. Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CmS3gaPQCfk Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement. Each day, his grandoldpartisan YouTube channel and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far. He also wrote the 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar. Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision. Buy the book at Amazon See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party. "This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!" "Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before." and "one of the best books I ever read" IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Beautiful inside-out! These celebrities proved that they have not just beautiful faces but also beautiful heart. They shine more on helping people in need and they reach out constantly to provide better lives for more Filipinos. PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed 1. Kris Aquino The 'Queen of All Media' proves that she has a heart for poor. Her advocacy was to provide education, good health and home for the poor. 2. Anne Curtis The actress-host has been supporting UNICEF since 2009. She started Heroes for Children Run in 2015 to help fund UNICEFs 1,000 Days of Life campaign that benefits children and promotes health and nutrition during their first 1,000 days on Earth. 3. Marian Rivera Marian is an active supporter of Smile Train, a non-profit organization that promotes surgery and awaewness for children with cleft lip and palate. Not just the patients but also the mothers receives help from the Kapuso actress. She treats them for their hard work to support their children's special needs. 4. Dindong Dantes Like his wife, Dingdong also find ways to help others. He is the founder of YesPinoy Foundation, it gives service to the Filipino community through various social activities, outreach programs, education, and rescue operations. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! 5. Angel Locsin The actress proves that she really is an 'angel'! Aside from standing up for women, she is also an active supporter of Philippine Red Cross and constantly donates blood. She actively participated and engaged in some activities from holding an online auction of her chevrolet car for the victims of the Typhoon Ondoy and also in joining relief operations. She is known for being down-to-earth and interacts with people not as an actress but as a regular citizen, proving her strong willingness to help. 6. KC Concepcion KC is the National Ambassador Against Hunger of the United Nations World Food Program. During a talk in the Global Youth Summit, KC shared something meaningful that you dont have to be a celebrity nor be a rich individual to be able to care about something and make a change in the community. The Meaga Star's daughter is also an active ambassador of the Philippine National Red Cross under fighting hunger and poverty. 7. Jasmine Curtis Like her sister Anne, Jasmine also has kindness for people in need. Jasmine became the youth ambassador of World Vision Philippines and she sponsors a child every time she turns a year older ever since she turned 18. The Kapuso actress was able to speak and talk about her advocacy and the Social Development Goal number 1, No Poverty. 8. Catriona Gray The new Miss Universe was very vocal about her intention to help the youth. She wanted people to see kids as kids. She wanted to raise awareness and change how people see children. Catriona also supports the HIV-AIDS awareness campaign which provides free testing, support counselling and public awareness about the auto-immune disease. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and not to KAMI. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Chambe Hit Song - Our Low-Budget Version. Alex Gonzaga, what an amazing song you have come up with! We can only try to reach the stars with our low-budget versions. But we are doing our best! - on HumanMeter! Source: Kami.com.ph - Another Filipina has wowed the global audience with her stunning rendition of Beyonce songs in X Factor Romania - Aside from her blazing performance, she made a buzz on social media after being hailed as the X Factor Romania 2018 grand winner - Her winning moment was indeed emotional and it made her fellow Filipinos proud PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Bella Santiago was hailed as the grand winner in X Factor Romania. She sang Beyonce songs entitled "Love On Top" and "Crazy in Love" for her final performance. Her winning moment became so emotional, everyone including the judges and the audience were really happy for her. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! Even from her audition months ago, she has already shown a remarkable number and charisma that's why it's no wonder that she was able to get the victory. It can also be remembered that she previously became a talk of the town when she did KZ Tandingan's version of Rolling in the Deep. Watch her final performance and her winning moment here: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! In this animation video by KAMI, we show the story of a woman who adopted a baby boy. As he grew up, he became more rebellious and wanted to meet his biological mother. In the end, he learned an important lesson on who his real mother is on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph - Rumors have been circulating that half-blooded candidates will be banned in Miss Universe next year - Reports said that not sending pure-blooded beauty queens is ethically unacceptable - The truth about this speculation was finally revealed PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed The Philippines is considered as a powerhouse country when it comes to international pageants like the Miss Universe. The win of Pia Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Gray just this year proved that we are a nation to beat in beauty competitions across the globe. However, there were speculations that circulated on social media targeting the representatives of Philippines as not pure Filipinas. It was said that several countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Poland, and South Korea have petitioned to ban half-blooded candidates from joining the Miss Universe. According to one of the countries that allegedly joined the petition, it is unethical that the Philippines is the only Asian country that has been sending half-blooded representatives to the prestigious pageant over the last five years. We really think this is an insult not only to the organization but to the whole Asian region, the viral Facebook report said. The Philippines is the only Asian country to use half-Filipina contestant in the last five years. There is no law that has been violated but it is ethically unacceptable, it added. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! However, in a report issued by Rappler, the official fact-checking partner of Facebook, the circulating rumors that half-Filipinas are banned from joining the aforementioned pageant is a hoax. In fact, the rules of Miss Universe do not specifically state that the ones who can join the prominent contest are those who are pure-blooded only. Moreover, the claim that the Philippines is the only Asian nation that continuously sends half-blooded candidates is not true since the candidate of Japan in Miss Universe 2015 was a Japanese/African-American. KAMI firmly believes that posting fake news on social media should never be tolerated and that people should be more aware and careful of everything that is posted online. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Chambe Hit Song - Our Low-Budget Version. Alex Gonzaga, what an amazing song you have come up with! We can only try to reach the stars with our low-budget versions. But we are doing our best! - on HumanMeter! Source: Kami.com.ph A recent study found that more than 750 million people would move permanently to another country if they had the chance. In other words, 15 percent of the worlds population wants to migrate. The Gallup company carried out the study. Researchers spoke to close to 500,000 people in 152 countries. They found that the desire to migrate rose between 2015 and 2017. But the reasons people want to move from their home countries remain the same, said Gallup official Jon Clifton. They want to flee a crisis, or they are seeking better economic opportunities. Starvation and disaster also continue to drive people from their homes, Gallup found. Where do people want to leave? One of the top 10 countries people want to leave is Syria. Gallup researchers found that at least 50 percent of Syrians want to migrate permanently and leave the war there behind. People in several places in Latin America are also showing growing desires to migrate, Gallup found. Gallup official Jon Clifton gave Venezuela as an example. Even though the country is rich in oil, it has fallen into a crisis, Clifton said. The United Nations estimates that around 2 million Venezuelans left their country in 2018. The desire to leave for another country also increased in a number of areas known for sending migrants. These include sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa. One reason is that parts of Africa have had to deal with a spread of the deadly Ebola virus. In Europe, people in Albania had the highest rates of wanting to leave. Gallup reports that 60 percent of Albanians want to migrate. Clifton said many Albanians were unhappy about the amount of money they could earn, and how little it could buy. Other Balkan countries also showed high rates of migration desires. Clifton said the trend there was especially troubling, because it affected the youngest and most educated part of the population. Separately, Gallup noted that in all regions of Asia "the percentage of adults who would like to move to another country permanently has remained flat." Where do people want to go? The Gallup survey found that people who want to migrate hope to go to wealthy countries that observe the rule of law. Gallup has been doing the survey for the last 13 years, Clifton said. During that time, the United States has always been the first choice for people who want to migrate. This year is no different, he said, even though U.S. President Donald Trump has taken measures and spoken out against migrants. People still see that this is one of the best economic opportunities for them in the world," Clifton said of the United States. Many people around the world also have family members in the country already. The Gallup survey found that one in five possible migrants said the United States would be their first choice for a new home. The survey also found that one in six Americans would like to migrate somewhere else the highest number so far. Im Kelly Jean Kelly. Ardita Dunellari from VOA News. Kelly Jean Kelly adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story trend - n. a general direction of change opportunity - n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done survey - n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something In many industrial countries, people work five eight-hour days or 40 hours a week. But some companies now want their employees to work just four days a week and still pay them for five. Is it too good to be true? Companies that reduced work hours have found that their employees like their jobs more and are more productive at work. Jan Schulz-Hofen set up the computer software company Planio in Berlin, Germany. Planio offered a four-day week to its 10-member work force earlier this year. Schulz-Hofen said, It is much healthier and we do a better job if were not working crazy hours. In New Zealand, a company called Perpetual Guardian tested how its employees reacted to a 32-hour workweek earlier this year. It said the workers reported feeling less pressured and more involved with the business. In Japan, the government is urging companies to let their workers have Monday mornings off. Other attempts to reduce working hours, however, have had little effect since many Japanese continue to work extra hours anyway. Britains Trades Union Congress (TUC) is pushing for the country to move to a four-day week by the end of the century. The group argues that a shorter workweek is a way for workers to share in the wealth made by new technologies like machine learning and robotics. The union compared that to the time they won the right to have weekends off during the industrial revolution. TUCs Kate Bell noted, It would reduce the stress of juggling working and family life and could improve gender equality. Companies that have already tried it say its better for productivity and staff well-being. Overworked? Lucie Greene is with the marketing communications company J. Walter Thompson. She said, People are starting to take a step back from the 24-hour digital life we have now and realize the mental health issues from being constantly connected to work. A study of 3,000 employees found that nearly half thought they could easily finish their work in five hours a day if they did not have to stop and re-start. Many said they already are working more than 40 hours a week anyway. The workers were from eight countries, including the United States, Britain and Germany. Dan Schawbel is with Future Workplace, which carried out the survey with Kronos. He observed, Because you always have the technology, you are always working, so people are getting burned out. Schulz-Hofen of Planio first tested the four-day workweek on himself. He felt the need to slow down after several years of intense work to launch the software company. I didnt get less work done in four days than in five because in five days, you think you have more time, you take longer, he said. With a four-day workweek, he added, I have to be quick, I have to be focused if I want to have my free Friday. Schulz-Hofen added, We got an unexpected reaction from customers. Most of our clients did not complain. They were just jealous. Dan Schawbel expects more companies and countries will permit a four-day workweek, but not in the United States. He said, I think America will be the last country to give us Monday mornings off because were so used to this way of working. I'm Dorothy Gundy. Hai Do adapted this Reuters news agency story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Quiz Quiz - More Companies Want Employees to Work Less Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story crazy - adj. foolish, unreasonable juggle - v. to do several things at the same time gender - n. the state of being male or female digital - adj. using or characterized by computer technology customer - n. someone who buys goods or services from a business jealous - adj. showing unhappy or angry desire to have what someone else has Almost a decade ago, things were looking good for Symbian OS. There was talk that we might see Symbian-powered netbooks and tablets go on sale. Then, just a few short years later, things took a dramatic turn. Nokia pulled the plug on Symbian development in 2013 and application developers gradually started abandoning the platform. Not everyone has thrown in the towel, however. The SIStore team is still hard at working bringing new features and experiences to users of certain Symbian devices. This week they announced the release of version 1.7 of their custom firmware, Delight. According the SIStore, Delight 1.7 offers support for three Nokia phones: the 808 Pureview, the N8, and the E7 (a version for the Nokia C7 is currently beta testing). Localizations are available for Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, and Spanish. Theyre willing to do additional translation all you have to do is ask. A lot of work was put into polishing user interfaces. Transparency effects were added, apps were re-skinned, and widgets were redesigned. Important software components like Python and Qt IAP were added which makes launching any 3rd party app designed for touch UI possible. SIStore integrated a number of mods, too. X-Plore, one of the most feature-rich and popular file managers for Symbian devices, is included with Delight 1.7. MemSpy, a powerful task manager app for SYmbian, has been added and theres also a new screen capture tool. Other mods offer enhanced audio and an improved camera experience, which was one of the biggest selling features for the 808 and N8. Map functionality has been given a major boost, too. Delight 1.7 dumps Nokias non-functional servers and makes the switch to Google. One other important though not necessarily exciting change is that SIStore has updated all SSL certificates. If you still have your trusty Nokia lying around and want to see how it runs with new firmware, you can grab it from the official Delight download site. via NeoWin Morocco Arrests 13 Over Murder of 2 Female Scandinavian Tourists Nine more people have been arrested over the killing of two Scandinavian university students in a remote corner of Moroccos Atlas Mountains, bringing the total arrests to 13. Authorities in Morocco see the killings as a terrorist act. Moroccos Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations says the latest arrests were made Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 across the country. Moroccan investigators say the nine arrested were carrying arms and suspicious materials used in the making of explosives. A plane carrying the remains of 24-year-old Danish student Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and 28-year-old Norwegian Maren Ueland flew out of Casablanca and headed to Copenhagen on Dec. 21. The two friends were on a camping trip when they were brutally murdered. Their bodies were found by French hikers on Dec. 17 with stab wounds in their necks, 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) from the village of Imlil, on the way to Toubkal, north Africas highest peak and a popular hiking destination. Revenge Slaying Captured on Camera A video of the slaying of one of the women is said to be circulating on Moroccan social media, sparking outrage. In Norway, police said it is likely authentic. There is no concrete evidence indicating the video is not real, Norways National Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) said. According to Morocco World News, in the video one of the suspects speaks in Moroccan Arabic (Darija): This is a revenge for our brothers in Hajin. Hajin is a small Syrian town that is being freed from ISIS control by Syrian Democratic Forces. There was another video in which the four initial suspects appeared to be pledging their allegiance to ISIS. Regarding the video, Norways NCIS said that neither Norway nor Denmark was mentioned in the video, nor was there anything specific about what action they should perform. Slain in Their Tents Both Jespersen and Ueland had lived in southern Norway where they attended university. Helle Jespersen, one of the womens mother, said she urged her daughter not to go to Morocco. We advised her to go down because its such a chaotic place, and youve heard of people who have been killed down there, she was quoted by the Telegraph as saying. Unnamed local sources told The Sun that three homeless men were seen camping near the two women. Three homeless men came from Marrakech and pitched a tent right next to the girls tent, a hotelier was quoted as saying. The men were not from around here. ISIS supporters have sent hundreds of horrific images and a beheading video directly to one of the victims grieving mothers, according to The Sun. Disturbing images of the severed and partially severed heads of one of the murdered backpackers were reportedly also placed on the Facebook page of the heartbroken mother, according to the report. The Associated Press and Tom Ozimek of The Epoch Times contributed to this report From NTD A montage of three images of single striatal neurons transfected with a disease-associated version of huntingtin, the protein that causes Huntington's disease. Nuclei of untransfected neurons are seen in the background (blue). The neuron in the center (yellow) contains an abnormal intracellular accumulation of huntingtin called an inclusion body (orange). Credit: Wikipedia/ Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license A hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's is the progressive death of nerve cells in the brain. The cells don't die quickly, though. They first start to disconnect from each other because their neuriteslong finger-like extensions that make connections all through the brainbecome smaller. Now, using animal models and nerve cells grown in the lab, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggest a new mechanism dubbed "neuritosis" that might explain neurons shrinking in Huntington's and other neurodegenerative diseases, opening new targets for therapy. The study is published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Neuritosis is a process that hasn't been recognized or described until now and could play a very important role in normal brain development, aging and neurodegenerative disease," said senior author Robert Friedlander, M.D., chair and Walter E. Dandy Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurobiology at Pitt's School of Medicine. It all started when Sergei Baranov, Ph.D., a staff scientist in Friedlander's lab, noticed an interesting phenomenon in mouse nerve cells that he was growing in the lab. "Their mitochondria, the cellular powerhouses, weren't working as well at the neurite ends" said Baranov. Then, when the researchers looked at neurons in the spinal cords of mice, they found the same phenomenon. "Other researchers must have noticed this as well, but we were able to visualize it and suggest the potential cause as well as outcome," he noted. The researchers found that when proteins in mitochondria at the ends of neurites were damaged by normal wear and tear, newer ones weren't coming in to replace them as quickly as they did for mitochondria near the nucleus. This made them function less efficiently, which activated 'executioner' enzymes called caspases and ultimately led to neurites withering away. Friedlander and his team called this neuritosis, a variation on apoptosis, the cell death process that involves caspase activation. "It's quite intuitive, once we discovered how it works," said Friedlander. "Neuronal projections are really long and the farther you are from the nucleus, which is the central factory, the harder it gets to repair and replenish the cellular machinery, making the ends more vulnerable to even small stresses." The researchers then wanted to understand whether neuritosis plays a role in neurodegenerative disease, and they had reason to suspect that it does. Previous work in Friedlander's lab showed that mutations in huntingtin, the protein linked to Huntington's, interferes with the same protein supply chain that breaks down in neuritosis. To test their hunch, Friedlander's team used genetically modified mice that carried a mutant version of the human huntingtin protein. These mice exhibit symptoms of the disease, including accelerated neuronal death. Their findings were similar to what they had seen in the cells, but more pronounced. There were fewer mitochondria at the ends, and what remained was more dysfunctional than in normal neurons. There was also more activation of caspases, and increased levels of cell death. "It's quite likely that neuritosis happens in nerve cells normally and doesn't result in cell death, but in neurodegenerative diseases, there are higher levels of stress to the already vulnerable neurite ends, which could push neuritosis over the edge and lead to cells dying," said Friedlander. "If we can somehow find a way to keep mitochondria at nerve ends healthy, it may be beneficial in treating neurodegenerative diseases." Explore further Parkinson's disease protein buys time for cell repair I was at a blind wine tasting recently where each bottle was shrouded in a brown paper bag. When I came to a particular Cabernet Sauvignon, it nearly took my breath away. Beyond being delicious and well-crafted, this was one of those wonderful moments when a wine transported me to the eastern slopes of the Napa Valley and seemed eager to tell its story. After the tasting concluded, I learned the name of the producer: Jones Family Vineyards. Although officially located in the Calistoga American Viticultural Area (AVA), the hillside vineyard for the wine I had tasted is actually at the boundary between three AVAs: Calistoga, St. Helena and Howell Mountain. This explained why the wine had such a wonderfully unique, but also distinctly familiar, Napa Valley demeanor. To reach their hillside vineyard, I turned from the Silverado Trail into a discreet driveway that twisted upward from the valley floor. The terrain quickly became steep with sweeping southward views that on a clear day must reveal the San Pablo Bay. At the top of the hill, Rick Jones and his daughter Stephanie greeted me. Later, Elaine, Ricks wife, joined us. After graduating with a degree in biochemistry from Princeton in the late 1960s, Jones decided that obtaining an MBA from Stanford was preferable to the Vietnam War draft. While in graduate school, he and his then-wife Sally visited the Napa Valley and found both the beauty and the wines of the region alluring and a bit mysterious. When I was growing up in north Chicago, my family didnt drink much, Jones said. It wasnt until I went to college that I ever tasted wine, and those were French wines. But when I got to Palo Alto, wed take trips up to the Napa Valley and the wine was something completely different. After graduate school, Jones was hired at the San Francisco office of McKinsey and Co., a strategy-consulting firm that had dozens of offices around the world, including one in Paris. When the managing director from the Paris office asked if my wife and I wanted to spend three years in France, we immediately said yes, he said. There, we had exposure to a variety of different foods and wines, and when we came back in the early 70s we spent more time up here (the Napa Valley) we even made some garage wine one year from second crop. Like many young professionals, Jones and his wife aspired to one day retire to the bucolic hills of the Napa Valley. And nearly 30 years later, theyd do just that. By the early 1990s, the Joneses were on the lookout for a property in the Napa Valley where they might build a second home that could serve as a getaway from the busy central Bay Area and eventually provide them a place to retire. Jones had left McKinsey by then and joined Safeway. At the time, I really didnt imagine that wed become vineyard owners, and certainly not vintners. But when we saw this property we couldnt get it out of our minds, he said. It was not only that the view was so enticing but also that the vineyard had been planted by Bart and Daphne Araujo. According to Jones, the Araujos purchased the original property, planting a vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon and conceptualizing a winery. But they decided to sell when they purchased another nearby vineyard and winery site, the Eisele Vineyard a few miles north. In 1991, the Joneses purchased the property, and by 1994 they had built a home on the site that was designed by Wine Country architect Ned Forrest. Theyd also hired a rock-star vineyard manager, David Abreu, to oversee the vineyard. The original idea was to sell the grapes to a well-known winery and leave it at that. We had been selling the grapes (94 and 95) to Carl Doumani at Stags Leap Winery, and he invited us to a wine-tasting where we tasted the unblended wine from our vineyard, Jones said. That was probably his mistake because when I tasted it, I asked a friend who tasted it too (Tom Clark), and we both thought it would make a pretty nice wine on its own. Some of the finest vineyard visionaries had planted the vines. One of the worlds leading vineyard managers was overseeing the vineyard. So it only seemed to make sense to have Heidi Barrett make their wine. Top wine critic Robert Parker has referred to Barrett as the First Lady of Wine and the Queen of Cult Cabernet. She has been honored with at least half a dozen 100-point scores from the major critics during her career. And although she has been the consulting winemaker for dozens of excellent wineries, perhaps her greatest claim to fame was making the first Napa Valley cult Cabernet Sauvignon, Screaming Eagle, which garnered a 99-point Parker score in 1995 for the 1992 vintage. From 1996 through 2007, Barrett made the Jones Family wines, crushing and fermenting the grapes at the Napa Valley Wine Co. in Oakville. Eventually the vineyard team changed from Abreu to Jim Barbour, another of the Napa Valleys leading viticulturists, and wine making transferred from Barrett to Thomas Rivers Brown, a Napa Valley winemaker with nearly a dozen 100-points scores by well-regarded wine critics. Today, Jones Family Vineyards is composed of Rick, Elaine, his two daughters (Stephanie and Heather) and the vineyard team and winemaker. All of them are dedicated and each brings his or her own special skill to the table. But there need be no confusion as to what is at stake. When I tasted the 2014 Jones Family Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, I was not mistaken. This is a fantastic and expressive wine that speaks to a decades-long search for perfection. Nothing in this wine is a mistake. Nothing in this wine is flawed. If I gave point scores this would probably be very near 100 points. Jones Family Vineyards wines represent a quest, a journey for meaning in a world where it is sometimes hard to understand how meaning can be assessed. Does the quest for money and power mean anything long-lasting? Probably not. But to produce something beautiful that touches the lives of those who have experienced it might just mean something. Future generations will look back at certain moments of accomplishment with reverence and joy. We are not the ones to know what those might be. However, almost certainly, there will be someone decades from now who finds a bottle of the 2014 Jones Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon in some ancient cellar. The label may be torn and faded, but when they open it and drink it around a table with friends and family, I imagine there might be a certain pause. A glance. An understanding. Here is something good, that future person might say. Here is something meaningful. People on the street have been thanking Andy Wild for his service since he left the Navy after eight years back in his mid-20s. Three decades later, theyre still thanking him this time for his generosity in times of natural disasters when he steps up to feed evacuees and first responders. Wild, 53, has been the Executive Chef for Special Events at the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone in St. Helena for a year and a half now, but has worked for the CIA off and on for 20 years. In September 2015, he had his own catering business when the Valley Fire broke out in Lake County. The Napa County Fairgrounds in his hometown of Calistoga was used as an evacuation center. When he walked over to check it out, he found Mayor Chris Canning. He said What are you doing here? Wild recalled, and I said Well, I want to help. He goes I deputize you. I go, Great, wheres my gun and my badge? He says No, youre in charge of the kitchen. Wild had helped fill sandbags during floods while growing up in his native Syracuse, New York. But making food for disaster victims gave him a chance to really have an impact. I ended up just laying out the groundwork, getting the contacts together and finding people so that we could cook food for all the people who were evacuated there, and there were 1,000 people, he recalled. We cooked three meals a day for 14 days. You can do the math on that; its huge. After a less eventful 2016 Northern California wildfire season, Wild was again helping feed first responders and evacuees when the Tubbs Fire forced his own town to be evacuated. Its fantastic, he said, because what typically happens in evacuation centers is they get a sandwich for lunch and potato chips and, you know, a box of cereal in the morning for breakfast. They might get something warm at night, but the chances are slim. Someone showed up with a case of MREs (meals ready to eat), military rations, and I hung one of them on the wall and wrote We will not be serving this kind of food. We made fresh food great, fresh food. I called all the friends that I knew, all the chefs that I knew, and they brought us things like steak and pasta. I wanted to make sure they had three hot meals a day, because thats what they need. These people are under stress, theyre out of their house. They have nothing. Most people didnt have a toothbrush. We had people sleeping in their cars so we gave them tents. Whatever we could. Evacuees were in such good spirits, they were joking about their dire situation. People would say things like Whenever theres a disaster, were going to come to Calistoga, Wild recalled. But were the Napa Valley; we should have good food and take care of people. Even the Red Cross came to us at one point and said You cant feed people like this because theyre not going to leave. I was like Thats OK, as long as theyve got a place to stay. For an executive chef who regularly makes hundreds of items for wedding receptions and corporate parties, not knowing how many he would need to feed was stressful itself at times. When we did the Tubbs Fire, we were told we would be feeding about 60. After the second day, word got out that we were actually putting together nice food. We did a prime rib dinner one day and we had over 200 people. All the police and firefighters called the other cops and told them Hey, were having a really nice dinner tonight; why dont you guys come up here and eat? This fall, when the worst wildfire in state history wiped out Paradise, Wild again joined other valley chefs to help feed evacuees in nearby Chico. This fire affected him directly: his mother-in-law and his brother-in-law, who is blind, lost their homes in Paradise. Weve already been up there once, for two days, to find them and get them and bring them back here, he said last month. Its hard for me to not be up in Chico right now. Theres so much to do up there. Wild worked in the Navy as an operations specialist and did amphibious warfare, but never wanted to work in the kitchen. Why do you want to cook 5,000 hamburgers? he asked rhetorically. But after leaving the service, he immediately went to school and got an associate of arts degree in hotel restaurant management in Syracuse. I like doing things for people. I like cooking for people. I love entertaining and making food and things like that, so its just natural for me to take care of people who have been evacuated. Food gives people a sense of comfort. I usually cook food for the wealthy, but I get a lot of self-worth helping people, giving back to the community. Evacuations are stressful and when youre stressed, you want comfort things that make you relax and enjoy yourself, as much as you can. Having fresh apple crisp and ice cream, or a good, hot meal when you dont expect it, thats great. Its one less thing to worry about. While volunteering during the Tubbs Fire, he even got feedback from one of the most famous chefs in the world. When Thomas Keller found out I was working on my sons eighth birthday, he said What kind of cake does your son like? and he made Porter a cake for his birthday. How often does a kid get a cake made by Thomas Keller? (Kellers restaurant) French Laundry gave us all the pastries and bread we could handle for 14 days. Not just a chef, Wild isnt waiting for the next disaster to help. Hes already begin a year of training to be part of the Napa County Sheriffs Search and Rescue team. Theres constant training, he said. We have two meetings a month and two weekend things fake search and rescues, learning how to do rope work, learning how to repel, all types of things. Well be on call. Theres about 50 people on the team so I wont have go every time, but Ill try to do as much as I can. Wild said hes also working on getting certified by the federal Department of Homeland Security to join a CERT Community, Emergency Response Team as well as Team Rubicon, military veterans who do search and recovery after disasters. Most chefs work so much they barely have time to sleep. But Wild isnt one to sit around and watch TV during his off time. Besides, he said, he wants to be an inspiration for Porter. Its teaching my son, who is 9, how to be part of his community, how to help out friends and neighbors, people that live with you. This is teaching him responsibility for when he grows up, he said. Hopefully hell take this on and become an active member of the community as well. We live in a state that shakes, floods, burns and slides, so you need to be prepared. The better Im educated at that, the better my family is, and my community will know how to take care of these things. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The results of the last election became official only this month, but already the next big California vote grows near. This reality stems from the Legislatures 2017 move setting Californias 2020 presidential primary on March 3. It puts the election season here on a very early schedule, with hopes California votes might prove decisive or at least influential. It means that for candidates, election season has become almost perpetual. California politicos wanting to move on or move up will have to decide their paths earlier than ever. And it means presidential candidates may campaign and advertise heavily here next fall. Thats because mail ballots will go out to voters in early February, about the time of the Feb. 3 first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. Voting will go on here right through the nominally earlier primaries and caucuses in smaller states like New Hampshire and Nevada. So Californians will see plenty of candidates from around the country, and pretty soon. These will include not only Democrats, but very likely some Republicans, as GOPers have effectively been put on notice by special prosecutor Robert Mueller that something might happen soon to President Trump, who keeps tweeting and pronouncing denials that he ever did anything wrong. No one has formally accused him of anything. Yet. Perhaps, as Shakespeare put it, the lady doth protest too much. So if former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the runner-up Republican in 2016, wants to run a credible 2020 race, hell have to start here in 2019, campaigning while he raises and spends big bucks on a national drive. For it will not be only California voting on March 3, 2020, but also Texas, the No. 2 electoral vote and national convention delegate state, plus Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama and Vermont. Anyone taking the great bulk of delegates at stake on that so-called Super Tuesday just might cinch his or her partys nomination very early. In California, this vote will be different from the last few state elections, where all voters could vote for anyone on the primary ballot, the top two vote-getters advancing to the fall general election. In presidential primaries, only Republicans can vote for GOP candidates, while Democrats allow votes from both their own party registrants and independents. Confusing matters, every other office on the ballot will, as usual, be open for voting by all. All this means Californians may soon become familiar with Kasich and visiting Democrats. These are likely to include the barely defeated Texas senatorial candidate Robert (Beto) ORourke, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, plus former Vice President Joe Biden, to name just a few. California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris also will likely be trying hard by summer to be a favorite daughter. Potential favorite sons include Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell and billionaire investor Tom Steyer. Some predict soon-to-be-ex-Gov. Jerry Brown, 78, might run. Once all these folks begin appearing around the state, and not merely raising money here, the moved-up primary will be accomplishing a key goal: Acquainting potential presidents with California issues on which many presidents have been woefully ignorant. But advancing the primary from its traditional June date puts more pressure on new Gov. Gavin Newsom than any other possible candidate. He says he wont run for president in 2020, but plenty of others have reneged on similar pledges. For Newsom to become a credible candidate, he must record some significant achievements quickly, perhaps by midsummer, when it would become mandatory to start raising money. Newsom shares a political consulting firm with Harris, though, and likely would not get in the race unless Harris dropped out. But Trump apparently takes Newsoms presidential possibilities seriously, dropping the occasional derogatory tweet on him, a treatment usually reserved for significant rivals he wants to belittle. All this puts California voters in an unaccustomed spot: Their presidential preferences might actually matter this year, something that has not happened often. Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He is author of the book, The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It. "Nobody's been able to do what I've been able to do... Nobody's been able to do anything like this. Actually, most people didn't even try because they knew they didn't have the ability to do it." President Donald Trump, "60 Minutes" interview, Oct. 15, 2018. He's right. Few politicians have the ability to chase away a capable, well-regarded defense secretary, order thousands of U.S. troops out of Syria and Afghanistan, instigate a government shutdown, help foment a deep stock market swoon and share a video of themselves dressed in overalls and singing "Green Acres" to promote a farm bill all in the same day. Fewer still choose to go into full whirling dervish mode when they're already swamped with law enforcement investigations and the opposition party is weeks away from assuming oversight and investigative powers that promise to make each day at the office even more harried and nettlesome. Then again, as Thursday's events reinforced, Donald Trump is that most singular of political types: Someone fully capable of burning down everything around him if they feel cornered. It's probable that Trump has gone into hyperactive mode precisely because he's so vulnerable to a string of federal and state investigations into every aspect of his life, including his presidency, business and family. The barrage of criticism about his unrealized border wall from avatars for his political base such as Ann Coulter ("GUTLESS PRESIDENT IN WALL-LESS COUNTRY," she tweeted) and Rush Limbaugh ("Trump gets nothing and the Democrats get everything," he said), may have left him feeling adrift and exposed. As I noted in a column in early 2017, shortly after Trump fired the FBI director James Comey, two things have always been the main drivers of the president's actions: Self-preservation and self-aggrandizement. Robert Mueller's Justice Department investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign, paired with other probes in New York and elsewhere, certainly have Trump focused on self-preservation. And in an environment where he fears being un-tethered from his political base, self-aggrandizement kicks in. Hence the lightning round of policy moves, which include using border wall funding as a reason to scuttle talks about keeping the federal government open. In fairness, Trump campaigned in 2016 on a pledge to build a wall along the southern border. He also said early on that he wanted to bring American troops home from Syria and Afghanistan. But his moves on those issues came on a day already larded with other surprise announcements and erratic behavior. As such, they paint a portrait of a president willing to gamble away national security, sound foreign policy and rational leadership in exchange for being able to shake his rattle on the world stage. That's certainly something Defense Secretary James Mattis spotted, and which he apparently couldn't stomach, so he resigned. "My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues." Mattis told Trump in his resignation letter. "We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances. Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position." The significance of those parting words was immediate. "There's going to be an intervention," a former senior member of the Trump administration told the Washington Post. "Jim Mattis just sent a shot across the bow. He's the most credible member of the administration by five grades of magnitude. He's the steady, safe set of hands. And this letter is brutal. He quit because of the madness." Mattis's departure early next year comes after the White House exits of other relative grownups such as Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, John Kelly and Rex Tillerson. That leaves the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as the only White House advisers able to withstand the vicissitudes of a president who doesn't listen to advice and only truly trusts his closest family members, but who lacks the sophistication to recognize that "Javanka" are tragi-comically out of their depth. Don't count on adult supervision coming from the president's Republican enablers in Congress, either. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took to Twitter on Thursday night to bemoan Mattis's resignation, while pretending that he hasn't spent years pouring gasoline on the Washington dumpster fire that helped give rise to Trump. Paul Ryan also bemoaned Washington's sorry state as he bid farewell to his role as Speaker of the House. But he's done little to stand up to Trump. Other Republicans in lesser roles, such as Senator Marco Rubio, keep averting their eyes from the realities of the Trump White House. After Trump announced Mattis's resignation, Rubio remarked on Twitter that he hoped the decision "was motivated solely by a desire to enjoy a well-deserved retirement." It took slightly more than 30 minutes for Rubio's eyes to be opened. After reading the resignation letter, he observed that it was "abundantly clear that we are headed towards a series of grave policy errors which will endanger our nation, damage our alliances & empower our adversaries." However momentarily enlightened he may be, don't expect Rubio and others in his class to consistently and effectively rein in Trump. Meanwhile, we must all take comfort in the fact that the president continues to recruit and retain only the "best people" for the White House. "You look at my cabinet members, we have really great cabinet members," he reassured a group of Bloomberg News reporters in August. "There are those that say this is the best cabinet ever assembled." 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." President: 178 births registered in Artsakh in November 9th Khachaturian International Festival to be held in Yerevan 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh Switzerland launches reform project for modernization of Armenia Vocational Education System in Agriculture Nikol the traitor banner is placed on gate of Armenia consulate general in Los Angeles Armenia, Greece FMs discuss need for returning all Armenian captives in Azerbaijan 399 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia PM makes new appointment Large fire breaks out in Armenias Charentsavan, burnt body of elderly woman found in apartment (PHOTOS) Artsakh President meets with relatives of soldiers who died in 44-day war last fall Armenias Mirzoyan briefs Croatia FM on latest developments in Karabakh peace process Armenia FM lauds Austria position on comprehensive settlement of Karabakh conflict (PHOTOS) London Christmas tree becomes subject of ridicule Newspaper: Armenia parliament ruling majority faction holds night meeting Newspaper: What did Armenia ex-President Kocharyan discuss with his political teammates? Twitter removes over 3,000 foreign country-related accounts Blinken discusses with Bayramov situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenian FM: Determination of Nagorno-Karabakh's status is subject to negotiations EU fines four major banks totaling $390 million Lavrov: Russian mediation on Karabakh settlement is welcomed by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Armenian defense minister discusses Washington's role in OSCE Minsk Group Armenian PM discusses Sochi meeting with defense minister and ruling party MPs Mirzoyan and Blinken discuss settlement of Karabakh conflict Armenia and Lithuania sign military cooperation program Israel calls on to stop Iran nuclear talks Taliban assures Iran border incident will not happen again Lavrov and Cavusoglu discuss South Caucasus situation Almost 9% of infected with COVID-19 in Armenia are vaccinated NEWS.am daily digest: 02.12.21 Armenia premier confers on proposals for large-scale investment programs in urban development Sebastian Kurz announces decision to quit politics President, those in charge of several NGOs discuss Artsakh programs Blinken: US hopes to work with Russia to resolve Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict Armenia President lauds dynamically developing relations with UAE Dollar still going up in Armenia Artsakh ombudsman: Azerbaijan shooting in direction of Karmir Shuka village lasted 10-15 minutes Christmas tree to be installed at Republic Square of Yerevan this year Armenia Security Council chief on deputy PMs Moscow meeting: Agreements not managed to be formulated yet Biden urges Congress to approve nuclear force data transfer to Australia Trump complains about loss of respect for the US Hajiyev: Azerbaijan ready to start talks with Armenia on signing peace agreement Ivan Aivazovsky bust unveiled in Stepanakert Armenia electricity tariffs may increase as of February 2022 Exchange of fire occurs in area of Karabakhs Karmir Shuka village Ardshinbank named the Best Bank of the Year by The Banker international magazine Ex-President Kocharyan chairs meeting of opposition Armenia Faction in parliament 3 more die of coronavirus in Artsakh Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan deputy PMs to continue work in coming days to open regional communications Armenia to get EU assistance to improve its aviation safety Armenia revenue committee ex-chief is appointed Armavir Province governor 40% of Armenia adults have received first dose of Covid vaccine, 23.9% got second dose World oil prices going up 558 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia humanitarian mission medical team delivers healthcare supplies to Aleppo medical facilities (PHOTOS) Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh conduct training Armenia FM in Stockholm, underscores proper, targeted response from international community (PHOTOS) Blinken, Cavusoglu discuss situation in Armenia, Azerbaijan Senator Markey expresses readiness to work in US Senate to facilitate release of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan Newspaper: Armenia police continue inspections regarding health ministers voyages Newspaper: Armenia PM-Artsakh President tandem devises another operation Travelers to face stricter Covid test rules when visiting US UN Secretary-General urges to increase testing, and not to ban travel due to omicron strain Castro becomes the first female president in Honduras Lavrov: Russia is making efforts to resolve controversial issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan EU Representative: Bayramov and Mirzoyan to meet in Stockholm on December 2 European Commission unveils its alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative Macron says UK PM Boris Johnson is a clown NEWS.am daily digest: 01.12.21 Embassy in Armenia: This year 16 Days of Activism align with US Summit for Democracy US envoy: Armenia has some of the best produce in the world Turkey already assessing economic benefits of opening Nakhichevan corridor Dollar continues increasing in Armenia All Armenian Fund: Working Group reported they received no credible evidence that funds were misappropriated Luc Pierre Devigne: EU discussing with Russia conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia former President Sargsyan: Artsakh issue is not resolved Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan deputy PMs to meet in Moscow today Russia MFA: OSCE plays useful role in promoting settlement of Karabakh conflict Armenia Inspection Bodies Coordination Bureau: We cant fine PM, parliament speaker for not wearing face masks Armenia State Revenue Committee: Indicators set by 2021 budget will be fulfilled Heavy snowfall in Armenias Ashotsk Armenia opposition lawmaker: Why should Azerbaijanis withdraw from Ishkhanasar hills? Armenia opposition MP: Iran drivers can enter Goris-Kapan road, refuel their cars with Azerbaijan fuel Armenia ex-President Sargsyan attending international videoconference (PHOTOS) Armenia PM sacks head of his staff's foreign relations department 4 more die of coronavirus in Karabakh President invites Romania colleague to Armenia Armenia revenue committee chief: Our customs officers are already on Goris-Kapan motorway 502 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Russia peacekeepers in Artsakh ensure about 150 pilgrims safe visit to Amaras Monastery in 1 week Armenia investigation of criminal case on high treason is over Erdogan expects to discuss Ukraine with Putin Armenia FM to head for Sweden Armenia, Greece, Cyprus special forces hold joint exercises Newspaper: Crimes with use of weapons increase in Armenia in 2021 Newspaper: Actual salaries decrease in Armenia Armenia ombudsman: Azerbaijan army is able to monitor Kapan-Chakaten alternative road as well (PHOTOS) Chairman of Armenia parliament probe committee: We will summon President and Prime Minister to ask questions Armenian analyst states reason why Iran won't renounce exit to Black Sea through Armenia's territory Charles Michel: Political dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan may lead to a sustainable settlement Putin hasn't decided if he will run in the 2024 presidential elections YEREVAN. The Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia has been notified from Russia that ex-Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyanwho is a defendant in the criminal case into what had occurred in capital city Yerevan, in March 2008is a Russian citizen, SIS Spokesperson Marina Ohanjanyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am. In her words, an additional inquiry has been sent to Russia to find out when Harutyunyan was granted Russian citizenship. Former Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan has been charged in Armenia within the framework of the criminal case into the tragic events that transpired in Yerevan on March 1 and 2, 2008and under Article 300.1 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code; that is, breaching Armenias constitutional order, in conspiracy with others. But since Harutyunyan is not in Armenia, an international arrest warrant for him was declared. In July, the Armenian court ruled in favor of the petition that Mikayel Harutyunyan be remanded in custody. Subsequently, the Police of Armenia received a notification from Russia that the arrest warrant for Harutyunyan was canceled in Russia. 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 presidential election on February 19, 2008. 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. The Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia has been notified from Russia that ex-Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyanwho is a defendant in the criminal case into what had occurred in capital city Yerevan, in March 2008is a Russian citizen. Former Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan has been charged in Armenia within the framework of the criminal case into the tragic events that transpired in Yerevan on March 1 and 2, 2008and under Article 300.1 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code; that is, breaching Armenias constitutional order, in conspiracy with others. A 27-year-old resident of Tavush Province has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and along the lines of the criminal case which the Investigative Committee of Armenia is investigating into the murder of a woman and her son, in Berd town of Tavush Province. The police informed that this young man was found while attempting to leave Armenia. He was detained and thenarrested. Syrian Armenians, Iraqi Armenians, and several other Armenian repatriates who have settled in Armenia on Tuesday are staging a protest outside the Ministry of Diaspora. They have written a letter against the decision to dissolve the ministry, and which they intend to deliver to the Acting Prime Minister. As reported earlier, as a result of reorganization of the government structure, the number of ministries in Armenia is expected to be reduced from 17 to 12. Armenias Prosecutor General's Office has appealed the court decision to release retired general Manvel Grigoryan on bail. Later in the day Prosecutor Generals Office appealed the decision of the court rejecting the motion to arrest former Deputy PM Armen Gevorgyan. Two small protest actions were staged near Russias embassy in Yerevan. One group of demonstrators were protesting against the current situation at the Russian military base in Gyumri, the non-statutory relations, and the Russian military servicemens conduct in Armenia and which threatens the safety of Armenian citizens. They also urged Armenian authorities to conduct a new policy toward Russia and change the nature of relations between the two countries. Activists from the Communist Party of Armenia, in turn, held a rally in support of maintaining the military base. The party issued a statement strongly criticizingin their wordsthe dissemination of anti-Russian sentiments among the Armenian society. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for efforts to accelerate the implementation of joint projects with neighboring Azerbaijan on energy resources of the Caspian Sea, Tasnim News Agency reported. In a meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Ogtay Asadov in Tehran on Tuesday, Rouhani stressed the need for the enhancement of relations between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan in industry, pharmaceuticals production, science and technology. Pointing to the plans for mutual cooperation between the two neighbors on using energy resources of the Caspian Sea, the president expressed hope for the accelerated implementation of the agreement, which he described as a win-win deal that would serve the interests of the two nations. He further reiterated the call for negotiated and political solutions to the regional conflicts, voicing Irans readiness to help settle regional conflicts within political frameworks and by respecting the rights of nations. For his part, the visiting Azeri parliamentarian emphasized the necessity for the expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Tehran and Baku. Asadov also hailed Irans stances on regional and international developments and its support for the sovereignty of its neighboring states, saying the regions conflicts could be resolved by the regional countries alone. Iran and Azerbaijan have accelerated efforts in recent years to forge closer partnership in various areas. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has made several official visits to Tehran over the past few years. In one of the trips in 2016, the two sides signed eleven memorandums of understanding and agreements to promote mutual cooperation in a range of fields. IS' West Africa Province Claims Killing 5 Nigerian Soldiers in Clash Near Dikwa Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering American Airlines (AAL), which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry. This world's largest airline has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 1.70%. For the last reported quarter, American Airlines came out with earnings of $1.13 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12 per share, representing a surprise of 0.89%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $1.59 per share and it actually produced earnings of $1.63 per share, delivering a surprise of 2.52%. Price and EPS Surprise With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for American Airlines. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. American Airlines currently has an Earnings ESP of +9.82%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on January 24, 2019. Story continues When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. By way of learning-by-doing, well look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT). Ashtead Group has a ROE of 40%, based on the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each 1 of shareholders equity it has, the company made 0.40 in profit. View our latest analysis for Ashtead Group How Do I Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for Ashtead Group: 40% = 1109.4 UK2.8b (Based on the trailing twelve months to October 2018.) Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is all the money paid into the company from shareholders, plus any earnings retained. Shareholders equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does ROE Mean? ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The return is the profit over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, all else being equal, a high ROE is better than a low one. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses. Does Ashtead Group Have A Good Return On Equity? Arguably the easiest way to assess companys ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, Ashtead Group has a superior ROE than the average (16%) company in the Trade Distributors industry. LSE:AHT Last Perf December 25th 18 That is a good sign. In my book, a high ROE almost always warrants a closer look. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares . Story continues How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but wont affect the total equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. Combining Ashtead Groups Debt And Its 40% Return On Equity Ashtead Group clearly uses a significant amount debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.30. I think the ROE is impressive, but it would have been assisted by the use of debt. Debt does bring extra risk, so its only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it. The Bottom Line On ROE Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, Id generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company. If you would prefer check out another company one with potentially superior financials then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, well use ROE to better understand Bannari Amman Sugars Limited (NSE:BANARISUG). Bannari Amman Sugars has a ROE of 6.0%, based on the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each 1 of shareholders equity it has, the company made 0.060 in profit. Check out our latest analysis for Bannari Amman Sugars How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for Bannari Amman Sugars: 6.0% = 699.158 12b (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2018.) Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders equity is a little more complicated. It is all earnings retained by the company, plus any capital paid in by shareholders. Shareholders equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does Return On Equity Mean? ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The return is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. A higher profit will lead to a higher ROE. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does Bannari Amman Sugars Have A Good ROE? One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. If you look at the image below, you can see Bannari Amman Sugars has a lower ROE than the average (9.3%) in the Food industry classification. Story continues NSEI:BANARISUG Last Perf December 25th 18 Thats not what we like to see. Wed prefer see an ROE above the industry average, but it might not matter if the company is undervalued. Nonetheless, it could be useful to double-check if insiders have sold shares recently. How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but wont affect the total equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. Combining Bannari Amman Sugarss Debt And Its 6.0% Return On Equity Bannari Amman Sugars has a debt to equity ratio of 0.44, which is far from excessive. Its ROE is quite low, and the company already has some debt, so surely shareholders are hoping for an improvement. Judicious use of debt to improve returns can certainly be a good thing, although it does elevate risk slightly and reduce future optionality. The Key Takeaway Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt. Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, youll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. You can see how the company has grow in the past by looking at this FREE detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Bitcoin mining giant Bitmain is going to sack almost half of its staffers by the end of this week, sources from the Chinese media reported. The Beijing company today laid off a team which was working on the development of Bitcoin Cash client. The news broke to the wire when Samson Mow, Blockstream Chief Strategy Officer, and former BTCC Chief Operational Officer, tweeted about it. Mow claimed: Bitmain has quietly laid off their entire Copernicus team. Only 1-week notice. Some had just joined the company. Layoffs just in time for Christmas. Rumors gained more credibility as people, claiming to the ex-employees of Bitmain, started sharing their exit stories on LinkedIn. Dovey Wan, managing director at Danhua Capital, brought the matter to notice via her series of tweets. theres post on Chinese Linkedin (usually very high accuracy, posted by employees themselves) saying Bitmain will start a layoff the coming week A separate rumor said the plan is for more than 50% of its headcount ???! pic.twitter.com/b0ZSBuPX4d Dovey Wan (@DoveyWan) December 23, 2018 Sanyan Finance, a Chinese media outlet, also reached out to Bitmain employees for further confirmation. While they confirmed that the human resource team at Bitmain was speaking to employees about something, they refused to add anything more to their claims that could prove that these employees are certainly getting canned. Story continues Global Layoff? Before the layoff rumor took off, Bitmain had already suspended its operations in the State of Israel. As a local daily reported, Bitmaintech Israel, a development center Bitmain had founded just two years back, fired its entire team, including vice president Gadi Glikberg, citing losses incurred during the latest crypto crash. The crypto market has undergone a shakeup in the past few months, which has forced Bitmain to examine its various activities around the globe and refocus its business by the current situation, Glikberg confirmed. In November, the cryptocurrency market cap lost $70 billion worth of investments after Bitcoin Cash fork threatened the stability of the entire crypto space. Bitmain, which supported one of the Bitcoin Cash camps led by Roger Ver in its quest to attain lead over the other, reportedly suffered millions of dollars worth of losses while diverting Bitcoins surplus hash power to its ally. The extent of their overall damages, including depreciation incurred during a year-long crypto bear market and by the drop in mining equipment sales, could have led Bitmain to go on a firing spree. Although it is currently not known whether or not it is a global layoff, Beijing layoffs are already active, reported 36kr. Bitmain had almost 2,000 employees working across its mining and blockchain development verticals. It is expected to drop to 300 by the time the reported sacking concludes. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post Bitmain: Bitcoin Mining Giant to Sack 50% of Its Workforce appeared first on CCN. The Daily Beast Photo Illustration by The Daily BeastOXFORD, MichiganDetailed descriptions of a wish to massacre classmates on his cellphone and in a journal. At least one social media post pointing to elation at access to a handgun bought by his dad. A mom who thanked Trump for my right to bear arms. And a meeting between his parents and school administrators about his conduct just hours before the attack.Authorities on Wednesday identified the teenage suspect in the mass shooting a day earlier at Michigan Sarajevo (AFP) - Tensions rose on Tuesday in a stand-off between Bosnian police and protesters after the arrest of the leader of a movement demonstrating over the unresolved death of his student son in the city of Banja Luka. Hundreds of people gathered to protest against the arrest of their leader Davor Dragicevic, defying police forces deployed around central square in Banja Luka, the capital of Serb-run Bosnian entity Republika Srpska (RS). Dragicevic, 49, whose son David died in March, "was arrested after having failed to respond to a police summons," police spokeswoman Marija Markanovic told reporters. For months, Dragicevic and his ex-wife have accused the authorities in the Bosnian Serb-run region of "killing" their son, a charge officials have denied. The body of the 21-year-old technology student was found in a stream in March. Police called his death an accident, but his family suspected foul play, sparking a wave of protests not seen in Bosnia since 2014. A prosecutor later qualified the death as murder. - Nightly meetings - The group "Justice for David", which has been meeting every evening in Banja Luka's central square for nine months now, last week gathered outside the parliament of Republika Srpska without approval by the authorities. Some 20 protesters, including Dragicevic, were accused by a prosecutor of "threatening the security" of political officials. Dragicevic was summoned for questioning but refused to report to the police station, the police spokeswoman said. His ex-wife, David's mother Suzana Radanovic, and several other group members were also arrested, including opposition party leader Branislav Borenovic and his party's MP Drasko Stanivukovic. They were all accused of "violating public order," police said. Radanovic was released later on Tuesday and joined the protesters. According to local media, the demonstrators opposed police removing a "sanctuary" at what has become known as "David's Square" where they have been gathering, bringing flowers and lighting candles every evening. Story continues Police then forced several hundred protesters from the place as well as from a park where they had moved. The European Union delegation in Bosnia in a statement expressed "deep concern" and "asked the RS Ministry of Interior for an immediate explanation of the ongoing arrests of different persons associated with the 'Justice for David' movement." Hundreds of protesters rallied in the evening in Bosnian capital Sarajevo and blocked main boulevard in support of the group in Banja Luka, an AFP journalist reported. Protests "for David" have gradually turned into demonstrations against the rule of Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb strongman whose party won an October election in Republika Srpska. Since the end of the 1992-1995 war, Bosnia has been composed of two entities -- Serb-run Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat Federation -- united by a loose central government. London (AFP) - Britain is forbidding puppies and kittens from being sold by pet shops in a bid to crack down on animal exploitation and abuse. The government said it will roll out the legislation next year after holding public consultations that showed 95 percent support for the ban. "This will mean that anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or with an animal re-homing centre," the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said on Sunday as part of its Christmas animal welfare push. The measure is commonly called Lucy's Law in honour of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that was rescued from a puppy farm in Wales in 2013. Lucy, who died in 2016, spent most of her life in a cage and was unable to breed because of her lack of movement. Activist Lisa Garner took her home and launched a social media awareness campaign that changed the way Britons get their pets. The government said the new law would help "end the terrible welfare conditions found in puppy farming and solve a range of existing animal welfare issues". - 'Right start in life'- The government believes the ban will keep "high volume, low welfare breeders" -- both licensed and unlicensed -- from flooding pet shops with puppies and kittens raised in unethical conditions. Defra released no figures estimating how many sales the new legislation would affect. But London's Battersea Dogs Home chief Claire Horton said the rules will "make sure the nation's much-loved pets get the right start in life". Battersea has been the focus of several popular TV series about pet rescues and care that reflected Britons' general affection for cats and dogs. Britain's People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) veterinary charity said 49 percent of UK adults owned at least one pet in 2018. PDSA's estimated cat population of 11.1 million edged out the 8.9 million dogs and one million rabbits -- whose numbers have nearly halved since 2011. Story continues The British government has unfurled a number of animal welfare initiatives in the past few months that activists hope other European countries will soon follow. One law in October banned licensed shops from dealing in puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks. Defra is now looking at legislation requiring all non-commercial rescue and re-homing centres to have a licence. It separately urged families to steer clear of the temptation to buying their kids cute pets as Christmas gifts. "This carries a number of risks and can have tragic consequences for animal welfare when pets are either abandoned or given to re-homing centres to deal with," Defra said. "Pets should not be bought as a surprise." New Delhi (AFP) - Calls have mounted for Indian authorities to abandon efforts to recover the body of a young American killed apparently attempting to convert a hunter-gatherer island tribe to Christianity. John Chau was killed in a hail of arrows almost two weeks ago as he went ashore on North Sentinel island in the Indian Ocean, fisherman who dropped him off nearby told police. The off-limits remote island the size of Manhattan, part of the Indian Andaman Islands, is home to the Sentinelese, one of the world's last tribes "uncontacted" by civilisation. Indian police on Saturday took a boat 400 metres (yards) offshore and spotted men on the beach with bows and arrows, but they do not want to disrupt the tribe or provoke more violence. On Monday Survival International, which seeks to protect the rights of tribal peoples, said Indian authorities should call off an operation which is "incredibly dangerous" for both sides. "The risk of a deadly epidemic of flu, measles or other outside disease is very real, and increases with every such contact," the group's director Stephen Corry said in a statement. "Mr Chau's body should be left alone, as should the Sentinelese." This was echoed in a joint statement by a group of Indian anthropologists, authors and activists including Pankaj Sekhsaria, Vishvajit Pandya and Madhusree Mukerjee. "The rights and the desires of the Sentinelese need to be respected and nothing is to be achieved by escalating the conflict and tension, and worse, to creating a situation where more harm is caused," they said. Chau, according to his purported Instagram account a "Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician" and an "ambassador" for a US brand of beef jerky, interacted with the Sentinelese before he died and returned to the fishermen's boat. There he recorded in writings given to US media that he had shouted "My name is John. I love you and Jesus loves you", only to be shot at with arrows, one of them piercing his Bible, and beat a hasty retreat. Story continues Chau went back to the island the next day, but never returned. Police say that when two Indian fishermen were killed by the tribe in 2006 after their boat drifted ashore, the tribe had hooked their bodies on bamboo stakes facing out to sea. "It was a kind of scarecrow," the region's police chief Dependra Pathak told AFP. The fishermen who took Chau to North Sentinel, some of whom have been detained by police, said they saw the tribe burying the body on the beach. Washington (AFP) - Fielding a phone call from a seven-year-old on Monday, US President Donald Trump put himself on Santa Claus's naughty list by raising doubts about his existence. The call to American defense agency NORAD, which "tracks" Santa's movements around the world, was one of several answered by Trump and his wife Melania as part of a Christmas Eve tradition. Related Video: Trump Takes Kids' Santa Calls It began innocuously enough: "Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" But Trump then ventured into dangerous waters, asking: "Are you still a believer in Santa Claus? 'Cuz at seven it's marginal, right?" The president's question was not well-received on social media. "Belief in Santa should be preserved as long as possible. It's the, or close to the, beginning of the end of innocence. For Mr Trump to be responsible for that is sad...but not surprising," a Twitter user named Walt Corey wrote. Derryl Murphy tweeted that "Trump doesn't know how to say anything appropriate, to anyone," while Sarah Walker wrote on Twitter: "This further proves that he is the grinch." It was not immediately clear whether Coleman decided to forego leaving cookies and milk out for Santa this year. If youre looking for an easy way to summarize the premise for Jordan Peeles new horror movie, Us, may we suggest the following Walt Kelly quote: We have met the enemy and he is us. Shrouded in secrecy since the film was first announced, the just-released Us trailer (merry Christmas!) provides some tantalizing details about the writer-directors follow-up to his Oscar-winning debut, Get Out. Although, knowing Peele, there are almost certainly surprises that hes holding in reserve for maximum shock value when the film hits theaters on March 15. (Watch the trailer above.) Reuniting Black Panther co-stars Lupita Nyongo and Winston Duke as the loving parents of two adorable children, Us then plunges this ordinary nuclear family into a decidedly extraordinary situation: coming face-to-face with evil doppelgangers of themselves. At a special screening of the trailer for select members of the press, Peele explained that he wrote Us to explore an undeniable truth thats been at the forefront of his mind: The simple fact that we are our own worst enemies. The filmmaker also emphasized that this movie, unlike Get Out, is not specifically about race. That said, it was always his goal to feature a black family at the center of the story. His other goal? Creating a new mythology and a new monster. I think that monsters and stories about monsters are our best ways at getting at deeper truths and facing our fears as a society. That larger mythology, and the films monster, are only glimpsed sparingly in this trailer. While on a beachside vacation with family friends (Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker), their son (Evan Alex) crosses paths with a mysterious figure carrying a pair of scissors. Its an image that could come straight out of Candyman a film that Peele is not-so-coincidentally remaking as an executive producer. Later that night, four mask-wearing strangers turn up outside the familys house, and force their way in a sequence that cant help but remind horror fans of the 2008 hit The Strangers. Once theyre inside, its revealed that these strangers share the exact faces of the people theyre victimizing. Or, as Nyongo puts it in the trailer, They look exactly like us, they think like us, they know where we are, we need to move and keep moving. They wont stop until they kill or or we kill them. Story continues The subsequent rush of images teases just how bloody and brutal this fight is going to get. It also unveils a location that appears to be Uss version of Get Outs nightmarish Sunken Place: a spooky room full of rabbits that could be an outtake from a David Lynch movie. (Or, for that matter, The Favourite.) Its been a labor of love, Peele remarked about the process of bringing Us to the big screen. Based on this first look, watching it will be a scary delight. Us will start scaring audiences on March 15. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused President Donald Trump of using "scare tactics" to build support for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, which she joked had been reduced from a giant, cement structure "to, I think, a beaded curtain." Trump and congressional Democrats remained locked in a bitter stalemate Tuesday over billions of dollars in funding for the wall, which Trump has said is necessary to end a partial government shutdown now heading into its fourth day. With most lawmakers home for the holiday, a speedy resolution would amount to a Christmas miracle. While wishing a Merry Christmas to troops overseas, Trump said he doesn't know when the ongoing government shutdown will end. "Its a disgrace whats happening in our country," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "But other than that, I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas." While congressional Democrats say they will not support money for a border wall, Trump said the U.S. needs "a wall, a fence, whatever they want to call it." The remarks underscore how dug in both the White House and congressional Democrats have become amid a partial government shutdown that began Friday at midnight. The president kept a low profile on Christmas Eve, at one point posting on Twitter that he was "alone" at the White House waiting for Democrats to agree to a deal to reopen federal agencies. The White House said Trump met with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen about border security but provided no detail about the discussion. I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security. At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018 "At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about," Trump posted on Twitter. "Crazy!" Story continues Trump told reporters late Monday that there was nothing new to report on budget negotiations. "We need more border security, he said. In an interview, Pelosi told USA TODAY over the weekend Trump is "being a fear monger" by asserting immigrants will bring drugs and other dangers into the U.S. Experts believe most drugs entering the country are smuggled in through legal ports of entry. Trump ran for president on a promise to strengthen immigration restrictions and build the wall. He took heat from conservatives after the White House initially signaled an openness to a short-term funding measure that would have kept government agencies opened but would not have significantly increased funding border barriers. Dec. 24: Government shutdown, day 3: Trump complains he's 'all alone' Dec. 24: Visitors scale fence at a closed national monument to play in the sand Dec. 23: How the government shutdown hurts small businesses "He talked about terrorists coming in over that particular border, which wasn't so. He talked about people bringing in diseases and all the rest of that, which wasn't so," Pelosi, a California Democrat and presumed next Speaker of the House, told USA TODAY. "He's using scare tactics that are not evidence based, and it's wrong." Pelosi mocked the shifting message from the White House about whether Trump wanted a "wall," a fence or some other structure. "First of all, the fact...that he says we're going to build a wall with cement and Mexico's going to pay for it while he's already backed off of the cement now he's down to, I think, a beaded curtain or something, I'm not sure where he is," Pelosi said. Dec. 21: The government shutdown is here. How does it affect you? Dec. 19: A look at what public services will, wont be interrupted during shutdown A White House spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. Democrats, noting the market slide on Monday and recent shakeups in Trump's Cabinet, reiterated their accusation that Trump is "plunging the country into chaos." With both sides dug in over the shutdown, it was unclear whether actual progress was being made toward resolving the impasse. The Senate isn't set to meet again until Thursday at the earliest, and White House officials have predicted the shutdown could continue into the new Congress, which begins Jan. 3. Democrats will take control of the House on that day, and Pelosi said she expects the chamber will pass legislation to reopen federal agencies quickly. Whether that measure would include additional money for the border remains unclear. "But one thing's for sure, the first week of January we will be passing legislation to open up government," Pelosi said. Contributing: Nicole Gaudiano and David Jackson FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Belgrade, Mont. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) ORG XMIT: WX108 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown, day 4: Pelosi blames Trump for using 'scare tactics' over border wall Weve lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. On the other hand, wed be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Human Health Holdings Limited (HKG:1419). Do Insider Transactions Matter? Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock on the market. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. As Peter Lynch said, insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise. View our latest analysis for Human Health Holdings Human Health Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Chairman of the Board & CEO Kin Chan for HK$1.3m worth of shares, at about HK$1.93 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher, an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. That purchase may suggest an expectation of positive returns over the long term. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Kin Chan. Kin Chan bought 3.13m shares over the last 12 months at an average price of HK$1.83. You can see the insider transactions over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! SEHK:1419 Insider Trading December 24th 18 If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Story continues Insider Ownership For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Human Health Holdings insiders own 1.9% of the company, currently worth about HK$10m based on the recent share price. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Human Health Holdings Tell Us? The fact that there have been no Human Health Holdings insider transactions recently certainly doesnt bother us. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Overall we dont see anything to make us think Human Health Holdings insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can find historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph. If you would prefer to check out another company one with potentially superior financials then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Weve lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance Company Limited (HKG:8252). What Is Insider Buying? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We dont think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Colombia University study found that insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers. See our latest analysis for Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Cho Hung Suen made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for HK$14m worth of shares at a price of HK$2.25 each. That means that an insider was selling shares at around the current price of HK$2.14. While their view may have changed since the sale, this is not a particularly positive fact. Arguably, insider selling at around current prices should give us reason to reflect on whether the stock is fully valued at the moment. Cho Hung Suen was the only individual insider to sell over the last year. Cho Hung Suen divested 19.51m shares over the last 12 months at an average price of CN2.25. The chart below shows insider transactions over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues SEHK:8252 Insider Trading December 25th 18 I will like Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Does Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance Boast High Insider Ownership? I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance insiders own 8.7% of the company, currently worth about HK$111m based on the recent share price. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. So What Does This Data Suggest About Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance Insiders? There havent been any insider transactions in the last three months that doesnt mean much. Its great to see high levels of insider ownership, but looking back at the last year, we dont gain confidence from the Yangzhou Guangling District Taihe Rural Micro-finance insiders selling. To put this in context, take a look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow . If you would prefer to check out another company one with potentially superior financials then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Polls show Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party on course to win the most seats in the election - REUTERS Israels government has announced early elections for the beginning of April, setting the stage for a campaign on terms that appear favourable to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. Just weeks ago, the government looked on the verge of a chaotic collapse but Mr Netanyahu and his coalition partners announced Monday they had agreed unanimously to keep the government together until the election. "With God's help, we will win," Mr Netanyahu said. He hailed his government's "outstanding achievements", including Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. Polls show Mr Netanyahus Likud party on course to win the most seats in the election, despite recommendations by Israeli police that the prime minister should be charged with corruption. Mr Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and Israeli prosecutors have not yet decided whether to indict him. The elections means that prosecutors will probably not announce any decision until after the campaign. The justice ministry said its work on the corruption cases was "continuing normally" despite the election announcement. This is an organized and professional work procedure that doesnt depend on political events, the ministry said in a statement. Mr Netanyahu is due to travel to Washington in late March to address the annual conference of Aipac, the major pro-Israel US group, and will almost certainly meet with Donald Trump at the White House. The high-profile visit will allow Mr Netanyahu to present himself as a global statesman just days before Israeli voters head to the polls. The election will reportedly be held on April 9, although no final date has been confirmed. Mr Netanyahu will visit with Donald Trump shortly before the election Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images Mr Netanyahu, 69, has been prime minister for 12 years during two separate stints in office. If he remains in power in July, he will become the longest-serving prime minister in Israels 70-year history. Story continues Recent polls show Mr Netanyahus Likud Party would emerge as the biggest party in an election, winning around 30 seats in Israels 120-seat Knesset, the same number it has now. There is one major political wildcard that could complicate Mr Netanyahus march towards re-election: Benny Gantz, the 59-year-old former chief of staff of the Israeli military. Mr Gantz, who left the army three years ago after commanding Israeli troops in the 2014 Gaza war, has intimated he plans enter politics. Polls show that if Mr Gantz forms his own political party he could win up to 16 seats. But he would divide the anti-Netanyahu opposition and leave the prime minister as the clear winner of an election. However, if Mr Gantz were to join the centrist Yesh Atid party it would be a major boost to the main challengers to Mr Netanyahu. A poll for Israels Channel 13 showed that in such a scenario, Yesh Atid would win 26 seats while Mr Netanyahus Likud would win 29. New York State Demands Insurance.. for Me but Not for Thee By Rob Morse. December 21st, 2018 Original Source The New York Senate proposed that gun owners must have liability insurance. Only active duty law enforcement officers are exempt. The political justification was the 500 murders in NY last year. We dont have statistics from every state, but where we do have reliable data we see that citizens who are licensed to carry a concealed firearms are the most law abiding and non-violent segment of society in the United States. Why are we taxing the people who obey the law to pay for the actions of drug gangs? Will we have more of these honest gun owners after we tax them, or will we have fewer of them? We know the thugs shooting each other in Buffalo and Binghamton wont buy this insurance. This proposed law is a tax imposed on a politically disfavored minority in New York State. What does this law do? Any gun owner in New York State would have to show that they carried a million dollars of liability insurance before they were allowed to own a gun. Failure to do so would revoke all the gun owners permits to own firearms. That prohibition lasts for life. This applies to every person who is listed as a gun owner. The insurance requirement applies to your 18 year old daughter who owns a target rifle. There are no age exemptions in the bill. The law applies to the older woman who inherited her grandmothers shotgun. The law holds you liable for any negligent damage you cause with your firearm. You are required to have insurance from before you buy your guns until after you sell them. You are liable for the actions of a thief who steals your gun until you report the firearm as stolen. After the fact, New York gets to determine if your gun was stored in a negligent manner. You get to fight that out in court and pay those court costs out of pocket. This insurance does not protect a gun owner from the legal costs of owning a gun. In fact, New York is openly hostile to legal insurance for honest gun owners. What doesnt this law accomplish? Police are more likely to shoot the wrong person than are ordinary citizens who have a license to carry a concealed firearm. That is not an issue of poor police training but more a nature of their job. Police deal with a large number of unknown people in an unfamiliar environment every day. The police cant know who belongs and who is the uninvited intruder, though the police get very good at quickly figuring this out. At home and at work, you know things the police cant know. You know that your nephew belongs in your home and that the robber doesnt. Sometimes the police confuse the two. This liability bill wont pay for the mistakes made by the police. They are held harmless when they shoot the wrong person or their guns are stolen. The police are held harmless due to state statutes limiting their liability. In contrast, honest citizens are held liable. That is true today without passing this new liability insurance law. You can call it insurance, but that doesnt make it so. Paying this government fee doesnt provide money to pay your legal bills when youre sued by the robber you chased out of your house. This proposed insurance doesnt pay your legal fees when your daughter shoots an attacker in her apartment. You get to pay those bills. This is a tax on honest gun owners in New York. There are few exemptions listed in the senate bill. Retired law enforcement officers must buy insurance. Out of state law enforcement officers traveling through New York might need insurance as well. There is no temporary grace period for people visiting New York for a short time. Out of state gun owners traveling through New York airports require insurance. Out of state gun owners need insurance as they drive between Scranton and their hunting camp near Manchester. There is no exemption for firearms named in probate proceedings as the family firearms are passed between generations. It is unclear if the law applies to air pistols owned in New York City. There are no exemptions in the law for need. There is no exemption for the young woman who has a stalker and suddenly needs a gun for protection. There is no exemption for the recent rape victim who now wants a firearm to feel secure when she is home alone. The victims needs come second after the state has its fees. Why was this law was proposed? The excuse for this bill is that guns cause destruction and to pay the innocent victims. In fact, we know that carrying a firearm in public does not lead to higher rates of crime or violence. The rationale is laughable given the economic destruction caused by the policies coming out of Albany and New York City. We have fewer small businesses in New York after we taxed and regulated them. Now were taxing and regulating honest gun owners. What is the real reason for this bill? Looking at the sociological data, we see that gun owners tend to be politically conservative. This bill is nothing more than a way for New York Democrats to tax their political opponents. How ironic that the Democrat party talks about inclusion yet wants to drive law abiding citizens from New York State. This law is more than a tax. New York also regulates insurance companies. The company that provides this insurance must obtain and maintain state permits to operate. New York politicians can turn law abiding gun owners into criminals the moment they interrupt insurance coverage. Why propose this bill now? We resent intrusive government. New York is called the most oppressive state in the US. We are voting with our feet, and New York lost almost one percentbottom half of states for violent crime. The Democrats who control New York politics need someone to blame in the media and gun owners are a convenient scapegoat. New York politicians also get more campaign donations when they propose "gun-control". Gun owners are a politically disfavored minority. The more gun owners the politicians drive out of New York, the longer the politicians can stay in power. Back to Top A large part of investment returns can be generated by dividend-paying stock given their role in compounding returns over time. Historically, Keppel Corporation Limited (SGX:BN4) has paid dividends to shareholders, and these days it yields 4.1%. Does Keppel tick all the boxes of a great dividend stock? Below, Ill take you through my analysis. See our latest analysis for Keppel 5 checks you should use to assess a dividend stock When researching a dividend stock, I always follow the following screening criteria: Is its annual yield among the top 25% of dividend-paying companies? Has its dividend been stable over the past (i.e. no missed payments or significant payout cuts)? Has the amount of dividend per share grown over the past? Is its earnings sufficient to payout dividend at the current rate? Based on future earnings growth, will it be able to continue to payout dividend at the current rate? SGX:BN4 Historical Dividend Yield December 25th 18 How does Keppel fare? The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for BN4 is 129%, meaning the dividend is not sufficiently covered by its earnings. However, going forward, analysts expect BN4s payout to fall into a more sustainable range of 44% of its earnings. Assuming a constant share price, this equates to a dividend yield of around 4.6%. Moreover, EPS should increase to SGD0.55, meaning that the lower payout ratio does not necessarily implicate a lower dividend payment. When considering the sustainability of dividends, it is also worth checking the cash flow of a company. Cash flow is important because companies with strong cash flow can usually sustain higher payout ratios. If dividend is a key criteria in your investment consideration, then you need to make sure the dividend stock youre eyeing out is reliable in its payments. Dividend payments from Keppel have been volatile in the past 10 years, with some years experiencing significant drops of over 25%. These characteristics do not bode well for income investors seeking reliable stream of dividends. Story continues Relative to peers, Keppel generates a yield of 4.1%, which is high for Industrials stocks but still below the markets top dividend payers. Next Steps: After digging a little deeper into Keppels yield, its easy to see why you should be cautious investing in the company just for the dividend. On the other hand, if you are not strictly just a dividend investor, the stock could still be offering some interesting investment opportunities. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, I urge potential investors to try and get a good understanding of the underlying business and its fundamentals before deciding on an investment. There are three pertinent aspects you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for BN4s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for BN4s outlook. Valuation: What is BN4 worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, its not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether BN4 is currently mispriced by the market. Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. MOSCOW (AP) The Latest on tensions between Russia and Ukraine (all times local): 12:05 a.m. President Donald Trump says the U.S. doesn't approve of escalating violence "either way" between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking publicly for the first time after a weekend naval confrontation off the disputed Crimean Peninsula raised tensions anew in the volatile region, Trump is not specifically calling out Russia's behavior. Says Trump, "We do not like what's happening, either way, we don't like what's happening and hopefully it will get straightened out." His comments come hours after outgoing U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley urged Russia to "immediately cease its unlawful conduct" in the Black Sea. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of this week's G-20 summit in Argentina. ___ 11:15 p.m. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has told lawmakers that the martial law introduced in the country will only affect regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Moldova's breakaway republic of Trans-Dniester. Ahead of the parliamentary vote that overwhelmingly supported his motion for a 30-day period of martial law, Poroshenko said martial law will only affect ten of Ukraine's 27 regions. The regions picked are the ones that he identified as potentially in the front-line of any Russian strike. Tensions between the two countries escalated Sunday when Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian vessels and their crews. Poroshenko also pledged to respect the rights of Ukrainian citizens. Martial law will include a partial mobilization and strengthening of the country's air defense. The measures before parliament also included vaguely worded steps such as "strengthening" anti-terrorism measures and "information security." ___ 10:45 p.m. Ukraine's parliament has voted to support the president's motion to impose martial law in the country for 30 days. Story continues Martial law will include a partial mobilization and strengthening of the country's air defense. The measures before parliament also included vaguely worded steps such as "strengthening" anti-terrorism measures and "information security." President Petro Poroshenko asked lawmakers earlier to back his motion to impose martial law in the wake of Sunday's incident near Russia-occupied Crimea when Russian borders guards opened fire on three Ukrainian navy vessels before seizing the ships and their crews. Parliament voted overwhelmingly for the motion following five-hour debate. ___ 10:40 p.m. Some 200 protesters waving Ukrainian flags and anti-Russia slogans have demonstrated outside the Russian Embassy in Poland over the latest standoff between Russia and Ukraine. Most present were members of the Ukrainian community in Warsaw, protesting against Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian vessels off the disputed Crimean Peninsula. After the protest they threw containers of yellow and blue paint, Ukraine's national colors, in the direction of the embassy. Some also briefly clashed with the police. According to Polish government figures, some 1.6 Ukrainians live in Poland. Some are in the country after fleeing the conflict in the east of their country against Russia-backed rebels. ___ 9:40 p.m. Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations is warning that rising tensions with Russia "constitute a clear threat to international peace and security." Volodymyr Yelchenko told a United Nations Security Council meeting Monday that Russia's claim that Ukrainian ships violated Russia's borders "is an outright lie." Russia traded barbs Monday with representatives from the United States and Ukraine at a Security Council meeting held after Russian ships fired on Ukrainian vessels Sunday near Crimea. Russia accused Ukraine of provoking the attack by violating Russia's borders and demanded their sovereignty be respected. Tensions have grown between Ukraine and Russia since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. Questioned by reporters after the UNSC session, Yelchenko said he hopes more sanctions would be imposed on the Russian leadership. Sanctions, he said, "do bite." ___ 9 p.m. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine's president has assured him that should martial law be introduced in the country it would not have a negative impact on next year's presidential election. Stoltenberg said Monday that President Petro Poroshenko told him over the phone that "the introduction of martial law will not hinder the working of the democratic institutions" in Ukraine. The imposition of martial law could curb certain freedoms and rights, and result in the scrapping of the presidential polls. Poroshenko on Monday proposed imposing martial law for 30 days in the wake of Russia's seizure of Ukrainian navy vessels and their crews near Russian-occupied Crimea. ___ 8:35 p.m. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is warning Russia of consequences after the Russian coastguard fired on and seized Ukrainian ships in the Crimea region, wounding sailors and increasing tensions. Speaking Monday after chairing an emergency meeting of NATO and Ukraine ambassadors, Stoltenberg said that "Russia has to understand that its actions have consequences." He did not say what those consequences might be, but recalled that NATO has launched its biggest military buildup in Eastern Europe since the Cold War in recent years in response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Stoltenberg says that Russia's action "is escalating the situation in the region." While noting that the incident on Sunday "is serious," Stoltenberg also underlined that it is important "to work for de-escalation, for calm and restraint." ___ 8:20 p.m. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley is calling on Russia to "immediately cease its unlawful conduct" in the Black Sea near Crimea during a United Nations Security Council meeting Monday. The Ukrainian navy says Russian ships fired on and seized three of its artillery ships Sunday. The incident sharply escalated tensions that have been growing between the two countries since Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Anne Gueguen, the French deputy permanent representative at the U.N., urged the release of the sailors and the vessels. She said Sunday's incidents show the need for de-escalation and a long term resolution to the dispute over Crimea. Russia, meanwhile, called Ukraine's actions "dangerous" and said the three Ukrainian vessels illegally crossed into Russian waters. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council the weekend incident was another example of Ukrainian leaders trying to provoke Russia for political purposes. He claimed Porschenko needed a war ahead of the March election to gain support from the public. ___ 7:20 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has talked by telephone with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to express her concerns over the standoff with Russia around Crimea. Merkel's office said Monday that the chancellor emphasized the need for de-escalation and dialogue and said she would work to help bring both about. The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact. The Ukrainian navy says six sailors were wounded when Russian coast guards opened fire on three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait Sunday. ___ 7:10 p.m. Ukraine's biggest state-run bank says an arbitration court in Paris has ruled that Russia must pay $1.3 billion in damages for property seized in the annexation of Crimea. The press service of Oshchadbank said Monday the court ruled in the bank's favor, and the bank will now take "all possible measures" to get the money back from Russia. That could include seizing Russian assets around the world, the bank said. The announcement came amid new tensions between the neighbors over Ukrainian naval ships seized by Russia near Crimea. Bank official Andriy Pyshnoho encouraged other Ukrainian companies to seek international arbitration "to restore justice" over property seized in Crimea. Russia did not immediately respond to the ruling. ___ 6:45 p.m. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has halved his proposal for martial law in the country to 30 days, an apparent concession to opponents. The reduction means that Ukrainian authorities can call the presidential election at the end of December, giving enough time for it to take place at the end of March as expected. Poroshenko said in a televised address that he has decided to cut the suggested timeframe from 60 days. His original proposal was criticized by opponents as an attempt by Poroshenko to scrap the elections at a time when his own approval ratings are low. The proposal comes in the wake of Russia's seizure of Ukrainian navy vessels and their crews near Russian-occupied Crimea. The Ukrainian parliament is expected to vote on Poroshenko's motion later. ___ 6:05 p.m. Three former Ukrainian presidents have joined forces to oppose the motion to impose martial law in the country in the wake of Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian ships and their crews. Ukraine's first president from 1991-1994, Leonid Kravchuk, read out a letter signed by him and two other former leaders, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko, objecting to the imposition of martial law. Earlier, current President Petro Poroshenko signed a bill to impose martial law. The Ukrainian parliament is due to vote on the issue later in the day. The debate has yet to begin as some lawmakers from the opposition are seeking amendments. In their letter, the former presidents said martial law would pose a "threat to democracy" because it will scrap the presidential vote scheduled for next year. ___ 5:40 p.m. Britain is accusing Russia of an "act of aggression" in seizing Ukrainian vessels and sailors near Russian-occupied Crimea. Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman, James Slack, says the incident is "further evidence of Russia's destabilizing behavior in the region and its ongoing violation of Ukrainian territorial integrity." He says "Russia must not be allowed to use force to exert greater pressure on Ukraine." Britain is urging all parties to show restraint. The Ukrainian navy says six sailors were wounded when Russian coast guards opened fire on three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait the only outlet for Ukrainian vessels to the Black Sea and then seized them. Ukraine is demanding the release of the ships and crewmen. Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a tense tug-of-war since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. ___ 5:35 p.m. Spain and Germany are joining European Union calls on Russia to release Ukrainian sailors and ships seized in a Sunday standoff around Crimea that sharply escalated tensions between the two countries. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell says that his country supports the EU's official position and that both sides should reduce tension. "We have to stop the escalation and extension of the conflict to levels of intensity that would be dangerous," Borrell said on Monday in Madrid, where he welcomed his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, for bilateral talks. Maas welcomed Russia's move to dissolve the blockade in the Kerch Strait, but called the developments in the Sea of Azov "worrying." "We must end this war that is going on in our neighborhood," Maas told reporters. ___ 4:40 p.m. The French government said Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crew is not justified and urged their release immediately. In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry urged restraint on both sides and expressed "extreme concern" about the standoff around Crimea. In the statement, France appears to give little credence to Russia's claims that the Ukrainian ships had violated maritime rules. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the incident, in which Russian coast guard ships fired on Ukrainian navy vessels near the Kerch Strait and Ukrainian seamen were injured. The French government said the standoff stemmed directly from Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, which France doesn't recognize and considers a violation of international law. ___ 4:35 p.m. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a bill to impose martial law in the country in the wake of Russia's seizure of three ships and their crews. The bill has to be approved by parliament for it to go into force. The Supreme Rada is due to vote on the issue later Monday. Poroshenko proposed imposing martial law in the country after Russian border guards opened fire on three Ukrainian military vessels in the Sea of Azov. The bill that was published by Poroshenko's office Monday afternoon calls for martial law to be imposed for two months. The emergency measures will, if adopted by lawmakers, include a partial mobilization, a strengthening of the country's air defense as well as a plethora of vaguely worded steps such as the "strengthening" of anti-terrorism measures and "information security." ___ 4:25 p.m. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says the Ukrainian seamen captured by Russia in Sunday's incident off Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea should be treated as prisoners of war. Klimkin told reporters in Kiev that the government is in talks with the Red Cross to make sure the seamen are treated as prisoners of war. Six Ukrainians were injured after Russian border guards opened fire on three Ukrainian military vessels in the Kerch Strait on Sunday. The vessels and the crews were captured by the Russians. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not say whether the Kremlin considers them prisoners of war. ___ 4:20 p.m. An aide to Polish President Andrzej Duda says sanctions on Russia should be stepped up following its seizure of Ukrainian navy ships. Krzysztof Szczerski said Russia's recent actions against Ukraine's vessels were an "open violation" of international law and was "another attempt to destabilize the region." Szczerski said Poland sees the need to "take into consideration and discuss among allies the stepping up of sanctions on Russia." He said Duda has spoken over the phone with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko about the naval standoff in the Black Sea. The Russian coast guard fired on three Ukrainian ships Sunday near the Kerch Strait and then seized them along with the crews. International sanctions were imposed on Moscow after it annexed the Crimea Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraine's neighbor and ally Poland also borders Russia. ___ 4 p.m. Ukrainian protesters have burned a Russian flag and hurled flares at the Russian consulate in the eastern city of Kharkiv over the seizure of Ukrainian navy ships. The Unian news agency reported that the protesters demanded Ukraine cut off diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalize Russian business on Ukrainian soil. They also said Ukraine should stop respecting a 2003 agreement with Russia on sharing the Kerch Strait between the Black Sea and Azov Sea that is at the core of the standoff. In the capital Kiev, protesters from far right party National Corps waved flares outside the Ukrainian parliament. They brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national symbol, the trident, and a huge white banner reading "Don't Back Down!" As Ukraine mulls imposing martial law, National Corps protester Rodion Kudryashov said the measure shouldn't last more than 30 days because it shouldn't disrupt elections planned for March. He also said it should be accompanied by a "termination of relations" with Russia. ___ 3:15 p.m. Moldova's foreign ministry says regional security is being threatened by "acts of aggression and provocations" in the Crimea naval standoff between Ukraine and Russia. A statement said Moldova reiterated its support "for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and its right to use international waters," adding it was "deeply concerned" about tensions around the Kerch Strait and the Azov Sea. Ex-Soviet republic Moldova shares a 1,222-kilometer (764-mile) border with Ukraine. The Ukrainian navy said six of its seamen were wounded when Russian coast guards opened fire Sunday on three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait and then seized them. Russia said that three Ukrainian sailors received light injuries and were given medical assistance. ___ 3 p.m. European Union chief Donald Tusk is calling on Russia to stop provoking Ukraine and is urging the authorities to return any Ukrainian ships or sailors it is holding amid a naval standoff in Crimea. The European Council President said in a tweet Monday: "I condemn Russian use of force in Azov Sea." He added that "Russian authorities must return Ukrainian sailors, vessels and refrain from further provocations." He said he has discussed developments with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and will meet the Ukrainian leader's representatives later on Monday. Tusk added: "Europe will stay united in support of Ukraine." The Russian coast guard fired on three Ukrainian ships Sunday near the Kerch Strait, then seized them along with the crews. ___ 2:40 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman is calling on Russia to release Ukrainian sailors and ships seized in a naval standoff near Crimea. Steffen Seibert on Monday urged both sides on Monday to open a dialogue quickly to clear up the case and calm tensions. He said that Sunday's incident raises "serious questions, above all regarding the use of military force by Russian forces for which, on the basis of the facts known to us so far, no justification is apparent." The Russian coast guard fired on three Ukrainian ships Sunday near the Kerch Strait and then seized them along with the crews, increasing tensions and drawing international concern. Seibert said Germany is "in contact with both sides." Foreign ministry spokesman Rainer Breul said a previously scheduled meeting in Berlin Monday of foreign ministries' political directors from Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine will now serve to discuss the standoff. ___ 2:15 p.m NATO says its ambassadors and Ukraine's envoy will hold emergency talks in Brussels later Monday over the naval standoff between Ukraine and Russia near Crimea. The military alliance said the meeting was called at the request of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko after he held talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. NATO says Stoltenberg expressed the U.S.-led military alliance's "full support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including its full navigational rights in its territorial waters under international law." The Russian coast guard fired on three Ukrainian ships Sunday near the Kerch Strait and then seized them along with the crews. ___ 1:50 p.m. Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas has called on an extraordinary meeting of the government's security committee to discuss the Russian action against Ukraine in the Black Sea and nearby areas. Ratas says that "what took place in the Kerch Strait is a serious violation of international law," adding the meeting would be held later Monday. After Moscow's 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, Estonia like its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania fear that they and other former Soviet republics could be next. Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser on Monday called the events off Crimea "a conscious act to escalate tension," while Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite tweeted it was "another blatant violation of international law and Russia's own commitments." ___ 1:45 p.m. Russia's foreign minister says Ukraine has violated international law and provoked Russia by sending its navy vessels through the Kerch Strait without permission. The Russian coast guard fired on three Ukrainian ships Sunday and then seized them along with the crews. The Ukrainian navy said six of its sailors were wounded, while Russia said that three Ukrainian seamen received light injuries. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov charged Monday that Ukraine violated international legal norms by failing to obtain authorization for its vessels. Ukraine accused Russia of aggression, saying it had ignored a notification sent by the ships. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told Russian news agencies on Monday the incident was a "dangerous provocation" by Ukraine "which deserves special attention and careful investigation." A 2003 treaty designates the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov as shared territorial waters, but Russia has sought to assert greater control over the passage since the 2014 annexation of Crimea. ___ 1:10 p.m. Dozens of far-right protesters are burning tires outside the Russian consulate in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to protest the seizure of Ukrainian ships off Crimea. The protest Monday was organized by the National Corps party, which also called for a demonstration in front of President Petro Poroshenko's office in the capital, Kiev. The group argues Poroshenko isn't aggressive enough against Russia. The group is small but can put pressure on the president. In addition to the Lviv protests, far-right group C14 published photos on Facebook of a car with Russian diplomatic plates on fire in front of the Russian Embassy in Kiev. The European Union and NATO called for restraint from both sides after the Russian coast guard fired on Ukrainian navy vessels near the Kerch Strait and then seized them. The Ukrainian navy said six of its seamen were wounded. Russia and Ukraine traded blame over the incident. ___ 12:50 p.m. Ukraine's president is demanding that Russia immediately release Ukrainian sailors and ships seized in a standoff in the Black Sea. Petro Poroshenko said at a meeting of Ukraine's national security council Monday that "we demand that they are urgently turned over to the Ukrainian side" and called for a "de-escalation" of the crisis around Crimea. Later Monday, the Ukrainian parliament is set to consider a presidential request for the introduction of martial law. Ukraine's navy said six Ukrainian seamen were wounded when Russian coast guards opened fire on three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait and then seized them late Sunday. The two nations traded blame over the incident. It aggravated tensions that have soared since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. ___ 11:55 a.m. NATO is calling on Russia and Ukraine to show restraint after the Russian coastguard fired on Ukrainian navy vessels, wounding six seamen. Ukraine says the ships were respecting international maritime rules as they headed to the Sea of Azov. Russia says they failed to obtain permission to pass through the Kerch Strait separating Crimea from the Russian mainland. Tensions between NATO and Russia have escalated since 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said "we call for restraint and de-escalation." She said NATO supports Ukraine's "navigational rights in its territorial waters" and calls on Russia "to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law." NATO headquarters declined to say Monday whether its ambassadors would meet to discuss the incident, but the alliance is in contact with Ukrainian authorities. ___ 10:50 a.m. A senior German official is calling on Russia and Ukraine to de-escalate tensions after Russian coast guard ships fired on Ukrainian navy vessels. Michael Roth, a deputy foreign minister, told Deutschlandfunk radio Monday that the matter is "very dangerous the last thing we need is a further escalation in relations between Russia and Ukraine." Roth said he didn't have any information of his own on the incident "but it is clear that Russia, in accordance with international law, must ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian harbors in the Sea of Azov." He added that "both sides must now de-escalate" and avoid a spiral of tensions that "could ultimately lead to terrible consequences." Moscow and Kiev are trading blame over the incident that further escalated tensions that have soared since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. ___ 10:20 a.m. The Ukrainian parliament is set to consider a presidential request for the introduction of martial law in Ukraine following an incident in which Russian coast guard ships fired on Ukrainian navy vessels. Ukraine's navy said six Ukrainian seamen were wounded when Russian coast guards opened fire on three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait and then seized them late Sunday. The two nations traded blame over the incident that further escalated tensions that have soared since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine said its vessels were heading to the Sea of Azov in line with international maritime rules, while Russia charged that they had failed to obtain permission to pass through the narrow Kerch Strait separating Crimea from the Russian mainland. While December has been a lousy month for the stock market, 2018 has generally been a good year for small-business owners. Over half (55%) of owners or decision makers at small businesses in the United States said that their business is better off today than it was a year ago, according to a new survey from Fundera. Another 33% said their business has remained steady, leaving only 12% that saw their fortunes decline in 2018. Those are very strong and encouraging numbers, but that doesn't mean it should be assumed the good times will continue to roll. "While market conditions are strong now, it's important small businesses use this time wisely to set themselves up for growth and success with the resources required to do so, regardless of potential economic shifts to come," said Fundera CEO Jared Hecht in a press release. Two men in a workshop look at the screen of a laptop computer. Most small-business owners reported that 2018 was a strong year. Image source: Getty Images. Go big or go home? Bigger small businesses -- the ones with more employees and more revenue -- were more likely to have benefited from the strong economy in 2018. More (17%) owners and decision makers at companies with two to 10 employees said their business was worse off than a year ago than companies with 11 to 50 employees (10%) or 51 to 100 employees (9%). It's possible that smaller companies have simply not yet established themselves as viable businesses. Some may be failing -- or at least not growing -- because they're not viable ideas for companies that support more than a few employees. A look into 2019 Despite the strength of 2018, only 45% of small-business owners and senior decision makers "believe the U.S. economy will remain strong and continue to grow, making for a positive business environment for small business growth with more opportunity in 2019," according to the survey. Almost three in 10 (28%) believe the "economy will stagnate with slowed growth, making for a negative business environment for small business growth with less opportunity in 2019." Story continues Small-business owners plan to deal with the upcoming year in a number of ways, according to the survey results: 10% will seek financing options to invest as a way to grow their business. 10% want to open a new office or location. 25% want to hire more permanent employees. 18% want to create and release a new product or service. Plan for both cases The reality is that neither small business owners nor anyone else knows what to expect in the new year. The economy could continue to grow, the stock market could move in either direction, and countless other things could happen. Smart business owners have a plan for a good economy and one for if things go south. It is, of course, a challenge to decide how to allocate capital in an uncertain economy. Employees can be a somewhat flexible expense, but opening a new location or making a major capital investment can't be as easily rolled back. Because of that, it's important to have a contingency plan for what happens if things don't go well after taking on a major expense. You need to know if you're gambling your future, which is sometimes a risk worth taking, or if there's a backup plan to fix your budget if the economy falls off or things don't go as planned. Uncertainty can't be eliminated, but it can be planned for. That can help lessen the damage when something bad happens -- or have you prepared to capitalize when something goes right. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Attention dividend hunters! National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA) will be distributing its dividend of CA$0.65 per share on the 01 February 2019, and will start trading ex-dividend in 2 days time on the 28 December 2018. Is this future income a persuasive enough catalyst for investors to think about National Bank of Canada as an investment today? Below, Im going to look at the latest data and analyze the stock and its dividend property in further detail. View our latest analysis for National Bank of Canada Heres how I find good dividend stocks Whenever I am looking at a potential dividend stock investment, I always check these five metrics: Is it paying an annual yield above 75% of dividend payers? Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout? Has the amount of dividend per share grown over the past? Is is able to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings? Will the company be able to keep paying dividend based on the future earnings growth? TSX:NA Historical Dividend Yield December 25th 18 Does National Bank of Canada pass our checks? National Bank of Canada has a trailing twelve-month payout ratio of 41%, meaning the dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Going forward, analysts expect NAs payout to remain around the same level at 42% of its earnings. Assuming a constant share price, this equates to a dividend yield of around 5.0%. Furthermore, EPS should increase to CA$6.38. When thinking about whether a dividend is sustainable, another factor to consider is the cash flow. A business with strong cash flow can sustain a higher divided payout ratio than a company with weak cash flow. If there is one thing that you want to be reliable in your life, its dividend stocks and their constant income stream. NA has increased its DPS from CA$1.24 to CA$2.6 in the past 10 years. During this period it has not missed a payment, as one would expect for a company increasing its dividend. These are all positive signs of a great, reliable dividend stock. Story continues Compared to its peers, National Bank of Canada generates a yield of 4.7%, which is high for Banks stocks but still below the markets top dividend payers. Next Steps: With these dividend metrics in mind, I definitely rank National Bank of Canada as a strong income stock, and is worth further research for anyone who considers dividends an important part of their portfolio strategy. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, I urge potential investors to try and get a good understanding of the underlying business and its fundamentals before deciding on an investment. There are three fundamental aspects you should look at: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for NAs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for NAs outlook. Valuation: What is NA worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, its not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether NA is currently mispriced by the market. Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Investors looking for stocks in the Real Estate - Operations sector might want to consider either PennyMac Mortgage (PMT) or TPG RE Finance Trust (TRTX). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look. There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits. Right now, PennyMac Mortgage is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while TPG RE Finance Trust has a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that PMT likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than TRTX has recently. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors. Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels. The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors. PMT currently has a forward P/E ratio of 10.48, while TRTX has a forward P/E of 10.54. We also note that PMT has a PEG ratio of 2.10. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. TRTX currently has a PEG ratio of 2.11. Another notable valuation metric for PMT is its P/B ratio of 0.88. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, TRTX has a P/B of 0.90. Story continues These metrics, and several others, help PMT earn a Value grade of A, while TRTX has been given a Value grade of D. PMT stands above TRTX thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that PMT is the superior value option right now. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc. (TRTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Pope Francis has used his traditional Christmas Day address urging people to overcome their religious and cultural differences to end conflict in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere in the Middle East. Delivering his sixth Urbi et Orbi address to 50,000 people gathered in Saint Peters Square on Tuesday, the pope said Jesus Christ had given the world fraternity and differences should not be seen as a detriment or a danger but a source of richness. My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity, the pope said. All of us are brothers and sisters in humanity. Just days after Donald Trump, the US president, announced he would withdraw American troops from Syria and urged Saudi Arabia to help rebuild the country, the pope called for an urgent political solution that would allow millions of Syrian refugees to return home. May the international community work decisively for a political solution that can put aside divisions and partisan interests, so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country, the pope said. "Urbi et Orbi" means "to the city and the world". Pope Francis waves after delivering the "Urbi et Orbi" message from the main balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica Credit: REUTERS/Max Rossi The 82-year-old pontiff delivered his message as thousands of pilgrims gathered in brilliant sunshine to celebrate the birth of Christ amid tight security at the Vatican. Last week police in southern Italy arrested a Somali man suspected of having been a member of Islamic State and who had threatened to bomb churches in Italy, including St. Peters Basilica. After appealing for peace in Syria, the pope also called for a resumption of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and a political solution in Yemen. Members of the Swiss Guard were present during the "Urbi et Orbi" message at the Vatican Credit: REUTERS/Max Rossi My thoughts turn to Yemen, in the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine, the pope said. Story continues Francis also turned his attention to other hotspots in the world, calling for further rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula and peace in Ukraine which he said was yearning to regain a lasting peace that is slow to come. He also appealed for social harmony in Venezuela and reconciliation in Nicaragua. The popes concern for migrants and refugees was not overlooked. He called for an end to conflict in Africa where millions of people are refugees, or displaced or in need of humanitarian assistance and food security. Pope Francis prays in front of a Nativity scene Credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP On Christmas Eve the pope expressed his concern about the widening gap between rich and poor and the damage caused by insatiable greed. "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive," the pope said. The Oscar for world's best hotel 2018 goes to a five-star hotel in Dubai designed by Armani, while the Oscar equivalent for best destination this year has gone to Portugal, one of the most trending holiday destinations of 2018. Over the weekend, the travel elite gathered for the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Lisbon, to hear who among them would go home with a trophy of excellence. The gala event is pitched as the Oscars of the travel world. Among the big winners of the night were the Armani Hotel Dubai, which was named World's Leading Hotel for bringing the Italian esthetic of luxury to the glittering city of Dubai. The hotel features 160 rooms designed in Giorgio Armani's signature style. The rising popularity of Portugal as a travel destination helped the country nab the title of World's Leading Destination this year. In 2017, the number of foreign visitors rose 12 percent from the year previous to a record 12.7 million people. And China's Hainan Airlines was voted the world's best airline 2018. Winners are based on the votes of travel professionals and consumers, and regional award winners from Asia, India, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Australasia, North, South and Central America. Here are a few other winner highlights: World's leading adventure tourism destination 2018: Chile Leading airport: Singapore Changi Airport Leading boutique hotel: Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa Leading city destination: Lisbon, Portugal Leading green destination: Ecuador Leading cruise brand: Royal Caribbean International Leading culinary destination: Peru Leading cultural destination: Peru Leading fine dining hotel restaurant: Vila Joya Hotel Restaurant at Vila Joya, Albufeira, Portugal Leading low-cost airline: AirAsia Leading luxury hotel: The Peninsula Paris, France Leading luxury train: Maharajas' Express Leading tourist attraction: Machu Picchu, Peru Most romantic destination: Mauritius Most romantic resort: Baros Maldives The full list can be found at worldtravelawards.com. London (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with Britain badly divided over its impending exit from the EU. Tuesday's annual television appearance gives the 92-year-old monarch a rare chance to share some personal thoughts about Brexit. British royalty traditionally steer well clear of politics -- a unifying position that puts them above the daily fray of Westminster and Downing Street. The queen will not make an overt reference to Britain's departure from the European Union after 46 years on March 29, according to extracts released by Buckingham Palace. But she will note that "even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding." Her address caps a stormy month that saw Prime Minister Theresa May survive a leadership challenge attempt staged by her party's most hardened foes of the EU. May's entire Brexit strategy is in danger of falling apart at the finish line when parliament debates it next month. The prime minister was forced to pull a scheduled December vote on her deal with the EU after admitting that it would badly lose. May penned a Christmas opinion piece in which she urged lawmakers to end the saga and let people "focus on what really matters". "The sooner MPs agree the right Brexit deal, the sooner we can all get back to dealing with those issues and building a country that works for everyone," May wrote. Opposition Labour party leader said in his own pre-recorded address that Christmas was a time to ponder how "we can build a fairer society which works for everyone". - 'Never out of date' - Britain's split from the EU without a trade agreement threatens to unleash economic doom over the short term. Those who back Brexit say it is a price worth paying for regaining sovereignty from officials in Brussels who subject Britain to their own rules. Story continues The debate over the whole thing is as emotional and personal for many as it was the day Brexit was backed by a 52-48 margin in a 2016 vote. The nation has been holding an unending argument ever since. The queen will say that the message of peace carried by the birth of Jesus in the Christmas story was particularly relevant now. "I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. "It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever," the queen will say. The queen's 66-year reign has seen her government run by 13 prime ministers dating back to Winston Churchill. Her longevity and good humour have made the queen into one of the most popular people in a country that loves to poke fun at other royals. But her age has forced inevitable thoughts about the transition that will see Prince Charles -- the queen's less popular 70-year-old son -- take charge of Buckingham Palace. The queen will say that she drew strength from her family as times changed and the political sands shifted. "Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance," the queen will say. A road to nowhere Campaigns without proper urban planning no solution to Capitals traffic woes Her Majesty is going all in on peace, love and understanding in her annual Christmas message. Buckingham Palace has released a few teasers for Queen Elizabeth IIs pre-taped holiday speech to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, which will be broadcast Dec. 25. The queen has delivered the address since 1952. Shell reflect on the important of treating others with consideration, the palace announced. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding," the queen will say. An accompanying photo taken in the White Drawing Room shows the 92-year-old monarch dressed in her holiday finery, wearing an Angela Kelly ivory silk cocktail dress with an overlay of pale blue, white and gold lace, with a triple strand of pearls around her neck. The gold, ruby and diamond Scarab brooch pinned to her bodice was given to her by Prince Philip in 1966. Next to her on the desk is a framed black-and-white photo of the family in 1948, when Prince Charles was a baby. An enormous Christmas tree, trimmed in creams and golds, twinkles in the background. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 24: (EMBARGOED TO 00:01 GMT, ON MONDAY DECEMBER 24, 2018) Queen Elizabeth II poses for a photo after she recorded her annual Christmas Day message, in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775273816 ORIG FILE ID: 1074649268 The annual speech is significant because it is her own words, the only public address she ever makes that isnt written or edited by the government. She has plenty to talk about: In the last year, the royal family has gained a new high-profile member in Duchess Meghan, Prince Harrys wife, and the couple are expecting their first child in the spring. Another grandchild, Princess Eugenie, married Jack Brooksbank in October. And the queen also welcomed two great-grandchildren: Lena Elizabeth, daughter of Zara Tindall, and Prince Louis, son of Prince William and Duchess Kate, who is fifth in line to the throne. Her speech will also reference the places from which she draws strength and encouragement, the palace says, noting the queen will mention faith, family and friendship as not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance. Story continues I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date, shell say of the birth of Jesus. It can be heeded by everyone; its needed as much as ever. Contributing: Maria Puente This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Queen Elizabeth encourages 'respect' and 'greater understanding' in Christmas message The Queen recorded her Christmas message in the White Drawing Room in Buckingham Palace, surrounded by family photos [Photo: PA] The Queens speech placed importance on friendship and family, as she reflected on this years events. Her Majesty, 92, joked that her eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren keep her well-occupied. It has been an eventful year for the Royal Family as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their third child Prince Louis in April, while Zara and Mike Tindall had their second daughter Lena. Then there were the marriages of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. She will also welcome her eighth great-grandchild in spring 2019, when Meghan gives birth to her and Harrys first baby. The Queen arrives for the annual Christmas Day Service [Photo: Getty] The Queen said: Closer to home, its been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales. Recorded in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace some weeks earlier, the Queen is surrounded by six personal photographs. They include a black and white photograph of the then Princess Elizabeth with the Duke of Edinburgh and a six-month-old Prince Charles, taken in 1949; the Prince of Waless 70th birthday family portrait, wedding photos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank; the Cambridges family photo; and a black and white picture of her father King George VI in 1917. MORE: Everything you need to know about the Queens speech MORE: What the Royal Family does at Christmas The Queen, who has reigned for 66 years, added: Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance. She also paid tribute to friends and family members, who are not longer with us. At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. But of course, we would not grieve if we did not love. Story continues The Queen recorded her Christmas Day message in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace [Photo: PA] Her Majesty, wearing an ivory cocktail dress by Angela Kelly during her speech, said that peace on earth and goodwill is needed as much as ever. With Parliament and the nation divided over Brexit, her words couldnt be more apt. Although the Queen is politically neutral and never expresses her views on issues, it seems all the more fitting that she calls for unity at this time. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding. Charles, the Cambridges and the Sussexes joined the Queen at church on Christmas Day [Photo: PA] Speaking about the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story, she placed emphasis on that theme, adding: I believe his message of peace on Earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; its needed as much as ever. Tributes to the Armed Services and Commonwealth were also included in her Christmas message. Earlier today, the Queen and the royals attended the annual Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham. Queen urges Britain to put aside its 'deeply held differences' in last Christmas speech before Brexit - PA The Queen is to urge Britain to overcome "deeply held differences" by treating one another with "respect and as a fellow human being" in her Christmas message to the nation. Her Majesty will share a message of peace and goodwill she says is needed as much as ever in her annual festive broadcast. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding, she will say. As head of state, the Queen remains publicly neutral on political matters. Yet her comments, in her last speech before Britain's scheduled departure from the European Union in March, come at the end of a fraught year of political negotiations following the Brexit vote. Parliamentary deadlock over Theresa Mays Brexit deal - which will be voted on by MPs next month - has led to growing calls for a second referendum, which Mrs May and Leave supporting MPs have warned would further divide the nation and lead to political chaos. While Buckingham Palace is always quick to deny political motives behind anything the Queen says, she has in the past used subtle comments to influence the publics thinking on political matters. On the eve of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the Queen remarked to a member of the public after a church service that I hope people will think very carefully about the future. The comment was picked up by the media and it later transpired that the supposedly off the cuff remark had been scripted by the then Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, and the Queens then private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt to leave no doubt which side of the debate she was on. Wearing a brooch given to her by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1966, the Queen will also speak fondly of those from whom she draws strength and encouragement Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance, she will say. Story continues In the broadcast, recorded in Buckingham Palace's white drawing room, the monarch will share a message from Jesus that she considers especially important to highlight at Christmas. She will say: "I believe His message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever." The address is written by the Queen and traditionally emphasises her own Christian faith, as well as reflecting on current issues and draws on her own experiences over the past year. While some may speculate that the words on conflict could apply equally to her own family, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Duke and Duchess of Sussex moving apart next year to live separately after rumours of disquiet between them, the Queen is, as ever, speaking to the nation and Commonwealth as a whole. Royal highlights of 2018 range from the weddings of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, the birth of Prince Louis and Lena Tindall, and the 70th birthday celebrations of the Prince of Wales. In October, the Queen made her first comment on Brexit in a speech at a state banquet, telling the King of the Netherlands that "as we look toward a new partnership with Europe", the values shared by the UK and Holland "are our greatest asset. In July, she also hosted President Donald Trump for an official visit to Windsor Castle. In a photograph dated April 26, 1948, the then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh are seen holding their first child - Prince Charles Credit: PA During the broadcast, produced this year by Sky News, the Queen wears an Angela Kelly ivory silk cocktail dress and her gold Scarab brooch, with ruby and diamond embellishments, a 1966 gift from the Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen is sitting at a desk featuring a framed black and white photograph taken in 1948 of herself as a young Princess Elizabeth, along with Prince Philip and a baby Prince Charles. The Queens annual Christmas message will be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day. Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Rogers Communication (RCI), which belongs to the Zacks Cable Television industry. This communications and media company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 5.37%. For the most recent quarter, Rogers Communication was expected to post earnings of $0.88 per share, but it reported $0.93 per share instead, representing a surprise of 5.68%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.79 per share, while it actually produced $0.83 per share, a surprise of 5.06%. Price and EPS Surprise For Rogers Communication, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Rogers Communication currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.67%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on January 24, 2019. Story continues When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Rogers Communication, Inc. (RCI) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Russia-US relations are practically non-existent with little prospect of improvement while Donald Trump is president, Moscows UN ambassador has said. Vassily Nebenzia said the current situation between the two superpowers was bad not only for Washington and Moscow but also for the rest of the world. He suggested that because Russia had become a major issue in US domestic politics after being accused of interfering in the 2016 US elections, he did not believe things could get better while Mr Trump remained president. Given the vulnerabilities that drift around this administration, I dont see too bright prospects for improving [relations] any time soon, Mr Nebenzia said in a wide-ranging interview. He did however add that Mr Trump understands pretty well that its better to cooperate. Mr Nebenzia also echoed Vladimir Putins view that Mr Trumps decision to pull troops out of Syria was a good move, though he expressed some scepticism about whether the announcement would become a reality. It will be helpful and conducive to the eventual Syrian settlement, he said. If and when the US leaves Syria, Mr Nebenzia said, Americas Kurdish allies in the northeast should reintegrate into Syrian society, and their rights and interests should be taken into account in the final settlement. Looking more broadly at the US position in the world, Mr Nebenzia said he did not believe Washington was retreating. Its that the balance of power in the world is changing, he said, and we definitely witness the rise in a multipolar world where other centres of power, not only Russia and China but India, Brazil and Africa all want to be a part of the world governance and they want their voice to be heard and their interests taken into account. Turning his attention to North Korea, Mr Nebenzia said that Mr Trump must offer the rogue state incentives to move forward towards denuclearisation, adding that the situation is stalemated at the moment. Story continues Russia and China have backed an easing of sanctions to spur momentum, but the US insists that North Korea must first make major steps towards eliminating its nuclear programme. Mr Nebenzia said he was concerned about a roll-back to the 2017 era of increasing nuclear and missile tests and escalating rhetoric. I think that the US hopefully is starting to understand that the situation may go [back]. As for Iran, Nebenzia said he worries about US strategy if its sanctions do not bring about the changes in behaviour the Trump administration wants. He sees a danger if they go to the limits. Im worried if anybody wants to go to war with Iran, and that is the enigma and the question what is the strategy about Iran? Mr Nebenzia asked. Agencies contributed to this report South Koreas blockchain association intends to lobby the authorities in the city of Gwangju to turn the urban area into a specialized Crypto-Valley District. According to the Korea Blockchain Enterprise Promotion Association (KBEPA), turning South Koreas sixth-largest city into a cryptocurrency hub will create numerous jobs. To achieve this the blockchain body, which was founded in July this year, in partnership with Universal Group is seeking an audience with the mayor of Gwangju, Lee Yong-Sub, and other city politicians: We plan to meet Mayor Lee officially to deliver the recommended plans to announce and transform Gwangju into a special governing city for cryptocurrency. We also plan to meet the councilperson Kim Dong-Chan to ask for support. Per the blockchain lobby group, the South Korean government has been concentrating on the manufacturing sector for job creation and ignoring the rise of the 4th industrial revolution. By making Gwangju a crypto-valley district, one million new jobs would be created in the city. Blockchain Leaders The chief executive of Universal Group, Kim In-Ki, gave the example of Estonia and Malta which have both benefitted from their early embrace of blockchain technology: Estonia and Malta have been the forerunners of the 4th industrial revolution by successfully attracting global blockchain corporations to invest in their cities, and they have enjoyed astronomical rises in the number of jobs created. Our government has attempted to create new jobs by myopically focusing on the manufacturing auto or shipbuilding industry, overlooking the rise of 4th industrial revolution. Additionally, the blockchain body also criticized the South Korean governments stance towards blockchain and cryptocurrency firms pointing out for instance that unfriendly regulations were forcing some domestic firms to open exchanges abroad. Not Venture Firms Anymore Some of the unfriendly stances that KBEPA could have been alluding to include a move by the South Korean government less than three months to exclude startups in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector from being categorized as venture firms thereby denying them incentives such as tax breaks. Story continues South Korea Rejects Crypto Exchanges as Venture Firms, Taxes to Double https://t.co/Uhg5GC3T96 CCN (@CryptoCoinsNews) October 3, 2018 At the time, the government indicated that the decision would immediately affect crypto and blockchain firms being set up after the announcement. Existing startups would be decategorized as venture firms in late 2018. Specifically, the move stood to deny blockchain and cryptocurrency startups a 75% reduction in acquisition taxes. Additionally, the corporate and income taxes paid by cryptocurrency exchanges stood to double while these firms would also lose credit guarantees. Among the firms that were set to be affected by the move include the major cryptocurrency exchanges based in the country such as Bithumb and Upbit. The post South Koreas Blockchain Body Wants 6th Largest City Turned into Crypto Hub appeared first on CCN. By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - A SpaceX rocket carrying a U.S. military navigation satellite blasted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral on Sunday, marking the space transportation company's first national security space mission for the United States. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying a roughly $500 million GPS satellite built by Lockheed Martin Corp lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 8:51 a.m. local time (1351 GMT). Four previous scheduled launches in the last week, including one on Saturday, were canceled due to weather and technical issues. The successful launch is a significant victory for billionaire Elon Musk's privately held rocket company, which has spent years trying to break into the lucrative market for military space launches dominated by Lockheed and Boeing Co. SpaceX sued the U.S. Air Force in 2014 over the military's award of a multibillion-dollar, non-compete contract for 36 rocket launches to United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed. It dropped the lawsuit in 2015 after the Air Force agreed to open up competition. The next year, SpaceX won an $83 million Air Force contract to launch the GPS III satellite, which will have a lifespan of 15 years. The satellite is the first to launch out of 32 in production by Lockheed under contracts worth a combined $12.6 billion for the Air Force GPS III program, according to Lockheed spokesman Chip Eschenfelder. The launch was originally scheduled for 2014 but has been hobbled by production delays, the Air Force said. The next GPS III satellite is due to launch in mid-2019, Eschenfelder said, while subsequent satellites undergo testing in the company's Colorado processing facility. (Additional reporting by Eric M. Johnson and Gina Cherelus; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Daniel Wallis) Building up an investment case requires looking at a stock holistically. Today Ive chosen to put the spotlight on Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) due to its excellent fundamentals in more than one area. ABF is a well-regarded dividend-paying company that has been able to sustain great financial health over the past. Below, Ive touched on some key aspects you should know on a high level. For those interested in digger a bit deeper into my commentary, take a look at the report on Associated British Foods here. Flawless balance sheet established dividend payer ABF is financially robust, with ample cash on hand and short-term investments to meet upcoming liabilities. This indicates that ABF has sufficient cash flows and proper cash management in place, which is an important determinant of the companys health. ABF seems to have put its debt to good use, generating operating cash levels of 1.84x total debt in the most recent year. This is also a good indication as to whether debt is properly covered by the companys cash flows. LSE:ABF Historical Debt December 25th 18 ABF is also a dividend company, with ample net income to cover its dividend payout, which has been consistently growing over the past decade, keeping income investors happy. LSE:ABF Historical Dividend Yield December 25th 18 Next Steps: For Associated British Foods, there are three pertinent aspects you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for ABFs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for ABFs outlook. Historical Performance: What has ABFs returns been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity. Other Attractive Alternatives : Are there other well-rounded stocks you could be holding instead of ABF? Explore our interactive list of stocks with large potential to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Achyut Wagle holds PhD in economics and is currently a professor at the Kathmandu University School of Management. He is an econo-political analyst, writing for The Kathmandu Post for many years. Colombo (AFP) - Sri Lanka's president on Sunday reappointed as prime minister the same man he sacked from the job nearly two months ago, ending a power struggle and immediately setting off an uneasy cohabitation government. Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose shock dismissal in late October threw Sri Lanka into an unprecedented constitutional crisis, was sworn in at a closed-door ceremony in the president's office in Colombo. In a scathing attack on Wickremesinghe and his United National Party (UNP), President Maithripala Sirisena said he grudgingly gave the job back and intends to check his premier every step of the way. "I still believe that I should not have made Ranil Wickremesinghe the prime minister, but I bow to the wishes of the majority in parliament," Sirisena said. "But, I don't know how far we will succeed in fulfilling the wishes of our people." Sirisena came to power in January 2015 with the help of Wickremesinghe's UNP, but in the past three years they have drifted apart with clashes coming to a head when he was sacked in October. The 69-year-old Wickremesinghe refused to step aside since being dumped and replaced by controversial strongman Mahinda Rajapakse -- leaving the country with two men claiming the premiership and no functioning government. The ousted premier had long asserted his dismissal was illegal, a view supported by Sri Lanka's parliament which six times voted against Rajapakses claim to rule during tumultuous sessions that erupted into brawls. The acrimony between the two leaders was underlined on Sunday when Sirisena berated Wickremesinghe and his supporters at length following the swearing-in, according to a 45-minute video released by the presidential secretariat. - Shutdown fears - After the frosty reception, which Sirisena closed to the press, the reinstated premier thanked parliament and "all those who campaigned to restore democracy". "The first priority is to restore normality," he said in a brief address to the nation. Story continues "The work we initiated had been brought to a standstill." There was no immediate reaction from Rajapakse, who stood down Saturday. But Namal Rajapakse, his son and also a legislator, publicly extended his congratulations to Wickremesinghe. India, which like the United States and others in the global community urged the warring factions to resolve their differences and refused to recognise Rajapakse's government, welcomed an end to the power struggle. "This is a reflection of the maturity demonstrated by all political forces, and also of the resilience of Sri Lankan democracy and its institutions," India's foreign ministry spokesman said Sunday. Wickremesinghe said he will form a cabinet in the coming days. The country has been heading for a government shutdown as parliament failed to approve spending for 2019, and credit rating agencies downgraded its debt amid fears of a sovereign default. - Bitter end - Sirisena's resistance became untenable after the country's highest court last week ruled that he acted outside the constitution when he dissolved parliament on November 9 and called early elections. Some factions within Sri Lanka's parliament have pushed for Sirisena to be investigated -- and possibly impeached -- for orchestrating what they say was a coup. Rajapakse, who Sirisena appointed in a sudden, late-night oath-taking ceremony, pressed ahead forming a purported government and naming a cabinet even as parliament cut off state funds to his office. The Supreme Court confirmed Rajapakse could not exercise the powers of a prime minister until he proved his legitimacy -- which without enough support in parliament was impossible. On Saturday Rajapakse -- who presided over the bloody end to Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009 -- backed down, signalling the standoff had come to a bitter close. However, the strongman, whose past administrations were accused of gross rights abuses and whose family still holds considerable sway in Sri Lanka, promised to make a comeback at local elections next year. BEIRUT (AP) Syria's foreign minister said in remarks broadcast Tuesday that the Iranian ballistic missile attack on militants in eastern Syria the previous day was part of "legitimate" cooperation between the two countries to combat terrorism. Walid al-Moallem's comments came during a wide-ranging interview with the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV. The full interview is to air later in the day. Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched six ballistic missiles as well as drone bombers toward Syria's Deir el-Zour province on Monday, targeting Islamic State militants it blamed for an attack on a military parade in Iran last month. Last year, Iran struck militant positions in Deir el-Zour's town of Mayadeen following another attack, in Tehran, that was blamed on IS. Syrian government forces and allied Iranian-backed militias gained control of the strategic border town of Boukamal, near where the strikes took place, late last year, likely improving Iran's intelligence and capabilities in the area. The strikes were seen as a warning to Iran's regional adversaries at a time when its nuclear deal with world powers is coming unraveled. "The Iranian missiles are in the framework of combatting terrorism," said al-Moallem. The Syrian government and its allies, as well as the U.S.-led coalition, are separately battling IS, which still controls a sliver of land along Syria's border with Iraq. U.S. military spokesman Col. Sean Ryan told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that the Iranian missiles "potentially jeopardize the forces on the ground that are actually fighting (IS) and puts them in danger." Ryan said U.S. forces were not in danger during the attack, "but any time anyone just fires missiles through uncoordinated air space, it's a threat." He said the military was "still assessing" how many Iranian missiles were fired. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said its strikes killed some 40 militant leaders. Story continues Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guard's aerospace division, identified one of the dead as the IS commander of its Mosul district, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The Guard also published pictures it described as the targets hit, which appeared to be villas. It described the attack as "precision" strikes. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes killed eight people in Hajin, a town still controlled by IS. It was not clear if all those killed were militants, the Observatory said, adding that one of the missiles hit a house that had been seized by IS. The U.S. military's Central Command acknowledged that Iranian forces conducted "no-notice strikes" in the area Monday and said it was assessing the damage. In a separate development, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Syria has been completed. He said Russia has delivered four S-300 launchers along with radars and support vehicles, and that it will take three months to train Syrian personnel to operate the system. Russia announced last month that it would provide the S-300s after the downing of a Russian plane by Syrian forces responding to an Israeli air strike, a friendly fire incident that stoked regional tensions. Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and its intervention in the civil war, beginning in 2015, turned the tide in his favor. The Syrian foreign minister declined to say whether Syria would use the S-300 systems to protect Lebanon's air space, from which Israeli warplanes have attacked Syria. "What I can confirm is that we will resist and retaliate against anyone that targets Syria no matter where they come from," al-Moallem said. In southern Syria, meanwhile, IS militants shot dead a woman they had kidnapped along with dozens other women and children in July when they attacked the main city and nearby villages in Sweida province. The Observatory and the Sweida 24, an activist collective, did not say when the 25-year-old woman was killed. Sweida 24 said the woman's parents were killed in the July attack, adding that IS threatened to kill more hostages it is holding if their demands are not met. Some 30 women and children have been held since the July 25 attack, which left more than 200 people dead. Negotiations have been underway to exchange the hostages for IS fighters held by the government. Shortly after the kidnapping, IS killed one of the hostages, a 19-year-old man, to pressure the government and local officials in the negotiations. A woman held by the extremists died of natural causes. ___ Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Robert Burns in Washington, Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report. Lome (AFP) - Togolese churches on Wednesday called for the postponement of parliamentary elections that have been boycotted by the main opposition parties because of alleged irregularities. The country has been rocked in the last year by a wave of protests calling for the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has been in power since 1968. The opposition is calling for constitutional reforms that would put a limit on presidential terms and reconfigure the office of the electoral commission. In a joint statement, evangelical, Presbyterian and Methodist churches denounced the "non-consensual conditions" of the December 20 election. "A postponement of a few months" would "deepen the dialogue", it added. "It is clear that on the one hand the reforms have still not been made, and that on the other the revision of the electoral roll was made by the electoral commission without the inclusive participation of all relevant actors," said the statement. The attitude of the political class "viscerally obsessed by the defence of its political interests legitimately raises questions about its attachment to the people it aspires to lead". The government has pledged to implement the requested reforms but not retroactively apply the two-term limit, which the oppositions says would enable Gnassingbe to stand for re-election in 2020 and 2025. He has been in power since the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, in 2005. Last week, the new draft of the constitution was not passed by parliament. The opposition, which was absent, said they had not been informed of the meeting. The coalition also announced on Wednesday a series of new protests to stop the election by December 18, the date when the campaign is scheduled to end. By Gary Robertson CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Reuters) - The man who plowed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters at last year's white nationalist rally in Virginia had every intention to kill, a prosecutor told jurors on Thursday at the start of his murder trial. "It was willful, premeditated murder," prosecutor Nina-Alice Antony said in Charlottesville Circuit Court, where James Fields, 21, is facing a possible life sentence. Fields' attorney, John Hill, said the Ohio man acted in self-defense after becoming frightened by the mass of people around his car. "You will hear James tell officers he feared for his safety," Hill said, referring to his client's comments to police following the crash. "He was scared to death." Heather Heyer, 32, was killed in the incident, which capped two days of chaos in August 2017 when hundreds of white nationalists descended on Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia, to protest the planned removal of a Confederate statue from a public park. Two state troopers were also killed during the protests when their helicopter crashed. The "Unite the Right" rally followed a Friday night demonstration when hundreds of torch-carrying men chanted anti-Semitic slogans. U.S. President Donald Trump was heavily criticized for saying there were "very fine people on both sides" after the violence, seemingly equating the white nationalists with those who demonstrated against them. Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, declined to return phone calls from the White House after Trump's remarks. The bedlam left lasting wounds in Charlottesville, which has been forced to confront its own complicated racial legacy after the violence. But it also damaged the image of the "alt-right" movement, a loose alignment of fringe groups centered on white nationalism and emboldened by Trump's 2016 presidential victory. In August, a one-year anniversary rally in Washington drew just two dozen participants amid thousands of counterprotesters. Story continues Fields was photographed hours before last year's attack carrying a shield with the emblem of a far-right hate group, although the group later denied he was a member. Jurors will hear from victims and see photos and videos depicting the incident, when Fields' speeding car sent bodies flying through the air. His case is being heard by a jury of nine women and seven men, including one African-American juror; four will be designated as alternates at the close of the trial, which is expected to last up to three weeks. Fields has also been charged with federal hate crimes and pleaded not guilty. (Reporting by Gary Robertson; Writing and additional reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Scott Malone, Bill Trott and Jonathan Oatis) Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump vowed Monday that allies would no longer "take advantage" of the United States, taking a shot at Defense Secretary Jim Mattis who resigned over Syria. Trump, turning to Twitter after days of criticism over his decision to pull US troops out of Syria, denied charges that he was rejecting allies. But he said that "these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States." "We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade," he tweeted. "General Mattis did not see this as a problem. I DO, and it is being fixed!" Amid open concern about the Syria pullout from allies including France and Germany, Trump tweeted in all capital letters: "AMERICA IS RESPECTED AGAIN!" Mattis, a battle-hardened retired four-star general widely seen as a moderating force on the impulsive president, in his resignation letter Thursday emphasized the need to respect allies. Trump has repeatedly berated close US friends and questioned the cost-effectiveness of NATO, the North American and European military alliance established seven decades ago as a bulwark against Moscow. Mattis took his criticism public after Trump suddenly announced the pullout of all 2,000 troops from Syria, saying that the Islamic State extremist group, also known as ISIS, had been defeated. Trump said he coordinated with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- who has been warning that he will attack US-allied Kurdish fighters who had seized ground from ISIS. Senator Lindsey Graham, a usual ally of Trump who has been harshly critical of the Syria decision, on Monday tried a different strategy as he appealed to the president to work off his diplomacy with Erdogan. Graham said that the United States could reduce, but not completely pull out, troops from Syria and "partner" with Turkey. "'Partnering' with Turkey to destroy ISIS -- and ensuring protection for the Kurds who fought so bravely -- is a big win," he tweeted. Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday he would not reopen the government until he gets $5 billion to fund his border wall, as the partial government shutdown dragged into a fourth day. Trump's demand for a physical barrier on the US-Mexico border -- a pillar of his election platform -- has been rejected by Democrats and some Republicans. In retaliation, Trump refused last week to sign a wider spending bill, temporarily stripping funding from swaths of the government. "I can't tell you when the government is going to be open," the Republican president told reporters at the White House after his annual Christmas teleconference with US troops. "I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they'd like to call it." Trump reaffirmed a claim made on Twitter Monday that he had approved a contract for the construction of 115 miles (185 kilometers) of wall in Texas, although the White House has not offered any details on the project. He said he would visit that stretch of the border "at the end of January for the start of construction." "It's going to be built, hopefully rapidly," he said. The president said he aimed to have a barrier stretching across 500 to 550 miles of the 2,000-mile border, and "to have it either renovated or brand new by election time." "It's going to all work out," he said, adding that some furloughed federal workers also favor the construction of border wall Trump says will discourage illegal immigration. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said at the weekend the president "must abandon the wall, plain and simple" to reopen the government. Trump ended the session by railing against the Democrats and former FBI director James Comey, whom he sacked in May 2017 in a move he later said stemmed from frustration over the federal investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign Russian interference in the 2016 US vote. "It's a disgrace, what's happening in our country," Trump said. "But other than that, I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas." First things first, Happy Christmas! And if you havent unwrapped your surprise present from Get Out director Jordan Peele yet, you can watch the trailer for his new film Us below. The timing of the trailer drop was very much planned by Peele. The trailer going out on Christmas day is very exciting to me, the director says. Because, as families are gathered around the fireplace to celebrate the holidays, hopefully they can look on their phone, see this trailer and Ill scare the pants off them. Mission accomplished, wed say. We were lucky enough to see the trailer a week early, so weve had plenty of time to analyse every moment, and we think Us could be the biggest horror movie of 2019. Heres five things you need to know about it. Us could launch a new horror franchise I wanted to make a horror mythology, a new monster, a film that will terrify as much as entertain, Peele told us at the trailer screening. Horror mythology basically means franchise, especially one with a new monster at the heart of it, which is really exciting its been a while since we had a monster-led studio franchise, and the premise at the heart of Us a family is attacked by evil versions of themselves is universal enough to essentially go on forever. And its not as if were going to get Get Out 2 any time soon. Us could have a 90s vibe Oscar-winner Jordan Peele is set to produce and co-write a new retelling of the 1992 slasher classic, Candyman. Thats a classic right there, Winston Dukes unnamed character tells his kids while I Got 5 On It, a song by American hip hop duo Luniz, plays out on the car radio. The song was released on May 23, 1995, bang in the middle of the 90s, and we think Peeles telling us something in his new trailers opening. We expect Us to have a 90s horror tone. Another clue? The trailer boasts that this is a new nightmare from Peele, which sounds like Wes Cravens New Nightmare, the meta Nightmare On Elm Street movie released in 1994. And with Peele producing / co-writing the Candyman reboot, another 90s horror classic, wed expect him to start talking about the importance of 1990s horror cinema around Us release. Story continues If Us truly is the start of a new horror mythology with a fresh monster gnawing at the heart of it, Candyman meets Freddy Krueger sounds good to us! Us might be about cloning While Peele didnt reveal anything directly about the films plot, we can glean from the trailers clues that the creepy villains at the heart of Us could have a scientific origin, not a supernatural one. All those weird shots of a very clinical looking space with a bunch of rabbits running around says scientific experiment gone wrong to us. And theres a good chance Us involves cloning (did our lead family submit their DNA to some kind of clinical trial, which was used to clone them, and now their clones want to replace them?), going by the premise. Whatever the story is, a scientific plot would tie the film directly to Peeles other horror movie, Get Out, which was also about evil (if more unlikely) science. But Us is different from Get Out in a very major way. Us is not about race Peele was clearly steering the conversation away from race, which makes sense Get Out was very-much an exploration of modern attitudes towards race, whereas Us simply features black characters. Its an important difference. It was also important for me to put a black family at the centre of a horror movie, Peele said. Because I havent seen that before. That being said, its important to note that this movie is not about race. So, what actually is Us about? Us is social, not political It is about something that has become an undeniable truth, as far as I can see, about all of us. The simple fact that we are all our own worst enemy, Peele said. So, its social, not political going wider than Get Outs focus on metaphorically exploring the modern black experience in America, to examining our relationship with ourselves, in a very literal way. Except, you know, with explosions, monsters, and jump scares. Its a genius horror high-concept that were really surprised hasnt been done before (outside of science-fiction / fantasy), and its one we cant wait to see on the big screen when Us is released in UK cinemas on 15 March. Read more Get Out 2 would stain the quality of the first movie First poster for Jordan Peeles new film lands online Us Reveals First Plot Details, Which Evoke The Strangers 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. As an investor, I look for investments which does not compromise one fundamental factor for another. By this I mean, I look at stocks holistically, from their financial health to their future outlook. In the case of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP), it is a well-regarded dividend-paying company that has been able to sustain great financial health over the past. Below is a brief commentary on these key aspects. For those interested in understanding where the figures come from and want to see the analysis, take a look at the report on American Express here. Established dividend payer with adequate balance sheet AXPs ability to maintain an adequate level of cash to meet upcoming liabilities is a good sign for its financial health. This suggests prudent control over cash and cost by management, which is an important determinant of the companys health. AXP appears to have made good use of debt, producing operating cash levels of 0.26x total debt in the prior year. This is a strong indication that debt is reasonably met with cash generated. NYSE:AXP Historical Debt December 25th 18 Income investors would also be happy to know that AXP is a great dividend company, with a current yield standing at 1.7%. AXP has also been regularly increasing its dividend payments to shareholders over the past decade. NYSE:AXP Historical Dividend Yield December 25th 18 Next Steps: For American Express, Ive compiled three fundamental factors you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for AXPs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for AXPs outlook. Historical Performance: What has AXPs returns been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity. Other Attractive Alternatives : Are there other well-rounded stocks you could be holding instead of AXP? Explore our interactive list of stocks with large potential to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Netflix (NFLX). This company, which is in the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry, shows potential for another earnings beat. This internet video service has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 18.57%. For the most recent quarter, Netflix was expected to post earnings of $0.68 per share, but it reported $0.89 per share instead, representing a surprise of 30.88%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.80 per share, while it actually produced $0.85 per share, a surprise of 6.25%. Price and EPS Surprise With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for Netflix. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Netflix currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.75%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on January 17, 2019. Story continues When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Following Wednesday's unexpected and dramatic full and "immediate" withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Syria, Turkey has announced it will not play ball on Iran sanctions. According to a translation of the Turkish president's words on Thursday during a previously planned summit with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Ankara, journalist Abdullah Bozkurt reports, "Turkish president Erdogan says Turkey won't support U.S. sanctions on Iran which he claims puts regional security and stability at risk, vows to take all measures to minimize impact of sanctions on trade between the two countries, pledges support to Iran in difficult times." This is huge given that the complete U.S. reversal in policy comes following a phone call last week between President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wherein Erdogan is reported to have pressed the Kurdish problem and presence of U.S. troops. The United States needs Turkey as a key regional economy if it hopes to effectively strangle Iran through sanctions. Without Erdogan, analysts believe, Iran will be able to weather the storm long term. Turkish president #Erdogan says #Turkey won't support US sanctions on #Iran which he claims puts regional security and stability at risk, vows to take all measures to minimise impact of sanctions on trade between the two countries, pledges support to Iran in difficult times. pic.twitter.com/1wyMgyXEnu Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) December 20, 2018 For the past week Erdogan has threatened to launch a full-scale cross border assault on U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, which Turkey has long considered a terrorist extension of the outlawed PKK. Currently Turkey's military is reportedly mustering forces and tanks along deployment points at the Syrian border. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said the military is "intensely" preparing for a major operation against Syrian Kurds in Manbij, Aleppo Governorate, and to the east of the Euphrates. Turkish Anadolu Agency reported the defense minister promised to "bury" the Syrian Kurds. Prior to Trump's announced Syria pullout, the promised large-scale assault and ongoing future operations would have eventually brought American troops and advisers under fire, who've found themselves in the awkward position since entering Syria of training Syrian Kurdish militias on the one hand and coordinating broadly with NATO ally Turkey on the other. Related: Chinese Refiners Arent Buying U.S. Crude However, Trump's announced troop withdrawal has defused the crisis of American troops being caught in the middle, and along with it the possibility of a U.S.-Turkey clash. Thus the U.S. withdrawal is considered a major concession for Erdogan, which no doubt Trump was hoping to maintain as a key ally against Iran. That hope has now been dashed with Erdogan's speech Thursday. Turkey has undermined US policy of confronting Iran. Why? B/c US attacked Turkey by arming & training YPG/Kurds. Erdogan's drip, drip Khashoggi strategy brilliant. Kicked legs out fr under Trump's Saudi policy. Congress is voting against Saudi. US needs TR on board to hurt Iran. Joshua Landis (@joshua_landis) December 19, 2018 This also comes a day after the U.S. approved the sale of $3.5bn in missiles to Turkey amid negotiations for Ankara to buy anti-air defense missiles from Russia. Last Wednesday the State Department informed Congress that the plan includes transfer of 80 Patriot missiles, 60 PAC-3 missile interceptors and related equipment. A number of analysts were quick to note the deal had been firmed up immediately prior to Trump's announced Syria pullout. But despite the multi-billion-dollar weapons sale, hawks in Congress and in the president's own administration will use Erdogan's Thursday announcement to "stand by Iran" as fodder for arguing against bringing the troops home, and continuing Syria ground operations in order to counter Iranian expansion. By Zerohedge More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Suicide attackers stormed the Libyan foreign ministry in the capital Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least three people including a senior civil servant in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group. Twenty-one other people were wounded in the attack, authorities said. A car bomb exploded near the ministry, prompting security forces to rush to the scene, said special forces spokesman Tarak al-Dawass. A suicide bomber then blew himself up on the second floor of the building while a second attacker died when a suitcase he was carrying exploded, he said. A third assailant, who was unarmed and wearing a bulletproof vest, was killed by security forces outside, Dawass added. At least three people were killed and 21 wounded, according to the health ministry. Foreign Minister Tahar Siala said one of the dead was senior diplomat Ibrahim al-Shaibi who headed a department in his ministry. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building as ambulances, paramedics and security forces gathered outside. IS claimed the attack in a statement distributed on social media, saying that it was carried out by three "soldiers of the caliphate" who were armed with suicide belts and automatic weapons. Interior Minister Fathi Bash Agha admitted during a news conference that "security chaos" reigned in Libya and was "out of our control". He said this was creating a "fertile ground" for IS to operate in the North African country. Torn apart by power struggles and undermined by chronic insecurity, Libya has become a haven for jihadists since the ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. - Jihadist foothold - Two competing administrations, rival militias, tribes and jihadists have been vying for control of territory and the country's vast oil wealth. IS took advantage of the chaos to gain a foothold in the coastal city of Sirte in 2015. Forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) regained control of Sirte in December 2016 after eight months of deadly fighting. Since then, some jihadists have returned to the desert in an attempt to regroup and reorganise. The interior minister said his department lacked the equipment necessary to restore law and order in Libya. Bach Agha said he found "zero weapons and zero vehicles" in the ministry's warehouses when he took up his job in October. "Weakness and a security breakdown" allowed assailants to attack the foreign ministry, he said. The foreign minister said the UN should lift an arms embargo it has imposed on Libya since the 2011 uprising. "Stability cannot be restored... without a partial lifting of the embargo. It is needed to guarantee security and combat terrorism," Siala told reporters. - Envoys denounce attack - The head of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) denounced the "cowardly terrorist attack" in a statement. Ghassan Salame also pledged to work with Libyan people "to prevent terrorist groups from turning Libya into a haven... for their crimes". Frank Baker, Britain's ambassador to Libya, also denounced an "appalling terrorist attack" and tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims. Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi joined the chorus of condemnation in a statement reiterating Rome's "solidarity with the Libyan people and their just aspiration to real security". In September, IS claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the headquarters of Libya's National Oil Company in the heart of Tripoli which left two dead and 10 wounded. Four months earlier, it claimed an attack on the electoral commission's headquarters which left 14 dead. In April, the GNA launched an operation to track down IS fighters operating in areas of western Libya under its control. Last month IS claimed responsibility for an attack on militia forces in southeastern Libya in which at least nine people were killed. The US military has regularly carried out strikes on jihadists in Libya, particularly south of Sirte. The GNA was set up under a 2015 UN-brokered deal, but a rival administration based in the country's east aligned with military strongman Khalifa Haftar refuses to recognise its authority. Rival Libyan leaders had agreed to a Paris-brokered deal in May to hold a nationwide election by the end of the year. But instability, territorial disputes and divisions have delayed plans for elections. MANILA, Philippines This time of the year is commonly associated with gift-giving, shopping, and merry-making. While the public is busy with various festivities, lawless elements are cunningly taking advantage of the holiday rush to execute their crimes. Alan, a trader of used goods, shared his experience after a couple successfully deceived him of their crafty plan. The suspects offered to buy his printer but they asked for a meetup in an awkward time in the evening. Kasi gabi na iyon. Madilim. Pagod na rin so kwento-kwentuhan. Noong nagbabayad na sila sa akin, habang binibilang ko ang pera, ang style nila, kwento kwentuhan ako, tatanungin ako ng iba ibang bagay. Habang nagbibilang ako, na-distract ako. Noong nakita kong tama iyong P5,000 ibinulsa ko na, (It was evening and it was dark. I was tired. They kept on talking things. When they handed me the money their style was they would keep taking to you. They would ask you a number of things while you count. I was distracted. When I saw five the complete P5,000, I put the money inside my pocket,) he recalled. Pero noong una nagtataka ako parang may mali doon sa pera. Ang ganda noong pera. Hindi mo mapapansin na may mali. Hindi mo mapapansin na peke kasi ang ganda ng pagkakaprint. Puro P1,000 na lima. Iyong itsura niya parang kumikinang iyong selyo. Ang ganda ng pagkakagawa hindi mo mapapansin sa umpisa.(At first, I sensed something wrong with the money. They look so nice. You would never notice that it was fake because they were nicely printed, five P1,000 bill. The seal was bright and shining, you would not suspect that it was fake,) he said. But immediately after the transaction, the suspects rushed to the car and speeded fast without even slowing down at the road humps. Tiningnan ko sa ilaw ng motor ko. Tinitignan kong mabuti, paulit ulit binabaligtad ko. Tapos napansin ko, pareha parehas ang serial number ng pera. Tapos noong tinalikod ko ang ibang numero ng pera putol, (I checked the bills with my motorbikes headlight. Very carefully I checked, I flipped the bill front and back. I noticed that the serial numbers on all the bills were the same. When I checked the back side, I noticed some of the numbers were cut,) he shared in disappointment. Story continues Thats when Alan realized that he was swindled. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas advises the public to be vigilant in accepting banknotes this holiday season. The agency said, look for features that will determine genuine banknotes from the fake ones. These security features include embossed prints, watermark, security fiber, asymmetric serial number, and see-through mark which can be verified through the feel-look-and-tilt method. First, feel if the paper bill is rough to the touch. Next, look at the banknote very closely and make sure that every detail is clear especially the watermark, security fiber and the asymmetric serial numbers. Then, tilt the paper bill at about 45 degrees to see the security thread. Check for the concealed value and the optically variable ink and variable patch. For inquiries and verification, the public may coordinate with the BSP through 988 48 22 or send an e-mail to pisomatters@bsp.gov.ph.- Marje Pelayo (with reports from Nel Maribojoc) The post BSP shares tips to determine genuine banknotes from counterfeits appeared first on UNTV News. Fire destroys 39 houses, displaces 285 people in Kalikot A massive fire that broke out at Khada settlement of Palata Rural Municipality-1 in Kalikot on Monday morning destroyed 39 houses and displaced as many as 285 people including 111 children. Chinas foreign ministry has blasted Canada and its allies for hypocrisy concerning their criticism of Beijings detention of two Canadian citizens, with a spokeswoman mimicking Ottawa to say that it was the arrest of Huawei Technologies CFO Sabrina Meng Wanzhou that truly merits the name of arbitrary detention. At a ministry briefing in Beijing on Monday, spokeswoman Hua Chunying was asked about Chinas detention of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, which Canada last week called arbitrary and in contrast to the fair, unbiased and transparent treatment of Meng, who had been arrested in Vancouver at the request of the US on December 1. Canada and US demand Chinas release of Canadians Hua let loose at the US, Britain and the EU for siding with Ottawa in the dispute, calling Mengs detention ugly. I wonder how they are involved in this case? Where were their voices when the senior manager of the Chinese company was illegally detained by the Canadian side at the behest of the US? asked Hua, in comments published in English on the ministrys website. It is quite obvious that the human rights they are talking about have different standards when it comes to citizens of different countries. Meng has been released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. The United States which is locked in a trade war with China has accused her of fraud, in relation to violating sanctions on Iran. The arrests of Spavor and Kovrig have been seen by some as retaliation by China. But Hua rejected this. Chinas competent authorities took compulsory measures in accordance with law against the Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Sparov because they engaged in activities undermining Chinas national security, she said, adding that we urge the relevant countries to earnestly respect Chinas judicial sovereignty. Turning to Mengs arrest, Hua said she has violated no Canadian laws as the Canadian side itself has acknowledged. Story continues This action, which is far from legal, legitimate and reasonable, is what truly merits the name of arbitrary detention. The Canadian [side] cannot stop talking about its so-called legal obligations under its bilateral extradition treaty with the US. Does that mean that it can turn a blind eye to and trample on the basic norms of international law and international relations? Does that mean that it is okay for Canada to ignore its obligations in terms of protecting the legal rights and interests of Chinese nationals? Hua called on Canada to correct its mistakes and immediately release Meng, and for the US to withdraw its extradition request, saying that the ugly nature and impacts of the Meng Wanzhou case cannot be clearer. China detained Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, and Spavor, a China-based business consultant, on December 10. Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, has seen Kovrig and Spavor, but there are concerns about their conditions in detention, with Kovrig's employer, the International Crisis Group, saying he had been denied access to a lawyer. Third detained Canadian given administrative punishment A third Canadian citizen, identified as Sarah McIver, was accused of visa violations, the Chinese foreign ministry said last week. But her case seems less serious than those of her compatriots, Chinese officials said, and she was being held by local rather than national security forces. Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse This article China blasts Ottawa and allies for hypocrisy over detained Canadians, calling Meng Wanzhous arrest truly arbitrary first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Date: Monday , 31 December 2018 Time: 07.00 PM 12.00 PM Price: 1,450 Thai Baht net per person.- Come celebrate New Years Eve at SWING WITH ME the chillbar. Begin your new year in Patong at SLEEP WITH ME HOTEL design hotel @ patong Join Us For a Special Night with SEAFOOD & INTERNATIONAL BUFFET Countdown with us & Enjoy with fantastic drinks More information & reservation Tel: +66 (0)76 363 333 E-mail: info@sleepwithmehotels.com Website: www.sleepwithmehotels.com The Tokyo District Court said it had approved a request by lawyers for Greg Kelly and set bail for his release at 70 million yen ($635,000) A Tokyo court on Tuesday granted bail for a Nissan executive accused of a key role in the financial misconduct case involving auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn, who remains in detention. The Tokyo District Court said it had approved a request by lawyers for Greg Kelly and set bail for his release at 70 million yen ($635,000). Prosecutors can still appeal the decision, and it was not immediately clear when Kelly might be freed. The 62-year-old American was arrested on November 19 at the same time as Ghosn on allegations he helped him underreport his compensation at Nissan for years. The bail order comes after Kelly's wife issued a video statement saying she was "extremely concerned about his health." Kelly suffers from a spinal condition and was reportedly due to undergo surgery before his arrest in Tokyo. "Greg was tricked into coming to Japan and betrayed by a group of Nissan executives as part of a political power grab. Their dishonourable motives are clear," Dee Kelly claimed. She said her husband, once Ghosn's right-hand man, had been "caught up in an international plot by some at Nissan to take control". Kelly is accused of helping construct an alleged scheme by which Ghosn under-reported his salary for a period of eight years. The pair have already been indicted over their alleged involvement in the scheme in the five years to 2015. Prosecutors are still investigating the period from 2015. Ghosn also faces an additional allegation involving claims he shifted a personal investment loss of more than $16 million to Nissan's books with help from a Saudi acquaintance. He is expected to remain in detention through Christmas and the start of 2019, with prosecutors able to apply for an additional 10-day extension when his current detention period expires on January 1. Ghosn's fall from power at Nissan has exposed a deep rift in the firm's three-way alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi Motorswhich outsold all of its rival groups last year. While Nissan and Mitsubishi quickly removed Ghosn from his leadership roles after his arrest, Renault has been more cautious about the charges and the case has stoked tensions between the French firm and Nissan. Ghosn was once revered in Japan for his role in turning around Nissan and forging the fractious alliance, in which Renault remains the dominant shareholder. But his former protege, current Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa, has harshly criticised the Franco-Brazilian-Lebanese tycoon, accusing him of having accrued too much power and referring to the "dark side" of Ghosn's tenure. Ghosn, who denies the allegations against him, is being held at detention centre's infirmary and has a bed and heating, according to a source with knowledge of his condition. Explore further Japan to indict Nissan as well as Ghosn: report 2018 AFP Still erupting after 2,700 years or more The Mount Etna volcano erupted on Monday, spewing ash as several minor earthquakes hit the region, and prompting a partial closure of the Sicilian airspace around the mountain. Italy's national institute for geophysics and vulcanology (INGV) counted more than 130 seismic shocks in the zone, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 4.0. "The eruption occurred on the side of Etna," Boris Behncke, a vulcanologist at INGV, told AFP. "It's the first lateral eruption in more than 10 years, but it doesn't seem to be dangerous." Due to bad visibility because of the ash authorities restricted local airspace, allowing only four landings per hour Monday afternoon at the eastern Sicilian airport of Catania. Visibility was still too poor to determine whether the eruption was accompanied by lava, Behncke said. At any rate, both the seismic activity and ash production appeared to be diminishing in the afternoon, he said. Mount Etna, 3,300 metres high, is the biggest active volcano in Europe, with frequent eruptions recorded in the past 2,700 years. Its most recent eruptions occurred in the spring of 2017 and its last major eruption in the 2008/2009 winter. Air traffic was restricted over Catania At the end of March a study published in the Bulletin of Volcanology said that Etna is slowly sliding towards the Mediterraneanat a constant pace of 14 millimetres per year. Explore further Mount Etna volcano roars into action with ash and lava 2018 AFP 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. Former UN official responds to Posts story Your story (Ex-UN official in Nepal to discuss transitional justice issues, TKP Online, 21 December, 2018) completely misrepresents a short personal visit I had thepleasure to make to Kathmandu, and is riddled with falsehoods. 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. ICYMI: Heres a look at todays top stories Here is a compilation of some of the top stories from the Post that you might have missed on Tuesday. "Fifty Years of American Sentencing Reform Nine Lessons" | Main | "Bernie Madoff's secretary wants to use new Trump law to get out of jail early" This recent piece from The Guardian, fully headlined "Current inmates feel left behind by Trump's criminal justice reform bill; First Step Act reduces the mandatory sentence for three-strikes offenders but the provisions will not be made retroactive," spotlights how certain inmates have gotten left behind even as the inappropriateness of their sentences inspired key sentencing reforms in the FIRST STEP Act. Here are excerpts: On paper, Chris Young seems exactly the kind of person a prison reform bill ought to release from federal custody. In the eight years since he was last free, Young has become an avid reader, taught himself to write computer code and worked as a tutor for fellow prisoners. Right now hes reading Yuval Noah Hararis Homo Deus for fun. He also says that since he cant get real-world practice, he re-reads the same passage of a programming book every day after lunch, to make sure its committed to memory. When he was 22, Young was arrested on a third low-level drug charge. Under so-called three strikes laws, he was given a mandatory life sentence. For decades, in cases involving repeat drug offenders, such laws have stripped federal judges of discretion. The judge who sentenced Young, Kevin Sharp, was so shaken by the experience he retired shortly after. What I was required to do that day was cruel, Sharp tweeted earlier this year. The bipartisan First Step Act, signed into law by Donald Trump on Friday, softens that cruel requirement for federal judges, reducing the mandatory sentence in such cases to 25 years. But it will not do anything for Young. In one of many compromises made by progressive reform advocates to secure conservative support, this and several other provisions were not made retroactive. Im human and I would have loved to have benefited from the bill, but unfortunately I dont, Young told the Guardian from federal prison in Lexington, Kentucky. I dont necessarily feel left behind, I just feel [lawmakers] dont understand what goes on with the actual humans that their choices and politics affect.... Advocates believe [the Act] can be a launching point for state and local reform which could have a much greater impact on the US inmate population. After all, just 10% of people incarcerated in the US are in the federal system. I absolutely think that this one is going to be catalytic towards other de-carceration campaigns on the local and state level, said Glenn Martin, a formerly incarcerated reform advocate who helped bring dozens of former inmate-led groups on board for the First Step Act. I think that the Senate a conservative Republican Senate has just given permission to conservatives all over the country [to become] engaged in criminal justice reform. Nonetheless, the lack of retroactivity on a majority of the sentencing reforms was a tough pill to swallow. Its one of the concessions that hurts the most, said Martin. Its about fairness, and yet theres this group of people who continue to be harmed because of the lack of retroactivity. That includes people like John Bailey, a 71-year-old inmate of the federal prison in Hazleton, West Virginia which is nicknamed misery mountain. Baileys brother Oliver said he was struggling to understand the logic of the changes not applying to inmates like John, who was imprisoned in 1992 on a non-violent drug charge. If you recognize the injustice now, asked Bailey, how come it doesnt apply to those that suffered the same injustice before? Advocates who worked on the bill said conservatives and politically vulnerable Democrats opposed retroactivity because of how releasing prisoners early might resonate with voters. There is one bright spot for the Baileys. One provision of First Step that does apply to current inmates is a requirement that prisoners be housed no more than 500 driving miles from their home. Bailey, who is from St Petersburg, Florida, has spent his prison life in Leavenworth, Kansas and now West Virginia, thousands of miles away. Oliver has not seen John since he was jailed. At this point somethings better than nothing, he said. We need to progress from here. Its a common sentiment. Chad Marks is serving a 40-year sentence on drug conspiracy charges, thanks to another provision First Step will restrict. Marks sentence was enhanced by stacking language in federal law which dramatically increases a sentence if an offender possesses a firearm in the commission of a drug crime, whether or not it is used. I dont understand how lawmakers can say that doing this is wrong, he said, and that they are going to fix it, but not apply it retroactively. That was a big blow. What has my focus and attention right now is the fact that lawmakers did something, but my focus is also on a second step coming.... Young, Bailey and Marks continue to wait for a second step. While they do, all three must place their primary hope for release in an act of clemency: a pardon or commutation issued by the president. Youngs case has been endorsed by Kim Kardashian, who successfully lobbied for the release of another federal prisoner, Alice Johnson, in June. Marks said he was more than hopeful that I will find relief through clemency. I am praying that president Trump will find me worthy of mercy and grace, he said. I wont let him down or disappoint him. In this article: * PREVIOUS TRADING SESSION MOVES: * SSEC +0.4 pct, CSI300 +0.3 pct, HSI -0.4 pct * Shanghai->HK daily quota used 4.4 pct * Shenzhen->HK daily quota used 1.2 pct * CNY official close 6.8984 per dollar * FTSE China A50 -0.1 pct, BNY Mellon ADR China Select Index -0.5 pct SHANGHAI, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Following is a list of recent corporate and policy announcements, as well as other news that might affect Chinese financial markets. Policy, government, sector news: * China accuses Britain, EU of hypocrisy over Canada detentions concerns * China aims to steady home prices in 2019, boost rental supply * China to step up support for small and private firms - cabinet * China to remove some import, export tariffs including alternative feed meals Data: * China imports zero U.S. soybeans in Nov for first time since trade war started * Saudi Arabia pips Russia as China's largest crude oil supplier in Nov * China Q4 business confidence index lowest since Q2 2017 - c.bank survey Company moves: In focus * Bike-sharing firm Ofo's dramatic fall a warning to China's tech investors * China's GEM signs five-year battery material supply deal with ECOPRO * HNA Technology says in preliminary talks to sell Ingram Micro * Two million job ads missing? China's 51job criticises "improper" research Equity changes/IPOs * Avic Jonhon Optronic Technology to buy back company shares * Hengtong Optic-Electric gets regulator's approval to issue a-share convertible bonds * Hunan Valin Steel's controlling shareholder to boost shares M&A * China Southern Airlines to purchase property worth not more than 798.6 million yuan * Aisino to buy 65 percent stake in information security firm for 581.75 million yuan Trading halt/resumption * CITIC Securities' shares trade to halt pending announcement related to its purchase of Guangzhou Securities Other moves (spin-offs, divestitures, deals) * China International Travel Service plans to sell a wholly-owned unit for ~1.8 bln yuan to its controlling shareholder * BAIC Bluepark New Energy's unit receives 490 mln yuan in govt subsidies (Compiled by Luoyan Liu) At least 10 journalists were injured as ruling party activists allegedly attacked a motel in a central Bangladesh town when they were covering this week's national election, a senior journalist said Tuesday. A group of baton-wielding men attacked the motel in Nawabganj town late Monday, where journalists from several local media were staying overnight, Masud Karim, a special correspondent of the Bengali national daily Jugantor said. "The miscreants vandalised 16 cars. At least 10 journalists from Jugantor and Jamuna TV were injured during the attack," he told AFP, alleging the police delayed responding to their distress call. The newspaper also said one of its reporters has been missing since Monday evening. It blamed the student and youth wings of the ruling Awami League party for the attack, although police said they did not know the identity of the attackers. "We rescued them (the journalists) from the situation," district police chief S.M Shafiur Rahman told AFP, rejecting the allegations police did not respond to the attack in time. The chiefs of both outlets demanded immediate arrests of the attackers but the police chief said no formal complaints had been filed. Violent clashes have marred the run-up to the December 30 election, with the opposition saying hundreds of its activists and dozens of candidates have been injured in attacks by followers of the ruling party. Six people have been killed, including two from the ruling party. Two news cameramen were also attacked by alleged pro-government activists in the central Munshiganj district on Tuesday, the online edition of the private NTV station said. Top journalist lobby group Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) demanded the attackers be punished. "The state and the government will have to shoulder the responsibility and take steps to curb such attacks," BFUJ President Molla Zalal said. Press freedom has been under the spotlight in the South Asian nation as opposition and rights group have accused Prime Minister's Sheikh Hasina's government of muzzling dissent through controversial anti-press laws. Anil Giri is a reporter covering diplomacy, international relations and national politics for The Kathmandu Post. Giri has been working as a journalist for a decade-and-a-half, contributing to numerous national and international media outlets. China releases nationwide negative list in show of openness, but will it make any difference? Beijing on Tuesday sought to demonstrate its willingness to open up its markets with the publication of its first unified negative list of the business sectors that are off limits to foreign, and in some cases domestic, investors. Chinas top economic planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which compiled the document in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, said it applied across the mainland and overrode all related local government regulations. The list comes as Beijing is facing an uphill battle to maintain economic growth amid its trade war with the United States and growing concerns among domestic private sector businesses that the Communist Party is leaving them to flounder in favour of propping up the state sector. The promulgation of the negative list nationwide means that China has set up a unified, fair and rule-based system for market access, said Xu Shanchang, director of the NDRCs economics system reform department. From now on, other government agencies and local governments are barred from making rules about market entry. Ding Haifeng, a consultant with Shanghai Integrity Financial Consulting, said the publication of the list was indicative of Beijings commitment to relaxing market access, even if it was only limited in scope at this stage. The list is of only symbolic value as [Chinas] key sectors are still off limits to non-state-owned or foreign investors, he said. But its a crystal clear message that wider market access for both foreign and privately owned businesses is in the works and that they will be given opportunities in some areas, such as manufacturing. The document released on Tuesday differs from the negative list published in June in that it applies to all companies doing businesses in China, not just foreign enterprises. Story continues Beijing released its first ever negative list in 2016 under a pilot scheme in just four province-level jurisdictions regions, namely Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin and Fujian. The new list comprises 151 areas that are either off limits to non-state businesses or that require them to go through an application and approval process. Much of it is unchanged from earlier lists on sectors closed to private and foreign firms, such as the processing and distribution of edible salt. In other sectors, such as vehicle manufacturing and finance, the involvement of foreign businesses remains subject to a lengthy and convoluted approval process, although Beijing did recently raise the cap on how much of a joint venture with a local partner a foreign investor can now own. Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Shanghai last month that Beijing continued to support globalisation and pledged to provide easier access to Chinas markets for foreign firms. But business lobby groups, including the European Union Chamber of Commerce, said Beijings promises were not enough to convince foreign companies that Chinas markets were fair and transparent. China sought to show its openness to global investors as early as 2013 when it allowed Shanghai to set up the countrys first free-trade zone. But the move failed to attract foreign funds because of tight restrictions and a rigid approval processes. This article China releases nationwide negative list in show of openness, but will it make any difference? first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Eight people were killed and 22 injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians in east China's Fujian province on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported. A hijacker carrying a knife has been detained and is being investigated by local police, state television CGTN said. The incident happened at about 3:20 pm (0720 GMT) in the city of Longyan, the local Minxi Ribao newspaper reported. A policeman was among the five confirmed dead. In a video posted by Duowei news, a Chinese media outlet based in the US, several injured people were shown lying on the street near a crashed bus, its front badly damaged. It also showed police wrestling a person to the ground. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported the suspect was a 48-year-old local man. Blood could also be seen on the steps of the bus, which had been stopped in the middle of a road. The hijacker had attacked a female passenger before taking control of the bus, Duowei reported. Longyan public security bureau declined to comment when contacted by AFP. China has suffered a spate of similar incidents this year. In late November, a car ploughed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in the northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19. The driver said he "chose his victims at random" and had reportedly been contemplating suicide due to domestic troubles before the tragedy occurred. In October, three people were killed when a man fleeing after committing a stabbing drove into a crowd and attacked onlookers in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The month before, a man ploughed a truck into a crowd in Hunan province and went on a rampage, attacking onlookers with knives and a shovel. Eleven died and 44 were injured. Grisly car accidents are common in China, where transportation authorities have struggled to enforce safety regulations, which are often flouted or go unenforced. Violent crime has also been on the rise in China in recent decades as the gap between rich and poor has widened rapidly. Studies also show a rise in the prevalence of mental disorders, some of them linked to stress as the pace of life becomes faster and support systems wither. Huawei chairman Liang Hua said on Tuesday the companys operations remained normal after the arrest of CFO Meng Wanzhou, and called for the early return of his colleague. Liang said Huawei would continue to push on with 5G development despite more bans against the company. In the face of a crisis of confidence from the West, first we must do our own work well, and continue to build Huaweis competitiveness in the field of 5G, said Liang, according to Sina Tech. We believe that customers will make their own decisions. He said Huawei had already obtained 26 commercial 5G contracts. Liang, who was reportedly appointed CFO following Mengs arrest, thanked those around the world who had supported Meng and Huawei. He presented a coffee cup to the media, which he said was made spontaneously by company employees, with text that reads: The lighthouse is waiting for the early return of the night boat. The term night boat, or wanzhou, refers to Mengs given name. Mengs arrest in Canada, at the behest of the United States, has ignited a diplomatic row between Beijing and Ottawa, and increased tensions between Beijing and other western capitals, as a Washington-led trade war targets Huawei, a top Chinese technology company. After Mengs detention, China arrested two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on the charge of endangering its national security, a move that has been widely viewed as retaliation for Mengs arrest. Hua Chunying, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, said on Monday western countries calling for the release of Kovrig and Spavor were ignoring Mengs arrest, and criticised the US and Canada for targeting the Huawei CFO. China blasts Ottawa and allies for hypocrisy over Meng, Canadian detainees The ugly nature and impact of the Meng Wanzhou case cannot be clearer, she said as she reiterated calls for Mengs immediate release. Hua also rejected claims that Spavor and Kovrigs arrests were retaliation by China. Chinas competent authorities took compulsory measures in accordance with law against the Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, because they engaged in activities undermining Chinas national security, she said. We urge the relevant countries to earnestly respect Chinas judicial sovereignty, she added. Story continues Since Mengs arrest on December 1, governments and companies around the world have announced new bans and reviews of Huawei products, increasing financial pressure on the company. Last week, the prime minister of the Czech Republic ordered his office to stop using Huawei phones. Huaweis Meng Wanzhou owes US$2.2m of her bail to these Canadians European telecom companies have warned against using Huawei equipment, citing concerns about security vulnerabilities and the companys ties to Chinas military. Also last week, Stephane Richard, the chief executive of French telecoms company Orange, said it would remove Huawei equipment from sensitive parts of its networks. German company Deutsche Telekom said it would re-evaluate its use of Huawei equipment, while British Telecom said it would remove Huawei equipment from key parts of its networks as well. The BBC reported on Monday that BT was also going to exclude Huawei equipment from a communications system it was developing for the UKs police force and other emergency services. The move could extend work on the already late 2.3 billion (US$2.9 billion) project. This article Huawei vows to push on with 5G development despite bans, Meng Wanzhou arrest first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday unveiled Iran's first annual budget since the return of US sanctions, saying it had been adjusted to take account of Washington's "cruel" measures. The president announced a 20 percent increase in public sector wages in a sign of the economic challenges the Islamic republic has faced since the United States pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this year. The speech gave only a few general points of the budget -- which will now be scrutinised and voted on by parliament -- but acknowledged the pressure Iran was under. "Last year we faced some problems," Rouhani told parliament in a televised speech, referring to the widespread protests that hit the country almost exactly a year ago, sparked by anger over economic and political conditions. "Those events caused the Americans to change their position regarding the Islamic republic and the nuclear deal," he said. "The real objective of the US in all of this conspiracy and sanction and pressure... is to bring the powerful Islamic republic of Iran to its knees," he said, vowing that the US "will definitely be defeated." The renewed US sanctions include an embargo on Iran's crucial oil sector. The new budget did not say how many barrels of oil Iran hopes to sell in the next financial year, which starts in late March, but analysts believe it will be considerably less than the approximately 2.5 million it sold per day prior to Trump's withdrawal. The US granted waivers to eight key buyers of Iranian oil -- including China, India and Turkey -- though this has been a double-edged sword for Iran since it also helped push down the global price. - Forex 'practically zero' - Rouhani came to power in 2013 representing the more moderate side of Iran's ruling elite, hoping a compromise on the country's nuclear programme would reduce tensions with the West and allow foreign investment to boost the stunted private sector. The return of sanctions has ended that hope, and forced Rouhani more towards the self-sufficient "resistance economy" preferred by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Concern over the economy pushed many Iranians to secure their savings in dollars and gold, triggering a run on the Iranian rial, which has lost around half its value since Trump announced the pullout. "At one point early this year our foreign exchange cash reserve was practically zero, forcing the government to take hard decisions to save the country," Rouhani told parliament. The government has pressured exporters to return their dollars to Iran, and Rouhani said they would lose tax incentives if they failed to repatriate their cash. The central bank has used the returning dollars to shore up the collapsing rial, which has recovered to around 110,000 per dollar on unofficial exchanges. The rial's fall drove up prices across the board, with food and drink costs up 60 percent in the year to November according to the central bank. The judiciary launched a fierce crackdown on currency speculators, dubbed "economic disruptors" that has seen dozens of traders put on trial and at least three businessmen executed. The so-called "sultan of coins", Vahid Mazloomin, was hanged in October after being found guilty of amassing two tonnes of gold coins. But sanctions and fraud are only part of the story in an economy with many long-standing problems. Its banking sector is riddled with bad loans, while many key industries from oil and gas to construction are dominated by semi-state groups with opaque links to the government and military. The budget was delayed several times in recent weeks, with reports that Khamenei had demanded unspecified changes to the final document. Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, Bangladesh's main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections. Two weeks into the campaign, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has addressed hundreds of thousands of people in rallies across the country as she seeks a record fourth term. Public gatherings by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are tiny by comparison. Its leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term for a graft conviction, which the party says is a politically motivated attempt to sideline Hasina's chief rival. The BNP says many of its candidates have been too scared to campaign in public and fear violent intimidation by ruling party followers or arrest by authorities. More than 150 of its candidates have been attacked, 15 arrested and thousands of party activists injured in clashes with rivals from the ruling Awami League, according to the BNP. At least six supporters from both parties have been killed in election clashes. Fearing bloodshed, the BNP has instead turned to Facebook to canvass support from Bangladesh's 100 million voters ahead of Sunday's election. An online plea by BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the nation's younger voters went viral in recent days. The three-minute video was released on Friday night and was shared tens of thousands of times over the weekend. The Awami League wants to "create an environment of fear so that you lose interest in voting on the morning of December 30," he says in the post. "You can prevent vote robbery. Democracy must be saved." - Poetic plea - A recording of a poem recited by young voters urging them to condemn a violent government crackdown on student protests earlier this year also spread like wildfire online. Pro-Awami League groups have responded by flooding Facebook with videos of Bangladeshi celebrities, each lauding the country's solid economic growth since Hasina's second stint in office began in 2009. State-run media and many private television stations do not run opposition adverts for fear of government reprisals, said BNP spokesman Sayrul Kabir Khan. While Awami League campaign ads are ubiquitous on television, "the only medium where we can post our video is Facebook," Khan said. Authorities last week blocked the BNP website, claiming it contained "indecent" and "obscene" material -- a move that prompted outrage and accusations of censorship from the opposition. The party's Facebook page was also down for several days. At the same time the government has run its own online influence campaign in a bid to shore up votes ahead of the Sunday poll. Facebook last week said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources. Civil society and rights groups have accused the government of silencing dissent and the press with an onerous digital-security law. Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, editor of the Bangladeshi tabloid Manabzamin, said Facebook was the last refuge for voices critical of the Awami League's increasing slide towards authoritarianism. "The opposition is too afraid to campaign freely. The media has been cornered as well. This is the reality," he said. NRAs three-year progress report made public The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) government body formed to look after post-quake recovery made public the progress report carried out in the sector of reconstruction and rehabilitation Listen to this episode of Studio 360 by clicking the arrow on the audio player below: Get More Studio 360 Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to Studio 360 Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page. Here in the United States, despite the hysteria whipped up in the weeks leading up to Novembers midterm elections, there was no influx of migrants from the south. In other words, nothing like what happened a few years ago, when hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa arrived in Europe. Theres a new play about that migrant crisis called The Jungle, which was the nickname of the notorious migrant camp in Calais, France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its where thousands of refugees gathered before attempting to cross the channel to the United Kingdom, where they planned to seek asylum. The camp is the setting for this play. In its production at St. Anns Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, The Jungle puts the audience inside the action, with everyone seated in a replica of the Afghan restaurant that served as the real-life camps unofficial town center. This podcast was produced by Jeff Lunden. Studio 360 plugs: Please remember to like us on our Facebook page and Twitter. Send your emails to incoming@studio360.org. This article is published through a partnership with New York Medias Strategist. The partnership is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected by New York Media. If you buy something through our links, Slate and New York Media may earn an affiliate commission. When I met my now-husband, I instantly liked him for a lot of reasons, but his cooking skills werent at the top of the list. He certainly wasnt a bad cook, but he kept the most spartan kitchen Id ever seen, which, to be fair, is completely reasonable in New York. But when we found ourselves assembling a wedding registry, he had only one thing on his wish list: This Lodge combo cooker, a space-saving multitasker whose lid doubles as a fry pan. Advertisement A while ago hed seen a video of Mark Bittman with Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery, in which Lahey taught Bittman his technique for no-knead bread. The recipe is crazy simplejust mix together flour, water, salt, and yeast, leave overnight to rise, and the next day shape it into a loaf and bake it in a preheated pot in an oven thats cranked up as high as it will go. On his first try, my husband produced a crusty russet-colored loaf that made extremely satisfying crackly sounds. In the following days he made whole wheat loaves, carrot-walnut bread, and a perfectly domed round of apricot-walnut bread, all in our completely average oven and all with the combo cooker (and all from Laheys My Bread, which I gifted him with not exactly selfless motivations). I think weve used the combo cooker once or twice to cook on the stovetop, but if Im being honest, its really just our bread pot. (Its also the chosen bread pot of Tartines Chad Robertson, who actually flips it over and uses the pan as the base and the pot as the lid.) Although the no-knead bread recipe calls for any Dutch oven to create the superhot oven-within-an-oven, the Lodge does the same while giving you even more: a deep skillet, a fry pan, a small griddle, and a lidded Dutch oven for around $30. Because its not as big as most ceramic Dutch ovens, its easier to get in and out of doll-size New York ovens. And its cast-iron, which lasts forever and gets better with age. Since that first loaf, weve used it for levain loaves, thick-crust pan pizza, and even Chinese-style scallion pancakes, making it (and him) a true combo cooker. More Essential Home Bread-Making Accessories The Lodge combo cooker (or any ceramic or cast-iron pot) gets really, really hot in a 475-degree oven, to the point where hand-me-down pot holders wont cut it. Ive found that a pair of heavy-duty oven mitts made of silicone is essential. A dough scraper is absolutely critical for keeping wet, sticky dough off your hands and mixing bowl and on the dough ball, where it belongs. I love this one, which I found at Whisk in Williamsburg. You dont need a lame rather than a knife to slash the top of your loaves before they bake, but its definitely easier. Dont mangle your beautiful homemade bread with a crappy bread knife. This one is as effective on thick, crusty loaves and soft enriched breads (like challah or brioche) and is less than $20. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. An eight-year-old boy from Guatemala died early on Christmas Day while he was in the custody of the U.S. government. It marks the second death of a migrant child while detained by U.S: Customs and Border Patrol this month. The boy, who died shortly after midnight Tuesday, showed signs of potential illness Monday was taken to a hospital in New Mexico. The boy, who has not been publicly identified, was diagnosed with a cold although he was later found to have a fever and was held for an additional 90 minutes. He was later released with prescriptions but his illness worsened Monday night, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a news release. He threw up and was taken back to the hospital, where he died a few hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is the full press release. pic.twitter.com/8bv3xNizF1 Silvia Foster-Frau (@SilviaElenaFF) December 25, 2018 The cause of the boys death is still not known and Customs and Border Patrol vowed to carry out a thorough investigation. Advertisement Advertisement This death comes mere weeks after Jakelin Caal, a seven-year-old from Guatemala, died of dehydration and shock shortly after she was picked up by border agents. Her body was returned to her familys village Monday. Felipe Gonzalez Morales, the U.N.s special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, has called for a thorough independent investigation into Caals death. When a person, especially a child, is in the custody of a state, that state has to ensure their rights, Gonzalez told the Guardian. States have an obligation to care for migrants who arrive at the border, they cannot treat them as animals in inhuman conditions. Im not saying this happened in this case, but the U.S. has a duty in this regard. Medical Education Bill: Panel yet to agree on key points The plan to finalise the proposed Medical Education Bill, as demanded by Dr Govinda KC, before the commencement of the winter session of the House has failed to materialise as the sub-committee of the Education and Health Committee of Parliament has yet to agree on some of the crucial provisions mentioned in the draft bill. Penstock installation task reassigned to Austrian company The hydro-mechanical contractor for the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has agreed to sub-contract part of the work to another company as it is running late. PM Oli seeks one week time with RJP-N to address demands Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed his readiness to address the demands of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) including amendment to the constitution. A Christmas tree made of such reusable material as plastic chairs brought hundreds of visitors to a zoo in Ho Chi Minh City, while thousands of people came to a village in the southern province of Dong Nai to see another Christmas tree shaped with traditional Vietnamese hats non la and a 200-meter stone-like cave. As Christmas is in the air, attractions and major streets in big cities in Vietnam have been decorated with festive lights. Among them is an 8-meter Christmas tree at the Rubik Zoo in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, which has attracted many visitors over the past few days for its uniqueness. Unlike other evergreen conifers or artificial trees of a similar appearance that are erected for the Christmas festival, the Christmas tree at the Rubik Zoo consists of 200 plastic chairs piled up on each other and is decorated with colored lights. I have seen Christmas trees made of plastic cans, but this is my first time seeing a Christmas tree like this, said Nguyen Viet Ha, a 27-year-old visitor from Hanoi. With the message of protecting the environment, on this Christmas occasion, we made the Christmas tree with reusable material, mainly plastic chairs, said Hoang Tuan Anh, managing director of Rubik Zoo. The 8-meter Christmas tree made up of 200 plastic chairs is seen at the Rubik Zoo in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre The chairs will be removed and returned to normal use after the festival, according to Anh. The cost is not too high, it also protects the environment, the managing director added. In addition, artificial snow is let fall down at 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm to create a winter-like atmosphere. The Christmas tree with snowfall will stay at the Rubik Zoo until January 1, 2019. Visitors pose for photos with the 8-meter Christmas tree made up of 200 plastic chairs at the Rubik Zoo in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre Another 20-meter Christmas tree made up of as many as 1,200 non la and a 200-meter-long stone-like cave in the southern province of Dong Nai have aroused curiosity from locals and nearby visitors. The idea for the stone-like cave was inspired by the breathtaking Phong Nha Cave in the north-central province of Quang Binh. It was made from more than 20,000 fodder packing bags and tens of thousands of decorative bulbs. Besides that, several churches in the locality are also decorated with thousands of electric lights, LED lights, flower flags and patterns. The 8-meter Christmas tree made up of 200 plastic chairs is seen at the Rubik Zoo in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre A street is lightened up with decorative lights in the southern province of Dong Nai. Photo: Tuoi Tre People visit the stone-like cave made up of 20,000 fodder packing bags in the southern province of Dong Nai. Photo: Tuoi Tre Visitors pose for photos with the 20-meter Christmas tree made up of 1,200 non la in the southern province of Dong Nai. Photo: Tuoi Tre The 20-meter Christmas tree made up of 1,200 non la is seen in the southern province of Dong Nai. Photo: Tuoi Tre A visitor takes a photo of a street lightened up with decorative lights in the southern province of Dong Nai. Photo: Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnamese Party chief and Stat President Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin in Hanoi on Monday, as part of the latters visit to the Southeast Asian country from December 23 to 24. -- The ninth plenum of the Central Party Committee is scheduled to begin in Hanoi on Monday morning and is expected to last three days. Society -- People in provinces and cities across Vietnam gathered at local churches on Monday night to celebrate Christmas Eve as well as to admire the beautiful decorations put up there to mark the holiday. -- A 34-year-old man in the north-central province of Nghe An was found dead following an explosion at a house on Monday morning. Officers later discovered two boxes containing a type of powder which was possibly explosive. -- The traffic police division under the Ministry of Public Security are mobilizing forces to increase patrols across the country to closely monitor alcohol content of road users in a bid to minimize traffic accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol from now to February 15. -- The Peoples Committee in the central city of Da Nang on Monday issued a project requiring local residents to register their pet dogs and cats to ward-level administrations to have a better control over rabies among the animals. The plan is expected to begin in 2019. -- A crash between two trucks along the expressway connecting Da Nang City and the south-central province of Quang Ngai resulted in a serious traffic jam along the route on Monday afternoon. -- A tenth-grade school girl in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has gone missing for about ten days after telling her family she was heading to a friends birthday party on December 15. Police officers have been aware of the case and are searching for the young girl. -- Officers in the northern province of Bac Giang on Monday arrested a 36-year-old woman, who is a fish seller at a local market, for murdering another merchant out of superstition last week. Business -- The Peoples Committee in the southern province of Tay Ninh and Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup on Monday inaugurated a complex consisting of a shopping mall, five-star hotel, and commercial houses, which is considered as the biggest of its kind in the province some 100km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Lifestyle -- Authorities in the Central Highlands city of Da Lat started providing free WiFi to residents and visitors at its downtown area on Monday. People can access free-of-charge Internet via DaLat_Wife_Free and Dalat-MegaNet Free. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The management authority of rail projects in Vietnam has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop a high-speed rail that connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, shortening rail travel time to under six hours. The bullet train will travel 1,559 kilometers across twenty Vietnamese cities and provinces on a separate track from the countrys existing north-south railway line, according to a pre-feasibility study report submitted to the Ministry of Transport. The high-speed rail route will be operated by electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, which will be able to reach a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour, while their average commercial speed will be around 320km/h. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages. There will be 24 stations, five depots and 42 maintenance facilities along the entire length of the proposed railway line, with a possibility of adding three additional stations if necessary, according to the report. With two minutes of stoppage time at each intermediate station, the high-speed train will travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in six hours and 50 minutes if it stops at all stations. If the train only stops at major stations, the travel time will be significantly reduced to just five hours and 17 minutes. The project is proposed to be developed in two phases lasting 25 years in total, starting in 2020 and ending in 2045. It will cost a whopping VND1.35 quadrillion (US$58.7 billion) to develop, including $2.23 billion spent on site clearance. State budgets will cover at least 80 percent of the projects total investment capital, with the remaining being raised from the private sector under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to the report. The investment is estimated to be equal to around 0.4-0.55 percent of Vietnams gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2020-2030 period, and around 0.35-0.4 percent of the countrys GDP in 2030-2040. Considering Vietnams economic growth rate, the capital can be raised to invest on this project without causing too much impact on budget allocation for basic infrastructure and other social investments, as well as on public debt, the report assesses. Nearly 14,000 skilled workers in different fields will be needed to develop and operate this modern train project, the first of its kind in Vietnam. The transport ministry will first have a look at the report before submitting it to a state council for evaluation, a process that can last until April 2019. From May to July 2019, the transport ministry will be tasked with conducting a feasibility study on the plan and compile a report to be submitted to the central government in August 2019. The government is expected to seek in-principle approval for the project from Vietnams lawmaking National Assembly at the legislatures plenum in October 2019. The current fastest train in Vietnam takes 31 hours and 20 minutes to travel the same distance from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, according to a January 2017 article in Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ready to resume work, Melamchi builder takes back termination letter The ongoing dispute in the Melamchi Water Supply Project has been temporarily settled after the Italian contractor withdrew the termination letter it had submitted to the government saying it would no longer work on the project. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand has set itself apart from neighboring Australia by declaring climate change a top priority. But despite some lofty goals, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise in the South Pacific nation and could do so for years to come. And the country faces some unusual challenges with half of those emissions coming from farm animals. New Zealand Climate Change Minister James Shaw, who will travel to Poland on Sunday to attend U.N. climate talks, said in an interview with The Associated Press that he expects emissions to peak by 2025 and only then start to decline. "We have not bent the curve," he said. Under the terms of the Paris climate agreement, New Zealand is supposed to reduce its emissions by 30 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. Is it possible? "Well, we're a long way off to tell you the honest truth," Shaw said. He said the biggest challenge is cars and trucks. "Our transport emissions have gone up 24 percent in the last decade," he said. "For every electric vehicle that we import, we import 24 Ford Rangers." New Zealand's liberal government has promised to plant 1 billion trees over the next 10 years, and intends to pass legislation next year requiring the country to become carbon neutral by 2050. But vital details of the law are still being negotiated, including whether the country will be able to trade carbon credits overseas. "We've got an aversion to using international credits before we've really exhausted all of the domestic options," Shaw said. "But we could see the possibility that a future government might need to have that option open." Shaw said research indicates it is possible for New Zealand to become carbon neutral within its own borders, although it will be challenging. Also at stake is the degree to which farmers will be affected. Agriculture is a vital industry in New Zealand, and the human population of 5 million is dwarfed by the country's 10 million cows and 27 million sheep. The animals add to nitrous oxide emissions and release methane gas. Story continues But just how to classify methane remains contentious. It's a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but also disappears from the atmosphere much more quickly. Shaw said New Zealand has taken a more bipartisan approach to climate change than in Australia, where he said successive leaders have failed on the issue. He said part of the problem is that Australia has a long history with industries such as coal mining. "It's deeply rooted in people's sense of self and culture," he said. "So when you talk about the need to make that transition, even over quite long timelines, it meets with resistance." Shaw said New Zealand doesn't face the same existential threat from rising seas as some of its low-lying Pacific neighbors such as the Marshall Islands and Kiribati, although the nation would still be severely affected. "If you look at where New Zealanders live, most of us live very close to the sea," he said. "And our largest cities have significant infrastructure quite close to the shoreline." See Also: Tenacity of young Boko Haram hostage Leah Sharibu, Leah Sharibu, Nigerian of the Year? While millions of Nigerian parents were locked in a buying spree for gifts for their children, on Christmas Eve, The Nation newspaper reported on Monday that there is one woman who wont be celebrating Christmas. She is the mother of Leah Sharibu, the young Christian school girl abducted by Boko Haram insurgents since February, who will be locked in prayer for the life of her daughter. This is, as the insurgents press demands for a $10 million dollar ransom to free the girl. The popular campaign for her freedom received a fine boost, after Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka offered strong backing of Leah Sharibus nomination as Nigerias Personality of The Year. In a piece published in Monday's issue of The Nation newspaper, Soyinka, described Sharibu as "a national and universal heroine", adding that making her Personality of the Year, "offers a desperately needed salve of conscience for those to whom the abduction, and continued imprisonment of innocent children remain a dereliction in the moral existence and sense of civic responsibility of Nigerians". Sam Omatseye is Editorial Board Chairman at The Nation newspaper whose readers picked Leah and Nigeria's Personality of the Year. He told RFI that The Nation shares Soyinkas conviction that Sharibus "nightmare will remain with Nigerians throughout Christmas as a severe bruise of their collective pride". Dampened Celebrations In Kenya, the Standard newspaper expresses concern at the rather high cost of living, insecurity and thoughts of next years school fees which have dampened the celebration spirit among Kisumu residents. According to the publication, the situation has also been coupled with natural calamities such as floods, stubborn water hyacinth weed and strong winds that have left a trail of destruction in the city. A junk food festival organized in one of the local top hotels and scheduled for yesterday was cancelled following slow uptake of tickets. The Standard reports that traders at the famous Lwangni group of hotels along the lake shore in Kisumu were reportedly staring at huge losses. Story continues Travel chaos In South Africa, the Sowetan reports that as the clock ticked down to Christmas, the department of home affairs is urging travelers heading home to neighbouring Zimbabwe to remain calm after hours of congestion at Beitbridge this Monday. The paper says officials of the department had been advised by their counterparts in Harare that there are some delays in processing documents for vehicles and people moving through the border on their side, which is causing congestion on their side. Home affairs media manager David Hlabane said many people had been stuck at the border since the early hours of Monday, adding that senior managers have been dispatched to Beitbridge and other ports of entry to monitor and improve the flow of traffic. Reckless Christmas? And in Uganda, Daily Vision leads with a special Christmas message from the King of Tooro. Avoid reckless sexual behavior and enjoy Christmas responsibly said Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to his subjects. New Vision notes that the monarch of one of Ugandas five traditional kingdoms, who is also the UNAIDS Good will ambassador in Eastern and Southern Africa, is committed to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. The newspaper quotes UNAIDS as saying that Uganda registers an estimated 33 new HIV infections per day among young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years and comprehensive knowledge of HIV, as well as uptake of HIV prevention and treatment services among young people, remains low. Forty migrants have been picked up in five separate incidents on Christmas Day, in what the UK Border Force describes as organised crime. In the early hours of Christmas Day morning five small boats debarked from northern France in separate attempts to cross the English Channel. The largest number were traveling in a dinghy. Thirteen migrants were on board including one minor. They got within a few miles of the English coastal town of Deal when the UK Coastguard was alerted by police and a helicopter and Coastguard rescue vessel was dispatched. Of those on board 11 are thought to be Iraqi, and two are Iranians. The minor is now in the care of UK social services. The adults are being interrogated by the UK Border Force. Earlier in the morning eight migrants made landfall at Folkestone in the southern English county of Kent. Within minutes the police were called and the migrants were taken into custody. Seven of them are Iraqi men, and one is a female minor from Afghanistan, according to an emailed statement sent to RFI by the UK Border Force. Staff at the Maritime Operation Centre in Cherbourg, northern France, contacted the UK Border Force at 05:50 Universal Time and alerted them that a small dinghy with eight people on board was in distress. All eight were rescued, and are currently being interviewed by UK immigration officials. Two more migrants traveling in a small boat are also en route to southern England according to the UK Border Force, but their fate is not yet known. British-French cooperation In another incident, nine migrants were picked up by the UK Border Force after the vessel they were traveling in was hit by engine failure. A French rescue vessel towed the boat back to France. The migrants are being assessed at a Coastguard tent in the UK. The migrants who crossed the English Channel overnight are all believed to have obtained the vessels they traveled in from France. There are thousands of migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East living in camps in and around the northern city of Calais. Increasing numbers of them are risking their lives by attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats and dinghies. Story continues The evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel, Hannah Schraer, a Home Office spokesperson told RFI in an emailed statement. We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk. Vulnerable to smugglers Over 40,000 Iranians arrived in the Serbian capital Belgrade between October 2017 and October this year when the two countries had a visa-free regime. Only 10 percent applied for asylum according to the UNHCR.The majority are believed to left Serbia for European Union countries including Britain and France. There are between 400 and 450 unaccompanied minors in Serbia currently. The majority are from Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. And like many refugees most unaccompanied minors would like to leave Serbia for EU countries. "They are particularly vulnerable to people smugglers,' the UNHCR's Mirjana Milenkovski told RFI. Brexit deadline Hundreds of migrants have been rescued while trying to cross the English Channel in dinghies and stolen fishing vessels in the past six weeks. Most of them are believed to be from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. They are being told by people smugglers to make the crossing before the Brexit deadline on the 29th March, 2019. Many pay thousands of euros to smugglers to make the perilous journey. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - An executive of Turkey's Halkbank sentenced to prison in an Iran sanctions-busting case in the United States may be returned to Turkey, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying on Tuesday. The case against Hakan Atilla, which President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned as a political attack against his government, is one of several issues that have strained relations between Washington and Ankara. Halkbank, which denies any wrongdoing, has since faced potential U.S. Treasury fines in relation to the case. However, recent a improvement in diplomatic ties has raised expectations that the lender may incur decreased or no fines. Following a briefing with Turkish media, the Hurriyet daily quoted Cavusoglu as saying that Atilla may return to Turkey. It did not provide further details. Shares of Halkbank were unchanged at 7.11 lira at 0851 GMT, outperforming a 1.13 percent decline in the index of bank stocks. New York prosecutors this month withdrew an appeal to extend Atilla's sentence, which was set at 32 months in May, after he had already served 14 months. Last month, Cavusoglu said after talks with U.S. officials in Washington that the two sides had discussed returning Atilla to Turkey where he can serve the rest of his sentence. Erdogan has said he discussed the case of Halkbank with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the talks were on a "positive path". The relations between the NATO allies have shown significant improvement after an American evangelical pastor, who had been in jail and house arrest in Turkey for two years, was freed in October. The recent U.S. decision to withdraw from Syria has also lifted a major source of disagreement, one stemming from U.S. support for the Kurdish YPG militia. Ankara consider the militia a terrorist organisation. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Sarah Dadouch; Editing by David Dolan) Libyas Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tripoli was hit by a suicide bomb attack on December 25, local reports said. Initial reports said at least three gunmen attacked the building on Tuesday, with at least one detonating explosives. There were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties. This footage, filmed by Mohamed Albaderi, shows smoke rising from the building on Ash Shatt Street shortly after the attack was reported. Credit: Mohamed Albaderi via Storyful Sombre prayers were being said for tsunami victims in an area devastated by waves that hit without warning, killing more than 420 people and leaving thousands homeless in disaster-prone Indonesia. Pastor Markus Taekz said his Rahmat Pentecostal Church in the hard-hit area of Carita did not celebrate Christmas with joyous songs. Instead, he said only about 100 people showed up for the Christmas Eve service, usually attended by double that number. Indonesian soldiers help clean up the debris (Tatan Syuflana/AP) Many congregation members had already left the area for the capital, Jakarta, or other locations away from the disaster zone. This is an unusual situation because we have a very bad disaster that killed hundreds of our sisters and brothers in Banten, he said, referring to the Javanese province. So our celebration is full of grief. Church leaders called on Christians across Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, to pray for victims of the tsunami. (PA Graphics) The death toll had climbed to 429 on Tuesday with more than 1,400 people injured and at least 128 missing after the tsunami slammed into parts of western Java and southern Sumatra islands, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia Disaster Mitigation Agency. He said more than 16,000 people were displaced and that there was an urgent need for heavy equipment in remote Sumur subdistrict, a hard-to-reach area near Ujung Kulon National Park which experienced heavy damage. Some villages there have been cut off due to damaged roads and bridges, making it difficult to supply aid and help people who may be injured or trapped. Military troops, government personnel and volunteers were searching along debris-strewn beaches. Where victims were found, yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out, and weeping relatives identified the dead. The lead singer of the Indonesian pop band Seventeen found the body of his dead wife after looking for days. The group were performing at a beach hotel when the tsunami was captured on video smashing into their stage, killing several band members and crew. Story continues Chunks of broken concrete and splintered wood littered the coast where hundreds of homes and hotels had stood. Indonesian marines search victims at a beach in Sumur (Achmad Ibrahim/AP) The waves followed an eruption and apparent landslide on Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatoa, a volcanic island that formed in the early part of the 20th century near the site of the cataclysmic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who faces what promises to be a tough re-election campaign next year, vowed to have all tsunami-detection equipment replaced or repaired. Nugroho acknowledged on Twitter that the countrys network of detection buoys had been out of order since 2012 because of vandalism and budget shortfalls. Patkamla Badak dan Patkamla Panaitan dari Lanal Banten bergerak ke Pulau Sangiang membawa bantuan obat-obatan dan Tim Kesehatan Lanal Banten dan Dinkes Kota Cilegon pada 25/12/2018 pukul 10.20 WIB. Kondisi Selat Sunda mendung dan bergelombang. pic.twitter.com/QzZB54fHii Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) December 25, 2018 But the head of Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Dwikorita Karnawati, said the tsunami was caused by Krakataus volcanic activity and so could not have been picked up by the agencys sensors, which monitor conventional earthquakes responsible for more than 90% of Indonesias tsunamis. Karnawati said the tsunami was probably caused by the collapse of a big section of the volcanos slope. Anak Krakatau had been erupting since June and did so again 24 minutes before the tsunami, the geophysics agency said. (PA Graphics) Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people, lies along the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The massive eruption of Krakatoa killed more than 30,000 people and hurled so much ash that it turned day to night in the area and reduced global temperatures. Thousands were believed killed by a quake and tsunami that hit Sulawesi island in September, and an earlier quake on the island of Lombok killed 505 people in August. France will not gain in any way by retaining forces to protect a Kurdish militia in Syria, Turkey's foreign minister said on Tuesday, after Paris announced it would maintain a presence despite an imminent US withdrawal. Washington's decision to pull out 2,000 of his ground forces from Syria has stunned most allies including France but was greeted with approval by Turkey, which will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters from the US-backed People's Protection Units (YPG). "If France is staying to contribute to Syria's future, great, but if they are doing this to protect the (militia), this will bring no benefit to anyone," Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to Hurriyet daily, in comments also partially carried by the state news agency Anadolu. Turkey views the YPG militia as a sister "terrorist" organisation of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara, the US and the European Union. US President Donald Trump last week ordered the withdrawal of US ground forces that had been in Syria to provide training to the YPG under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance battling against the Islamic State (IS) group. The shock move put allies on the backfoot, with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday saying "an ally must be reliable". In a sign of the growing diplomatic rift between the two leaders, Macron said "I deeply regret the decision" by Trump to pull out US troops. Cavusoglu hit out at France's "support" of the YPG, which he said was "no secret" as he slammed French officials' meetings with leaders of the SDF's political wing last week. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey will intervene in the coming months against IS and the YPG. Cavusoglu said Turkey has "the power to neutralise (IS) alone" amid fears that a US pull-out will hurt the fight against IS. Critics say thousands of IS members are still in Syria and could pose a threat with some analysts concerned the withdrawal could lead to a resurgence of IS. (AFP) Remittance inflows reach Rs312b in first four months of current fiscal year Remittance inflows jumped 36.4 percent to Rs312.26 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, bringing a big respite to the countrys foreign currency reserve that has been under pressure due to a ballooning trade deficit. Patrick Kingsley in The New York Times: Jan Mattlin was having what counts as a bad day in Kauniainen. He had driven to the towns train station and found nowhere to park. Mildly piqued, he called the local newspaper to suggest a small article about the lack of parking spots. To Mr. Mattlins surprise, the editor put the story on the front page. We have very few problems here, recalled Mr. Mattlin, a partner at a private equity firm. Maybe they didnt have any other news available. Such is the charmed life in Kauniainen (pronounced: COW-nee-AY-nen), a small and wealthy Finnish town that can lay claim to being the happiest place on the planet. Finland was named the worlds happiest country by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in April, based on polling results from 156 nations. And a second survey found that Kauniainens 9,600 residents were the most satisfied in Finland, leading the local mayor, Christoffer Masar, to joke that theirs was the happiest town on earth. Kauniainens blandly named Adult Education Center, a tall building on the edge of town, did not sound promising. But it was here, not the bar, where large numbers of residents were having fun that evening. In the basement, they were weaving carpets on vast looms, and making pottery. On the ground floor, a choir was singing. On the floors above, others were painting replicas of Orthodox Christian icons or practicing yoga. Subsidized by both the state and the city, the center offers cheap evening classes to residents in basically anything that people might be interested in, said Roger Renman, the centers director. More here. Daniel Rey in New Statesman: His book is a lie, a black, infernal creation of a twisted, distorted mind. It was a Democratic representative from Oklahoma who gave this verdict of The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbecks chronicle of migrants leaving the Dust Bowl for California. Disdained by the political elite and much of the literary set, it was nonetheless the best-selling book of 1939. Todays parallels with the 1930s give Steinbecks work renewed urgency. He writes about farm labourers, shopkeepers and the denizens of village taverns the kinds of people who, before the enormous political upheaval of 2016, the chattering classes barely remembered. In the age of Trump, mass-migration and the phenomenon of the left behind, Steinbecks work is just as relevant as when he wrote it. But more than that: reading Steinbeck fifty years after his death is the perfect antidote to the culture war that has gripped America. As in the 1930s, machinery today its automation threaten traditional livelihoods and ways of life in the United States. The Rust Belt is todays version of the Dust Bowl of the Depression. One man on a tractor can take the place of twelve or fourteen families, representatives of city-based corporations explain to the tenant families working the Oklahoma land in The Grapes of Wrath. Unconcerned by the fabric of local communities, the agents suggest the families abandon their homes. Why dont you go west to California? You can reach out anywhere and pick an orange, they advise, incentivising migration, like the local authorities today who pack homeless people on buses and send them to other American cities. More here. Three local students advance in BIG Idea competition The three students from Doland and Eureka will present their ideas at Northern State University on Dec. 8. BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. Jill Mott doesnt like the tweets. The hard line on the border is too hard. And when asked whether she will vote for President Donald Trump a second time, she lets out a long, deep sigh. That is the question, said Mott, a Republican from suburban Detroit. In her moment of hesitancy, Mott is the portrait of a small, but significant slice of voters poised to wield considerable influence in the 2020 presidential campaign. They are the 18 percent of voters who described themselves as only somewhat approving of the president. Its a group whose backing for Trump is most tenuous and whose reservations about his personality and his policies reveal warning signs for Republicans, perhaps even more so as he dug in on his demand for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, leading to a budget impasse with Congress that has shut down the government around Christmas. An analysis of VoteCast, a nationwide poll of more than 115,000 midterm voters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago, highlights the fractures. Compared with the 27 percent of voters who describe themselves as strong Trump supporters, the somewhat Trump voters are much more likely to disapprove of Trump on key issues such as immigration and health care, and to express divergent opinions on a need for a border wall, gun control and climate change. They are much more likely to question his trustworthiness and temperament. They are less likely to call themselves conservative, less likely to be evangelical Christians and more likely to have voted for Democrats in 2018. They are more educated, somewhat more likely to be women, and more likely to live in suburbs. How he presents himself is the biggest issue, said Mott, a 52-year-old occupational therapist, who addressed her concerns this past week during a break from Christmas shopping outside the Gucci store at the Somerset Collection luxury mall. She also worries about the presidents fiery approach to immigration. I understand what hes going for trying to keep out criminal activity, Mott said, pointing to Trumps rhetoric about a caravan of Latin American migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border. However, I think he could do much better in showing concern for these people, offering short-term help. As Trump barrels into his third year in office, and tightens his focus on his own re-election, he has paid scant attention to shoring up support from voters such as Mott. Still, Trumps political future may depend on whether he can retain their support, particularly among the more educated and affluent suburban women who set aside their concerns about Trump two years ago and will be asked to do so again in 2020. Their backing helped Trump carve a path to the presidency through the industrial Midwest, but with little margin for error. The president won Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania by fewer than 80,000 votes combined. VoteCast found that 16 percent of those who somewhat supported Trumps job performance decided to vote for Democratic House candidates in the November midterms. Thats compared with 6 percent of those who self-identified as Trumps strong supporters. That difference helped Democrats capture the House majority, picking up 21 of their 40 new seats in districts Trump carried only two years earlier. The flipped Trump districts include Michigans 8th Congressional District, a swath of suburban middle-class America set between Detroit and Lansing. Dozens of recent interviews across the area show that most reluctant Trump supporters arent ready to turn their backs on him or his party. Michael Bernstein voted for Trump in 2016 and said he is likely would do so again in 2020. Bernstein, 52, points to the economy and to Trumps success in getting justices approved to the U.S. Supreme Court as evidence that he chose the right candidate, but the freelance auto writer from suburban Detroit could do without some of what Trump brings. Hes supposed to represent the country and the people who dont like him, Bernstein added. He doesnt. He prefers to play in the dirt. Still, Novembers elections bear out signs of erosion. In Michigans 8th Congressional District, two-term Republican Mike Bishop was ousted by Democratic newcomer Elissa Slotkin, who attributes her victory in part to skeptical Trump supporters. Thats part of the reason we won those voters who kept an open mind, who never really liked the tweeting and the chaos and the vitriol who maybe thought the president would become more presidential, Slotkin said in an interview. We had lots of voters who said I was the first Democrat they ever voted for, she said. Theyre not necessarily becoming Democrats. They just voted for the candidate who most represents their values. The VoteCast analysis suggests that a significant share of these wary Trump supporters have some views in common with Democrats in the Trump era. About half of Trumps somewhat supporters said Trump has the right temperament to serve effectively as president or considered him honest and trustworthy. On health care, reluctant supporters are more likely to think government should be responsible for making sure all Americans have coverage and theyre far less likely to think President Barack Obamas health care law should be repealed entirely. Trumps reluctant supporters also are far more concerned about climate change than are other Trump backers and more likely to call for tighter gun laws. Immigration exposed another clear rift in the Trump coalition. Most Trump supporters favor building the border wall, but just 32 percent of his somewhat supporters are strongly in favor, compared with 80 percent of his strong approvers. While 60 percent of strong Trump backers said immigrants living in the United States illegally should be deported, about 6 in 10 reluctant supporters said those immigrants should be offered a chance to apply for legal status. Still, its not safe to assume that reluctant Trump supporters will abandon the president in his 2020 re-election, said Republican pollster Frank Luntz, also a Trump skeptic. They have rejected the Democrats. But they dont fully embrace Trump. So, the question is whether they stay with Trump or whether they stay home, Luntz said. Republican leaders are aware of the divisions within Trumps base of support, yet few expect Trump to moderate his tone or policies to appeal to wavering supporters. Some hope hell learn to focus his message on the economy. About 90 percent of Trumps somewhat supporters are still supporting of his handling of the economy, and 8 in 10 said he is a strong leader, he is bringing needed change to the government and he stands up for what he believes. Of course there are frustrations at times, however I know I have more money in my paycheck, more people working in our community, home values are up, said Theresa Mungioli, the GOP chairwoman of Oakland County, Michigan, where Republicans lost two congressional seats this fall. She acknowledged that some midterm voters, particularly women, may have soured on Trumps leadership, especially as it pertains to security issues. Maybe in part because the president can be likes to bluff in his negotiations, which makes it look like were on the brink of war, Mungioli said. That kind of instability was something that voters expressed. ___ Fingerhut reported from Washington. CHICAGO Its shocking that in an increasingly secular country, those who complain that Christmas is too commercialized and not Christian enough are almost always the same people who seem to lack a shred of humanity for people who are suffering. Fox News Tucker Carlson recently bemoaned progressive attacks on Christmas, fretting that someday the only politically correct label for a snowman will be snow person. Clearly, Carlson believes that the snow people of the world are more deserving of his sympathy than the migrants who are sheltering at the U.S.-Mexico border. Last week, just days after the Department of Homeland Security released a statement affirming that a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl named Jakelin Caal Maquin died in custody of Border Patrol agents her father alleges that they were both denied water while in custody at a remote area at the New Mexico border Carlson defended comments he made about immigrants making our own country poorer, and dirtier, and more divided. Im not picking on Carlson I dont actually need to, many of his top sponsors are pulling their ads from his show hes merely emblematic of the heartless way many people who call themselves Christians talk about immigrants. Theres no end to the reader mail I receive that uses sickening, derogatory terms to describe unlawfully present immigrants, blames them for their own rapes or deaths at the hands of coyotes or overzealous border patrol agents, and then claims they hope God blesses me. Though there are many unambiguous verses in the Bible about protecting the helpless, and welcoming the stranger and the poor in dirty clothes, those sentiments seem to take a back seat to complaining about having to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. A late October study by the Public Religion Research Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, found that while 60 percent of all Americans surveyed said they opposed passing a law to prevent refugees from entering the U.S., 51 percent of white evangelical protestants, 47 percent of mainline protestants and 43 percent of white Catholics favor such a law. Take from that what you will. But level-headed people will agree that a person can be concerned with or even opposed to unchecked migration without being a heartless monster. And cruelty is the real issue here. In the days after Jakelins death, the Trump administration blamed her father for putting the young girl through such a strenuous and difficult journey, opening the floodgates to an avalanche of dehumanizing victim-blaming on newspaper comment boards, on social media, and in coffee shops, hair salons and bars across the country. Again, cool heads can come together and discuss the perverse incentives that might cause desperate parents to expose their child to potential harm on a long, perilous journey to plead for asylum in the U.S. But do so-called Jesus-loving, God-fearing Christians have to be so darned gleeful when they crow that the kid and her dad had it coming, and that it should be a lesson to others? Countless cards will be exchanged this holiday season with the cliche Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men, but the phrasing deserves a closer look. Regardless of whether your politics lean left or right, there has to be hope that we can disagree on policy issues while still respecting humanity. Never mind merely not using the death of an innocent child to score political points be that with your preferred party or against your political enemy can everyone, at least for a few days at Christmastime, dabble in humility? Is it possible to find some compassion not ideological agreement with, but just some modicum of understanding for those who have so little back home that theyre willing to trek thousands of miles through unimaginable peril for any opportunity to feed their families? Dont do it for your visiting relatives, or for the sake of avoiding political arguments with loved ones. This Christmas, indulge your natural benevolence as a gift to yourself. Gaze upon the manger scene that portrays Joseph and Marys journey to Bethlehem, looking for a safe place to give birth to the baby Jesus, and open your heart to the stranger just a little. Giving migrants like Jakelin and her father the benefit of the doubt will help restore a small piece of your human, and spiritual, mercifulness. Email estherjcepeda@washpost.com. Twitter, @estherjcepeda. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group. A Wisconsin pediatrician wants his newspaper to eject my column, giving as one of his complaints that I hew to the idea that the world of the 1950s was the be-all and end-all of parenting/childrearing, and that if we were to return to that era with the good-old practices of our grandparents, our children would reap the benefits. The good doctor then claims that my traditionalist point of view is not supported by evidence. As evidence that his assessment of me is correct, he refers to a Huffington Post review of one of my books in which the reviewer claims that I do not believe child and teen suicide, gender-identity issues, or drug abuse existed in the 1950s, all of which is news to me. It is, I realize, difficult for people born after 1965, roughly, to wrap their heads around the idea that there were, in fact, things about Americas past that were better than they are today. The political climate, for one thing. Childrearing, for another. Is there a body of statistical and research-based evidence that would support the retro notion that what is now called parenting was far more functional for child, parent, school and culture pre-1960s than it has been since? There most certainly is. In fact, there is not one statistic that would support the notion that todays parenting is guided by more enlightened ideas. For one, the child and teen suicide rate per capita is estimated to be at least 10 times greater today than it was in the 1950s. That happens to be a reliable marker of child mental health, and I doubt that any reasonable person would argue that how a child is parented significantly affects his or her mental health. One of the questions I routinely ask people in my generation is Do you recall a high school classmate committing suicide? I have yet to encounter someone who possesses said memory. That some children did commit suicide in the 1950s is undeniable, but relatively speaking, it was rare. The research of Diana Baumrind, emeritus professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley, finds that parents who adhere, today, to a traditional parenting ethic, emphasizing unconditional love and firm discipline, raise the most well-adjusted children. Baumrind and her research partner, Robert Larzelere of Oklahoma State University, have found that children who are occasionally spanked by responsible, loving parents score higher on measures of well-being than children whose parents do not spank. Mind you, that does not mean spanking is essential to raising a well-adjusted child. It means that parents who spank on occasion as did the typical 1950s parent are likely to possess greater confidence in their authority than parents who do not spank or who spank liberally and indiscriminately. The fact is, children need unequivocal authority as much as they do unconditional love. The overwhelming preponderance of evidence is on my side: For reasons that have to do with a generally held parental attitude as opposed to any given disciplinary method, parenting outcomes in the 1950s were better by far than they are today. And make no mistake about it, the attitude in question works no less well today. If it did not, this column would not be 42 years in the writing. I also believe classic rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s is vastly superior to anything being done today. Anyone want to take me on about that? 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. The proportion of U.S. high school seniors who are vaping tobacco products nearly doubled in the past year, with more than 1 in 5 now saying they have vaped to get a hit of nicotine in the past 30 days, according to a new study. The prevalence of nicotine vaping nearly doubled among 10th-graders as well, with nearly 1 in 6 using the electronic devices, researchers reported recently. The findings suggest that the total number of high school students using tobacco surged by 1.3 million between 2017 and 2018. This increase was driven solely by nicotine vaping, the researchers wrote. The figures are based on a nationwide survey of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders who participated in the Monitoring the Future study, tracking teen use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs and other substances every year since 1975. In that time, researchers who conduct the survey have never seen a drugs popularity explode the way vaping did in the last year. The absolute increases in the prevalence of nicotine vaping among 12th-graders and 10th-graders are the largest ever recorded by Monitoring the Future in the 44 years that it has continuously tracked dozens of substances, wrote a team led by Richard Miech, leader of the University of Michigans Institute for Social Research study. When electronic cigarettes first took hold among U.S. teens nearly a decade ago, public health experts fretted that the devices would lure a new generation of kids into tobacco use. The new report vindicates their fears. Makers of vaping devices say their products are intended for use by adults, particularly smokers who want to cut back on regular cigarettes by switching to a less toxic alternative. Juul, the company that dominates the market, says its mission is to create a world where fewer people use cigarettes, and where people who smoke cigarettes have the tools to reduce or eliminate their consumption entirely. Unlike traditional cigarettes, which burn tobacco, e-cigarettes use a battery to heat a liquid inhaled in aerosol form. The liquid usually contains nicotine plus a mixture of chemicals and flavorings. Juuls starter pack includes pods with flavors like mango, mint and creme. Other e-liquid flavors seemed to be aimed at kids, with packages resembling frosted cookies and sour candies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered online retailers to stop selling such products in September, hoping to reduce teen vaping. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said vaping had produced an epidemic of nicotine addiction among Americas youth, with a prevalence that was simply not tolerable. The Monitoring the Future researchers agreed stronger action was needed to keep the devices from minors. Regulators should pay close attention to the fast-changing market and modify their policies, they said. Miech lauded the FDAs for its attention to Juul; the companys devices have become so popular that juuling is now synonymous with vaping. RIO RANCHO The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education re-numbered its list of capital outlay priorities for the upcoming state Legislature, including $1.5 million for gunshot detection in all 10 elementaries and the districts four middle schools. Chief Operating Officer Mike Baker told the Observer funding is already in place to install the systems at Cleveland and Rio Rancho high schools, hopefully before the start of the 2019-20 school year. Baker said the system immediately identifies the location of a gunshot, the caliber of the weapon and type of ammunition, which is then fed not only to school security officers, but also to the Rio Rancho Police Department. One gunshot detection manufacturer, California-based ShotSpotter, has its system deployed by police in 100 cities and its being used outdoors by 10 college campuses. Superintendent Sue Cleveland told board members, who werent sure they had heard a discussion in the past about the costly gunshot detection system, she couldnt imagine any opposition. I know this is being incorporated in a lot of schools across the country, she said, before the board agreed to re-rank its nine capital outlay priorities thusly: Security modifications (forced entry and fencing) for Vista Grande Elementary ($175,000). Security cameras at every elementary school ($200,000). Gunshot detection at all the elementary schools ($1 million). Gunshot detection at the middle schools ($500,000). 215 linear feet of fencing and gate replacement at Cleveland High School ($150,000). Sensored LED retrofit for parking lot lights at the district offices ($25,000). Facility management system for Independence High School and Cyber Academy ($300,000). Inclusive playground equipment for every elementary school ($500,000). Improvements for Rio Rancho High School drainage ($265,000). Cleveland was skeptical about the districts chances of seeing its entire wish list fulfilled, although she recalled the district received about $378,000 for security requests last year and, In real good years, weve got up to a million. The board decided to hold a special meeting to discuss its priorities, especially to hear more about the gunshot detection system. WASHINGTON (CNN) - The President's incoming acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said Sunday that "it is very possible that the shutdown will go beyond the 28th and into the new Congress" during an interview on "Fox News Sunday." A spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told CNN Sunday that "if Director Mulvaney says the Trump Shutdown will last into the New Year, believe him because it's their shutdown." Schumer made a counteroffer on border security, according to a Democratic source familiar with the negotiations -- before Saturday when he met with Vice President Mike Pence -- to Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby and that was rejected by the White House. Pence then made his own offer on Saturday, which was rejected by Schumer. Schumer and Shelby have been having side discussions, but they don't appear to have yielded much progress given the differences between Schumer and the White House, the source added. The Senate adjourned Saturday afternoon with no deal to re-open the government, and while there will be a pro forma Senate session on Monday, the next actual session is not scheduled until Thursday. Lawmakers can travel home for Christmas and won't have to worry about being called back to vote until a deal can be reached, but GOP leaders told senators that if there is no deal by Thursday, they would not have to return for that session, sources have told CNN. An estimated 800,000 federal employees may be impacted by the partial shutdown, either by having to work during it while their pay is withheld until it ends or by being furloughed. OROVILLE, Calif. - Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Oroville Mayor Elect Chuck Reynolds today. Reynolds was charged and convicted multiple times for drug possession over a four year period in the early 90s. He served more than three years on one charge, and almost two on another. In Brown's official statement he said that Reynolds paid his debt to society and has been an upstanding citizen since his release. Brown also pardoned more than 140 former convicts. BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - The Butte County D.A. says he won't press charges against three workers who posted insensitive Camp Fire photos to Facebook. The images included a dead cat holding a beer botle, a worker pretending to jump on a destroyed trampoline and two people pretending to drive a burned down R.V. Bigge Crane and Rigging Company fired all three workers. Bigge Crane and Rigging Company identified one of the workers as Rob Freestone. The name of the other two former employees have still not been released. D.A. Mike Ramsey said, "There is nothing to charge them with. Boorish behavior is not covered under California Penal Code." Gov. Brown Orders DNA Testing in Kevin Cooper Case Just weeks before leaving office, Governor Jerry Brown ordered new DNA testing for a 35-year-old murder. Kevin Cooper is on death row for the 1983 killing of a Chino Hills family of four. Cooper has always maintained he was framed. Brown ordered new testing on four pieces of evidence, and named a new judge to oversee the case. Gov. Brown Issues Christmas Eve Pardons Gov. Brown also issued 143 pardons on Christmas Eve including Oroville Mayor Elect Chuck Reynolds. He served nearly five years on drug convictions stemming from the early 90's. California Public Utilities Commission Considering Taking Over PG&E California Public Utilities Commission is considering taking over PG&E in the wake of the Camp Fire. The proposal includes replacing the Board of Directors, and converting the utility into a public agency. The commssion is taking public comments on the matter until Jan. 30. Butte County DA Will Not Criminally Charge Camp Fire Workers Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey will not criminally charge three workers fired for posting photos of themselves mocking Camp Fire destruction online. Bigge Crane and Rigging Company fired the workers when the photos sparked outrage online. Ramsey says "boorish behavior" is not criminal. B-Line Resumes Bus Routes to Paradise and Magalia B-line has resumed bus routes to Paradise and Magalia. Route 40 takes people from Chico to Paradise and Route 41 runs from Chico to Magalia. Both will start back up after Christmas. Disaster Recovery Centers Special Holiday Hours The Disaster Recovery Centers in Chico and Oroville have special holiday hours the next two weeks. Operations will be closed on Christmas. The centers will be open New Year's Eve from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., and closed New Year's Day. With those exceptions, the centers will remain open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Several Organizations Hosts Free Christmas Dinners If you need a hot meal this Christmas, there are several local organizations hosting free dinners. Among them are Angels Among Us. They plan to serve more than 800 people impacted by the Camp Fire at the Magalia Community Church on Skyway. That starts at noon. The Oroville Fraternal Order of the Eagles will be hosting its dinner at the Eagles Hall on Montgomery Street in Oroville. That starts at 11 a.m., and it's open for everyone. Government task force to address issues of injured former combatants The government has agreed to form a task force to find a lasting solution to theissues being raised by former Maoist combatants. 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. Iran's next elections are to be held in 2020 and 2021, but it has already preoccupied Reformists' minds about whether to participate or boycott the ballot box as they are facing an unprecedented threat of losing their political capital. Moderate Hassan Rouhani won the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections after forming a coalition with Reformists. As Rouhani's first term ended, he seemed committed to his supporters' ideas and was fighting to fulfill a number of his electoral promises. However, he began his second term as if he had never made a vow to push for the country to open up politically and socially. This has been costly for Rouhani. And the Reformists are also paying a steep price after having used their power and reputation to pave the way for Rouhani's victories in the past two presidential elections. Now the Reformists are facing the danger of losing their political capital, a peril that has probably put them in their most difficult position ever. As a result, hard-liners are empowered and Reformists are witnessing their supporters, one by one, expressing disappointment over the Reformists' choice. Also playing a role in the public's despair about the Reformists are the dynamics inside the Reformist camp, the behavior of weary Reformist members of parliament and the corruption of a number of Reformist figures. Currently, a group of prominent Reformists, alarmed by the danger of the camp losing its political capital, has signaled that Reformists won't participate in the upcoming elections if the Reformists' preferred candidates' arent allowed to run by the Guardian Council. This is a strategy similar to one adopted in the 2005 presidential election; however, that boycott turned out badly for the Reformists as populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won. Saeed Hajjarian, a leading Reformist theoretician, said Nov. 18 that the Reformists' participation in the next presidential elections "is dependent on the behavior of the 'decision makers.' He added, We should see what the Guardian Council will do [in terms of allowing or barring Reformist candidates from running]." The Guardian Council dominated by hard-liners is tasked with vetting candidates. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, a large number of prominent Reformists were rejected by the council and thus not permitted to register to run. As a result, unknown figures were inevitably put on the Reformists' ticket, and found their way to the parliament since people were vehemently eager to see the change that had been vowed by Reformists. However, a number of the Reformist members of parliament acted cautiously as they feared the Guardian Council would disapprove of them in the next election; this approach has furthered disappointed Reformists' supporters. Abbas Abdi, a prominent Reformist, said Oct. 17 that he doesnt think about the next presidential election anymore. He said that if an election is held using the same method of accepting and rejecting candidates, "The Reformists wont have a representative. I have no doubt about this." He said that under such circumstances, "The effective part of the Reformist current wont take part in the election." Meanwhile, the most explicit remarks came from Mohammad Reza Khatami, the younger brother of Reformist leader Mohammad Khatami, who played a key role in Rouhani's victory along with Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who died in January 2017. "We may in 2021 reach the conclusion not to present any candidate," Khatami said Nov. 4. On the other hand, a group of other notable reformists, including Behzad Nabavi and Mohsen Armin, are speaking in favor of the advantages of taking part in the elections, arguing that gradual reform can still happen through the ballot box. "For the Reformists, the main issue is about not losing this appropriate opportunity. Even if there is ambiguity about a fair and legal election, we should strive for securing suitable conditions and also holding an election that at least has basic standards," Armin said Dec. 17. He added, "Under the current circumstances, reformism is being targeted by the hard-liners inside [the country] and the foreign-based violence-seeking current." He indicated that society still has "hope about the fruitfulness of the Reformist strategy as the only possible and useful strategy." Moreover, in an interview with a local daily Dec. 4, Nabavi, who was imprisoned after the disputed 2009 presidential elections, called for Reformists and moderates to once again reach a consensus and form a coalition. "All the moderates of the conservative and Reformist currents should forge an alliance; otherwise, we will lose the 2020 parliamentary elections and 2021 presidential elections to hard-liners, which is worrisome for the country, the nation and the political system." In sum, it seems that the first group of Reformists, including Hajjarian, are striving to stop the destruction of the camps political capital. Their possible strategy is to first restore their reputation and political capital by emerging as an opposition current, and second, to pressure the establishment and the Guardian Council to open the road for Reformists to be able to fulfill their promises to the people. However, Sadegh Zibakalam, an outspoken professor of political science, believes this strategy is not realistic as the Reformists have tried this in the past, such as when Nabavi resigned in 2004 as a member of parliament against the Guardian Council's performance and the vast rejection of Reformist candidates in the 2004 parliamentary elections. Mentioning Nabavi's call for participation in the upcoming elections, Zibakalam said Dec. 16, "Realities opened the eyes of many figures. Realities prompt people to turn away from their idealistic [notions] and accept many things." He then explained, "The Reformists didnt gain anything from [Rouhani's second term] but they took part in the 2013 and 2017 president elections and voted for Rouhani in order not to go back and not to allow the policies of [the kind pursued by Ahmadinejad] to rule over the country." It is not clear which of the two groupings within the Reformist current will prevail, but as Reformist Abbas Abdi emphasized, it appears the most influential segment of Reformists will decide not to participate in the next elections if no change appears in the establishment's behavior. Such a decision could be a turning point for Reformists and divide them in two. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to excuse President Donald Trumps Dec. 19 announcement of a US military and diplomatic pullout from Syria. This is, of course, Americas decision, he said. We will study the timetable, the mode of operation and of course the implications for us, the prime minister added with commendable restraint. He is quite right. Any country, even more so the worlds pre-eminent power, is entitled to shape foreign and defense policy in accordance with its interests. Nonetheless, not so long ago, Netanyahu thought he was entitled to upend a major American decision on diplomatic-defense issues and to sic the American Jewish establishment on the US administration. He may not have the same luck in replicating that ploy this time. In 2015, when the prime minister thought President Barack Obamas decision to sign the deal curbing Irans nuclear program was detrimental to Israels interests, he set off warning sirens that reverberated across the Atlantic. On the other hand, when Trump leaves Syria to the mercies of Russia and Iran and abandons the Kurds, Netanyahu sounds the all clear as if to say, In any case, we will protect Israel and defend ourselves from this arena. In 2015, the Republicans were the ones to stand by Netanyahu. They tried to help him abort Obamas deal with Iran and eventually convinced Trump to withdraw from it. Now, in last months midterm congressional elections, the Republicans loss of the majority in the House of Representatives was Netanyahus loss as well. The US move in Syria symbolizes Netanyahus failed strategy in banking on an unpredictable and aggressive president. In recent years, Israel has lost its two strongest cards in the American political game the House of Representatives and the Jewish community. The results of the congressional elections do not point to an unambiguous stand by the American public on Israel. They are particularly telling, however, in reflecting the views of American Jews on Israeli government policy. The most glaring finding is the abyss that has opened up between the biggest Jewish community in the world outside Israel and the state of the Jewish people as 2018 draws to a close. A poll conducted immediately after the Nov. 6 elections for the liberal Jewish J Street organization shows that while Israelis and their elected officials distance themselves from basic democratic values, chief among them equality and freedom of expression, an overwhelming majority of American Jews identify with these values. The goodies with which Trump endowed Israel and its prime minister, especially with the move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May, turned him into a great favorite with Israeli Jews. American Jews, on the other hand, expressed their attitude toward their president with sweeping support for Democratic congressional candidates. Some 76% of Jewish Americans voted for Democratic candidates, compared with 70% in 2016. Only 18% of American Jews rate the president favorably, compared with 74% who do not. Some 72% of the worlds largest Jewish community outside Israel believe Trumps comments and policies are responsible to a certain extent for the Oct. 27 massacre at Pittsburghs Etz Haim Synagogue. In marked contrast, Israeli officials, with Netanyahu at their head, discount the significance of the growing displays of anti-Semitism in the United States over the past two years. A poll conducted in June for the American Jewish Congress, an organization identified with mainstream US Jewry, found that whereas 77% of Jewish Israelis are satisfied with the presidents handling of US-Israel ties, only 34% of American Jews agree with them. The poll also found that 51% of American Jews support and 30% oppose a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state in the West Bank, but only 44% of Israeli Jews favor such an outcome and 48% reject it. The protracted dispute over American Jews demand for pluralistic prayer rights at the Western Wall, Judaisms holiest site, as well as Israels West Bank settlements, also alienate even members of non-Orthodox Jewish communities who do not identify with the liberal camp. In a New York Times op-ed piece in March, the president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, warned that Israels surrender to radical religious forces and the growing alienation of diaspora Jewry threaten to turn Israel from a modern, liberal state into a semi-theocracy. The Jewish leader, once a close associate of Netanyahu, noted that he holds Republican views and has backed the Likud since the 1980s. Nonetheless, he realizes that unless Israel adopts the two-state solution, it will have to choose between granting full civil rights to the Palestinians, thereby ceasing to be a Jewish state, and withholding such rights and ceasing to be a democratic one. Studies indicate that young American Jews, most of whom espouse progressive views, feel less connected to Israel than their parents do because they feel its policies run counter to their own beliefs, especially on the conflict with the Palestinians and policy on asylum-seekers. Haaretz reported Dec. 11 that the number of applicants for the Birthright Project, which brings young diaspora Jews (mostly Americans) on free-of-charge tours of Israel, plunged 20% to 50% for scheduled trips to Israel between this month and March 2019 compared with last year. According to the report, 1,500 Jewish students on 30 campuses around the United States signed a petition demanding that organizers restore meetings with Israeli Arabs to the tour itinerary; the meetings were dropped this year. In Israels 70-year history, Republican presidents and Democratic ones have come and gone, as have Democratic- and Republican-dominated Congresses. Israel found some more palatable than others, but for decades, it could count on the firm deterrent power of the American Jewish community on both sides of the aisle. Now that Trump has proven less than trustworthy, Netanyahu would do well to find a quick fix for the rights of American Jews of all denominations to pray at the Western Wall (including the many members of the US Progressive Judaism stream, who are asking for a mixed-gender praying space by the wall). While this is a crucial step, it will probably not suffice to bridge the gaps between the democratic views of American Jews and those of the Israeli government, nor to heal the rift between the Jewish worlds on both sides of the Atlantic. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinian Christians in Gaza are feeling a damper on the Christmas spirit this year as Israeli authorities have blocked many from receiving exit permits to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Bethlehem in the West Bank. While Western Christians celebrate, following the Gregorian calendar, Dec. 25 of every year, Eastern churches to which the majority of Palestinian Christians belong follow the Eastern calendar and celebrate on Jan. 7. The international organization Middle East Concern, which advocates for the rights of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa, said in a Dec. 10 statement that most of the applications by Christian Palestinians in the Gaza Strip for permits to participate in Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem had been rejected by Israeli authorities. It noted that "nearly all" of the requests were rejected, "with only Christians over the age of fifty-five being allowed to travel." Bethlehem boasts historical and religious importance and is home to key religious touristic sites such as the Nativity Church containing a grotto that is the oldest site continuously worshipped in Christianity. Christians constitute only 1% of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, yet make up 20% of the some 13 million Palestinians worldwide. Christian activist Helen Farah of Gaza said she had wrapped the gifts and was all set to visit her relatives in Bethlehem, but then receiving the unwelcome surprise of not being given a travel permit by Israeli authorities. She told Al-Monitor, I do not know why they prevented me from traveling. All I know is that I will not be able to participate in the Christmas celebrations this year. Kamel Ayad, director of public relations at the Orthodox Church in Gaza, said it had submitted through the Palestinian Civil Liaison Office 1,000 Christian names to receive a travel permit from Israeli authorities. However, only 350 people got approval, he said. Ayad told Al-Monitor that several Christians who received permits did not end up traveling because Israeli authorities did not grant all family members permits and had excluded the sons. The Israelis also only allowed those with permits to travel to the West Bank and Jerusalem, for the first time forbidding them from traveling to Israel, without giving any reasons. He said that in 2017 Israel granted travel permits only to Gazan Christians over the age of 50. Every year Israeli authorities surprise them with new permit conditions. He said there has never been a year where all Christians who applied for permits received them. Ayad noted that Christians who were banned from traveling will have to celebrate in the Gaza Strip this year. Orthodox Christians in Gaza perform their rituals at the Church of Saint Porphyrius the oldest historical landmark in Gaza that dates to the early fifth century. The church is home to the tomb of St. Porphyrius, who died in the year 420, and it houses an ancient mural of Mary and Jesus. Catholic Christians, meanwhile, perform their rituals at the Holy Family Church, which is also among the oldest in Gaza. The Rev. Yousef Assad of Holy Family Church said Israeli authorities are occupied only with security and do not give any consideration to religious aspects. He said many Christian families are awaiting travel permits so they can participate in the Bethlehem festivities. Assad told Al-Monitor that other Christian families are waiting to receive permits to see relatives they havent seen in years, and some want to escape the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. A 2017 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics report indicates that the main reason behind the dropping number of Christians in the Palestinian territories is migration. Assad hoped Israeli authorities would reconsider the reasons behind not granting Gazas Christians permits. He said they have the right to celebrate Christmas like their fellow Christians in the rest of the world. For almost four years, Ankaras supreme priority in northern Syria has been to erode, if not totally eliminate, the military capacity of Kurdish militias it considers to be terrorists or terrorist-linked specifically the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey says is the PKK's Syrian offshoot. The only barrier for Turkey appeared to be Washington, which has worked with the YPG in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). But now President Donald Trump has said he will withdraw US troops from northeast Syria. His Dec. 19 announcement not only surprised but also perplexed Ankara. A US exit could give Turkey the chance to grab a bigger piece of the northeast Syria pie but many in Ankara are fully aware of the need for caution and prudence, because those who bite off more than they can chew can easily choke. Trump's Twitter-based announcement is a novel contribution to the literature on exit strategy, and I don't know if military planners in Ankara are happy with this low-cost, low-risk approach. Now that Trumps decision to withdraw has completely changed the operational picture on the ground, will they act on their wishes, or adopt a more realistic approach and act according to their actual capacity? It's still not possible to explain what the full exit plan might be, if there even is one at this point. Also, nobody knows whether US Air Force elements currently controlling airspace over northeast Syria are withdrawing along with the ground elements, which would allow the Turkish air force to provide close air support for Ankara's anticipated military operation. Military deterrence has three key components. The first component is to make sure your opponents are well-informed of your intentions. In a speech at the Turkish Defense Industry Summit held Dec. 12 in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said, referring to the YPG: "We will start the operation east of the Euphrates in a few days to liberate it from the separatist terrorist organization. Turkey's target is never the US soldiers, but rather the members of the terror group." After Erdogan made these remarks, which reflected Ankaras decisiveness at the highest level, eyes turned to Turkish troop concentrations near YPG-controlled Manbij west of the Euphrates River; at Suruc, directly opposite Kobani; and Tell Abyad opposite Turkeys Akcakale. For the past week, observers have been watching the border to detect when the operation might start. But Trump's announcement, which reportedly was made hastily during his Dec. 14 phone talk with Erdogan, changed the picture to the extent that, according to news reports, even Erdogan was baffled. The Hurriyet report said the initial timetable for US withdrawal was between 30 and 60 days, which was later extended to as many as 100 days. It's evident that such an abrupt withdrawal would leave YPG forces, the archenemy of Ankara in Syria, vulnerable to a possible Turkish military operation. Given the existing political picture, it's highly unlikely that the Democratic Union Party (PYD, the political arm of the YPG) could reach a deal with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad quickly enough to safeguard some Kurdish autonomy. Many analysts both in Turkey and abroad think that as soon as the US military leaves, Turkey will immediately begin an air bombardment followed by a ground attack by elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel group, supported by Turkish commando, special forces and armor units. However, Al-Monitor gained insights in Ankara that seem to show just the opposite. First, one should note that neither pro-Erdogan media nor the elites among his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey have attempted to sell Trumps decision as an Erdogan diplomatic victory which suggests cautious optimism, not euphoria, in Ankara. We all know that the US security bureaucracy, or the "establishment," to use the Trumpian term, opposes a withdrawal. Ankara is now looking for answers to these questions: Will the security bureaucracy reconcile itself with Trumps decision? Or might Trump change his mind at the last minute under pressure from the establishment and European entities, particularly the UK and France and preserve a military presence in northeast Syria? The decision-makers in Ankara acknowledge that Turkey doesn't want the United States to abandon northeast Syria totally and immediately, as called for by Trump. It's likely that the emotional momentum that prevailed in Ankara before Trumps decision has been replaced with more rational thinking. Turkish officials most likely are seeking to analyze the political climate in Washington, looking for confirmation that the United States will be on Turkeys side in Syria, ready to help (at least in terms of airspace dominance, intelligence sharing and logistic support) and that the United States definitely has no long-term YPG plans anymore. Ankara has thus announced it is suspending its anticipated operation for at least for a month to assess the new operational picture in northeast Syria to mitigate risks, consolidate diplomatic gains, monitor US sincerity and discuss this new strategic picture with Moscow and Tehran. One should also note that top PYD officials in Europe (where the group opened diplomatic offices in April) are currently lobbying for a no-fly zone in northeast Syria and are trying to persuade policymakers in France and the UK not to withdraw their soldiers currently serving in the anti-IS coalition in northeast Syria. The second component of deterrence is to deliver the message to the adversary strongly enough to change its strategic preferences. The Dec. 14 phone call between Trump and Erdogan, and Erdogans decisive message that Ankara expects the United States to cut ties with the YPG, seemed to fulfill the second component. Third, after disclosing deterrence plans strongly and clearly, it's necessary to demonstrate the ability to carry out these plans. The next questions become, can Ankara still risk a military operation in northeast Syria? If so, what kind of operation can the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) carry out after Trumps decision to withdraw? The Turkish military appears to be stretched thin, with its strongest units engaged in operations inside Turkey, as well as in northern Iraq, and northern and western Syria. Also, the Turkish air force continues its operational activities at a serious tempo. Because of this, it doesnt look very feasible for Turkey to conduct corps-level operations that might require more than six months without redeploying troops from other fronts. On Dec. 19, after the United States announced its troops will make a "full and rapid" withdrawal from Syria, initially jubilant voices rose in Ankara. Several observers were reminded of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's comments Dec. 16 at a Doha summit: Trump is planning to exit Syria. Ankara was informed prior to several other countries and even relevant US agencies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has often repeated his wish for the United States to withdraw. Given all these facts, Turkey should be ready with its updated strategy for northern Syria. Yet talk of a new strategy is nowhere to be found, even in the Turkish media. Rather, television shows and newspaper columns are focusing mainly on the United States: "What's the new US plan for Syria?" and The US has been withdrawing from the Middle East for 27 years. A visible trend in the Turkish media is the lack of trust in America's commitment to "full and rapid" withdrawal. Yeni Safak in English, for example, published a piece Dec. 19 explaining how the United States is transporting Kurdish peshmerga (militia) to soften or halt Turkish strikes in strategic areas. Al-Monitor spoke with retired and active military officials as well as senior bureaucrats and academics in Turkish intelligence and defense. Here we highlight four points as Ankara's most common and urgent concerns. Sources residing in Turkey requested anonymity. First, Turkey loved the possibility (rather than the actuality) of US withdrawal from Syria. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkeys relations with the United States concerning Washington's involvement in the war have changed. Erdogan repeated called upon President Barack Obama to punish the Syrian regime, which had crossed Obama's "red line" by suspected chemical attacks. During the Donald Trump presidency as well, Turkey welcomed US-led strikes on the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and even asked for more rigorous attacks. Since the beginning of the Syrian war, Turkish demands on the US have oscillated between "Come in and topple the Assad regime" and "Get out and stop arming the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units [YPG]." Once Turkey's government was convinced that a US presence wasn't sufficient to topple Assad, but rather was hurting Turkish security by providing logistics support to the YPG, Ankara started calling for the withdrawal of American forces. Erdogan says the YPG is affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist group. Not believing the US withdrawal is really happening is easier than preparing the next step and trying to see who will provide air support, who will take over the US bases and how we will coordinate intelligence gathering and sharing. All these require new adjustments. Yet we're not even sure whom to work with as of now, said a brigadier general. Second, the US presence not only provided an excuse for failing to deal with the YPG, but also acted as a buffer between Turkey and all others. Since news broke in May 2017 that the United States was arming Kurds, Erdogan and his top echelons have not missed an opportunity to openly and harshly criticize the United States. Erdogan accused the United States of forming a Kurdish terror zone on Turkey's borders; he repeatedly asked what kind of an ally would do that. Suat Kiniklioglu, a visiting scholar at the University of Oxford's Middle East Center and a former member of Turkey's parliament, said the US withdrawal isn't a clear-cut win for Turkey. The US presence allowed Erdogan to threaten war on the [Kurdish groups] without having to fight them. We may see increasing pressure on Erdogan to march into northeast Syria, which may help him in the local election in March but it's not without risks, especially if it turns out to be a long-term affair, he told Al-Monitor. A security expert from Ankara said, American presence in the region was a major force to limit Turkish military actions, but it also prevented a significant number of casualties in the Turkish armed forces. It helped solidify Erdogans alliance with ultranationalists here at home. As nationalistic feelings were pumped through pungent anti-Americanism, we also knew that Turkey couldn't do much more because it wouldn't want to militarily challenge the US. Now what will be the justification for not acting or, even worse, failure? Indeed, Turkeys Kurdish problem and battle with the PKK has been lingering since 1984. "The US presence wasn't the cause of PKK terror, hence its withdrawal won't be the end of it," said a retired major general. Despite the potential for quick victories against the YPG, the government's stated goal of eradicating terrorists, of wiping the area clean until the last terrorist is dead, isn't possible. We can weaken the YPG, but we can't get rid of the Kurdish problem without a political solution, added the general. For now, no one's sure what the next step will be, after hitting the YPG hard. Third is the concern that the balance among Russia, Iran and Turkey will alter when the United States is out of the picture. So far, Turkey has been able to play Russia and the United States off each other. Deals to purchase Russian-made S-400s and US Patriot missiles simultaneously have been the most visible sign of Turkish oscillation between the two major powers. It's unclear whether Russia, Iran and the Syrian regime would be willing to give Turkey a free hand in northeast Syria," said Kiniklioglu. "Damascus would be eager to re-establish its sovereignty over the area rather than see it overrun by Turkey. This would place the issue into the laps of Moscow and Tehran. I suspect some hard bargaining will take place between Ankara, Moscow and Tehran in the coming days and weeks. Moscow may try to facilitate a deal between the PYD [Democratic Union Party] and Damascus." (The PYD is a US-supported, Kurdish nationalist group that Turkey considers the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, though the PYD denies this; the YPG is the PYD's armed wing.) "Turkey is left alone with Tehran and Moscow, neither of which ever supported Turkish ambitions to get rid of the Assad regime," Kiniklioglu added. Indeed, the US exit confirms the long-expected failure of Erdogans "Assad must go" demand. The picture gets more complicated if one also contemplates how Saudi Arabia and Israel would like to contain Iran. Could Erdogan afford to challenge Israel and Saudi Arabia, and collaborate with Iran in Syria? Much of Turkeys parameters now will be influenced by the other regional forces. Last is the fear of new alliances and old troubles rekindled. For now, Turkey's big concern is a potential Kurdish alliance with Damascus. Although Cavusoglu has said there's a possibility Turkey might talk with the Assad regime, Erdogan has shown no inclination to do so. For decades, the PKK has thrived in Syria, and a similar setup is again possible if Kurds reach a deal [with Damascus]," said the security expert. "If Turkey invades and repeats its Afrin model, the Kurdish population would be pushed out. The population shifts would alter the precarious balance in the war-torn region and [could revive] the Islamic State or another radical militant group. Could the Turkish military handle a fight with all of these on its own at once? Imminent questions emerge, such as: Is Turkey's presence in the area welcomed or tolerated? How much more can Turkey expand in Syria and for how long? Will the Afrin model of population replacement be sufficient to create a secure zone between Syria and Turkey? Turkish security vulnerabilities and fears are real and credible. Maybe that's precisely why most pro-government newspapers on Dec. 20 carried stories of alleged French support for YPG. If the United States really withdraws from Syria, Turkey could blame the YPGs survival on other foreign powers. Despite a long career in journalism, Karim Shamsi-Basha has never let himself become jaded about the news or about much of anything else, really. Who says news has to be negative? he asks, pointing to Oprah as an example of someone whose wealth and fame is based on spreading good news. When an opportunity came along for him to help breathe new life into the weekly Selma Sun as its editor, he jumped at the chance. Most journalists are so cynical, says Cindy Fisher, herself a longtime journalist who is the owner and publisher of Alabamas Selma Sun and The Leeds Tribune, two newspapers she bought in September. By contrast, Karim is a positive, we-can-change-the-world idealist, she says. Shortly after they were introduced at an arts festival in downtown Birmingham, Cindy told Karim she wanted to produce a positive newspaper. I said, Where have you been all my life? he recalls. Especially in a place like Selma, I want to be part of it. Now that hes been working at the Selma Sun for a few months, the job is probably the coolest gig Ive ever gotten, he says. I absolutely love it. Focusing on the positive is so easy, he says. Theres positive news everywhere. More people need to focus on the positive. When you focus on the positive, good things happen. You cant deny that. Stars in his eyes Karim drives an hour and a half from his home in Birmingham to spend a day or two every week at the Selma Suns office, housed above a law office in a circa-1904 building. Selma is the epicenter not just of civil rights but of equality, inclusion big buzzwords they talk about now, he says. To me, its where everything culminated in the 60s. Driving across the Edmund Pettis Bridge is like stepping back in time, he says, adding that he appreciates the citys history, tradition and legacy. The city continues to have issues to address, like race relations, poverty and crime, but Karim focuses only on the great things he sees happening there. Right now, as the newspaper editor, I see a lot of stirring, a lot of positive energy, a lot of people doing amazing things, he says, citing as examples the work of the nonprofit Blackbelt Benefit Group, ArtsRevive and Main Street Selma. Recently, Karim featured a partnership between the Blackbelt Benefit Group, which is doing incredible things for Selma, and folk artist Charlie Lucas, which resulted in artwork being displayed in the windows of vacant buildings. He also wrote a six-week series on education that highlighted some of the innovative programs in the citys public and private schools, which are almost completely segregated. On the day he spent in the public middle school, new laptops were distributed to one class for students to use the rest of the year. You dont think of that happening in a poor place like Selma, he says. Good things happen everywhere. There are so many great stories down there, and they havent been told, his boss, Cindy Fisher, concurs. Its not hard to fill that paper. She thinks one reason Karim is perfect for the job is that his vision is so different from a local person, she says. He has stars in his eyes, says Cindy and his perspective is contagious. Everyone loves Karim down here, she says. He gets lots of hugs. And the community newspaper they produce can make a difference, Cindy believes. Through positive coverage in the Selma Sun, were helping to pump energy into the economy and helping readers feel better about their community. I was given life again Karim grew up in Damascus, Syria, where his father was a writer who once served as the countrys poet laureate. At 18, he came to the United States to study engineering at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but he fell in love with photography and worked as a photojournalist at the Birmingham Post-Herald in the early 1990s. He credits his exuberance to a life-changing event on April 8, 1992, when an aneurysm burst in his brain as he was covering a church fire. He spent a month in a coma and had to re-learn everything. After that, carpe diem is not something I say. I actually do it, he says. The whole thing can vanish in two seconds, as it did on that day. I was given life again. As his children grew up, he repeatedly stressed the importance of making the most out of every second. Grab life by the throat, squeeze it, live it, he says. Now 26, 22 and 18, they are the light of my life. After making a living as a freelance photojournalist for many years, Karim says he started writing on the day his father died in 2005. I sat in front of the computer and started writing letters to my dad in heaven, he says. After writing about 60 letters over the course of a year, he submitted a few for publication in local magazines. I fell in love with writing and never looked back. In addition to writing and photographing stories for the Selma Sun, he also contributes to Alabama Powers Alabama NewsCenter and has written two books. His childrens book, The Cat Man of Aleppo, co-written with Irene Latham, is set to be published by Penguin in the spring of 2020. He spent six years working on his novel, Cactus Pear, a love story set amid the civil war in Syria that is being considered by the same publisher. The title alludes to the fruit of the cactus, which, beneath the thorns, is soft and beautiful. Its a metaphor for the war not destroying peoples spirit, he says. Karims cultural background might be another reason hes been so warmly received in Selma. Though Middle Easterners are Caucasians, he says, theyre often considered to be brown. To me, Im the perfect recipe for being in Selma, he says. I am perceived by both races as sort of like the middle of the road. I love that: Not white, not black, somewhere in the middle. We all should be in the middle. Its a really cool thing to be. Former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford, now 72, is in critical condition, and the family has been called to the federal prison in Kentucky where he is serving 15 years for bribery and public corruption, according to Langfords attorney Tiffany Johnson Cole. Langford, in failing health, was sentenced in 2010 and is not scheduled to be released until May 1, 2023. "We were told he may not last through the end of the week, " Johnson Cole said. Full coverage of Larry Langford. In November, he was denied a compassionate release by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In the denial, the bureau detailed the extent of Langfords deteriorating health, yet somehow asserted that he posed a danger to the safety of the community. In a document obtained by AL.com, the bureau said: Mayor Langford...has a history of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and and emphysema. pulmonary hypertension, right-heart failure, sickle-cell trait, plantar fascial fibromatosis, bursitis, esophageal reflux, dysphagia, hypertension, sensorineural hearing loss, pterygium and anemia. He was issued an oxygen concentrator and nebulizer and ambulates with the use of a wheelchair....However...his release at this time would minimize the severity of his offense and pose a danger to the safety of the community. Efforts, led by Alabama state Representative Juandalynn Givan, have been made to reach out to President Trump to obtain executive clemency for the former Fairfield and Birmingham mayor. The Langford family wishes to thank the many friends and supporters for their continued prayers and support during this extremely difficult time, Johnson Cole said in a release. Conflict victims body refutes claims against charter The Conflict Victims Common Platform has said attempts have been made to create rumours against its charter made public last month and mislead the people. A New York-style delicatessen serving traditional Jewish comfort foods with a Canadian twist is opening near Birminghams Railroad Park in early January. Mile End Delicatessen was originally inspired by a neighborhood in Montreal called Mile End, said Alabama native Adam Grusin, who serves as an operating partner and executive chef for the brand. The neighborhoods claim to fame is bagels that are baked in a wood-fired oven. Our Birmingham restaurant also has a wood-fire oven, so we can produce our bagels in the traditional Montreal-style, he said. Beside its bagels, Mile End Deli, which is opening at LIV Parkside at 1701 1st Ave S., is also known for its smoked meats what Montreal delis refer to as pastrami, Grusin said. Staples on the Mile End menu are Rueben and smoked meat sandwiches, he said. But I would also suggest folks coming in and trying something outside of their comfort zone. Much of this food is new to Birmingham, Grusin said. Our menu is designed to offer traditional Jewish-inspired dishes like latkes and pierogies. And I think people will absolutely love our poutine. Poutine is simply homemade fries, topped with cheese curds and gravy. You can get it topped with smoked meat or other options. Poutine is basically the Canadian version of loaded fries. And who doesnt love loaded French fries? Before joining Mile End, Grusin worked under acclaimed Birmingham chef Frank Stitt. He started working for the James Beard Award-winning chef at Bottega Restaurant and Cafe kitchen while earning his degree in hospitality management at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After graduating in 2006, Grusin was promoted to sous chef for the main dining room at Bottega, and in 2008 was named chef de cuisine at Chez Fonfon. I had the privilege of being mentored at Chez Fonfon by one of the best chefs in the country, Frank Stitt, Grusin said. The education I received at Chez Fonfon was driven by French-influenced food. Now, under the mentorship of Nick Pihakis (of Pihakis Restaurant Group), I have the opportunity to refine my business skills. Im excited to combine that business acumen with my culinary skills to open a restaurant that represents the culture associated with authentic Jewish cuisine. Pihakis of Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q and the Pihakis Restaurant Group is responsible for bringing Mile End to the Magic City. Hes also helping open a second restaurant from South Carolina barbecue pitmaster Rodney Scott. Scott is also a James Beard award winner. Mile End Deli has been an institution in New York for years, Pihakis said of why he is bringing the brand to Birmingham. I fell in love with it when I first visited the location a couple years ago. I have always thought Birmingham could use a full-service restaurant that serves deli-style food. When Adam and I discovered Mile End Deli in New York, we knew it would be a homerun in Birmingham, he added. The location adjacent to Railroad Park is also a homerun, Pihakis said. He said he loves the walkable location in the Parkside District of Birmingham. We love that area of town, Pihakis said. The city has done an amazing job of revitalizing that space. Railroad Park is beautiful, the ball park is within walking distance, and Good People Brewing is right down the road. Mile End Deli currently has locations in Brooklyn and Nashville. Update: As of 9:37 p.m. CT, Santa was leaving Washington, D.C. and headed to State College, Pennsylvania. Earlier: Santa Claus is making his round-the-world journey tonight and you can keep up with the Jolly Old Elf with the annual Santa Tracker. The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating the 63rd anniversary of its holiday mission, made possible by thousands of volunteers who answer questions from good boys and girls. NORAD tracks Santa on its website, www.noradsanta.org. The website shows where Santa is and how many presents he and his reindeer have delivered. (As of Monday night at 6:08 p.m. CT, Santa was in Cork, Ireland and has delivered 3.9 million presents.) According to NORAD, Santa will arrive in Alabama between nine and midnight, depending on the weather. The sky in Alabama is clear, so Santa is expecting smooth sailing across the South. You can call NORAD toll free at 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. You can see the latest going on in the North Pole here. NORADs Santa mission all started as a happy accident. The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears & Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born. In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa. Two Walker County women were killed early Christmas Day in a crash near Jasper, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Suzanne C. Brown, 61, of Cordova, and Kerrie C. Martin, 38, from Empire, died after the Honda Accord Brown was riding in and the Ford Taurus Martin was driving collided around 12:15 a.m. Christmas Day on U.S. 78, about five miles east of Jasper. The condition of the driver of the Taurus was unclear. It was also unclear whether there were any passengers in the Taurus. Alabama State Troopers continued to investigate the crash as of Tuesday morning. Originally Posted by MW Originally Posted by Judy wrote (excerpt): Actually we may have lost so many Republicans in the mid-terms because many typical Republican voters are sick and tired of RINO Republicans who support open borders, increased foreign labor, and illegal immigration! Many people probably stayed home simply because they weren't enthused by what they consider traitorous Republicans. With the exception of David Brat and Dana Rohrabacher, we were successful in getting rid of many Republicans who consistently stand against our cause. In some folks book, that's a good thing. If you can't excite the voters, don't be surprised when they stay home on election day! As for Trump, a lot of us aren't Trump lovers or haters ..... we just expect Trump to keep his promises to us and to do our bidding as he led us to believe he would when he sought out our votes. When he fails to do that and attempts to deceive us, we're not happy campers. It's no secret that Trump has lied and has shown weaknesses at times. Anyone that claims otherwise is probably in denial. Sanaa, Yemen Four years of war have taken a devastating toll on Yemen, a nation the Romans once described as Happy Arabia. In a nation of 28 million, a staggering 22 million people are currently in need of some form of assistance to survive. Air raids have flattened businesses and factories, millions of children are out of school, and the UN has warned that if the fighting continues, famine and hunger could engulf the country within the next three months. In an attempt to alleviate the suffering, representatives from the countrys warring sides agreed earlier this month in Sweden to implement a ceasefire in the city of Hodeidah and its surrounding governorate, a major humanitarian lifeline for Yemen. Delegates from the Houthi rebel movement and the Yemeni government agreed to withdraw their troops from the flashpoint city and allow Hodeidahs ports to be managed and monitored with UN support. While it was the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts since the conflict erupted in late 2014, the future of Yemen still hangs in the balance. Amid this uncertainty, Al Jazeera spoke to Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Houthi rebels Supreme Revolutionary Committee, about the ceasefire in Hodeidah, his movements relationship with Iran, and the Houthis endgame in Yemen. Al Jazeera: Why did you accept the UN plan for Hodeidah which meant your forces would relinquish control of the port and leave the city? 181213221327787 Mohammed Ali al-Houthi: What is being said is incorrect since it was never agreed to relinquish control of the port of Hodeidah as the question claims. Instead, there will be a natural level of monitoring in the normal framework of the port, just like you have with the monitoring of any election. The evidence for this is that there will be a [UN] coordination committee that will be doing the monitoring, and that role will in no way mean a violation of sovereignty as some people claim. Moreover, this comes in the specific role set by the Sweden agreement, and this agreement is to resolve the conflict, and as the text of the agreement stated, this will apply in Hodeidah only. Al Jazeera: Did your withdrawal stem from the losses your forces sustained in the days leading up to the talks, or because you knew your forces would lose should fighting continue? Al-Houthi: Our role today is to talk about peace, not otherwise. We consider war to be a bad choice, but it was imposed on us. Even the Security Council is now talking about peace and that the first and only option for Yemen is peace. We have put forward initiatives for peace, such as stopping the firing of missiles and flying unmanned aircraft, all to prove to the world that we are willing to engage in peace, but also, do not fear war. As for Hodeidah, our forces were there on an exceptional basis, and that is not how the governorate of Hodeidah should be. We were in Hodeidah before the aggression (Saudi-UAE coalition) attacked it. Therefore, the redeployment of forces is to resolve the conflict. If the matter had to do with, as mentioned in your question, battlefield losses and other matters, we would have demanded that the agreement cover all fronts, but instead, we accepted a partial ceasefire in Hodeidah, with the understanding that there would be subsequent steps taken for a ceasefire implemented on all fronts. We are telling you: Rest assured, there is no such thing [as our forces suffering losses]. We remain at full force and have strong options. However, when we offer such things, we merely offer it within the context of our free interaction in seeking lasting peace, and to get our society, nation and people out of the famine and siege imposed on them. Al Jazeera: The spokesman for your movement, Mohammad Abdul Salam, told Al Jazeera in Sweden earlier this month that he would like to see a transitional government representing all political parties. Can you describe what this would look like? 181205081849936 Al-Houthi: For the proposal of the government, yes, we submitted it as an initiative, I presented and submitted it to the Security Council, as well as to the UN envoy and others. We presented the formation of a government, the holding of elections and other steps. As for how would that government be and what it would look like, this is subject to an agreement, through dialogue with other international parties, through agreement with those who were mentioned in the initiative, taking into consideration the domestic situation of local Yemeni parties. God willing, the situation for the government, if it is composed of technocrats so as not to be subject to quotas and partisan tendencies, will be sound and it will be a government that can manage the transition phase and move on to elections. It will have a specific programme and mechanisms to implement it from the first time it meets. Al Jazeera: Would this new government be democratic, chosen through free and fair elections? Or will this lead to a Houthi-controlled Yemen? Al-Houthi: I think that the government during the transition will be consensual because post-war Yemen will need consensus to allow it to prepare for elections. We welcome the holding of serious elections that can reshape the House of Representatives and other electoral boards in the Republic of Yemen. Al Jazeera: What is the relationship between the Houthi movement and the Saudis? Is Mohammad Abdul Salam still holding secret talks with the Saudis and Emiratis in Oman? Al-Houthi: I do not think there were secret talks, as you claim. What talks there were, those were talks that were held in Kuwait. What came through from the Omanis, as messages or inquiries, that is another thing and not considered talks, neither with the Saudis nor with the Emiratis. Al Jazeera: What can we expect at the peace talks scheduled for January? 181130095711884 Al-Houthi: God willing, we expect that all of the obstacles in the Sweden talks will be overcome. We hope the political framework will be endorsed, as well as the economic mechanism for the disbursement of salaries. We also hope there will also be an endorsement of a mechanism for reconstruction, that the fighting ceases and the blockade is lifted, including the air blockade, that Sanaa airport is reopened, and a number of other unsolved issues and things that must be made available to the Yemeni people. The practice of what is happening now is a crime under international and humanitarian law. Al Jazeera: Your movement has been accused of gross human rights violations, including the torture and killings of your political opponents, human rights activists, and opposition fighters. You said you would carry out an investigation into these allegations, where are you on this investigation? Al-Houthi: First in principle, as you said, they are allegations. Secondly, we have called on the Political Council and the Yemeni government to investigate these allegations. A number of committees will meet, and we hope that it has achieved a great deal in alleged illegal practices during the investigations. There are media outlets that have debunked some of the allegations and lies, such as the accusations of torturing a doctor from Ibb. Some media outlets discovered after investigation and verification, that he is a mentally ill person. You can look into it, yourselves. Like that, there are many cases that are fabricated and accompanied by a media frenzy while in fact, they are false and incorrect allegations. However, we have called on the government to investigate the rest of the allegations they are talking about. Al Jazeera: The Saudis have said the missiles you fired into the kingdom are manufactured in Iran. Did the Iranians send you these missiles? Or are these Yemeni missiles with Iranian technology? 180424170317613 Al-Houthi: With regards to their talk of the missiles being Iranian, etc, I think there is a lot of prejudice. The propaganda that the aggression (Saudi-UAE coalition) attributes to our country is incorrect, and every move they have made is illogical. I have spoken in multiple interviews on this subject and have repeatedly said: We have a missile brigade and we have missiles, and these were paraded in Sanaas Sabaeen Square during some national celebrations. This is something known about Yemen and not a secret. I also said that the missiles that were launched were Russian and Korean missiles that were in service and stored by the Yemeni army. The army has missile brigades, and the person at the top of the Ministry of Defence pyramid today commands them. This is no secret or a strange thing for the Yemeni people to be able to develop their capabilities and use their missiles to target [the enemy] as means of deterring the aggression that is directed on our people. The army only launched these missiles to deter the aggression [Saudi-UAE coalition] and not to attack others. Al Jazeera: What do you make of Saudi Arabia and the UAEs presence in Yemen and its effect on the social, political and security situation in areas such as Al-Mahrah, Socotra, and the port city of Aden? 160420111557078 Al-Houthi: With regards to Saudi Arabias presence, to this day, it is the presence of occupiers. The Yemeni people see it as the presence of invaders. It is not seen as a presence in order to support Yemen or to support its people. Their goals are well known and clear, everything they do indicates clearly that this is an occupation, an invasion, and is not in order to protect the Republic of Yemen. If they wanted, whether the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia, to support Yemen, there would have been other ways to support it and strengthen its economy and development. But what theyre doing today, destroying civilian infrastructure, bombing and targeting the Yemeni people, is conclusive evidence that what they are doing doesnt serve the Yemeni people, now or in the future. As for their presence, I do not think that it is going to affect the Yemeni people. There have been many countries that invaded our people and we were able to defeat and expel them, and they left our country with their tails between their legs. Yemen, known as the graveyard of invaders in the past, today is still a graveyard for them, and God willing the people of Yemen will be able to achieve their independence and stability. Al Jazeera: How do you envisage the future of Yemen? Al-Houthi: Our vision for Yemens future is that we wish to see a united, independent and democratic Yemen. A Yemen in which development can be strengthened, a Yemen which can be powerful in its development, in its utilisation of its resources, in the enhancement of its stature and presence, in its reciprocal relationship with its neighbours, brotherly, and friendly states. That Yemen should not be subject to any trusteeship in the future, that it be free, that it builds its own population. [We want] to see the people of Yemen educated, to see health services reach all villages and regions in all the provinces. Also to see a Yemen free of terrorism, free from extremism, built on the basis of accepting one another. A Yemen that does not impose its plans or impose anything on others. Rather, a Yemen of dialogue, a Yemen that accepts dialogue with others as peers and in complete sovereignty over its own land. An independent and prosperous Yemen ruled by law where justice prevails, far from destruction, mercenarism and away from being others puppets. Over the holiday season, two prominent Gulf human rights activists will have their appeals heard. One is the Emirati Ahmed Mansoor jailed for 10 years, the other the Bahraini Nabeel Rajab jailed for five. I know both men and am proud to call them friends. The fact that their appeals will be heard at a time when the attention of the West will be otherwise engaged in festive celebrations is no coincidence. Rather, it is a cynical ploy. The authorities in both countries would much prefer that the outcome of the appeals is largely ignored. Both myself and the many human rights organisations that follow their cases fear that the appeals will be dismissed. The justice systems in both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are highly politicised and have no real independence from the ruling families. Let me tell you a little bit about Ahmed Mansoor and Nabeel Rajab and the extraordinary courage they and their families have shown over years of harassment, arrests and imprisonment. Although they have campaigned always peacefully for free media, freedom of expression and association and for democratic reform, they have been treated as security threats by their governments when, in fact, they are great patriots. Ahmed Mansoor, the father of four young children, was the winner of the prestigious 2015 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. He once joked with me that he was the last man talking in the UAE and the region about human rights violations. He pretty much was. Almost every other activist in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is in jail, in exile or silenced by the fear of what the authorities will do not only to them but also to their loved ones. Ahmed and his family have paid a heavy price for his human rights advocacy. In early 2011, after signing a petition calling for democratic and economic reforms, he was subjected to an online smear campaign which, he told me, was orchestrated by the state security apparatus. Twitter, Facebook, text messages, television and radio spread false information about me to create an environment of hatred, he said. It was a campaign that included many death threats. In April of that year, he was arrested, held in jail for nearly eight months and convicted, together with three other human rights proponents, of insulting the rulers in a trial that was widely seen as grossly unfair. On November 27, 2011, Ahmed was sentenced to three years in jail. The next day, thanks largely to an international outcry, he and the others sentenced with him were pardoned. By the time he was released, he had already lost his job as a senior engineer in a telecommunications firm. Subsequently, the government refused to issue him a Certificate of Good Conduct, citing his conviction. Without the certificate, he couldnt be employed in either the private or public sectors. His passport was confiscated and he was banned from travel, a ban which the authorities refused to lift so he could receive the Martin Ennals Award in person in Geneva. Then, in March of 2017, he was seized and taken to an unknown place. His family had no idea where he was and had virtually no contact with him. He was denied access to a lawyer of his choosing. Nearly a year after he was taken, he was brought to court, sentenced to 10 years in jail and fined one million dirham ($272,300) after being convicted of insulting the status and prestige of the UAE and its symbols including its leaders and of seeking to damage the relationship of the UAE with its neighbours by publishing false reports and information on social media. Human rights activists, Zainab al-Khawaja and Nabeel Rajab meet with activists after al-Khawajas release from prison, in Manama, Bahrain on June 3, 2016 [Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed] Nabeel Rajab, whom I have known since 2007, was arrested in June 2016 and held on remand for more than a year and a half, much of that time in solitary confinement. In February of this year, he was brought to trial, swiftly found guilty and handed the five-year term. He was convicted of disseminating false rumours in time of war, for offending a foreign country and for insulting a statutory body for tweets critical of the war in Yemen and for the mistreatment of detainees in Bahrains Jau prison. Nabeel had already spent several years in and out of jail for his persistent refusal to cease his peaceful criticism of the extensive human rights abuses of the Bahraini regime. Like Ahmed Mansoor, he understood that to continue the journey for freedom and democratic reform would inevitably mean more jail time. He had a small bag packed by the door, waiting either for the midnight raid to take him away or for the morning phone call instructing him to present himself at the office of the public prosecutor. Like Ahmeds family, Nabeels family his brave wife Sumaya and their children have suffered greatly. His son Adam has courageously carried on the struggle to keep his fathers name in the public domain. In all the time I have known Nabeel, he has never once doubted that his cause was rightful, nor that the justice must be obtained through peaceful means. He fears that constant harassment and ongoing repression by the state will lead only to more violence. As he told me once: There is no place for peaceful protest. All marches are banned and you cant talk on Twitter. There is no tolerance for any criticism. The government is filling the jails with human rights activists and opposition politicians, all of us advocates for peaceful change. He also once told me that the authorities had offered him his release with only one condition: that he ceases and desists from criticising the regime. He told me those were not terms he could ever contemplate accepting. And I remember asking Ahmed why he continued on his lonely fight. He said: The only way to counter repression is by revealing it. And yes there is always that possibility that I will go back to jail. But if [activists] do not talk, who will? Ahmed Mansoors appeal is scheduled for December 30, Nabeel Rajabs the next day. Spare a thought and shout out support for these two courageous patriots and for their families. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Jesus Christ stands as a towering figure of unity in the face of the divisions and hate being sown among us. And when the angels said, O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary distinguished in this world and the hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah] (The Quran 3:45). There is something beautifully sacred about the moment in the Quran when the angels inform Mary she is about to give birth to Jesus. Angels bring her the good news. They tell her of how He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous. The sublime innocence of Mary at hearing this news can hardly be better captured in any scripture: She said, My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me? [The angel] said, Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is (The Quran 3:47). God Himself, according to the Quran, teaches Christ: And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel (The Quran 3:48). Based on these and other Quranic passages, Muslims should have no theological problem marking, celebrating, rejoicing at the birth of Christ as a prophet sent by God. For every age, a different Christ All of these may appear as strange and outlandish in a world plagued by religious bigotry and historical illiteracy. Generations of European depiction of Christ as a blonde-haired, blue-eyed white man have made it difficult for European and North American Christians today to imagine him for what he was: a Jewish Palestinian refugee child who grew up to become a towering revolutionary figure. In his exquisite study, Jesus Through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture (1985), the eminent historian and theologian Jaroslav Pelikan has demonstrated that, throughout history the image of Christ has gone through successive reformations, from a Jewish Rabbi to Light of Gentiles, the King of Kings, the Son of Man, the Monk who rules the World, the Universal Man, the Prince of Peace, to a liberator who inspired Lev Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr to the Man who belongs to the World. In the Latin American context, in particular, and through the emancipatory work of liberation theologians, the figure of Christ emerges as the revolutionary leader of the wretched of the earth. The Peruvian philosopher, theologian and Dominican priest Gustavo Gutierrez has revolutionised our contemporary understanding of Christ. In my own work on Islamic liberation theology, I have been deeply influenced by the work of Father Gutierrez, who next to the eminent Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas have brought the prophetic voices of Biblical exegesis to bear on our contemporary lives. For years at Columbia, I have been teaching a book called Dont Be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks from The Heart: The Story of Elvia Alvarado (1989) in which there is a splendid a chapter called: Jesus was an Organizer. The Nazareth-born Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman has a short film called, Cyber Palestine (1999), in which he presents the story of a modern-day Mary and Joseph as they attempt to cross from Gaza into Bethlehem. As a parable of the Palestinian predicament in their own homeland, Cyber Palestine captures the quintessence of the story of the birth of Christ under military occupation of the Romans then and the Zionists now. Imagine Christ as a Jewish Palestinian labour organiser refugee from Honduras! Donald Trump and his Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen would probably not have allowed him into the US. Against the grain of history The dark days of Zionism laying a false claim on Judaism and Palestine alike are happily over. The lies of a gang of European settler colonialists trying to rob Jews of their ancestral faith and Palestinians of their historical homeland have finally come to a crushing defeat when Jews and Palestinians, and Jews as Palestinians, have come together to lay a post-Zionist claim on their ancestral faith and homeland alike. The massive propaganda to cast the resistance of Palestinians to the colonial occupation and theft of their homeland as a battle between Jews and Arabs was so dominant in the la la land of the US and even Europe that the very idea that Palestinians are Christians, too, and that Jesus was, in fact, a Palestinian Jewish Rabbi scares and confuses the living daylight out of their slumbering ignorance. The very simple fact that Palestinians have historically been Jews, Christians, and Muslims was hard to digest in that la la land. By extension, also the very simple fact that Christ and Mary are two seminal figures in the Quran has also been seen as a strange proposition in this banality. Jesus was a Palestinian Jew who spoke Aramaic, a language in the same family as Hebrew and Arabic. He came from the same prophetic tradition as Prophets Moses and Mohammad. There are, of course, doctrinal differences between the figure of Jesus as he appears in the Quran and his divinity as understood in Christianity. Here it is crucial to remember the manner in which in both Persian poetry and Islamic mysticism, the figure of Christ expands into the far more pervasive icon of divine mercy. The seminal Sufi master Ibn Arabi (1165-1240) has in his works, particularly in the chapter, The Wisdom of Prophecy in the Word of Jesus, in his masterpiece, Fusus al-Hikam/Bezels of Wisdom, sought to bring conceptual harmony between the Muslim and Christian perceptions of Jesus. Through his doctrine of Oneness of Being, Ibn Arabi accommodated the question of sonship in Christian doctrine: Jesus emerges as a Perfect Man and the Seal of Saints. Ibn Arabi cites the Quranic references to Jesus ability to bring a clay bird to life as an indication of the Divine Will. In the Muslim Sufis Christology, we have a solid body of evidence in which we see the current animus presumed between various religions of Palestine as political hogwash. We need literary knowledge, historical consciousness, and intellectual responsibility with all of which to dismantle the thick apartheid walls that ignorant hateful people are erecting among us all. Merry Christmas everyone! Remember Christ was a Palestinian refugee a Jewish Palestinian refugee, who is the founding figure of Christianity, and a beloved prophet for Muslims. The rest is commentary. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Jakelin Caal buried on Christmas Day, more than two weeks after she died in US Border and Protection custody. San Antonio Secortez, Guatemala Jakelin Caal was excited about going to the United States. The seven-year-old indigenous Qeqchi girl told everyone in her small remote village in San Antonio Secortez about the new life she and her father Nery were going to have. She was excited to travel, Matin Tut, Jakelins 52-year-old neighbour recalled. She mentioned it every chance she could, he told Al Jazeera. Jakelin and Nery made it to the US on December 6, crossing the border into New Mexico with a group of more than 150 others. They were detained by Customs and Border Protection agents, taken into custody, and on December 8, Jakelin was pronounced dead. More than two weeks later on Christmas day Jakelin was buried. We barely slept last night, Domingo Caal, Jakelins grandfather said, as he walked down a muddy trail to the simple grave of cement blocks he and other men from the community constructed in a small cemetery. Jakelins mother Claudia said her daughter dreamed of going to the United States [Jeff Abbott/Al Jazeera] On Monday, a wake was held, with neighbours and others from nearby communities visiting the family. This should be a very special day for them, said Ilvera Cuz, Jakelins grandmother. They should be preparing tamales to celebrate Christmas. But they left everything and are here supporting us to share in this pain. Another child dies CBP initially said Jakelin died of dehydration and shock, a claim the family refutes. The official cause of death is pending as the autopsy results are being finalised. 181225204214558 The administration of US President Donald Trump, who has implemented a zero tolerance policy at the border, has been under increased pressure from rights groups over the way migrants and refugees are treated both at the border and once in the custody. The United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe Gonzalez, called on US authorities to investigate the case. The government should also address failings within the immigration system, and specifically within the US Customs and Border Patrol agency, to prevent similar situations, Gonzalez said in a statement earlier this week. But on Wednesday, CBP reported the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan child that was in its custody. According to a CBP statement, the boy was treated in the hospital initially for the common cold and released. However, he was transferred back to a medical facility after exhibiting nausea and vomiting. He died shortly after midnight on December 25. The cause of death is not known. In search of better opportunities Jakelin and her father were driven to flee to the US due to the extreme poverty, rampant inequalities and lack of opportunity in rural Guatemala. 181221175152453 Nery had briefly worked on a palm oil plantation, but according to his brother, Carlos Caal, was fired after six months for demanding better pay. The brothers earned 65 quetzales a day (about $9), yet nearly half went to transportation and food each day. Like many others, they went to the US, looking for better opportunities for themselves and their family. According to the CBP data, more than 72,000 Guatemalans, primarily children or family units, were captured trying to enter the US southern border between October 2017 and September 2018. Nearly 30,000 others were captured at the beginning of the fiscal year 2019, which began in October. At least 30 people have migrated to the US from San Antonio Secortez in the last three months, residents said. We have heard that there are better opportunities in other countries, Tut explained. There were two members of the community that had already left, he said. And once we began to hear of people making it, we began to make the decision to go. Tut has thought about going, but Jakelins death has caused him to reconsider. Her death pains me and I do not have the will to go right now, Tut said. But who knows what will happen in the future, if the will to go will return. Back at Jakelins burial site, the community said a small Qeqchi prayer. Not much more was said before Jakelins body was slowly lowered into the simple plot on a hill that overlooks the fields. What is life like away from home? The Kathmandu Post wants to hear your stories. The Kathmandu Post is seeking to bring together voices of Nepalis from around the world. Maryland church says it is following the law and its values as it protects woman from being deported to her native El Salvador. Just a few kilometres north of the White House in the US capital, a church is giving sanctuary to a woman facing deportation from the United States to her native El Salvador. Rosa Gutierrez Lopez fled fearing for her life 13 years ago, but was ordered to return to El Salvador after missing an early hearing at immigration court. US immigration officials have typically avoided entering houses of worship to detain people facing deportation orders and, during the Trump administration, religious activists have stepped up efforts to protect asylum seekers. Al Jazeeras Rosiland Jordan reports from Bethesda, Maryland, on why the church is offering sanctuary to asylum seekers. Will the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo finally get to elect a new government in a free and fair election? With just five days left to a presidential and legislative election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many voters in the capital city, Kinshasa, are not confident the polls will be credible. The election was due to take place on Sunday, but it was deferred by a week to December 30 because of technical and logistical reasons. It has already been delayed by two years. Al Jazeeras Catherine Soi reports from Kinshasa. The death of the eight-year-old boy is the second instance this month of a migrant child dying under US detention. An eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant boy died shortly after midnight on Tuesday after being detained by US border agents, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement, the second migrant child this month to die in the US detention. The boy and his father were in CBP custody on December 24 when a Border Patrol agent noticed the child showing signs of illness, CBP said. The father and the son were taken to the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where the boy was diagnosed with a common cold and fever, and eventually released by hospital staff. But later that evening, the boy began vomiting and was transferred back to the hospital. He died at the hospital shortly after midnight, CBP said, adding that the official cause of death is not known. The father and the son were not identified, and the agency said it will release more details as available and appropriate. Guatemalan officials have been notified of the death, CBP said. The Guatemalan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is the second instance this month of a migrant child dying after being detained by US border agents. Earlier in December, seven-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala, died after being detained along with her father by US border agents in a remote part of New Mexico. The administration of President Donald Trump has tried to deter people from crossing the border between ports of entry to seek asylum, while at the same time restricting legal access to official ports of entry. Trumps immigration policies That has created a months-long wait for asylum applicants, including those who formed part of a large caravan of Central Americans this year. Caals wake was held on Monday, Christmas Eve, in her familys village. Her death led to criticism of President Trumps immigration policies by Democrats and migrant advocates. But the Trump administration said Caals death showed the danger of her journey and the familys decision to cross the border. Caals death is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Securitys inspector general, which looks into accusations of misconduct by the agencys employees. CBP said on Tuesday that the Guatemalan boys death is being reviewed by the agencys Office of Professional Responsibility and that the inspector general has been notified of the death. It was not immediately known if the watchdog would open an investigation into the boys death. The project that took two decades and $800m to complete will enable a speedy dispatch of forces to Arunachal Pradesh. India opened its longest road-rail bridge in the northeastern state of Assam on Tuesday as part of efforts to boost defences on its sensitive border with China. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi drove an inaugural cavalcade along the 4.9km Bogibeel bridge over the Brahmaputra river to inaugurate the project which has taken nearly two decades and $800m to complete. The bridge, near the city of Dibrugarh, will enable the military to speed up the dispatch of forces to neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China. With the opening of the bridge, the rail journey from Dibrugarh to the Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar has been cut by 750km. India lost territory in Arunachal Pradesh in a 1962 war with China. The bridge has been designed to bear the weight of Indias heaviest 60-tonne battle tanks and so that fighter jets can land on it. India opened its previous longest bridge, the 9.1km Dhola-Sadiya bridge, in 2017 to connect Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, also to boost tactical defences. Construction of the Bogibeel bridge was agreed by the government as part of a 1985 agreement to end years of deadly agitation by Assamese nationalist groups. Authorities said rescuers were working round the clock to reach six villages, currently inaccessible by road. Rescuers in Indonesia are using drones and sniffer dogs to search for survivors after a powerful tsunami devastated the shorelines of the islands of Java and Sumatra and killed more than 400 people. Military and volunteer teams on Tuesday deployed drones to assess the extent of the damage along the west coast of Java island, but torrential rains hampered rescue efforts. Food, water, blankets and medical aid are trickling in to remote areas via inland roads choked with traffic. Thousands of people are staying in tents and temporary shelters like mosques or schools, with dozens sleeping on the floor or in crowded public facilities. Ayub, a 20-year-old fisherman sleeping with his family in a tent provided by the military, said the conditions in the camps were not ideal due to the rain, but that they had enough food. Everything is destroyed My boat, motorcycle, house all of it, he told Reuters news agency. The most important thing is were alive. Other residents of the same emergency camp, like Tarini, a mother of four, told Reuters their families had been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Im sad for my children, she said. We want things to return to how they were, but we are afraid to return. At the nearby seaside town of Carita, which suffered some of the worst losses, local congregations held tearful Christmas vigils for victims. While many churchgoers have fled the area for fear of further disasters, some like Nikson Sihombing came from temporary evacuation centres. We usually celebrate with joy and festivities, but with the tsunami, we can only pray humbly and not celebrate much for this years Christmas, he said. Devastating waves Thick ash clouds continue to spew from Anak Krakatoa, a volcanic island where a crater collapse at high tide on Saturday sent waves smashing into coastal areas on both sides of the Sunda Strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java. At least 154 people are still missing. More than 1,400 people were injured and thousands of residents had to move to higher ground, with a high tide warning extended to Wednesday. Rescuers used heavy machinery, sniffer dogs and special cameras to detect and dig bodies out of mud and wreckage along a 100km stretch of Javas west coast. Officials said the search area would be expanded further south, following the discovery of washed away bodies. There are several locations that we previously thought were not affected, said Yusuf Latif, spokesman for the national search and rescue agency. But now we are reaching more remote areasand in fact there are many victims there, he added. Authorities said rescuers were working round the clock to reach six villages, currently inaccessible by road and where waves from the tsunami were believed to be as high as five metres. The meteorological and geophysics agency, BMKG, is asking residents to stay away from the shoreline by as much as 1km due to the risk of extreme weather on Wednesday and waves up to two metres high. BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said on Tuesday the agency is worried about the rough weather making the volcanos crater more fragile. Experts warn that a second disaster remains possible. With dreaded Anak Krakatoa still erupting, experts warn second tsunami could slam already-hit areas on Sumatra and Java. Steady loud booms rupture the looping noise of the waves lapping the coast of Pandeglang province on Indonesias Java island. The thumping sound could easily be mistaken for the wind but its not. Hidden in the gloom some 47km out in the sea, Anak Krakatoa volcano is still erupting, like it has been doing for several months now. But late on Saturday, the eruptions triggered an underwater landslide that is widely believed to have caused a devastating tsunami that struck almost without a warning the shorelines of Indonesias Java and Sumatra islands. It was not like a usual wave, Edi Sujarwo, a chef at a hotel lining the Pandeglang seafront, told Al Jazeera. It was a huge wave, with foam on top and it was just rolling and rolling after me. 181224060046316 The powerful tsunami washed away popular seaside areas frequented by local and foreign tourists before Christmas, sweeping over coastal settlements and leaving behind a trail of destruction. The latest death toll stands at 429 people, with 1,459 others injured and another 128 missing. Thousands more have been displaced and forced to seek shelter in temporary camps after the menacing waves flattened their homes. I dont know what Im going to do, Ami Yati told Al Jazeera. Her house in Pandeglang is more than four metres above normal sea level, yet the surging water powered into it as well as her shop next door. Ive got no money; the shops gone too, so Ive got no income. A soldier searches for the tsunami victims in Sumur [Achmad Ibrahim/Associated Press] Fears of second tsunami With Anak Krakatoa still rumbling, experts are warning that more destructive waves could slam the already-stricken areas in southern Sumatra and western Java and with as little warning as Saturdays disaster. People are nervous along this coast, watching the sea for signs that another wave could come, said Al Jazeeras Andrew Thomas, reporting from Pandeglang. Not knowing which rumble means they should run. 181224160438886 Across the coast, in South Lampung on Sumatra, the same feeling prevails. Were scared that another tsunami could hit our village at any time, but we grew up here and our ancestors always told us that Krakatoa was a threat on the horizon, Abdulrahman, the head of Rajabasa village who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told Al Jazeera. Were scared, but this is our home. On both the islands, search and rescue teams are using heavy machinery, diggers and even their bare hands to comb the ruins of hundreds of houses, hotels and other buildings. At a small resort on Javas Carita Beach, rescuers on Monday recovered some 40 bodies during the recovery and cleanup operations. They are still working in the rubble, where there is still a smell of death they know that there are still at least one or two bodies to be recovered here, Al Jazeeras Rob McBride, reporting from the scene, said on Tuesday, adding that the efforts are being hampered by bad weather. New monitoring equipment Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands with a population of some 260 million people, sits on the geologically active Ring of Fire and is frequently hit by earthquakes and tsunamis. For many in the most recent disaster zones, grief is turning to anger as they question whether more could have been done to alert them to what was coming and urge authorities to invest in better monitoring equipment. I want the government to help us so we can continue to live here, so we are not afraid any more, said Hasbialoh Asnawi, a resident in Anyer district on Java island. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who on Monday visited affected areas, pledged to have all tsunami-detection gear fixed or repaired. In a post on Twitter, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for Indonesia Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), acknowledged that Indonesias network of detection buoys had been out of order for the past six years due to vandalism and budget shortages. But other officials and experts have said the tsunami was caused by Anak Krakatau, which means that the BNPBs sensors could not have picked up the volcanic activity as they can monitor the conventional tremors that are responsible for the vast majority of Indonesias tsunamis. Its highly likely that there will be more tsunamis generated by submarine landslides. The question is, when is that going to happen. We dont know, James Goff, professor of tsunami research at the University of New South Wales in Australia, told Al Jazeera. Are there going to be bigger ones? We dont know. What warning do you have? Well, its an active volcano and thats essentially the warning. Major disasters Saturdays tsunami was Indonesias third major natural disaster in just a few months. In July and August, major earthquakes on Lombok island killed hundreds of people, while in September a devastating earthquake-tsunami claimed more than 2,000 lives in Palu on Sulawesi island. 181225022158260 It also came just a few days before the 14th anniversary of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, one of the deadliest disasters in history that claimed the lives of some 220,000 people in several countries around the Indian Ocean, more than half of whom were Indonesians. As cleanup and recovery efforts following the latest disaster continue, the fears of people living on the coasts of Java and Sumatra in such close proximity to the rumbling Anak Krakatoa will linger. A number of the people who lived here at sea level are now in temporary shelters on higher ground, said Al Jazeeras McBride. Whether they come back here, will depend in part in what confidence they have in being able to predict what the sea does next. Military says the attack that took place in the former ISIL stronghold in northern Iraq killed two people. A car bomb attack in the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar has killed two people and wounded 11, according to the Iraqi military. The attack in the former Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) stronghold was claimed by the group through its news agency Amaq and Telegram messaging application on Tuesday. ISIL said three people were killed in the incident. Tal Afar, about 80km west of Mosul, experienced cycles of sectarian violence after the United States-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and produced some of ISILs most senior commanders. 181221225208710 The city, which had about 200,000 residents, came under ISIL control when the armed group overran swaths of Iraqs north in 2014. It was taken back by Iraqi security forces, backed by the US-led coalition, in August 2017, the last area to be reclaimed from ISIL in the north before fighting moved to the Syrian border. A heavy security presence has remained since then and the city has been mostly quiet. Tuesdays attack was the first one in Tal Afar since Iraqi forces retook the city from ISIL. ISIL declared a caliphate in 2014 after seizing large swaths of Syria and Iraq, establishing its de facto capital in the Syrian city of Raqqa. However, the group has lost all their strongholds and the vast majority of the territory it controlled since then. Soldiers arrive in island close to volcano to pluck stranded residents who spent days in mountainous areas without food. Desa Cantik, Indonesia Nurmelis was watching TV on Saturday night in her home on Pulau Sebesi, one of the several small islands dotted around the Sunda Strait, located between the larger Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra, when the sea began to churn. I heard a wave crashing on the shore but it sounded louder than usual, so I went outside to take a look, the 38-year-old housewife told Al Jazeera. As soon as I saw the second wave coming, I knew it was a tsunami. So, I just turned and ran up to the mountains. Nurmelis was right. Fewer than 20km away from Pulau Sebesi, the latest eruption of Anak Krakatoa an active volcanic island that has been spewing ash and lava for months caused an underwater landslide that is widely believed to have set off a powerful tsunami. Death toll from the tsunami crossed 420 with more than 1,400 people wounded [Teguh Harahap/Al Jazeera] Minutes after the landslide, the giant waves hit the coastlines of Banten and Lampung provinces, on Java and Sumatra respectively, killing more than 400 people and destroying hundreds of seaside houses, hotels and other local businesses. On the mountain without food In Pulau Sebesi, home to an estimated 3,000 people, Nurmelis and her 42-year-old husband Faisal were afraid to return home so they stayed in the mountain without food until Monday, when the Indonesian army and rescue workers arrived with food supplies. 181223064921045 On Tuesday, the couple were allowed briefly to go back home to collect some belongings before the army began the evacuation of local residents to Desa Cantik, a village port in South Lampung. When Nurmelis and Faisal did so, they found that their house was filled with sand and rocks. Asih, another Pulau Sebesi resident, was asleep at home when the tsunami hit on Saturday evening. She was awoken by the noise of the waves. I grabbed my two-year-old daughter and ran, she said. I didnt even lock my door. Asihs mother, Rohaya, joined them to a mountainous area of the island where the two women made a rudimentary tent using a tarpaulin they found discarded in the jungle. Thousands of people were left homeless when the waves smashed homes [Teguh Harahap/Al Jazeera] They also did not eat anything until Monday when the soldiers gave them rations of instant noodles which they had to cook using water provided from a thermos. The sky is dark Sargent Tukijan, an officer in the Indonesian army, is helping to coordinate the evacuations from Pulau Sebesi. We plan to bring over about 400 people and will send five boats to Pulau Sebesi. This is the first, he told Al Jazeera on Tuesday. We just cant be sure of when the evacuations will be complete because we have to monitor the weather and the status of the volcano. With Anak Krakatoa still erupting, there are fears that the volcano could cause another tsunami something that Rohaya feels is a strong possibility. 181224160438886 I was born on Pulau Sebesi and Ive never seen the volcano like this. Its still erupting and the sky is dark, she said, adding that she believed that this was a bad omen. Last time I heard from my son Patiently waiting on the shore at Desa Cantik was Hidayat, 58, who was hoping his son, Hery, would be on the evacuation boat. He last spoke to the 34-year-old on Saturday night after the tsunami struck. Id actually just come back from Pulau Sebesi as Id gone to visit him. But he had to work on his chocolate plantation early the next morning so I went home on Saturday afternoon. When I heard there had been a tsunami, I was speechless. Then, he called me to say that his home had been hit and everything was gone. That was the last I heard from him, he told Al Jazeera. I cant get through to his phone so I dont know what happened after that, he said. The tsunami hit almost without warning smashing into houses, hotels and other buildings [Teguh Harahap/Al Jazeera] Hidayat has been asking evacuees about his son and said there have been possible sightings of him also hiding in the mountains. I have hope hes safe and Ill see him soon, he said. I dont know why hes not on the boat. Too weak to walk As of Tuesday afternoon, the death toll stood at 429, with 1,485 people injured and 154 missing, said Sutopo Nugroho, spokesperson for the national disaster mitigation agency. According to the agency, more than 16,000 people are now displaced as a result of the tsunami, including the evacuated residents of Pulau Sebesi. Upon arrival at Desa Cantik, several were so weak from the lack of food that they had to be carried off the rickety wooden rescue boats on stretchers. Some collapsed once they reached the crisis centre. Now, all they can do is wait in temporary camps until its deemed safe for them to return home. For the moment, however, many are just happy to be out of danger never having felt the fury of Anak Krakatoa in their lifetimes. It was incredible, Faisal told Al Jazeera about the night of the eruption and tsunami. Even the water was on fire. Martha Erika Alonso and Rafael Moreno Valle killed when their helicopter came down close to Puebla city. A Mexican governor and her senator husband have been killed in a helicopter crash in the central state of Puebla. Martha Erika Alonso, a senior opposition figure and the new governor of Puebla, died with Rafael Moreno Valle, a federal senator and former governor of the same state, when their helicopter came down on Monday not far from Puebla city, local media reported. My deepest condolences to the relatives of Senator Rafael Moreno Valle and his wife, governor of Puebla Martha Erika Alonso, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wrote on Twitter, adding that his government would open an investigation. Marko Cortes, president of the couples centre-right National Action Party (PAN), tweeted that he deeply lamented the fatal accident. He added that the party was in mourning. Lamento profundamente el accidente fatal en el que perdieron la vida Martha Ericka Alonso, Rafael Moreno Valle y otras personas. Que descansen en paz. @AccionNacional esta de luto. Marko Cortes (@MarkoCortes) December 24, 2018 Alonso took office as governor less than two weeks ago after a local election that was hotly contested with Lopez Obradors leftist National Regeneration Movement, or MORENA. An electoral tribunal had to validate the results months after the vote amid accusations of fraud. Moreno Valle governed the state from 2011 to 2017. I said hello to (Moreno) in the Senate just a few days ago. Those of us who had the opportunity to know them are sad and troubled, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter. It was not immediately clear if the pilot died or what had caused the crash. Helicopter crashes TV footage showed the remains of an aircraft in flames, a plume of smoke and people who showed up at what appeared to be the scene. The Reforma newspaper reported that the helicopter took off from Puebla city and crashed in Huejotzingo, about 30km away. Benito Nacif, an official at the federal electoral institute, said Pueblas Congress would have to appoint an interim governor until new elections could be held for a successor to serve out the remainder of Alonsos term. A number of Mexican politicians have died in aircraft accidents in the past few years, including federal interior ministers in 2008 and 2011. The latter two were also the members of the PAN. In February, a military helicopter carrying top Mexican officials crashed while assessing damage from a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the southern state of Oaxaca. The crash-landing killed at least 13 people on the ground who had apparently been waiting to greet the officials who survived the crash unharmed, as did the crew. Security forces were on escort duty when they were attacked in Yobe state in the north of the country, army says. As many as 14 Nigerian military and police personnel have been killed in an ambush by armed Boko Haram group, the army said in a statement. According to the army statement issued on Tuesday, security forces were on escort duty when they were attacked on Monday just outside Damaturu town in Yobe state in the north of Nigeria. The statement signed by army spokesman Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said efforts to pursue and eliminate the Boko Haram group are ongoing. 181224161821509 Since the group launched its campaign in 2009, Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people and forced two million others to flee their homes in northeast Nigeria. Nigerias military has been fighting the group since then and despite the governments insistence that it is near defeat, northern Nigeria is still beleaguered by heavy fighting. Over the years, Boko Haram, which wants to form a breakaway state, has kidnapped thousands of adults and children. The Boko Haram continued threat is a major issue for President Muhammadu Buhari as he seeks a second term in the upcoming election in February. After a recent series of deadly attacks on Nigerias military, Buhari and other officials have warned that the group has begun using drones as part of a resurgence. 1. Yes. The new strain spreads quickly; experts are concerned. It might be in our area soon. 2. Yes. The new variant may be vaccine-resistant, which would be a huge threat. 3. No. Health experts have moved quickly to contain it; it may not reach our community. 4. No. Even if the variant arrives in Texas, researchers may have some answers by then. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say until experts have had a chance to monitor it for a while. Vote View Results Head of worlds 1.3 billion Catholics hopes for fraternity among people of all walks of life in his Christmas message. Pope Francis has called for peace in conflict zones such as Syria and Yemen, as millions across the world celebrated Christmas on Tuesday. The head of the worlds 1.3 billion Catholic Christians said in his Christmas message that he hoped Yemens recent truce would end a war that has killed about 10,000 people since 2015 and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity, he told pilgrims in Saint Peters Square on Tuesday, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas Fraternity among persons of different religions. My thoughts turn to Yemen, in the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine, he said. 181218173047752 The pope also spoke of the war in Syria, which has forced millions from their homes and reduced swaths of the country to rubble. He called for a political solution to the conflict so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country. Israeli-Palestinian conflict Francis also said he hoped for renewed peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love. Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israels separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bethlehems mayor Anton Salman, said that the message of Palestinians on Christmas is that we are staying in the holy land and will maintain it and resist the occupation until our national goals are achieved, specifically independence and establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, Maan news reported. Visitors from across the world gathered in the little town on Christmas Eve for midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. They were able to view the Church of the Nativitys newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after a major renovation. The Museum of Black Civilizations is provoking calls for the return of African artefacts stolen by former colonial slave traders. A new museum has opened in Senegal, tracing millions of years of African history. The Museum of Black Civilizations is provoking calls for the return of African artefacts taken away by former colonial slave traders. Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque reports from Dakar. While Omar al-Bashir vows real reforms to improve living standards, protesters demand that he should resign. Sudans embattled President Omar al-Bashir has vowed to introduce some real reforms even as trade unions and professional associations plan a mass rally in the capital, Khartoum, asking him to step down. In his first public comments since the anti-government protests began in Atbara city seven days ago, Bashir on Monday warned the protesters to not respond to attempts at sowing discord in the country. The demonstrations are the biggest in several years against Bashirs 29-year rule, with protesters enraged over rising prices, shortage of basic goods and a cash crisis. 181224114651302 The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) quoted Bashir as saying that the state was continuing with economic reforms that provide citizens with a decent life. Meanwhile, civil society groups have planned a Christmas Day rally in central Khartoum, less than a kilometre from the presidential palace, demanding Bashirs removal. Organisers said they plan to march to the palace and hand the presidency a memo calling for him to step down immediately. The National Umma Party, one of the countrys top opposition parties, has supported the move. Its leader Sadiq al-Mahdi, Sudans last democratically elected prime minister until he was overthrown by Bashir in a coup in 1989, returned to Sudan on Wednesday and called for a democratic transition No specific plan Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said Bashir did not specify his plan for economic reforms that provide citizens with a decent life. The president said he is going to offer reforms, but he did not mention how and what kind of reforms is he planning, she said. Meanwhile, people are saying they dont want any reforms since his government hasnt done much in decades of rule. Government officials blame the unrest on infiltrators. Officials have recorded at least 12 deaths, though Amnesty International on Monday said it has credible reports that Sudanese police have killed at least 37 protesters in clashes during anti-government demonstrations. Security forces in Sudans Sennar state arrested 25 people for working to incite sabotage and planning to burn the Sennar municipal building and a number of governmental and private institutions, SUNA reported on Monday. Police reports were also filed against suspects for crimes of sabotage in Gadarif state, private TV channel Sudania 24 reported. Since the demonstrations started spreading on Wednesday, police have dispersed protesters with tear gas as well as resorting to firing in some cases, residents say. Authorities have shut schools and declared a state of emergency and curfews in several states. Security forces use live ammunition to disperse protesters marching towards the presidential palace in the capital. Riot police in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, used live ammunition and tear gas in an attempt to disperse protesters marching towards the presidential palace. Videos posted online appeared to show crowds of several hundred people heading towards the palace on Tuesday, which is located on the bank of the river Blue Nile in the heart of Khartoum. The demonstrators could be heard singing patriotic songs and chanting, Peaceful, peaceful against the thieves and The people want to bring down the regime before police began firing into the crowds. The unrest came after five days of rallies against the government of President Omar al-Bashir, with protesters enraged over rising prices, shortage of basic goods and a cash crisis. Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said calls for the president to step down were growing louder with people turning up in significant numbers for the protest, which had been planned for a number of days. "The people want to bring down the regime!" Organizers say hundreds were injured in Sudan today after police used tear gas and fired live ammunition to disperse thousands of protesters. They were marching to demand the resignation of Omar Bashir, Sudan's president of 29 years. pic.twitter.com/AVtGDiGe0J AJ+ (@ajplus) December 25, 2018 [Protesters] seemed to agree they want to see change and the police had to use tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd, Morgan said. 181224180823180 Unfortunately, for the police that is, people continued [marching]. Weve heard people say they want the regime to go, they want to see a new regime.' Even with the tear gas being fired at them, some people have been using headscarves and went on to proceed against the riot police with their demands that the president must leave. Embattled president Tuesdays protest was organised by The Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella coalition for professional unions, and supported by the National Umma Party, one of the countrys top opposition parties. They said they planned on marching to the palace and hand the presidency a memo calling for him to step down immediately. Sudans embattled al-Bashir has vowed to introduce real reforms since the anti-government protests began in Atbara city seven days ago, but has also warned the protesters to not respond to attempts at sowing discord in the country. Speaking to a crowd of his supporters on Tuesday, Bashir accused the protests of being influenced by external agents. 181224114651302 Thank you for your support and enthusiasm which are a response to every foreign agent, traitor, outlaw, and destructive person, he said. You are the ones responding to them right now. From here, you are responding to all the traitors and foreign agents. I support you. And with your support, I will be back here next year. The demonstrations are the biggest in several years against Bashirs 29-year rule. Officials have recorded at least 12 deaths, though Amnesty International on Monday said it has credible reports that police have killed at least 37 protesters in clashes during anti-government demonstrations. Sidki Kabilo, a member of the Sudanese Communist Party, said the protests had morphed over spiralling costs into wider discontent and dissatisfaction with Bashir. The people started demonstrating over bread, fuel and financial instability, however, theyre now demanding the toppling of the regime. The masses have realised there is a strong relationship between the economy and politics. The regime has promised several times to correct its path, but the crisis is over the nature of the regime which spends a lot of money protecting itself and buying loyalty and support. No specific plan Al Jazeeras correspondent said that Bashir did not specify his plan for economic reforms, which he said would provide citizens with a better life. The president said he is going to offer reforms, but he did not mention how and what kind of reforms is he planning, Morgan said. Meanwhile, people are saying they dont want any reforms since his government hasnt done much in decades of rule. 181222175906337 Ismail Kushkush, a Sudanese-American Journalist, said while the absence of a strong opposition party had historically worked in Bashirs favour, Sudan was witnessing a new and unprecedented wave of unrest. For a long time the Sudanese opposition various actors, political parties and youth groups have been divided. And the government has been able to make use of that. However, what were seeing now is different. Opposition groups are calling on their political base to take to the streets to join these protests. How that translates into actual political gain remains to be seen. But all Sudanese, whether active in politics or not, have felt the burden of the economic woes that have taken place this year. State media says government air defences intercept missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets near the Syrian capital. Syrian state media says government air defences have intercepted missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets near the capital, Damascus. The reported raid on Tuesday hit an arms depot and wounded three soldiers, Syrias state-run news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official as saying. Our air defences confronted hostile missiles launched by Israeli warplanes from above the Lebanese territories and downed most of them before reaching their targets, the military source said. Lebanons state-run National News Agency earlier reported that Israeli jets were flying at low altitude over parts of southern Lebanon. Nearly an hour after the attacks began, Damascus residents could still hear the air defence units firing towards targets in the air. There was no immediate comment by the Israeli military on the report. An IDF aerial defence system activated in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria, the official Israeli army Twitter account later said. An IDF aerial defense system activated in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 25, 2018 Israel has in the past carried out dozens of air raids in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets, many of them south of Damascus. At the end of November, Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of hostile targets over the Kisweh area south of the capital. In early December, state media reported that Syrian air defences had opened fire near Damascus airport but later withdrew the report without explanation. Tuesdays reported attack near Damascus is the first since US President Donald Trump announced last week that Washington will withdraw all of its 2,000 forces in Syria. Following Trumps surprise announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel would continue to act against Irans attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria, and to the extent necessary, we will even expand our actions there. Trucks carrying regime forces and equipment, and armoured vehicles have arrived in the region, sources say. Syrian government forces have entered the countrys northern border region of Manbij controlled by Kurdish fighters, local sources told Al Jazeera and Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency. Trucks carrying regime forces and equipment, two tanks, and other armoured vehicles have arrived in the village of Arimah in the western countryside of Manbij, sources told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday. Arimah is 25km away from the centre of Manbij. The development comes a day after Turkish-backed Syrian fighters dispatched fighters and armoured vehicles to the front line along Manbij and days after Washington took an unexpected decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Manbij is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), seen as a terrorist group by Turkey. 181223131305616 Ankara says a Turkish operation in Syria will target areas under the control of YPG fighters, including Manbij. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that Ankara and Washington agreed to complete withdrawal of the YPG forces from Manbij before the US pulls out of Syria. He added the US agreed to take back weapons given to the YPG. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his threats to target Kurdish fighters. Turkey was in Syria to return the freedom of our Arab brothers and sisters, to return the freedom of our Kurdish brothers and sisters, Erdogan said during a speech. Turkey has sent reinforcements at the border with Syria in the previous days, with local media reporting that some vehicles had crossed it. In the past two years, Turkey has conducted two offensives into northern Syria, dubbed Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch. Surprising decision President Donald Trumps surprise decision to withdraw the estimated 2,000 US troops from Syria on Wednesday has created shock among members of the Congress, including Republicans, as well as among Washingtons Western allies. 181223093326924 Erdogans spokesperson said on Monday that US military officials will come to Turkey this week to discuss coordination on Syria. Washington for years supported the YPG-led SDF in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group in Syria. A senior Syrian Kurdish official said they were reaching out for help to protect the Kurdish-administered areas against a possible Turkish offensive following the US withdrawal, adding that they were in talks with Russia, the Syrian government and European countries. 181224154431699 We will deal with whoever can protect the good and stability of this country, the Associated Press news agency quoted Ilham Ahmed as saying on Monday. A delegation of the Syrian Democratic Council, the political wing of SDF, arrived in Russia last week for talks. Ankara claims the YPG is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged attacks on Turkish soil since the 1980s as they sought autonomy. Without offering details, US president thanks Riyadh for stepping in to support Syria following US military withdrawal. US President Donald Trump has said Saudi Arabia will spend the necessary money to help reconstruct war-torn Syria, without offering any details. Trumps comments on Monday came days after he took to Twitter to announce the withdrawal of all 2,000 US troops from Syria while also abruptly declaring victory over the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) in the country. The surprising decision on Wednesday contradicted his own experts assessments and sparked surprise and anger among some of Washingtons allies. On Monday, in his latest unexpected foreign policy statement made on Twitter, Trump said Riyadh would step in to support Syria following the US military withdrawal. Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. See? Trump wrote. Isnt it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbours rather than a Great Country, the US, that is 5,000 miles away. Thanks to Saudi A! Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. See? Isnt it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the U.S., that is 5000 miles away. Thanks to Saudi A! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018 There was no immediate comment from the Saudi government, which in October delivered $100m to the US, two months after pledging the sum to help stabilise parts of Syria and just as the international outcry over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Riyadhs shifting narratives about his fate grew. Who will get the money? Al Jazeeras Rob Reynolds, reporting from Washington, said the initial reaction to Trumps announcement was one of bafflement as no other US officials had commented on his statement which also came on a day that the president was not scheduled to have a telephonic conversation with the Saudi leadership. It came out of nowhere and there are more questions than answers, including how much money is he talking about. We know that the Saudis in October delivered $100m intended for Syria reconstruction but the presidents tweet seemed to imply that there was more money that is going to be forthcoming, said Reynolds. Also, how will this money be spent? When will it be disbursed? And most importantly, in a country that is divided into many different spheres of influence, who will get the money? The US president has repeatedly expressed his support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, despite CIA assessment that the royal ordered Khashoggis killing inside the kingdoms consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul in October. Trump has also defied pressure from US legislators to impose tougher sanctions on Saudi Arabia over the journalists murder by indicating that he had no intention of cancelling military contracts with the kingdom. The Trump administration sees Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner in the region, and Trump has certainly gone out on the fence to defend that strategic partnership, Ellen Wald, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the author of Saudi Inc: The Arabian Kingdoms Pursuit of Profit and Power, told Al Jazeera. And now he is saying, look we are still committed to you, now youve got to step up and do what needs to be done and its definitely been clear from Trumps policy that they would like Saudi Arabia to really serve as an effective counterpoint in the region to Iran, she added. Turkey-US talks Trumps decision to pull out of Syria was followed by resignations from Pentagon chief James Mattis and Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the global coalition to defeat the ISIL. The announcement of the withdrawal which is reportedly going to be completed within 60 to 100 days, comes on the eve of a possible Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria against Kurdish fighters, seen as terrorists by Turkey. A US delegation is expected to head to Turkey this week to discuss cooperation on Syria. US forces have for years backed the Kurdish Peoples Protection Forces (YPG)-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against ISIL. Ankara claims the YPG is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which has waged attacks on Turkish soil since the 1980s as they sought autonomy. As the country heads to the much-delayed election, questions over the 47-year-old leaders long rule cast a shadow. Kinshasa, DRC Not long after the Democratic Republic of the Congos (DRC) electoral commission announced that elections scheduled for December 23 had been delayed by a week, a group of unemployed men outside a restaurant in capital Kinshasa had a look of disappointment etched across their faces. All we want to do is vote and decide our future. We want to choose someone who can improve our situation, but it seems the electoral commission is doing everything to keep the president in power, Kambayi Ibrahim, a 35-year-old father of three, told Al Jazeera. Last week, while extending the already-delayed elections, the electoral commission said it had no choice since the ballot materials were destroyed in a fire in its warehouse in the capital, Kinshasa. But opposition supporters criticised the delay, saying it was a ploy to keep President Joseph Kabila in power. Sitting next to Ibrahim was Jonas Mutala. Twice I voted for President Kabila. But you can see it was a big mistake. I regret voting for him, said 59-year-old Mutala, the anger palpable in his deep voice. Kabila has ruled the vast, mineral-rich country for nearly 18 years. The 47-year-old is the countrys second-longest serving president who took power after the assassination of his father by one of his bodyguards in 2001. Kabilas second and final term in the office ended two years ago, but he continued using a clause in the DRCs constitution that allowed his government to remain as a caretaker. He is not competing in the December 30 election. But what sort of legacy is he leaving behind in the DRC? Security a concern Kabila was the number two man in a weak and poorly-trained army when he came to power. The DRC sub-Saharan Africas biggest country five times the size of France was trying to put down a rebellion that involved 25 armed groups and armies from at least eight African countries. The bloody conflict, billed as Africas World War which started in 1998 and formally ended in 2003, left more than two million dead and millions of others displaced. In a peace agreement signed in South Africa, Kabila decided to share power with the main leaders of the armed opposition groups leading to most fighters putting down their weapons. Kabilas supporters say he has improved the security situation in much of the country. When President Kabila came to power, our country was divided into four. There was a huge number of armed groups. Today, there is conflict only in one territory, Jean Pierre Kambila Kakwende, the deputy chief of staff, told Al Jazeera. Nobody can question Kabilas work in terms of security. It will be seriously unfair. The country did not exist. Now, it does, Kakwende said. But ongoing conflicts in parts of the country like North Kivu, Ituri and Kasai provinces have uprooted hundreds of thousands. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, the conflict displaced 1.7 million people in 2018. An average of 5,500 people fled their homes every day in the country this year, according to a report released by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. Economy, poverty, corruption DR Congo is one of the poorest countries on the African continent. At least 63 percent of the countrys more than 80 million people live on less than two dollars a day, according to the United Nations. Rights groups and Kabilas opponents accuse the president of squandering the wealth of the mineral-rich country. According to a report by the Congo Research Group (CRG) at New York Universitys Center on International Cooperation, Kabilas family either partially or wholly owns more than 80 companies and businesses in the DRC and abroad. The report claims Jaynet Kabila, the presidents sister and a member of parliament, owns a stake in Vodacom, the countrys largest mobile phone network. Kabilas brother Zoe, who is also a lawmaker, owns companies that have been contracted to work on some of the worlds most lucrative mineral deposits. Last year, Global Witness, an anti-corruption charity, said as little as six percent of DR Congos annual mining exports reach the national budget. DR Congo is Africas biggest copper producer and is home to more than 60 percent of the worlds cobalt. The two minerals account for 80 percent of the countrys export revenue, according to the World Bank. Mining revenue of more than $1.3bn, double the governments annual budget for the health and education ministry, went missing between 2013 and 2015 before it reached the countrys treasury, according to Global Witness. Transparency International ranked the country 161 out of 180 in its 2017 corruption perceptions index. But Kinshasa denies the corruption claims, saying it is a ploy to force the country to hand over its sovereignty and wealth to foreign powers. Congolese people are not stupid to not be able to understand what is going on. The fight in the Congo is between freedom and those who want to keep us in poverty so that we are not able to control our economy and wealth, Kakwende said. Al Kitenge, a political strategist based in Kinshasa, said corruption is endemic but it is not only the governments job to fight it. Less than five percent of the working force pays taxes. And many of those dont pay the right amount. It is a crisis. Corruption can be fixed by the people, who need to be the guardian of their resources. Unfortunately, people have been passive on that front, he said. The government also points to the growth the DRCs economy has recorded since Kabila came to power. 181224192731025 According to the Africa Development Bank, Congos economy averaged 7.7 percent growth between 2010 and 2015. Crisis with education Under Kabilas rule, many young people find education to be a luxury they cant afford with education not being free. At least 3.5 million children of primary school age did not go to any school, according to the USAID, which found that 44 percent of those who attend started late. DR Congo has a primary and secondary school enrollment rate of 54 percent and a literacy rate of 66.8 percent (those aged 15 and over who can read and write), according to the United Nations. To tackle the crisis a result of both the years of conflict and underfunding in the education sector the Congolese government extended more resources to the ministry. In 2012, the education ministry received 7.9 percent of the countrys budget for education. That jumped to 14.7 percent in 2015. Not a democracy Critics of Kabila accuse him of leading a repressive regime that silenced the dissenters. The government routinely blocks access to the internet during street protests. The DRC election was repeatedly delayed in the last two years, leading to deadly clashes between opposition supporters and the security forces. Under Kabila, Congo has become the world capital of violence. He steals elections to remain in power. He arrests and beats opponents. That is not democracy. Martin Fayulu of the opposition coalition, Lamuka, told Al Jazeera. Kabilas supporters, however, disagree, pointing to the fact that he is after all stepping down after serving two terms in office. But Jonas Mutala says he has had enough of Kabila. It is time for him and his people to go and leave us alone. Eighteen years are enough. We need to move on and give others a chance, he said. Much of the world, it seems, is quite lonely. In fact, some have recently declared that loneliness has reached epidemic levels in the United States. A national study of more than 20,000 Americans by health insurer Cigna released in May of this year concluded that, based on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (a 20-item questionnaire developed to assess subjective feelings of loneliness, as well as social isolation), most American adults are considered lonely. Some of the alarming results of the survey, as Cigna reveals: Nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent). of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent). Two in five Americans sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful (43 percent) and that they are isolated from others (43 percent). Americans sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful (43 percent) and that they are isolated from others (43 percent). One in five people report they rarely or never feel close to people (20 percent) or feel like there are people they can talk to (18 percent). people report they rarely or never feel close to people (20 percent) or feel like there are people they can talk to (18 percent). Americans who live with others are less likely to be lonely (average loneliness score of 43.5) compared to those who live alone (46.4). However, this does not apply to single parents/guardians (average loneliness score of 48.2) -- even though they live with children, they are more likely to be lonely. Only around half of Americans (53 percent) have meaningful in-person social interactions, such as having an extended conversation with a friend or spending quality time with family, on a daily basis. (53 percent) have meaningful in-person social interactions, such as having an extended conversation with a friend or spending quality time with family, on a daily basis. Generation Z (adults ages 18-22) is the loneliest generation and claims to be in worse health than older generations. You almost certainly encountered reports on this research. After Cigna released its study, media across the U.S. reported that most Americans are considered lonely. Before Cignas study was released, health experts were warning of a loneliness epidemic. In October of 2017, the Washington Post reported that former surgeon general Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, wants us to treat loneliness as a public health crisis. In Psychology Today, Dr. Murthy declares loneliness as the most common pathology. The British are so concerned with loneliness that in January of this year, UK Prime Minister Theresa May appointed a minister for loneliness. Mark Robinson, the head of Age UK -- the largest British charity focused on the elderly -- warned that loneliness can be fatal. Its proven to be worse for health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day, but it can be overcome and neednt be a factor in older peoples lives, he said. The loneliness is killing us, wrote Karol Markowicz in the New York Post this week. Ms. Markowicz points to the rising suicide rate in the U.S., which, along with drug overdoses, has led to another drop in U.S. life expectancy. As Web MD reports, Life expectancy in the United States has now declined for three years in a row, fueled largely by a record number of drug overdose deaths and rising suicide rates, new government statistics show. Its really the first time weve seen this multi-year drop in decades, said Renee Gindi, chief of the Analytic Studies Branch of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I typically put little stock in research on something as difficult to measure as loneliness. However, as we examine the world around us, the anecdotal evidence for the problem of loneliness abounds. More importantly, Scripture explicitly reveals that from the very beginning, our Creator Himself was concerned with this matter. As John Milton put it, loneliness is the first thing Gods eye named not good. After creating Adam, God declared, It is not good for the man to be alone. Eve was then created and humanitys first couple was instructed to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. As Matthew Henry's commentary on Genesis chapter two notes, [M]an is a sociable creature. It is a pleasure to him to exchange knowledge and affection with those of his own kind, to inform and to be informed, to love and to be beloved. What God here says of the first man Solomon says of all men (Eccl. 4:9 , etc.), that two are better than one, and woe to him that is alone Not only did Adam and Eve have a relationship with each other, they were also in perfect communion with God. At this time, they may have been the least lonely people in the history of the world. Their sin ended all of that. After they disobeyed God and subsequently fled from Him, though they still had one another, for the first time in their lives they found themselves alone and afraid. Nevertheless, in spite of their disobedience, God still sought them. So it is today. It should come as no surprise that as our culture grows further from God, loneliness and suicide would increase. I would wager that the loneliest among us are those who are the most devoted to themselves. Such people are often steeped in the hook-up culture and fill the crowded clubs and bars on Friday and Saturday evenings. Often surrounded by hordes, yet desperately lonely, many are clueless or in denial about what will really fill the void in their lives. As little stock as I put in research on matters such as loneliness, I put even less stock in the secular solutions for such things. Theres only one way to fill the God-shaped hole in each of us. As Pascal put it, What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself. Christianity teaches that the only way to fill this infinite abyss is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In order to become what we were meant to be, in order to have true meaning and purpose in this world, we must get off the lonely throne of our lives and let Jesus have His proper place. Along with an eternal relationship with the One who made us, where we never have to feel alone, Gods greatest gift -- Jesus Christ -- meets all of our most desperate needs. Of course, Christmas is the time that we celebrate this gift and all that it means. Ultimately the world doesnt have a loneliness problem, a poverty problem, a crime problem, a sexual problem, or a terrorism problem. The world has a sin problem, and Christmas provides us with the answer. Theres no escaping this all-important eternal truth: we are all in dire need of a Savior. Your life can be filled with people, treasures, and every kind of pleasure, but if you ignore Jesus and His message, you will regret it for all of eternity and be lonelier than youve ever been. Your life can be riddled with loneliness, poverty, sickness, and strife, yet if you repent and believe in Christ, the magnificent riches of eternal life await you. And whether rich or poor, sick or well, imprisoned or free, lonely or loved, we all need the gift that was given on that first Christmas day. Merry Christmas! Trevor Grant Thomas At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. www.trevorgrantthomas.com Trevor is the author of the brand new book The Miracle and Magnificence of America tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com George H.W. Bushs death and funeral cracked open the door to a world we had nearly forgotten. Many experienced the remembrances around that era in a wave of nostalgia that deserves an explanation. Bush was known by friend and foe alike as a man of decency and honor. Actually, though, he embodied values considered rather commonplace in his time and before. Similar words could have been said of Truman, Eisenhower, Ford, Kennedy, or Ronald Reagan. We expected nothing less than decency and honor from an American president. Before we close the door on the last president from the generation who fought a World War, perhaps its worth remembering what we took for granted for so long. Coming of age in Bushs time and before afforded some lovely privileges that seem almost quaint now. We lived our lives (mostly) unaware of who occupied the presidency. Imagine what it was like to feel no need to follow a presidents daily remarks or check to see if what he said today matched what he said last week. If the President declared you could keep your doctor and your health insurance -- well, that actually meant you could keep your doctor and your health insurance. You didnt think much about it. Since you werent having to scour the papers or catch the latest commentary on NPR you could get on with making a life. Quite literally, you could get a life. Job, marriage, graduate school -- thats what you gave your attention to with the confidence that the person who occupied the White House would handle the big stuff. Or better said, you were confident the president would undergird the institutions and the principles that made it possible for people like you to create a functioning adult life that also included an enthusiastic effort to birth the next generation. Almost never did you overhear something on a television screen in a public setting where you thought, Tell me I did not just hear the President of the United States say that. Surely I got that wrong. Well, probably not. We could rest in a standard set of expectations. Nearly every President in the memory of boomers (and their parents) modeled behavior becoming to the office -- certainly, in any public sense. In Bushs funeral this week we remembered how long we have endured this wasteland of character. Peggy Noonan, in her article marking the 20th anniversary of efforts to impeach Bill Clinton for lying about his sexual affair with a junior staff member, noted how much Clinton could have saved the country if he had owned his failure and apologized. Instead, he let the country bear the brunt. We endured a year in which 8-year-olds learned about oral sex from the radio on the way home from school, and 10-year-olds came to understand that important adults lieand teenagers knew if the president can do it, I can do it. It marked the end of a certain mystique of leadership, and it damaged the mystique of American democracy. Noonan is right to note that what we expected out of the presidency, already wobbly from Richard Nixons disaffection with the truth, took a sharp, plummeting nose dive from Clintons cultural moment. In Bushs era and before, you expected a president to decline the temptations inherent with an overactive ego. One of the most popular presidents of the last century, Dwight Eisenhower, actually had to be drafted into the job. He had no personal need to be president. Most previous presidents would echo George Bushs words, When the really tough choices came, its the country, not me. Its not about Democrats or Republicans; its the country that I fought for. Oh, to see a president or political leader once again act as a statesman who places the welfare of the country over his party or himself. Bushs funeral reminded us that the American door on expectations has always swung both ways. When John Kennedy insisted that we consider what we could do for our country, rather than what the country owed us, no one blinked. We owed a debt to those whose sacrifices gave us the life we enjoyed. Kennedy spoke that truth, and we knew he was right. You were expected to give back. We inhabited a world where the invisible was considered real. Perhaps the strongest note of wistful longing in Bushs funeral was the lifelong example of a leader who lived by a set of transcendent values. Honor, friendship, loyalty, honesty -- Americans have always believed that these immaterial attributes were the basis of a good life. Whatever you owned, whatever you achieved, it meant nothing if you lacked the part you cant see -- whats historically been known as virtue. Even if you failed to live up to those values, you believed that virtue would trump in the end. Hardly a better model of that conviction exists than George Bush. His loyalty to his family, his country, and to God: this is true greatness in any person. He might be driving a speed boat at 85, but he was holding Barbaras hand, the same faithful hand he held for over 70 years. People who grew up in an earlier America know that however much our economy grows, this country will never be great again without a return to virtues like these. There is some deep irony that the values and virtues being celebrated in this Presidents death are the same ones often derided in his life. Its not the election of Donald Trump thats destroyed the political and personal values that Bush and earlier presidents held dear. It is telling, writes columnist Daniel Henninger, that these same simple virtues are now being praised by a media that has done so much in the past 30 years to undermine them. He portrays a poignant picture of the Republican National Convention of 1992 that nominated George Bush. It was filled with delegates who were middle class American couples championing family values, to the utter derision of a disdainful media. Exactly where do we think virtue comes from? So, yes, Bushs funeral struck a note of nostalgia in many viewers, especially those who came of age in another time. As I watched eulogy after eulogy and listened to Michael W. Smith sing Friends, I could also hear my grandchildren playing in the background. I hope they will eat their vegetables even though George Bush lived to be 94 without eating his. Mostly, though, I ache with the longing that they will see character and selflessness in an American leader in their lifetimes. I closed my computer screen and went in search of those same grandchildren. I couldnt help but notice, as I went, that my cheeks were slightly wet. Im pretty sure it was tears. Photo credit: US DoD Christmas Day is here for people all over the world, but life and its joy and tragedies doesn't hold still for Americans, or anyone, on that fact alone. In America, the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth, there is enough misery to go around for all. Although many are suffering the physical ailments brought on by debilitating disease and old age and seeing their deterioration and decline to a mere shadow of their former selves hurts their loved ones deeply, and there are many thousands of Americans suffering in poverty, or from homelessness, it is the plight of our children that concerns me most this season. Some may call it happenstance, but I like to think of it as God moving us to act when we come in contact with great spiritually minded people who have taken on a mission to help others. I had the opportunity to meet just such a wonderful person, Ruth Meyer, who lives in the Blackman Community of Rutherford County, TN., by way of a casual question in Walmart and seeming chance. Ruth entered into one of the most wonderful and precious stories I had heard in many a long year. She and her husband had seven children, all of which she is very protective. Two are their natural born children and five were adopted. They started this eleven years ago, after Ruth was "called by God" and led her husband to the same calling. She went on to tell me that there were many others involved in this effort, like the professional educators in Smyrna, TN with four children of their own who recently adopted a sibling group of seven from infancy to seventeen years old. As Ruth explained, "They almost always come to foster care with absolutely nothing." Today Ruth helps Shepherd's Closet, also known as Foster Closet, here in Rutherford County, that an organization operated through the nonprofit Rutherford County Foster Parent Association and serves to help clothe Rutherford County children in foster care. Shepherd's Closet also does the best it can to provide personal hygiene products, school supplies, toys, backpacks, and other items they can call their own, and it receives some loving help from Lifepoint Church. Ruth's story moved this old heart of mine to tears, and after we parted ways, I gave the issue a bit more thought. A quick search produced 'The Orphan Crisis in America' by Penny Nance and Glorya Jorda, and figures from 2013 that suggest, on average, more than two-hundred and fifty thousand children in America enter the foster care system each year. Struggling the most, there are also more than 100,000 legal orphans in America, who are waiting in foster care in hopes of being adopted by some generous and loving family. Many of these children watch on the sidelines from afar, as the joy of Christmas is celebrated by others, and another year passes them by without any presents, no Christmas tree, and seemingly no affirmation and love from anyone and a family to call their own forever. Even more tragic in many respects, we see far too many young children suffering with cancer. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control in June of this year, about fifteen thousand youths under age twenty are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year in America. Between 2003 and 2014, there were 173.7 pediatric cancer cases per one million people. One of the best and foremost warriors in this battle against cancer, America has been blessed by St. Jude's Hospital and its many benefactors, such as Marlo Thomas, who is following the example set by her father, Danny. And America can never forget the images of small children and their families, as July's Carr Fire and November's Camp Fire that claimed a total of 92 lives and displaced over 100,000 Americans raged. Who will ever forget 70-year-old Melody Bledsoe soaking blankets in her kitchen sink to drape over her great-grandchildren, Emily and James Roberts, ages 4 and 5? The Salvation Army, Chico-based Enloe Medical Center Foundation, and the Tri-Cities Bank have all set up relief funds for California's fire victims. Make an active choice to do something better this Christmas. Give a week, a day, even an hour of your time to an organization that helps these innocent children placed in unfortunate circumstances, through no fault of their own. Give $5000 or more, or less, depending on your circumstances; but I daresay, these organizations will be ecstatic over each $5 bill collected, and God too will be especially pleased and satisfied by those who give, when perhaps they are not in the best place financially themselves. Let's set aside the concerns of the politicians and government, the greedy and self-serving, and focus solely on our most cherished treasure, our little children, red and yellow, black and white -- so precious in His sight. Merry Christmas and God Bless You All. The decision of President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria and Afghanistan led to the announced departure on December 20, 2018 of secretary of defense James Mattis, four-star general, often regarded as a force for stability in the administration. Policy differences between Mattis and the president already existed over a number of issues: NATO, Korea, Afghanistan, Syria, the Iran nuclear deal, proposal for a military Space Force, American attitudes to allies. Irrespective of the controversy over Mattis's departure, more important is the issue of the desirable role of the United States in world affairs: should the U.S. continue or expand its overseas activities and be the leader of the global order, or should it reduce its commitments and withdraw from certain areas? President George Washington in his Farewell Address on September 19, 1796 spoke of the need for the new U.S to "pursue a different course." It is, he argued, true U.S. policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. Instead, the U.S. may safely trust in temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies. The great rule of conduct for the U.S. in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. Differences on the U.S.'s role varied throughout its history. The country and President Woodrow Wilson were divided over U.S. policy toward World War I until the German submarine attacks on U.S. ships and the sinking of the British Lusitania in 1917. Similarly, strong differences were expressed over both participation in the conflict and the conduct of that war (unconditional surrender or early armistice) and on postwar policy; the Versailles treaty; the League of Nations, which was rejected by isolationists in the Senate; and reconstruction of Europe after the war. The crucial issue was the same in 1918 as it remains today: the nature of the role and global reach of the U.S. It is not clear if President Donald Trump has considered the Farewell Address message of George Washington or has aligned himself in one particular camp, but can he be considered an isolationist? He is not a multiculturalist, has no interest in a policy of humanitarian military intervention or regime change, and certainly opposes the subsidizing of the armies of other countries at U.S. expense. He has pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris climate change agreement, and the U.N. Human Rights Council. The resignation of Mattis immediately followed the statement by Trump on December 19, 2018 that he intended to pull all 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria, and 7,000, half of the total, stationed in Afghanistan. Mattis was critical of the decision but spoke in a broader way of the need to maintain strong alliances and partnerships and of the need to treat allies with respect. He wrote that while the U.S. remains the indispensable nation in the free world, the armed forces of the U.S. should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, the U.S. should use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. This statement may or may not imply that Trump's withdrawal of troops is a policy of isolationism. Yet, in spite of his powerful nationalist rhetoric, "Make America Great Again," Trump's policies do not resemble those of the isolationists of the 1930s, say the America First group, with attitude of neutrality toward Hitler. Perhaps the best summation of Trump's not consistent remarks was that of French ambassador Francois Delattre, who thought Trump policy is a strange mixture of unilateralism and isolationism, one in which the U.S. does not seek to be the last resort or enforcer of international order. It is worth examining Trump's explanation for his decision to withdraw from Syria. He claimed that his only reason for being there during his presidency was to defeat ISIS in Syria, and this had been done. For him, the U.S. mission was over. Here the evidence is mixed. In December 2018, ISIS had lost Hajin, its last urban stronghold in Syria. ISIS has lost 95% of the territory it controlled in 2014 and no longer controls more than a small amount of territory along the Euphrates in Syria or in Iraq, but 2,500 of its forces are still there, and they are likely to return to insurgent tactics or use Syria for global operations. Whatever the reality of the future activities of ISIS, and differences remain on whether U.S. troops in Syria are vital to national security interests, it is difficult to define Trump as an isolationist because of his concern about military entanglements and their high financial cost and casualties. Nor does it mean that the U.S. will lose its credibility on the world stage or as a leader in the fight against terrorism. It is not self-evident that Trump's decision to withdraw troops will embolden the insurgency. However, the result of Trump's action is unpredictability in relation to action by and toward Turkey and Iran. It is crucial that Turkey be prevented from launching an offensive against the Kurds, the Syrian Democratic Forces (YPG), an ally of the U.S. that fought ISIS and lost 1,500 doing so, but which Turkey labels "terrorist organizations." Turkey persists in regarding this group in northern Syria as an extension of the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a separatist group in Turkey itself. In any case, the ambivalent U.S.-Turkish relationship has to be resolved, irrespective of the Kurdish issue. Turkey is friendly with Iran and imports gas and oil from it. But it also in October 2018 released the U.S. pastor who had been detained on charges of terrorism. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan bought an S-400 air defense system from Russia and may buy F-35 fighter jets and Patriot missiles from the U.S. The two countries are presently discussing a 20-mile buffer zone along the Turkish-Syrian border. It is premature to argue that Trump's decision means a U.S. retreat from the Middle East or abandonment of allies. Relations with Israel and Saudi Arabia have not deteriorated, nor has the policy of limiting the role or influence of Iran or Hezb'allah, in addition with concern about Russia. For Washington, the crucial problem remains: to what degree should the U.S. engage in activities for reasons of national security? Politics is full of difficult choices, and the discussion should focus on the main problem, not on partisan rhetoric or premature pessimism. There have been a spate of pieces lately about what comes after Trump -- as though President Trump were already half-way gone. Really? You think the Mueller whisperers are going to get him after all? But I would say that the question is: what kind of leader should we choose to lead us normals after the End of Trump? First of all, we don't want someone kinder, gentler. Those nice, educated women who are offended by Trump's insults are forgetting one thing. Trump's playground insults are penny-ante compared to the totalitarian insults of the average Democratic politician or activist who routinely accuses ordinary Americans of the thought-crime of racism-sexism-homophobia, not to mention toxic masculinity or white supremacy. Earth to liberals: the only supremacy problem around here is the cruel injustice of leftist supremacy. No, the After-Trump president has to say: I can't believe that a person that has called people racists on no less than 231 occasions has any right to complain about insults. Of course, this kind of remark should only be used when talking to an audience of women; it connects with the women's Culture of Complaint. W ith men the After-Trump should say: I've said it before, so I'll say it again. Nobody who has ever called another American a racist has any right to speak in the public square. Period. We cannot begin to solve our vital national problems until the Democratic Party's activists are prepared to recognize other people's right to hold a different opinion, and even express it on Twitter or in the sacred precincts of a university without fear of naming and shaming. Until then we should exile them to cultural Outer Slobbovia. You can see that, when addressing men, the After-Trump can use a certain directness and manliness that is inappropriate for a female audience. See what I am doing? I am getting the After-Trump to advance from Trump's tactical insults to insults with a strategic purpose. Because it is not enough to stop the advance of the liberal hordes. We need to defeat their cruel and unjust hegemony and then dispatch the cultural cavalry to rout them and disperse them. The other thing I would like is for a president to be a cultural leader and lead the people to believe in the Promised Land of the market economy culture. For 150 years the educated elite has been teaching us all to hate the market economy -- while the market economy increased real per capita income by 3,000 percent. At some point it needs to admit it was wrong, dead wrong, more wrong than any ruling class has ever been wrong about anything in history. Trump has danced on the edge of this by talking tough nationalism while actually encouraging the market with tax rate cuts and deregulation straight out of the conservative think tanks. But at some point a president has to lead the priests of the ruling class out of a reactionary culture that believes in the saving grace of political power -- for people like them, of course, not for you and me -- and teach it to preach the new culture that believes in performing a service before demanding to be paid, and to accept that the world cannot guarantee anyone lifetime security, except by forcing other people to pay up using government force. Of course, I realize that this is all pie in the sky. It is not the job of a president to change the culture, because politics is downstream from culture, and culture is downstream from religion. Yes -- it is the religion of the educated ruling class that oppresses us, with its transcendental faith in the idea of politics and activism as a sacred calling -- for the educated elite and its approved little darlings -- and with us normals as the Evil Ones to be vanquished in a progressive jihad of activism. But obviously we normals cannot ban other people's religion, nor should we want to. Of course, we can rebel against the ruling-class injustice that issues from its ruling-class religion, and we should, and we will. And we can rally behind a president who will fight for us against the vile ruling class, and we will. But we still need a new religion to inspire a new generation to create a new culture to develop a new politics to rule an America where normal people can wive and thrive in peace and prosperity rather than live in increasing subjection to progressive totalitarians. And that is the one thing that the After-Trump cannot deliver, not on his own. What should come after Trump is a new religious movement revolted by the hypocrites and pretenders that rule us, and determined to find a new meaning of life, the universe, and everything that goes much lighter on politics and government power. Come on, you young'uns. Stop sucking up to the poisonous teachers, administrators, and mostly peaceful protesters that exploit and oppress you! The ugly specter of religious bigotry reared its disgusting head during Senate confirmation of the nomination of Brian Buescher for a federal judgeship. The Constitutions Article VI, Clause 3 clearly specifies that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States, but that must be news to Senators Mazie Hirono and Kamala Harris. Ed Condon of the Catholic News Agency reports: A judicial nominee faced questions from Senators this month about whether membership in the Knights of Columbus might impede his ability to judge federal cases fairly. The Knights of Columbus say that no candidate for public office should have to defend his membership in a Catholic service organization. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) raised concerns about membership in the Knights of Columbus while the Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed the candidacy of Brian C. Buescher, an Omaha-based lawyer nominated by President Trump to sit on the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. Senators also asked whether belonging to the Catholic charitable organization could prevent judges from hearing cases fairly and impartially. In written questions sent to Buescher by committee members Dec. 5, Sen. Hirono stated that the Knights of Columbus has taken a number of extreme positions. For example, it was reportedly one of the top contributors to Californias Proposition 8 campaign to ban same-sex marriage. Hirono then asked Buescher if he would quit the group if he was confirmed to avoid any appearance of bias. The Knights of Columbus does not have the authority to take personal political positions on behalf of all of its approximately two million members, Buescher responded. If confirmed, I will apply all provisions of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges regarding recusal and disqualification, he said. Call it Saddiq Khan's London. Call it Jeremy Corbin's London. The right call is to note the unmitigated gall of the Financial Times, the bible of the securities marketplace, having bestowed its "Person of the Year" honoraria upon fellow globalist George Soros. While The Hague fiddles as George Soros ages (currently 88), with nary an interested tribunal convened for his participation in the Holocaust, his is a case deserving of dispensing charges related to "crimes against Humanity," the "smoking gun," his own "undisputed truth" offered during a CBS 60 Minutes interview (Sunday, December 20, 1998), concerning his youth as a willing "aide de camp" to a non-Jewish "godfather" a serf in Hungary's Ministry of Agriculture, having groomed a willing Soros to accompany him on his appointed rounds delivering deportation notices and cultivating lists of the properties confiscated from Soros's fellow Jews Soros with requisite clipboard, the Jews on their requisite death march to Auschwitz. In the interview, Soros offered no less than soulless quips, defending his conduct of complicity under the Reich. When questioned by correspondent Steve Kroft as to his activities, Soros maintained, "My character was made because I thought ahead anticipating events," adding, "The confiscations weren't difficult at all." Since one cannot teach a young sociopath new tricks, a movement to beatify Soros at eighty-eight is in full swing, as noted with his being honored by The Financial Times. Even his son Alexander, a student at UCLA Berkeley, has come out of the shadows, seeking to ban negativity toward his father, having written an op-ed for The New York Times, "The Hate That Is Consuming Us" (October 24, 2018), wherein the reader, at first glance, would think Alexander's screed concentrates on the crime at large against his father, whereby a mad bomb-maker and sender chose the elder Soros as one of his victims. Instead, the crux of the article showcases Alexander focusing his wrath on President Donald Trump, the man and his populist politics, crucifying an innocent via the Pontius Pilate playbook, as the son offers his own rendition of "The Executioner's Song." Note: Alexander, by offering the determined flippancy of the nefarious particulars surrounding his father's life and times in 1944 Budapest, merely states, "My father grew up in the shadow of the Nazi Regime in Hungary." Whether Alexander was conscious or not, his sin of omission opened a can of worms over his father's life and times in 1944 Budapest. In the meantime, George Soros has shown he's still not finished with the Jews. Soros's purse strings direct his Open Society Foundation to fund such myriad anti-Israel agencies as J Street and Human Rights Watch, while his anti-America money order financed the likes of Lynne Stewart, best remembered as of counsel to Abdel Rahman, known as "The Blind Sheik," convicted of terrorism. Stewart was convicted and disbarred for aiding Rahman, communicating on his behalf with his fellow terrorists. Obviously, Soros has a lust for anarchy. Even CNN's house Marxist, Van Jones, receives funding from Soros for his Climate Action Project. To wit, the ACLU reeks of Soros, having become the poster agency defending every pregnant illegal and Caravan extortionist the same ACLU who once appointed Bernardine Dohrn to its advisory board, she the wife of Obama bestie Bill Ayers. (The couple led the infamous Weathermen domestic terrorist organization, having committed several bombings on American soil.) One has to wonder whether Soro's post-WWII wallet paid for him to be safe from deportation from the USA when others who also worked for the Reich were investigated and returned for punishment once litigation ended. While Hungary has wanted the U.S. to send Soros home so they can try him in court, his efforts to quell and quash the matter appear to be in his favor. Twenty years have passed since the 60 Minutes interview, with a salvo from the broadcast offering commentary from a money-manager in Soros's employ. When asked about his boss, he renders his observation: "George Soros is Donald Trump without the humility." Unfortunately, the Financial Times chose someone less than human as its "Person of the Year." Image: Tom Hilton via Flickr. Iranian Christians did not wish their fellow Iranians a Merry Christmas (kerismas mobarak in Farsi, the language of Iran) publicly this year. Or last year. Along with other religions in that country, such as Judaism, Bahai, Zoroastrian or other Muslim branches besides the Shia denomination of Islam, which is Iran's official religion, religious freedom there is increasingly restricted according to the 2018 United States International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Report which revealed: In the past year, religious freedom in Iran continued to deteriorate for both recognized and unrecognized religious groups, with the government targeting Bahais and Christian converts in particular. While several high-profile Bahai prisoners were released during the reporting period following completion of their sentences, others were arbitrarily detained based on their religion, and long-term trends of economic and educational persecution of the community continue. Christian converts and house church leaders faced increasingly harsh sentencing: many were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for their religious activities. Religious reformers and dissenters faced prolonged detention and possible execution, while the governments growing ability to enforce official interpretations of religion online posed new threats to the freedom and safety of internet users. In a new, troubling development, the suspension of a Zoroastrian elected to the local council of Yazd sparked national debate about limiting the political rights of religious minorities. While the Rouhani Administration signaled its intent to address some religious freedom violations, these promises have yet to be implemented and the number of individuals imprisoned for their beliefs continues to climb. Based on these particularly severe religious freedom violations, USCIRF again recommends in 2018 that Iran be designated as a country of particular concern, or CPC. Since 1999, the U.S. Department of State has designated Iran as a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act (RFA), most recently in December 2017. (Uh, yes, a religion has to be "recognized" by the Iranian regime in order for its followers to be allowed to even minimally practice.) Ali Khameni, "Supreme Leader" An article by Lela Gilbert in the Jerusalem Post elaborates on this report. Whatever faith one embraces in the Islamic Republic of Iran, if it is not Shiite Islam, it is incompatible with the mullahcracy that rules the country. That means there can be life-or-death risks for minority members who protest, defy the rules, speak too boldly, or otherwise offend the turbaned clerics who cling to power with their iron fists. And the iron fist, turbaned clerics are easily offended. In 2017, there were at least 517 executions in Iran. Meanwhile, the story about the staggering number of Christian arrests tells us all we need to know about Irans intolerance for religious minorities. Yet, for some reason I didn't read about Iranian anti-religious brutality and other gross human rights offenses in the media. Did you? These executions, these religious restrictions should have been of great concern to those who are professionally involved in guaranteeing freedom of conscience and other basic human rights and have the resources to do so. For instance, what does the United Nations have to say about this? Hmmm. For some reason, the UN, which even has a Universal Human Rights Declaration doesn't seem too concerned about this grisly abuse. Oh sure, the UN recently approved a Canada-sponsored resolution, supported by 40 human rights organizations, which rejected Irans continuing rights violations including discrimination against women and the imposition of the death penalty against persons who at the time of their offense were under the age of 18. The resolution also forbade Irans abuses of minorities including religious groups and its widespread practice of arbitrary detention, demanding that it release those who have been arbitrarily detained. Calling the resolution a "political charade", Iran continued to be Iran, ignoring the resolution while imprisoning and hanging dissidents and making life extremely unpleasant for others of whom they disapprove. And of course the UN, which has had a Universal Declaration of Human Rights for 70 years which, "sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected," continued to be the UN, ignoring Iran ignoring its resolutions while focusing its ire on the United States and Israel. And the US's European allies continued to behave as if they are the US's enemies (shh, shh, they are -- at least they're not really allies), trickily bypassing US sanctions against Iran so as to become wealthier and thereby merrier. France and Germany have joined forces to rescue a European effort to create a payments channel to keep trade flowing with Iran, defying U.S. attempts to take the air out of the plan, senior diplomats said. The steps by Europes most powerful countries are part of their campaign to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal after President Trump withdrew the U.S. in May. Their goal is to help European companies continue some business activity with Iran despite sweeping new U.S. sanctions on the country and any company that does business with them. Oh. So, the French and the Germans and other Europeans will have a very profitable and merry Christmas at the expense of Iranian Christians and other victims in that country while the Iranian iron fist, turbaned clerics will be merrily unoffended. And to them that is worth unmerry Iranian suffering. They have drawn the support of international labor federations. Two months after an earlier lengthy strike, they drew international support from large and small groups such as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC, with 27 million members), the Trades Union Congress (TUS), Labor Start (Switzerland), Industrial Global Union (Switzerland), Industrial Workers of the World (IWW- England), Labor Unions of Italy, CGIL, CISL, UIL, and the United Road Transport Union (URTU- England). Iranian truck drivers have begun another prolonged nationwide strike, angered by rising business costs. It's the result of the U.S. sanctions, squeezing Iran's economy. The Iranian regime claims to have a popular base opposing U.S. President Donald Trump and standing against any sanctions. However, despite the regime's rhetoric, Iranian truck-drivers are not blaming Trump. They are protesting, by parking their vehicles on highways and around parking lots in a show of solidarity. Despite the Iranian regime's suppressive measures, including harassment, arrests, and executions announced by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri the nationwide strike of the heavy vehicles, and other truck-drivers continues and has intensified in different cities in Iran. Numerous cities across the country are witnessing truck drivers launch a new wave of nationwide strikes, which began on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2018, marking the fifth such movement. According to previously made arrangements, truckers will be on strike until Dec. 31. Video clips posted online by striking Iranian truck drivers showed trucks on strike in huge numbers of cities, including Ardakan, Hamedan, Arak, Nahavand, Saveh, Shahrud, Neka, Borujerd, Kermanshah, Bardsir, Sirjan, Shahr-e Babak, Sanandaj, Kerman, Qom, Qazvin, Shiraz, Marvdasht, Abadeh, Kazerun, Zahedan, Chabahar, Kashmar, Taybad, Sabzevar, Neyshabur, Mashhad, Garmeh, Nehbandan, Lordegan, Shahr-e Kord, Tehran, Bushehr, Ilam, Semirom, Shahreza, Isfahan, Najaf Abad, Shahin Shahr, Zarrin Shahr, Mobarakeh, Ardabil, Urmia, Tabriz and many more. Signs indicate other cities will join the strike in the upcoming days. Truckers strike in Sari, in the north of Iran, on Dec. 21, 2018 The protests are aimed at the corruption of law enforcement by government agencies, high fuel and spare parts prices, low income, poor road conditions, and zero insurance coverage. These things are the result of the mullah regime's Transportation Organization, but the regime's tax department has also been pressing the drivers by imposing new taxes. This is in addition to all sorts of commissions and charges imposed on drivers by various government departments, often in harassing moves. Drivers have been demanding a change of the corrupt management of Iran's Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, but mullah President Hassan Rouhani's government is interested only in extorting money from drivers using various pretenses. The strike is the fifth such round in what has become a series of strikes. According to Iran News Wire, truck drivers began this wave of nationwide organized strikes last September, with truck drivers in 112 cities across Iran launching the first of the nationwide and coordinated strikes. This protest was in response to previous calls for such pre-planned measures. Truckers strike in Mashad, in the northeast of Iran, on Dec. 21, 2018 As with other protests, Iranian authorities have failed to respond to the needs of the striking truck drivers. During the last four rounds of strikes, they responded by attempting to intimidate the truckers and force them to return to work. These efforts have not been effective. However, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the mullahs intelligence apparatus did take repressive measures to prevent any expansion of strike. For example, the outspoken Haft Tappeh labor representative, Esmaeil Bakhshi, who is known for his passionate speeches during the workers weeks-long strike actions, was detained on Nov. 18 on the fourteenth day of the sugarcane workers strike and was released on Dec. 12 on bail. Since his release, he has been absent from workers' strikes and other labor activities. Haft Tappeh labor representative Esmaeil Bakhshi He was beaten until he was on the verge of death, a source said, adding that some of his ribs were also probably broken. Bakhshi's relative said he was severely tortured in detention and was now suffering from severe physical and psychological problems. To end this, truck drivers across Iran, continuing their nationwide strike, are playing a major role in countering this regime's long history of barbarism. Their strikes serve to generate hope in Iran's society. Hassan Mahmoudi is a human rights advocate, specializing in economic issues relating to Iran. Follow him on Twitter at @hassan_mahmou1 If there was ever an example for nations worldwide of What Not To Do, take a look at what socialist Ecuador has done to itself in dumping the U.S. and turning to align its interests to China. The New York Times has a superb (albeit stomach-churning) report about how Ecuador sold itself out as a vassal of China, getting for itself a junk dam that is already collapsing, and turning over 80% of its oil production to the communist behemoth in order to pay its massive, massive debts from it. That, in exchange for scrapping its military ties to the U.S. and skipping out on its tab with western banks. According to the Times report: The Chinese put the hook in, said Steve Hanke, a Johns Hopkins economist. At the end of the day, what do these countries have? A pig in a poke. Self-colonization, anyone? Let's take a look at what kind of government would mortgage its future so completely to the loving arms of the Chicoms: It was a socialist one. And not just a socialist one, a Chavista socialist one, led by a sneering buffoon of a president, Rafael Correa, who was well-shown in all his sleaziness in Oliver Stone's attempted hagiographic documentary, "South of the Border." The guy hated America, and not only did he hate America, unlike some of the Latin socialist boobs out there who hate America in part because they don't know anything about it (I'm looking at you, Pope Francis, and Hugo Chavez can go on that list, too) Correa did know America - as the son of an illegal alien, who got deported from the U.S. because he was literally a drug dealer. The socialist Correa wrote his doctoral thesis at Bill Ayers' University of Illinois, much hailed in the press when he got elected, about how much he hated the country's dollarization (which in fact has kept the country from absolute bankruptcy actually) and then as president, he used the country's oil earnings to increase state power in the same socialist manner Chavez did. He loudly kicked the U.S. out of its tiny air base in Manta by 2009, and at the same time embraced China, which got it on the hook for billions in loans for junk infrastructure projects, in exchange for pretty much all of Ecuador's oil. As for the oil-is-king strategy, well, we all know how that worked out for Venezuela. How they danced and celebrated when the deeds were done. Here's a photo from one of the China-Ecuador treaty signings, in 2015: Here are some of the celebratory headlines from the Chicom, state Ecuadorean, Chavista and other adoring presses from the time, seeking to throw it in Uncle Sam's face: They sure taught gringo a lesson, didn't they? Now like Venezuela, the oil-is-king strategy is a disaster for Ecuador, too, yet for a different reason. The Times reports that the country took out $19 billion in Chinese loans just to pay for the Coca Codo Sinclair dam, which already is cracking apart with 6,000 fissures and bound to go down eventually as the local nearby volcano goes off. When it does, that will leave the country with nothing (except debt). Meanwhile, Ecuador's citizens are now paying something like $60 a month for the new electricity from China, an abnormally high amount for a developing country. In the Obamacare tradition, they were, of course, promised that rates would go down. In a way, it's comparable to the economic ruin left in Venezuela, except that Ecuador wears a very specific leash to China, willingly slipped on, greased by very big Chinese bribes taken by Ecuador's socialists, most of whom are now on the run from the long arm of the law if not in jail. It's sad, because there are those of us who love Ecuador, a beautiful jewel of a country with wonderful people who deserve a prosperous and hopeful future. Yoked to the Chinese, they don't. And the Times notes that Ecuador is not the only country out there with this kind of strangling embrace from China. According to the Times: China, now South Americas top trading partner, has seeded the region with infrastructure and a staggering trail of loans. It has reaped political benefits, too, getting Latin American nations to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Pakistan is reportedly in similar straits over Chinese debt, and so is much of Africa, again, another case of the capture of the resources. There are likely other places, too. What's likely needed now is for these nations to return to the embrace of the U.S., where they will always be treated fairly, and perhaps approach President Trump with a debtor's cartel idea, to get China to dismantle these unequal treaties (a big buzzword from Chinese history that's sure to sting) in interests that align together with Trump's aims. Together, there might be some bending and cracking from the China side. Ecuador, frankly, deserves a refund - and a lesson in the stupidity of embracing anti-American socialism. Image credit: Carlos Rodriguez/ANDES, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 Marysville, CA (95901) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 66F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 41F. Winds light and variable. ECU First time around, the YouTuber reported that his Deep Blue Metallic-painted Model 3 was throwing error messages that wouldnt let the transmission go into gear. After a few resets, all was well with the vehicle. But the fault appeared again, following a night parked in the garage.Four days at the nearest Tesla Service Center were needed for the technicians to replace the charge port and. This fix hadnt resolved the problem, which returned after a few days. The second time around, the service identified a fault with the power conversion system. But guess what? As expected, that wasnt the fix the Model 3 needed.Third time around, DamienG drove his car into the shop, and the technicians had to fix a loose grounding bolt. Curiously enough, it appears the problem was discussed by Tesla at regional meeting but the service centers didnt get the memo from the get-go. Tesla has a history of releasing cars before going through a thorough debug process, and this is another instance of the trend. Electrical gremlins are also nasty to find, let alone problems affecting electric vehicles such as the Model 3.For the time being, Teslas service centers should exchange information more often. Throwing parts at a car hoping to miraculously fix the problem isnt the right thing to do, and Elon Musk should focus on service and after-sales as much as he does on production output In related news, the entry-level Model 3 retailing at $35,000 will start series production in the first half of 2019. The European order books are also open, and by the summer of 2019, Australia and other RHD markets such as the United Kingdom will receive their 3s as well. Flying is peaceful, the engine droning, wind whistling, your mind roaming to different thoughts as it gives birth to a new perspective. You reach out for your thermos to sip some hot coffeebut its not hot anymore. You start feeling cold, alone, and want to talk to someone, but you cant. You fear that your engine might give out, but thinking about topping the world gives you strength. For a pilot like Michel Gordillo, it was a privilege to encounter those thrilling moments. Preparing for Antarctica Flying long distances carries the threat of engine failure, bad weather, health problems, safety, and the stress of not getting clearances. This time, though, at least one thing was different: The Spanish Polar Committee, El Comit Polar Espaol (CPE), had granted clearance under scientific grounds, and in order to brighten up Michels day, the Spanish government started to recognize his efforts. He received his passport from the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, and Sky Polaris was now considered a governmental project. This meant that Michel now had support from the countries under the Antarctic Polar Program. They would provide airfields for landing and rescue services if needed. With this leg of the flight now leaning toward the positive, the Sky Polaris team had plenty of incentive to work harder to make the project go smoothly. Michel went into engineering mode to improve the canopy seal and increase aircraft heating. He intended to be warm and calm for this flight, not cold and shivering, taking a lesson learned during the Arctic flight. Sponsorships were ready, the flight was approved, logistics inside Antarctica were prepared, and the team was planning for Michel to depart across the central Sahara Desert in October. New Zealand, Australia, Italy, France, Russia, Chile, and Argentina offered their support for the flight across Antarctica. For the other landing strips, no fuel or support was going to be provided, just an emergency landing. Perhaps support has different meanings across the globe. Emergencies are not predictable because they can happen any time in the form of engine failure or almost anything else. The French Polar Authority was generous enough to let Michel use the Dumont dUrville Stations airfield in such a case. Because Antarctica is not wheel friendly, Michel installed skis for a safe landing on the ice desert. They were donated by Patrick Gilligan, vice president of operations for the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. Skis create drag and are heavier than just wheels, but safety is more important. Although flying around the world is fun and an accomplishment, this experience has a price. It is expensive and tiring. You have to prepare for each country and deal with their rules and regulations while keeping your spirit of adventure always on. Some countries will give you good experiences, while others may give you nightmares in the form of visa fees and expensive, low-standard food and lodging. People too challenge your mission, and many try to prevent success. The key here is adaptation. Since someone like Michel likes to experience new cultures, he found most of the people he met during his journey kind and helpfulwell, except those in charge of landing and overflight permits. It seems that official procedures and a free spirit do not go well together. With an improved heating system, new Spidertracks position tracking system, and an improved Aethalometer, the RV-8 was ready to go. The Spidertracks system enables aircraft tracking and person-to-person communication through either desktop or mobile devices. It provides simple, reliable communication anywhere in the world, so Michel wouldnt feel alone during this leg of the flight. It was now time for some relaxation, finding faith, and fighting nightmares. In other words, it was time for Michel to prepare himself mentally for the journey he was about to take. As the South Pole is very far from Spain, the plan was to depart on October 1 and fly over the Mediterranean, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Australia, and finally to the Antarctic. No other single-pilot aircraft weighing less than 3307 pounds (1500 kilograms) had done that before, but it was time for Michel to prove the impossible. The Flight Begins The two-month-long journey started as Michel rocked his wings goodbye to waving friends over Madrid, Spain. With the highly customized RV-8 and Sky Polaris team on his side, Michel was confident. An exciting but dangerous fact about this journey was the ever-changing route. There were deviations because of weather, fuel availability, and lack of permission to cross several countries. Fuel costs and clearances were problems in Africa and were threats to the journey that everyone hoped could be solved. During the North Pole flight, Michel was denied entry into the USA because of one customs officer. He and the team hoped to be treated better by officials during this leg of the trip. After only 3 hours of flight, the RV-8 landed in Menorca, with the Spidertracks system working well and the SOS system successfully tested. In case of an emergency, the SOS signal would notify through email and SMS (text messaging) the key members of the Sky Polaris project in Spain and Seattle, who were well prepared to manage this type of situation. Everything was going smoothly so well in fact that Michel was able to continue to his next destination, the beautiful country of Malta. Michel maintained 1000 feet for 20 nautical miles until he was cleared to climb and reach colder air. There was a small problem with communications. Transmission and receiving was noisy, but Michel figured the belly tank was blocking the radio signals. Michel avoided Algeria and crossed Sardinia, where the beautiful cliffs and bays were inspiring. He landed the RV-8 at Malta, and a Spidertracks landing report was sent; Michel learned later that the landing report was only sent via email, so the text was not received. This was alarming news. Malta was a refreshing experience, but soon it was time to fly to Egypt. The friendly tailwinds didnt help the climb because there was a lot of turbulence. Wind conditions can make life difficult, but not as difficult as controllers. Michel was instructed by a Maltese controller to fly to Patix and climb to 8500 feet before reaching Arlos point. That meant another 100-nautical-mile detour with an overwater crossing while flying with an oil temperature caution light on. An hour and a half of additional flying time in a small aircraft, with absolutely no way to change the flight controllers decision, will make almost anyone angry. After the intentionally prolonged journey, Michel landed at a military/civilian airport amid a supportive staff. He was fatigued after this much flying, but when Antarctica is the final destination, this was nothing. The next leg would be a 7.5hour flight (plus ATC delays), but at least Antarctica seemed nearer. Although customs and immigration are pretty much the same everywhere, sometimes you can be detained for carrying a GoPro camera, so its important to know these things in advance and be honest about it with the airport staff. You are cleared was perhaps the most exciting sentence Michel had heard all day, and he took off for Alexandria, followed by a trip to Sudan. Unexpected Problems The desert looks enchanting from above, almost like Mars. Its something you can truly enjoy inside your own plane with an autopilot. While an updraft doesnt affect the autopilot, a downdraft, on the other hand, can be dangerous because the autopilot will try to maintain an altitude, and that causes the speed to go lower. There is danger of the plane stalling or going into a spin. The RV-8 landed in Sudan, but the landing was a little bouncy due to wind. This short stop added an $1100 expense for 53 gallons (200 liters) of fuel. Its important to learn the rules of each country, especially if the rules are based on Shariah law. Michel found out the hard way as angry men in army uniforms arrested him for taking what he thought were harmless photos. Unfortunately, that appears to be against the law in Sudan. Fortunately, he was not abused; they let him go with a warning and were nice enough to not confiscate his camera. Michel was anxious to get out of Sudan and rightly so after paying unreasonable amounts for fuel and other expenses, being arrested for snapping a photo, and being taken as a hostage to pay fees that he clearly did not owe. But continuing the journey was more important than taking an ethical stand. It cost Michel more than $2400 just to get out of Sudan. After all those problems, he was finally free and back in the sky, heading toward Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast in Kenya. This long and stressful flight ended when Michel arrived at Malindis near-pitch-black Runway 17. Landings are not allowed after sunset, but the controller cleared him for a special VFR approach, which helped reduce some of the stress produced by unreliable airport closing information and low airspeed caused by the belly tank. After a short one-day stay, Michel left Malindi and was off to Seychelles. The engine did not overheat and the smooth ride was like a sign of good things to come. Nevertheless, there is always a catchin this case an exorbitant landing fee. That will be $960, said a civil aviation officer at Seychelles Airport, but you have to pay via our handling agent. Imagine going by car and not knowing that each stop would cost this much! The $960 charge was only for the airports landing fee. Fuel, food, and lodging were separate. Payments had to be made in cash, and Michel was not expecting this expense, as his stay there was short. On October 14, Michel was island hopping. His next destination after Seychelles was the Republic of Maldives, a small island country located in the Indian Ocean. This was a dangerous 1250-mile flight over deep ocean. At about 09:21 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the Sky Polaris team received a Tier 1 SOS from the aircraft. All key members of the project were notified through the Spidertracks system, and they jumped into action to start rescue procedures. The SOS would escalate to Tier 2 if it was not cancelled by Michel as a false alarm. Calls from team members to Michels satellite phone were not reaching him, causing panic, as Michels status was unknown. Thankfully, Paula Bustamante, his partner and Sky Polaris member in Madrid, was finally able to reach him, and he told her it was a false alarm caused by a quick turn. Others believed Michel just wanted to make sure the Sky Polaris staff in Seattle were awake. Maldives, the Cocos Islands, and Australia 0)] When Michel left Madrid for the first leg of this flight, he had one goal in mind: to cross the South Pole and come back safely to Madrid. As an experienced pilot, he understood the dangers of flying nonstop, covering long distances over deserts and oceans. Imagine the kind of courage needed to pull off this feat. Engineering and piloting skills aside, the courage to risk his life was needed as well. Michel was not just risking his life for personal achievement, but also for environmental science. Upon reaching Maldives, Michel and his friends, Paco Martinez and Mayte Escud, spent time doing aircraft maintenance under the very nice support of the Asian Academy of Aeronautics. After a few days and a good rest, he departed the Maldivian Islands and was en route to the Cocos Islands, which is a 1678-mile journey over the ocean. The SOS system was a good insurance policy, but for this trip, there were no rescue services for thousands of miles. 1)] This long journey meant that Michel had to climb to 7000-8000 feet to increase range by reducing drag and fuel burn. The aircraft was flying smoothly until the speed dropped. Michel realized there was no reason for the speed to decrease unless there was a possibility that a UFO was pulling him back with a tractor beam. After the speed drop, the ammeter started flashing a warning. There was no voltage drop or alternator failure, and Michel was still in his seat, not being beamed up to the alien ship, so UFOs were discounted. A simple breaker in, breaker out routine cleared all instruments, and the flight continued normally. This was a windy, turbulent 12-hour flight, the eighth-longest flight of the project. Upon reaching the Cocos Islands, Michel had only one thing in minda bed and sleep. 2)] After a brief, enjoyable stay, Michel departed the Cocos Islands, headed to Port Hedland, Australia, which is yet another island, only a bit larger than the others. Michel flew above 10,000 feet for safety reasons. Predictions of thunderclouds along the route meant he might encounter some turbulence at lower altitudes. On the other hand, high altitudes can cause headaches, especially when flying above 10,000 feet. Some countries make it mandatory to carry oxygen when reaching those altitudes. Michel did not have oxygen, but he was comfortable up to about 10,500 feet. This was an easy flight because he was happy knowing that after this, he would make history. The RV-8 took off from Port Hedland toward Ayers Rock, a 912-mile journey. Ayers Rock is a beautiful place named after the famous monolithic rock rising 1100 feet out of the Central Australian desert. The South Pole was now getting closer and closer. As Michel departed Ayers Rock to Mildura, the grape region of Australia, each milestone was greeted with excitement, along with prayers. 3)] Flying was enjoyable in Australia. Pictures can be taken, no one abused prices, and most of the northern airports used a CTAF frequency, which Michel preferred over controlled airports. Nevertheless, Australia is still heavy on the wallet, and a nights stay in a hotel cost $460. But it is a beautiful place, and he loved it. Saying goodbye to Mildura was hard, especially since Michel hadnt seen a single kangaroo. He departed for the Island of Tasmania, which was a grueling 700-mile flight, and landed at the Southern Tasmanian city of Hobart. This was a busy time because Michel had to install skis, another Spidertracks system, and an emergency locator beacon. He also fixed his com radio. There was no time for rest, and everything had to be perfect before he departed for the next leg of his journey. Making the Jump to Antarctica 4)] This leg was the most dangerous ocean crossing of the entire project. The distance from Tasmania to the Antarctic continent is 2485 miles, crossing one of the most remote oceans on the planet. Search-and-rescue missions would take 3-5 days to reach the area, and only a few ships travel in this region, with almost zero air traffic. The Australian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) was generous enough to monitor this flight and provide information that could be used in case of an emergency. During his Arctic flight, Michel had proven that he and his RV-8 were dependable, and flight safety was always at the top of everyones list. He also had all the necessary survival gear and equipment to help him cope with an emergency. The RV-8 was equipped with an EPIRB, ELT, Satellite Phone, VHF and HF radios, and the Spidertracks system had an SOS feature. Michel, on the other hand, wore a dry suit and had an inflatable raft. The Sky Polaris team tracked the aircraft the entire distance and monitored its progress diligently. 5)] Departing Tasmania, Michels destination was Italys Mario Zucchelli Station in Antarctica. Through the Spidertracks system, he was able to report distance and speeds to the Sky Polaris staff. The ski installation made the aircraft heavier with much more drag, so the speed was about 100-110 knots at an altitude of 2000 feet. Winds were predicted to be calm at the time of Michels arrival, with a rather warm temperature for the Antarctic of 14 F (-10 C). The overall flight took 17 hours to complete. How many of us can sit in one place for 17 hours at a time? The Mario Zucchelli Station is located on the shores of eastern Antarctica and is one of the most dangerous places in the world to fly. Michel flew for 2200 miles battling strong headwinds, but took advantage of the tailwinds when they occurred. All the while, he was thinking about the landing on ice and snow. Landing on skis can be tricky, even for an experienced taildragger pilot like Michel. He had landed thousands of times on wheels, but never on skis. 6)] On November 1, 2016, Michel touched down in Antarctica. The landing was difficult as predicted; there were deep ruts and grooves on the runway caused by heavier aircraft. Landing the small RV-8 on the snow-covered, icy runaway was exciting to say the least. But Michel followed the flatter areas and avoided the grooves. He had successfully arrived in his tiny, homebuilt aircraft on the icy Antarctic continentalone. Part 3 Part 1 This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue ofKitplanesmagazine. For more great content like this,subscribe toKitplanes! The U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against ISIS in Syria are continuing, and the coalition announced that attacks Dec. 16-22 "severely degraded" the group's facilities and "removed several hundred ISIS fighters from the battlefield," per CNN. Why it matters: It's a sign that the coalition's military strategy hasn't changed since President Trump announced last week that the U.S. would withdraw from Syria. There's also an unspoken message: the coalition doesn't consider the terrorist group to be defeated. President Trump has declared his own "Mission Accomplished," with the U.S. set to withdraw from Syria despite concerns from the national security community and many Republicans. Why it matters: "Trump appears to be discarding his entire Syria and Iran strategy at a single stroke, giving up any and all U.S. influence in the region and disregarding the advice of his top national security officials," WashPost columnist Josh Rogin writes. Details: There aren't a lot, at least not yet. The White House declined to elaborate on how many troops are in Syria, how many are coming home, or when. on how many troops are in Syria, how many are coming home, or when. "The issue here is that the president has made a decision and so previous statements ... he gets to do that. That's his prerogative," a senior administration official told reporters. and so previous statements ... he gets to do that. That's his prerogative," a senior administration official told reporters. The Pentagon is similarly short on details. There are estimated to be around 2,000 U.S. personnel in Syria, and there are plenty of ongoing strikes against ISIS, which Trump claimed is defeated. What they're saying: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) to Trump's tweet: "This is simply not true." "This is simply not true." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): "Withdrawal of this small American force in Syria would be a huge Obama-like mistake." The other side: Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) tweeted: "Both the Trump and Obama Administrations in Syria went far beyond the congressionally authorized use of force to go after terrorists. ... I am pleased [Trump] is bringing our troops home." tweeted: "Both the Trump and Obama Administrations in Syria went far beyond the congressionally authorized use of force to go after terrorists. ... I am pleased [Trump] is bringing our troops home." Obama's first Syria ambassador, Robert Ford, to Axios' Haley Britzky: "I'm not a big supporter of Donald Trump, but in this case he's making the right call. ... The U.S. has no huge national security interests in northeastern Syria." The bigger geopolitical picture: Russia's U.S. embassy has tweeted praise for the move, and Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute tells Axios it's also "the greatest gift and insurance policy that ISIS could have wished for." As for U.S.' Kurdish allies , who have been instrumental in fighting ISIS in Syria but are seen as a major threat by Turkey, Lister says: "Its a sad state of affairs when our key allies on the ground, whove shed blood and thousands of lives for our fight against ISIS, are to be well and truly abandoned." , who have been instrumental in fighting ISIS in Syria but are seen as a major threat by Turkey, Lister says: "Its a sad state of affairs when our key allies on the ground, whove shed blood and thousands of lives for our fight against ISIS, are to be well and truly abandoned." Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan may have offered Trump a deal, says Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute: "I know you don't want to stay in Syria, why don't you let me handle this?" may have offered Trump a deal, says Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute: "I know you don't want to stay in Syria, why don't you let me handle this?" "Iran is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this U.S. decision," adds Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense Democracies. of this U.S. decision," adds Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense Democracies. As for the Assad regime, the White House made clear that toppling Syria's dictator was never one of its military objectives. Flashback: Just Monday, Trump's special representative for Syria engagement said Assad won't be able to wait out a U.S. exit. I think if thats [Assad's] strategy, hes going to have to wait a very long time." Valeri Osipian, the chief of the Armenian police, on Monday claimed to have eliminated corruption in the police ranks since taking office after this springs velvet revolution in the country. Osipian made the statement as he answered questions from Facebook users at the RFE/RL studio in Yerevan. He was asked to comment on critics claims that he has been weak on crime and traffic rule violations. Im very weak, Osipian replied with sarcasm. But I have managed to eliminate corruption in the [police] system. He also cited in that regard the recent arrests and prosecutions of prominent individuals connected to Armenias former leadership and claimed credit for the fact that there were virtually no reports of vote buying or violence in the December 9 parliamentary elections. Nikol Pashinian named Osipian to run the national police service on May 10 two days after being elected Armenias prime minister following weeks of anti-government protests led by him. Osipian was until then a deputy head of Yerevans police department responsible for public order and crowd control. Introducing Osipian to high-ranking police officials on May 11, Pashinian said one of his main tasks will be to crack down on police corruption which has long been endemic. Osipian replaced virtually deputy chiefs of the police in the following days. The police chief admitted on Monday there has been a major increase in the number of officially registered crimes in Armenia since then. But he blamed it on objective factors such as a general amnesty declared by the authorities in late October. The controversial amnesty led to the release of hundreds of convicts. According to the police, some of them have already been arrested for committing burglaries and other crimes. Osipian also repeated his recent claims that many crimes were underreported by the police under his predecessors. Besides, he said, victims of petty crimes are now less reluctant to report them because of greater public trust in the police. A group of ethnic Armenian migrants from Syria joined on Tuesday employees of Armenias Ministry of Diaspora in protesting against its closure planned by the government. A government bill publicized this week calls for reducing the number of ministries in the country from 17 to 12 in line with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians pledges to streamline the state bureaucracy. The Ministry of Diaspora would be liquidated as a result. The ministry employing 90 or so people was set up in 2008 by then President Serzh Sarkisian. It is tasked with maintaining and strengthening the countrys cultural, educational and other ties with the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. Some ministry officials again marched to the prime ministers office in Yerevan to demand that the government reconsider its plans. They were joined by Syrian Armenians who have taken refuge in their ancestral homeland after the outbreak of the bloody conflict in Syria. One of them, Aleksan Garatanayan, is the deputy chairman of a non-governmental organization representing such migrants. We are not staging a political demonstration, Garatanayan told reporters. This is our sole means of gratitude to the ministry and its staff that have patiently helped us for the last seven years. For seven years we have approached the ministry on a daily basis. Its wrong to scrap this ministry without taking into account the opinion of major Diaspora organizations, said another Syrian Armenian man taking part in the demonstration. Thousands of Syrian Armenians have relocated to Armenia since 2012. The Armenian governments modest financial assistance to them has been mostly channeled through the Ministry of Diaspora. Hovannes Aleksanian, the head of a ministry desk dealing the repatriation of ethnic Armenians from Syria and other countries, was also among the protesters. We will need the Ministry of Diaspora as long as we have a Diaspora, he said. The repatriation desk has only two employees: myself and its leading specialist, argued Aleksanian. Hundreds of families come [to the ministry] and all that work is done by our small division. Our expenditures are so modest that they cannot serve as an argument [in favor of closing the ministry,] he said, adding that the ministrys annual budget is an equivalent of just $500,000. By Leman Mammadova Trade relations are one of the main directions of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia. Minister of Economy, co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation Shahin Mustafayev met with Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects of cooperation and economic relations between the two countries. Mustafayev emphasized that there are wide opportunities for development of cooperation between our countries in various spheres of economy, including trade, investment, industry, energy, agriculture, transport, tourism and ICT, and shared views on expanding relations in these spheres. In turn, Ljajic said that his country is interested in expanding relations with Azerbaijan, developing cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and agriculture. Later, Azerbaijani-Serbian business meeting was held with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of Serbia. Mustafayev said that Azerbaijan and Serbia successfully cooperate in infrastructure construction noting that Serbia can use transport and transit opportunities in Azerbaijan. The opportunities for cooperation in tourism, agriculture, ICT and other spheres are extensive. More than 30 documents have been signed between our countries so far, the trade turnover in 2017 has increased by 36 percent and 33 percent in January-September 2018. Noting the importance of the events organized by the business circles, Rasim Ljajic stressed that the events of businessmen can be held in Serbia in 2019. Ljajic informed about privileges of the investments in Serbia, and invited Azerbaijani businessmen to invest in his country. Chairman of the Azerbaijani Tourism Agency Fuad Nagiyev informed about the development of tourism in our country, the strategy implemented in this field, and presented the tourism development in Azerbaijan. State Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of Serbia, Miroslav Knezevic, Director of Sokobanja Tourism Organization Ljubinko Milenkovic, director of Park Palic, Nebojsa Darabosa, Director of Special Rehabilitation Hospital Rusanda, Zorica Culibrk made presentations to promote the tourism opportunities of Serbia. The Azerbaijan-Serbia bilateral relation develop in all areas, and the potential of cooperation is estimated at a high level. The Declaration on Friendship and Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and Serbia signed in 2013, the Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia signed in May 2018 and the fifth meeting of the Azerbaijan-Serbia intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation held in this month play an important role in expanding cooperation. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on August 21, 1997. Over all these years, the countries have been successfully cooperating within international organizations and enjoyed sustainable development of ties in many spheres, such as political, economic, scientific, cultural and humanitarian fields. Serbia is interested in the operation of Azerbaijani companies in the country. The country stated that Azerbaijan can invest in any sphere in Serbia and Serbia is ready to provide Azerbaijani companies with various privileges, preferences and subsidies in the amount of 15 to 20 percent depending on the amount of investments. Azerbaijani company Azvirt participates in infrastructure projects in Serbia. AzVirt implemented the major road project in Serbia based on the document signed between Azerbaijan and Serbia in 2012. In 2012, the government of Azerbaijan provided a 308 million euro loan for a period of 25 years with a three-year grace period at a rate of four percent per annum for the construction of the highway in Serbia. The loan financed the construction of the Ljig-Boljkovci, Boljkovci-Takovo, and Takovo-Preljina sections of E-763 highway. Meanwhile, AzVIRT plans to implement the second major road project in Serbia. Azerbaijans trade turnover with Serbia increased to $ 5.5 million in 2017, by 36 percent and in the first nine months of 2018 - by 33 percent, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Almost the entire volume of the trade turnover accounted for the imports of Serbian products to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani export to Serbia amounted to $ 18,000 while imports to Azerbaijan made $ 5,48 million. Bilateral cooperation in tourism is also developing. In 2017, the number of Serbian citizens visiting Azerbaijan increased by 14 percent. Moreover, the visa regime with Azerbaijan was abolished on June 2, 2018. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova The development of credit unions can make a significant contribution to the development of the Azerbaijans agricultural sector, the chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan Credit Unions Association (AKIA), Jalil Suleymanov, told Trend on December 20. Credit unions in Azerbaijan are mainly aimed at financing the agricultural sector, because loans of 2,000-3,000 manats are not a significant amount for other sectors of the country's economy. Farmers sometimes need such amounts for tillage and other work, he said. Suleymanov pointed out that in most cases banks are not interested in issuing loans to small and medium-sized businesses in the regions, with the exception of a limited number of entrepreneurs, and this is not widespread. "78 credit unions operate in the country, and more than 80 percent of these companies are concentrated in the regions of the country," he said. Listing the problems of credit unions, Suleymanov noted that the unions have problems with financing, while there is high demand in the market. "At the moment there is a high demand in the agricultural sector, in particular in the field of cotton growing. From the side of the cotton growers, there is a high demand for loans for the year in the amount of 1000-2000 manats in accordance with the turnover. But donor companies avoid working in this direction," he said. This year cotton is planted on 132,000 hectares in Azerbaijan and next year it is planned to plant 100,000 hectares with cotton. As for November 2018, 215,000 tons of cotton have been harvested. 2016 was a turning point from the perspective of cotton-growing in the country. In 2016, cotton was planted on an area of 51,000 hectares, while the harvest hit 90,000 tons. That is three times more than in 2015. Recently it became known that livestock sector is leading in the number of agricultural loans, 84 loans were issued in this sector in 2018 and 18 more loans were issued in horticulture. Since the beginning of lending in 2018, 151 farmers from 41 Azerbaijani regions have been provided with loans worth 10 million manats in the agricultural sector. In general, since 2007, loans worth 210 million manats have been issued. Suleymanov also noted that all Azerbaijani credit unions work with local capital and the share of problem loans in the total portfolio of unions is much lower than that of large credit organizations. The head of the association also added that currently the Enterprise Development Fund works closely with credit unions, monitoring is conducted and he has certain plans for working with unions. The Azerbaijan Credit Unions Association (AKIA) was founded in 2003. Its main objectives are promoting credit unions at both the regional and international levels, assistance in creation of new loan unions, training for members of the loan unions to improve the quality of their work, establishing of contacts with donor organizations, the protection of the rights of the loan unions, lobbying for legislation related to their activities. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova The first transit cargo arrived at the Baku International Sea Trade Port via the Lapis Lazuli international route, Trend reported on December 25. Afghan and Turkish ambassadors to Azerbaijan, representatives of embassies of Georgia and Turkmenistan attended the ceremony dedicated to the arrival of the first cargo to Azerbaijan via this route. Ambassador of Afghanistan to Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai expressed gratitude to the government of Azerbaijan for comprehensive support and assistance in the implementation of the project. He noted that the Lapis Lazuli corridor will be expanded and Afghanistan will make every effort to make this route the most important one from Afghanistan to Europe. In turn, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Erkan Ozoral noted the importance of the route for Afghanistan and other countries. He said that this route will turn into an important corridor that will provide access of Afghan goods to world markets. The ambassador noted that Lapis Lazuli is of strategic importance for Turkey and Azerbaijan. In total, nine trucks arrived, which left the Afghan province of Herat on December 13. The total amount of cargo arrived is 175 tons. These are mostly food products. India is also interested in joining the Lapis Lazuli international route. The Lapis-Lazuli route will allow the participating countries to diversify their access to regional and continental markets. This, in turn, will lead to the economic development of the countries lying along this corridor. Azerbaijan, for instance, will get huge benefits being a transit country. The project budget, which aims to facilitate transit logistics and simplify customs procedures, is estimated at $ 2 billion. Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed an agreement on the creation of the Lapis Lazuli transport corridor set to connect five countries at the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan on November 15, 2017. The trans-regional corridor will encompass mainly railways and highways, which will connect the city of Torghundi in the Afghan province of Herat with the port of Turkmenbashi on the shore of the Caspian Sea via Ashgabat. From Turkmenbashi, goods will be able to travel further by ferry to Baku, where they would be placed on train cars and continue westward to Europe across the South Caucasus via the newly launched Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Further, the corridor will pass through Tbilisi to Ankara with branches to Poti and Batumi, and, then, from Ankara to Istanbul. Barriers to regional trade and transit and transaction costs will be reduced, in part, through a new Custom Integration Procedure and, between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, a new Cross-Border Transport Agreement. Its projected impact is considerable not only because most of the needed infrastructure is already in place, but also because most of the investment required will focus on improving policy and governance. The name Lapis Lazuli is derived from the historic route that Afghanistans lapis lazuli and other semiprecious stones were exported along, over 2,000 years ago, to the Caucasus, Russia, the Balkans, Europe, and North Africa. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) celebrates its 25th anniversary. In honor of this significant date, various festive events have been held throughout the whole of year. The final event took place in the city of Kastamonu (Turkey). Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble performed at the gala concert, Day.Az reported. More than 250 artists and musicians took part in the event. The performance of the Azerbaijani ensemble was one of the most remarkable ones. TURKSOY General Secretary Dusen Kaseinov stressed that the Azerbaijani ensemble performed at a high level. The ensemble presented a grand show. The Secretary General also sent a letter of thanks to the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, expressing his admiration for the beauty and vibrant Azerbaijani dances and the professionalism and talent of national artists. The concert was widely covered in the media of Turkic-speaking countries and was broadcast on Turkish television. Azerbaijani artists performed "Qaytagi" and the dance of naghara musicians. The head of the ensemble is People's Artist of Azerbaijan Rufat Khalilzade, the choreographer is honored artist Khanlar Bashirov, director - honored artist Elchin Gadimov. The State Dance Ensemble experienced its revival several years ago, after Peoples Artist of Russia Dikal Muzakayev joined the ensemble as artistic director. A unique program was prepared, the first national ballet in the Caucasus was staged. The significantly increased level of professionalism of the dancers, changes in the artistic design of dance numbers and the enrichment of the program did not go unnoticed by the audience both in Azerbaijan and abroad. For example, the ensemble successfully performed in Russo and Turkey with a concert program "My Azerbaijan" and the one-act ballet "Koroghlu" (The Blind Man's Son). Folk dances, reflecting the country's rich historical and cultural heritage, stunning choreography, dance skills and vibrant national costumes have left no one indifferent. On the eve of the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis from all over the world, the Azerbaijani State Dance Ensemble will perform with an ambitious concert program and one-act ballet at the Heydar Aliyev Palace on December 25. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Second Committee of the Colombian Parliament on Foreign Affairs, Security and National Defense adopted a resolution supporting Azerbaijans fair position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani embassy in Colombia told Trend on Dec. 25. The document was officially handed over to Charge d'affaires of the Azerbaijani embassy in Colombia Hamid Zeynalov. The importance of bilateral relations between Colombia and Azerbaijan was stressed in the resolution. Colombias concern about the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan as a result of Armenias aggression against Azerbaijan, as well as about ethnic cleansing of the Azerbaijanis in these territories was expressed in the resolution. According to the resolution, Colombia condemns Armenias aggression and calls on the international community to assess this as a crime against humanity. The deep regret that the Azerbaijani lands are still under occupation and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unresolved has been expressed in the document. In this resolution, Colombia calls for peaceful settlement of the conflict on the basis of international legal instruments, including the corresponding resolutions of the UN Security Council. According to the resolution, the unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from all the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the creation of conditions for the immediate return of Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced people to their native lands is required. The full support of the Second Committee of the Colombian Parliament on Foreign Affairs, Security and National Defense for all efforts of the Azerbaijani government and people to defend their country was expressed in the final part of the resolution. The high activity of the Azerbaijani embassy in Colombia was also emphasized. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Republic of Azerbaijan Manuel Adalberto Carlos Montenegro-Lopes-da-Cruz. At the meeting the sides highly appreciated the current level of bilateral relations between the two countries and at the same time underlined the great potential for further development of relations. The parties stressed the importance of exchanging high-level reciprocal visits between Azerbaijan and Brazil in terms of furthering the bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Manuel Adalberto Carlos Montenegro-Lopes-da-Cruz presented the copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov wished the newly appointed Brazilian Ambassador every success in his diplomatic activities. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend A meeting of the OPEC-non-OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee will be held in Baku in late February - early March, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry told Trend on Dec. 24. Presently, the exact date of the meeting is unknown, the ministry said. "This issue must be coordinated with the member-states of the organization." Azerbaijan undertook to reduce oil production from January 2019 by 20,000 barrels up to 776,000 barrels per day within the OPEC + agreement. In early December, the member-states of the OPEC + agreement decided to reduce the total oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day from January 2019. The reduction will be valid during six months. OPEC member-states will reduce production by 800,000 barrels, while non-OPEC countries - by 400,000 barrels. According to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, 35.47 million tons of oil and gas condensate were extracted in the country in January-November 2018, which is 0.1 percent more than in the same period of 2017. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov The state of hysteria for Armenia becomes chronic. The appointment of Stanislav Zas as Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has become a real concern for this small nation in the South Caucasus region. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a draft decision of the Collective Security Council on December 21. Zas has already visited Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Russia in order to coordinate his appointment, but the concerning milestone is that he is not planning to visit Armenia. The State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus voiced his readiness to arrive in Armenia at any time convenient for the Armenian Prime Minister and to meet with the head of the government, the foreign minister and the defense minister. What is clear for now the decision has been made and any meeting with Pashinyan will hardly matter much. Armenia has very sensitive approach to the issue. Following Pashinyan's failure on te issue of the Secretary General in Astana, many still believed that the Armenian PM would be firm on his ground and achieve the same decision in favor of the Armenian candidate. But now the Armenian media have begun talking about a conspiracy against Armenia. The post of secretary general of the pro-Azerbaijani CSTO will be taken by a graduate of the Baku Higher All-Arms Command School, Stanislav Zas, an activist who supports the deepening of military-technical cooperation between Minsk and Baku. That's what annoys the Armenian society even more. For many years, Armenians have demanded the cessation of modern weapons supplies to Azerbaijan, citing the fact that this contradicts allied relations between the CSTO countries. However, none of the CSTO member countries considers the so-called separatist regime in occupied Karabakh to be its ally. Moreover, when Armenia joined the CSTO and the EEU, there was a clear condition for it. Armenia entered the organization without Nagorno-Karabakh. Therefore, the obligations of the CSTO countries to an unrecognized entity is a wet dream of Armenia. Besides, the fact that mainly the citizens of Armenia serve in the occupied Karabakh is a hard problem for Yerevan. Some journalists in Yerevan consider that the actions of the CSTO are more and more openly responding to the interests of Azerbaijan, which is not a member state. They openly accuse Putin and Lukashenko of attempts to earn as much as possible on the desire of Azerbaijan to wipe Armenia and occupied Karabakh off the face of the earth. In addition, Armenian journalists are hurt by the fact that Nikol Pashinyan, instead answering with dignity to Moscow, became more cautious and attentive to Russian interests and did not seem to notice hints of the U.S., ready to take "a step towards ". In short, there are many reasons for anxiety and unpleasant unrest in Armenia. And in the coming months, they seem to grow. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Port control procedures and security issues discussed at OSCE-organized training course in Turkmenbashi International Seaport on Caspian Sea, Trend reports referring to the OSCE. More than 25 seaport security and law enforcement officials completed a five-day practical training course on port security management and procedures on December 2018. The course, held at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport on the Caspian Sea, was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. International experts from the United States and the United Kingdom presented the concepts of maritime security and border and borderlands, layers of risk, and key examples of transnational threats at marine borders such as drug trafficking, piracy and maritime terrorism. The participants discussed port security assessment and planning, emergency preparedness and security control administration. In May 2018, Turkmenistan inaugurated a new seaport on the Caspian Sea, which will become a regional hub connecting Europe and Asia, said Dmitry Zagrotskiy, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. The increased capacity of the new port will require advanced training on modern port control and maritime security procedures, including marine border checkpoints, for the personnel of the port administration, and law enforcement agencies represented at the port, he said. It is symbolic that guided by the priorities of Turkmenistans transport policy, the Centre organized this training course as a successful accomplishment of its activities in 2018, the year in which the Government proclaimed that Turkmenistan is the heart of the Great Silk Road, Zagrotskiy said. The training programme offered practical exercises and case studies addressing maritime security control and port security management procedures. It also included a visit to the port area to demonstrate methods of cargo and passenger control as well as vessel registration and management procedures. The participants stressed the importance of using advanced screening techniques and equipment to efficiently counter transnational threats at marine borders. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Iranian foreign minister on Monday criticized the Europeans for their "slow measures" to salvage Iranian 2015 international nuclear deal, Xinhua reports. "The Europeans are acting slowly in the fulfillment of their commitments under the nuclear agreement (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the JCPOA)," Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by Press TV. "We will not wait for them unless they adopt practical steps," Zarif said. He emphasized that Iran has many options to deal with the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and would consider them based on its national interests. Washington withdrew from Iran's landmark 2015 nuclear deal in May and imposed batches of sanctions against Tehran, targeting Iran's shipping, financial and energy sectors. Iran relies heavily on the European's assistance against the U.S. pull out of the nuclear deal and their promises to guarantee Iran's interests under the 2015 accord. The EU has stressed that it would set up a legal entity to facilitate legitimate financial transactions with Iran in light of the U.S. withdrawal from the international agreement. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Russias prime minister dismissed the head of the statistics agency on Monday and appointed an economy ministry official to the post, with the government pledging to radically overhaul the bodys data gathering methods, Reuters reported. Economists have raised questions about the independence of the Federal Statistics Service, or Rosstat, saying its economic data has become less accurate and seemed surprisingly optimistic during the countrys economic woes of the past few years. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Alexander Surinov as Rosstats head and appointed Pavel Malkov, formerly director of the public administration department at the economy ministry, to replace him. The organization needs serious reform. We need to be talking about a complete overhaul of the team, about new principles and methods of work, finance minister Anton Siluanov said on Monday. Take, for example, real incomes - a hugely important indicator... How Rosstat calculates it, probably only Rosstat knows. The quality of its calculation is terrible, there are lots of issues brought up about it, it needs to change, Siluanov said. The statistics agency drew attention last year when it revised its figure for 2016 gross domestic product growth to a 0.2 percent contraction from a much deeper fall reported previously. It also revised 2015s contraction in GDP to just 2.8 percent from an initial 3.7 percent. President Vladimir Putin placed Rosstat under the economy ministrys control in April 2017 soon after Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin criticized the agency, which in the past had reported directly to the government. Rosstat declined to comment on Malkovs appointment. The economy ministry said in a statement it hoped Malkov would help develop Rosstat as a key aggregator and independent provider of high-quality data for all of society. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Turkey is closely observing the withdrawal of US troops from Syria's northern regions, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. "All countries, including the US, know that Turkey is determined to fight terrorists in northern Syria," Cavusoglu added, Trend reports referring to the Turkish media. "If Turkey has declared that it will enter Syria to fight terrorists, then no one will stop it," he said. The foreign minister also stressed that over 3,000 Syrian refugees from Turkey returned to Syrian territories liberated as part of the Operation Euphrates Shield. On Dec. 12, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish Armed Forces would launch a new military operation in northern Syria against PYD/YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist organization. Erdogan claimed there were American soldiers in the detachments of the terrorists in Syria. "Despite that the US promised Turkey that it would not support PYD/YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK, the US did not keep its word," Erdogan said. On June 4, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed a road map on Syria's Manbij during talks in Washington. Also, Pompeo and Cavusoglu met in Brussels and discussed the Operation Olive Branch, as well as other issues. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. On Aug. 24, 2016, units of the Turkish Armed Forces began the Operation Euphrates Shield against the "Islamic State" and with the support of the Syrian opposition liberated the border town of Jarablus in northern Syria, as well as al-Bab. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Energy-poor and landlocked Armenia needs to urgently mend relations with Russia if it wants to survive the winter cold. Keeping this in mind, Armenia looks forward to the meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with Russian President Vladimir Putin The negotiations, scheduled for December 27 in Moscow, will be Pashinyans first test. The price of Russian gas for Armenia will most likely top the agenda of the upcoming meeting. Armenia's new leader was waiting for an invitation for a long time, while Moscow, in turn, was in anticipation of the outcomes of the parliamentary elections. Gas is the biggest problem for Armenia this winter, as the Russian-Armenian gas supply contract expires on December 31. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak sent a letter to the Government of Armenia, in particular to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, noting that Russian gas at the border will cost $215 per 1,000 cubic meters, and this is not negotiable. At present Armenia receives gas at $150 per 1,000 cubic meters. Armenian expert circles are confident that the Russian side will try to take advantage of the expiration of the contract for blackmailing and pressuring on Yerevan. Therefore, Pashinyans upcoming visit to Moscow and his talks with the Russian president are of considerable interest to the Armenian public. Negative events preceding this meeting, such as the scandal around the CSTO, the rise in prices for Russian gas and the topics of American biolabs, are of concern to Armenian expert circles. On the eve of his visit to Moscow, Nikol Pashinyan expressed hope that gas negotiations would be successful. At the same time, he assured that he himself was not aware of the possible increase in tariff, which is written by Armenian media. According to media reports, Pashinyan refused to answer the journalist's quesdtion whether Armenia insists on reducing the price of gas. He said that he doesnt want to say anything and hopes the negotiations will be successful. Undoubtedly, at the meeting with Putin, Pashinyan will ask for a low gas price in order for the republic to survive in the difficult conditions of the new velvet reality. In this regard, he can even promise the Russian leader that Yerevan maintains some kind of ally loyalty to Russia. However, it seems unreal taking into account contradictory and mutually exclusive statements of Pashinyan, which led to a lack of coordination between the two countries at the level of various departments and institutions and also contributed to anti-Russian attitudes in society. The gas treaty with Russia was signed in Yerevan in December 2013 and then ratified in parliament. Remarkable, that the opposition in the face of Nikol Pashinyan tried to prevent ratifications, but could not get his way. Also, it is necessary to recall that Putin promised in 2013 that gas for Armenia would be at the same price as inside Russia, but in fact, it turned out to be four times more expensive. Thus, Putin and Pashinyan have many questions to each other. It is time to renegotiate the gas contract. It is difficult to say whether Pashinyan will succeed in agreeing at least on the immutability of gas prices, taking into account the cooled relations between the countries. Most likely, Pashinyan will not even be able to agree on the unchanging of gas prices, taking into account the cooled relations between two countries. The absence of the results of this meeting will undoubtedly affect Pashinyan's rating and affect its legitimacy within the country. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Turkish Armed Forces are ready for the beginning of new anti-terrorist operations in northern Syria against PYD/YPG, the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said. The beginning of military operations in northern Syria is an important step in the fight against terrorism, Akar added, Trend reports referring to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. The minister stressed that Turkey is decisive in the fight against terrorists in Syria. On Dec. 12, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish Armed Forces would launch a new military operation in northern Syria against PYD/YPG. Erdogan claimed there were American soldiers in the detachments of the terrorists in Syria. "Despite that the US promised Turkey that it would not support PYD/YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK, the US did not keep its word," Erdogan said. On June 4, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed a road map on Syria's Manbij during talks in Washington. Also, Pompeo and Cavusoglu met in Brussels and discussed the Operation Olive Branch, as well as other issues. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. On Aug. 24, 2016, units of the Turkish Armed Forces began the Operation Euphrates Shield against the "Islamic State" and with the support of the Syrian opposition liberated the border town of Jarablus in northern Syria, as well as al-Bab. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The two Koreas will hold a groundbreaking ceremony, Wednesday, in Gaeseong, North Korea, for a project aimed at modernizing and connecting roads and railways across the Demilitarized Zone. / Joint Press Corps Trump says he looks forward to next summit with Kim By Yi Whan-woo The two Koreas will jointly hold a groundbreaking ceremony, Wednesday, for a project aimed at modernizing and connecting roads and railways across the Demilitarized Zone. The ceremony will be made possible as the U.N. Security Council (UNSC), despite economic sanctions against the North, has granted sanctions exemptions for the preliminary steps of the joint railway project. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday the UNSC, after approving a feasibility study in November, also granted exemptions for the groundbreaking ceremony. "We've consulted the council's Sanctions Committee on North Korea, Monday, and settled all relevant issues to proceed with the groundbreaking ceremony," the ministry said. "This means we can go ahead with the ceremony on Wednesday as scheduled." The project is part of a wider push by the Moon Jae-in administration to improve inter-Korean relations and set the stage for large-scale investment in the long term. The groundbreaking ceremony is not an actual start of the construction. But it was seen as critical to forecast whether the United States is willing to support inter-Korean economic cooperation amid concerns over a possible violation of U.S.-led international sanctions on North Korea. Moon administration 'evolves' from Roh's on N. Korean human rights Sanctions on North Korea: How will they be lifted? US turning softer on NK ahead of second summit The U.S. backed the groundbreaking ceremony, Dec. 22, a gesture seen as a reconciliatory message in order to resume stalled talks with Pyongyang for a possible second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump. In a Twitter message Tuesday, Trump expressed hope for his next meeting with Kim. "Christmas Eve briefing with y team working on North Korea Progress being made," Trump said. "Looking forward tomy next summit with Chairman Kim!" The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Panmun Station in Gaeseong, North Korea, according the Ministry of Unification. A special train carrying nine cars will bring around 100 participants from Seoul. The train will leave Seoul around 6:45 a.m. The invited guests include ranking officials from the two Koreas, China, Russia, Mongolia and the U.N. Guests from the South will include Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee, ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Hae-chan and floor leaders of ruling and opposition parties. The North's delegation will be led by Ri Son-gwon, the chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. He will be joined by high-ranking North Korean officials including Kim Yun-hyok, the railway minister. Armida Alisjahbana, executive secretary of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will join the event, along with top railway and road officials from Russia, China and Mongolia. The three countries could possibly be involved in wider projects to link railways across Asia. Five South Korean civilians who were separated from North Korean families by the 1950-53 Korean War were also among the invitees, according to the unification ministry. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Senate Speaker conveyed to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church the invitation of the President of the country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to take part in the next Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held in September 2022. Police in Londonderry have intervened to arrest a certain a red-suited gentleman sporting a more salt than pepper beard just hours ahead of Christmas. However, going by the bundles of presents in living rooms across the country this morning, it may be safe to assume he was granted police bail in time to saddle up the reindeers. Posting on its Facebook page, a spokesperson for PSNI Foyle announced it had taken Santa Claus into custody. The post goes onto list off the various crimes he has committed over the past two millenia. It reads: "Hes been unlawfully at large for around 1,700 years for a number of offences: 1. Burglary (entering as trespasser & stealing Mince Pies) 2. Drunk In Charge (we know hes always hitting the Poteen, Brandy, Whiskey, Mulled Wine, Buckfast) 3. No Insurance (even he cant pretend to have Traders Insurance) 4. Flying in Restricted Airspace 5. Immigration Offences (Wheres his Passport!) 6. Data Protection Breaches (how else could he know I was on the Naughty List) Either way, shows over folks . . . nothing to see here. Santas reign of Terror is over #SantaInChains #PSNIGrinch #BallyarnettNPT #CouldHeMakeBail" Elsewhere, PSNI Craigavon shared the tale of PD Mike (that's 'Police Dog' to the uninitiated) keeping guard and making sure the "spate of activity" didn't reach the house he was staying in. The spokesperson for PSNI Craigavon also encouraged the public to look out for their neighbours. "We'll be here if you need us," they wrote. "Be good, be safe, and if you know or suspect a neighbour is on their own, make that your mission for the day - find them, spend some time with them, spread some festive hope." Leo Varadkar reflected the CervicalCheck scandal was a low point for both him and the government (Tom Honan/PA) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that his biggest regret of the last year was the CervicalCheck scandal. Irelands cervical smear services have been in the spotlight since it emerged around 221 women with cervical cancer were not informed that smear test results showing them to be clear were inaccurate, and that revised test results were kept from them. @221plus welcomes the announcement of the establishment of a Tribunal for the women and families affected by the #cervicalcheckdebacle but urges speedy implementation to avoid further distress for our members. #221plus https://t.co/ICdZnG7zj7 221+ (@221plus) December 20, 2018 The review into a cervical cancer scandal in Ireland by UK health expert Dr Gabriel Scally found there were serious gaps in governance and expertise and failure across the whole system of a cervical screening programme. It is thought around 20 women have since died. Speaking to the media, Mr Varadkar reflected that the scandal was a low point for both him and the government. In terms of the low points, I dont know of any one particular day but definitely trying to understand and manage and respond to the Cervical Check scandal was extremely difficult, much more difficult for the women and families affected than for any politician, he said. Just trying to get basic facts and then when we got the facts, trying to explain them and get them across, and trying respond to issues, making the right decisions in a very frenzied period with a lot of misinformation. The extreme difficulty that was then compounded by the emotion of very sick women and very distraught families. Government has announced the establishment of an independent statutory Tribunal to deal with claims arising from CervicalCheck. Read more here: https://t.co/66RfwsHr4E @merrionstreet @SimonHarrisTD Department of Health (@roinnslainte) December 19, 2018 I dont know if thats a regret, I regret we didnt know it was coming, or know more about it in advance, and might have been able to handle it a bit better and might have made some better decisions. Mr Varadkar added that he felt the highlight of the year was the historic abortion referendum in May this year. Ill say on the plus side, I felt very privileged to be there in Dublin Castle when the votes were counted on the referendum to repeal the 8th amendment, he said. It was one of those days when youre reminded why youre in politics its about being a part of making things happen. Bitterns have seen their fortunes improve since the 1990s with the help of conservation efforts (RSPB/PA) Elusive bitterns have successfully bred on the Isle of Wight for the first time on record, as the bird continues its comeback, the RSPB has said. This spring the distinctive booming mating call of the bird was heard for the first time on the island in newly restored wetland at the RSPBs Brading Marshes. While bitterns are highly camouflaged and can be hard to monitor, wardens at the reserve observed the birds making regular feeding flights over the summer, indicating young were present. Assistant warden Luke Gaskin managed to capture photographs of a bird that may be one of this years fledglings in dense reedbed, in the restored wetland that stretches from the village of Brading to the sea at Bembridge Harbour. Expand Close Rangers managed to capture a picture of what could be one of the young bitterns peeking out from the reedbed (Luke Gaskin/RSPB/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rangers managed to capture a picture of what could be one of the young bitterns peeking out from the reedbed (Luke Gaskin/RSPB/PA) The RSPB said it is confident that the birds have successfully bred at the site, making this the first ever bittern breeding record for the Isle of White. It is the latest sign of success for the elusive bird, whose numbers fell to just 11 booming males in 1997, but is now recovering with the help of intensive conservation efforts to restore its wetland habitat. The secretive, hard-to-spot birds were once a delicacy in medieval banquets and disappeared from Britain by the 1870s before recolonising in the early 20th century and reaching a peak of about 80 males in the 1950s. Numbers are now on the increase again from their low 20 years ago, with the latest poulation survey this year recording 188 males at 82 sites, up from 164 at 71 sites in 2017, continuing a year-on-year increase in numbers since 2006. Expand Close Bitterns were seen making regular feeding flights over the wetland (Martin Blackmore/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bitterns were seen making regular feeding flights over the wetland (Martin Blackmore/PA) Attracting breeding bitterns is considered to be one of the best indicators that wetland is being successfully managed, according to conservationists. Brading Marshes has been restored by the RSPB in partnership with government agencies Natural England and the Environment Agency and with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and has also attracted new species including marsh harrier, little egret and great crested grebe. In the South East, bitterns have previously recolonised restored wetlands at RSPB Dungeness in Kent, with three booming males recorded at the site this year. Hearing a booming bittern on a wetland reserve is like receiving a Michelin star as a restaurantKeith Ballard, warden of RSPB Brading Marshes But with fewer than 200 males at 75 sites across the UK, the discovery of a new pair breeding on the Isle of Wight is remarkable, the RSPB said. Keith Ballard, warden of RSPB Brading Marshes, said: Hearing a booming bittern on a wetland reserve is like receiving a Michelin star as a restaurant; its one of the highest marks of success we could hope for. Bitterns have very selective habitat needs, and to attract them you need a truly thriving ecosystem. The work we have done to manage the reserve for insects, fish, reptiles and mammals, as well as birds, now means we have one of the UKs most sensitive species choosing to raise its young on the Isle of Wight. A girl was among eight people who arrived in Folkestone, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA) Authorities were called to several incidents which saw 40 migrants including two children, some in dinghies, cross the Channel towards Britain on Christmas Day. Border Force were involved in five separate instances involving people presenting as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan, the Home Office said. A girl was among eight people who arrived in Folkestone, Kent, at around 2.40am. A child was also one of 13 people on board a dinghy assisted by Border Force off the coast of Deal, Kent, shortly before 7am. Separately, a Border Force cutter was deployed at 5.50am to the Channel to help a dinghy which was travelling towards the UK with seven men and a woman onboard. All of those involved underwent a medical assessment and the adults have been transferred to immigration officials to be interviewed. The children will come under the care of social services, officials said. In another incident in French waters, nine migrants were rescued and are now in the UK after the engine of the vessel they were travelling in failed. They have been transferred to the Coastguard to be assessed. Border Force officials are being assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency after being called to an incident in the Channel before 9.20am involving two people in a small boat travelling towards the UK. All 40 people are now in the UK, the Home Office said. A spokeswoman said: Border Force has intercepted a number of boats containing migrants attempting to cross the Channel overnight and this morning, and has deployed resources to deal with these incidents. The evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel. We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk. The Christmas Day crossings follow a number of migrant rescues in recent months involving people trying to travel across the Channel to Britain. Police Scotland advised drivers that the A9 would be closed in both directions (Andrew Milligan/PA) A man has died following a single-vehicle car accident near Perth. The A9 north of Luncarty was closed in both directions following the incident just before 2pm on Christmas Day. The driver was seriously hurt and Police Scotland have confirmed that he has since died from his injuries. A spokesman said the road would be closed indefinitely while the force investigates. The sculpture in daylight, left, and the group installing it, right (PA/handout) A group of festive pranksters who placed a Santa hat on top of the Angel of the North say this was their seventh attempt to pull off the stunt. Passers-by expressed delight to see the festive gesture atop the 65ft Antony Gormley sculpture outside Gateshead. Expand Close A Santa hat on the 65ft Angel of the North (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Santa hat on the 65ft Angel of the North (PA) The group, who have asked not to be named, told the Press Association they are delighted by the response, having prepared meticulously for the occasion for several years. We really wanted to do something people might find uniformly enjoyable, something that might bring people together, one of them said. Previous efforts have been held back by a string of problems including windy weather and a broken-down car. Their first attempt saw them scale the structure only to discover their hat was too small to fit. Expand Close One of the group climbs a rope to place the hat. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One of the group climbs a rope to place the hat. The 10-person operation began in the early hours of Christmas Eve and featured a sophisticated effort involving ropes and fishing lines. Ten of us, five different vans, everyone had a bit of something in the back of their vehicle, one of the groups leaders said. We all filed out like paratroopers, everybody knew what their role was. We have gone to significant efforts to make sure it doesnt fly off. One member said he spent 90 on fabric to create the hat, sewing it all together with the help of his girlfriend and his grandmothers sewing machine. Someone on Twitter said its just a couple of drunk kids, he said. Drunk folk dont usually carry around 25ft hats in their pocket. Expand Close The ten person operation required meticulous planning. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The ten person operation required meticulous planning. Gateshead Council has yet to speak out on the stunt, while Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police have declined to comment. We will take it down if its still there after a certain time, and we are eminently qualified to do it, one of the group said. That has always been my biggest worry about the whole thing. That someone goes up to take it down and gets themselves hurt. The Queen delivering her annual Christmas message to Britain and the Commonwealth (PA) The Queens Christmas broadcast is a traditional feature of the festive season where the head of state can express her thoughts about the past year. The monarch made her first Christmas broadcast live on the radio in 1952 the year of her accession and the annual message was first shown on TV in 1957. She has made a Christmas Day speech every year except in 1969, when she decided the royals had been on TV enough after an unprecedented family documentary. Expand Close The Queen making her first Christmas Day radio broadcast from Sandringham House in 1952 (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Queen making her first Christmas Day radio broadcast from Sandringham House in 1952 (PA) Instead, her greeting took the form of a written address. The first televised broadcast was transmitted live from the Long Library at Sandringham, and the Queen told how she hoped this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and more direct. Expand Close The Queen is seen on a television screen as she delivers her first televised Christmas message in 1957 (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Queen is seen on a television screen as she delivers her first televised Christmas message in 1957 (PA) You can watch The Queen's first televised Christmas broadcast from 1957 here - http://t.co/0pzDQomLjK #SMInfoAge The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 24, 2014 The Queens first pre-recorded speech was in 1959. The monarch a consummate professional usually completes her delivery in one take. But footage from an ITV documentary earlier this year revealed that that her 2017 speech had to be re-recorded after a chirruping bird outside the palace window interrupted the proceedings. In her 1991 message, the Queen silenced rumours of abdication as she pledged to continue to serve. She also issued a writ against The Sun newspaper after it published the full text of her 1992 broadcast two days before transmission. She later accepted an apology and a 200,000 donation to charity. Expand Close The Queen in the State Dining Room of Buckingham Palace, London, after recording her Christmas Day television broadcast in 2014 (John Stillwell/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Queen in the State Dining Room of Buckingham Palace, London, after recording her Christmas Day television broadcast in 2014 (John Stillwell/PA) The Queens grandfather, King George V, delivered the first royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham in 1932. He read a message composed by author Rudyard Kipling. The original idea was suggested by Sir John Reith, the founding father of the BBC, to inaugurate the Empire Service, now the BBC World Service. George V was at first unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed. The fixed time of 3pm each year was chosen in 1932 because it was considered the best for reaching most of the countries in the British Empire by short wave. King George Vs eldest son, who became King Edward VIII, never delivered a Christmas speech, as his reign lasted less than a year, ending in abdication. King George VI, the Queens father and Edwards brother, made his first broadcast in December 1937 in which he thanked the nation for their support during the first year of his reign. There was no Christmas broadcast in 1936 or 1938, and it was the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 that firmly established the tradition. The speech is written by the Queen herself and is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice and is able to voice her own views. Each message has a strong religious framework and reflects current issues. She chooses a theme, drawing sometimes on her own personal experiences and sometimes from global events such as wars, terrorist attacks or natural disasters. In 2003, the Queen recorded her annual Christmas message entirely on location, away from a royal residence, for the first time. Expand Close The Queen at Combermere Barracks in Windsor recording her Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth during the Iraq war (Fiona Hanson/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Queen at Combermere Barracks in Windsor recording her Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth during the Iraq war (Fiona Hanson/PA) With a military backdrop of armoured fighting vehicles at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, she paid tribute to British servicemen and women who had fought in the Iraq war. The Queen sometimes watches her own speech alone on Christmas Day. The Duke of York revealed the monarch can prefer to leave the room to scrutinise her work as the rest of the royal family gather around the television together at Sandringham on December 25. Expand Close The royals at church on Christmas Day, before they head to Sandringham House for lunch and to watch the Queens speech (Joe Giddens/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The royals at church on Christmas Day, before they head to Sandringham House for lunch and to watch the Queens speech (Joe Giddens/PA) Andrew recalled: I do remember that sometimes the Queen watches it and sometimes sits in another room thinking Has it come across in the right way?' He added: As children we were always encouraged after lunch to behave ourselves and wait for the Queens message, because lunch would usually finish within one or 15 minutes of quarter to three, and three oclock is the time we all sit down and watch it. The duke spoke of how other members of the royal family have taken part in the broadcast over the years. I think all of us have taken part in it in one form or another over the years, he said. During the Falklands War when the duke served as a helicopter pilot, Andrew and his fellow servicemen were the focus of the Queens 1982 message. The fact that the Queen, their Commander in Chief, had a concern and was thinking about what theyre doing, and as it were, was with them for those few minutes, gives you a tremendous buzz and a feel that Oh weve been mentioned, weve been thought about, he told ITV. Flamingo Lands new arrival will add to the number of Rothchilds giraffes in the UK (PA) The birth of a baby giraffe made Christmas extra special at a Yorkshire zoo. The calf is already up and about after being born at Flamingo Land resort during the festive period. The zoo posted a picture of the new arrival, which is a member of the endangered Rothschilds giraffe sub-species. A VERY SPECIAl CHRISTMAS PRESENT Here at Flamingo Land we have had a very special delivery - just in time for Christmas. A Rothschilds #giraffe calf has been born at the park during the festive period and is already up and about. Such a perfect way to celebrate this special day! pic.twitter.com/Z7goWLYMpB Flamingo Land Resort (@flamingolanduk) December 25, 2018 A tweet from the resorts account read: A very special Christmas present. Here at Flamingo Land we have had a very special delivery just in time for Christmas. A Rothschilds #giraffe calf has been born at the park during the festive period and is already up and about. Such a perfect way to celebrate this special day! There are only a few hundred Rothschilds remaining in the wild, the zoo, which is near Malton in North Yorkshire, said. Pope Francis has offered his Christmas wish for fraternity among people of different faiths, races or ideas. He urged the world to put aside partisan interests to find a political solution to wars in Syria and Yemen and conflicts in Ukraine and on the Korean peninsula. Addressing tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans in St Peters Square, Francis said on Tuesday that the universal message of Christmas was that God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters. Christ is born for us! Come, all of you who are seeking the face of God. Here He is, the Child lying in the manger. Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 25, 2018 Without fraternity, the pope said even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty. He added that our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness. Francis made his appeal as trends toward nationalism, fuelling suspicion of migrants and refugees, have gained traction in much of the developed world. Francis urged the international community to work decisively for a political solution that can put aside divisions and partisan interests, so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country. He said he hoped an internationally-brokered truce for Yemen would bring relief to that countrys people, especially children exhausted by war and famine. Other Christmas wishes expressed by the pope included one for dialogue among Israelis and Palestinians so they can undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love. He also cited conflicts and vulnerable populations in much of Africa, in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ukraine. He expressed hope that the bonds of fraternity uniting the Korean peninsula would be consolidated. On Monday, Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass for the faithful in St Peters Basilica. Today we are making history, for our city and for our people, Rabbi Shalom Rabinovitz, Chabad emissary to Bad Homburg vor der Hohe, Germany, announced at the inauguration of the citys first synagogue in eighty years. It was here that a country attempted to snuff out the last breath of life from the Jewish people, and it is here we open a synagogue to breathe new life into the Jewish people. These words were spoken at the site of a former ancient synagogue, destroyed in 1938. The new synagogue project began in 2010 when Rabbi Rabinovitz and his wife, Mina, moved from Israel to Bad Homburg, which borders Frankfurt, as Chabad emissaries to bolster the tiny Jewish community of 600. They created a Jewish kindergarten and a Hebrew school, and they hold weekly Shabbat services. But they wanted the citys participation in their efforts to revive the Jewish community. They saw their opportunity when Bad Homburg, together with the rest of Germany, commemorated Kristallnachtthe nights of November 9 and 10. That was when, in 1938, city officials and residents destroyed synagogues, vandalized homes and business, and attacked and murdered Jews throughout Germany. Rabinovitz wanted more than a memorial event, so he lobbied for a specific government-owned building to be given to the Jewish community. His efforts were successful. Rabbi Rabinovitz at the inaugaration ceremony With the support of philanthropist and community leader Evgeni Sternburg, the building was renovated and transformed into a beautiful synagogue with modern furnishings. The inauguration of the synagogue commenced with a heartfelt Kel Malei Rachamim by Brooklyn, New York, resident Rabbi Shimon Herz, in remembrance of his grandfather, Bad Homburgs last officiating rabbi before World War II, who perished in the Holocaust. Today I have seen the end of an eighty-year-old cycle. In the morning, I said Kaddish for my grandfather who met his end here, and in the evening, I say the traditional Shehecheyanu blessing for the birth of a new era, said Herz. The change in this small German town from Kristallnacht to today, was highlighted in the welcoming address by the Lord Mayor, Alexander Hetjes. The citys motives for delivering the building to the Jewish community, he said, was to stimulate Jewish growth. This building is given to the Jewish community because we want more Jews to move here and for the existing community to grow and flourish. Gadiel Mayrov, a local resident of Bad Homburg, was enthusiastic about the citys decision. When the nation that sought to destroy the Jewish people facilitates the inauguration of a new synagogue, thats when you see with your very own eyes, that the Jewish people endure. You see am Yisrael chai! For more information and to support Chabad of Bad Homburg, visit www.Chabad.de. The new synagogue building Modern furnishings President Donald Trump shares updates on the North American Aerospace Defence Command Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have taken calls from children anxious to find out Santas whereabouts on his gift-giving journey. In one conversation, Mr Trump asked a seven-year-old named Collman, Are you still a believer in Santa? He listened for a moment before adding, Because at seven, its marginal, right? Mr Trump listened again and chuckled before saying, Well, you just enjoy yourself. Mrs Trump told a caller that Santa was in the Sahara. Several minutes later, she reported that Santa was far away in Morocco but would be at the callers home on Christmas morning. Mrs Trump later tweeted that helping children track Santa is becoming one of my favourite traditions! Helping children across the country track #Santa is becoming one of my favorite traditions! @Potus and I enjoyed working with @NORADSanta - #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/CYNkARbFaI Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) December 25, 2018 The NORAD Tracks Santa programme became a Christmas Eve tradition after a child mistakenly called the forerunner to the North American Aerospace Defence Command in 1955 and asked to speak to Santa. The programme was not affected by the government shutdown. It is run by volunteers at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado using pre-approved funding. The Trumps later travelled to Washington National Cathedral to attend the Solemn Holy Eucharist of Christmas Eve. Mr Trump most likely would have been attending Christmas services at church near his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. But he scrapped plans to head to Florida for the holidays after parts of the government were forced to shut down indefinitely in a budget stalemate with Congress. 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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 OTTAWA - The federal government and Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding are asking a trade tribunal to throw out a challenge to their handling of a high-stakes competition to design the navy's new $60-billion fleet of warships. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/12/2018 (1073 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - The federal government and Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding are asking a trade tribunal to throw out a challenge to their handling of a high-stakes competition to design the navy's new $60-billion fleet of warships. In separate submissions to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the federal procurement department and Irving say the challenge filed by Alion Science and Technology of Virginia does not meet the requirements for a tribunal hearing. Alion was one of three companies, along with U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martin and Spanish firm Navantia, vying to design the new warships, which are to be built by Irving and serve as the navy's backbone for most of this century. While Lockheed was selected as the preferred bidder and is negotiating a final design contract with the government and Irving, Alion alleges the company's design did not meet the navy's requirements and should have been disqualified. Two of those requirements related to the ship's speed, Alion alleged, while the third related to the number of crew berths. Alion has asked both the trade tribunal and the Federal Court to stop any deal with Lockheed. But the government and Irving say the contract is exempt from normal trade laws, which the tribunal is charged with enforcing, because of a special "national security exception," meaning there is "no jurisdiction for the tribunal to conduct an inquiry." Another reason the challenge should be quashed, they argue, is that Alion is not a Canadian company, which is a requirement for being able to ask the tribunal to consider a complaint. Alion's challenge has been formally filed by its Canadian subsidiary, but the government and Irving say that subsidiary was never actually qualified to be a bidder in the competition only its American parent. The responses from the government and Irving are the latest twist in the largest military purchase in Canadian history, which will see 15 new warships built to replace the navy's 12 aging Halifax-class frigates and three already-retired Iroquois-class destroyers. The trade tribunal ordered the government last month not to award a final contract to Lockheed until it had investigated Alion's complaint, but rescinded the order after a senior procurement official warned that the deal was "urgent." The procurement department has not explained why the deal is urgent. Lockheed's bid was contentious from the moment the design competition was launched in October 2016. The federal government had originally said it wanted a "mature design" for its new warship fleet, which was widely interpreted as meaning a vessel that has already been built and used by another navy. But the first Type 26 frigates, upon which Lockheed's proposal was based, are only now being built by the British government and the design has not yet been tested in full operation. There were also complaints from industry that the deck was stacked in the Type 26's favour because of Irving's connections with British shipbuilder BAE, which originally designed the Type 26 and partnered with Lockheed to offer the ship to Canada. Irving, which worked with the federal government to pick the top design, also partnered with BAE in 2016 on an ultimately unsuccessful bid to maintain the navy's new Arctic patrol vessels and supply ships. That 35-year contract ended up going to another company. Irving and the federal government have repeatedly rejected such complaints, saying they conducted numerous consultations with industry and used a variety of firewalls and safeguards to ensure the choice was completely fair. But industry insiders had long warned that Lockheed's selection as the top bidder, combined with numerous changes to the requirements and competition terms after it was launched including a number of deadline extensions would spark lawsuits. Government officials acknowledged last month the threat of legal action, which has become a favourite tactic for companies that lose defence contracts, but expressed confidence that they would be able to defend against such an attack. Follow @leeberthiaume on Twitter. Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. 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Many people will be forced to stay in hotels and B&Bs this festive period. Focus Ireland says their services will be open today and for the rest of the holiday. Director of Advocacy Mike Allen is asking people to remember those less fortunate than themselves. "Christmas is about home. It is about family," he said. "It's not just about your family, it's about thinking more widely about the society we live in. "I think Christmas is a time particularly to think about the needs of homeless families and organisations like Focus Ireland working to support them and to transform their lives and support us in trying to make as big a difference in 2019 as we possibly can." Christmas 2018 will be one to remember for this Cork couple. Ed Long and his wife Karen Kellegher welcomed a baby girl at their home in Farren today. Some people can't find a moment on Christmas where they aren't constantly in the company of a member of their family, but for those who end up alone at this time of year without actually deciding to be so, it can be a difficult day. That's where St John's Care Canberra's Christmas community lunch comes in, with about 400 people welcomed through the doors in Reid on Christmas Day for a full lunch, carols, gifts and even face painting. Marieta Pelenato, Anna Uelese, and Wendy Fiti, all from Kaleen, share a laugh with volunteer Nicole Applewhite over Christmas lunch at St John's Care. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong St John's has been holding the lunch for years, but numbers have grown again this year, with programs manager Jason Haines saying demand for services had risen in the weeks before Christmas. "In 10 days we saw 520 families which is 200 more than we would probably normally see. We normally see 392 per month and we saw 520 in 10 days so we're expecting a lot of people today," Mr Haines said. Australians are expected to go on a $3 billion sale binge today. Thousands will spend more than they can afford. Thousands more already did that in the lead up to Christmas. Every year people call the National Debt Helpline in such numbers from mid January that we cant hope to answer every call. This year our financial counsellors are more worried than usual. This was the first Christmas where Australians could pay for almost any gift or holiday using Afterpay - or other "buy now, pay later" services - such as ZipPay, and Openpay. Afterpay, the biggest of these services, grew 289 per cent this year. In the three years since it launched it has become a ubiquitous payment method available at 20,000-plus online retailers, according to IBIS World. To "Afterpay" something is now shorthand for the act of "shopping without paying". That kind of growth is a gift to investors but it makes consumer advocates nervous. In the world of financial services when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Cape Schanck, on the Mornington Peninsula. Credit:The Age A man has drowned while diving at a beach on the Mornington Peninsula on Christmas Day. He was with a friend at a popular diving spot just off Cape Schanck Road at the time of the incident, according to police. Emergency services were called about 6.30pm to reports of a person floating in the water. The man's body was retrieved from the rocks by an emergency helicopter. Vatican City: Pope Francis has urged Christians to forgo the greed, gluttony and materialism of Christmas and to focus instead on its message of simplicity, charity and love. Pope Francis holds a statue of baby Jesus as he leaves at the end of the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Credit:AP During his homily at Christmas Eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica on Monday, Francis lamented that many people find their life's meaning in possessions when the biblical story of Christ's birth emphasises that God appeared to people who were poor when it came to earthly possessions, but faithful. "Standing before the manger, we understand that the food of life is not material riches but love, not gluttony but charity, not ostentation but simplicity," Francis said, dressed in white vestments. The White House still has not released a long-awaited peace plan, and Monday's announcement could further delay its release. But critics say these gains have come at a deep price to Israel's democratic ideals. Netanyahu's hard-line government has promoted a series of laws that critics say are aimed at muzzling liberal critics and sidelining the minority Arab population. They point to wide gaps between rich and poor and high cost of living, and say that by neglecting the Palestinian issue and continuing to build settlements in the West Bank, the country is on the path to becoming an apartheid-like binational state. A man chants slogans next to a banner showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest against the rising cost of living, in Tel Aviv recently. Credit:AP Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak called the election "the most fateful" since the assassination of then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. "If we all act properly, on April 10 we will part with Netanyahu," he said on Hahadashot TV. "The state of Israel will get on a different path instead of this nationalist, racist, dark vision." Barak called for the country's dovish and centrist parties to band together in a unified "bloc" in a bid to topple Likud. Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, said the election was a battle for the "soul of the country." We will ask the voters for a clear mandate to continue leading the state of Israel our way. Benjamin Netanyahu to his party For now, there does not appear to be anyone with the popularity or gravitas to topple Netanyahu. One wild card is Benny Gantz, a popular former military chief who is flirting with the idea of entering politics. Opposition parties have been aggressively courting Gantz. But for now, he has not committed to joining any party. Loading Instead, the biggest threat appears to be posed by Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit, who must soon decide on whether to indict the prime minister. Earlier this month, police recommended that Netanyahu be charged with bribery for promoting regulatory changes worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the country's main telecom company Bezeq. In exchange, they believe Netanyahu used his connections with Bezeq's controlling shareholder to receive positive press coverage on the company's popular news site. Police have also 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 major newspaper in return for favourable press coverage. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a media-fuelled witch hunt. At Monday's Likud meeting, Netanyahu brushed off a reporter's question and said he expected the investigations to lead nowhere. Mandelblit has not said when he expects to make a decision. The Justice Ministry announced Monday that deliberations were continuing and were "not dependent on political events." Israeli law is unclear about whether a sitting prime minister must resign if charged with a crime, and Netanyahu has hinted that he will remain in office to fight any indictment. But criminal charges, and the distraction of a protracted legal battle, could fuel calls for him to step aside. A new bill extending conscription to Jewish ultra-Orthodox men appeared to be the final trigger. This is taboo for ultra-Orthodox parties. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlan, a key ally, said Monday that a prime minister "cannot serve" if he is indicted following a required hearing. Reuven Hazan, a political scientist at Israel's Hebrew University, said the campaign would be dominated by "a discussion of whether Netanyahu should stay after, if he is prosecuted." He said Netanyahu had settled on the April election, roughly seven months ahead of schedule, in part to "pre-empt" an indictment. The thinking is that it would be politically difficult for Mandelblit to indict, and potentially topple, a popular, newly re-elected prime minister. "If we all act properly, on April 10 we will part with Netanyahu". Former PM Ehud Barak, pictured here in 2008. "He wants to turn around to the attorney-general and say, 'Before you decide to prosecute me pay attention. The people of Israel have re-elected me for a fourth time,"' Hazan explained. An electoral victory would send a message that "you cannot overturn the results of a democratic election," he said. Netanyahu's coalition has been roiled by internal divisions for months. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of a small, ultranationalist party, resigned as defense minister last month to protest what he perceived to be the government's weak response to rocket attacks from Hamas-ruled Gaza. That left Netanyahu with a fragile majority of just 61 seats in the 120-seat parliament. But a new bill extending the military draft to Jewish ultra-Orthodox men appeared to be the final trigger for the government's downfall. Ultra-Orthodox parties consider conscription a taboo. As a deadline for the legislation loomed, his religious coalition partners were demanding the legislation be weakened. Earlier Monday, Lapid, a harsh critic of the religious parties, said he was rescinding his support for the draft bill, saying the planned compromise essentially rewarded draft dodgers. Bethlehem, West Bank: Pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem on Monday for what was believed to be the biblical West Bank city's largest Christmas celebrations in years. Hundreds of locals and foreign visitors milled in Manger Square as bagpipe-playing Palestinian Scouts paraded past a giant Christmas tree. Crowds flooded the Church of the Nativity, venerated as the traditional site of Jesus's birth, and waited to descend into the ancient grotto. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, arrives at the Church of the Nativity. Credit:AP Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maaya said all Bethlehem hotels were fully booked, and the city was preparing to host an "astounding" 10,000 tourists overnight. "We haven't seen numbers like this in years," she said, adding that the 3 million visitors to Bethlehem this year exceeded last year's count by hundreds of thousands. Until, finally, a small voice said, "Is this Santa Claus?" Shoup, by all accounts, was briefly confused and then fully annoyed. "Is this a joke?" Glaring at the wide-eyed staff for any sign of a smile, he let the caller have it with all the indignity of a bird-colonel who brooked no nonsense on this most vital of all phone lines. Loading "Just what do you think you're doing," he began. But then the techno-military might of the US was brought up short by the sound of sniffles. Whoever was on the phone was crying, and Shoup suddenly realised it really was a child who was trying to reach Santa Claus. The colonel paused, considered and then responded: "Ho, ho, ho!" he said as his crew looked on astonished. "Of course this is Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?" He talked to the local youngster for several minutes, hearing his wishes for toys and treats and assuring him he would be there on Christmas Eve. Then the boy asked Santa to bring something nice for his mummy. "I will, I will," Santa-Shoup said. "In fact, could I speak to your mummy now?" The boy put his mother on the phone, and Shoup went back to business, crisply explaining to the woman just what facility their call had reached. "He said later he thought she must have been a military wife," said Van Keuren. "She was properly cowed." But she also had an explanation. The woman asked Shoup to look at that day's local newspaper. Specifically, at a Sears ad emblazoned with a big picture of Santa that invited kids to "Call me on my private phone, and I will talk to you personally any time day or night." Canadian Lieutenant Major Chris Hache takes a call while volunteering at the NORAD santa tracker. Credit:AP The number provided, ME 2-6681, went right to one of the most secure phones in the country. "They were off by one digit," Van Keuren said. "It was a typo." When Shoup hung up, the phone rang again. He ordered his staff to answer each Santa call while he got on the (black) phone with AT&T to set up a new link to Washington. Let Sears have the old number, he told them. That might have been the end of it. But a few nights later, Shoup, as was his tradition, took his family to have Christmas Eve dinner with his on-duty troops. When they walked into the control centre, he spotted a little image of a sleigh pulled by eight unregistered reindeer, coming over the top of the world. Van Keuren was only six at the time, but the exchange that followed became stuff of both family and Air Force legend. "What's that?" the commanding officer asked. "Just having a little fun, Colonel," they answered, waiting for the blowup. Shoup pondered the offence as the team waited. Then he ordered someone to get the community relations officer. And soon Shoup was on the phone to a local radio station: CONAD had picked up unidentified incoming, possible North Pole origin, distinctly sleigh-shaped. The radio station ate it up, the networks got involved and an enduring tradition was born. This Christmas Eve will mark the 63rd straight year that NORAD will publicly track Santa's sleigh on its global rounds. "This is our most feel-good mission," said Major Andrew Hennessy, a Canadian Army officer posted at NORAD headquarters in Colorado. "We know Santa brings lasting joy to kids around the world and we're glad to have that as our fourth mission one day out of the year." (On the other 364 days, NORAD's three-pronged mandate is to oversee air threats, general aerospace control and, in recent years, maritime warnings for potential threats from sea.) In good military fashion, the Santa tracking command has grown terrifically complex. NORAD deploys satellites, radar, jet fighters and Santa cams to feed its website, apps and social media accounts used by more than two million followers. Naughty and nice alike can follow Santa's movement on 3-D maps in eight languages. Last year, when Alexa was asked "Where's Santa?" more than 1.5 million times, it was NORAD that fed her the answer. But the real emotional outlay comes in the Colorado Springs live call centre, staffed for 20 hours on December 24 by more than 1,500 volunteers (many of them local service members and their families). With a nine-page Santa Tracker manual in hand, they fielded more than 126,000 calls in 2017. "As soon as you put the phone down, it rings again," said Hennessy, who has done duty in the call centre. He remembers telling one young Boston caller that Santa had been confirmed over Maine heading south but - and this is a primary NORAD message - the sleigh wouldn't stop unless the boy was in bed. "The next thing I heard was the phone hitting the floor," he said. "Mum picked it up and said, 'Can I call you back, he's never done that before.' " Shoup went on to ever-higher ranks in the Air Force, retiring as a wing commander. When his kids were old enough, he told them why so many of his colleagues called him the "Santa colonel," but it was a quiet kind of legacy until the 25th anniversary of Santa tracking and TV news crews sought him out. After that, he looked forward to getting the media calls each December, even carrying special business cards with the story typed on the back. In 2009, Shoup was buried, at 91, with a flyover of F-16 fighters, under a gravestone that notes his service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The last line reads: "Santa Colonel." El Paso, Texas: An 8-year-old boy from Guatemala died in government custody early on Tuesday, US immigration authorities say, marking the second death of an immigrant child in detention this month. US Customs and Border Protection said in a news release that the boy died shortly after midnight on Tuesday. The boy showed "signs of potential illness" on Monday and was taken with his father to a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the agency said. There, he was diagnosed with a cold and a fever, was given prescriptions for amoxicillin and Ibuprofen and released Monday afternoon. The boy was returned to the hospital on Monday evening with nausea and vomiting and died there just hours later, CBP said. Washington: A federal judge has ordered North Korea to pay more than $US500 million ($710 million) in a wrongful death suit filed by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died shortly after being released from that country. US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled in Washington that North Korea should pay damages to Fred and Cindy Warmbier, the parents of the University of Virginia student. American student Otto Warmbier is escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea, in March 2016. Credit:AP Warmbier was a University of Virginia student who was visiting North Korea with a tour group when he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in March 2016 on suspicion of stealing a propaganda poster. He died in June 2017, shortly after he returned to the US in a coma and showing apparent signs of torture while in custody. The judgment is largely a symbolic victory for now, since there is no mechanism to force North Korea to pay. Latest News Westpac CEO Peter King appointed ABA chair Major move atop banking industry peak body New 'instant mortgage' product promises home loan approval in 60 minutes Meet the mortgage offering that has seen $1bn in originations in just three months The circus truly came to town in February, when the royal commission into misconduct in the banking, superannuation and financial services industry commenced. Charging fees to dead clients was the least of the banks problems, once Commissioner Hayne and Rowena Orr QC got stuck in. The fallout was equally jaw dropping as top executives quietly left their roles and the publics attention was deflected with a witch hunt over broker remuneration. What is alarming is how the banks have maneuvered the royal commission to centre around remuneration instead of their own misconduct. It has been a masterful move, says Loan Market executive chairman, Sam White. Predicting how such a distraction could play out, White adds, Competition will suffer if we return to a banking oligopoly and clients will be left to fend for themselves again. AFG CEO, David Bailey says, It is essential that any regulatory change should not result in an economic drift away from the broker to the lender. As an industry we need to continue to keep our focus on the consumer. But the trickledown effect has already started, with several major and second-tier banks changing their broker commission structures. For FBAA executive director Peter White, a best-case outcome would be the adoption of the CIF guidelines on remuneration and, although highly unlikely, White says a worst-case outcome would be blanket ban on commissions. There are no models that fully that mitigate conflicts of interest and in fact other models create a worse consumer outcome. Even a fee for service model paid by the borrower is conflicted, he says. His concerns also extend to the wider finance industry. I am concerned about the depth of mismanagement in the banks. They don't seem to be on top of their systems, he says. The incredible lack of transparency in their dealings has eroded market and client trust, which is very concerning. I hope the royal commission brings most things, if not everything to light so issues can be appropriately dealt with, as we need to maintain a strong, buoyant and healthy financial system, he continues. Concern has also been voiced for the impact on mental health among brokers and bank staff. FBAA has long advocated for more mental health support throughout the industry and will continue this work next year. Ltd on Tuesday said it will set up a new steel plant in Jharkhand with a capacity of 4.5 million tonnes (MT) per annum at an investment of $3-4 billion. The plant will be part of the company's newly-acquired Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) at Bokaro, Vendanta Resources Chairman told reporters here. "This would be a new steel plant under ESL and in the same location at Bokaro... so it's a brownfield investment per se. The amount is likely to be to the tune of $3-4 billion for a capacity of 4.5 MT," Agarwal said. would initially invest about $300 million to augment the capacity of ESL to 2.5 MT from the existing 1.5 MT. ALSO READ: Vedanta moves Supreme Court against Madras HC order on Sterlite plant Once the new facility is commissioned, the total capacity of ESL would be around 7 MT, he said without elaborating on the time frame. The plant would create 120,000 jobs in the form of direct and indirect employment, Agarwal said. "We have about 2,200 acres at ESL and are scouting for a little more... The Jharkhand government has been very cooperative in this regard," he said. In March, was declared as the successful resolution applicant for ESL under the corporate insolvency resolution process. The company has acquired control of ESL and a new board of directors has been put in place. Major Brands brought Bath & Body Works to India in June 2018 and has since then opened three stores in the Delhi-NCR region. It opened its first store at Palladium in Mumbai on December 21 as part of its expansion efforts. Our research has shown that consumers in the non-metro towns and cities also have an appetite for products that the brand has to offer, says Tushar Ved, president, Major Brands. 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 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 Chinese Zodiac, 2018 is the year of the dog. So how different has it been from the preceding one, which in the Middle Kingdom's belief system, was about the rooster? Well, you might be inclined to believe that it was largely a case of a dog's breakfast, but in reality there was a lot to crow about on the digital front. Take ICICI Bank's "Trade Online". It eliminates the need for physical documentation for export-import transactions. You can digitally issue letters of credit, bank guarantees, collect bills, disburse export credit, and make payments ... Much has been said and written since the Smash Brahminical Patriarchy tweet kicked up a storm a month ago. It gave a peek into the online abuse Dalits face, which itself pales in comparison to the violence they are subjected to as they seek some semblance of equality. It also raised questions about the abuse women face, a point Amnesty International underscored with an authoritative study. It showed that 7.1% of the tweets that women journalists and politicians in the US and Britain received were abusive, but this number is much higher for women of colour. There is no ... Ironical as it was, sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation, or CBI, raided offices located in their own headquarters in New Delhi at midnight on October 24. The turf war between CBI director Alok Verma and his deputy, special director Rakesh Asthana, which had been brewing since July, was now in the public domain in all its ugliness. The Narendra Modi government sent Verma and Asthana on leave and transferred nearly a dozen officers. 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 Prime Minister on Tuesday inaugurated the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge over Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in After reaching Dibrugarh in the afternoon from New Delhi, Modi directly flew to Bogibeel in a chopper and inaugurated the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge from the southern bank of the river. Modi along with Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also walked a few metres on the bridge. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bogibeel Bridge, a combined rail and road bridge over Brahmaputra river in Dibrugarh. #Assam pic.twitter.com/LiTR9jO5ks ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 The strategically important bridge over the mighty Brahmaputra will remove communication bottlenecks to several districts in The bridge, which begins at Dibrugarh and ends at Dhemaji districts of Assam, will connect parts of by road as well as railway. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, is likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in issuing body has asserted that schools cannot make the 12-digit biometric identifier a pre-condition for student admission and warned that doing so will be against the recent order of the Supreme Court. The word of caution from comes at a time when admissions to nursery and entry-level classes have just begun in over 1,500 private schools in Delhi. However, there have been reports of certain schools insisting on as one of the documents required for admission. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has said it is aware of the reports that some schools are asking for cards for student admission. "This is not right. This is not as per the provisions of law... and other facility to children cannot be made conditional to production of Aadhaar," CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey told PTI. UIDAI has asked the school authorities and their managements to ensure that no child is denied admission for lack of Aadhaar. "In fact, schools should admit children without Aadhaar and ensure that children are given Aadhaar once they are in schools by arranging special camps for them," he said. Asked what action could schools face if they continued to insist on Aadhaar, Pandey said that it will clearly be seen as contempt of court. In September this year, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar but clipped the scope of the biometric identity project, ruling it was not mandatory for bank accounts, mobile connections or school admissions. The apex court held that Aadhaar would remain compulsory for filing of Income Tax (IT) returns and allotment of Permanent Account Number (PAN), as well as welfare schemes. The SC verdict emphasised that it would not be mandatory for school admissions, as also for the examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Examination, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for medical entrance and the University Grants Commission. Pakistan's ousted prime minister was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore amid tight security on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments case by the Accountability Court in Islamabad on Monday. The three-time former prime minister, who was taken into custody by police following the court judgement, was taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Monday. Upon reaching Adiala jail, jail doctors carried out a medical examination of the leader and found him physically fit. On Tuesday morning, Sharif was taken to Nur Khan Air Base amid tight security. Sharif was then flown to Lahore, where he was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail. Tight security had been put in place around the jail and Rangers were deployed at the police checkposts established on the route to the prison. Shortly after his conviction in the National Accountability Court's Al-Azizia corruption case Monday, Sharif's counsel requested court to shift him to Lahore jail instead of Adiala since the veteran leader is a heart patient and his personal physicians and family members are stationed in Lahore. The request was granted. The Punjab province government approved the provision of "better class" jail facilities for Sharif. The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table and chair in addition to a TV set and newspaper. A large number of the Muslim League-Nawaz supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their Quaid (supreme) leader. However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the workers for trying to reach the jail. According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with "better class" facilities. Sharif has been shifted to the barrack where former president Asif Ali Zardari was also kept in corruption cases in 1990s. Upon reaching Kot Lakhpat jail, doctors carried out a medical examination of Sharif and found him physically fit. Tuesday also marks Sharif's 69th birthday. The PML-N's provincial secretariats have planned celebrations, along with Christmas celebrations. The party members also cut a cake in front of the Kot Lakhpat jail. Commenting on the verdict on Monday, Sharif said his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. Sharif's lawyers said the accountability court's verdict will be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. The accountability court verdict on Monday concluded a series of three court cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in July last year. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. The apex court set the deadline for December 24 to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the Sharif family. On Monday, the court delivered the judgement in two remaining cases. Sharif was also disqualified for 10 years from holding any public office. The disqualification will go into effect following his release from jail after serving the seven-year sentence. The three-time former prime minister has maintained that the cases against him were initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team in the Panama Papers case was biased. Former Nissan Motor Co Representative Director Greg Kelly has been released on bail after more than a month in detention on financial-misconduct charges, as a Tokyo court rejected prosecutors' request to keep the American executive in custody. Kelly and Carlos Ghosn, the automaker's ousted chairman, were detained upon arrival in Japan on Nov. 19 on suspicion of understating Ghosn's income in financial statements for several years. The arrests jolted the global car industry and strained Nissan's alliance with French car maker Renault SA. Ghosn remains in ... We live in an amazing, paradoxical age an age of contrasts, an age of extremes, and an age of rapid change. Never before in history has such a large proportion of humanity lived longer, healthier, more prosperous or more comfortable lives. And yet, we have probably never had a stronger sense of standing on the brink of a precipice, of possible extinction and of the fragility of human life by climate change or nuclear war or other violence. Global battle deaths are back up to the highest levels since the Cold War and the 68.5 million displaced persons around the globe ... The Department of Transportation expects the Naia Consortium to start the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the third quarter of 2019. They gave us the timeline, they are looking at September 2019 to start, DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Antonio Tamayo said over the weekend. Tamayo, however, said the proposal of the Naia consortium would still be subject to review and approval of the National Economic and Development Authority board and to a Swiss Challenge in accordance with the requirements of Republic Act No. 7718, or the Build-Operate-Transfer Law. The consortiums members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The Naia consortium in September secured an original proponent status from the DOTr, which is considered the first step in the rehabilitation and expansion of the international airport that currently operates beyond its rated capacity. The unsolicited proposal, which was submitted to the DOTr and Manila International Airport Authority on Feb. 12, 2018, aims to transform Naia into a regional airport hub and expand its capacity to meet the anticipated growth in passenger traffic.The Naia project supports the governments Build, Build, Build program with its plan to develop the airport into a world-class facility and a regional air transport hub by upgrading its airside, landside and air navigation supportbuilding on the gains already achieved by the DOTr in terms of improving the traffic of aircraft movements on its runways. The P102-billion proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of Naia, upgrading airside facilities, developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airpot efficiencies, enhancing passenger comfort and experience and elevating the status of Naia as the countrys premier international gateway. The project aims to increase capacity up to 100 million passengers a year from about 40 million passengers last year. The upgrade will elevate Naia to the level of major regional airports such as Changi in Singapore and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok. It is also seen to become a viable transit hub for Southeast Asia. Naia Consortium tapped Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd. of Singapore to provide technical support in the areas of master planning, operations optimization and commercial development. Up to now I have not favored removing President Trump from office. I felt strongly that it would be best for the country that he leave the way he came in, through the ballot box. But last week was a watershed moment for me, and I think for many Americans, including some Republicans. It was the moment when you had to ask whether we really can survive two more years of Trump as president, whether this man and his demented behavior which will get only worse as the Mueller investigation concludes are going to destabilize our country, our markets, our key institutions ... on Tuesday hit back at a latest UN resolution that condemned Pyongyang's rights abuses, calling it a "serious... provocation" that would undermine peace efforts on the The UN General Assembly adopted last week a resolution -- which passed by consensus without a vote -- condemning the "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations in the isolated North. The impoverished but nuclear-armed nation, ruled by the Kim family through three generations, has been accused of state-sanctioned abuses including torture, rape and extrajudicial killings. It marked the 14th consecutive year the UN has passed such a document. The North has constantly denied any rights abuses in the country and labelled the UN criticisms as smear campaigns aimed at undermining its leadership. The North's state-run Rodong newspaper slammed the latest resolution as a "serious political provocation against the (North) and a vicious move to tarnish its image". "The wicked intention of the US... in getting vocal about the non-existent 'human rights issue' of the DPRK is to broaden the scope of the sanctions and pressure and escalate them," it said in an editorial, using the North's official name. The editorial also lashed out at a "thoughtless" South Korea for backing the UN bill -- a move that would be "tarnishing the atmosphere of improving the north-south ties". Washington had separately sought to organize a Security Council meeting on human rights in the North but gave up on the option earlier this month because it was unsure of the support it would get from partners. But the US hopes to hold the meeting next month with the arrival of new non-permanent council members that could be more favourable to doing so. The South's President Moon Jae-in has advocated dialogue with the North to nudge it to denuclearisation negotiations and has met with its leader three times this year. Kim also met with US President in a historic summit in June but progress has stalled with both sides accusing each other of dragging their feet and acting in bad faith. A federal judge in Washington ordered to pay $501 million to the parents of Otto Warmbier, who died in 2017 shortly after being released from a North Korean prison. In an opinion issued on Christmas Eve, District Judge Beryl A. Howell quoted emotional lines of testimony from Warmbier's mother and recounted grim details of his treatment in that underpinned the judgment, CNN reported on Monday. "An American family, the Warmbiers, experienced North Korea's brutality first-hand when seized their son to use as a pawn in that totalitarian state's global shenanigans and face-off with the US," Howell wrote. North Korean officials detained Warmbier in 2016 as he tried to leave the country after spending five days there on a commercial tour. Warmbier, then a student at the University of Virginia, was accused by the government of stealing a political poster from a restricted floor in his hotel. Warmbier returned to the US in June of 2017 after negotiations led by the Then 22 years old, Warmbier was blind and deaf and had sustained severe brain damage from his time in detention. He died less than a week later in his hometown of Cincinnati. Warmbier's parents sued North Korea in April, this year, over their son's death. In a statement on Monday, Fred and Cindy Warmbier thanked Howell and called the decision a "significant step on our journey." "We are thankful that the US has a fair and open judicial system so that the world can see that the Kim regime is legally and morally responsible for Otto's death," they said in the statement. "We put ourselves and our family through the ordeal of a lawsuit and public trial because we promised Otto that we will never rest until we have justice for him," they added. At least five people, including a policeman, died and 22 others were wounded after a hijacked bus ploughed into pedestrians in Longyan city in southeastern China's Fujian Province on Tuesday. According to the city government, the mishap took place at around 3:20 pm (local time), while the wounded, including one with serious injuries, were rushed to local hospitals for immediate medical treatment, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. An eyewitness said that the suspect, carrying a knife, had hijacked the bus and intentionally tried to mow down the pedestrians for 300-400 metres. The police sealed off the area and detained the suspect, who is now in custody. An investigation by the authorities suspected the mishap to be a criminal case. Further investigation in the matter is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has said that Aam Aadmi Party leader and MLA Jarnail Singh is not a real Sikh as he does not speak up for his own community in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. "AAP MLA also said that no Sikh in the last 70 years has apologised for 1984 riots. I think Jarnail Singh is not a real Sikh. He could not speak up for his own community in the assembly," Sirsa said. "Incidents like these may happen again in the future. The anger of Sikh community cannot be ignored," he added here on Monday. The Delhi High Court on December 17 convicted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, sentencing him to life imprisonment. Massive riots had erupted across the country after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards in November 1984. As per the official records, around 2,800 Sikhs were killed across India, including 2,100 in Delhi, during the clashes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid speculation on finalisation of 2019 seat-sharing arrangement between and Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh, top sources in BSP told ANI that party is still analysing and discussions on seat sharing are yet to take concrete shape. Top BSP sources also informed that BSP Chief is holding a series of meetings with party leaders from within the as well as from outside the state as well. Sources further said that the BSP chief is yet to take the final call on Gathbandhan in as the party is observing political developments and is currently on a wait and watch mode. It has been widely reported that alliance is sealed however there is no official word from the BSP. had openly expressed her reservation with party which is playing a key role in stitching Mahagathbandhan against Modi led NDA government in 2019 general elections. BSP chief was first to offer her partys support to the for the formation of government in and In another political churn, there is an attempt to form non-BJP and non- front ahead of 2019 elections. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is spearheading this move. KCR has already met with Mamata Banerjee yesterday and is expected to meet Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav as well. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A hospital was vandalised here allegedly by a female patient's attenders after she passed away due to alleged medical negligence. As per Saifabad police, a patient, identified as Shabana Begum, was admitted to a hospital after she complained of chest pain, and later passed away at the hospital. However, Begum's attenders alleged that medical negligence led to her death, and then vandalised the hospital furniture on Sunday night. They also misbehaved with police personnel who reached the spot after receiving a complaint from the hospital management, the police official said. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law and the matter is being investigated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI on Tuesday initiated a probe in the anti-sterlite clashes between demonstrators and police that led 13 people dead and over 40 injured in Tamil Nadu's in May this year. CBI recorded statements of families of the deceased and injured recently. However, statements of the officials of Police and Revenue Department are underway. The investigating agency also summoned several documents from the state police including documents on whose order 15 weapons were issued, who had signed and collected the weapons and who ordered firing which led to the killings. In August, the Madurai Bench of transferred all the cases pertaining to the violence and police firing to CBI. Justices CT Selvam and Basheer Ahamed also quashed the detention of six members of Makkal Adhikaram. These members were detained under the Security Act, 1980. Following the court's order, CBI registered a case against Police and Revenue Department officials on November 29. The protest was against construction of the plant. The protesters contention was that it would pollute the groundwater. During the protest, the police and the agitators had clashed. "We have deployed two new hovercrafts which will be responsible for carrying out round the clock surveillance in the Sir Creek area, In addition, three Interceptor Vessels are also located here for the operations," Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh told ANI. The Coast Guard chief was speaking to ANI after inaugurating a new hoverport at the Jakahu base which is responsible for providing security to the Sir Creek area. Traditionally, the Sir Creek area in the Kutch district of Gujarat has been used by the infiltrators from Pakistan to enter the Indian Territory. The Creek has been a contentious issue between India and Pakistan and the 1965 war with Pakistan also saw action here. The hovercraft operate at high speeds between 30-40 knots (around 50-60 kilometres) per hour and can be highly useful in hot pursuit of any suspicious boat or individuals in the waters around there. Since the hovercraft can operate on both sea and shores, it would be easy for the troops deployed there to catch any rogue elements there, Coast Guard officials said. The Coast Guard chief also interacted closely with the fishermen community based around the new facility and sought to integrate them with the Coast Guard to enhance its eyes and ears in the sea for keeping an eye on any suspicious activity. Singh provided around Rs 50,000 to the local village there for enhancing cleanliness in the surrounding areas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tokyo A Tokyo court on Tuesday granted bail for a Nissan executive accused of a key role in the financial misconduct case involving auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn, who remains in detention. The Tokyo District Court said it had approved a request by lawyers for Greg Kelly and set bail for his release at 70 million yen ($635,000). Prosecutors can still appeal the decision, and it was not immediately clear when Kelly might be freed. The 62-year-old American was arrested on November 19 at the same time as Ghosn on allegations he helped him underreport his compensation at Nissan for years. The bail order comes after Kellys wife issued a video statement saying she was extremely concerned about his health.Kelly suffers from a spinal condition and was reportedly due to undergo surgery before his arrest in Tokyo. Greg was tricked into coming to Japan and betrayed by a group of Nissan executives as part of a political power grab. Their dishonorable motives are clear, Dee Kelly claimed. She said her husband, once Ghosns right-hand man, had been caught up in an international plot by some at Nissan to take control. A cow was allegedly found "brutally assaulted" in this district of Andhra Pradesh, according to a complaint lodged by the owner which has prompted a police investigation to ascertain whether it was a sexual assault. The police received a complaint from one N Lakshminarayana who said that he found his cow to be missing on the morning of December 23, Sub Inspector of Pithapuram (Rural) P V R Murthy told ANI. He searched for his cow and found it at the farm of one K Suryaprakasa Rao in the outskirts of the Gokivada village, Murthy said. Lakshmiarayana then lodged a complained with the police that his cow was "brutally assaulted", the police officer said. The Pithapuram rural PS police registered a case under crime number 192/2018, sec 2(1) (a) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and a probe has been initiated to ascertain more details. The police did not confirm whether the cow was sexually assaulted, saying it was awaiting a report from the veterinary doctor. On being asked whether there were any blood stains on the cow, Murthy replied in the negative. The police added that there was swelling on the back of the cow. The police are trying to identify and catch the culprits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP on Tuesday issued a whip to its Lok Sabha members to be present in the House on December 27 when the Triple Talaq Bill will be taken up for discussion and is likely to be put to vote. The three-line whip is a strict instruction to the Members of Parliament from their respective party which necessitates their presence in the House and participates in the voting. Any breach of the whip has serious consequences including disciplinary action against the violators of the whip. The fresh Triple Talaq Bill aims to make the practice of instant triple talaq among Muslims an offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with the provision of three-year jail for the husband. The Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 17, will replace the ordinance issued by the Central government in September, banning the instant triple talaq. With the Lok Sabha failing to function properly due to disruptions ever since the Winter Session began on December 11, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on last Friday had chaired a meeting of the Rules Committee during which law to punish erring members with disciplinary action was favoured. In that meeting, while referring to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's comments that his party was ready to discuss the instant Triple Talaq Bill on December 27, the Speaker had said: "I believe that on 27th the House will function smoothly." The instant triple talaq was taken up in the Parliament in August last year after a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a law that allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering "talaq" three times in quick succession. In a landmark 3-2 verdict, the Apex Court found the practice un-Islamic and "arbitrary", and disagreed that Triple Talaq was an integral part of religious practice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Customs Department on Tuesday seized gold jewelry worth Rs. 31.03 lakh from an Air India flight. The flight AI-976 was operating on Kuwait-Goa-Chennai route. The jewelry, packed in a plastic bag was left in the toilet of the aircraft. Earlier on the intervening night of December 21 and 22, Customs officials intercepted an Indian man who arrived at Bhubaneswar airport from Kuala Lumpur and seized from him gold worth Rs 8.2 lakh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It's the most wonderful time of the year, and celebrities are enjoying every bit of festive fervour. Many celebrities, including Will Smith, Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Norman Reedus, Hilary Duff, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Jessica Simpson, Fergie, Reese Witherspoon, and Tamera Mowry-Housley, shared heartwarming pictures from their Christmas celebrations. Here's a sneak peek into the fun-filled celebrations of some of these celebrities: Will Smith took to his Instagram account and posted a beautiful snap which features his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris, the couple's kids Willow Smith and Jaden Smith and the actor's son Trey Smith standing in front of a Christmas tree in holiday attire. "Jada LOOOOVES Christmas! I think she's finally Rubbin' Off on the rest of us. And this #Pixel3 got us lookin' all Caramel Creamy! Merry Christmas Eve, Everybody!" read the caption. Kim Kardashian too shared a Christmas picture featuring all the sisters and their kids on Christmas Eve. However, Kendall Jenner and Rob Kardashian are not seen in the picture, but Rob's daughter Dream Kardashian made an appearance beside Khloe and Mason Disick. For the family photo, everyone sported a white outfit, but Khloe gave her outfit some oomph by donning a gold crown. "CHRISTMAS 2018. This year we waited until the last minute to do a card. Schedules we're changing, my husband was in and out of town. But The day of this card last minute realized we were all together so we had all of our kids come meet us. Kendall and my mom rushed to a meeting after this shoot so this is what we have! As many of us as possible! From our family to yours Merry Christmas," she wrote alongside the picture. Nick Jonas too posted a cute photo with his wife Priyanka Chopra, wishing his fans a Merry Christmas! "Dogs and Christmas. Wishing you all the best with your loved ones. @priyankachopra," he captioned the picture. Hilary Duff also posted a picture of her 1-month-old baby girl, Banks, sitting on Santa's lap, with her older brother Luca sitting beside them on a chair. She captioned it as, "Merry Christmas lol." Cardi B too seems in a super festive mood as she shared a video on her Instagram story of the beautiful decoration. Demi Lovato is surely having an amazing Christmas Eve, as she too shared a video on her Instagram story featuring some lip-smacking dishes. Christmas 2018 is particularly special for several celebs. There are some couples like Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin Bieber, who are celebrating the holiday as a married couple for the first time, and there are also stars such as Diane Kruger, who are celebrating it for the first time as a parent. Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25 and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is commemorated by the Christian community and others across the globe by singing carols and exchanging gifts, as the festival aims to spread the message of peace and prosperity. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Treating his fans on the occasion of Christmas, Kartik Aaryan revealed that he will be making a debut on Karan Johar's popular talk show 'Koffee With Karan'. The 28-year-old actor shared his look from the show on his Instagram account and teased his fans with the caption, "Merry Christmas everyone, Santa has a surprise for you, Something's brewing." The actor looked dapper donning a fancy jacket. The 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety' actor will be accompanied by his co-star Kriti Sanon, KJo confirmed with his latest Instagram post which features him posing with the two actors for a stunning picture. He captioned the post as, "3K's in the Koffee house!!!! KRITI KARTIK AND KARAN!" The two actors would be seen sharing screen space for the first time in Dinesh Vijan's directorial 'Lukka Chuppi' which is all set to release on March 1, 2019. However, before coming together on the big screens, they will appear on the koffee couch. Interestingly, this marks the debut of both the actors on the chat show. So it'll surely be interesting to see who will take home the Koffee hamper! Apart from the duo, other celebs who appeared on the show for the first time include Sara Ali Khan, Jhanvi Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana, among others. In the upcoming episode of the chat show, the Koffee couch will be graced by the Kapoor siblings - Sonam, Rhea and Harshvardhan. Meanwhile, the finale episode will have the two stunning ladies -- Kareena Kapoor Khan and Priyanka Chopra brewing some koffee and giving out some fresh gossip. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Masked men, with swords, iron rods and glass bottles, attacked a prayer congregation of Christians at Kowad village on Karnataka border and injured 12 people, the police said on Tuesday. The incident happened on Sunday noon when about 40 people had joined the mass prayer meet at the residence of Bhimsen Chavan who regularly conducts the Sunday prayer. Suddenly a group of 10 to 15 masked men reached Chavan's residence on motorcycles and attacked the congregation and threw stones on the gathering. They allegedly tried to barge into his house also. But some alert women who were part of the prayer meeting forced the attackers to back off by throwing chilli powder on them. The attackers were suspected to have fled towards Belgaum in Karnataka. The police are looking for them in the border areas of Belgaum and Kolhapur. Kohlapur Police and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) are investigating the incident in close coordination and are in constant touch with the Belgaum Police commissioner's office and Belgaum rural police to know the whereabouts of the accused. Five teams have been formed to nab those involved in the attack. "All accused had covered their faces with cloth, so they could not be identified. But locals have seen them fleeing towards Belgaum. So the police are focusing their search in the border areas of Belgaum and Kolhapur," said Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Abhinav Deshmukh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a jibe at the 'Mahagathbandhan', Union Minister of Minority Affairs on Tuesday said that regional parties who longed for the Prime Ministerial position are now supporting Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the post ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, adding that it is like "begaani shaadi mein Abdullah diwana" (a stranger getting too much involved and excited in somebody else's marriage). "The regional parties who are not interested in seeing Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister are supporting (the alliance) to make him the Prime Minister. At the same time, they also want their aunt or uncle to be Prime Minister and want their father and grandfather to be Prime Minister. The so-called Mahagathbandhan is 'begaani shaadi mein Abdullah diwana'," he told reporters. Naqvi further said that the drama of dynastic politics staged by the Congress and their "Modi Hatao" movement is eyewash. "They know very well that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is respected by the people of the country," he stated. The Union Minister further claimed that the Congress is "working hard for just four hours, while they go on a picnic for four months", adding that the BJP is working tirelessly for the welfare of the people. "Who are they to challenge Modi Ji? In the last four-and-half-years, Modi ji has tirelessly worked for development and for the interest of national security. We need to give a befitting reply to those who are planting conspiracies and making baseless allegations not only against Modi Ji but also Atal Ji (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee)," Naqvi said. Terming 'Mahagathbandhan' as a club of royal dynasties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the grand alliance has been formed by some leaders to serve their personal interest. "People can see through their opportunism and will never accept such an incoherent coalition," he had remarked last week. The Mahagathbandhan is a proposed group of non-BJP parties, including the Congress, which is aiming to dethrone the Narendra Modi-led government in next year's Lok Sabha elections. Social worker and Padma Shri awardee Sulagitti Narasamma passed away in Bengaluru on Tuesday. She was 98 years old. In a life that was in all its sense dedicated to social service, Narasamma had helped deliver more than 15,000 babies, free of charge, in Krishnapura, a remote village in Pavagada Taluk in Karnataka. Narasamma was awarded multiple honours for performing the traditional deliveries during her 70 years of service. The social worker breathed her last at the BGS Hospitals in Bengaluru. Karnataka Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy took to his twitter account to mourn the death of Narasamma. "The death of the Padma Shri Sulagitti Narasamma has caused a great deal of pain. Sulagitti Narasamma's demise is a loss of our society. May god provide peace to her soul and strength to her family," the tweet read. Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara also paid respect to the social worker. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and former Member of Pakistan National Assembly (MNA) Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead in Karachi on Tuesday, stated Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho. According to Dawn, two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on Abidi's car on Khayaban-e-Ghazi Street in DHA neighbourhood, divulged Station House Office Gizri Asad Mangi. The Police have sealed the area and has launched a search operation to arrest the killers. However, the number of culprits cannot be ascertained as yet. Abidi succumbed to his injuries after he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. His body has been shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for postmortem. Abidi had resigned from MQM-P's "basic membership" citing "personal reasons" in September, the Dawn reported. The investigation in his killing is underway as the forensic experts and other investigation agencies have arrived at the crime scene. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police on Tuesday booked three persons whereas the identity of one person is yet to be identified, who are accused of vandalising Global Hospital here on Monday. The incident was caught on camera where attendants of a patient, Shameem Begum, who later died in the hospital, alleged that medical negligence led to her death, and then vandalised the hospital on Monday. Viswa Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central Zone, Hyderabad, told ANI, "On December 24, the duty doctors informed the patient's son about a cardiac arrest and simultaneously started performing CPR to the patient." "Soon after hearing about the cardiac arrest and noticing the CPR procedure, patient's elder son Ahmed came out from MICU and called his brother and some other persons and started vandalising the hospital property. They also thrashed security staff," said Prasad. "We received a phone call at our Police Station Landline from Global Hospital. Immediately, three police constables were sent to the spot. When the police along with the staff were trying to stop them from breaking the glasses, they pushed police personals aside by abusing filthy language against them," he added. Police said that they have received complaints from the hospital management and the relatives of the deceased. The deceased's son Mir Mohiuddin Ali Khan has given a written complaint against the management and doctors of Global Hospital. The chief security officer of Global Hospital has given the complaint against Mir Mohiuddin Ali Khan, 31, Mir Barkat Ali Khan, 29, Mir Mustafa Ali Khan, 18, and Mohsin and other persons who vandalised their hospital property. A further investigation is in progress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. plans to spend up between P50 billion and P60 billion next year. AEV chief finance officer Manuel Lozano said in a recent interview while the conglomerate had yet to finalize the capital spending plan for 2019, the bulk of the investments would likely be for the expansion of the power business as well as the water and real estate units. Lozano said the company plans to file for up to P30 billion in bond shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission to partially finance the spending plan. We will probably do a bond shelf registration and depending on our investment plan, will plan an offering later in the year or 2020. But we will likely do something on the retail bonds, Lozano said. A P10 billion a year bond offering is not unreasonable considering we are still growing our business, he added. AEV also plans to raise $579 million to fund the acquisition of a 49-percent stake in AA Thermal Inc., the newly-formed thermal energy platform of conglomerate Ayala Corp. in the Philippines.We have already have a group of banks that will lend us the amount. We expect to close that by the end of first quarter 2019, Lozano said. AA Thermals assets will initially comprise of AC Energy Inc.s limited partnership interests in GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd Co., which owns and operates a 632-megawatt facility in Bataan province, north of Manila, and in GNPower Dinginin Ltd Co, which is constructing a 1,336-MW plant also in Bataan. Lozano, meanwhile, said real estate unit AboitizLand Inc. early this month opened a discount mall in Lipa Batangas. Called The Outlets, the mall will feature discount shopping all year round on the 9.3-hectare property Lima Technology Center. About present 25 percent of the mall, which has 25,000 square meters of leasable area, is leased out to retailers, offering premium international and local brands at reduced prices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Madan Mohan Malviya on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Taking to his Twitter handle the PM wrote, "Remembering Mahamana on his Jayanti. He made everlasting contributions to our freedom movement and in education." Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi paid floral homage to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Prime Minister Modi had taken to the micro-blogging site to reiterate his commitment to fulfill Vajpayee's dreams. "Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," the Prime Minister tweeted. The veteran leader, who led the Democratic Alliance government from 1998-2004, was the first ever person from the BJP to have become the Prime Minister. He served as Prime Minister thrice-briefly in 1996, and then twice more, 1998-1999 and a full term between 1999 and 2004. The BJP stalwart passed away on August 16 at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi following a prolonged illness. December 25 is also celebrated as Good Governance Day in the honour of Vajpayee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday. The meeting is likely to take place sometime in the afternoon on Wednesday, sources said. Chief Minister Rao's meeting with Prime Minister Modi comes close on the heels of TRS chief's meeting with his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik on Sunday, and thereafter with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday. During his meeting with Patnaik, Chief Minister Rao, popularly known as KCR, had asserted that there is a dire need for the unification of regional parties to replace the Congress and the BJP at the Centre. "The country needs a change for which dialogue has begun. We are doing our part but nothing concrete has emerged so far. We have just begun the dialogue. There is a strong need for an alternative to Congress and BJP," Rao told media persons in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, which he repeated after meeting Chief Minister Banerjee in Kolkata too. In New Delhi, Chief Minister Rao is also scheduled to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. He is also likely to meet various Union Ministers to discuss the issues related to Telangana. Telangana Chief Minister's visit to New Delhi and his proposed meeting with Prime Minister Modi are taking place after 15 days of the announcement of Telangana Assembly poll result in which KCR's TRS won 88 seats out of a total of 119 seats, while the BJP got just one. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal here on Tuesday. Apart from the two leaders, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah, and senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani were among others who paid homage to Vajpayee. Earlier today, President Kovind had hailed Vajpayee as a "true Indian statesman". "Remembering our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth anniversary. Atalji will always live on in the hearts and minds of the people of our country," the President tweeted. Prime Minister Modi, too, took to the micro-blogging site to reiterate his commitment to fulfill Vajpayee's dreams. "Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," the Prime Minister tweeted. The veteran leader, who led the Democratic Alliance government from 1998-2004, was the first ever person from the BJP to have become the Prime Minister. He served as Prime Minister thrice -- briefly in 1996, and then twice more, 1998-1999 and a full term between 1999 and 2004. The BJP stalwart passed away on August 16 at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi following a prolonged illness. December 25 is also celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' in honour of Vajpayee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the statue of Rajiv Gandhi was vandalised in Ludhiana, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to apologise for allegedly indulging in pretty politics. Warning Badal that such acts would backfire on his party in the coming Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister also asked the SAD president to "immediately apologise for the obnoxious act of his party workers, who were clearly acting on an agenda to garner votes in the ensuing polls." "Indulgence in such petty and condemnable actions will not absolve you or your family of the many sins of omission and commission against the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh community," the Chief Minister further told Sukhbir in a statement. Captain Amarinder Singh directed the district police to immediately identify the culprits responsible for the violence and take stringent action against them, as per law. Lashing out at the Akalis, Captain Amarinder Singh said in their desperation to win public support, which the party had completely lost due to its criminal acts of commission and omission in the 10 years of SAD-BJP rule, "Badals and their supporters were stooping to abominable levels." "They are well aware of the fact that the Gandhis were never named or implicated in the 1984 riots, yet they continued to drag the family into the case to further their own political agenda," said the Chief Minister. Captain Amarinder Singh reiterated that only a handful of Congress, BJP and RSS workers were involved in the violence against the Sikh community in 1984 and the judiciary was proceeding to act against them. "Sajjan Kumar had already been sentenced to life term by the court and others involved in the perpetration of the riots would also face legal action," he added. "Had the Gandhis been involved in any way, they would have been named by at least some of the victims in the wake of the riots," he observed, adding that while he had personally visited the refugee camps to meet the victims, Sukhbir had packed his bags and left for the US and was thus totally unaware of the developments at that time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce the construction of Ram temple on the disputed land in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to ANI, Swamy said: "Prime Minister Modi today must announce just one minute after12 in the night that the disputed land of Ayodhya has been allotted to Vishwa Hindu Parishad for the construction of Ram temple. He should do this in accordance with the affidavit of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao." In January 1993, just a month after the demolition of Babri Masjid, Shankar Dayal Sharma, then President of India, had promulgated the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Ordinance. The Ordinance was later introduced as Bill. The Bill, also known as Ayodhya Act, was later passed by the Parliament. According to the Act, the Central government acquired 60.70-acre land surrounding the disputed site and planned to build "a Ram Temple and a mosque." Swamy said: "The Supreme Court has also accepted my petition in which I have mentioned that the mosque is not integral to Islam. Not only that, the Allahabad High Court also mentioned that the remains of the temple were found beneath the ground on which mosque was built." "Archeologists have also found a structure similar to that of the temple there. If Prime Minister Modi will show courage, the temple can be built soon. We should not wait for a single day now," he said. BJP MP also expressed his views on Twitter, stating "The Americans have a saying: "if an irresistible [sic] force meets an immovable object, something got to give. If the Hindutva irresistible force meets the immovable Supreme Court object on Ram temple, the NaMo govt must give-action as per PVN Rao's affidavit." The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1578 in Ayodhya was on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram temple that originally stood here. Since then, several hearings have been held in the Supreme Court to resolve the issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first pictures of a princess of United Arab Emirates (UAE), who had reportedly made an abortive bid to run away months back, have been released by the government in an apparent effort to show that she was doing well. In three low-resolution photographs released by the UAE's Foreign Ministry, Sheikha Latifa, daughter of UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is seen alongside Mary Robinson, the former Irish President and former UN Human Rights Commissioner. The princess is seen donning a dark hooded sweatshirt and grey jeans in the picture. According to some media reports, Sheikha Latifa had tried to flee the country to pursue a life abroad but her attempt was aborted in high seas and was handed over to her family. The UAE government has dismissed reports of her attempting to flee the country. She was last seen in March aboard a yacht off the coast of Goa, according to media reports. Some media reports had claimed that Latifa's escape bid had been thwarted by Indian forces on directions of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Months later, when AgustaWestland helicopter scam accused Christian Michel was extradited by the UAE to India earlier this month, some media reports had suggested that it was done by the UAE government in lieu of the princess being returned by India. After reports of her disappearance emerged, the Dubai princess had posted a video on social media at an unknown location narrating why she was attempting to risk her life for the second time and flee Dubai and the royal family. Claiming that she was tortured and detained for three years, Sheikha Latifa also revealed that she wanted to escape from the UAE in 2002 as a teenager. "If you are watching this video, it is not such a good thing. Either I'm dead or I'm in a very, very, very bad situation. They are not going to take me back alive," she said in the video. Once known for her skydiving videos while posing with UAE's flag, the Dubai princess revealed that she could not leave the city without permission, a life for a female is so "indisposable". "If you are female, your life is so disposable," she said. Earlier in September, human rights group Amnesty International urged the UAE government to disclose Sheikha Latifa's whereabouts at the earliest. "If she is deprived of her liberty, she should have contact with lawyers and loved ones and access to all fair trial guarantees. If she is only held for having tried to flee the country or for any other reason incompatible with human rights standards, she should be immediately and unconditionally released and her right to freedom of movement, including travel abroad, should be respected," Amnesty said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least three people were killed and 10 others, including a paramedic, were injured in a terror attack on the Libyan Foreign Ministry's headquarters in the capital on Tuesday, the Health Ministry said. The incident took place in the morning when a car bomb exploded right behind the Ministry's building, a government official told Xinhua news agency. Afterwards, a group of gunmen entered the building from the front and back entrances and exchanged heavy fire with the security forces, the official added. One of the killed was an employee of the Ministry. One of the gunmen was believed to have been killed after an explosion was heard in the top floor of the building, politician Guma El-Gamaty who was in the area said. The blast triggered a fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike. Gamaty added that emergency services and security forces were on the ground dealing with the situation, which he believed was under control. UN Support Mission in Libya condemned the attack. "Terrorism will not triumph over the Libyans' decision to move forward towards building their state and renouncing violence. We will not accept any attack on a state institution, especially one committed by a terrorist group," said UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame. "We will work with the Libyan people to prevent terrorist groups from turning Libya into a haven or an arena for their crimes," he said. The government called on the Libyans to take caution following the attack. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenager at a bar in Massachusetts. He will appear in court on January 7 over the incident, which allegedly occurred in Nantucket in July 2016. On Monday, Spacey posted a video in which he appeared to deny any wrongdoing while in character as Frank Underwood from "House of Cards", the BBC reported. "I'm certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didn't do," he said in the clip. "You wouldn't believe the worst without evidence, would you?" he said. "You wouldn't rush to judgements without facts." The three-minute clip, which is titled "Let Me Be Frank", marks Spacey's first public appearance since the first allegation of sexual assault was made against him last November. The alleged victim is the son of former television news presenter Heather Unruh, who spoke publicly about the incident in 2017. She accused Spacey of buying her then 18-year-old son alcohol -- the drinking age in Massachusetts is 21 -- and then groping him. In Monday's video, Spacey speaks in Frank Underwood's accent and addresses the viewer directly, much like he did throughout his five seasons on House of Cards. "Of course some believed everything," he said. "They're just waiting with bated breath to hear me confess it all," the BBC quoted him as saying. "They're going to say I'm being disrespectful, not playing by the rules," he added. "Like I ever played by anyone's rules before. I never did. And you loved it." Frank Underwood was the power-hungry and conniving protagonist of the Netflix series, and murdered a journalist and a politician before he was killed off ahead of season six. Spacey has also been accused by actor Anthony Rapp of making a sexual advance in 1986 and a number of other allegations have since emerged. Spacey said he had no memory of the event but publicly apologised before issuing an "absolute" denial of the other allegations. Separately, in September, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said Spacey would not be prosecuted over an accusation of sexual assault that allegedly took place in 1992. It said it fell outside of California's statute of limitations. The UK police have also been probing several allegations that centre around his time serving as artistic director at London's Old Vic theatre. The #MeToo controversy has led to Spacey being axed from a number of roles, including from "House of Cards" and the 2017 film "All the Money in the World", which was re-shot without him. A film in which he appears, "Billionaire Boys Club", also took a record-breaking low of $126 on its first night in US cinemas in August. --IANS in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll of a terrorist attack on a government office here in Afghanistan rose to 43 as many injured succumbed to their injuries, an Afghan Public Health Ministry official said on Tuesday. Earlier reports had put the casualty at 28 civilians, one police officer and three attackers after the deadly Monday explosion and ensuing gun firing that rocked the office near a diplomatic district, according to a spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Around 20 people, including three policemen, were critically wounded, at least 10 of whom have later succumbed, spokesman Najib Danish said in a brief message to the media. Hundreds of employees were trapped inside the building at the time - and some reportedly jumped to safety. The Afghan Special Operations Forces managed to rescue over 350 people, he added. The attackers used a suicide bomber to detonate a car bomb outside the office, which provides service to family members of soldiers and ordinary people who lost their lives during the war or terrorist attacks. Then at least two gunmen made their way inside the building, spraying bullets on the people inside before security forces' arrival, Xinhua news agency reported. The attack occurred in Makruyan-e-Awal locality near Shashdarak, where several foreign embassies are located. The area also gives home to several apartment buildings and several government offices, including Afghan Ministry of Public Works. It was not yet clear who carried out the attack, as none have claimed responsibility. Both the Islamic State group and Taliban have carried similar attacks in the past. The violence comes after a tumultuous few days for Afghanistan's political stability. Last week it was reported that the US planned to drastically reduce its military presence in the country, shortly after President Donald Trump announced an entire withdrawal from Syria, the BBC said. On Sunday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani replaced his defence and interior ministers with hard-line opponents of the Taliban who used to work for the country's intelligence agency. --IANS in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An order issued by the police in Noida asking mostly multi-national companies to bar their employees from offering prayers in open public spaces in Sector 58, sparked controversy on Tuesday. The notice issued specifically warned that the firms would be held responsible for any breach of this directive. Although Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal clarified that the notice was not for any "particular religion", it was widely believed that the notice pointed to the namaz offered by Muslims in open public spaces. An official confirmed that at least a dozen companies in Sector 58 of Noida have been served the notice by the concerned police station. --IANS md/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered the Bureau of Customs to donate the 30,000 bags of undocumented rice shipments intercepted earlier by the agency to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to help in the governments anti-poverty and disaster relief programs. Dominguez issued the order to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero after reporting the interception of the shipment that was tagged in Zamboanga City as undocumented imported rice. Donate that to the DSWD. They can use that, Dominguez told Guerrero during the latest executive committee meeting of the Department of Finance.The 30,000 bags of rice for donation to the DSWD are on top of the 16,000 bags earlier turned over by the Customs under former commissioner Isidro Lapena on Dominguezs orders to augment disaster relief efforts for typhoon victims. About 9,000 bags of rice seized in the Port of Cebu were turned over by the Customs to the DSWD on Sept. 14. Another 6,921 bags in the Port of Zamboanga and 748 bags in the custody of the bureaus Enforcement and Security Service were also donated to the DSWD on Sept. 19 and 24, respectively.The Customs said it donated to the DSWD 5,040 pieces of canned goods, 109 packages of emergency survival blankets, 350 boxes of bed sheets, blankets and towels, 1,332 boxes of brand new clothes, and 153 packages of face masks from the Manila International Container Port on Sept. 21. According to a Customs report to Dominguez, the bureau will donate used clothing of various volumes seized from the ports of San Fernando in La Union, Manila, MICP, Legazpi City, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Subic. Earlier, Dominguez directed the Customs to immediately release smuggled rice and other food items seized by the agency to the DSWD to augment ongoing government preparations before typhoon Ompong struck Northern Luzon. Dominguez said government-to-government transfers in emergency situations can be legally fast-tracked as in the case of the Customs release of the seized food stocks to the DSWD for disaster relief. Services of banks are likely to be affected on Wednesday due to a nationwide strike call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to protest against bank mergers and pay revision. The strike is likely to affect the country's banking sector. It has been called to oppose the amalgamation of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank by the consortium of nine unions in the banking sector which includes the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and the National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW). "10 lakh bank employees and officers of the 21 public sector banks, old generation private banks and foreign banks under the banner of the UFBU will join the one-day strike on December 26 against merger of public sector banks and wage revision of bank employees," NOBW Vice President Ashwani Rana was quoted as saying in a statement issued on Tuesday. On wages, the unions are demanding a hike of 25 per cent, increment for all bank employees under scale 1 to 7 (instead of the IBA's offer to only those employees in junior scale of 1 to 3) and rejection of the proposal to introduce variable pay. Though wage revision in state-run banks happens every five years, it may be difficult for them to raise wages substantially as high NPAs and losses have hurt the sector. "Bank employees wage revision is due since November 1, 2017. So far the IBA (Indian Banks' Association) has offered 8 per cent wage hike which is not acceptable to the United Forum of Bank Unions," he said. According to Rana, the Additional Labour Commissioner had called a conciliation meeting on December 20 to wade off the strike. "The United Forum of Bank Unions served a strike notice to the Indian Bank Association and the MDs of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank on merger of these banks. Since there was no assurance by the IBA on stopping the merger of these three banks and fresh offer on wage revision, the UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike on December 26," Ranan said. --IANS rv/oeb/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese Foreign Minister and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi held talks here on Tuesday over the establishment of peace in war-torn Afghanistan. Qureshi's tour to Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia is aimed at taking regional countries on board about Pakistan's fresh push to jumpstart the Afghan reconciliation process. Qureshi and Wang had an in-depth discussion on the recent changes concerning the situation in Afghanistan and reached a broad consensus, Xinhua news agency reported. The two sides said they believed that the Afghanistan issue could not be solved through military solutions and political reconciliation was the only viable way, the report said. They welcomed all efforts made by relevant parties and expressed willingness to keep close communication and strategic coordination over the issue. Both the Foreign Ministers also pledged to further strengthen China-Pakistan's all-weather strategic cooperative partnership so as to elevate the level of all-round cooperation. Qureshi called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) an undertaking of extensive importance for Pakistan and the region. He visited Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday on the first leg of his trip, where he held -- what he described as -- "productive meetings" with Afghan leadership. Later, he travelled to Tehran where he met Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. It was his first official visit to Iran. According to Dawn newspaper, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Monday over the Afghan peace process. Qatar had been hosting the Taliban's political office since 2013, but Pakistan-backed talks between the US and Taliban were held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital. This apparently was done to accommodate Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the process, the daily said. But according to diplomatic observers, the move did not go well with the Qatari leadership. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Christmas was celebrated on Tuesday in the Northeastern states with special prayers, hymns and masses in churches, followed by the traditional community feasting. Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur, while there is a significant number of them in Tripura, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Governors and Chief Ministers of all the seven states conveyed their warm greetings to the people on the day. Extensive security arrangements were made for peaceful passage as festivities were planned for day and night. The celebrations began from Monday night with church services where the congregation sang Christmas carols. Strict vigil was kept at all entry points along the borders of Assam, Tripura and Myanmar. Community feasts would be held on Tuesday and Wednesday in most of the villages and urban localities. Mizoram celebrated its 148th year of Christmas celebration after it was started by the colonial British troops back in 1871. The state, however, will be celebrating a dry Christmas and New Year as the new Mizo National Front government has declared dry days from December 21 to January 14. In Nagaland, the Christmas and New Year celebration would be low key following a dispute arising out of the burial of a Bible in Wokha district. Wohka Additional Deputy Commissioner K. Mhathung Tsanglao in a notification on December 21, said: "A division has resulted in bringing out separate programmes by two groups for Christmas and New Year at the same church at the same time." The Wokha administration banned entry into the Assemblies of God (AG) Church in Wokha Church Colony, citing law and order issues. Officials said that this might be the first time that a church in Nagaland, where Christians account for more than 90 per cent of the population, has been shut down for maintaining law and order in more than 140 years. In Meghalaya, besides beautification of churches, Christmas trees with bells and lights have been put up at homes and in streets. Since early morning, people visited Police Bazar, the hub of Shillong. Pre-Christmas events that started in Meghalaya since Sunday included distribution of gifts, sweets and other aids. The state governments in the Northeast have announced holidays for several days. Churches in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya play a significant role in the life and culture of their society. "Christianity is the harbinger of modernity as well as women's liberation in Mizoram. The Christian missionaries, therefore, are regarded as a symbol of modernisation," Zosangliana Colney, a church head, told reporters in Aizawl. --IANS sc/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt on Tuesday strongly condemned the terror attack that targeted the headquarters of Libyan Foreign Ministry in the capital earlier the day. Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Egypt offered condolences to the Libyan people over the victims of the attack, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. It also stressed the importance of mobilising international efforts to restore Libya's security and stability and help state institutions to carry out their duties to the Libyan people, reports Xinhua news agency. The ministry reaffirmed that Egypt will continue to support Libya in the fight against terrorist groups. At least three people were killed and 10 others, including a paramedic, were injured on Tuesday during the terror attack on the Libyan Foreign Ministry's headquarters in Tripoli. The attack occurred at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), when a car bomb exploded right behind the ministry's building, an official of Libyan Foreign Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. After the blast, a group of gunmen entered the building from the front and back entrances and exchanged heavy fire with the security forces, he added. In September, Islamic State millitants attacked the headquarters of the National Oil Corporation in the centre of Tripoli, killing two and injuring several others. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A factory owner and his friend allegedly suffocated to death when they slept in their flat by keeping the fire stove burning, police said on Tuesday. Police said the incident was reported to the police on Monday morning when the victims, identified as Tejinder Singh,31, Gurtej,21, were found dead in a rented flat by Samarpreet, a foreman in Tejinder's factory. "During investigation, it was found that a resident of Jind in Haryana, Gurtej had came to visit Tejinder in his Subhash Nagar flat. Tejinder was joined by two more friends. They all had food and liquor on Sunday night," Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bhardwaj said. "A packet of cigarettes, liquor bottles, glasses and a stove (angithi) were found from the spot," she added. "Tejinder, a resident of Remesh Nagar in Delhi, ran a factory. He had rented a flat in Subhash Nagar for his employees," the officer said. When Smarjeet reached the place to take keys of the factory, he found Gurtej and Tejinder unconscious. He later informed the police, said Bhardwaj. "We are interrogating the other two friends who had left Tejinder's flat to know the entire sequence," she said. --IANS sp/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An 8-year-old boy from Guatemala died in government's custody in the US state of New Mexico on early Tuesday, according to US immigration authorities. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a news release on Tuesday that the boy showed "signs of potential illness" on Monday and was taken with his father to a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico, about 350 km south of Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico, reports Xinhua. The boy was diagnosed with a cold and a fever and given prescriptions and released on Monday afternoon. He was returned to the hospital in the evening with nausea and vomiting and died there hours later, marking the second death of an immigrant child in detention this month. A 7-year-old Guatemalan girl died earlier this month after being apprehended by border agents. Temporary shelters in El Paso area in the state of Texas, about 140 km southwest of Alamogordo, are currently used as facilities to house migrant children. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Retaining moisture can help combat dryness to the eyes during winter season, says an opthalmologist. Dry, itchy eyes are a common problem in the winter due to low humidity. "On average, the humidity drops in the winter with the cold weather," Marissa Locy, an instructor in the department of ophthalmology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was quoted as saying by Health Day. "In addition, most people turn on the heat in their homes or offices to combat the cold. So, what you end up having is lower humidity outside, and even lower humidity inside, making for warm, dry conditions where moisture can evaporate from the eye faster than normal," she said. The study highlighted ways to retain moisture, thereby combating dryness to the eyes during winter season due to lower humidity. If you spend time in heated locations, use a humidifier to add some moisture back into the air. Drink lots of fluids. Keeping your body hydrated will help maintain moisture in your eyes, Locy said. Direct blow heating onto your face should be avoided because this can dry up moisture in your eyes. Moreover, in car, heat vents should be directed towards the lower body. Wearing eye protection or a hat with a visor when outdoors to keep particles and wind from getting into your eyes is a must, the report said. Since eyes could dry even more with contacts in cold weather, wearing clean contacts reduces the risk of infection and itching. Talk to your doctor as occasional bouts of dry eyes can eventually progress into dry eye disease, Locy noted. --IANS pb/rt/mag/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday assured restive farmers of finding a solution to the acute urea shortage in the state. There have been reports of farmers not getting urea in many parts of the state even while waiting in long queues. Kamal Nath tweeted: "Soon the urea issue will be solved. Farmers don't need to worry. With our continuous efforts, the required amount of urea will be made available." In another tweet he warned officers against using force on farmers who buy urea at government outlets. He also urged officers to change their mindset post Assembly polls in which Congress wrested power from BJP after 15 years. --IANS hindi-mag/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Politicians from across the spectrum, including President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary on Tuesday. "Remembering our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth anniversary. Atal ji will always live on in the hearts and minds of the people of our country," the President tweeted. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu tweeted wishing Vajpayee and said: "The Nation is ever grateful for the invaluable contributions made by him." Modi, while remembering Vajpayee, also tweeted a video of the late leader. "Tributes to Atal ji on his jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," Modi said. The official twitter handles of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party also wished the veteran leader. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a leader who was respected and loved by all. A man who believed in the power of democracy above all. We honour him today on his birth anniversary," the Congress tweeted. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his birth anniversary. He was a statesman who rose above partisan for the country's good. We miss him a lot." --IANS nks/mag/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chrismas was celebrated with joy and fervor by over a million Christians spread across Mumbai and Maharashtra, here on Tuesday. Early in the day the faithfuls thronged around 200 big and small churches in the city and suburbs marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Many rang in the Christmas at midnight of Monday-Tuesday singing carols, hymns, sounding church bells and greeting each other 'Merry Christmas'. Several lakhs draped in warm finery, attended the special Midnight Mass in churches, schools, colleges or open grounds which started at 10 p.m. on Monday that lasted till early on Tuesday. Colaba, Fort, Mazagaon, Byculla, Marine Lines, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Santacruz, Andheri, Malad and Borivali have been wearing a dazzling festive atmosphere since a week in Mumbai. Gigantic multi-coloured stars, with "Merry X'Mas" in large letters, have been put up in prominent squares, housing complexes and other places. Most Christian homes were lit up with Christmas stars, twinkling fairy lights, colourful festoons, big and small Christmas Trees and the benevolent Santa Claus. Mumbai's newest landmark, the Worli Christmas Tree, holding a record as the country's tallest naturally growing pine conifer tree, is now around 67 feet tall and beckons one from far away. Tended lovingly since over 46 years by Douglas Saldanha and his elder sister Twila, who passed away in 2005, the tree shines in full glory with a big star at the top, over 10,000 fairy lights, cherubic angels, little fairies, reindeers and snowmen, streamers and festoons, tiny crosses and a paunchy and cheerful Santa, outside the Adarsh Nagar home. "This year, the tree stands at more than an eight-storied building. We had a special inaugural event last evening and now many people have started coming to view," Saldanha told IANS. Following the Midnight Mass festivities, there were big and small private parties. Many youngsters and adults in Santa costumes went around distributing sweets and gifts to small children and the poor, visited orphanages, destitute homes and charitable organisations to spread love. A majority of the malls, multiplexes and shopping plazas were specially decked up to lure buyers offering special festive season discounts and freebies. Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Nashik, Pune, Solapur and other cities also celebrated the birth of Christ. Various Christian communities, like Roman Catholics, East Indians, Marathi, Konkani, and others celebrated it in their own traditional ways. Many also availed their year-end break to hillstations or beaches, with most tourist resorts in Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Jawhar, coastal Konkan booked to their brim till New Year week. --IANS qn/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government agents have foiled another attempt by arms smugglers who used balikbayan boxes to transport high-end ammunitions worth P1 million from the United States. The shipment of six balikbayan boxes, which was consigned to a certain Arnel Velasco but coursed through Lario Vecencio, 54, of San Marcelino, Zambales, arrived at the Manila International Container Port on Dec. 6 and was sent by one Alex Agustin, of Gilroy, California. Authorities said the seized shipment was misdeclared as household goods and personal effects. Found inside the balikbayan boxes were 10 boxes of Rifle Line ammunition (50 cartridges of 30 carbine spm 110 gr/7.13 per box); 30 boxes of Wolf performance ammunition (20 cartridges of 7.62 x 39mm per box); 50 33-round magazines of 9mm Glock; 22 military backpacks and accessories; three used T-shirts; three BTLS bottled water and a bottle of hot sauce. MICP Customs chief intelligence officer Alvin Enciso said Vecencio was the same person who was arrested in September for his involvement in the same modus operandi in Port of Zambales. Enciso suspects that the syndicate behind the smuggling intended to sell these expensive and specialized types of ammunitions in the underground gun market. There is a demand for high-end ammunition in the country and it reaps big profit, and that is why there are those who take the risk and continue to illegally import ammunition into the country, he said. Last September, Customs agents seized firearms accessories worth P5.5 million also concealed in six balikbayan boxes declared as goods, and arrested two men, including Vecencio, who tried to claim the boxes at the Port of Zambales.Seized were 6,000 rounds of live ammunitions of TulAmmo 7.62x39 mm caliber, 166 pieces Chip Mc Cormick Power Magazine 10 Rounder .45 ACP, 39 pieces Troy Industries Inc. Part Number Mac 30, Glock Magazine 30 Rounder, Roger Box, Troy Battle Ready Magazine 30 Rounder, 92 pieces 30 Rounder Glock 9mm Magazines, 29 pieces Carbine Extended Magazines, 29 pieces Kim Pro .45 Magazines, 60 pieces Troy Industries Inc. Mag 30 Case 3E21, 30 pieces Pro Mag Saiga Magazine 12 gauge, water canister, and other gun accessories. The seizure following information that several balikbayan boxes that came from the United States contain illegal items. Also found on top of the boxes were merchandises like coffee, peanut butter, brown rice to conceal the contraband. Arrested during the operation were Vecencio and Jun B. Navarro of Sta. Maria, Castillejos, Zambales who received the packages on behalf of Gregorio dela Cruz, the consignee of the balikbayan boxes. Gregorio dela Cruz is still at large. The package was sent by Anselmo dela Cruz of 1899 Fleming Ave., San Jose, California. Vecencio and Navarro denied any knowledge of the concealed gun accessories and pointed to Dela Cruz as the final recipient of the balikbayan boxes. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary. "Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji on his birth anniversary. He was a statesman who rose above partisan for the country's good. We miss him a lot," the Trinamool supremo, who once was part of Vajpaee's cabinet, tweeted. Born in December 25, 1924, Vajpayee was the first Prime Minister, who was not a member of the Congress to have served a full five-year term in office. The administration of Narendra Modi in 2014 declared that Vajpayee's birthday would be marked as Good Governance Day. He was conferred India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, by then President Pranab Mukherjee in 2015. Vajpayee passed away on August 16. --IANS bnd/dm/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of spray-painting swastikas on US President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, media reported. Jose Ortega of Los Angeles was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of felony vandalism, said a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The star is located on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland Avenue in Los Angeles, Xinhua news agency reported late on Tuesday. A witness saw Ortega tag the star late Sunday afternoon and called the police, authorities said. He is being held in lieu of more than $20,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County jail records. The graffiti had since been cleaned off from Trump's star. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday confirmed the deaths in a helicopter crash of Puebla state Governor Martha Erika Alonso and her husband, former Governor Rafael Moreno Valle, and expressed his condolences to their relatives. "Personally, my deepest condolences to the relatives of Sen. Rafael Moreno Valle and his wife, Puebla Governor Martha Erika Alonso. As president, I take on the commitment to investigate the causes (of the crash); tell the truth about what happened and to act accordingly," wrote the president on his Twitter account. Earlier in the evening, Lopez Obrador had reported the crash but said only that it was possible that the couple had died, reports Efe. "I'm receiving information about an accident in Puebla, the crash of a helicopter. Still to be confirmed is that it was Gov. Martha Erika Alonso and ex-Governor Rafael Moreno Valle. I have ordered the entire government to act immediately" on the matter, said Lopez Obrador on his Twitter account. Numerous political figures have also expressed their condolences over the deaths of the couple, who were with the conservative National Action Party (PAN). Senate President Marti Batres had said earlier -- before the official confirmation of Alonso and Moreno Valle's deaths -- that he was dismayed over the situation. "I express my dismay over the possible deaths of... the governor of Puebla and my Senate colleague," he said. According to preliminary reporting the helicopter crashed in croplands between the towns of Juan C. Bonilla and Tlaltenango. Moreno Valle governed Puebla from 2010-2016 and was serving as a national senator, and Alonso took over the governorship on December 14 after a five-month election controversy during which the results of the vote were up in the air. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, without naming anyone, saying that no one could have even thought four years back that the 'key secret player' (sabse bada raajdar) in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal would ever be in an Indian jail. "No one ever thought that 'sabse bada raajdar' in the helicopter deal would be in an Indian jail. Our government did the work to bring him back to India and hand him to the law enforcers," Modi said while referring to the recent extradition of Christian Michel, the middleman of AugustaWestland helicopter deal. Modi was speaking to a huge gathering near Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge in Assam, which he inaugurated on Tuesday. "While we are ensuring the rights of the poor, we are also fighting against black money and those indulging in corruption," he said, adding that while the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had distributed 1.25 crore houses under Prime Minister Awas Yojaha (PMAY), the government has also seized properties worth over Rs 5,000 crore under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Prime Minister said while the government has sanctioned a loan of Rs 7 lakh crore under the Mudra loan without security deposits, the government had also taken stern steps to recover defaulters' loans to the tune of Rs 3 lakh crore sanctioned by banks during the previous governments. --IANS ah/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dimmed and it would be highly problematic for the BJP to return to power in 2019 if the grand alliance of the opposition parties takes shape, says Sikkim's sole MP P.D. Rai, whose Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is a constituent of the ruling National Development Alliance (NDA). "We, as a regional party, will surely win the next election. But on the national scene, I think the charisma of Modiji has come down. The divisiveness with which the BJP has acted is something whose backlash is already coming," Rai told IANS in an interview in Parliament House. Rai, a two-term MP seeking a third, also says that the non-functioning of Parliament was affecting smaller parties like his and their right to be heard was getting "trampled" by the larger parties. Referring to Congress' performance in the recent elections, Rai said that, except in Chhattisgarh, the Congress won in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan with a very small majority but the opposition party will be able to energise its own cadres in a much better way and it may translate into more seats. "I think there would be a tough fight between the two sides and I think if the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance of opposition parties) takes shape, it could be highly problematic for the BJP," he said, claiming that "there is going to be a lot of churning within all the parties, including the BJP and the Congress, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls". The SDF MP, who is an alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur and IIM-Ahmedabad, asserted that the public and the intelligentsia were not very happy with the way many of the institutions like the CBI, the RBI were allegedly being attacked by the Modi government. "This perhaps may go against the BJP," he said. He made it clear as a party with only one MP in the Lok Sabha, it would, however, always go with the ruling party to safeguard the border state's interests. Asked about Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Rai said after having taken over as the president of the party, he has in many ways had a tough time getting the younger people to have some space within the party. "But he has managed to do that. He has also understood that he has not only to back young people but also to look at the senior people as they are very valuable within the party. This (appointment of Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot as chief ministers) has sent out a good message to the senior cadre of the Congress. This is something which, I believe, is a very positive development for the Congress," he said. Rai, a member of the Parliament Standing Committee on Finance, said that farmers' plight in the country has emerged as a huge problem but asserted that waiving of loans was not an answer. "If you waive farms loans there is a big problem on the fiscal side. It is populist to say that I would waive the loans. On the other hand, people say if the corporate loans can be waived, then why not the farmers' loans. But looking at holistic and structured reforms in the agriculture sector is long overdue. "This is something we will have to look at. There are many, many pillars around which the farmers' eco-system thrives and we will have to look into the whole crisis holistically," he added. (Brajendra Nath Singh can be contacted at brajendra.n@ians.in) --IANS bns/vsc/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here on Tuesday over the situation in war-torn Afghanistan and said that his country and China strongly support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. Qureshi was in China on the third leg of his four-nation visit as part of the government's policy of outreach in the neighbourhood. He visited Afghanistan and Iran on Monday and was scheduled to visit Russia before returning to Pakistan on December 26. Qureshi and Wang had an in-depth discussion on the recent changes concerning the situation in Afghanistan and reached a broad consensus, Xinhua news agency reported. The two sides said they believed that the Afghanistan issue could not be solved through military solutions and political reconciliation was the only viable way, the report said. They welcomed all efforts made by relevant parties and expressed willingness to keep close communication and strategic coordination over the issue. Qureshi also appreciated China's important role in furtherance of peace and development in Afghanistan, particularly through China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral mechanism, according to Geo News. Both the Foreign Ministers also pledged to further strengthen China-Pakistan's all-weather strategic cooperative partnership so as to elevate the level of all-round cooperation. Qureshi called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) an undertaking of extensive importance for Pakistan and the region. He visited Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday on the first leg of his trip, where he held -- what he described as -- "productive meetings" with Afghan leadership. Later, he travelled to Tehran where he met Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. It was his first official visit to Iran. According to Dawn newspaper, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Monday over the Afghan peace process. Qatar had been hosting the Taliban's political office since 2013, but Pakistan-backed talks between the US and Taliban were held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital. This apparently was done to accommodate Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the process, the daily said. But according to diplomatic observers, the move did not go well with the Qatari leadership. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the escalating Indo-Pak tension, Pakistan is unlikely to make its debut at the International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF), an official from the organising committee said here on Tuesday. "Owing to the current state of Indo-Pak relations, I don't think publishers from Pakistan will participate in the book fair," secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild Tridib Chatterjee told IANS over phone. As six publishers had shown interest in the invitations sent by the organiser, the organisers had also written to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 28 to ensure the country's participation for the first time in the history of the book fair. "We had written to Mr Khan but have not received any reply. We really don't know anything as they are not taking our phone calls either." He also mentioned that Pakistan's participation will be possible only after the Central government takes initiatives. The publishers who were expected to come have not got their visas yet. Recently, there were reports that Indian diplomats are facing harassment in Pakistan on multiple counts. New gas connections are delayed making kitchens defunct, while Internet connections of many Indian officials have been blocked. The 12-day mega event, beginning January 30, 2019, is slated to be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The central American nation Guatemala -- the heart of the Mayan World -- is the focal country this time along with participating countries such as the UK, the US, Russia, China, Japan, Vietnam, 11 Latin American countries and Bangladesh. As the fair's regular venue Milan Mela is undergoing renovation, the fair would be held at the Central Park in Salt Lake, and stalls of approximately 600 publishers and 200 small magazines will be set up. Also, the sixth Kolkata Literature Festival will be held from February 7 to 9 and the book fair closes on February 10. --IANS bnd/ssp/oeb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bengal Warriors continued their hot streak in their home leg as their beat Telugu Titans 39-34 in Pro Kabaddi Season 6 match here on Tuesday. Maninder Singh scored 12 raid points for Bengal Warriors to lead his team's charge. Maninder also became the fastest man to reach 500 points in Pro Kabaddi League as he achieved the feat in 56 matches. For Telugu Titans it was the youngster Armaan who stood out and scored 11 points. Bengal Warriors have already qualified for the playoffs while Telugu Titans ended their campaign with a defeat. Bengal Warriors got off to a flying start with Jang Kun Lee getting a super raid in the second minute.ATelugu Titans fought back to level the match at 7-7 after five minutes. Maninder Singh continued to pick the points for Bengal Warriors in the first half. At the end of the first half, Bengal Warriors 23-15 with Jang Kun Lee getting a raid in the 20th minute. Bengal Warriors inflicted an all out in the 26th minute to lead 30-18. For Telugu Titans the performance of Anand was a revelation as he picked up raid points at will. After 30 minutes, Bengal Warriors led 32-22 and were in full control of the match. The Titans did try to mount a comeback but the deficit proved too much in the end as they crashed out of the league. --IANS dm/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday reported the possible death of the governor of the state of Puebla, Martha Erika Alonso, and her husband and ex-Gov. Rafael Moreno Valle, in a helicopter crash. "I'm receiving information about an accident in Puebla, the crash of a helicopter. Still to be confirmed is that it was Gov. Martha Erika Alonso and ex-Gov. Rafael Moreno Valle. I have ordered the entire government to act immediately" on the matter, Lopez Obrador wrote on his Twitter account. So far, no official has confirmed whether or not the couple were on the aircraft, although numerous media outlets have reported that the pair indeed perished in the crash, reports Efe. Senate President Marti Batres said that he was dismayed over the possible deaths of Alonso and her husband, who currently serves in the Senate. "I express my dismay over the possible deaths of... the governor of Puebla and my Senate colleague," he said. According to preliminary reporting the helicopter crashed in croplands between the towns of Juan C. Bonilla and Tlaltenango. Moreno Valle governed Puebla from 2010-2016 and Alonso took over that post on December 14 after a five-month election controversy during which the results of the vote were up in the air. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Richa Chadha is set to play a lawyer in the upcoming courtroom drama "Section 375". As part of preparation for her role, she met law professors from law colleges here. This will be the first time that Richa will be donning the black robe of lawyer in a film. Earlier, she had visited some of the lawyer's law firms to read books on law and to understand the nuances of the judicial procedure. Richa has now taken one step ahead to prepare for her role. She has started meeting law professors from law colleges in Mumbai. The film "Section 375" deals with some real-life incidents and how a critical section in law to protect women can also be misused. "My character is that of a very driven and ethical lawyer. Hence, I wanted to see what drives people to take up litigation in the first place. That's why law schools were a good idea and spending time with them was of great help. The research came in handy and has been crucial," Richa said in a statement. The film is to be directed by Ajay Bahl and will also star Akshaye Khanna. --IANS nn/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The House of Representatives led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has approved a bill which strengthens the growth and development of the countrys micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). House Bill 8714, which was already passed on third and final reading at the Lower House, aims to strengthen and enhance the financing programs for MSMEs, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 6977, as amended, otherwise known as the Magna Carta For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City, principal author of the bill, underscored the need to strengthen the Magna Carta for MSMEs. The MSME Sector accounts for 62.8 percent of total jobs generated by all types of business establishment in 2014. Of the total number of MSMEs, 90.3 percent are micro enterprises, 9.3 percent are small enterprises and 0.4 percent are medium enterprises, Rodriguez said. He said that despite its importance to the economy of MSMEs, the lack of access to financing and related forms of support continue to be a major handicap to them. Rep. Michael Romero of 1-PACMAN, another author of the bill, said there is a need to create a more effective financial institution that is better geared to the meet the needs of the MSMEs. Under the bill, the National Government, its bureaus, offices and agencies are mandated to allocate at least 10 percent of all its procurement opportunities for goods and services to eligible MSMEs in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reforms Act, and its implementing rules and regulations. The proposal expands the membership of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council with the inclusion of the Secretary of Finance, three representatives from the MSME sector to be designated by a national organization representing and dominated by MSMEs as members. Likewise, the Executive Director of the Cooperative Development Authority; a representative of a national organization representing and dominated by MSMEs; a representative of the microfinance nongovernment organizations designated by the Microfinance NGO Regulatory Council; one representative from the women sector designated by the Philippine Commission on Women; one representative from the youth sector designated by the National Youth Commission and a representative from non-stock savings and loan associations designated by the Alliance of Non-stock Savings and Loan Institutions, Inc. shall form part of an Advisory Unit to the council. The bill also states that the Small Business Corp. shall have a Board of Directors to be composed of 13 members which shall include among others, the President of the Government Service Insurance System; and the President of the Social Security System. All members of the Board so appointed, except for the ex-officio members, shall serve for a term of three years and may be reappointed to another term unless earlier revoked. If the term of the incumbent member has expired, the member shall continue to function in a holdover capacity until a replacement has been appointed and qualified. Included in the specific powers and authorities of the Board of Directors is providing for the organizational structure, staffing pattern and compensation of employees and personnel of the SB corporation, for submission to the Governance Commission for GOCCs.One of the provisions of the bill is that the SB Corporation can extend all forms of financial assistance, except grants and subsidies to eligible MSMEs, and not preclude retail lending in areas where private banks are not able to serve, subject to consultation with the private banks. The SB Corporation is mandated to submit an annual report to the MSMED Council, the Congress of the Philippines and the Governance Commission for GOCCs on the performance and financial condition of the corporation. The measure stipulates that the SB Corporation shall be exempt from securing prior BSP authorization for engaging in quasi-banking activities and shall not be subject to BSP supervision and regulation for such activities. On the other hand, the Board of the SB Corporation, through its Chairman, shall be fully responsible and accountable for the performance of the Corporations mandate. To ensure this, the Board shall be constituted as a Managing Board, led by its Chairman, to conceptualize the strategic plans and policies of the Corporation. Also, the SB Corporation shall adopt a balanced scorecard approach, subject to the review and approval of the Governance Commission for GOCCs, in its strategic management to enable it to manage its financial performance while pursuing their public policy objectives of supporting micro, small and medium enterprises development. The bill states that the National Government shall provide for the full capitalization of the SB Corporation within a period of five years from the approval of the Act. A seed money of at least 10 percent of the additional equity contribution of the National Government to the capitalization of the small business corporation but not more than P500 million shall be set aside to fund the venture capital and micro finance trust fund. For the period of another 10 years from the date of the effectivity of the amendatory Act, all lending institutions as defined under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas rules, whether public or private, shall set side at least eight (8) percent for micro and small enterprises and at least two (2) percent for medium enterprises of their total loan portfolio based on their balance as of the end the previous quarter, and make it available for MSME credit. The bill increases the penalties on lending institutions for non-compliance with the mandatory lending and requires the MSMED Council to submit to the Congress of the Philippines an annual report on the status of the penalties remitted and how the same were used or being used in relation to the implementation of services to MSMEs in the areas of capacity building, technology information, collection dissemination, and other interventions for MSME development, growth and sustainability. House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur and House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez of Quezon were also authors of the bill. India witnessed a dramatic rise of eight unicorns in 2018 from among the start-ups across verticals as against a mere nine in six years from 2011 till 2017, according to IT industry apex body Nasscom. The start-ups joining the select club for their valuation over $1 billion (Rs 7,000 crore or more) are Oyo Rooms (hospitality), Zomato and Swiggy (food delivery), Udaan (retailer marketplace), Byju's, (edu-tech), Paytm Mall (e-tail), Freshworks (software programmer) and Policybazaar (digital insurance). "As the start-ups that became unicorns this year are based on subscription and Software as a Service (SaaS) models, they took a few years to mature," Nasscom Vice President (Industry Initiatives) K.S. Viswanathan told IANS. The focus of these start-ups to acquire customers globally made them unicorns from India, he asserted. According to the National Association of Software and Services Companies' (Nasscom) October report on "Indian Start-up Ecosystem: Approaching Escape Velocity", about 1,200 start-ups were added till September. "The Indian ecosystem is adding about 1,300 start-ups every year but also seeing the demise of at least 300 of them from previous years," Viswanathan admitted, assessing their survival rate at three to five years. With the addition of the start-ups, about 40,000 jobs were created during the year, taking their total in the ecosystem of 7,200-7,500 firms to 1.6-1.7 lakh. The world's largest retail giant, Walmart, in May bought 77 per cent equity stake in the country's earliest e-tailer unicorn, Flipkart, for a whopping $16 billion in one of the largest e-commerce deals globally. "The Flipkart acquisition by Walmart was a shot in the arm for the country's start-up sector," Viswanathan said. The investment in the native start-ups rose by a phenomenal 108 per cent annually to $4.2 billion in nine months (January-September) from $2 billion in the same period of 2017, the Nasscom report said. By year-end, Swiggy and Byju's raised hefty venture funds of $1 billion and $540 million (Rs 3,866-crore), respectively, indicating that global institutional and angel investors are betting on Indian unicorns. According to the New York-based market intelligence platform CB Insights, about 60 per cent of the funds raised by Indian start-ups were invested in unicorns. Adoption of disruptive technologies across verticals spanning education, food, health, hospitality and transportation has been driving growth of Indian start-ups. For instance, the four-year-old Swiggy, which has raised $1.26 billion so far, has been investing in its digital platform and delivery fleet. "One of the reasons for our success is our industry-changing innovations and focus on delivering the best consumer experience. Our delivery-only kitchens have also enabled our entry into 42 cities across the country in last six months," a Swiggy spokesperson told IANS. During the year, Oyo and Ola also began expanding aggressively in the international markets. Gurugram-based Oyo said it invested on its technological prowess, sustaining demand generation across online and offline channels and identification and upgradation of properties within a short time to spur growth. The company raised $1 billion from SoftBank and other investors to become a unicorn. "We saw many firsts and celebrated key milestones this year. We entered three international markets -- the UAE, Britain and Indonesia," Oyo founder and chief executive Ritesh Agarwal told IANS. Competing against the American ride-hailing firm Uber, city-based Ola forayed into international markets starting in Australia and entered Britain and New Zealand. Food delivery and restaurant search platform Zomato, which raised over $600 million since its founding in 2008 in Gurugram in Haryana, entered the unicorn club this year, according to Nasscom data. Zomato has been expanding overseas since 2012 and operates in 24 countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada and the US. The start-up ecosystem and its enablers, including stakeholders and policy regulations, play a key role in the growth of any firm, said Zomato's global head of classifieds business Oytun Calapover. "Zomato is a great example of a homegrown start-up, which has been able to build equity not just in the home country, but overseas as well. This has been made possible by factors like government regulations and stakeholders," Calapover told IANS. The central government's policies like Start-up India, Digital India and 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in e-commerce have helped the country become a "land of unicorns", Calapover added. Though the start-ups had a satisfactory year, the number of women leading some of them remained low. Of the total start-up founders, 11 per cent were women in 2017-18, up a mere three percentage points from eight per cent in 2016-17, according to Nasscom. There is a need to advocate more women in start-ups for the government support, particularly at the seed-funding stage (early investments until they can generate revenue) and improving the ease of doing business to propel their growth, the industry body added in its report. (Bhavana Akella can be contacted at bhavana.a@ians.in) --IANS bha/fb/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vedanta Group, which is looking to invest US$8 billion across businesses in next three years, is considering expansion of the capacity of its newly-acquired Electrosteel Steels (ESL)unit in Jharkhand to about seven million tonnes in phases in the next few years, an official said here on Tuesday. Vedanta Star Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vedanta Limited had acquired ESL through the IBC ( Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) route and took the management control of the company. The steel making facility near Jhakhand's Bokaro is currently producing about 1.5 million tonnes annually and it has a inherent capacity to produce 2.5 million tonnes, the official said. "We will be expanding the capacity to 2.5 mtpa (million tonnes per annum) with an investment of about US$A300 million within two years," Group's Founder and Executive Chairman Anil Agarwal said. "At the moment, we are busy making it to 2.5 mtpa and then, we will look at the feasibility (of adding the capacity further). We are working towards creating another Bokaro in Jharkhand. Currently, Bokaro produces about 7-8 million tonnes," he said adding that the group is looking to add the capacity by another 4-5 million tonnes in the next four years. The expected investment would be US$3-4 billion for the second phase expansion at the ESL facility, he said. "We are working fast and will be doing it (the second phase expansion) in adjacent to the existing one. We have to acquire little more land, which will not be difficult," he told reporters here. In an interaction earlier in the day with members of Bharat Chamber of Commerce, he eaid Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das had met him and expressed his dream to set up a "second Bokaro". The company is talking to Koreans, Japanese and Chinese for technology and others in regards to expansion, he said. According to him, the company is expecting to get clearances for an iron ore mine in the Jharkhand, which was alloted to it. He said both the expansions would create 60,000 jobs directly and indirectly, another 60,000 people. Agarwal also said the group is "committed to invest US$8 billion across businesses in the next three years" mostly in India and in Africa. He said the first priority of the gorup would be oil and gas, followed by aluminium, zinc and silver. "At the momemt we are producing about 200,000 barrels per day (mostly in Rajasthan)and with the first phase of existing fields that we have, we will produce upto 500,000 barrel per day in two years time," he said. With the new 41 blocks in Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat,Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh, another 500,000 barrel per day was estimated to produce, he said. "The production will commence in new blocks in four years time and (for which) we have not estimated the investment, but itA could be US$ 4-5 billion," he added. Agarwal also pointed out the government should take measures in preventing imports in the upcoming budget and urged upon the independence of public sector undertakings. -- IANS bdc/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday said the Buddhists should learn from the Christians how to serve the humanity. Presiding over the second day of his discourse in Bihar's historical city Bodh Gaya, the Dalai Lama urged followers of all religions to form closer contact and learn from each other's traditions. "The major world religions -- Christianity, Judaism, Islam, different Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Jainism, Daoism, Confucianism, and so on -- each of these has its own unique knowledge that benefits people," he said. "Therefore, through an exchange of knowledge, we can learn new things from each other." Emphasising its vital role in the spiritual and inner development, the elderly Buddhist monk said religion has the potential in bringing together people and that "a meaningful exchange could widen and deepen our own spiritual experience". "Particularly from Christian brothers and sisters, we as Buddhists could learn how to serve the community and engage in social work. I really feel that we should emulate their exemplary social service." The Dalai Lama has been living in India in self-imposed exile since 1959 when he fled his homeland after Chinese Communist troops took over Tibet. The spiritual guru's teachings are free and open to the public. Even board and lodging is free for the participants, says the Dalai Lama's office here. The teaching sessions are held at the request of followers and devotees, mostly Westerners and Asians. The Dalai Lama teaches in Tibetan and there are simultaneous translations in English, Hindi and Chinese for the participants. The government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala and has never won formal recognition from any country though contacts are maintained at various levels. --IANS vg/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ignoring a BJP worker's question, during a recent video interaction with party workers from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, about the middle class struggling with the government's taxation policy. Gandhi pointed to a December 19 interaction that saw Nirmal Kumar Jain, a BJP worker, asking the Prime Minister why his government was busy collecting all manner of taxes but not providing any relief to the middle class by reducing the Income Tax rates or easing the procedures for securing loans. While putting his question Jain specifically urged the Prime Minister to take care of the middle class. Modi's reply was: "Thank you, Nirmal ji. You are a trader, so it's normal that you will talk business. I favour taking care of common people and the common people will be taken care of." Modi then immediately switched to addressing workers from neighbouring Puducherry by saying: "Chaliye Puducherry ko Vanakam." Reacting on media reports on the issue, Gandhi took to Twitter to yet again target Modi for his reluctance to face questions. "Vanakam Puducherry! That's NaMo's answer to the struggling middle class. Forget a press conference he can't even string together a polling booth worker's conference. BJP-vetted questions is a superb idea. Consider vetted answers as well," tweeted Gandhi. The Congress President has repeatedly questioned Modi for not holding a press conference since he became the Prime Minister in 2014. --IANS bns/and/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A year is a long time in In Uttar Pradesh, the change of the calendar from 2017 to 2018 saw a tectonic shift in the political landscape, one that left the ruling BJP and its cadres shocked to the core. Mayawati, the Dalit powerhouse who was daggers drawn with arch rival, the Samajwadi Party (SP), since June 2, 1995, after a murderous attack on her at a guest house by its supporters, decided to bury the hatchet and join ranks with the party. This was by far the biggest development in UP this year as Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the SP were sworn enemies for decades -- using their stints in power to make flyovers next to the residences of each other, downgrade the other's security cover, get political leaders bashed up by the police and what not. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been benefitting from the divide and would often gleefully boast that as the "twain shall never meet" it would give the saffron camp increased seats, election after election. Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav are now glued to each other in their hatred for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and haunted by the spectre of his again returning to power in 2019. Political observers here say that this was the "only option before the regional satraps as they fought for survival and not success anymore". And, as the Modi juggernaut rolled on, the BSP scored a duck in 2014 and the SP managed to win only four of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats. The SP got under 50 seats and was booted out of power in the 2017 state assembly polls, while the BSP was reduced to 19. The new understanding between the two seemed to have found favour with the voters who threw their lot behind the duo after which SP candidates romped home winners in the Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana parliamentary by-polls. Having tasted blood, the two parties now have more or less cemented a seat-sharing agreement for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Tackling a whimsical Behenji, Akhilesh Yadav knows, is not an easy task -- but he, unlike his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, is ready to bend backwards to see the alliance through. Even BJP chief Amit Shah has conceded that the coming together of the SP and BSP would cost the party dearly in UP. The mandarins in the BJP camp, however, are now working the wires to ensure that this does not become a reality and a nightmare for them. "From the ED (Enforcement Directorate) to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to other factors, all are at work -- but we are determined to decimate the BJP this time," said an informed source in the SP who is privy to the seat-sharing talks. And so, while the hostility between the Jatavs (the BSP vote bank) and Yadavs (SP's electoral backbone) continues to simmer, hopes of the alliance arithmetic percolating down to the grassroots is not lost on both the parties. The other significant change in the opposition camp this year was the parting of ways of Shivpal Singh Yadav from his political alma mater, the SP. A man credited with grooming the SP from scratch to three times in power finally threw in the towel after being completely sidelined by his estranged nephew and party chief Akhilesh Yadav. As a first step to breaking ranks with his party of 26 years, he formed a front but finally took the plunge and floated his own political party named Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP). While his elder brother, Mulayam Singh Yadav, has been swinging like a pendulum between both the factions, sometimes making a guest appearance at SP events and also turning up at a PSP rally, party veterans seem to be siding with Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is extremely popular with workers and middle-rung leaders. Deepak Mishra, the spokesman of the PSP, told IANS that, in a short span of time, it is "ready with its organisational structure and is upbeat about contesting all 80 LS seats in UP". He also termed as opportunistic the SP-BSP alliance. "We have the old guard, the real socialists, with us who have been fighting the communal forces for years," he claimed, adding that any party or formation will not be able to take on the BJP without the PSP's support. Another significant churn in this year was caused by the floating of his own party by independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh, aka Raja Bhaiyya. The Kunda legislator, for the last 25 years, has been the favourite pick and essential part of almost all governments, barring Mayawati's. This time has decided to form his own party and contest all 80 Lok Sabha seats. Having christened his party Jansatta, he said his aim was transfer power to the people. In his initial public outings after declaring his party, Raja Bhaiyya has been wooing the upper castes by drumming up the fear of the SC/ST Atrocities Act and has openly declared the legislation was potentially a big threat to the "savarns" (upper castes). With all political parties in the state tilting towards the OBC and Dalits, Raja Bhaiyya hopes to corner the upper caste votes from the Congress and the BJP. Insiders said his electoral foray is backed by the BJP, which feels that certain upper castes -- Brahmins and Thakurs -- could go to the Congress because of the Act. In such a grim scenario, they would prefer to shift the vote to Jansatta rather than the Congress. Raja Bhaiyya's ideological proximity to the saffron camp is well known. He has been thrice minister in BJP governments in UP. As the year draws to a close, a lot of political activity has happened in the state, enough to make 2019 an interesting year as the race for the Delhi Durbar hots up. (Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in) --IANS md/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The infusion of capital in the capital deficient government-owned banks without reforming the working and set-up of the banks is nothing but pushing good money after bad assets. The reforms executed in the banking sector are yet to yield intended results. The loan frauds that led to a rise in the bad asset is the result of improper and ineffective systems that paved the way for dishonest banking ... 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 They might have lost the state election, but they are not prepared to lose time. The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has started preparing for the Lok Sabha elections. The unit has set up what it calls the NaMo network to recruit young workers for the party. They will be contacted via missed calls and WhatsApp messages and will be expected to work as volunteers during the 2019 elections. The party is also planning to start a new campaign to woo first-time voters in the state. The campaign has been propitiously branded Pehla vote Modi ko (my first vote ... The NITI Aayog has unveiled its 41-chapter Strategy for New India @ 75. I am baffled as to why such a document is produced so late in the lifetime of this government. Still, the intention is welcome; since the abolition of the Planning Commission, there has been no comprehensive attempt to specify a strategic framework to secure Indias development objectives. Strategy is defined in the dictionary as a plan of action designed to achieve a long term aim. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor A legislator on Tuesday expressed support for the establishment of a separate pension fund for soldiers to ease the burden of paying the pensions of retired military personnel from the Government Service Insurance System. Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Francisco Datol, Jr. vice chairman of the House Special Committee on Senior Citizen, broached the idea as President Dutertes ordered the Departments of Finance, and Budget Management to draft a plan to establish a soldiers fund to be administered by the GSIS. The soldiers pension fund will be separate from the pension fund of other government personnel now being administered by the GSIS. I agree with the broad strokes of the solution Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno have disclosed so far and I am hereby committing to file and push for the draft bill as soon as the DOF and DBM have finalized it, Datol, also member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare, said. Aside from the contribution from soldiers and the counterpart to be provided by the government through budgetary allocations, Datol proposed the augmentation of the fund through taxes imposed on firearms, bullets, explosives imported by private sector. To lessen the premiums burden on retired soldiers who are now senior citizens and on the retiring military servicemen, I suggest that there be a particular tax on firearms, ammunition, and explosives imported by the businesses and private individuals and that proceeds of this tax go to the soldiers pension fund, Datol said.In the middle of 1970s, then President Ferdinand E Marcos established the Armed Forces of the Philippines Retirement and Separation Benefit System to equalize the pensions of all military retirees. Aging military retirees have been complaining that their pensions are considerably lower than the pensions of recent and younger retirees, Datol said. The situation came about because of the drastic increases in the salaries of uniformed personnel during the imposition of Martial Law. However, military observers said the RSBS was ill-fated from the very start because the administration gave only P2 million as a start-up fund while actuarial studies conducted indicated that a P2-billion fund was needed to make the fund viable. At least 12 people were injured when they were attacked by a group of persons during a prayer meet in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, police said Tuesday. The victims were attending the Sunday Mass at the residence of Bhimsen Chauhan in Kolhapur's Kowad village, located on the Karnataka border, when the incident happened around noon, a police official said. A group of 10-15 men armed with swords, iron rods and glass bottles reached the residence on motorcycles and attacked the congregation, he said. They threw stones on those attending the prayer and tried to barge into the house. But some women, who were part of the prayer meet, forced the attackers to back off by throwing chilly powder on them, the official said. Twelve people were injured in the attack and they were admitted to hospital, he said. Senior police officials were monitoring the situation in the area, he said, adding that efforts were on to ascertain the reason behind the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 13 Nepalese women, who were allegedly being trafficked on the pretext of jobs, were rescued from hotels in India by an NGO and have been brought back to the country. Maiti India, an NGO has brought eight women from Bangalore and five from Ahmedabad to Kathmandu on Tuesday, Balkrishna Pandey, a representative of the organisation, said. The Nepalese women aged between 17 and 40 were rescued from various places, including hotels in India. These women were taken by brokers to different parts of Indian cities in the pretext of providing them with attractive jobs, according to Pandey. The women have been handed over to the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police, Pandey told PTI. Annually tens of thousands of Nepalese women are being flown mainly to India with the promise of lucrative jobs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The parents of an 18-year-old boy have lodged a complaint against him alleging that he fled with his father's car after withdrawing Rs 13 lakh from his mother's account and stealing another Rs 50,000 from her almirah, police said on Tuesday. A class 12 student, the accused fled on December 19, they said. In the complaint, the boy's parents said they feared that their "cunning" and "good for nothing" son might use the car and the money for illegal activities, the police said. His parents also expressed apprehension that he may have gotten into selling drugs, they said. The boy's parents confronted his girlfriend as they thought she and one of his friends instigated him. However, the girl claimed that she was not aware of his whereabouts, they added. After this, the boy called his parents and asked them to not look for him. He said he was not coming back to them, the police said. The boy's parents alleged that he had withdrawn Rs 50,000 from his mother's account earlier as well and would often ask them for money on the pretext of helping his friend, they said. According to a senior police officer, the teenager's phone was last active near Jaipur. It has been switched off ever since. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two construction workers were killed Tuesday when the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a speeding jeep coming in the opposition direction near here, police said. Azhagiri (53) died on the spot while Shaktivel (44) succumbed on the way to hospital, the police said. The two were proceeding to work when the accident occurred, they said. The driver of the jeep Arun has been arrested, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two main accused in the suspected honour killing case of a 25-year-old man in Beed district of Maharashtra have been arrested, police said Tuesday. The duo - Balaji Landge and Sanket Wagh - were nabbed on Monday in Amravati district of the state, a senior police official said. With this, the number of those arrested in the case has gone up to three. The victim, Sumit Shivajirao Waghmare, a third year student at the Aditya Engineering College here, was stabbed to death by two men outside the educational institute on December 19, police had earlier said. He had married a fellow student, Bhagyashree Landge, two months ago against the wishes of her family, according to the police. While Waghmare and his wife were coming out of the college after appearing for an exam, Bhagyashree Landge's brother Balaji Landge and one more person confronted them and stabbed the couple before fleeing, police said. Waghmare was later taken to the Beed Civil Hospital where he was declared dead while his wife suffered injuries, they had said. Police suspected that it was a case of honour killing as Bhagyashree Landge's family was opposed to her marriage with Waghmare. The arrests were made after photos and other information related to Balaji Landge and Sanket Wagh were sent to various police stations in Maharashtra, Beed Superintendent of Police (SP) G Shreedhar told reporters here. During the probe, the duo was traced to Amravati in eastern Maharashtra, he said. "We sent our team to Amravati and both the men were nabbed from Badnera railway station there on Monday late night," he said. Asked about suspicion that the accused were hiding in the house of a former minister in Aurangabad city, the SP said a search was conducted at the residence but the two men were not found there. The Beed city police had earlier arrested a student, Krishna Kshirsagar, for his alleged involvement in the killing. According to the police, Kshirsagar, who is in his mid 20s, allegedly helped Balaji Landge flee after committing the crime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 2019 polls will be a battle between " of development" and " of lies", BJP MP said Tuesday. The MP from Hamirpur in attacked Rahul Gandhi, saying, "his is all about lying on every issue". "This battle (general elections) is between truth and lies, the upcoming polls will be a battle between politics of development and politics of lies," he said. The chief's politics is all about lying on every issue, but time and again the party's lies have been exposed, Thakur said. "The recent example is misleading the people by spreading lies and misinformation on the fighter jet deal, but their lies were ultimately exposed by the Supreme Court, he told reporters here. Replying to a question on the loss of the BJP in the Rajasthan, and assembly polls, Thakur said there was nothing to indicate that anti-incumbency was a factor behind his party's loss in these states. "The media used to say that the BJP will get 30 seats in Rajasthan, will badly lose in "When the lost the (assembly) polls in in 2003, they were restricted to 23 seats, in they got 27 seats last time whereas BJP (despite losing the 2018 assembly polls in these states) won 75 seats in and 109 seats in MP. Had anti-incumbency been there, we would have been wiped out, he said. The Congress's "false propaganda" in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh on farmers' issue had failed to work. "There, we won seven out of the eight seats, the BJP MP said. "The truth remains that in Madhya Pradesh our vote share was more, but we lost six seats within a margin of 3,600 votes. In Rajasthan, we lost by mere half per cent vote share, he said. "When the general elections will be held, then people will decide who will lead the country. "On one side, you have a party and its leader who speaks lies on every issue and on the other hand there is a party which is taking country forward in all fields," the BJP MP said. The people of the country are wise and they know about the development works that have been undertaken during the past four and a half years by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, he said. Thakur also highlighted several initiatives taken by the for the welfare of various sections of society. Lashing out at the proposed mega coalition or 'mahagathbandhan' of opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2019 polls, he termed the proposed alliance "unholy". On the prospects of SAD-BJP alliance in for the 2019 polls, Thakur claimed the alliance will sweep the polls. Attacking the Congress government in Punjab, he said they talked about wiping drug menace within a month, but the truth is that the menace has grown". "Tall promises were made to the farmers (by the Congress government in Punjab) on loan waiver, but the peasants have not got what they were promised," Thakur said. He claimed that people have started asking why the present government was the excuse of empty coffers, when the previous SAD-BJP dispensation always had funds for development. At least eight people, including a policeman, were killed and 22 injured Tuesday when a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians after a knife-wielding man attacked its driver in southeastern China's Fujian Province. The incident happened in Longyan, Fujian province, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. It said the bus was hijacked. "Eight dead and 22 injured after a hijacked bus crashes into pedestrians," state television CGTN tweeted. A suspect, who had a knife, has been detained and an investigation is underway. The attacker was not identified by the police. "The 48-year-old male suspect is believed to have had a personal grudge with a community official," the channel said, citing local police's primary investigation. Photographs shared online showed people lying injured on the ground, while video footage appeared to show the suspect being detained. His motive for the attack has yet to be established. in recent years has witnessed such attacks, which were attributed to disgruntled people. Random knife attackers in the past have targeted kindergarten schools in several cities. Six men were arrested for allegedly robbing gold ornaments from a jewellery shop owner in south Delhi's Hauz Khas, police said Tuesday. The incident took place on November 26 when the jewellery shop owner and his colleague were returning home after closing the shop, they said. The shop owner, in his complaint to police, said when he along with his colleague, Sumit Kumar Raut, were returning home after closing the shop in Masjid Moth around 11 pm, four men arrived in a car, hit him on his head with a country-made pistol and robbed the gold ornaments they were carrying in a bag. "The accused then fled from the spot. A case was registered and a probe was initiated," Vijay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) said. During investigation, footage from around 25 CCTV cameras installed in the area was analysed and the registration number of the car was noted, he said. Details of the car were obtained from the transport authority, Ghaziabad and the vehicle was traced that lead to the arrest of two accused, Bharat Saini and Tarun Kumar, the officer said. During interrogation, four more accused, Meerut-based Kapil Sharma, Amit, Jitendar and Rohit Sharma, were identified and subsequently arrested, the officer said. Two country-made pistols with live cartridges, the car and robbed gold ornaments were seized from them, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suicide attackers stormed the Libyan foreign ministry in the capital Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least three people including a senior civil servant, the authorities said. Ten other people were wounded in what the foreign ministry said was a suicide attack carried out by "terrorists". A car bomb exploded near the ministry, prompting security forces to rush to the scene, said special forces spokesman Tarak al-Dawass, accusing the Islamic State jihadist group (IS) of responsibility. A suicide bomber then blew himself up on the second floor of the building while a second attacker died when the suitcase he was carrying exploded, he said. A third assailant, who was unarmed and wearing a bulletproof vest, was killed by security forces outside, Dawass added. At least three people were killed and 10 wounded, according to the health ministry. A civil servant who headed a department in the foreign ministry was among the dead, security sources said. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building as ambulances, paramedics and security forces gathered outside. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Torn apart by power struggles and undermined by chronic insecurity, Libya has become a haven for jihadists since the ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Two competing administrations, rival militias, tribes and jihadists have been competing for control of territory and the country's vast oil wealth. IS took advantage of the chaos to gain a foothold in the coastal city of Sirte in 2015. Forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) regained control of the city in December 2016 after eight months of deadly fighting. Since then, some jihadists have returned to the desert in an attempt to regroup and reorganise. In September, IS claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the headquarters of Libya's National Oil Company in the heart of Tripoli which left two dead and 10 wounded. Four months earlier, it claimed an attack on the electoral commission's headquarters which left 14 dead. In April, the GNA launched an operation to track down IS fighters operating in areas of western Libya under its control. Last month IS claimed responsibility for an attack on militia forces in southeastern Libya in which at least nine people were killed. The US military has regularly carried out strikes on jihadists in Libya, particularly south of Sirte. The GNA was set up under a 2015 UN-brokered deal, but a rival administration based in the country's east aligned with military strongman Khalifa Haftar refuses to recognise its authority. Rival Libyan leaders had agreed to a Paris-brokered deal in May to hold a nationwide election by the end of the year. But instability, territorial disputes and divisions have delayed plans for elections. Two days of meetings last month in Italy laid bare deep divisions between key players in the crisis with some delegates refusing to sit side by side. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Year 2018, which will end in a few days time, can be considered as a banner year for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, especially the Philippine Navy, as it formally entered the missile age and demonstrated its capability to sail beyond its territorial waters during deployments to the US, South Korea, and Russia. This is aside from projected deliveries of new assets for 2019, such as the AgustaWestland AW-159 Wildcat helicopters and the Pohang-class frigate donated by South Korea to the Philippines. The PNs formal entry to the missile age took place off Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan last Nov. 21, when three of its multi-purpose assault craft fired the newly-acquired and installed Rafael Advanced Defense Ltd. Spike-ER (extended range) surface-to-surface missile during a capability demonstration witnessed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Adm Robert Empedrad. During the exercise, the MPACs fired two Spike-ER missile rounds, which hit two surface targets. The said craft also utilized remote-controlled .50 caliber machine guns to neutralize another target. An AgustaWestland AW-109 attack helicopter armed with 2.75-inch high-explosive rockets also provided air support to the MPACs by firing its weapons. Impressive. Not one (missile) round was wasted, Lorenzana said in describing the Spike-ER capability demonstration, which he witnessed aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602). He said this is no mean feat considering that the seas were quite rough at the time. (Modern) technology has come to the Navy and we will use this technology to protect our seas, the DND chief emphasized. A single Spike-ER missile round costs an estimated PHP10 million, which makes accuracy for the PN a virtue. The first test-firing of the Spike-ER missile took place last Aug. 9 in the same location. The weapon was fired from one of the PNs three Spike-ER armed MPACs. The MPACs were constructed by the Subic-based Propmech Corporation and activated on May 22, 2017. The PN MPAC Acquisition Project entered into a contract with Rafael, through SIBAT of Israel Ministry of Defense, for the supply and integration of the weapons systems to three Mark III MPACs. On April 15, 2017, Lorenzana approved the Notice to Proceed. The Spike-ER system, which arrived in the country last April, is the PNs first missile weapon capable of penetrating 1,000-mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a range of eight kilometers. More missile-armed MPACs needed to defend PH waters Empedrad, meanwhile, said missile-armed MPACs can be utilized to defend Philippine waters through the so-called swarming tactic, where these craft will be committed to engage larger and more capable ships posing a threat to the countrys waters. The PN chief added that the Navy needs an additional 42 MPACs to further enhance its capabilities to defend the countrys waters. Based on our matrix, dapat magkaroon tayo ng (we should have) 42 of these type of vessels, (the) MPACs. (We only have) nine, (with another) three coming over next year with the same missile capability. So kung sabay-sabay gumalaw yan (If these ships will operate simultaneously), when we are under siege, I think this will do harm to any threat whether internal or external, Empedrad said last Nov. 21 aboard the strategic sealift vessel BRP Davao Del Sur. MPACs are high-speed naval craft capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can be utilized for a variety of naval missions like patrol and fire support missions for troops. It can also be armed with machine guns, missiles and a variety of other weapons. In the same briefing, Lorenzana said the Spike-ER missile system acquisition will be followed by big-ticket items like frigates and corvettes, which will also be armed with more powerful and longer-range missiles. He also added that the Spike-ER is an indication that the PN is now being upgraded and modernized to be at par with its neighbors. Aside from deterring intruders off Philippine waters, the PNs brand-new MPACs are also ideal for suppressing pirate threats in Sulu waters, the defense chief added. He added that with its high-speed and modern armament, the MPAC is well suited in neutralizing pirates and other threats infesting the same waters. Empedrad supported this observation by the defense chief as the MPACs secondary weapn, the remote-controlled .50 caliber machineguns are ideal for anti-piracy missions. (The) .50 caliber (machineguns) can be used for pirates. Certainly we will not use (a Spike-ER) missile to destroy (a) small banca na naka-board na Abu Sayyaf, but we can use the .50 caliber machine gun, (its the MPAC) secondary capability. Automated siya, (and) kahit maalon we can hit the target very accurate(ly), he added. And when it comes to using the expensive Spike-ER missiles, Empedrad said that they have a doctrine to use when its comes to the usage of the weapon. For the missile, we have a doctrine (to follow) when to fire the missile because its (worth) PHP10 million. Alangan naman iputok namin sa isang bangka ang PHP10 million na missile, so lugi tayo diyan (Of course, we wont fire on a boat a missile that is worth 10 million. Its uneconomical), he added. More missile weaponry in the pipeline for PH Navy With the successful integration of the Spike-ER surface-to-surface missile in the PNs MPAC squadron, more capable and powerful missile weaponry are now in the pipeline for the Navy, according to Navy spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata. (Yes). It (Spike-ER) ushered the Navy and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to the missile age and also prepares for the forthcoming acquisition of a more sophisticated and powerful weapons systems and capabilities, he said. Zata added that the PN will gain more capability to operate modern naval weaponry with the arrival of the Pohang-class frigate next year. The Pohang-class frigate from ROK will also be delivered by next year equipped with a better weapons system that the Navy can already use as it prepares for the delivery of the two purposely-built frigates starting 2020, he stressed. The Pohang-class frigate is equipped with a primary and secondary gun system, sensors and torpedoes for anti-submarine as well as sensors for anti-air operations, Zata said. The construction of the first missile-armed frigate by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is proceeding smoothly, Empedrad said. (Construction for) our (first-missile) frigate is moving forward, darating na siya sa February (or) March of 2020, all systems go and we should very happy, we should be happy for our country, he said. The keel-laying for the first-missile-armed frigate took place last Oct. 16 in Ulsan, South Korea while the steel-cutting for the second ship took place last Sept. 17. HHI is expected to lay the keel of the second frigate by the first quarter of 2019. The Philippines and HHI signed a P16 billion contract for two missile-armed frigates with another P2 billion set aside for its weapon systems and munition. The projected delivery date of the first frigate is by 2020 while the second one will be in 2021. The ceremony was conducted at the building dock number 6 of the Special and Naval Shipbuilding Division of HHI. Three blocks of the first PN frigate (with HHI Project Number 159) was installed on the dock, Capt. Sergio Bartolome, the PN officer supervising the project, earlier said. Keel-laying formally starts the ships construction and is among the four highlights of a vessels life, with the other three being launching, commissioning and decommissioning. The keel is also considered the backbone of any ship and breaking or destroying will result in the destruction and sinking of any watercraft. The steel-cutting for the first frigate took place last April. PN blue-water capability boosted thru international exercises For the first time in its history, two PN ships, the BRP Davao Del Sur and BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), joined this years Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, which took place in Hawaii on June 27 and ended Aug. 2. Also deployed were around 700 sailors and marines. RIMPAC is the worlds largest joint and combined naval exercise. The said assets and personnel participated in several RIMPAC exercises, which include helicopter cross-decking, live-fire exercises, special operations training, ground-air-integration, and replenishment-at-sea among others. Lorenzana said international exercises like RIMPAC will greatly help in boosting the naval service for prolonged operations at the seas. (RIMPAC) is also a good chance for our personnel to experience planning and execution of combined naval operations as well as establish the Navys capacity for prolonged operations overseas, he added. Meanwhile, RIMPAC also proves that despite lacking modern ships and weapons, the PN has proven itself capable of operating with its more modern naval counterparts.It (the exercise) also validated the age old principle that its always the men behind the guns that will ultimately make the difference. That inspite of the current capabilities of the Navy we were still able to perform very well and at par with our more modern partners, Zata said. He added that many lessons can still be gleaned once the after mission report of the PN contingent is submitted and evaluated. The Philippine Navys participation to RIMPAC 2018 trumpets the Commands commitment in promoting multilateral cooperation to strengthen relationship and cooperation among participating navies of the world, the PN spokesperson earlier said. Aside from RIMPAC, the Navy made history with BRP Tarlac (LD-601) making the first-ever port visit of a Filipino warship to Vladivostok, Russia. The ship and its 300-man contingent aboard left Manila South Harbor last Sept. 21 and arrived in time for her scheduled Oct. 1 to 6 port visit. During its visit to Russia, the ship and the contingent aboard it participated in several activities, which enhanced their relationship with their Russian counterparts. Aside from this, PN personnel also got a chance to tour the Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine Komsomolskna-Amure 877 and the Russian Marine Firing Range. Also, Russian Marines conducted a capability demonstration and had their Philippine Marine Corps counterparts ran obstacle courses and perform pistol firing exercises. Originally, BRP Tarlac was supposed to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR), which was held on Jeju Island, South Korea in honor of the 70th anniversary of the ROK Armed Forces last Oct. 11 to 15. However, the ship experienced engine problems on its way to Vladivostok, forcing it to stay in Russia for two more days to repair the damages. BRP Tarlac was supposed to leave on Oct. 6 but the damage moved its departure date to Oct. 8. BRP Tarlac arrived on Jeju Island, South Korea on Oct. 12, a day late for the IFR. Despite this, Empedrad said the PN contingent was able to attend all other activities in connection with the IFR. Another Navy milestone, in terms of overseas deployment, is the participation of BRP Dagupan City (LC-551) and the 200-man contingent aboard her in the first-ever ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise (ACMEX) that took place in Zhanjiang in Guangdong, China last Oct. 21 to 28. The participation of the PN had greatly addressed inter-operability issues between the participating navies. Itong exercise (this exercise) will reduce the issue of inter-operability so maganda yung nakakapag-communicate yung barko natin sa barko ng China (and its good that our naval ships can now communicate with China and other ASEAN navies), so its a good exercise and hope well have more of this in the future, Empedrad said. And despite being quite dated, the PN chief bared that the crew of the BRP Dagupan City showed their skills and resulted in the PN winning the communication drill exercise. Sending one contingent to represent the PN is a strong statement that we are one with the community of maritime nations who believe in unity and collaboration especially in addressing mutual concerns such as calamities that may affect any nation anytime, the PN chief earlier said. The ACMEX 2018 was an exercise hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the China Peoples Liberation Army Navy that aimed to promote regional cooperation between ASEAN member states navies and focused on maritime safety and search and rescue at sea with emphasis on the use of Code of Unplanned Encounter at Sea (CUES). In Zhanjiang, the PN contingent actively participated in activities that served as great avenues for learning and enhanced its relationship with the participating navies. During the shore sub-phase, activities such as diving operations and seminar exchange, medical seminar exchange, and flight deck familiarization, among others, were conducted. While on the sea sub-phase, the communication drills, ships group formations, joint search and rescue, cross helo deck landings and replenishment at sea approaches in accordance with the CUES were also conducted. BRP Dagupan City and the 200-man contingent aboard her left Sangley Point, Cavite last Oct. 17 and arrived in Zhanjiang on the 20th. Commissioned in PN service during the 1990s, BRP Dagupan City has a displacement of 4,265 tons at full load. It measures 273 feet long, has a draft of 12 feet and has a top speed of 12 knots. Earlier, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the proposal for a joint ASEAN and Chinese naval exercise was submitted during the ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting in Singapore last February.With the pending arrival of the Navys first two AgustaWestland AW-159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopters by the first quarter of 2019, the PN will now have the capability to detect and engage underwater targets. It is a big leap essentially dahil (because) with this capability, we now have this tool (capable) of securing not only the surface waters that we have but also underwater, Zata noted. Prior to the acquisition of the AgustaWestland AW-159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopter, the PN has no capability to detect and engage sub-surface threats. (And with the arrival of the AW-159), we can detect submarines, we can detect underwater vehicles and also the capability to engage underwater vehicles within our territory, so its a tremendous leap from our current inventory, Zata stressed. He said the AW-159 will be based aboard the two new frigates being constructed by HHI and whose deliveries are scheduled for 2020 and 2021. The PN spokesperson said the aircraft will be fitted with sensors and weapons capable of neutralizing sub-surface threats. Earlier, the Department of National Defense (DND) said initial flight-testing is now ongoing for the two Philippine-ordered AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters. The aircraft were acquired for PHP5.4 billion, including its munition, mission essential equipment and integrated logistic support. As confirmed by the Commander Naval Air Group. The (first) AW-159 have just started initial test flight as part of the manufacturers trial. It is still scheduled for a series of test flights before scheduling its handover to the Philippines. According to CNAG, the flight signals the completion of the first unit, Andolong earlier said. The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter. The helicopter has been ordered for the Royal Navy and British Army. It is capable of speeds of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (four hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel). The AW-159 can also be armed with rockets, machine guns, missiles, torpedoes and depth charges. Meanwhile, the PNs surveillance and monitoring capability was boosted with the formal donation of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force of three more Beechcraft King Air TC-90 patrol aircraft last March 26. The (donation) is expected to boost the capability of the PN and enhance the capacity of its personnel primarily in conducting maritime security and sovereignty patrols, as the Navy stays true to its commitment to protect the seas and secure the nations future, then PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said. He added that the PN has more than sufficient personnel to operate and maintain the Japanese-donated Beechcraft King Air TC-90 aircraft. Some six pilots, along with the necessary maintenance officers, have completed the maintenance training in Sendai and Tokushima, Japan, prior the turned over of the aircraft last March 26. The TC-90, which is part of the Beechcraft King Air aircraft family, was offered by Japan shortly after the Agreement Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology was finalized last Feb. 29, 2016. The first two TC-90s were delivered to the Philippines on March 27, 2017 while the last three aircraft were handed over to the PN last March 26. The aircraft have a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, and a cruising speed of 226 knots. These are capable of carrying eight passengers along with the pilots. As of this time, the Navy is operating around six Norman Britten Islander patrol aircraft, five AgustaWestland combat utility helicopters and one Robinson R-22 training helicopter. Baltimore police have collected nearly 2,000 weapons including a rocket launcher as part of a buy-back program aimed at reducing violence in the eastern US city. The three-day operation last week was announced in a bid to rid the streets of illegal weapons in a city where the number of homicides has surpassed 300 for the fourth year in a row. Officers collected 1,860 weapons, a police spokesman told AFP. The city's mayor tweeted that a rocket launcher was among the haul. Authorities offered $25 for large magazines, $100 for handguns and rifles, $200 for semi-automatic rifles and $500 for automatic rifles, promised anonymity to those who took part in the amnesty. Home to 600,000 people, Baltimore allocated $250,000 for the operation, according to the city council -- as the Baltimore Sun's editorial board said the program was "likely to be a large waste of time, money and resources." The daily newspaper said such buy-back schemes "do little to reduce the number of shootings or to get guns out of the hands of criminals intent on settling a score, defending their drug territory or protecting themselves from rival gangs and retaliatory shootings." But police chief Gary Guttle told the Sun that if guns are "not in existence, they're not in the home, they can't be used, they can't be stolen." "They won't contribute to our violence," he said. The right to bear arms is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution, and there are weapons in one third of American homes. According to health authorities, nearly 40,000 people died in the United States as a result of firearms in 2017, a figure that includes suicides. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Members of Bangladesh's opposition BNP-NUF alliance on Tuesday walked out of an Election Commission meeting, alleging that the behavior of its chief was "inappropriate" and he was not taking their arguments into consideration during the talks. The opposition delegation led by National Unity Front (NUF) convenor and eminent jurist Kamal Hossain met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda to discuss the alleged arrests of the coalition's supporters in police crackdown ahead of the general elections this week. In the meeting, the alliance also raised the issue of debarring it from holding its wrap up election rally in the capital. It also accused police of playing a "biased role" against opposition supporters. "We walked out of the meeting as the CEC was not taking into consideration our words," BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after coming out of the meeting within half-an-hour it began. The CEC's "behavior was inappropriate", he added. Alamgir is leading the party in the absence of jailed BNP chairperson and ex-premier Khaleda Zia and her convicted "fugitive" son and party's acting chief Tarique Rahman. The opposition alleged police have arrested about 10,500 of their activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week with an intention to create a "climate of fear". However, police said no one was detained without specific charge and warrant. BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed called the charges "fictitious" and an attempt to expose their activists to "ghost" cases" to favour the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991.They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Services of state-owned banks are expected to be impacted Wednesday due to a nation-wide strike call given by unions to protest against the proposed amalgamation of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda. This will be the second in less than a week. Last Friday (December 21), an officers' union of state-run banks observed a day-long strike to protest against the merger and also demanded immediate settlement of wage negotiations. Most of the banks have already informed customers about the strike. Private sector banks will continue to function as usual. The strike is being organised by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of nine unions, including the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) and the Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW). The UFBU claims membership of 10 lakh officers and staffers. According to AIBEA General Secretary C H Vekatachalam, the conciliation meeting called by Additional Chief Labour Commissioner did not lead to any assurance and so the unions are going ahead with the strike. During the meeting, neither the government nor the concerned banks came forward to assure that they will not go ahead with the merger, he added. The unions claim that the government wants banks to grow in size by such mergers but even if all public sector banks are bundled into one, the merged entity will not find a place among the top 10 globally. The government in September approved the amalgamation of Bank of Baroda (BoB), Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank -- the first three-way merger in the public sector banking space. The move follows top lender State Bank of India last year merging five of its subsidiary banks with itself and taking over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, catapulting it to among the top 50 global lenders. On wage revision, NOBW Vice President Ashwani Rana it is due since November 2017. So far, Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has offered 8 per cent wage hike which is not acceptable to UFBU, he said. Famous Bengali poet Nirendranath Chakraborty died at a hospital here Tuesday following a massive cardiac arrest, his family said. Chakraborty was 94. He was admitted to the private hospital on Monday due to age-related ailments including acute breathing problem and suffered the cardiac arrest at midnight, the family said. He breathed his last at around 12.25 pm. Chakraborty is survived by his two daughters. His wife had died in January this year. Born in 1924 at Faridpur in undivided Bengal, Chakraborty was a dominant figure in the modern Bengali literary field. His first book of poems 'Nil Nirjone' was published in 1954 when he was 30 years old. He won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1974 for his poem 'Ulanga Raja' (naked king) which mocked the social set up. His 'Amalkanti Roddur Hote Cheyechhilo' (Ammalkanto wanted to be the sunshine), 'Kolkatar Jishu' (Christ of Kolkata) and 'Pahari Bichhe' (Mountain scorpion) are considered his two other cult poems. He remained active in literary activities till he became seriously ill. Chakraborty had been associated with leading Bengali magazine 'Desh' and 'Anandamela' for children, whose editor he had been for years, and some well known other magazines. In November, he had penned a poem for a magazine which will be published in its upcoming Kolkata Book Fair issue. Chakraborty had penned more than 47 books, many of them for children, apart from 12 novels and numerous essays on different issues. He was also a recipient of 'Ananda Purashkar' and was the president of Paschimbango Bangla Akademi. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the death. "This is a big loss for all of us. His immense contributions to Bengali literature will keep him alive forever," the CM said in a tweet "... We had conferred on him the Bangobibhusan honour in 2017. My condolences to his family," she added. Education minister Partha Chatterjee too paid his respects to the veteran poet. Crediting Chakraborty for guiding him when he came to the city as a struggling poet in his youth, Subodh Sarkar said the renowned poet's death was a "great personal loss". Eminent writer Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay recalled how Chakraborty had inspired him to write fiction as editor of a children's magazine and that there was a "sense of void" with his demise. Distraught by the news, writer Nabanita Dev Sen said that a "shelter over the head of all of us has gone now", while poet Sankha Ghosh stressed that Chakraborty's death was a loss for millions of Bengali readers. Chakraborty's mortal remains will be kept at the Rabindra Sadan here till the evening to let people pay their last tributes. The body will then be taken to his residence briefly before being cremated with a gun salute, the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Small parties should be respected and given due importance by their bigger allies, Ashish Patel, national president of Apna Dal(S) party, a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said on Tuesday. He also cautioned the saffron party that a tie-up between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh would pose a challenge to it in 2019 Lok Sabha election. "We small parties, like the Apna Dal(S), want some respect to be shown to us. We, our leaders and workers feel hurt if due importance is not given to us," Ashish Patel told mediapersons here. He added that his party was not happy with the behaviour of the BJP-led state government with Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel, also his wife. The Apna Dal(S) chief claimed that she was not given adequate importance and not even invited for inaugurations of medical colleges. Ashish Patel's remarks come days after Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RSLP) Chief Upendra Kushwaha walked out of the NDA. He was upset with the BJP after it asserted that the RLSP would not be given more than two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Earlier in March, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ended its four-year-old alliance with the NDA over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Asked how many seats his party would like to contest in in Uttar Pradesh in 2019 Lok Sabha election, Ashish Patel said it would be revealed when the time comes. He asserted that the Apna Dal(S) had widened its base during the last five years. The party's candidates Anupriya Patel and Harivansh Singh won from Mirzapur and Pratapgarh respectively. Responding to a question, Ashish Patel denied that the BJP's defeats in the recently concluded assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh had weakened the party. "However, the defeat is a matter of concern. The BJP leadership should review the poll outcome in-depth," he said. He added his party would like to see Narendra Modi as the prime minister again after next year's general election. The Apna Dal(S) chief said the NDA partners should be ready to face a BSP-SP alliance. "Such a tie-up will pose a challenge before the BJP," Ashish Patel said. To be able to face the situation, the NDA members should sit together and discuss the scenario, he said. He also expressed concern over the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : BJP MLA and former minister P Manikyala Rao Tuesday sent his "resignation" letter to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu protesting the state government's 'failure' to implement the promises made to his Tadepalligudem constituency. Rao also threatened to go on an indefinite fast if the chief minister did not address the issues within 15 days. Naidu, however, brushed it aside saying the resignation was "politically motivated." Manikyala Rao served as the Endowments minister in the Naidu Cabinet from June 2014 to March 2018 when the TDP and the BJP were in alliance. He quit as minister after the TDP pulled out of the NDA and severed ties with the BJP. Addressing a press conference in his hometown, Rao alleged the Naidu government totally neglected the development of West Godavari district in general and Tadepalligudem Assembly constituency in particular. "For the past three months, I have been repeatedly requesting the chief minister to resolve the problems related to my constituency but to no avail. The government has not been taking up any development in the constituency only because the TDP doesn't exist here," he alleged. "I feel ashamed being a member of the House. Develop the constituency at least by removing me. You may forward my resignation to the Assembly Speaker," Rao said in the letter. Asked about this, the Chief Minister said at a press conference that he would have been happy if the MLA resigned in protest against the Centre's indifference towards Polavaram project. "West Godavari is special to me as people of the district gave me all the 15 Assembly seats. I will do everything for the district's development even going out of the way. The MLA's resignation is politically motivated," Chandrababu remarked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Exuding confidence that the Congress will form the government at the Centre in 2019, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot claimed that the BJP is under pressure as its allies are deserting the coalition. He alleged that the BJP's allies were quitting the NDA due to the arrogance of saffron party leaders and it was now under pressure which recently reflected in the seat-sharing in Bihar. "Upendra Kushwaha has quit the NDA, the TDP has already left and the Shiv Sena is also not with them. Now the BJP is under pressure and therefore they gave 17 seats in Bihar to the JD(U) which has only two MPs. What can be a fine example of insecurity than this," Pilot said. He said the BJP leaders used to point fingers towards the Congress by saying that the party was struggling for its survival but results of the recently held assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have sent out a strong message. "This full majority government at the Centre has become so weak that it has given nearly half of Bihar (Lok Sabha seats) to a party having just two MPs just because of the fear that people are not voting for the BJP and also its allies are daring them. This happens when the government is weak," he told PTI here. Pilot said the BJP should accept the fact that it has faced a severe blow in three states and should take responsibility of the defeat. "(BJP's) Nitin Gadkari has already spoken that the party leadership should take the responsibility for the defeat. When the Congress had suffered defeat, the party president Rahul Gandhi had humbly accepted that but the BJP leadership is so arrogant that despite facing defeat in three states, it is unwilling to take the responsibility," he said. Pilot said there was a swing of 12.5 per cent votes in Rajasthan and the Congress gained 99 seats in 2018 from 21 assembly seats in 2013. "We won 21 (assembly) seats in 2013 and the number of seats has increased five times in 2018. Swing of votes is 12.5 per cent. BJP's vote share has decreased by 6.6 per cent and ours increased by six per cent. It's a rare swing," he said. Pilot, who is also the party's Rajasthan unit chief, said the victory of the Congress has boosted the morale of party workers and they have started preparing for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "We have formed the government and along with delivering on our promises, we are focusing on the upcoming elections. Meetings in the party have already started. The party will register a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls and the Congress will form the government at the Centre," he said. Rajasthan has 25 Lok Sabha seats and at present, 22 are with the BJP, one with the Congress and two are vacant. The BJP had won all the 25 seats in the 2014 general elections but it lost two seats to the Congress in bypolls held earlier this year. Two sitting MPs -- Raghu Sharma (Congress) and Harish Meena (BJP) -- won the recently held assembly polls and they have resigned as the MP thus making their seats vacant. BJP's Harish Meena, who was director general of the Rajasthan Police, had defected to the Congress before the assembly polls and contested on Congress ticket from Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency and got elected. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) Tuesday appealed to Muslims to refrain from reacting to any inflammatory statement on the Ram temple issue ahead of the resumption of hearing in the case in the Supreme Court next week.. BMAC convenor Zafaryab Jilani said the appeal was issued at a meeting of the action committee here. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the progress of the matter in the court. The top court had in October rejected an urgent hearing after the Uttar Pradesh government argued that it was a 100-year-old dispute that should be taken up on priority. The decision to move the case to January was seen by many to have dimmed hopes for a verdict before the Lok Sabha election a few months hence. It triggered loud demands for an ordinance within the BJP and various groups linked to its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to pave way for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The apex court is scheduled to take up a batch of petitions for hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on January 4. The matter is listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul. The bench is likely to constitute a three-judge bench for hearing as many as 14 appeals filed against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain is forbidding puppies and kittens from being sold by pet shops in a bid to crack down on animal exploitation and abuse. The government said it will roll out the legislation next year after holding public consultations that showed 95-percent support for the ban. "This will mean that anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or with an animal re-homing centre," the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said on Sunday as part of its Christmas animal welfare push. The measure is commonly called Lucy's Law in honour of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from a puppy farm in Wales in 2013. She had spent most of her life in a cage and was no longer able to breed because her hips had fused together from lack of movement. A woman named Lisa Garner took her home and launched a social media awareness campaign that changed the way Britons get their pets. The government said the new law will help "end the terrible welfare conditions found in puppy farming and solve a range of existing animal welfare issues". Lucy died in 2016. The government believes the ban will keep "high volume low welfare breeders" -- both licensed and unlicensed -- from flooding pet shops with puppies and kittens raised in unethical conditions. Shops will only be allowed to deal with animal welfare shelters or the primary breeders of the pet. Defra released no figures estimating how many sales the new legislation will affect. But London's Battersea Dogs Home chief Claire Horton said the rules will "make sure the nation's much-loved pets get the right start in life". Between 1998 and 2006 Battersea produced a popular TV series about pet rescues and care, which reflected Britons' general affection for cats and dogs. Britain's People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) veterinary charity said 49 percent of UK adults owned at least one pet in 2018. PDSA's estimated cat population of 11.1 million edged out the 8.9 million dogs and 1.0 million rabbits -- whose numbers have nearly halved since 2011. The British government has unfurled a number of animal welfare initiatives in the past few months that activists hope other European countries will soon follow. One law in October banned licensed shops from dealing in puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks. Defra is now looking at legislation requiring all non-commercial rescue and re-homing centres to have a licence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One person was killed and 24 school students were injured when an overcrowded bus returning from a picnic in Madhya Pradesh met with an accident Tuesday morning in Gujarat's Panchmahal district, said police. The private luxury bus, hired by an Ahmedabad-based school for picnic, fell into a roadside pit after the driver lost control over the vehicle at Parvadi village near Godhra, around 130km from here, said Police Sub-Inspector M V Jotana. According to an FIR lodged at the Godhra taluka police station, the bus was hired by the Vivekanand Hindi Higher Secondary School, situated in the Narol area of Ahmedabad. The mishap took place when the bus, packed with 107 passengers, including schoolchildren and teachers, was returning to Ahmedabad from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, where they had gone for a picnic. While the cleaner of the bus, Balram Bhadoria, died in the accident, its driver fled the spot, said Panchmahal District Superintendent of Police Leena Patil. "The bus slipped into a roadside pit after the driver lost control over the vehicle. While 24 students received minor injuries, the cleaner died as he jumped from the moving bus to save his life," said Patil. The injured students were shifted to the Godhra Civil Hospital for treatment, she said. Primary investigations by the police revealed negligence on part of the school management as the bus was carrying 107 passengers, way beyond its capacity, said Patil. "The bus driver fled from the spot after the accident. The bus was indeed over-crowded. Apart from students, there were teachers and their family members in the bus. We have lodged a case against the driver and others," said the SP. Based on a complaint filed by one of the parents, Radheshyam Prajapati, the Godhra taluka police lodged the FIR against the unidentified driver, bus operator Sitaram Sharma and the school owner, Panjabilal, said the police. They were booked under various sections of the IPC, including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing injury by rash act). According to PSI Jotana, the capacity of the bus was just 58, against which 107 people, including 70 students, were in the vehicle at the time of accident. "The bus stopped only after hitting a tree. To save his life, the cleaner jumped from the bus when it started slipping into a pit along the road. "However, he was crushed to death under the wheels," said the PSI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) THE Philippines has marked the 2018 banner year as a protector of Coral Triangle, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Crisanta Dominguez, DENRs Biodiversity Management Bureau director, said the country had delivered on its commitment to create more marine protected areas with the enactment of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. The year 2018 was a good one for the Philippines in terms of our efforts and achievements as a member of the Coral Triangle initiative on coral reefs, fisheries and food security, she said. The initiative is a multilateral partnership of six countriesIndonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and the Philippinesworking together to sustain extraordinary marine and coastal resources in the region known as the global center of marine biodiversity by addressing crucial issues, such as food security and climate change. One of the milestones of the Philippines is the legislation of additional 10 MPAs under the Act, Dominguez said. MPAs are areas in seas and oceans where human activity is regulated for conversion and protection of the natural resources within them.Rodriguez reported the full implementation of the coastal and marine ecosystems management program covering habitat assessment for E-NIPAS and MPAs, MPA networking technical assistance for local government units, support to 25 MPA network networks and 209 biodiversity-friendly enterprises, and inclusion of ocean acidification baseline study in select MPAs. Coastal stability assessment, mapping, impact monitoring resiliency studies and updating of coral reef baseline data were conducted in the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise or the Benham Rise. According to Dominguez, the effective MPA management is one of the five targets under the national plan of action. She said the government had intensified its effort to combat illegal fishing nationwide. Still, Dominguez called for continued support for initiatives to protect the coastal and marine resources. The CBI has booked the chief managing director of Delhi-based kidswear retailer Catmoss Retail Pvt Ltd Ashwini Kumar Chawla and the firm's directors for allegedly cheating Union Bank of India to the tune of Rs 20 crore, officials said on Tuesday. It is alleged that the company and its officials fabricated balance sheets to avail a loan which was not repaid to the bank, they said. Following a complaint by the bank, the CBI has registered a case of criminal conspiracy and cheating against the company Catmoss Retail Pvt Ltd, Chawla, his wife and guarantor Asha Rani Chawala and the firm's directors Reena Chawla and Asha Rani Chawla, they said. In its complaint to the CBI, Union Bank of India alleged that the company furnished "forged and fabricated" balance sheets with an intention to cheat and cause wrongful loss to it. "CMD of Catmoss Retail Pvt Ltd Ashwini Chawla, in pursuance of a well knitted criminal conspiracy to fraudulently avail loan facility from the complainant bank by furnishing forged and fabricated balance sheets, has committed offences like cheating, forgery, forgery for purpose of cheating and using as genuine a forged document," it said. It is alleged that Chawla had approached the bank in 2011 seeking a sanctioned credit limit of Rs 10 crore. The company furnished balance sheets for the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11 to the bank which were audited by a chartered accountant. The account was declared a non performing asset on March 31, 2013, having an outstanding of Rs 10.92 crore. The bank extracted a portion of its loan amount by auctioning some properties which it had held as guarantee. During the inquiry, the chartered accountant, who had purportedly signed the balance sheets, told the bank that it was not the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Tamil Nadu Tuesday announced state-wide public meetings next month to highlight the "anti-people" approach of the Central and state governments, with focus on the Rafale deal. TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar said the meetings would be held between January 2 and 12, 2019, in line with a decision arrived earlier in a party's district leaders meeting. In a statement, he recalled Congress President Rahul Gandhi's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe into the pricing issue relating to the French combat aircraft. "The Congress has a big democratic responsibility to inform people about this mega scam," Thirunavukkarasar said. The party also had the 'responsibility' to highlight the 'anti-people' approach of both the BJP-led Central government as well as the AIADMK rule in Tamil Nadu on many issues, he added. With the Lok Sabha elections "due soon," the party's high command has issued directions to conduct such meetings. Opposition parties led by the Congress have been attacking the Modi government over the deal, alleging that it was struck at an exorbitant price and benefited an Indian businessman at the cost of the government-run HAL. However, the charges have been denied by the government. The Supreme Court had on December 14 given the Narendra Modi government a clean chit on the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France and dismissed all petitions seeking a direction to the CBI to register an FIR for alleged irregularities in the deal. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had recently demanded in the Lok Sabha that Rahul Gandhi should apologise on the floor of the House for "misleading" the country on the Rafale jet deal issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Airlines' grouping IATA will continue discussions with the Indian government on the country joining the global initiative to reduce emission in the aviation sector during the voluntary stage, according to an official. The Carbon Offsetting and Reporting Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) was agreed upon by various countries in 2016. The scheme -- which will be implemented in five phases from 2021 to 2035 -- seeks to reduce emission in the aviation sector by way of carbon offsetting mechanism. "We will continue our discussions with the Indian government and hopefully see India join the scheme in its early years on a voluntary basis," Michael Gill, Director of Aviation at IATA, told PTI earlier this month. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents around 290 airlines across the world. From a climate change perspective, CORSIA framework will help the aviation industry to grow in a responsible and sustainable way, Gill said. The first part of the scheme till 2026 will be voluntary for the participating states before becoming mandatory from 2027 onwards. It is estimated that from 2027, more than 90 per cent of growth in international aviation emission would be covered under CORSIA. "Indian airlines are fully engaged with the IATA's efforts to educate the industry on what would be required in CORSIA," Gill noted. While noting that India has not yet volunteered to participate in the initial stages of CORSIA, Gill said the country, however, has taken a significant step with respect to technical rules that airlines need to monitor and report emissions. "That is the fundamental framework and foundation for CORSIA. India has adopted the legislation that takes ICAO standards and implements them in the Indian law. "We think that is a very positive step forward and we would like India to volunteer in the offsetting part in CORSIA," he noted. In June, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council adopted the technical standards for the monitoring, reporting and verification of aircraft emissions under CORSIA. When asked whether having technical standards automatically mean that India is going to join CORSIA in the initial stage, Gill replied in the negative. "There is a distinction in CORSIA. All the airlines operating internationally need to monitor and report their emissions but only airlines covered by the scheme have to purchase the offset credits," he said. As per the IATA, many states like India, Canada, Kuwait, Mexico and Namibia have already passed legislation or published draft legislation with respect to CORSIA. "We would like India to join CORSIA. I would like them to participate earlier," IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said earlier this month. They spoke on the sidelines of an event organised by the IATA in Geneva. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad-based technology infrastructure provider CtrlS plans to set up world's largest tier-4 centre footprint in India by 2020 with an investment of Rs 20 billion, according to a top company official. The company plans to set up a 150-megawatt hyper-scale centre in Hyderabad that will be spread across two million square feet, a 100 Mw similar facility in Mumbai and a 70 Mw set-up in Chennai - spread over around a million square feet each, CtrlS Datacenters, founder and CEO, Sridhar Pinnapureddy told PTI. "The demand for storage has boomed in the country and data localisation is also creating a huge demand for hyper-scale in India. We will start building a new tier-4 data centre in Mumbai from March, Hyderabad facility from around May-June and Chennai in the last quarter of 2019. Total investment will be around Rs 20 billion," Pinnapureddy said. He said that all the data centres will be functional in 2020. A tier-4 data centre has assured 99.995 per cent uptime implying maximum of 26 minutes downtime in a year. It requires almost double the investment made in tier-3 data centre, which can have downtime of up to few hours in a year. The CEO said the firm will fund its expansion mostly from internal accruals and partly with debt funding. "With the addition of around 4 million square feet, CtrlS will emerge as World's largest Tier-4 data centre entity to cater to need of emerging technologies. World's 90 per cent data has been generated in the last 1,000 days. This part Indian data localisation policy will lead to the large growth of data in India as most of the overseas operating in banking," Pinnapureddy said. The company already has 1 million square feet data centres, which includes two tier-4 facilities in Mumbai, two tier-4 in Hyderabad, one tier-4 in Noida and a tier-3 data centre in Chennai. "The largest Tier-4 player would have a footprint of approximately one million square feet. However, CtrlS will soon enjoy a cumulative footprint of five million Tier-4 data centre space spread across 10 datacenters in India thereby emerging as the world's largest tier-4 data centre," CtrlS Datacenters, VP-marketing, B S Rao said. He said that CtrlS currently serves 20 of the Fortune 100 global multi-national According to a Cushman and Wakefield report, the global data centre market is dominated by the Americas with 40 per cent of market share or $68 billion in investments followed by Europe and Russia together at 32 per cent or $54 billion. It projects that India will be a $4.5 billion data centre market by 2018 and will reach $7 billion by 2020. Its 350 million smartphone users, 258 million social media users, and 224 million digital buyers are also contributing to growth of data. Besides, the Asia-Pacific market is growing rapidly with a 25 per cent market share at $42 billion driven by the demand from emerging economies with huge populations such as China, India, and Indonesia. Saudi authorities have released a prominent human rights lawyer seven months after he was detained in a widely condemned crackdown on dissent, campaigners said on Monday. Ibrahim al-Modaimegh, around 80, was released after a "serious deterioration in his health", said Prisoners of Conscience, a Saudi group that tracks political prisoners, in a development corroborated by multiple other activists. The government has so far not offered any public explanation for his arrest or the conditions of his release. Modaimegh was among more than a dozen activists, including several women, who were arrested in May just before the historic lifting of a decades-long ban on female motorists the following month. After their arrest, state-backed newspapers published front-page pictures of the jailed activists, including Modaimegh, calling them "traitors". Modaimegh's release comes as Saudi Arabia faces intense global criticism over the killing of insider-turned-critic Jamal Khashoggi in its Istanbul consulate on October 2, which tipped the kingdom into one of its worst crises. Further fuelling the outrage, rights groups last month said many of the detained activists have faced sexual harassment and torture such as electrocution and flogging during interrogation. The Saudi government denies the claim. The detained activists include Aziza al-Yousef, a retired professor at Riyadh's King Saud University, and Loujain al-Hathloul -- who was held in 2014 for more than 70 days for attempting to drive from neighbouring United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia. Many of the activists are being held without charge or legal representation, campaigners say. The arrests were seen as a calculated move by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to placate clerics incensed by his modernisation drive, as well as to send a clear signal to activists that he alone is the arbiter of change. Modaimegh's release "is probably a first step in revisiting many of the arrests of activists carried out" in recent months, said Ali Shihabi, head of the pro-Saudi Arabia Foundation think tank in Washington. "The untraditional, and very aggressive, approach to the management of dissent... is now being systematically revisited by the (Saudi) leadership," Shihabi said on Twitter. Government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Struggling South African batting star Hashim Amla will return to his number three position in the first Test against Pakistan, starting at SuperSport Park on Wednesday, with the full backing of captain Faf du Plessis. "Hash has been our rock at number three," said Du Plessis ahead of a series featuring two strong bowling attacks and two potentially fragile batting line-ups. Du Plessis acknowledged that Amla, 35, had slipped from his previous high standards, scoring only 444 runs at an average of 23.36 since his last century, against Bangladesh in October 2017. Amla was moved down to number four in the order for South Africa's most recent Test, against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July, with Theunis de Bruyn filling the number three slot and making a century. "There was a reason for that," said Du Plessis. "In Sri Lanka we needed that (Amla) experience against the spin and we felt it was easier for Theunis as a new player to come in when the ball was still a little bit harder." But Du Plessis said De Bruyn would drop down to number six against Pakistan behind Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Amla, Temba Bavuma and Du Plessis in what he described as a "normal batting line-up". Amla had a string of low scores and was dropped by his Durban Heat franchise during a recent Twenty20 tournament. But Du Plessis said he was encouraged that Amla had scored 61 in the second innings of a franchise match for the Cape Cobras last week. "What is important is time in the middle. Hashim knows he hasn't scored the amount of runs he would have liked in the last year but it's a new season and he's fresh, coming off a fifty. "It is important for him to get off to a good start in this series, just to settle the nerves and be confident. Hashim technically he is one of the most sound players in the world." - 'Get them in trouble early' -===============================Du Plessis said South Africa's experience of home conditions could give them the edge over Pakistan. "There are two very good bowling attacks," said Du Plessis, anticipating that pitches would offer assistance to bowlers through the three-match series. "It is going to be a challenge for the batting units." He said Pakistan would face a similar situation to India and Australia, who were both beaten in Test series in South Africa last season. "Our batsmen are used to playing in these conditions. If you can get them (Pakistan) in trouble early there's something in their middle order you can work with. Hopefully we can put some doubts in their batsmen." Du Plessis admitted, though, that he was not certain how the Centurion pitch would play after a Test against India last season was played on a dry surface that the South Africans felt suited the Indians. "I'm not sure," he said. "It looks a bit greener. Last season they tried to leave grass on but it all burnt dead. I like clarity for a Test at home." Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said that fast bowler Mohammad Abbas had not recovered enough from a shoulder injury to be considered for the first Test, leaving Pakistan with three front-line seam bowlers in Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited his American counterpart Donald Trump to visit Turkey in 2019, the White House said on Monday. "President Erdogan invited President Trump to visit Turkey in 2019. While nothing definite is being planned, the President is open to a potential meeting in the future," a White House spokesperson said. The invitation comes just days after Trump made the controversial decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, where they have been deployed to assist in the international war against the Islamic State jihadist group. Turkey was a rare ally that lauded Trump's decision on Syria, a country where it will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters who were armed and trained by the US and played a major role in the war against IS but are deemed terrorists by Ankara. Turkey has said an offensive targeting the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia and IS group will be launched in the coming months, and has deployed troops to the Syrian border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Chinese government spokesman Yuan Mu, the man who told the world no one was killed in the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, has died, an online obituary search showed, while official media has remained mostly silent. A former Communist propaganda official, Yuan defended the Chinese government after soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) fired on unarmed pro-democracy protestors in 1989. Reports of Yuan's death have been unusually muted in China's official media. The Paper, a state-linked newspaper, last week put up an article with a memorial service notice but quickly removed it. An article on the state-run China Service said Yuan died on December 13 in Beijing. He was 90. This is in contrast to the recent death of Ismail Amat, a former vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, whose passing was widely reported in state media, including a front page obituary in party mouthpiece the People's Daily. Official images had showed Chinese leader Xi Jinping attending the memorial and offering condolences to Amat's wife, but this was was conspicuously absent in Yuan's case. Yuan was born in 1928 in Xinghua city in eastern Jiangsu province. He rose to become a director of the State Council Research Office and also served as spokesman of the State Council, China's cabinet. On June 4, 1989, after student protestors had staged a peaceful seven week sit-in to demand democratic reforms, the Communist Party sent tanks and PLA soldiers in to quell the protest. Yuan had then said no one died on the square but later admitted that 300 soldiers and citizens died around the square with some 7,000 injured, a far lower number than many independent estimates. The government has since refused to talk about the number of people who may have been killed, and mentions of the incident are censored on the Chinese internet. Yuan's death comes at a sensitive time, with 2019 marking the 30th anniversary of the bloody crackdown. Tens of thousands gather annually in semi-autonomous Hong Kong to commemorate the event but any mention of the pro-democracy demonstrations remains strictly censored. Yuan's name has also been censored on the Twitter-like Weibo -- a search on the platform showed results could not be displayed "according to the relevant laws, regulations and policies". But a search on an online obituary website turned up an entry for Yuan where visitors can pay to burn virtual incense or leave computerised flowers. A former journalist, the conservative Yuan wrote several articles in his retirement complaining of laxness in the leadership, which he said led to corruption and bourgeois liberalisation. In 1998, Yuan denied reports of his own death after several newspapers in Hong Kong reported that he had committed suicide. "I'm not such a fool (to commit suicide). I will not do such a move in my life," the Hong Kong-based Beijing-backed Ta Kung Pao had quoted Yuan as saying. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Having announced loan wavier for farmers, the Rajasthan government will soon roll out some other measures to enhance the ecosystem for the farming community and for the youth in need of jobs, Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said. He said farmers' issues and job creation for youngsters will dominate the agenda of the new Congress government in the state. Pilot, after the formation of the Rajasthan Cabinet, said work has begun and the government will start delivering on the promises made in the party's election manifesto. "We have started working from the very first day by announcing farm loan waiver. Agrarian crisis is on the top of the agenda and very soon, there will be quick and substantive steps by the government to enhance the ecosystem for farming community to make sure that farming becomes a profitable venture," Pilot told PTI. "We will very soon start job creation on priority basis. These are the two issues which we will be going to be principally focused on because Rajasthan deserves a government that delivers on these two fronts," he said. The deputy chief minister said the manifesto will be given to the chief secretary, like previous times, and it will be made an official document for the government to function. "The policy promises the Congress party has made will become a firm official commitment as we move forward," he said. The loan waiver for farmers was announced by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on December 19, two days after taking oath. According to a government order, farmers' entire short-term crop loan from cooperative banks and agriculture loans up to Rs two lakh from nationalised and other banks have been waived, putting a burden of Rs 18,000 crore on the exchequer. Asked about the availability of the financial resources to bear the burden, Pilot said the government was "capable" to face the challenge. "Resource management is not a big deal if there is a political will. The previous UPA government had waived 72,000 crore of farmers' loan and we can also do it. So, I believe, the government is fully capable and equipped to deal with any challenge," he said. Pilot, who is also the president of the party's state unit, said the announcement of loan waiver has not only helped farmers but also gave a message to them that the new government is ready to listen and redress their grievances. Similarly for job creation, Pilot said, the work will begin and a system for continuous job creation and recruitment will be made. "We have shown our commitment. The first decision was of loan waiver, which will be followed by other measures. Farmers and youths were never the priorities of the previous BJP government," he claimed. Talking about the cabinet expansion held on Monday, Pilot said it was a balance between youths and experienced leaders and was an "energetic" cabinet. "Ours is a forward looking, fully charged energetic cabinet in Rajasthan and the government is fully equipped to deal with the challenges and meet the expectations of people," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A statue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi here was vandalised on Tuesday by some persons, who Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh claimed, owed allegiance to the Shiromani Akali Dal in the state. The chief minister has asked the police to take action in the matter and identify the perpetrators. Paint was sprayed by the miscreants on the statue at the Salem Tabri area here, police said. They carried out the act in full public glare and blamed Rajiv Gandhi for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, they said. Condemning the incident, Singh tweeted, "Strongly condemn vandalisation of Rajiv Gandhi's statue by @Akali_ Dal_ workers in Ludhiana. Have asked Police to identify the guilty & take strict action." "@officeofssbadal should apologise to people of Punjab for this obnoxious act," he posted on Twitter tagging the office of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Amarinder Singh also asked the SAD to apologise to the people of Punjab for this act. Police said the miscreants demanded that statues of Rajiv Gandhi across the country be removed and Bharat Ratna conferred on him be withdrawn. The statue was later cleaned by some Ludhiana Congress leaders. Congress's Ludhiana president Gurpreet Singh said they have lodged a police complaint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded the enactment of a law introducing health programs for mothers and infants during a childs first 1,000 days as the perfect holiday gift for Filipino families, saying the law must be implemented in full to help end infant malnutrition in the country. The Akbayan senator, who sponsored and co-authored the measure, hailed lawmakers and private sector advocates for the successful passage of Republic Act 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act. This will provide much-needed protection to mothers and children from malnutritionwhich has life-long and even life-threatening consequences. I am elated over the support of my colleagues which led to the swift passage of this health measure that we can give Filipino mothers and our children. It is heartening to see our national leaders stand as one in the cause of promoting healthy nanays, healthy bulilits and a healthy citizenry, Hontiveros said. Since Christmas revolves around the story of the infant Jesus, the new law is the best holiday gift that we can give Filipino mothers and their children so that they may live healthy, fulfilled and meaningful lives with their loved ones, she added. Along with Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, the measure was co-sponsored by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and Senators Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Bam Aquino IV, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda and Grace Poe, with inputs from Senator Cynthia Villar.At the House of Representatives, the measure was authored and sponsored by Quezon City 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan. The new law primarily mandates the establishment of a comprehensive nutrition intervention program to be implemented by the Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council for the benefit of infants during their first 1,000 days of life, as well as their mothers and other nutritionally-at-risk individuals like pregnant women, lactating women or teenage mothers. The said program includes a wide range of services, ranging from nutrition counselling, consultations on various health issues, psycho-social support for mothers, oral health and lactation management services, to social-welfare support for economically-challenged families and home visits for families in far-flung places. Hontiveros said the challenge now was to ensure that RA 11148 would be immediately and effectively implemented, and that ample funding would be provided by government to support the many reforms the law introduces. I call on government to build upon this achievement by giving this law the funding, attention and resources it requires. The state must be true to its mandate and promise of protecting mothers and their young children, whose development will determine the future of our nation, she said. Former Rajya Sabha member and stamp collector, Ajay Maroo, is planning to open a philately club here to motivate children, who are hooked to cell phones and tabs in this e-age. One of the reasons for making the proposal is to instil among the children the realisation that collection of stamps is still relevant as it helps people to trace the rich heritage and culture of a country. The 60-year-old philatelist said he will approach the central government for setting up the club after having garnered support of at least 15 to 20 members. Maroo, who took up the hobby of collecting stamps as a ten-year-old in 1968 said, "We used to wait for newspapers to publish about release of new stamps so that we could go to post offices and stand in a queue and purchase stamps. The prices of the stamps were then one anna, two annas or three annas. "Now as I complete 50 years of stamp completion, I am planning to open a philatelic club to show children, that philately is still a good hobby even in the digital information age." A philately exhibition displaying his rich collection of stamps is on display at the 'Rashtriya Khadi and Saras Mahastov', which was inaugurated by Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Union Minister Giriraj Singh on December 20 and will continue till January 6. "It has been six days since the exhibition is underway and only one person called me and expressed interest for setting up of the club. We have to generate awareness to increase the membership," Maroo said. His collection of 3,000 stamps includes a stamp on Guru Granth Sahib, perfumed stamps and a stamp made on khadi among others. Maroo said, initially he used to collect stamps of Bhutan and 3D stamps of Russia before switching over to collection of country-made stamps. "I became a member of the Philatelic Bureau at General Post Office in Kolkata, and got new stamps whenever they were released and I used to send money by money order," Maroo said. Showing some of the rare stamps, Maroo pointed to a stamp published on the 400 years of the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. The stamp was cancelled after its release as the holy book was showed lying on the ground. "I have also got rare perfumed stamps--- in 2006, I purchased a stamp having sandalwood smell. I also have rose scented commemorative stamps. Similarly, in 2011, I purchased a stamp made of Khadi, normally all stamps are made of paper, but it was made of Khadi," Maroo said. There are also miniature stamps on veteran stars of the film industry, in his collection. "The Philately club can be set up in the post office here after getting the permission from the government. In Ranchi, we have a philately division and it will be better if it is turned into a philately bureau on the lines of the Philatelic Bureau in Kolkata," the philatelist said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons died and two were injured after their vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Theog tehsil in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh Tuesday, a police official said. Rescue teams reached the spot after the accident around 7.30 am, he said. Bodies are being retrieved and injured are being sent to nearby hospital for treatment, the official added. More details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four tourist from Haryana were killed and two injured after their car fell into a 200-metre-deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Theog tehsil on Tuesday, a police official said. Jagpreet, Deepak, Ajay and Lokesh died on the spot. They were employees of a private company in Haryana's Ballabgarh area and had come to visit Shimla and its nearby tourist places, the official said. The accident took place when they were going to Narkanda. Their car fell into an over 200 metres deep gorge near Devi Morh on National Highway -5 around 7.30 am, he said. The injured-- Rahul and Rohtas --are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital in Theog, the official said. He said a case has been registered under sections 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by act-endangering life) and 304 A (death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the car's driver. The matter is being probed, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A member of an inter-district dacoit gang was arrested by police after an exchange of fire in Ganjma district early Tuesday, a senior police officer said. The gangster, identified as Ananta Kumar Machhua (23) of Ranapur in Nayagarh district was arrested after exchange of fire with the police at Gudi Dhepa village, Superintendent of Police, Brijesh Kumar Rai said. One pistol, three live ammunitions, a motorcycle and cash Rs 1,500 was seized from him, the SP said, adding that Machhua was admitted at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here for treatment. He was involved in at least 10 cases of dacoity in Ganjam, Khurda and Nayagarh districts, police said. A truck-loaded with 950 cartoons of Rum from a manufacturing unit at Gopalpur was going towards the Nirgundi in Cuttack, when a gang looted the liquor-laden truck on December 4. After the arrest of Machhua, seven other members of the gang were also arrested by police. The police seized three vehicles, including the stolen truck and recovered 450 cartoons of rum and 10 mobile phone sets from the accused persons, the SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Homes and churches were decked up with festive lights, Christmas trees and wreaths, as the residents of Goa celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday with traditional gusto. People thronged churches in large numbers to attend midnight mass, and sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts. Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar greeted people of the state on the occasion. Houses across Goa, a former Portuguese colony with a large Christian population, wore a festive look, decorated with beautiful Christmas trees and cribs displaying the birth of Lord Jesus. Midnight masses were held at the famous Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji and other churches which dot the coastal state. Preparations for the festival had begun since the last week with markets, specially in the two main cities of Panaji and Margao, packed with Christmas shoppers as they bought decorative items, gifts, clothes and sweets. Celebrations will now continue till the New Year in the beach state where thousands of tourists have already arrived and more are expected in the coming days. The governor, in her message, said Lord Jesus gave people the valuable and eternal message of peace, tolerance, compassion, love and sacrifice. "It is an appropriate occasion for us to carry the spirit of Christmas to foster the values that Jesus Christ professed and practised for the benefit of humanity," she said in an official release. "Ours is a secular country, where people belonging to various faiths live in harmony, amity, social solidarity and unity. Religious and spiritual festivals are occasions when we renew these qualities, in order to lead a peaceful and wholesome life," Sinha said. She called upon people to rededicate themselves to live together as member of one family and work for greater glory and progress of the nation. Chief Minister Parrikar in his message said, "This Christmas, let us resolve to promote unity and be the harbinger of peace and development in the state. Let us all unite and work for the welfare of the state by channelising all our efforts and energy in ensuring progress of our state." He wished that the joys and festivities may continue to radiate everyone's life. Meanwhile, tourism industry stake-holders felt that the response of Christmas and New Year revellers was tepid this time around as compared to last year due to a number of reasons like higher taxes and expensive hotel stay. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) chairman Savio Messiah told PTI on Monday that tourist footfalls were decreasing every year due to heavy taxation that had a cascading effect on boarding expenses. He called for immediate corrective measures by the Central and state governments. The state tourism department also admitted a slump in hotel occupancies, but said it was hopeful that the tourist footfall will pick up by December 31, as the year 2018 draws to a close. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court has quashed criminal cases filed against 400 members of Popular Front of India (PFI) for staging a protest here without permission against the ban on the outfit by Jharkhand government in February this year. Justice Anand Venkatesh passed the order recently, allowing a plea of Mohamed Shaik Ansari, a member of the PFI. The petitioner contended that that the FIR against the proesters were filed under IPC sections, including 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant) in violation of guidelines issued by the court in Jeevanandham case. According to the petitioner, the Jharkhand government had, on February 22 last, banned the organisation in the state on the charge of spreading anarchy. Condemning the decision, the PFI members had staged demonstrations and protests across the country and 400 workers, including 100 women, of its Tamil Nadu unit held the protest here. All the 400 PFI workers were arrested as the protest was organised without obtaining police permission. An FIR was registered against all under IPC sections 188 and also 143 (unlawful assembly). Contending that the police had failed to follow the guidelines laid down by the high court, the petitioner wanted the FIRs be quashed. The court had in September this year gave certain guidelines to be followed in future by the Police while dealing with an offence under Section 188 of IPC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Air Force airlifted several Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) jawans who were critically injured when their bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, officials said on Tuesday. The incident had occurred on Monday when the bus was going from Badgam to Kanpur. The Western Air Command of the IAF sent two Cheetah helicopters from its Udhampur-based unit 'Hovering Hawks' to carry out casualty evacuation. "On getting a go ahead for one helicopter at 10:50 AM, Wg Cdr V Mehta as captain with co-pilot Arunima Vidhate got airborne from Udhampur. Meanwhile after ascertaining the requirement, on the call of Wg Cdr V Mehta, second helicopter got airborne from Udhampur with Sqn Ldr SK Prasad as captain and Flt Lt Siddhant Yadav as co-pilot," an IAF statement read. The first helicopter landed at the Chanderkot Helipad at 11:25 AM and evacuated three critically injured ITBP jawans. The other helicopter landed at 12:25 PM and evacuated two critical jawans along with a medical attendant. "Four casualties were picked up by a civil helicopter," the statement read. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian officials will hold bilateral meetings with a few countries, including China and some ASEAN members, in the coming days to iron out issues hindering negotiations of RCEP mega trade deal, an official said. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a mega free trade agreement, which aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. After the bilateral meetings, the RCEP members will meet for the 25th round of negotiations in mid-February in Indonesia, the official added. RCEP bloc comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The main issues that needs resolution include number of goods on which import duties should be completely eliminated and norms to relax services trade. RCEP members want India to eliminate or significantly reduce customs duties on maximum number of goods it traded globally. India's huge domestic market provides immense opportunity of exports for the member countries. However, lower level of ambitions in services and investments, a key area of interest for India, does not augur well for the agreement that seeks to be comprehensive in nature. Under services, India wants greater market access for its professionals in the proposed agreement. Trade experts have warned that India should negotiate the agreement carefully, as it has trade deficit with as many as 10 RCEP members, including China, South Korea and Australia, among others. "India should not try to negotiate trade offs between goods and services as it may prove counter-productive in the long run. Trade off should be negotiated either between goods or between services," an expert, who did not wish to be named, said. India wants to have a balanced RECP trade agreement as it would cover 40 per cent of the global GDP and over 42 per cent of the world's population. India already has a free trade pact with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan and South Korea. It is also negotiating a similar agreement with Australia and New Zealand but has no such plans for China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Budget carrier IndiGo is likely to induct its first long range jet A321neo (new engine option) in its fleet Saturday, after a delay of almost one month, which will pave the way for the airline to launch its much-awaited medium-haul international operations, a source said Tuesday. The Gurugram-based largest domestic carrier by market share currently has shorter-range A320neos in its fleet of 200-odd planes, which also has A320s and ATR jets. "IndiGo's first A321neo plane, which was to join the fleet late last month, will now be finally inducted on December 29," an airline source said. The delivery of the new jet will help IndiGo introduce flights on the medium-haul routes. Flights of up to six hours duration come under medium-long haul category of operations. ALSO READ: Indigo to upgrade software of Airbus A320neo to solve engine issues Queries sent to IndiGo did not elicit a response. The airline has already announced its plans to launch services to and has also signed a code-share pact with Turkish Airlines for seamless connectivity to 20 global destinations for its passengers from and onwards. In turn, passengers of the Turkish national carrier will have access to all destinations operated by IndiGo within India. This will be the first of the IndiGo's150 A321neos on order with the European major Airbus. As per the Airbus order book (till November), it has already delivered 59 A320neos of the total 280 on order to the airline. The airline, in two tranches, placed order for 430 A320neos (180 in 2011 and 250 in 2015) with Airbus. Later, it converted 150 of these planes to A321neos. IndiGo at present operates over 1,300 daily flights to 52 domestic and 15 international destinations. Besides Istanbul, the budget carrier also reportedly plans to launch services to Gatwick (London), (Saudi Arabia) and (Myanmar) as part of its international network expansion plans. The All Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors' Guild (EGM) Tuesday condemned the detention of under the stringent Security Act (NSA). In a joint special general body meeting held on Tuesday at the Press Club, here both AMWJU and EGM condemned the detention of Wangkhem under NSA, said a press release issued by Sukham Nanda, the general secretary of AMWJU. The District Magistrate of Imphal West had ordered detention of the 39-year-old who works for a local TV channel, on November 27 allegedly after he uploaded videos criticising the BJP-led governments in Manipur and the Centre for observing Rani Jhansi's birth anniversary. Wangkhem will remain in detention for 12 months, according to a Manipur government order which said his activities were "prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of public order". The Court of Appeals has ordered the government to proceed with the payment of P3.9 billion in pension benefits to retired members of the defunct Integrated National Police. In an eight-page decision dated Dec. 12, the CAs Special 14th Division ordered the Philippine National Police and Department of Budget and Management to fully implement its 2016 CA decision for the release of benefits to the INP retirees. The appellate court dismissed for lack of merit the petition of PNP and DBM assailing the order of Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 32, in July last year, which applied the list of INP retirees and their respective pension amounts submitted by PNP for the implementation of the pension payment. The CA denied the appeal of the PNP and DBM to await and apply a list from the Government Service Insurance System instead of the PNP list in the payment of pension differentials to the INP retirees. The PNP and the DBM said that the participation of GSIS in the payment of retirement benefits is necessary as it is the only agency that can provide pension history of the INP retirees. The petitioners said the retirement pay must be subject to conditions and limitations to ensure that such public funds would be released only to rightful beneficiaries. However, the appellate court rejected the argument of the petitioners, citing the position earlier submitted by the GSIS that the responsibility to evaluate the list of retirees lies with the PNP as their employer. Here, the PNP and DBM cannot be permitted to further delay or thwart the execution of judgment against them by continuously rehashing allegations that have long been rejected, the CA held in the ruling penned by Associate Justice Mario Lopez. The CA explained that the payment of retirement benefits to INP retirees with equal amount given to PNP retirees had already been affirmed with finality by the Supreme Court and that Congress had also already appropriated funds for this purpose by enactment of Republic Act 10633. The appellate court also ruled that the RTC was correct in rejecting petitioners plea to withhold the payment of the pension to INP retirees pending submission of the list from GSIS. The appropriation law is clear that the release of funds shall be based on the list of eligible INP retirees with the corresponding computation of their respective retirement benefits and pension, duly authenticated by the PN, which shall be submitted to the DBM for validation of the computed benefits... Likewise, the PNP and DBM need not await the verification from GSIS before releasing the funds, it stressed.Considering the INP retirees advance years, they can hardly afford another protracted proceeding and the courts should frown upon any attempt to deprive them of the fruits of the final and executory verdict, the ruling said. Associate Justices Zenaida Galapate- Laguilles and Ronaldo Roberto Martin concurred with the decision. The PNP and DBM had initially released P900 million to 785 INP retirees in 2015 but only after receiving the list of verified beneficiaries from GSIS. INP was the forerunner of the current PNP, which was formerly merged with the Philippine Constabulary. Former INP members retired after the Philippine National Police was created, although some members choose to stay with the PNP until they reached the mandatory retirement age. A decision issued in May 2016 by the CA affirmed an earlier ruling of Manila RTC Branch 32, which ordered the DBM to pay for the pension differentials of INP retirees covering the period from 1991 to 2006. The CAs decision was an offshoot of the action sought by members of the Manilas Finest Retirees Association Inc., which asked the court to execute the ruling that was issued by the RTC in Manila in 2014. The pension differentials stemmed from a decision of the Supreme Court in 2007, wherein it held that INP retirees are entitled to receive the same benefits as those from the PNP. The High Court said that since its decision had to be implemented retroactively, the DBM must pay the unpaid amount to the INP pensioners from 1991 up to 2006. Former INP members entitled to the differentials are INP retirees, INP transferees and INP survivors who had rendered service before the enactment of Republic Act 6975, the law that created the PNP and made it as a reorganized department of the Department of Interior and Local Government. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy found himself in a raging controversy Tuesday after he asked a police official to "shoot mercilessly" those who had killed a worker of his JDS in Mandya district, a stronghold of the party. After a video of his telephone conversation with the official on Monday going viral, drawing condemnation from the BJP, Kumaraswamy, heading the JDS-Congress coalition government, sought to clarify, saying "it was an emotional outburst" and he did not mean it. He said he acted in a fit of rage as he knew the victim, 50-year old H Prakash, a former zilla panchayat member. "It is beyond my imagination that such a person can ever be killed. My words were only an emotional outburst, which I did not mean," he told reporters in Vijayapura Tuesday. The Chief Minister's Office issued a statement saying the comments were an "emotional reaction" to the incident and not orders by Kumaraswamy. The opposition BJP lashed out at Kumaraswamy over the issue and termed his "statement irresponsible and nonsense". In the video, Kumaraswamy was heard saying: "I don't know how you will handle it (the case).. because it was your responsibility. I am actually disappointed because it (the murder) brought a bad name. He (Prakash) was a good person.. There is no problem if you shoot such people mercilessly," he said alluding to the alleged killers. "I am least bothered (about the consequences)," the chief minister had said. Slamming Kumaraswamy, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa "I never expected this from the chief minister. If he speaks like this, what will happen to the law and order situation? An irresponsible and nonsense statement by Kumaraswamy," told reporters here Tuesday. Senior BJP leader and former minister Shobha Karandjale said it was a clear case of "anarchy and lawlessness". Prakash was hacked to death allegedly by four men in Maddur town of Mandya district Monday evening, police said. The assailants had stopped Prakash's car when he was going home and hacked him to death with machetes. Tension prevailed in Maddur and Mandya after the incident as people 'gheraoed' the police station demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. After the chief minister got the about the killing, he vented out his anger on a senior police officer of the district over phone, a video of which went viral. In the video, the chief minister is heard saying there were three murders in the past in Mandya before he came to Bengaluru and he was disappointed with the police. The chief minister Tuesday also recalled there were two murders earlier in the locality and that he had asked the police to be careful as the accused in the crime were released on bail. ".. but no measures were taken. I think that police did not do their duty properly," he said. He later visited Mandya and attended the funeral of Prakash. Kumaraswamy expressed his grief and squarely blamed the police laxity for the killing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister H D embroiled in a controversy after a purported video, showing him ordering a police official to "shoot mercilessly" those who killed a JD(S) worker in Mandya, went viral. With the chief minister drawing flak over his response, he said "it was an emotional outburst" and he did not mean it. The opposition BJP lashed out at over the issue and termed it "irresponsible and nonsense". JD(S) worker H Prakash (50) was allegedly hacked to death by four men in Maddur town of Mandya district Monday evening, police said. The assailants stopped Prakash's car when he was going home and hacked him to death with machetes. Prakash was a former Zilla Panchayat member. Tension prevailed in Maddur and Mandya after the incident as people 'gheraoed' the police station demanding immediate arrest of the murderers. Following the killing of his party man, purportedly gave instruction to the official over phone, which was caught on camera and went viral. In the video, the chief minister is heard saying that there were three murders in the past before he came to Bengaluru and he was disappointed with the police. "I don't know how you will handle it (the case).. because it was your responsibility. I am actually disappointed because it (the murder) brought a bad name. He (who was murdered) was a good person.. There is no problem if you shoot such people mercilessly," he said alluding to the alleged killers. "I am least bothered (about the consequences)," the chief minister was further heard saying. As he faced criticism, Kumaraswamy told reporters in Vijayapura that he acted in a fit of rage as he knew the victim. "It is beyond my imagination that such a person can ever be killed. My words were only an emotional outburst, which I did not mean," he said. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy's office also issued a statement saying the comments were an "emotional reaction" to the incident and not orders. The chief minister recalled there were two murders earlier in the locality and that he had asked the police to be careful as the accused in the crime were released on bail. ".. but no measures were taken. I think that police did not do their duty properly," he said. The chief minister later visited Mandya to attend the funeral of the JD(S) worker where he expressed his grief and squarely put the blame on the police for its laxity. State BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa lashed out at the chief minister over the incident. "I never expected this from the chief minister. If he speaks like this, what will happen to the law and order situation? An irresponsible and nonsense statement by Kumaraswamy," he said. Senior BJP leader Shobha Karandjale said it was a clear case of "anarchy and lawlessness". Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Tuesday launched 485 schemes and services of 37 departments under the 'Digital Haryana' initiative. He said through the medium of e-governance, people could be provided with good governance. On 94th birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 'Good Governance' programmes were organised in the state and the chief minister inaugurated 22 'Antyodya Saral Kendras' for all district headquarters from Karnal. "With this, Haryana has become the first state in the country, where 4,000 Atal Seva Kendras in rural areas, 22 at district headquarters, 51 at sub-divisional level and 20 Antyodya Saral Kendras at Tehsil level, have been launched simultaneously at such a large scale," he said while speaking on the occasion. All kinds of Antyodaya services, schemes meant for weaker sections of the society and target groups are available under one roof at Antyodya Saral Kendras. The chief minister also inaugurated toll free Antyodaya Helpline number. Haryana Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar suggested that a SARAL App should be launched so that people could get all information about schemes on their smart phones at home. Responding to a question regarding possibility of setting up of a unit by Maruti Suzuki India Limited in Karnal, which is Khattar's home constituency, he said: "It depends on the Maruti company, from the state government's side the company had been offered two places in Gurgaon and one each in Samalkha, Faridabad and Karnal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has held a meeting with his party's electoral organisers, fuelling speculation that the SLPF Chairman, who was recently at the centre of an unprecedented political standoff, may be hoping for a possible presidential re-run in 2019. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPF) organisers were summoned on Monday for the special meeting at the President's house and were briefed about the party's future plans and restructuring activities. "We discussed the party's future reform drive which will be kick started in January," said party's general secretary Rohana Laxman. "The president told the organisers that they need to be dedicated to the reform programme," Laxman said. Sirisena could call a snap presidential election after January 8 next year. It was not clear if the organisers' meeting was to gear the party for the eventuality of a snap presidential poll. Sri Lanka's English daily 'Daily News', however, reported that Sirisena instructed the SLFP electoral organisers to get ready for an "election year", stating that the provincial and presidential elections would be held next year. He had also indicated the possibility of even a general election next year, it said. By schedule the next presidential election must be called by November 2019 and held before January 2020. President Sirisena, who is also the SLFP Chairman, founfd himself at the centre of an unprecedented political and constitutional crisis after he took a controversial decision and sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an alleged illegal power grab and replaced him with ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa was defeated by Sirisena with Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) support in the 2015 presidential election, ending Rajapaksa's 10-year rule. However, after 3 years of bitter opposition, Rajapaksa and Sirisena patched up and Sirisena ditched Wickremesinghe, the man who elevated him to become the president. Rajapaksa has formed his own party and did well in the local elections held early this year by defeating both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe's parties. Rajapaksa wants a snap parliamentary election well ahead of its schedule in August 2020 as he is confident of winning it. He is constitutionally barred from running for president again. Sirisena's dissolution of parliament to call for a snap parliamentary election for January 5 next year was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court. The court ruling forced him to restore Wickremesinghe in office after compelling Rajapaksa to resign who failed to prove his majority in Parliament. The provincial polls are due in the country. They have been held back due to legal issues as amendments are needed to hold them under a new system of a hybrid first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fast track court here has held a man guilty in a rape case that took place in 2011 and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. Judge Manoj Kumar Mishra also imposed a fine of Rs 13,000 on the accused, Sanoj Kumar, after holding him guilty under sections 376, 506 and 342 of the IPC on Monday. According to government lawyer Ritu Choudhary, the victim was on her way to a medicine shop in Bhensi village under the Khatoli police station limits on December 12, 2011, when she was abducted, taken to a nearby forest area and raped by the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 30-year-old man was arrested at the Jaipur International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle gold into the country by hiding it in his rectum, a Customs official said Tuesday. Pankaj Saduwani was taken into custody at the airport Sunday night after the Customs personnel suspected odd behaviour. He had alighted from Thai Airways, Assistant Commissioner, Customs, Hoshiyar Singh said. During questioning Saduwani revealed that he was hiding six pieces of gold, weighing about 1 kg, in his rectum, he said. Subsequently, he was arrested and the gold seized, Singh said. The official said the modus operandi of the gang is that a smuggler is given a photograph of the consignee -- waiting outside the airport -- and he has to handover the smuggled goods to that person only. Saduwani is being further interrogated, Singh added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly impersonating as a cadet of the city- based Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), police said Tuesday. A fake identity card, forged rubber stamps bearing AFMC name and uniform worn by the college's cadets were recovered from the man, Sayyad Junaid Sayyad Akhtar, they said. Photos of some areas around the AFMC, located in Wanwadi, which also houses the Army's Southern Command headquarters, were found on his mobile phone, the police said. According to the Wanwadi police, Akhtar, a resident of Bhusawal in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, was caught Monday on the premises of Command Hospital by security staff who found his appearance and movement suspicious. According to the police, when caught, the accused was wearing AFMC uniform. "We have registered a case under IPC sections 170 ( impersonating a public servant), 465 (punishment for forgery) and other relevant sections," said an officer attached to the Wanwadi police station. "Akhtar, wearing AFMC uniform, was spotted by the security staff and Army officers when he was loitering in the Command Hospital premises," he said. Akhtar's uniform had some mismatch and discrepancies and this raised the suspicion of security guards, who started questioning him, the official said. During questioning, the accused showed his identity card and claimed he is pursuingMBBS at the AFMC, he said. "His answers were not reasonable and it was ultimately revealed that he was impersonating as a medical cadet of the AFMC," he said. "During a detailed search, the accused was found in possession of fake rubber stamp bearing AMFC's name and also some stamps bearing the name of the AFMC Dean. "When his phone was checked, some photos of areas around the AFMC were also found," said the officer. Akhtar was Tuesday produced before a local court which remanded him in police custody till December 29, he said. Akhtar was being interrogated to find out why he was posing as an AFMC cadet, the officer added. The premier college provides training to under- graduate and post-graduate medical and nursing students with assured career prospects in the defence services. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 24-year-old man was shot dead by three motorcycle-borne men in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh, police said Tuesday. Chotu Soni was returning home with his brother on Monday night after closing his jewellery shop when three men opened fire on him on Ganga Ji road near Diwakar Hospital in Chitrakoot, police said. Soni was rushed to the district hospital where doctors declared him dead, police said. One of the three accused was caught by locals and handed over to police, they said. The incident appears to be a fall out of a monetary dispute, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 10-year-old girl was killed Tuesday after she was allegedly hit by a speeding SUV in west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh area, police said. The Punjabi Bagh police station was informed about the accident in the area at around 4 pm, they added. On reaching the spot, a Duster SUV car was found to have hit bushes near the accident site and then the minor girl, police said. Investigation revealed that while the girl was walking on an uneven path leading to the slum area, where she lived amid the bushes, the vehicle at high speed hit the girl, Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Monika Bhardwaj said. A huge crowd gathered at the spot but the driver managed to escape, she said. Police later nabbed him and found that he was drunk. The alleged vehicle belongs to one of his acquaintance, police said, adding a case has been registered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British luxury beauty and fragrance brand Molton Brown plans to foray into India's hospitality sector in the next fiscal and get into omni-channel retail here. The company, which plans to open 15 stores across India over the next five years, at present has one store in India. It entered India in June this year. "We plan to get into hotel business in India by the next financial year. We are already in talks with a few players. We expect hotel business to account for 20 per cent of our business in five years," Mark Hermann, global vice president of sales at Molton Brown told PTI. Molton Brown also plans to start it's own e-commerce website in the next 12 months, he said. Globally, hotel segment accounts for 24 per cent of the company's business. In a market like the US, where it has only three stores, the hotel segment accounts for 50 per cent of its total business. "India is our most recent market and we are focusing on expanding here ... priority market for expansion for Molton Brown is Asia and Europe," Molton Brown Global President Mark Johnson said. When asked if the company is late in entering India's booming retail sector, Hermann said: "We think timing is perfect to enter India..while money was there..there were no luxury malls and retail channels..Now, luxury retail channels are coming up in big way". The company in India has partnered with Gaganmeet Singh's Berkeley Beauty. Singh also manages brands like Bang & Olufsen, Creed Perfumes, Berluti and Tod's in India. Molton Brown, headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a privately held company and has presence in 60 countries across the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two master bakers dressed in white use a long knife to carve a heavy, thick slab of molasses-colored gingerbread dough out of a huge metal vat, where, like wine, it has been maturing for a few months, deep in the cellar of one of the worlds oldest bakeries. The bakers at the Kopernik Confectionery Factory in Polands historic central city of Torun taste the matured dough, checking whether each vat is ready for baking. The factory has used a jealously-guarded secret mix of spices since it opened in 1763 and has been serving up its popular brand of gingerbread non-stop ever since, with the exception of a few years hiatus during World War II. Only six of the factorys bakers know the exact proportion and types of spices that are used, according to spokesman Jakub Kopczynski. Cloves preserve the dough, which of course also includes flour and sugar, allowing it to develop its unique flavor as it ages, he tells AFP. Cinnamon, ginger and pepper are also in the spice mix, he adds, though he politely refuses to divulge further details. Like fine wine, good gingerbread must be aged and like wine making, the process requires a lot of know-how, he adds. Around him are a hundred or so vats lined up in neat rows across the factorys bottom floor, each of them weighing around 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds).The bold, inviting aroma of gingerbread spice wafts through the sprawling factory on the edge of Torun. The secret recipe draws on the citys gingerbread tradition harking back to the Middle Ages when spices from India and the Middle East first began to arrive in Torun, later a major crossroads for Hanseatic trading routes. Its origins may be ancient, but Torun gingerbread is also as trendy as it gets: the factory has acquired certification attesting that its products are vegan, kosher, non-GMO and that they do not contain palm oil. Its always been our traditional standard; now we have formal recognition, Kopczynski adds, having moved to another part of the factory, where a conveyor belt feeds gingerbread hearts into a 36-meter-long (119-feet) oven to bake for seven minutes. The historic factory is a joint-stock company owned by current and former employees, who have shunned offers from foreign investors in order to prevent them from acquiring their prized recipe. Named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the Torun-born father of modern astronomy who is known as Mikolaj Kopernik in Polish, the factory produced 3,500 tons of gingerbread this year, sold in Poland and across the globe.Polish high school student Jagoda presses a ball of gingerbread dough into a hand-carved wooden cookie mold in the shape of a horseshoe inscribed szczescie, or Polish for luck. She has come with her class from the nearby city of Bydgoszcz for a hands-on baking lesson at the state museum of Torun gingerbread, nestled in the original red-brick Kopernik factory near the citys historic central square. My family has a tradition of making decorated gingerbread cookies to give away as Christmas presents, the 17-year-old tells AFP, holding a heart-shaped cookie impressed with a flower motif in the palm of her hand. Shaped as knights, angels, princesses or horse-drawn carriages, large gingerbread cookies and cakes, pressed from intricately carved wooden molds, were long among the most exclusive of gifts during the pre-industrial era up until the late 1700s. Because the imported spices were so expensive, gingerbread was a luxury item which only the elite could afford, explains museum director Malgorzata Mikulska-Wernerowicz, adding that gingerbread bakers were also wealthy and stood high on the social ladder. Kings visiting Torun received gingerbread from the city council, she says, standing next to a display with gingerbread molds carved in applewood and pearwood dating from the 1600 and 1700s.Invited by a local prince, knights of the Teutonic Order came from the Holy Land to found Torun, known in German as Thorn, in 1233. The knights are believed to have brought the first spices from the Middle East, triggering demand and with it, a lucrative spice trade that helped Torun become one of Europes wealthiest cities during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Gingerbread is still big business in Torun, with dozens of bakeries, shops and even a private interactive museum capitalizing on the tradition in the city of just over 200,000 residents. Unlike the thin, crisp gingerbread snaps popular in Sweden or Britain, Torun gingerbread is chewy and meaty. Traditionally based on honey, spirits, wheat and rye flour mixed with spices, records show that the Torun variety was already being made by local German bakers in the mid-1500s and drew its name from pepperPfefferkuchenrather than ginger. The modern-day Polish term for gingerbreadpiernikialso refers to pepper. Legend has it that Copernicus himself enjoyed munching on the treat. He came from a family of wealthy merchants so theres no reason why he wouldnt have indulged in gingerbread, says Mikulska-Wernerowicz, with a twinkle in her eye. Leading milk supplier Mother Dairy has entered into Rs 4,000 crore organic food business as part of its strategy to diversify product portfolio. The company is targeting a revenue of Rs 50 crore next fiscal and Rs 100 crore in 2020-21, Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetables Director Saugata Mitra said. To start with, Mother Dairy has launched its organic range of fresh fruits and vegetables and other kitchen ingredients under its horticulture brand Safal. The new range of products labelled as 'Safal Organic' is available in select 100 Safal booths across Delhi NCR. "With this foray, the company aims to make Safal Organic a brand worth Rs 100 crores by 2021. Safal is looking forward to generate a revenue of around Rs 50 crores by fiscal 2019 - 2020," Mitra said. Safal Organic will offer fresh organic fruit and vegetables sourced from about 500 farmers with certified organic farms across the states of Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A wide range of organic kitchen ingredients namely pulses, rice, spices, millets, dry fruits, wheat flour, besan, sugar, salt and flattened rice flakes (poha), have been introduced. Going forward, the company plans to further expand Safal Organic range by adding seasonal fruits and vegetables along with honey, rock salt and more varieties of whole spices and pulses. Safal has set up a facility to handle organic produce at Mangolpuri in the national capital to ensure a distinguished supply chain as mandated in the regulations. The capacity of the newly established organic facility is around 15 tonne/day. Safal's organic products are in compliance with the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), under the central government, and it also conforms to the Jaivik Bharat' initiative of FSSAI. Mother Dairy said the harvested produce is subjected to stringent testing for 127 pesticidal residues by accredited labs. In addition, the logistics for organic is duly differentiated at all levels and processing too has been distinguished along with packaging storage and consumer touch-points to ensure compliance with laid norms. As part of its agronomic interventions, Mother Dairy is also advising and helping farmers in growing organic produce. "The company is also looking to expand its retail channels going forward, with plans to launch the product range in general trade and modern trade by end of current fiscal, starting with Delhi-NCR," Mitra said. Mother Dairy was commissioned in 1974 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It is a leading dairy player which manufactures, markets & sells milk and milk products, including cultured products, ice creams, paneer and ghee under the Mother Dairy' brand. The company also has a diversified portfolio with products in edible oils under the Dhara' brand and fresh fruits & vegetables, frozen vegetables, unpolished pulses, honey etc under the Safal brand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday claimed the condition of Muslims living in the state was better than anywhere else in the country. Accusing the Congress of creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims, Rupani said the "votebank politics" in the country should come to an end now. Rupani was speaking in Gandhinagar after inaugurating the renovated office of state Waqf Board. Referring to the Sachar Committee report, Rupani, according to an official press release, said the condition of Muslims in BJP-ruled Gujarat was better than any other part of the country. The report had examined the socio-economic and educational status of the Muslim community in India. "For over 50 years, the Congress treated Muslims as mere votebank, as a result Muslims lagged behind in education, employment and in terms of economic development," the statement quoted Rupani as saying. The chief minister said the formation of the Sachar Committee to examine the condition of minorities by the then Congress government at the Centre was an example of "appeasement politics" by the country's oldest political party. "It was the Congress which created a rift between Hindus and Muslims and incited them against each other. Ever since the BJP (once again) came to power, no communal violence has taken place. Such riots took place only during the Congress rule," Rupani said. He said when the country is moving towards 'Surajya' (good governance), it is necessary to abolish votebank politics. Rupani said instead of engaging in "appeasement politics", the BJP government in Gujarat has adopted the motto of "appeasement to none, justice to all". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tasked with a key job of helping recover unpaid corporate loans, the has helped resolve insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings involving more than Rs 800 billion in the year passing-by and the kitty is expected to swell beyond Rs 1 trillion in 2019 with several big-ticket default cases pending. Plans are afoot to further strengthen the (NCLT) by increasing number of judges and benches and provide adequate infrastructure to fast-track the process, according to government officials. The new year will not only test the mettle of the (IBC), but also of the and its appellate body NCLAT, as several high-profile cases need to be resolved -- Essar Steel (involving over Rs 800 billion alone) and Bhushan Power & Steel (about Rs 450 billion due to its lenders) are just a few, experts said. In 2018, over Rs 800 billion was recovered from various corporate debtors, which had defaulted payments, under the through various insolvency proceeding at the and the NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal), Ministry of Corporate Affair Secretary Injeti Srinivas told PTI. As per estimates, the has helped address stressed assets worth approximately Rs 3 trillion -- directly or indirectly -- since the new law came into force in December 2016. "The estimated amount includes recoveries made through resolution plan and cases settled before admission by the NCLT," he added. In 2019, the NCLT is expected to finalise corporate insolvency resolution process of several stressed assets through its 11 functional benches across India. These cases would include Essar Steel, Bhushan Power & Steel, Videocon Group, Monnet Ispat, Amtek Auto, Ruchi Soya, Lanco Infratech, Jaypee Infratech among others. Acording to law firm Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Executive Partner Punit Dutt Tyagi, the new year is likely to "test the mettle of the as well as of the NCLT and NCLAT". "Most of the major cases pending before the NCLT are likely to be resolved and these debtors are likely to come into hands of successful bidders," he added. In 2018, insolvency proceedings against some companies including Bhushan Steel, ElectroSteel Steel, Binani Cement were almost completed and the new management from their successful bidders -- Tata Steel, Vedanta group and Adity Birla-led UltraTech, respectively -- have taken over the management control of the stressed assets. Big Corporate houses including Arcelor Mittal, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, UltraTech Cement, UK-based Liberty Group, Vedanta group, Dalmia Bharat group were among the leading companies which had submitted their resolution plans to acquire the debt ridden firms. Other major insolvency cases being handled by the NCLT and the NCLAT include RCom, Videocon group, Alok Industries, Lanco Infrateck, Jaypee Infratech, Jyoti Structures and ABG Shipyard. Although, the IBC mandates completion of insolvency proceedings within 180 days of appointment of a resolution professional by the NCLT, with provision for a further extension of 90 days totalling to 270 days, several matters are running behind the schedule. "Although the 270-day deadline could not be met in a majority of the cases, the NCLTs and the NCLAT have largely delivered well-reasoned decisions. It is commendable since these tribunals are not just applying the settled law, but also interpreting new legislation such as the IBC," Tyagi said. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who has appeared in some major IBC cases including of Essar Steel, said there is a shortage of staff and the government should appoint more judges. "The NCLAT is managing well despite the odds. Judicially, they need many more members, at least double more. They are also hugely under-staffed. It's more quantity (that is required), but quality of staff also needs serious up-gradation," Singhvi said. He also said the NCLAT premises are cramped and squeezed. The senior lawyer said a huge workload is difficult to handle with such severe infrastructure problems and these issues must be addressed immediately by the government. "There is no point in creating institutions and then crippling them," he added. According to Srinivas, there are around 10,000 cases pending before the NCLT and the NCLAT at different stages and most of the new cases coming at these quasi-judicial forums are from the insolvency side. "The government is focusing on these issues by increasing the number of members at NCLT and NCLAT. We would open more benches as per requirement and provide them more support in terns of trained staff, specially the young professionals and assistants, who would help the benches directly by doing research etc," Srinivas said. He further said, "We are putting a lot of emphasis on capacity building because these are all complex laws and new challenges keep coming. Whatever best capacity development can be done by holding seminars, conferences, all that has been done... We have tried to de-clog the NCLT." In 2017, the RBI had issued its first list of 12 companies defaulting on loan payments and bankruptcy proceedings were initiated against them. Later, a second list was also issued and these matters are given a high priority in the NCLT hearings. With 'clean' being seen as the way ahead, the automobile sector appears all set to ride this bandwagon and the government is keen to give its push in 2019 with a new National Auto Policy and an ambitious 'FAME II' scheme to leapfrog India to a future driven by clean mobility. "Seen from a global perspective, the prospects for clean mobility are bright, Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete said. The government is making efforts to introduce enabling policies to push green energy-powered vehicles with pollution rising to alarming levels, the minister said, while asserting that advent of new technologies is a key enabler. In an exclusive interview to PTI on his outlook for the new year, Geete said the government is shaping policies with a thrust on clean mobility and to encourage mass adoption of vehicles having zero effect on the environment. The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) estimates the EV sales to more than double to around 2 lakh units next year, on the back of supportive policy environment. "We have received good response to 'FAME I' and have already sent a proposal regarding the second phase of the scheme. Efforts are on towards getting the scheme's second phase approved before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls," Geete said. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-India) scheme entails providing incentives for strong hybrid and electric vehicles. Geete said the new National Auto Policy will also be unveiled in 2019, though that may happen after the Lok Sabha elections. The polls are expected around April-May period. The impetus on clean mobility was already evident in the draft National Auto Policy released earlier this year. The final policy is expected to talk about promoting clean and safe mobility and adopt a long-term roadmap to harmonise emission standards with the global benchmarks by 2028. The minister said the automobile industry's support is crucial to push electric mobility in the country. "As for 2019, we are very optimistic about witnessing a good growth in electric vehicles. We can expect total sales to more than double to around 2 lakh units from about 90,000-95,000 units expected in 2019," SMEV Director General Sohinder Gill told PTI. According to him, withdrawal of subsidies on electric vehicles using lead acid batteries and low-speed electric two-wheelers are steps in the right direction to popularise EVs in India. "We will also see a policy to allow children between 16-18 years of age ride electric two-wheelers with special license although they aren't allowed to ride internal combustion engine two-wheelers, Gill said. The would open up a big segment comprising students who can help in creating awareness and popularisation of EVs. "2019 will be a critical year as it will test the adoption curve across various electric mobility ecosystems. In terms of policy support, we feel that another two or three years of the FAME scheme will be essential to ensure a long-term sustained growth for EVs in the Indian market," Mahindra Electric CEO Mahesh Babu said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday paid a moving tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary and said the late leader would always be remembered for art of successfully running a coalition government. Kmar said he relished memories of having worked with Vajpayee as a minister holding important portfolios like Railway, Agriculture and Surface Transport and fondly recalled the love he always showered on me, something I would never be able to forget. Atal ji shall always be remembered for the role he played in national politics and the manner in which he upheld social harmony. I have personal regard for him. I have worked under his leadership as a ministerreceived his ashirwad (love and blessings), he told reporters on the sidelines of a function organized here on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Vajpayee who passed away in August this year. The positive manner in which he dealt with his alliance partners is a memory to be cherished. Even the dignity with which he treated those in the opposition used to be a sight to behold, Kumar who heads the Janata Dal (United) said. He earned respect from all segments of society. No other politician has been able to match his popularity in the recent past. We have decided to hold a state function every year in his memory. A statue of his will also be erected in Patna for which a proper spot will be identified, the Chief Minister added. The function, held at the Sri Krishna Memorial Hall, was attended among others by Governor Lalji Tandon, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, ministers Nand Kishore Yadav, Mangal Pandey and Vinod Narain Jha and a number of other members of the states bicameral legislature. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ruled out an end to the partial government shutdown till the Congress approve funds for building a wall along the Mexican border to prevent entry of illegal immigrants. Democrats and some Republicans have rejected Trump's demand for the US-Mexico border, following which on last week he refused to sign a wider spending bill, temporarily stripping funding from swaths of the government. "I can't tell you when the government is going to reopen(Not until) we have a wall, a fence, whatever they would like to call it. I'll call it whatever they want. But it's all the same thing. It's a barrier from people pouring into our countrya barrier from drugs," Trump told reporters in his Oval office. "There is a problem in this world today called human traffickingWe are not going to let that take place. We are working so hard to catch these traffickers...We can't do it without a barrier...without a wall. It's my hope to have this done, completed all 500 to 550 miles to have it either renovated or brand new by election time," he said. The Trump administration is seeking more than USD 5 billion for the construction of the border wall. He said progress has been made in building a wall in some places, including, in California, which has been "difficult to deal with because of the governor". The people of San Diego wanted the wall built, he asserted, adding, "People were walking through Mexico right into San Diego, right over people's front lawns by the hundreds, by the thousands. And they came to us, they asked for a wallA drone isn't going to stop it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail here on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments reference by Islamabad-based Accountability Court on Monday. After the verdict, Sharif was arrested in the court and taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after the court accepted his request. Sharif in his application to the court said that he wanted to serve the sentence at Kot Lakhpat jail as his family members and his personal physicians live in Lahore. A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their leader. However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the workers for trying to reach the jail. According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with "better class" facilities. "The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table, two chairs, a TV set and newspaper," they said. Sharif has been shifted to the barrack where former president Asif Ali Zardari was also kept in corruption cases in 1990s. Upon reaching Kot Lakhpat jail, doctors carried out a medical examination of Sharif and found him physically fit. Commenting on the verdict on Monday, Sharif said his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. Sharif's lawyers said the accountability court's verdict will be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. The Accountability Court verdict concluded a series of three court cases Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in July last year. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. The apex court set the deadline for December 24 to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the Sharif family. The three-time former prime minister has maintained that the cases against him were initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team in the Panama Papers case was biased. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Chinese counterpart Tuesday and discussed the situation arising out of the US decision to pull nearly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan and resurgence of the Taliban in the war-torn country. Qureshi, who is on a three-day four-nation tour, arrived here Tuesday morning following his visit to Afghanistan and Iran on Monday. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here that Qureshi met Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan. Both sides reiterated their determination to adopt a joint course of action for regional peace and stability, to promote connectivity and work for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. In a sudden move, President Donald Trump last week announced his decision to pull around half of the 14,000 US troops stationed in Afghanistan. The move has stunned and dismayed allies, diplomats and officials in Kabul. The announcement comes during a renewed push for talks with the Taliban to end the 17-year war. "They both believed that the military means cannot resolve the problem. The political reconciliation is the only viable way out. "Various parties are willing to maintain close communication and strategic coordination in this regard. The two sides will also advance our all-weather partnership and improve our all dimensional partnership and cooperation," Hua said. Trump's decision to drastically reduce the troops was welcomed by the Taliban. Both the US and Afghanistan have been sharply criticising Pakistan for allegedly backing the Taliban whose leadership is reported to have been entrenched in the tribal areas in Pakistan. China which shares borders with Afghanistan has established a trilateral foreign ministers' mechanism for reconciliation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has conducted separate meetings with Taliban officials. Asked how China viewed the US' decision to reduce its troops strength, Hua said "the action to pull-out should be decided by the US itself." "China always believes that military means cannot resolve the Afghanistan issue. The political reconciliation process that is owned and led by Afghanistan is the only viable way-out. "This is what China has been working for constructively and we also hope we can join other parties to help accelerate such a peace and reconciliation process so that Afghanistan people can enjoy peace and development at an early date," she said. China also believe that security, stability and development in Afghanistan is also a "good thing" for the region and hoped that it can join efforts to advance the process of reconciliation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani lawyer who successfully fought a legal battle to acquit a Christian woman in a high-profile blasphemy case says he will return home to represent her whenever the country's Supreme Court takes up a review petition against her. Saiful Malook, who fled to Netherlands following threats to him from radical Islamists after the October 21 acquittal of Asia Bibi, said Tuesday that no date has been set by the court to hear the petition. The announcement by Malook came as the 54-year-old mother of five celebrated Christmas amid security despite being freed. Bibi had been on death row since 2010 on charges of insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party held violent nationwide protests demanding her public execution after her release. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Come December and Ghanas coastal capital, Accra, is abuzz with people celebrating the holidays over a glass of Kokroko, pito or palm wine. For Ghanaians, it is traditional and locally made drinks that have been resurrected or often given a new twist that are de rigueur during the festive season. This month is all about parties, drinking and enjoying, says artist Tijana Jawarah Ali, sipping a scarlet Kokroko cocktail at a bar in Osu, the beating heart of Accras nightlife. The Kokroko is made with the Ghanaian spirit akpeteshie, a liquor that comes from sugar cane and is common in rural areas but is being repurposed by the glitziest bars and restaurants. At the Republic Bar, the cocktail is made with crushed ice and sobolo, a drink made from hibiscus leaves. Co-owner Raja Owusu-Ansah set up the venue in 2012 with the express hope of one day being able to show off local spirits, such as akpeteshie. When he was growing up, akpeteshie used to be served on special occasions in Ghana and he said he wanted to bring it into the mainstream. Artisan akpeteshie distillers now produce the bars own brand, relying on local farmers along the coast to supply the sugar cane. The result is a clear liquid, with a sweet aroma and flavour, similar to Brazils Cachaca, Owusu-Ansah says.In the nearby harbor city of Tema, Ghanaians battle the heavy festive season traffic to grab a seat at Pito House. For over three decades at her neighborhood bar, 67-year-old grandmother Veronica Dakurah has been making her famous pito, a brew from dried sorghum and water. Pito has substance; its not carbonated but has a lingering sour aftertaste. Dakurah serves her pito in a calabasha container made out of a hollowed gourdor serves it in plastic bottles, both in the bar and to take away. Large iron cauldrons of her brown liquid brew for hours over an open fire made from wood and bamboo. Dakurah knows that demand will likely increase as the holidays reach a crescendo and partygoers flock to clubs and beaches to dance under the stars. They know that pito has no chemicals, thats why they like it, she said, all the while patrons coming in and out of her simple bar. She serves two versions, one with alcohol and the other without.Pito, a drink traditionally served in the countrys arid north, is becoming more popular in the south. John Buabassah, a truck driver working in Tema, regularly comes in for a pito and chats with other people on the simple wooden benches. He sits with farmer Mamudu Sully and security guard John Acquah who both extoll the virtues of the drink. I take pito and I feel strong all the time! said Acquah, punching the air.The enthusiasm for local drinks has flowed into the beer market. Traditionally, the beer market in Accra has been dominated by the big multinationals, such as Guinness Breweries Star beer and SAB Millers Club lager, which are found everywhere from high-end hotels to shacks by the sea. But professional brewer Clement Djameh is increasingly receiving requests for his small batch beers, including his full-bodied golden caramel-coloured pale ale made with malted sorghum. Between parties, weddings and funerals, Djameh says he cant keep up with demand. His Inland Microbrewery, set up in the outskirts of Accra in 2003, was the citys first microbrewery and occupies the bottom floor of a large house. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away in Washington, in the United States, others are following suit. Recognising the potential of a beer with African flavours, entrepreneur Kofi Meroe and his partner have made Hypebiscus pale ale, a premium craft beer with a floral top note of hibiscus. Meroe and his partner, who both grew up across West Africa, hope one day to sell their beer in Accra. The market is very nascent in countries like Ghana, but its growing and the recent launch of a few strong local brands is an indication of that, said Meroe. Demand is coming too from Ghanaians living abroad. Just outside Accra, Steve Ocloo, of Nkulenu Industries, is bottling palm wine for export, to be served on tables from Rio de Janeiro to London. It would bring back the sweet memories that they will have of the natural palm wine at home, he said. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the annual three-day 'Shaheedi Sabha' scheduled to be held from December 26-28 here, an official said. The event is held each year to mark the martyrdom of the two younger sons of the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, who were "bricked alive" here during the regime of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. All necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the event passes off peacefully, said Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon. He said free parking sites have been earmarked for vehicles. Similarly, buses will be put on service, which would take senior citizens and women free of cost to Gurdwara Sahib from all the entry points to the district, Dhillon added. Besides, all basic civic amenities like toilets, drinking water and cleanliness would be ensured and enquiry centres and medical teams would work round-the-clock during the programme, he said. While Shaheedi Sabha is purely a religious affair, the political parties, over the years, began holding conferences at the event. While the ruling party highlighted its achievements and announced its priorities, the opposition took on the government on various fronts. The parties mostly used to hold their political conferences on the second day of Shaheedi Sabha. However, last year on the directions of the Akal Takht Jathedar, the Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, Aam Adami Party and BSP did not organize any rallies. This year, too, they are not holding the conferences. The SAD (Amritsar), however, had last year organised its political conference and this year too it is planning the same. The three-day religious function would begin with Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib at Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup on Wednesday. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body of the Sikhs, has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the event. SSP Alka Meena said CCTV and drone cameras have been installed to keep a close watch on anti-social elements. She said 3,000 police personnel have been put on duty to maintain law and order. Seven superintendents of police and 13 DSP rank officers will be on duty during the event, the SSP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Cabinet formation, chief Tuesday hinted at its expansion in near future, saying several leaders will be given a chance to work. The statement comes amidst growing resentment among some senior leaders who were apparently left fuming after being denied ministerial berths in the new government. "Every division of the state has been given representation in the council of ministers. It was the first expansion. Another expansion may happen in sometime. Several people would be given a chance to work on various posts," Pilot told reporters. On Monday, 23 ministers, including 13 cabinet and 10 state ministers took oath in the presence of Governor Kalyan Singh, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister A total of 18 fresh faces were inducted in the state cabinet even as senior leaders like C P Joshi and Deependra Singh abstained from attending the ceremony held at Raj Bhawan. Various other senior leaders including Brijendra Ola, Parasram Mordiya, Rajendra Pareek, Mahesh Joshi were not inducted in the state cabinet. Hours later, supporters of legislator from Kaman, Zahida Khan and legislator from Guda Malani, Hema Ram Chaudhary took to the streets and raised anti-government slogans for not giving their leaders a ministerial berth. Both the leaders had served as ministers in past Congress governments in the state. So far, 25 ministers, including chief minister and deputy chief minister have been inducted in the council of ministers. The Cabinet can have a maximum of 30 ministers. Apart from these, the miffed leaders can be appointed as Assembly speaker, deputy speaker, chief and deputy whip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday inaugurated the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam. The prime minister, who reached Dibrugarh in the afternoon from New Delhi, flew directly to Bogibeel in a chopper and dedicated the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge to the nation from the south bank of the river. After greeting people, standing on the foothold of his vehicle, Modi deboarded the car and walked a few metres on the bridge along with Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The prime minister crossed the bridge in his cavalcade to the north bank of Brahmaputra, where he will flag off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express. The train will run five days a week. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours. Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Dhemaji district later in the day. The strategically important bridge, which begins at Dibrugarh and ends at Dhemaji districts of Assam, will remove communication bottlenecks to several districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, is also likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. The Congress-led UPA government had declared it a national project in 2007. December 25 happens to be Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Due to inordinate delay in its implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 per cent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 km from the earlier 4.31 km. The bridge is part of the infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. "The bridge will enhance the national security of the eastern region by facilitating swift movement of defence forces and their equipment. It was constructed in such a way that even a fighter jet can land on it in case of emergency," a source said. A senior army official had earlier said the biggest advantage of the bridge will be easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. "This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometers," he had said. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma had also said that the bridge will provide logistical support for the Indian Army manning the border. The road distance from Dibrugarh to Itanagar will be reduced by 150 km and the railway travel distance between these two points will shorten by 705 km, he had said. The bridge and the train will be a boon for the people of Dhemaji as major hospitals, medical colleges and airport are in Dibrugarh, the third-largest city in the Northeast. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jailed former premier Nawaz Sharif's party leaders on Tuesday questioned the merits of a verdict by an anti-corruption court against him, calling the judgement as targeted accountability by a "selected" government. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments case by the Accountability Court in Islamabad on Monday. "First Sharif was disqualified (by the Supreme Court) for not taking salary from his son and now convicted for receiving money from his son," former minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal said while addressing a press conference with other top PML-N leaders. The first case in which Sharif was disqualified, the crime ascertained was that he did not take salary from his son, Iqbal said, adding this time the allegation levelled is that 'since your son sent you money, therefore you stand disqualified'. Iqbal said that the reasons used to sentence Sharif could be used to criminalise every Pakistani living in the Gulf and sending remittances back home. "Now I want to raise this question that in the Middle East up to 3.5 million Pakistanis remit money to their families, so would they (families) be considered their business partners or co-owners? If any son sends money to his parents, will they be held guilty?" he asked. He said the prosecution failed to prove that Sharif was the real owner of the Al-Azizia and he was punished on the basis of presumptions. "The ongoing accountability process is basically a selected prime minister committing selected accountability. The opposition leaders are being targeted but those in government are not touched," he said, referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party won the general elections held in July. PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said that his party would protest inside the parliament as well as on the streets against the selected accountability. He also announced to consult other opposition parties to "bring in-house change to dislodge the government". Former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair urged the prime minister to also hold his own party leaders accountable, especially those who "have admitted themselves that they had offshore companies". Minutes after the PML-N presser ended, PTI leaders led by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry conducted a press conference of their own. Chaudhry said that Iqbal and other PML-N leaders failed to defend their leaders who was convicted for corruption. Regarding PML-N leaders' repeated labelling of the premier as a "selected prime minister", he reminded them that "the PML-N itself was engineered by General Zia." Chaudhry defended the ongoing accountability drive, reminding his critics that "it is our mandate to catch thieves. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police claimed to have foiled a bid to smuggle bovines to Kashmir valley and rescued 28 animals in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, officials said Tuesday. During routine checking, a police team intercepted vehicles near Shan Palace on Jammu-Srinagar highway in the district and during search operation 28 bovines were rescued, they said. The vehicles found involved in illegally transporting the animals to Kashmir without seeking proper permission, they said. One person was arrested in this connection, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Tuesday said there would be a big revolt by farmers if the Centre does not pay heed to the objection of the Union Territory and Tamil Nadu to the move of the Karnataka government to build a dam across Cauvery at Mekedattu, Karnataka. Talking to reporters after releasing the 2019 New Year government diary and calendar here, he said, "The Centre had arbitrarily given its nod to the Karnataka government to prepare the detailed project report for the construction of the dam." He said both the Central and Karnataka governments have been ignoring the implication of the dam as it would only worsen the availability of Cauvery water for the riparian states. Narayanasamy called upon the Central Water Commission (CWC) to immediately convene a joint meeting of the secretaries of PWD and Departments of Irrigation of the riparian States to go into the Mekedattu issue. He further said the Centre was also responsible for the disruption of proceedings of Parliament recently as the issue had caused concerns of the members from the riparian states. Narayanasamy said he had handed over a letter to the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently in Delhi informing him that the nod to Karnataka government given by the Centre was shocking as it has ignored the interests of riparian states. He said he and his cabinet colleagues, leaders and legislators of the Congress, its ally DMK, Left parties, VCK and PMK would stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on January 4 to persuade the Centre to grant statehood to Puducherry, only then would the Union Territory be rid of all its financial problems. He said the demonstration was also aimed at appealing to Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi to go back to Delhi. Narayanasamy said pensioners were not able to get their dues and there was also difficulty in implementing the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations. Moreover, the Union Territory has not been accommodated in the Central Finance Commission', he said adding that all these issues would be highlighted during the demonstration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide. Thousands attended mass on Monday night at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, offered his Christmas homily. "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive," the 82-year-old pope said. Pope Francis will deliver his sixth "Urbi et Orbi" address on Tuesday, Christmas Day -- when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ -- to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Visitors from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve ahead of midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. In the "little town" in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians say Mary gave birth to Jesus. Crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, looked on at the square decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a manger as carols in Arabic played through speakers. "It's a great opportunity to be in such a symbolic location for Christmas," said Lea Gudel, a 21-year-old French student studying in Jerusalem, who was in Manger Square on Monday morning. Later in the day, musical groups took the stage at Manger Square in front of the Christmas tree, illuminated as night fell, to sing Christmas carols. This year, visitors were also able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. The first church was built on the site in the fourth century, though it was replaced after a fire in the sixth century. A newer and more spacious church, St. Catherine, is located next door to the basilica and is where midnight mass is held. Hundreds of worshippers crowded into the stone church for the mass led by the Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was among dignitaries in attendance. Pizzaballa in his homily spoke of a "responsibility of caring for the city and the land where we live." "Not to own or occupy it, but to transform it from a simple urban area of private services and personal interests, to an area and place that provides the experience of communion, peace, relationship and sharing." Bethlehem, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were beginning to mark Christmas after a year in which leaders warned over violence against fellow worshippers. On Friday, Pope Francis said "new extremist groups spring up and target churches, places of worship, ministers and members of the faithful." This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of which has come from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. The US National Park Service said that it would remain unlit and closed to the public "until further notice," with checks being made for damage following an attempt by an intruder on Friday to climb the tree. The tree, whose spectacular lights were switched on at a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, became a forlorn symbol of the dysfunction gripping Washington two years into his presidency. In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with the country badly divided over its impending exit from the EU. Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack in Spain's second-largest city during the Christmas holidays. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis called for peace and "fraternity" and Queen Elizabeth II warned against "tribalism", as many millions across the world celebrated Christmas on Tuesday, and US President Donald Trump caused a festive furore by asking a child whether he still believed in Santa Claus. Some 50,000 worshippers gathered at the Vatican to hear the pontiff's sixth "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) message appealing for peace in conflict zones such as Syria and Yemen whose populations face desperate humanitarian crises. "My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity," he told pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square on Tuesday, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. "Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas... Fraternity among persons of different religions." Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, had used his mass on Monday night to urge people to curb "insatiable greed". The pontiff said he hoped a truce in conflict-ravaged Yemen would end a devastating war that has killed around 10,000 people since 2015 and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. The pope also spoke of the war in Syria, which has forced millions from their homes and reduced swathes of the country to rubble. He called for a "political solution" to the conflict "so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country". Francis also said he hoped for renewed peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians "that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love." Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were marking Christmas, with services held from Indonesia to Iraq. This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of which has come from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. One festive service not affected was the military's annual Santa Claus "tracker", which sees North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) deliver live updates on his international gift delivery route. Fielding calls from children anxious to know if their presents would arrive on time, Trump risked a spell on Santa's naughty list by telling one young boy that believing in the jolly man in red at age seven was "marginal". But his scepticism is unlikely to have dampened the enthusiasm of many excited youngsters. "Historical data and more than 60 years of NORAD tracking information lead us to believe Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world," the Pentagon's handbook read. This year in Bethlehem, visitors were also able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after a major renovation. Visitors from across the world gathered in the "little town" on Christmas Eve for midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. While for many who celebrate the festival Christmas is a time to gather with loved ones, many were struggling with unforeseen events and hardships. At a little church just outside Indonesia's tsunami disaster zone, a few dozen congregants gathered on Christmas day to pray for the victims. The tsunami, triggered by a volcanic eruption, left more than 400 people dead when it smashed into popular beaches on southern Sumatra and the western edge of Java, inundating tourist hotels and coastal settlements. "This Christmas is different because we're celebrating it during a disaster," Rahmat Carita congregant Eliza told AFP. "For me, it's a chance to contemplate. God's love is real, we must not forget that." Queen Elizabeth II warned of religious "tribalism" in a Christmas message delivered against a backdrop of Britain bickering over its impending exit from the EU. The tone of the 92-year-old monarch's annual TV appearances reflected a sombre mood sweeping the island nation as it ponders the perils of leaving the European project after 46 years. "Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism," Elizabeth said. Spain's second-largest city Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack during the Christmas holidays. And in France, groups of "yellow vest" anti-government demonstrators are spending Christmas day at makeshift protest camps on roundabouts across the country, eating devilled eggs and foie gras with new friends they have made in weeks of rallies against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited Donald Trump to visit his country next year, the White House has said, confirming that the US President is open to a "potential meeting" even though nothing has been finalised as yet. President Erdogan's invite comes a day after Trump said his Turkish counterpart had assured him to he would "eradicate" the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group after the US leaves Syria. "President Erdogan invited President Trump to visit Turkey in 2019. While nothing definite is being planned, the President is open to a potential meeting in the future," White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said on Monday. However, a spokesman of Erdogan said that Trump has accepted his invitation. Over the last few days, the US media reported that Erdogan was instrumental in Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Trump has argued that ISIS has been defeated and that Turkey can take care of the remnants of the ISIS in Syria. Trump tweeted on Monday that he had a very good conversation with Erdogan. "President Erdogan has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right next door. Our troops are coming home," he said. The US will withdraw its troops from Syria, a US official said last week, after President Trump said America has "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country. The decision has been opposed by several lawmakers, even from the President's his own Republican party. Trump's Defense Secretary James Mattis also resigned in protest. Currently, about 2,000 US forces are in Syria, most of them on a train-and-advise mission to support local forces fighting ISIS. Most US forces are stationed in northern Syria, though a small contingent is based at a garrison in Al-Tanaf, near the Jordanian and Iraqi border. ISIS swept across large swaths of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, implementing their brutal interpretation of Islamic law in areas they controlled. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, a miffed ministerial aspirant, Tuesday sought to distance himself from the protests by his supporters seeking his induction in the H D Kumaraswamy cabinet, saying they were not under his control. "They (protesters) are not in our control. Our supporters sometimes don't listen to me also," he told reporters after meeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence here. Reddy, however, said he had warned his supporters and dismissed reports about BJP leaders being in touch with him. Supporters of Reddy, Home minister in the previous Siddaramaiah government, staged protests in the past couple of days after he was denied a ministerial berth in the much-awaited expansion of the six-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition government on December 22. Besides Reddy, several other senior Congress MLAs are upset over their exclusion in the Cabinet expansion and have come out openly to give vent to their anger. Replying to a question, Reddy said he had never asked for a cabinet berth, but brought to the notice of the leaders the "sense of discrimination" among his supporters. A few of his supporters, who also are corporators of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, have threatened to quit the Congress if Reddy was not made a minister. "Nobody will resign. I told them not to go to the press also. Because of enthusiasm, they went to the press. (Tuesday) Morning also, I warned our people," he said. Amidst reports that some BJP leaders were in touch with him, Reddy said, "Nobody from the BJP has been in touch with me, except in the morning, Yelahanka MLA Viswanath visited my house to invite me for his son's wedding, that's all." Replying to another query, Reddy said he was not joining the BJP and added he would like to see the next prime minister from the Congress. "No no, why I should be joining BJP? I am a strong supporter of Congress. My ambition is to see the next prime minister from our party hoisting the flag on August 15," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "It is very much upon us." I wish my readers a merry and blessed Christmas. Remember that the true essence of Christmas is loving your fellowmen and sharing whatever you have with them. This is just as God the Father shared his son, Jesus Christ, with mankind so that all may be saved from the ravages of sin. On this day we should also pray that the violence and impunity in our country would end. * * * The problem with us Filipinos is that we are no longer shocked at these killings, whether they are directed at those involved in drugs, or are politically motivated. The killings seems to be the new normal, and people look at these with apathy. My, has it come to this? We see these over media and all we can do is wish that we would not be the next? And then of course we know that local elected officials take their politics seriously that the option of eliminating their rivals via extreme prejudice is a very real option. In Ilocandia where I grew up, candidates see politics as a matter of life and death. There is not much natural resource to sustain livelihood. Thus they have to depend on politics to survive. As the midterm polls approach, expect more killings in the provinces. This is why I have been suggesting to the President to start a campaign against private armies, hired killers and loose firearms. The only way these can be stopped is for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Filipinos should also stop being apathetic and indifferent. * * * Finally the Bulacan aerotropolis proposal of San Miguel president and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang has obtained the final approval of the National Economic and Development Authority. The project will be awarded in the first quarter of 2019.This means that early next year, SMCs P735-billion project to be built on a 2,500-hectare flatlant with four runways and a state-of-the-art terminal will be up for a Swiss challenge. Earlier, there were questions posed by the geniuses of the NEDAs Investment Coordinating Council on the viability of Angs proposal. San Miguel gave the assurance that it has the financial clout to undertake the project. Santa Banana, for a while I was beginning to think that the government has become the biggest stumbling block here. NEDA secretary general Ernesto Pernia said that there was no government guarantee in the concession agreement as agreed with SMC. Recall that under the Aquino administration, the concession agreement entered into for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport said the government must shell out a terminal fee of P20 billion. This development in the Bulacan airport is a Christmas gift, indeed. * * * Santa Banana, its not New Years Eve yet but I am already hearing about injuries related to firecrackers. This, despite government warnings that these can only bring harm. The government should just ban the sale and distribution of firecrackers. This is a recurring problem that never gets solved. * * * I have my own Persons of the Year. Mine are Miss Universe Catriona Gray, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio. No one can argue that Miss Universe Gray indeed brought us great honor. And then, Arroyo showed us that after great hardships one can be on top again. As for Inday Sara, surveys said she could make it as senator but she has decided to run for reelection. * * * Id like to take this opportunity to commend a nation builder-GMA 7s Felipe Gozon who has made the Kapuso network no.1 in the Philippines. His network has outperformed ABS-CBN. Gozon made it all possible. There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit. Four years after the National Green Tribunal ordered a ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, illegal practices continue unabated in the state, putting lives at risk every day. A top police officer told PTI that it took them long to locate the quarry as local people were scared to divulge information, fearing a backlash from mine owners. Sylvester Nongtynger, the East Jaintia Hills superintendent of police, said he came to know about the accident from Rajabala MLA Azad Aman. "It took the police hours to locate the mine as the villagers feigned ignorance about the accident. They are afraid that mine owners might cause them harm. Some who consider mining to be their only means of livelihood fear police action may add to their woes," he said. A month ago, rights activist Agnes Kharshiing and her companion were attacked by a group of people who were suspected to be members of coal mining mafia in East Jaintia Hills district. Kharshiing had reportedly captured photographs of illegal rat-hole mining in the district and was stopped by miscreants on their way back. Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat-holes", as each just about fits one person. According to government reports, the coal mining industry was among the biggest revenue earners for the state, generating about Rs 700 crore annually, prior to its ban in 2014. The National Green Tribunal had cited safety of miners as one of the reasons when it clamped down on coal mining in the state. Heaps of freshly dug coal could be seen dumped on both sides of the road that approaches Lumthari village, where the miners were trapped on December 13, from Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills. District Deputy Commissioner F M Dopth told this PTI correspondent to take security cover if he intended to tour the village as local people are agitated over the incident. Three from the village are among the 15 labourers who got trapped in the mine when water from nearby Lytein river gushed into it. A senior home department official said the district police force do not have adequate personnel to deal with the problem. "There are less than 100 police officers posted in the district. East Jaintia Hills, spanning an area of 2,000 sq km, has only 26 armed constables, 31 unarmed constables, 12 sub-inspectors and three inspectors. That isn't enough to curb a menace, which has only grown in proportions over the years," he said. Nongtynger, on his part, said he had written to the headquarters for sanctioning more posts in the district for effective implementation of the NGT order. "Despite limited resources, over 100 arrests were made and an equal number of coal-laden trucks seized since the ban was ordered," he said. A three-member panel, formed in August by the NGT, is assessing the steps taken by the state government to restore the environment damaged due to rat-hole mining. Retired Justice B P Kakoti, who is heading the panel, recently visited East Jaintia Hills district and sought help from North Eastern Space Application Centre at Umiam, near here, to use satellite imagery for authentic proofs of illegal mining. "The judicial panel will submit a report before the NGT within a month and all facts and figures of the illegal mining activities will be taken into account," he said. A group of coal miners had challenged the ban on haulage of already extracted coal, following which the NGT relaxed transportation rules temporarily. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court set January 31 as deadline for transporting the extracted coal. According to Kakoti, "Miners are taking advantage of the order and digging out fresh coal." Opposition Congress leader H M Shangpliang accused the state government of facilitating illegal mining activities in the state. "Without the involvement of those in the government and their whole hearted support, how can illegal mining and transportation take place openly?" he reasoned. He also said that the state government had failed to live up to its promise to curb the menace. "The government should provide alternative livelihood for the families of people in mining areas who are affected by the ban," he said. Activist Kharshiing's brother John, who heads an organisation of tribal body chiefs (Syiem aka Raja) in the state, said the "ban had come across a rude shock for the mine owners, who just could not accept the fact that the NGT controlled activities on their land". Unlike other parts of the country, land in Meghalaya is owned privately or by a community, under customary laws and protected by the Autonomous District Councils formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. "The local people still have a problem with the NGT ban. They are yet to come to terms with it," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after ruckus in a North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) meeting, the AAP on Tuesday accused the BJP of being "anti-Bania" (anti-traders) and demanded action against a councilor who allegedly "attacked" its member in the civic body. A section of the AAP and BJP councillors "exchanged blows" following heated arguments during the session of the saffron party-led NDMC House Monday. A probe has been ordered into the incident by mayor of the corporation. AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta demanded that the BJP should expel its councillor who allegedly attacked AAP councilor Vikas Goyal in the NDMC meeting. "The incident exposes BJP's anti-Bania face before the country," Gupta said at a press conference. The "anti-Bania" stand of the BJP is already "exposed" by deletion of over four lakh trader community votes in Delhi, he charged. The trading community is said to be traditional supporters of the BJP. "Some of the members, from both the BJP and the AAP, after speaking on certain issues, had heated exchange of words. And, this led to chaos in which, some of the members exchanged blows," Adesh Gupta, mayor of the BJP-ruled corporation, had said after the incident. Sushil Gupta said AAP councilors will 'gherao' the mayor demanding action against BJP councilors who allegedly attacked Goyal. He charged that Goyal was "attacked" for raising the sealing issue in the House meeting. "BJP does not want anyone to raise voice against sealing. Those doing so are treated like Goyal," he alleged. The AAP councilor and Leader of Oppostion in NDMC Anil Lakra alleged that it was a "pre-planned conspiracy" by BJP councilors to attack AAP councilors. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday inaugurated or laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 666 crore across the state to mark the completion of one year in office. As many as 5,538 projects related to the education sector were launched by Rupani from Gandhinagar, said a government release. Rupani had taken oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for a second time on December 26 last year after the ruling BJP retained power in the elections held that month. The CM either inaugurated or laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 666 through remote control from a function held at the Gandhinagar Civil Hospital. These projects included 5,179 newly-built classrooms of schools and colleges, nine polytechnic college buildings and 350 anganwadi centres, the release said. During the event, Rupani also interacted with beneficiaries, students, parents and anganwadi workers of 21 district through video conferencing facility. December 25, the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is also celebrated as the Good Governance Day. Speaking on the occasion, Rupani claimed the BJP government has developed a "corruption-free system" where pro-people works are being carried out in a transparent manner. In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said instead of doing some work "here and there", the BJP government believes in carrying out development works on a "wholesale" basis. Meanwhile, speaking in Vadodara, Rupani said over 23 lakhs farmers in drought-hit 96 tehsils in Gujarat have started getting input assistance from Tuesday. He was speaking at an event where Gujarat's first amusement park, constructed at a cost of Rs 125 crore and located at Ajwa near Vadodara, was inaugurated. A sum of Rs 2,300 crore is to disbursed to 23.24 lakh farmers in 96 tehsils affected by drought. The Gujarat government has announced to pay input assistance to farmers of drought-hit areas in three different slabs. The aid will be provided as per the rainfall received in the affected areas during the monsoon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia on Tuesday expanded its economic sanctions on Ukraine, adding more than 250 people and businesses to a blacklist first announced at the start of November. According to a decree by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, 245 individuals and seven companies, mostly in the energy and defence sectors, were sanctioned by Moscow. Relations between Moscow and Kiev have deteriorated since a pro-Western government came to power after the 2014 revolt against a pro-Russian leader, Moscow's annexation of the Crimea and the outbreak of war in eastern Ukraine. A total of 567 individuals and 75 Ukranian companies now face Russian economic sanctions, which put a freeze on any assets they have in Russia. On his Twitter account, Medvedev said the sanctions were "to defend the interests of the Russian government, businesses and people." Tensions between the two neighbours have worsened since November when Russia's coastguard captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews off the Crimean coast. Among those sanctioned on Tuesday were Ukrainian defence, energy, insurance and logistics companies as well as Odessa's mayor and other high-ranking Ukraine officials. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Kiev has taken a series of measures against Russian interests, including blocking Russian internet services and social media. The conflict pitting pro-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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (SBI) Managing Director P K Gupta said that the charges for various services offered by the bank are among the lowest in the industry. Various services offered by the bank, including ATM transaction and cash deposits, come at a cost, but the charges have been kept low in the larger interest of customers, Gupta told PTI. Asked about rationale for levying charges for non-maintenance of monthly average balance (MAB), he said the bank has invested heavily in technological upgradation of systems for providing safe and secure banking facilities at any place in the country. Further, ATMs and cash points have been created across the country, thereby making huge investment for benefit and convenience of customers. "With substantial investment in infrastructure and technology, it becomes imperative for the bank to recover at least a part of the cost. Considering the improvement in the quality of facilities and services extended to customers, the requirement of MAB in savings bank accounts was re-introduced from April 2017," he added. The managing director looking after retail and digital banking also pointed out that these charges were reduced twice - in October last year and subsequently in April this year. "Our charges are on the lower side when compared with the other private sector banks," Gupta said. Besides, he said 60 per cent of the total savings account holders, including no-frill accounts, student and minor are exempt from requirement of MAB. Customers are given various free services like 5 free ATM transaction and 2 cash withdrawal at branches, he noted. To promote digital transaction, the bank has now made available to the customers several digital options to make payments seamlessly instead of using the ATMs. "Our request to our customers is to use the digital channels as much as possible, since the ATM operations are becoming costlier day by day," he said. To promote digital transactions, he said, the bank in fact offers reward points to the customers. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, a grand ayatollah who headed Iran's judiciary during fierce crackdowns on dissidents, journalists and activists, died on Monday at the age of 70 according to the state agency IRNA. Shahroudi was a student of Iran's revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini who went on to hold some of the most powerful positions in the Islamic republic. At the time of his death he was head of the Expediency Council and a member of the 12-man Guardian Council -- two key institutions in shaping legislation and vetting election candidates. He was also deputy head of the Assembly of Experts which has the power to choose the successor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- a position to which Shahroudi himself was occasionally linked. Shahroudi had not been seen in public for several months, and there were reports last year that he underwent surgery for an unspecified cancer in Germany. A German lawmaker filed a complaint against Shahroudi during his stay, calling for him to be charged for crimes against humanity, but a judge found no grounds to hold him. Shahroudi headed the judiciary between 1999 and 2009 -- a period that saw hundreds of executions and a concerted crackdown on activists, dissidents and the reformist media. His tenure concluded with the mass protests over allegations of rigging in the 2009 presidential election, which led to thousands being arrested and allegations of severe prisoner abuse. Some measures nonetheless marked him as a relative moderate within the judiciary, particularly his moratorium on stoning as a method of execution which other clerics saw as sanctioned under sharia law. But the prosecution in 2001 of reformist lawmakers -- despite their parliamentary immunity -- was heavily criticised by the government of the time. Shahroudi was born in Najaf in Iraq on August 18, 1948, and met Khomeini when the latter was exiled to Iraq in the 1960s. He fled to Kuwait and then Iran after Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein cracked down on Shiite clerics in the wake of the 1979 Iranian revolution, the conservative Tasnim agency said in its obituary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday lauded Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, her son and party president Rahul Gandhi, saying people should feel "proud of them" as they continue to serve the poor despite assassination of late prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Pawar also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accusing the Gandhi family of ruining the country and charged him with doing nothing "when innocents were being killed in Gujarat" during his tenure as chief minister of that state. The former Union minister did not mention any specific incident in his speech, but he was apparently referring to the 2002 riots in Gujarat. Launching a broadside at the ruling BJP, Pawar alleged the saffron outfit was pitting communities against each other as it did nothing on the development front as was promised to the people. The NCP leader was speaking at an event in Satara district, around 300km from Mumbai. He said some lawyers have raised doubts if the 16 per cent quota granted to Marathas in jobs and education in Maharashtra will stand scrutiny of the law and said the government should ensure the reservation sustains. Attacking Modi for targeting the Gandhis, the Maratha strongman said the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru spent years in jail during the British rule, while Indira Gandhi protected interests of the poor when in power. "Such sacrifice by a family. Indira Gandhi was killed. Rajiv Gandhi was killed. We should feel proud if Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi are continuing to serve the poor notwithstanding these two killings. "But the prime minister only talks about one family ruining (the country)," the former Maharashtra chief minister told the gathering. "You (Modi) were in power in Gujarat. Innocents were killed there. What you did there? People were burnt but (you) did nothing," added Pawar, who quit the Congress and formed the NCP in June 1999. He also raised questions over the recent acquittal of 22 accused, most of them policemen, in the alleged fake encounter killings of gangster Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his wife and an aide in Gujarat in 2005-06. "What kind of state it is? Is it a state of the law? Is it a state that protects interest of the common people? The power is in the hands of such people," he said. On the issue of Maratha reservation, Pawar said some lawyers have told him that they had doubts whether the quota law would stand legally. "I am not a lawyer. I spoke to some lawyers I will definitely speak to experts after going back to Mumbai and try to understand it (the issue)," he added. On senior Congress leader D Y Patil joining the NCP, Pawar said the former had evinced interest in working with him. "Patil has been expressing interest in working with me for the past six months. He said he did not want any post and joined (the NCP)," the 78-year-old veteran parliamentarian added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Christmas holiday was somber with prayers for tsunami victims in the Indonesian region hit by waves that struck without warning Saturday night. Markus Taekz said his Rahmat Pentecostal Church in the hard-hit area of Carita did not celebrate with joyous music. Instead, he said only about 100 people showed up for the Christmas Eve service, usually attended by double that number, because many people had left the area for the capital, Jakarta, or other areas away from the disaster zone. "This is an unusual situation because we have a very bad disaster that killed hundreds of our sisters and brothers in Banten," he said, referring to the Javanese province. "So our celebration is full of grief." Church leaders called on Christians across Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, to pray for victims of the tsunami. The death toll had climbed to 373 late Monday with more than 1,400 people injured and at least 128 missing after the tsunami slammed into western Java and southern Sumatra without warning, smashing homes to pieces and sweeping people into the sea. Military troops, government personnel and volunteers were searching along debris-strewn beaches. Where victims were found, yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out, and weeping relatives identified the dead. The waves followed an eruption and apparent landslide on Anak Krakatau, or "Child of Krakatoa," a volcanic island that formed in the early part of the 20th century near the site of the cataclysmic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Hotels and hundreds of homes were heavily damaged by the waves. Chunks of broken concrete and splintered wood littered coastal areas. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who faces what promises to be a tough re-election campaign next year, vowed to have all tsunami-detection equipment replaced or repaired. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia Disaster Mitigation Agency, acknowledged on Twitter that the country's network of detection buoys had been out of order since 2012 because of vandalism and budget shortfalls. But the head of Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Dwikorita Karnawati, said the tsunami was caused by Krakatau's volcanic activity and so could not have been picked up by the agency's sensors, which monitor the conventional earthquakes responsible for more than 90 percent of Indonesia's tsunamis. The tsunami was probably caused by the collapse of a big section of the volcano's slope, said Gegar Prasetya, co-founder of the Tsunami Research Center Indonesia. Anak Krakatau been erupting since June and did so again 24 minutes before the tsunami, the geophysics agency said. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people, lies along the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The eruption of Krakatoa in the 19th century killed more than 30,000 people and hurled so much ash that it turned day to night in the area and reduced global temperatures. Thousands were believed killed by a quake and tsunami that hit Sulawesi island in September, and an earlier quake on the island of Lombok killed 505 people in August. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syrian air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" near Damascus on Tuesday, state media reported, with a war monitor reporting an Israeli air strike. The official SANA agency and the state broadcaster both reported that air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" to "confront" them, without giving further details. SANA said "a number of enemy targets were downed" by the air defences. "It's an Israeli raid," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. "Missiles fired from Israeli planes targeted... arms depots southwest and south of Damascus that belong to Hezbollah or Iranian forces," Abdel Rahman said. Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets, many of them in the area south of Damascus. At the end of November Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of "hostile targets" over the Kisweh area south of Damascus. In early December SANA and state television reported that Syrian air defences had opened fire near Damascus airport but later both state media outlets withdrew the report without explanation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Virtually setting the tone of poll campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said there is no substitute to development, an issue that the ruling BJP has adopted as its "battle cry". "There is no substitute to development as people of every caste, community, region and religion need development to raise their living standards. Those who do negative politics and try to divide the country on the lines of caste, religion and geographical boundaries actually deceive the democracy," he said. The chief minister made these remarks while addressing a gathering in adjoining Siddhatrthnagar district after laying the foundation stone of a medical college. Stating that Siddharthnagar seat is very important for the BJP, Adityanath named the medical college after late BJP leader Madhav Prasad Tripathi. "We never said that patients will be discriminated in the medical college on the lines of caste and religion. The people of Siddharthnagar district, as also those of neighbouring districts and Nepal will be benefited by it. I have seen children dying of encephalitis and various water-borne diseases as they were poor and it was difficult for them to reach BRD medical college in Gorakhpur. "The people will now get treatment near their home and young students of poor families who dream of becoming a doctor could make their dreams come true," he said. The chief minister said, "We are trying to live up to the concept of Ramrajya by making the benefits of welfare scheme reach the deprived sections. The poor are getting houses, LPG connections, electricity connections, benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme and toilets." "The previous governments never took concrete steps to combat encephalitis. Since the disease is mostly water borne, a toilet in the house will be very helpful to contain it," the chief minister added. Taking a dig at opposition parties, he said, "People raised a lot of slogans and made announcements but if the development could have taken place only by raising slogans, India might have gone very far." "People were deprived of houses, electricity, LPG connections, toilets and various schemes. For the first time in 70 years after Independence, PM Narendra Modi thought and worked for it," he added. On strengthening the ties with neighbouring Nepal, he said, "Nepal is our friendly nation and I have directed PWD to repair and beautify all the roads to Nepal." Adityanath said Siddharthnagar was associated with Gautam Buddha and it carries a lot of historical significance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "The airport will have four runways with plans for another two later, to serve 100-million passengers, scalable to 200 million." One major business event of 2018 has been the rise of San Miguel Corp. into a trillion-peso company in sales with profits of no less than P50 billion. Reaching P1,000 billion pesos in sales has been a dream of Ramon S. Ang, SMCs visionary vice chairman, president and chief operating officer, since five years ago. A P1-trillion revenue level reinforces San Miguels claim that it is the Philippines largest company. It is already the most profitable and the most diversified Philippine conglomerate. The bragging right is significant given that the Friday before Christmas, President Dutertes cabinet acting as the board of the top policy making body National Economic and Development Authority approved San Miguels P750-billion new airport in Bulacan, just 17 minutes by SMCs Skyway north of the present NAIA. The NEDA approval is double-bladed. It carries no guarantees, which means San Miguels ambitious airport will not be guaranteed revenue, profitability, passenger volume, use by airlines, right of way rights, and other benefits usually given such a premium infrastructure project. It also appears to me the SMC airport will not be compensated for damages in case a succeeding government makes a crazy decision adverse to the airports profitabilitylike ordering that the facility stops charging passenger fees for its use. Such a loss could be massive. Imagine you are charging P500 per passenger as terminal fee and you have 100 million passengers a year. Instantly, you lose P50 billion, a year, if a crazy administration says no more passenger fee. So instead of recovering your P800 billion cost in 16 years (P800 billion divided by 50), you may never recover it. Such a deal is so unlike the deal given by the unlamented Aquino administration to Megawide with its contract to build and manage Cebu airport. Aquinos Finance chief, Cesar Purisima, agreed to pay P20 billion to Megawide in the event the government decides to put up another airport near Cebua very likely event given the tourism boom. Still, RSA seems happy with the decision. I can make it the most beautiful airport that will bring in millions of tourists and provide so many business opportunities to everyone, in addition to easing vehicular traffic with a highway and a train loop from Bulacan to Manila and back, he vows. A brand-new airport like San Miguel will contribute up to 9 percent of total economic production or GDP. Current GDP is P17 trillion and 9 percent is P1.53 trillion. In three years or less, thus, the Bulacan airport pays for itself in terms of tremendous economic benefits. The Philippines is losing the tourism race in the region largely because Manila continues to operate the NAIA, an airport that it should have discarded five years ago, or converted its space into an entirely new business district. The Philippines attracts only seven-million visitors, half of whom are Filipinos, meaning not tourists. With 110-million population, the Philippines should be able to attract 100-million visitors easily. Singapore, an island you can sink in the middle of Laguna Lake with 24,000 hectares more to spare, has five-million people. It gets 25-million tourists. With one attraction, Angkor Wat, Cambodia also gets seven-million visitors. The world has one billion tourists. China alone sends out 100-million tourists a year. Manila captures only one million of them and half of them are gamblers. In the last 10 years, RSA has redefined San Miguels business. It is not beer, it is not hotdogs, it is not chicken, it is not carton boxes, it is not gasoline stations. It is development. San Miguel Corp.s strategy is to help people enjoy and make progress in their lives through the many products and services San Miguel offers. San Miguel aims to make the world better. We are enabling people by investing in industries that will make the biggest difference in their lives, says its website. With 100 factories nationwide, San Miguel is more than a manufacturing behemoth. It is an even bigger infrastructure company. Its infra portfolio is the largest in the country.SMC is completing its 89.2-km Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway is nearly complete. It plans to extend TPLEX to be near Baguio. Its 14.82-km Skyway Stage 3 (from Makati to Balintawak, connecting the South and North Expressways), 22-km MRT-7(from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan), Boracay Airport expansion, and Bulacan Bulk Water Supply projects, are all on track. Its newest infrastructure projectsthe 58.09-kmSouth East Metro Manila Expressway, or Skyway 4 (from FTI to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan); and the 56.86-km SLEX-TR4 (from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena) are in the early stages of development. San Miguel is also modernizing the 52-ha. Manila North Harbor. An absolute game changer is San Miguels plan to build a $15-billion brand new airport on 2,500 hectares in Bulacan, 17 minutes by skyway from Manila. It will have four runways with plans for another two later, to serve 100 million passengers, scalable to 200 million. It will also have a modern air cargo complex plus a seaside port nearby and an industrial and business complex. It is called an aerotroplisa city built around an airport. With NEDA board approval, San Miguels airport has secured all the regulatory approvals at the highest levels. It is awaiting a Swiss challenge before an order to proceed is issued. Can Ramon Ang deliver the San Miguel airport despite the constraints? RSA has seven simple principles of business. They are: 1. Be a man of your word; 2. Know how to keep a secret; 3. Work harder than anybody else; 4. Be decisive; 5. Be a risk-taker; 6. Remember that nothing is impossible; and 7. Believe in a bigger purpose. Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at the birthplace of Jesus, which witnessed its most cheerful celebrations in many years, breaking the despondency of last year in the wake of US administration's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The Manger Square, where tourists and locals generally jostle for space before the midnight mass, was abuzz with activities on a cold day as traditional march led by Palestinian boy and girl scouts kicked off Christmas celebrations on Monday. Playing drums and bagpipes they paraded past a 16 metre giant Christmas tree in the Manger Square outside the ancient Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus. All the Bethlehem hotels were fully booked and the security situation relatively calm as the city is preparing to host an "astounding" tourists overnight, the "numbers we have not seen for many years", Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Ma'ayah said. "We have never received this number of tourists coming to Palestine," Ma'ayah said, adding that "In a city like Bethlehem, tourism creates waves throughout the economy." "Hotels in the city have been booked to their full capacity for a few weeks leading into today's celebrations", said Fadi Kattan a travel agent. The city's Hotel Association had predicted an occupancy of more than 95 per cent in the build up to the festivities this year but workers at Hotels near the Church of Nativity said that rooms were in short supply as the number of foreign visitors exceeded their expectations this year. "We are fully booked during the Christmas season," Wissam Salsa, Manager of the Walled Off Hotel, said jubilantly. Security was tight in the city as paramilitary Palestinian police armed with assault rifles patrolled the cobblestone streets. Israel also eased security restrictions and made all possible efforts to make tourists feel safe. With relative lull in violence the region has seen an increase in number of tourists coming to Israel and the West Bank city of Bethlehem, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ma'ayah noted that Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian-controlled area of the West Bank, was preparing to host an "astounding" 10,000 tourists overnight, "numbers we haven't seen for many years", and that the total number of visitors would exceed 3 million this year. Last year, US President Donald Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital incensed the Palestinians and ignited clashes in the region and worldwide protests that kept the pilgrims away from visiting the holy land. The decision had taken joy out of Christmas for the people in the holy land who witnessed a low key celebration with thousands of tourists choosing to stay away from festivities. The boom in Bethlehem's tourism comes as Israel also enjoys a record number of tourists. Israel's Tourism Ministry is projecting that more than four million visitors will visit the holy land in 2018. Some 3.8 million tourists visited Israel in the first 11 months of the year, 14 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year. Coffee vendors and gift stores in Bethlehem also seemed to have come alive this year. "We hope this revival is not short lived and tourism continues to grow. The city is heavily dependent on tourists", Khaled, a gift shop owner, said adding, "our lives are intertwined with every small political development in the region. Our smiles can fade instantly with just some violent spark erupting around". The Christmas festivities traditionally bring a boost of holiday cheer to Christians in the holy land, whose numbers have shrunk over the decades relative to the general population and now make up just a minority in Jesus' birthplace. The city today has a strong Muslim majority of at least 70 per cent, with only 30 per cent Christians. It was once a Christian dominated city but emigration arising out of a wave of violence and economic hardships has seen its Christian residents moving to several countries across the world. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the holy land, entered Bethlehem on Monday crossing an Israeli military checkpoint that divides Jerusalem from Bethlehem. The top cleric later addressed a packed house of worshippers and dignitaries at the Church of Nativity that included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. Visitors this year were able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. Pizzaballa said the recent restoration of the church was a metaphor for recent events in the region. "The mosaics were splendid, but covered by a layer of dirt", he said during his traditional address. "This last year was terrible", the cleric said referring to upsurge in violence, "so we all tend to think that all is dirty. But if you remove this layer of dirt we see how wonderful the mosaics are". "Since it's Christmas, we have to be positive," the archbishop stressed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local court here has held three men guilty for the murder of a 12-year-old boy that took place in 2004 and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Judge Ashok Kumar also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each of the accused, Ramesh, Ashok and Promod, after holding them guilty under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code on Monday. The judge directed them to pay Rs one lakh from the amount of the fine to the family of the deceased. According to the lawyer representing the complainant, the minor boy was stabbed to death by the accused over some old feud on November 12, 2004 at Mansurpur village in the district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three more persons were arrested in connection with the suspected honour killing case of a 25-year-old man in Beed district of Maharashtra, police said Tuesday. Among them, Balaji Landge and Sanket Wagh, key accused in the case, were nabbed Monday from Amravati district of the state, while the third accused, Gajanan Kshirsagar (30), was nabbed Tuesday from the city, a senior police official said. With this, the number of the accused arrested in the case has gone up to four. Gajanan Kshirsagar's brother Krishna Kshirsagar, a college student, was earlier apprehended in the case. The victim, Sumit Shivajirao Waghmare, a third year student at the Aditya Engineering College here, was stabbed to death by two men outside the educational institute on December 19, police had earlier said. He had married a fellow student, Bhagyashree Landge, two months ago against the wishes of her family, according to the police. While Waghmare and his wife were coming out of the college after appearing for an exam, Bhagyashree Landge's brother Balaji Landge and one more person confronted them and allegedly stabbed the couple before fleeing, police said. Waghmare was later taken to the Beed Civil Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, while his wife suffered injuries, they had said. Police suspected that it was a case of honour killing as Bhagyashree Landge's family was opposed to her marriage with Waghmare. Balaji Landge and Wagh were traced and caught after their photos and other information related to them were sent to various police stations in Maharashtra, Beed Superintendent of Police (SP) G Shreedhar told reporters here. During the probe, the duo was traced to Amravati in eastern Maharashtra, he said. "We sent our team to Amravati and both the men were nabbed from Badnera railway station there on Monday late night," he said. Asked about suspicion that the accused were hiding in the house of a former minister in the Aurangabad city, the SP said a search was conducted at the residence but the two men were not found there. The other accused, Gajanan Kshirsagar, was being questioned since Monday and was placed under arrest Tuesday, another police official said. He was allegedly involved in the planning of the fatal attack on Waghmare, he said. All three will be produced before a court in Beed, in Central Maharashtra, Wednesday for seeking their police remand, he said. Gajanan Kshirsagar's brother, Krishna Kshirsagar, who is in his mid 20s, allegedly helped Balaji Landge escape from the spot after committing the crime, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey said Tuesday it is working with the United States to coordinate the withdrawal of American forces but remains "determined" to clear US-allied Kurdish fighters from northeastern Syria. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters that "if Turkey says it will enter, it will," in comments carried by private DHA agency. For weeks, Turkey has been threatening to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish fighters, who partnered with the US to drive the Islamic State group out of much of northern and eastern Syria. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists because of their links to an insurgent group inside Turkey. President Donald Trump announced the planned withdrawal of US forces after a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month. The minister also said Ankara and Washington have agreed to complete a roadmap on the northern Syrian town of Manbij until the US withdraws. Under the June deal, Kurdish forces would leave Manbij, in the western Euphrates valley, but delays have infuriated Turkey. "It is crucial that the US doesn't appear as not having kept its promises," Cavusoglu said. He argued that Turkey has the "strength to neutralize" IS on its own and criticised France, which has promised to stay in Syria despite the US decision. Cavusoglu warned it would not benefit France if it was staying in Syria to protect the YPG, the main Kurdish militia in Syria. Erdogan, speaking to reporters in Ankara, said Turkey was taking into account Trump's announcement on Syria rather than French President Emmanuel Macron's decision. The future of the international coalition against IS, which includes Turkey, the US and France, remains unclear. The Turkish president also announced that a delegation was heading to Moscow and that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkey has been negotiating on behalf of the Syrian opposition with Russia and Iran, which support the Syrian government, as part of efforts to end the nearly 8-year civil war. A top Russian official says that Moscow expects that a hotline between Russia and the US military will be kept in place despite the impending US withdrawal from Syria. Trump announced last week that the US will withdraw all of its 2,000 forces in Syria, a move that will leave control of the oil-rich eastern third of Syria up for grabs. Russia launched its military operation in Syria in 2015 to back its longtime ally President Bashar Assad. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryakov said Tuesday in an interview with the RIA Novosti agency that it would be a "big mistake" to dismantle a hotline that Russia and the US use to prevent potential clashes in Syria pending the US withdrawal and said he sees no indications the Americans would do that. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons died after consuming excess alcohol in Delhi's Subash Nagar area, police said Tuesday. 31-year-old Tejinder was found dead from his flat along with Gurtej, 21, on Monday night after they had a party with their friends. Tejinder, who runs a furniture factory, had a party at his rented flat in Subhash Nagar, an upscale west Delhi locality. Gurtej who used to work in that factory also went for the party and so did other two friends, officials said. According to police, the other two friends left after the party and soon both Tejinder and Gurtej fell unconscious. A worker of Tejinder's factory went to the flat to take keys of the factory and found them lying. He informed Tejinder's family, who called police. Police found three alcohol bottles, glasses, one brazier and cigarettes from the flat, officials said. Post-mortem report stated that the reason of the death was excess consumption of alcohol, a senior police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has failed to create job opportunities for the youth and ensure remunerative prices for crops to farmers. He claimed that people belonging to all sections of society were facing problems. "Debt-ridden farmers are committing suicide. The future of the youth is in dark. BJP is out to crush the dreams of the young generation," Yadav said at a programme in Lucknow on Monday. He said employment opportunities have dried up as the present government in the state has not been able to provide jobs to the young. Referring to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Yadav said, "The chief minister does not like even a little bit of opposition." He said students who raises their issues "are sent jail" and even girl students are subjected to police action. Last year, a group of students, including two girls, associated with the student wing of the Samajwadi Party had blocked the convoy of Adityanath in Lucknow and showed him black flags. They were detained and sent to jail. A court granted them bail after 20 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has given green nod to the US Embassy, located in the capital, for constructing a new office building, renovation of the Chancery and update support facilities at the existing land for estimated cost of Rs 2 billion, as per an official document. The proposed project is expected to provide jobs for 150 people during the construction phase and 1,366 personnel during operation phase. In the proposal, the US Embassy said the existing office that spans on two plots in an area of 1,13,200 square metre (sqm) in Chanakyapuri faces a number of challenges. The utilities are outdated and inefficient, and there has been no major architectural and infrastructural improvement in the embassy since 1965. The environment ministry recently examined the proposal and gave the final environment clearance to the US Embassy for its Rs 2 billion project with some riders, the document said. The project will involve partly demolition of existing structure and vegetation. The existing built-up area of 13,189.03 sqm of the building will be demolished and about 205 number of trees will be felled. Among the conditions specified, the embassy has been asked to plant one tree for every 80 sqm of land. The proposal entails addition, alternation and erection of the existing embassy for development of new office building and residential units. The master plan also aims to build new consular facility to increase capacity and enhance quality of experience for visitors as well as update campus to meet current security requirements. It also aims to update campus utilities to maximize efficient and sustainable systems, the proposal added. The US was the first country to exchange ambassadors with independent India in 1947. The embassy in New Delhi is one of the largest US diplomatic missions in the world. Asserting that India should adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu & Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened. Kumar was delivering the Lalitaditya Memorial Lecture in Pune, organised by Sarhad organisation. During his speech, he also said that there is a need to send a stern message to Pakistan for its support to militancy. "A stern message needs to be sent to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today Pakistan is not feeling the pinch it should feel," said Kumar. He said India should deal strongly with Pakistan as far as training camps and terrorist launchpads are concerned. "Now USA is existing Afghanistan. It has its implications in Kashmir. It is a matter of time that we will be feeling its implications in the Valley. After the US withdrawal, the terrorists organisations would feel pumped up, emboldened," he said. Seeing America's withdrawal as a "sign of victory", terrorist outfits can feel that New Delhi can also be defeated, so there is an urgent need for India to adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to deal with terrorism in Kashmir, he asserted. The US is planning to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The American troops contribute to training and advising local forces fighting the Taliban and the Islamic State group. Underling Pakistan's active role in spreading terrorism in the Valley, the former IPS officer said Pakistan is not only sponsoring terrorism but also sending its nationals to Kashmir in the garb of fighting jihad. "No matter which government is in power, Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in the Valley," he said. He said militancy in Kashmir started with local terrorist organisations but now it is tilting towards Islamic extremism. "The Valley has a rich history of Sufism but over the years it has moved towards Wahabism," he said, adding that efforts should be made to take Kashmir back to Sufism. Suggesting measures, he said the state needs stringent laws to deal with anti-national forces, a concrete policy to encourage youths to give up militancy. The surrender policy must ensure that youth who give up militancy are gainfully employed and discouraged from returning to the menace, he said. He also called for political outreach and empowerment of the civil society. He said social media has played a destructive role in inciting sentiments of the youth. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sadaiv Atal, a memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was dedicated to the nation Tuesday on his 94th birth anniversary. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the former statesman at the memorial built near the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where his mortal remains were consigned to flames on August 17. Vajpayee passed away on August 16 after a prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honours. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and family members of Vajpayee also offered flowers at the lotus-shaped memorial. Sadaiv (always) Atal memorial will be managed by a trust headed by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. "Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," Modi tweeted Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-feet high statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed in Lok Bhawan, the Uttar Pradesh government secretariat here, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday. Adityanath made the announcement at a ceremony held to celebrate Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also the local MP, and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik also attended the function. "Atalji had strong ties with Uttar Pradesh. He started his public life from Balrampur in the state and represented Lucknow as an MP for five terms," the chief minister said, adding that a number of schemes are being launched in the name of the former prime minister. "Atalji was the foundation of 'sushasan' (good governance). He learnt the nuances of from Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and became a symbol of trust in politics," Adityanath said. He said Vajpayee remained a soldier of democracy for a long time and set an example for all people's representatives. Vajpayee passed away in Delhi on August 16 after a prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honours the next day. Singh stressed that people could learn from Vajpayee how to behave and work in public life. "He was very affectionate even when angry...he was victorious not only in the field of diplomacy but also in war...the barriers of political parties got demolished merely by his presence," the Union minister said. Naik said it was a pleasant coincidence that Vajpayee shared his birthday with Jesus Christ and Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya. He paid homage to all on behalf of the people of the state. "Vajpayeeji was the 'mahanayak' (superhero) of and the accepted leader of the country...not only people of his party speak highly about him but leaders of opposition parties also praised him," he said. "Atalji had the quality of taking everyone along and he took the country to new heights...despite being an MP from Lucknow he did not get a house constructed for himself," Naik said. He described Vajpayee as a rare talent. Recalling the BJP's Mumbai convention in 1980, when Vajpayee was the party's national president, Naik said M C Chagla, an eminent jurist, diplomat and former Union minister had said in his address that the country's future prime minister was sitting beside him and those words came true in 1996. Yogi, Singh and Naik also offered floral tributes to Vajpayee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Natural resources major Vedanta Ltd on Tuesday said it will set up a new steel plant in Jharkhand with a capacity of 4.5 million tonne (MT) per annum at an investment of USD 3-4 billion. The plant will be part of the company's newly-acquired Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) at Bokaro, Vendanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal told reporters here. "This would be a new steel plant under ESL and in the same location at Bokaro... so it's a brownfield investment per se. The amount is likely to be to the tune of USD 3-4 billion for a capacity of 4.5 MT," Agarwal said. Vedanta would initially invest about USD 300 million to augment capacity of ESL to 2.5 MT from the existing 1.5 MT. Once the new facility is commissioned, the total capacity of ESL would be around 7 MT, he said without elaborating on the timeframe. The plant would create 1,20,000 jobs in the form of direct and indirect employment, Agarwal said. "We have about 2,200 acres at ESL and are scouting for a little more... The Jharkhand government has been very cooperative in this regard," he said. In March, Vedanta was declared as the successful resolution applicant for ESL under the corporate insolvency resolution process. The company has acquired control of ESL through its wholly-owned subsidiary Vedanta Star Ltd, and a new board of directors has been put in place. Agarwal said in the next three years, Vedanta would invest a total of about USD 8 billion across its major sectors such as oil and gas, aluminium, zinc and silver. He also urged global oil companies to invest in India, as the country has an "easier clearance process" for the sector. On the controversy surrounding its Sterlite Copper plant in Tamil Nadu, Agarwal said the facility is one of the world's best copper plants and it will be in India's interest if the unit is operational again. Sterlite Copper had on Saturday announced it would move the Supreme Court to implement the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to reopen the facility in Tuticorin. The Tamil Nadu government had on May 28 ordered the state's pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests by locals over pollution concerns. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid continuing disgruntlement among miffed Congress ministerial aspirants, party general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal arrived here and took stock of the situation Tuesday. He held a meeting with senior leaders, including state Congress President Dinesh Gundurao and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, and discussed the developments. "Venugopal convened a meeting and took stock of the situation, regarding portfolios to be alloted to new ministers and discontentment among senior Congress MLAs who were denied ministerial berths during latest cabinet expansion," a party spokesperson told PTI. The meeting was also attended by among others Satish Jarkiholi, newly inducted minister and brother of Ramesh Jarkiholi who is upset at being dropped from the ministry. Venugopal is expected to hold another round of talks with senior Congress leaders including Chairman of the coordination committee of Congress-JDS Siddaramaiah Wednesday, the spokesperson said. The induction of eight members from Congress on Saturday in the H D Kumaraswamy cabinet was marked by rumblings of dissidence as several senior congress MLAs were upset over their exclusion, with legislators including Ramalinga Reddy, B C Patil, B K Sangamesh and Bheema Naik, coming out openly to give vent to their anger. supporters of Reddy staged a protest Tuesday, demanding his induction as minister. Earlier in the day, Reddy met Siddaramaiah and held deliberations on the issue. Later speaking to media, Reddy said sought to distance himself from the protets, saying he did not have control over those protesting, but denied media reports of joining BJP. He also dismissed reports that BJP leaders trying to get in touch with him. Except Yelahanka MLA Vishvanath, who had visited his house to invite him to attend his son's wedding, no other BJP member met him, Reddy added. On Monday, a sulking Ramesh Jarkiholi had indicated his plans to quit as party MLA and had said he would make his decision public in four days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By David LawderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - (This story dated Dec.17 corrects Scott Kennedy's title and organisation in 21st paragraph.)The United States has welcomed Chinese concessions since the two declared a trade war truce in early December, but trade experts and people familiar with negotiations say Beijing needs to do far more to meet U.S. demands for long-term change in how China does business.U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed on Dec. 1 in Buenos Aires to stop escalating tit-for-tat tariffs that have disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of ... Tasked with a key job of helping recover unpaid corporate loans, the NCLT has helped resolve insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings involving more than Rs 80,000 crore in the year passing-by and the kitty is expected to swell beyond Rs 1 lakh crore in 2019 with several big-ticket default cases pending. Plans are afoot to further strengthen the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) by increasing number of judges and benches and provide adequate infrastructure to fast-track the process, according to government officials. The new year will not only test the mettle of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), but also of the NCLT and its appellate body NCLAT, as several high-profile cases need to be resolved -- Essar Steel (involving over Rs 80,000 crore alone) and Bhushan Power & Steel (about Rs 45,000 crore due to its lenders) are just a few, experts said. In 2018, over Rs 80,000 crore was recovered from various corporate debtors, which had defaulted payments, under the IBC through various insolvency proceeding at the NCLT and the NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal), Ministry of Corporate Affair Secretary Injeti Srinivas told PTI. Also Read: Hindustan Unilever told to pay Rs 383 crore for not passing lower GST benefit to customers As per estimates, the IBC has helped address stressed assets worth approximately Rs 3 lakh crore -- directly or indirectly -- since the new law came into force in December 2016. "The estimated amount includes recoveries made through resolution plan and cases settled before admission by the NCLT," he added. In 2019, the NCLT is expected to finalise corporate insolvency resolution process of several stressed assets through its 11 functional benches across India. These cases would include Essar Steel, Bhushan Power and Steel, Videocon Group, Monnet Ispat, Amtek Auto, Ruchi Soya, Lanco Infratech, Jaypee Infratech among others. Acording to law firm Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Executive Partner Punit Dutt Tyagi, the new year is likely to "test the mettle of the IBC as well as of the NCLT and NCLAT". "Most of the major cases pending before the NCLT are likely to be resolved and these debtors are likely to come into hands of successful bidders," he added. In 2018, insolvency proceedings against some companies including Bhushan Steel, ElectroSteel Steel, Binani Cement were almost completed and the new management from their successful bidders -- Tata Steel, Vedanta group and Adity Birla-led UltraTech, respectively -- have taken over the management control of the stressed assets. Big Corporate houses including Arcelor Mittal, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, UltraTech Cement, UK-based Liberty Group, Vedanta group, Dalmia Bharat group were among the leading companies which had submitted their resolution plans to acquire the debt ridden firms. Other major insolvency cases being handled by the NCLT and the NCLAT include RCom, Videocon group, Alok Industries, Lanco Infrateck, Jaypee Infratech, Jyoti Structures and ABG Shipyard. Although, the IBC mandates completion of insolvency proceedings within 180 days of appointment of a resolution professional by the NCLT, with provision for a further extension of 90 days totalling to 270 days, several matters are running behind the schedule. "Although the 270-day deadline could not be met in a majority of the cases, the NCLTs and the NCLAT have largely delivered well-reasoned decisions. It is commendable since these tribunals are not just applying the settled law, but also interpreting new legislation such as the IBC," Tyagi said. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who has appeared in some major IBC cases including of Essar Steel, said there is a shortage of staff and the government should appoint more judges. "The NCLAT is managing well despite the odds. Judicially, they need many more members, at least double more. They are also hugely under-staffed. It's more quantity (that is required), but quality of staff also needs serious up-gradation," Singhvi said. He also said the NCLAT premises are cramped and squeezed. The senior lawyer said a huge workload is difficult to handle with such severe infrastructure problems and these issues must be addressed immediately by the government. "There is no point in creating institutions and then crippling them," he added. According to Srinivas, there are around 10,000 cases pending before the NCLT and the NCLAT at different stages and most of the new cases coming at these quasi-judicial forums are from the insolvency side. "The government is focusing on these issues by increasing the number of members at NCLT and NCLAT. We would open more benches as per requirement and provide them more support in terns of trained staff, specially the young professionals and assistants, who would help the benches directly by doing research etc," Srinivas said. He further said, "We are putting a lot of emphasis on capacity building because these are all complex laws and new challenges keep coming. Whatever best capacity development can be done by holding seminars, conferences, all that has been done. We have tried to de-clog the NCLT." In 2017, the RBI had issued its first list of 12 companies defaulting on loan payments and bankruptcy proceedings were initiated against them. Later, a second list was also issued and these matters are given a high priority in the NCLT hearings. Titagarh Wagons, a railway wagon manufacturer, has reiterated its commitment towards the Government's vision of 'Make in India', by successfully launching SAGAR TARA, the first of the Coastal Research Vessels being built for National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. "This vessel was launched on Tuesday, 3 months ahead of schedule, despite being a very complex platform which will enable scientists to conduct various oceanographic research missions aboard her," Titagarh Wagons said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. 'SAGAR TARA', equipped with auto pilot, will house state of the art laboratories equipped with modern scientific instruments. She features a Drop Keel which is designed and manufactured for the first time in the country. In February 2017, Titagarh had signed a contract from National Institute of Ocean Technology for design, construction and delivery of two high end coastal research vessels valued at Rs 100 crore. The event was graced by the presence of Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Ministry Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India. Also Read: Hindustan Unilever told to pay Rs 383 crore for not passing lower GST benefit to customers Speaking on the occasion, Harsh Vardhan said, "This is by far one of the most remarkable developments in the history of India's coastal research. Even more, when India's private sector participation in partnering the Government is seen at an optimal high boosting the vision of 'Make in India'. I congratulate each and every partner who is associated with this project." Commenting on the development, Jagdish Prasad Chowdhary, Executive Chairman, Titagarh Wagons Limited, stated, "Today at Titagarh, we have the unique distinction of launching three ships within a record time. The first of the two coastal research vessels for N/OT which was launched today will strengthen the research capabilities of Indian Maritime and Oceanic study. These research vessels are built with state-of-the-art technology and have most modern equipment fitted. In the next few months SAGAR TARA will undergo outfitting of accommodation areas as well fitment of scientific instruments in the laboratories. Titagarh Wagons aims to deliver the vessel to NIOT by May 2019 again almost 3 months ahead of schedule. The work on the second NIOT vessel is also under progress and TWL aims to launch it around mid 2019. Titagarh Wagons has already obtained new orders from Government of West Bengal for building small vessels and has participated in various tenders. These orders are likely to be from Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Shipping Corporation of India. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated India's longest rail-cum-road bridge in Assam. Apart from facilitating railways and road transport, this 4.94-km bridge is also a strategically important project over the mighty Brahmaputra at Bogibeel. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, will also play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former PM HD Deve Gouda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. December 25 happens to be Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Because of the inordinate delay in implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 per cent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 km from the earlier 4.31 km. PM @narendramodi being received by the dignitaries on his arrival at Dibrugarh, Assam.#BogibeelBridge pic.twitter.com/TFxrFXMwDA - PIB India (@PIB_India) December 25, 2018 Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has supplied around 35,400 metric tonnes of steel for the construction of bridge. This quantity is little more than 50 per cent of the total quantity of steel supplied for the bridge. SAIL, in a statement, said it has also supplied TMT rebars, plates and structural for this 4.94 KM long bridge, which has composite welded steel truss girders in its structures. Earlier, SAIL had supplied 90 per cent steel for the construction of the Dhola-Sadiyabridge, which is India's longest bridge. The bridge is Asia's second longest rail-cum-road bridge. It has a serviceable period of 120 years. Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 4.94 km long Bogibeel Bridge, a combined rail and road bridge over Brahmaputra river in Dibrugarh. pic.twitter.com/f7p2WCytfs - ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 Realising its strategic importance, the central government had declared the construction of the bridge as a National Project in 2007, thereby assuring availability of fund for speedy construction. Although it will ease out inconvenience caused to people living on the northern side of Brahmaputra to a great extent, officials said the defence requirement played an important role while sanctioning the structure and its design. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bogibeel Bridge, a combined rail and road bridge over Brahmaputra river in Dibrugarh. #Assam pic.twitter.com/LiTR9jO5ks - ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 The biggest advantage of the bridge will be easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometers, say experts. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma said almost 75 per cent of the 4,000-km long border that India shares with China is in Arunachal Pradesh, and the bridge will help in logistical support for the Indian Army manning the border. The Bogibeel Bridge over river Brahmaputra is situated 17 km downstream of Dibrugarh city in Assam, and it has been constructed for double-line broad gauge track along with three-lane roads, he said. The road distance from Dibrugarh to Itanagar will be reduced by 150 km and the railway travel distance between these two points will shorten by 705 km, while this bridge will provide an alternate and shorter route from Dibrugarh through north bank of Brahmaputra to Delhi and Kolkata via Rangiya, he added. Here are first glimpses of the Bogibeel rail bridge which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister @narendramodi today pic.twitter.com/vuhrr4QuJM - Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) December 25, 2018 With inputs from PTI Also read: Zero box office collection Day 4: Shah Rukh's movie becomes 6th Bollywood film to cross Rs 100-crore mark in 2018 Also read: KGF box office collection Day 4: Yash-Srinidhi film continues its stellar performance; Hindi version picks up pace Also read: Maari 2 box office collection Day 4: Dhanush's film successfully completes its first weekend despite competition from big releases Also read: Hindustan Unilever told to pay Rs 383 crore for not passing lower GST benefit to customers The government has further extended the ban on import of milk and its products, including chocolates, from China for four months till April 23 next year, according to a notification of the commerce ministry issued Monday. "Prohibition on import of milk, milk products (including chocolates, chocolate products, candies, confectionary food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient) from China is extended for a further period of four months, i.e. till April 23, 2019, or until further orders," the DGFT said in a statement. Also Read: Govt plans to make all electricity meters prepaid in 3 years The ban was first imposed in September 2008 and later extended from time to time. The last ban extension ended on Sunday. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is an arm of the commerce ministry which deals with the norms related to exports and imports of the country. The ban was imposed on apprehensions of the presence of melamine in some milk consignments from China. Melamine is a toxic chemical used for making plastics and fertilisers. Though India does not import milk and its products from China, it has imposed the ban as a preventive measure. India is the world's largest producer and consumer of milk. It produces around 150 million tonne milk annually. Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in milk production, followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat. Also Read: Ramdev's Patanjali still interested in Ruchi Soya; Adani Wilmar raises concerns over asset quality Also Read: IT Dept allows manual filing by resident, NRI taxpayers for lower or nil rate TDS certificate The government on Monday said the aircraft accident investigation wing AAIB is pursuing with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney (P&W) about the incident of IndiGo plane emitting smoke mid-air with amid allegations that the probe is going slow. On December 10, IndiGo's A320 neo plane made an emergency landing in Kolkata after smoke filled the plane's cabin. The pilots issued a MayDay call and the passengers were evacuated using emergency chutes. The IndiGo incident involving an A320 neo aircraft was the first instance globally of smoke detected from a P&W engine a senior DGCA official said last week. Also Read: Govt plans to make all electricity meters prepaid in 3 years The incident is being probed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau(AAIB). "There is no question of any probe being hushed up. On the contrary, the AAIB is pursuing the matter with Airbus and P&W for assessing the reasons and recommending remedial measures," civil aviation secretary RN Choubey told PTI. He was responding to a query about allegations that the probe was being hushed up due to pressure from the ministry and IndiGo. IndiGo, on its part, also denied "influencing" the probe. According to an industry source, the AAIB mid-way changed the probe team and brought an official, whose integrity has come under question in the past. "The AAIB investigation team that was sent to Kolkata after the incident, was discarded the moment they returned back to Delhi. The decision was taken after a senior airline official met a top ministry official and AAIB chief," the source alleged. IndiGo had downplayed the incident saying in a statement, that the flight "made an emergency landing as a precaution due to a suspected smoke in cabin". "Investigation is still underway and as a responsible corporate representing the Indian aviation industry, IndiGo will never influence any authority in its on-going investigation," IndiGo said in a statement to PTI. The query was sent to the airline's interim Chief Executive Officer Rahul Bhatia on the issue. According to the source, as per the AAIB procedure manual, only the officer who has visited the spot should be made the investigating officer. "In this particular case neither the DG nor the senior official who had accompanied him is investigating officers of the case," the source alleged. Queries sent to AAIB chief remained unanswered. Also Read: Ramdev's Patanjali still interested in Ruchi Soya; Adani Wilmar raises concerns over asset quality Also Read: IT Dept allows manual filing by resident, NRI taxpayers for lower or nil rate TDS certificate Kuwait has conducted a cabinet mini-reshuffle with the appointment of several new ministers including academic Khaled Al-Fadhel as the countrys minister of oil, electricity and water. Besides Al-Fadhel, Prime Minister Shaikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Monday appointed three other new ministers, namely Mariam Al-Aqeel as Minister of State for Economic Affairs; Fahd Al-Rasheedi as Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs; and Saad Al-Kharraz taking over the ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. The reshuffle came following the resignation of Minister of Oil Bakheet Al-Rasheedi; Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh, Minister of Public Works Hossam Al-Roumi and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Adel Al-Khorafi. The four resigning officials came under fire after the parliament suspected them for corruption and mismanagement, reports say. By Zhao Runhua / Dec 25, 2018 01:03 PM / Business & Tech Its a hard time for Chinas sharing economy. Didi cant seem to keep its passengers safe. Ofo may be close to bankruptcy. And users all around are struggling to get their deposits back. In the latest chapter in this unfolding drama, angry customers stormed the Beijing headquarter of Togo, one of Chinas earliest players in car-sharing, to demand the return of their 1,500 yuan ($218) deposits, Sina reported. The users damaged potted plants, and attempted to take away office computers as collateral, as they suspect that many of them will not get their money back until, at best, March, as Togo only processes 15 refund requests per day. Its unclear how many users have filed for refunds, and there is no public information on Togos fiscal performance, apart from a funding round worth of tens of millions of dollars in October. Togo provides drive-and-go car-sharing services, and promises free parking and gas refills. Togos available car models include the BMW Mini One and Audi A3. Togos heavy expenditures on cars and operations may be a key reason for the suspicious cash crunch. The company withdrew from Nanjing in September. Related: First Bikes, Now Cars: Startups Struggle to Refund Deposits By Isabelle Li / Dec 25, 2018 03:44 PM / Politics & Law Apple is disobeying a ruling by a Chinese court and continues to illegally sell certain versions of the iPhone in China. The U.S. tech giant has admitted that it is continuing to sell models that were recently put under an injunction stemming from a dispute with chipmaker Qualcomm. Apple is appealing the injunction, and argues the decision harms Chinas interests by raising the royalties and fees that phone-makers must pay Qualcomm. A lawyer representing Qualcomm told local media on Monday the company will take further action if Apple continues to disobey the injunction. The lawyer, Jiang Hongyi, also contrasted Apples behavior in China with its actions in Germany, where the company immediately complied with a German courts similar ruling. The Chinese injunction, earlier this month, bans Apple from selling six older versions of the iPhone because of the companys infringement on two Qualcomm patents. Related: Apple Says China iPhone Ban Will Force Qualcomm Settlement Egypts Defense Ministry has appointed Maj-Gen. Khaled Megawer to oversee the North African countrys military intelligence agency. The statement announcing the appointment made Sunday said Megawer will replace Maj-Gen Mohammed Farag el-Shahat who is promoted as assistant to the defense minister. Khaled Megawer, a career soldiers, was el-Shahats deputy. He commanded the 2nd army and also served as military attache in Washington. Abdelfettah al-Sisi has rubber-stamped the appointments. Al-Sisi was himself Chief of the agency before being appointed defense minister in 2012. The following year, he deposed the countrys first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi. He won a new four-year term in March this year in unchallenged elections. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released a recruitment notification for the post of Extension Officer Grade-I (Supervisor). The notification was released for a total of 109 vacancies out of which 9 are carried forward. The selected candidates will be posted in AP Women and Child Welfare Sub-ordinate Service. Interested candidates who meet all the eligibility requirements set by the APPSC can apply for the posts between December 28, 2018, and January 18, 2019. The selection of the candidates will be made through written examination. The selected candidates will earn the scale of pay of INR 24,400 to INR 71,510 per month. Candidates who possess a bachelor degree in home science/ social work from any university can apply for the Extension Officer Grade-I. The notification clearly stated that only women candidates can apply for the post. AP Panchayat Secretary Recruitment 2018 Notification Released For 1051 Vacancies CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Extension Officer Grade-I (Supervisor) Organisation Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) Educational Qualification A bachelor degree in home science/ social work from any recognised university Salary Scale INR 24,400 to INR 71,510 per month Application Start Date December 12, 2018 Application End Date January 18, 2019 Age Limit The minimum age limit is 18 years and the maximum upper age limit for candidates belonging to the general category is 42 years. Age relaxation is provided to the candidates belonging to reserved categories. Click here for the official announcement AP Extension Officer Vacancy Details The total number of fresh vacancies were 100 and 9 carried forward vacancies. Candidates are advised to check the zone-wise vacancies. Zone I- 25 vacancies Zone II- 25 vacancies Zone III- 25 vacancies Zone IV- 25 vacancies Selection Process The Commission conducts the screening test in offline mode in case applicants exceed 25,000 in number and main examination in online mode for candidates selected in the screening test. However, the main examination in online mode for candidates selected in the screening test will be held through the computer-based test on April 25, 2019. Application Fee Applicant must pay INR 250 towards application processing fee and INR 80 towards examination fee. However, candidates belonging to SC, ST, BC, PH and Ex-Servicemen are exempted from payment of examination fee INR 80 only. How To Apply Candidates should visit the official website of Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) to apply online. Candidates applying for the first time for any notification has to first fill the OTPR application carefully to obtain OTPR ID. Candidates can apply online for the post between December 28, 2018, and January 18, 2019. How To Prepare For Competitive Entrance Examinations? Iraqs Prime Minister Monday said Baghdad could send troops in Syria to protect its borders against the Islamic State group (ISIS) fighters, after the US last week announced the withdrawal of American forces from the Middle East country. Speaking at a press conference, PM Adel Abdul-Mahdi said his government was considering all the options to protect Iraq from threats across its borders. Iraq will take its decisions in consultation with its friends and neighbors, he was quoted as saying. The announcement came after US President Donald Trump ordered last week withdrawal of US troops from Syria where they back anti-ISIS Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. Baghdad flashed out last year the terror group, which turned Iraq as its stronghold following the fall of former President Saddam Hussein in wake of US invasion in 2003. Despite the defeat, ISIS still holds pockets along the Syrian-Iraqi border. Iraq is beefing up its military presence along the border with its neighbor to thwart infiltration by the militants. Photo: The Canadian Press Passengers wait to check in at Gatwick Airport in England, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018..(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) London's Gatwick Airport was operating without problems Sunday, but the fugitive drone operators who brought incoming and outgoing flights to a standstill over multiple days remained at large and a potential threat after police cleared two local residents who were arrested as suspects. Sussex Police were hopeful they had halted the disruptive and costly drone incursions during one of the heaviest travel periods of the year with Friday's arrests of a couple who live near the airport. But they were released Sunday, and police said they were no longer suspects. Tens of thousands of passengers suffered through long flight delays or were stranded by cancellations after two drones were reported seen above the airfield at Gatwick on Wednesday night, prompting an immediate suspension of all air traffic. Sussex Chief Detective Jason Tingley said Sunday he could not rule out new drone activity at Gatwick or other U.K. airports. He also said it was possible that witnesses who reported sightings after the first ones aroused alarm were mistaken. "Of course, that's a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have seen something," Tingley told the BBC. At the same, he said police were making progress in a three-pronged investigation: tracking "persons of interest," investigating 67 reported drone sightings, and examining a damaged drone found near Gatwick. The drone in police hands may provide useful forensic clues, such as the DNA of people who handled it, Tingley said. But the rain the London area got on Friday and Saturday might have washed away some evidence, he said. Airport authorities consider drones a menace because they could damage a plane in flight or be sucked into a plane's engine, causing a deadly crash After the shutdown extended into Thursday, increased military protection was brought in Thursday night to watch for more drones while planes resumed taking off and landing at Britain's second-busiest airport. The government has kept the details of the security operation secret, but the military equipment is thought to offer better tracking capabilities and give authorities early warning if drones approach Gatwick, located 30 miles (45 kilometres) south of London. At the airport on Sunday, flight arrival and departure boards showed fewer delays than on Saturday. Additional tracking gear at the periphery of the runway and an increased police presence were the only clear signs of the headaches experienced there in the past four days. But officials have stepped up surveillance of the surrounding airspace behind-the-scenes. British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has said the unspecified "military measures" have bolstered confidence that the airport will be able to remain open without further interruptions. But anti-drone technology is a relatively new, imperfect field, Grayling said. It is not clear how officials will respond if another drone gets too close. The best guide may be what happened on Friday night, when the airport was shut down for 70 minutes after a drone was spotted. The military deployment allowed the airport to reopen relatively quickly, authorities have said. No confirmed drone incursions have taken place since then a factor that led many to assume police had found the responsible operators when they arrested the two suspects Friday night. That hope ended Sunday when the couple a 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman was allowed to return to their home in Crawley, a 5-minute drive from Gatwick. Detective Tingley said he is satisfied the two were not involved. He is hoping a tip will provide a crucial lead. Tingley said police did not identify the suspects but The Mail on Sunday tabloid named them and published a large front-page photo of them with the headline, "Are These the Morons Who Ruined Christmas?" The crisis at Gatwick marked the first time drones caused sustained disruption at a major airport. There is not much data on the dangers drones pose to airplanes because they are a relatively new phenomenon. Police say the motive for the drone incursion is not yet known but they do not believe it is "terror-related." Gatwick Airport, which handles roughly 43 million passengers per year, has offered a 50,000 pound ($63,000) reward through Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the drone operators. Princess Diana might have married into the royal family, but her own family lineage is quite impressive. The late princess who was born Diana Spencer came from one of the most distinguished aristocratic families in the United Kingdom. The Spencer family dates all the way back to the 15th century and many members held prominent roles in history (and, as it turns out, in the royal family). Was Princess Diana related to Winston Churchill? Find out more about the Princess of Waless family lineage, ahead. Who was Winston Churchill? Winston Churchill is most famously known as the United Kingdom Prime Minister that led England and the rest of the United Kingdom to victory during World War II. He held his role from 1940 to 1945 and 1951 to 1955. In addition to his Prime Minister title, Winston Churchill was also a statesman, writer, and army officer. Was Princess Diana related to Winston Churchill? As a member of the Spencer family, Princess Diana was related to a lot of prominent people in history. But, was Princess Diana related to Winston Churchill? According to Princess Dianas family tree, the late princess and former Prime Minister were distant cousins and shared some of the same relatives. The two were allegedly related to a man named Charles Spencer (1675-1722), who was the third Earl of Sunderland and his wife, Lady Anne Spencer, whose maiden name was Churchill. The couple was Winston Churchills great-great-great-great-great-grandparents and Princess Dianas great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. How did Winston Churchill end up with his great-great-great-great-great-grandmothers maiden name? His great-grandfather, George Spencer, the 5th Duke of Marlborough, added Churchill to his name in 1817 to highlight his familys history and add the connection to his prominent great-great-grandfather. George Spencer changed the family name to Spencer-Churchill and, as it turns out, it remains that way today. That said, some of its members such as Winston Churchill preferred to drop Spencer and just go as Churchill. In addition to changing the name to Spencer-Churchill, George Spencer also changed the family coat of arms to combine both the Spencer and Churchill familys coat of arms. Was Princess Diana a commoner before marrying Prince Charles? Technically speaking, Princess Diana was a commoner before marrying into the royal family. However, her aristocratic lineage and long family history of dukes and earls (and the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) says otherwise. As it turns out, Princess Diana was not that common. Princess Diana came from a family with great political and social influence. She made that clear on her wedding day after she refused to wear the royal tiara Queen Elizabeth II offered her (the Cambridge Lovers Knot Tiara). She instead wore the Spencer Tiara, as every Spencer woman (including those marrying into the family) do so on their wedding day. Even though she married into the royal family, the late princess wanted to stick to family tradition and honor her heritage. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Before she was First Lady of the United States, and certainly before she became Donald Trumps third wife, much of Melania Trumps life has been shrouded in mystery. We do know that the Be Best advocate was born on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia which was then still part of communist Yugoslavia. Mrs. Trumps given name was Melanija Knavs, but when she began her modeling career in her late teens, the first lady modernized her name to Melania Knauss. Unlike her husband, Mrs. Trump did not grow up in a wealthy household. Instead, she grew up reasonably lower to middle class. Her father was a car dealer, and her mother was a childrens clothing designer. Eventually, Mrs. Trump would make a name for herself in the fashion world before meeting Donald Trump in 1998 and eventually marrying the billionaire in 2005. But did Melania Trump ever attend college? Melania Trump attended the University of Ljubljana for one year Though Mrs. Trumps modeling career was already beginning to take off when she was 16, at 17, she enrolled at the University of Ljubljana which is the largest university in Slovenia. She chose to major in design and architecture. However, by the time she was 18, the first ladys modeling career soared. She was able to sign with a modeling agency in Milan so she dropped out of university after just one year. Controversy over a degree There is no shame in leaving school behind when pursuing your dreams. However, the first lady found herself in a bit of hot water when up until Donald Trumps election her personal website read that shed obtained a degree in design and architecture at an unspecified university in Slovenia. When folks went to scout out the validity of that claim and came up short, questions about Mrs. Trumps alleged degree began to arise. Mrs. Trump later updated her site to read paused her studies to advance her modeling career in Milan and Paris. A very bright student Though she did not finish her studies, Mrs. Trump was a fantastic student. Blaz Matija Vogelnik one of her former professors told NBC News, She hasnt finished university, at least not in Ljubljana. My personal opinion is that because she was very beautiful girl I believe that she realized that she could gain more with that than to have long studies. Her IQ was very high. Now that she is the First Lady of the United States there is still so much we dont know about Melania Trump, but we do know that she reportedly speaks five languages, Slovene, English, German, Serbian, and French which is much more than her husband can say. A very private life Though Mrs. Trumps modeling career peaked by the time she met Donald Trump, having modeled in Milan and Paris while landing on covers like Harpers Bazaar in Bulgaria and Italys Vanity Fair the first lady has always been a very private person. So much so that she doesnt seem all that accessible to the American public even today. However, ID Models president Paolo Zampolli said that this is how Mrs. Trump has always been. Zampolli told the New York Post in 2005, It was unusual for her to go out; she never went to clubs or bars. She never dated anyone in New York before Donald. She only went to movies by herself and to the gym. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The inaugural Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), held recently in Cairo, was marked by the signing of deals valued at $32.6 billion, according to preliminary figures released by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Afreximbank, which organized the trade fair in collaboration with the African Union, said that the amount represented the value of 100 deals concluded during the fair. That number might rise as it did not include some bilateral deals among exhibitors, which had not been recorded. The Bank said the majority of the deals were in the sectors of industrialization/export manufacturing ($6.2 billion); power ($6 billion); and financial services ($1.86 billion). Other key sectors included oil and gas; transport and logistics; heavy industry; mining; infrastructure; healthcare; and SME promotion. The preliminary report also showed that 1,086 exhibitors participated in the fair, with 45 countries having country pavilions. Five hundred and eighty-four companies were accommodated in country pavilions while 375 were in private sector stands. The creative industries had 36 participating exhibitors. The IATF2018 Conference, which ran alongside the trade fair, featured 42 sessions with 152 speakers. The IATF2018, which ran from 11 to 17 December, was aimed at promoting trade among African countries and at supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Theyre the three men in glittering velvet robes and fake beards in the living nativity at church. Sometimes they tow a live camel. Bearing gifts, they traversed afar, following yonder star through the back of the sanctuary in the grand crescendo of our beloved annual Christmas pageant. Im speaking, of course, of the Magi. Or is it wise men? Wait, kings? Perhaps if Luke the historian had written about them in his Christmas account, we might have had precise details. But Matthews account is vague, shrouded in mystery: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem (Matt. 2:1). Intrigue swirls around these festooned foreigners. Where did they come from? With a wink Matthew writes, the East. Indeed, his description is so utterly specific that church traditions in dozens of countries claim to be their country of origin. And who were they? Technically speaking, Matthew calls them magibut what are magi? Are they kings? Wise men? Sorcerers? Astrologers? Christians have been trying to nail down their identity for millennia. As early as A.D. 200, Tertullian was laying out arguments that the Magi, while astrologers by trade, were considered kings. To the contrary, John Calvin felt strongly about anyone who would label them three kings: Beyond all doubt, they have been stupefied by a righteous judgment of God, that all might laugh at [their] gross ignorance. Adding a further wrinkle, first-century naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote several chapters about the Magi wherein they sound more like something from a Harry Potter novel. He details their skill in magic ... This Christmas, don't forget suffering Syrian refugees, implores Christian aid group Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment For many Americans, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year but thats not the reality for millions of refugees living in overcrowded displacement camps across the Middle East. Vernon Brewer, founder and CEO of the Christian humanitarian organization World Help, recently traveled to refugee camps near the Jordan-Syria border to deliver aid to those displaced by war and violence. While distributing essentials, including towels, diapers, hygiene kits, nonperishable food items, winter coats and space heaters to refugees, Brewer witnessed suffering that will forever be etched in his memory. These people are still living in tents with their families in sub-freezing temperatures and rain and wind. They dont know how theyre going to face the freezing weather ahead, he told The Christian Post. Families work long hours in fields just for a few dollars to buy a meager meal. There's a shortage of food and medical supplies because they've been forgotten. Their homes, schools, and communities have been destroyed but it seems that the rest of the world no longer cares. Refugees aren't just suffering physically; they're struggling emotionally too. Brewer recalled meeting one little girl living in a refugee camp with severe burns across her entire body. Shed been in the kitchen with her mother when an ISIS bomb exploded through a window, causing hot oil on the stove to scald her little body. She was so traumatized by what happened, she could barely speak, he said. These people are suffering in ways most of the world cant even imagine. According to statistics from the U.N. Refugee Agency, over 5.6 million people have fled Syria since 2011, seeking safety in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and beyond. Millions more are displaced inside Syria and around 70 percent live below the poverty line. Through their latest initiative, Christmas for a Refugee, World Help is calling on people to help provide relief to refugees during these harsh and difficult winter months. Every $35 gift, when combined with grants and generous corporate donations, enables World Help to deliver $189 worth of aid providing food, survival essentials and medicine to thousands of refugee families. A simple donation can literally save lives, Brewer shared. I met one woman who had lost her sight in one eye and was on the verge of being paralyzed on an entire right side just because of an autoimmune disease that was treatable, but the injections are $140 a week for six months. Her husband was crying and begging and pleading with us, and we were able to provide the needs for her and give her hope. We've already helped 132,000 refugees and there's many, many more that still need help, he added. Through trained counselors, the organization also provides mental and emotional support to those traumatized by war. "Our trauma counselors have helped countless children, Brewer said. So many of them are hopeless; theyve witnessed people dying in the streets, their neighbors beheaded and all kinds of trauma. But most importantly, when refugees see genuine love and compassion in action, he added, theyre drawn like a magnet to Christ. Were not actively evangelizing, but we're seeing many of these refugee families become Christians, he said. Its because theyre seeing people that love and care about them. As we serve as the hands and feet of Christ, these people are witnessing His love. This Christmas, Brewer is issuing an urgent call to Christians in America: Remember the poor and needy, as instructed in Galatians 2:10. He acknowledged that as the plight of refugees is no longer plastered across TV screens, its easy to forget their bleak reality. Many of us in America have short attention spans, he said. We're not seeing the horrific images; it seems weve lost interest. As he departed the Jordan-Syria border, refugees left him with a final request, Please do not forget about us. Those words, emphasized, should resonate with those who believe in bringing physical help and spiritual transformation to the least of these. I would just appeal that, during this time of Christmas, please do not forget about these men and women who are just a few miles from the place where Jesus was born, he said. Remember: Jesus Himself was a refugee who was forced to flee His home. We need to pray for them. Jesus came to bring hope to the world. This Christmas, lets bring hope to those in a hopeless situation. Ex-Planned Parenthood director says abortion giant isn't pro-woman, treats pregnant employees 'like trash' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The nation's largest abortion business is under fire for mistreating its pregnant employees, a move pro-life advocates say isn't surprising. In an extensive New York Times investigative report published Thursday, workers at Planned Parenthood say their facilities have been sidelining, ousting or otherwise handicapping pregnant employees. Planned Parenthood managers in several states "declined to hire pregnant job candidates, refused requests by expecting mothers to take breaks and in some cases pushed them out of their jobs after they gave birth, the Times reported. Despite purporting to be a champion for women and advocating publicly for paid maternity leave, most locations do not offer that benefit. Even when it wasn't spoken of, the environment at Planned Parenthood was one where it was "looked down upon" when employees became pregnant, one former staffer said. "Tight budgets sometimes created punishing workplace conditions, employees said. A dozen lawsuits filed against Planned Parenthood clinics in federal and state courts since 2013 accused managers of denying workers rest periods, lunch breaks or overtime pay, or retaliating against them for taking medical leave." Abby Johnson, who famously left her director position at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, Texas, several years ago and is the subject of the upcoming movieUnplanned, which tells her story of leaving the abortion industry, is calling out the abortion giant for their hypocrisy. "[Planned Parenthood] cannot claim to fight for women yet treat their employees ... like trash when they become pregnant," Johnson said in a statement obtained by The Christian Post. When Johnson worked at Planned Parenthood it was offered to her several times to have her pregnancy "taken care of" for fear that a baby would interrupt her upward trajectory and work performance. "And it's a massive deception on the part of Planned Parenthood to claim they cannot afford to pay for maternity leave. I run a nonprofit, one that helps abortion workers leave their jobs, with a budget less than 1 percent of Planned Parenthood's and I offer my employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave," she said. "It can be done if the priorities of organizations are in the right order and they aren't at Planned Parenthood. They don't empower women through abortion. They don't empower women through maternity leave. And they don't empower women by discrimination." Johnson's nonprofit organization is called And Then There Were None. Writing at National Review on Thursday, Alexandra DeSanctis pointed to the data in Planned Parenthood's most recent annual report, which documents that they performed 321,384 abortions in the last fiscal year while providing fewer than 8,000 instances of prenatal services. ..." "Given that these women work for an organization that specializes in ending pregnancies, perhaps this type of mistreatment shouldnt come as a shock though it certainly deserves to be roundly condemned," she said of the group's treatment of pregnant employees. Pro-life group Live Action contacted 97 Planned Parenthood facilities and found only five clinics that provided prenatal care in a 2017 investigation. "Planned Parenthood has nothing to do with parenthood, and everything to do with killing babies," Live Action founder Lila Rose commented Thursday. "And if you're wanting to be a parent, they will discriminate against you." In response to the NY Times piece, Dr. Leana Wen, Planned Parenthood's new president, asserted on Twitter that the abortion giant is committed to doing better. "At @PPFA, we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. When we learn about accusations that violate our policies and high standards, we move immediately to investigate and address them, as we are doing in this instance." Wen added that Planned Parenthood is starting a new initiative to "review and revamp" their parental leave policies. Differences are not a danger, says Pope Francis in Christmas Day message Pope Francis has urged people to see their differences as a source of richness and not of danger in his Christmas message to the world. Delivering the traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' message to around 50,000 people in St Peter's Square, the Pope called for 'fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another'. In an apparent reference to the debate over migration and nationalism in many countries around the world, the Pope said God wanted 'love, acceptance, respect for this poor humanity of ours, which we all share in a great variety of races, languages, and cultures'. 'Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness,' he said. He touched on conflicts around the world, calling for a political solution in Syria and an end to fighting in Yemen where he said the people had been left 'exhausted by war and famine'. In Ukraine, which has had an increasingly tense relationship with Russia, he appealed for 'a peace respectful of the rights of every nation'. For Africa, he prayed that there would be 'a new dawn of fraternity to arise over the entire continent'. Other places of concern mentioned in the Pope's address were Venezuela and Nicaragua, and the Korean Peninsula. He warned that without fraternity, even the best of human endeavours 'risk being soulless and empty'. The Pope also remembered Christians around the world who are celebrating Christmas 'in difficult, if not hostile, situations' as he prayed that religious liberty would be respected. 'God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters,' he said. 'This truth is the basis of the Christian vision of humanity.' God's love leaves no room for hatred or tribalism, says Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged people to put aside their differences this Christmas and instead embrace God's language of love. In his Christmas Day sermon, the Most Rev Justin Welby said God's love was 'exclusive' and left no room for hatred or greed. 'It requires us to forget other languages of hatred, tribalism, rivalry, political advantage and of materialism, pride, greed, and so many more,' he said. The Archbishop encouraged people feeling hopeless in the face of national and international instability to find their comfort in God. 'When great events stir us, or gathering shadows in nation or world wake us in the dark hours, we bring light when we turn to God made flesh and speak the language of God's love,' he said. 'When suffering overwhelms, and all answers seem vain, God's word is faithful faithful to those who do not have the strength to hang on to God.' The message is timely as Britain continues to wrestle over Britain's departure from the EU, with the debate on the Government's Brexit deal set to resume in Parliament after the Christmas break. The Archbishop said God's language of love also needed to be spoken by those in power or positions of wealth on behalf of the persecuted, poor and suffering. 'It must be spoken by us on behalf of the persecuted, those farmers in the middle belt of Nigeria who speak God's language of love in protest and lament as they suffer. One thousand and more killed this year alone,' he said. 'It must be spoken by us on behalf of the Christian communities of the Middle East and around the world. 'And God speaks its words for the poor and suffering and oppressed in every place at every time.' Remember the poor and shun materialism, pope says on Christmas Eve Pope Francis led the world's Roman Catholics into Christmas on Monday, urging people in the developed world to seek a simpler, less materialistic life and condemning the yawning gap between the rich and the poor. Francis, 82, marking the sixth Christmas of his papacy, led a solemn service for nearly 10,000 people in St Peter's Basilica for his traditional Christmas Eve Mass. Security has been tight around the Vatican and many other tourist areas in Rome for the Christmas season. Last week police in southern Italy arrested a Somali man suspected of having been a member of Islamic State and who had threatened to bomb churches in Italy, including St Peter's. In his homily, Francis said the infant Jesus, born in poverty in a stable, should make everyone, particularly those who have become "greedy and voracious," reflect on the real meaning of life. '... Let us ask ourselves: Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?' Francis said 'In our day, for many people, life's meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess of material objects. An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive,' he said. Francis, the first pope from Latin America, has made defending the poor a hallmark of his papacy. On Saturday, the Vatican said he had given the homeless in Rome a Christmas gift of a new clinic in St Peter's Square where they can get free medical help. The Catholic charity Caritas estimated late last year that there are more than 16,000 homeless in Rome and their number congregating near the Vatican has grown visibly in recent years, especially at night when they cluster under arcades to sleep. Monday night's Christmas Eve papal Mass was the first held with a new, energy-saving lighting system for the largest church in Christendom. It employs 100,000 LEDs (light emitting diodes), using only 10 per cent of the energy of the previous system. Today, Francis will deliver his twice-yearly 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the city and the world) message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Christies sales of Chinese Export Art feature the finest porcelain, paintings and enamels made in China for the West, offering everything from small connoisseur objects to important dinner services and monumental port paintings. Decorative Arts at Christies Across our London, New York and Paris salerooms, Christies offers decorative arts from antique to modern, in curated sales designed to appeal to both new and seasoned collectors. These include The Exceptional Sale, presenting museum quality pieces; The Collector sales, offering a tailored selection of works of art, porcelain, silver, gold boxes, portrait miniatures and furniture for connoisseurs; Interiors sales in New York, featuring contemporary and classic pieces for the home; Private Collection sales, showcasing the collecting passions of iconic figures, tastemakers, private collectors and interior designers; and Art of China online sales that include select groups of Chinese ceramics and works of art made for the export market at accessible price points appealing to new and existing collectors. Please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss buying or selling within this category at Christies. Explore all Decorative Arts > Crude dropped to the lowest since July 2017 as concerns over a weaker global economy and turbulence in Washington overshadowed signals from OPEC that it may deepen output cuts. Futures declined as much as 3.3 percent in New York as U.S. stocks tumbled to the lowest in more than a year, with investors assessing the threat to the economy from a government shutdown. In the oil market, traders are skeptical that OPECs output cuts will be enough to balance supply and demand. The U.S. benchmark is down about 16 percent since the producer group announced the agreement. As stocks get taken down and there is nervousness across financial markets, its just undercutting prices here, said John Kilduff, a partner at New York-based hedge fund Again Capital. The demand outlook continues to be called into question. The U.S. benchmark crude is on track for a 13 percent decline this month. OPEC agreed to cut output along with allies at a meeting earlier this month, and the UAEs energy minister signaled additional curbs could be discussed. Yet, crudes descent has deepened as investors doubt the reductions will be sufficient to dent supply levels, with U.S. crude output still above 11 million barrels a day on a weekly basis. At the same time, an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China and the Federal Reserves rate policy are causing concerns over global economic growth. The S&P 500 Index sank 1.8 percent, with its energy index shedding 3.2 percent. The declines were led by Hess Corp., which lost 8.4 percent, the most in almost three years, after Venezuelan forces temporarily halted ships working at a formation Hess and ExxonMobil are developing offshore Guyana. The main input over the weekend has been the continued intervention by OPEC members, said Olivier Jakob, managing director at Petromatrix. For now, those statements are ignored by the market because we are in this bearish cycle. West Texas Intermediate for February delivery fell $1.27 to $44.32 a barrel at 12:07 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange after earlier falling to as low as $44.10 a barrel. Total volume traded Monday was about 42 percent below the 100-day average ahead of the Christmas holiday Tuesday. WTI futures are down about 42 percent from an early-October high near $77 a barrel. Brent for February settlement dipped $1.36 to $52.46 a barrel on Londons ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at an $8.12 premium to WTI. Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAEs energy minister, said that OPEC has the option to hold an extraordinary meeting to decide on more output cuts if the current one isnt enough. At a press briefing in Kuwait, ministers from Iraq, the U.A.E. and Algeria took turns repeating the message that OPEC will deliver its production curbs and continue to work with its allies. More Information Double whammy Energy companies with headquarters or major operations in the Houston are getting hit hard by the plunge in stock and oil markets. Their share prices fell faster on Monday than broader stock indexes, which lost just under percent. Here's a look at how they fared: Anadarko: -5.5 percent Occidental Petroluem: -4.8 percent ConocoPhillips: -4.7 percent Phillips 66: -4.7 percent Apache Corp. : -4.3 percent Exxon Mobil: -3.8 percent Chevron: -3.1 percent Source: Bloomberg See More Collapse As for OPECs cuts, they have to follow through on their rhetoric in a significant way in order for the price decline to stop, Kilduff said. A man has been arrested for allegedly causing rib and skull fractures to his 3-month-old infant, according to Laredo police. Authorities identified him as Reynaldo Cruz, 24. He was served with an arrest recently that charged him with injury to a child. LPD made its first arrest in the case Dec. 3. The infant's mother, Janeth Velez, 29, was charged with injury to a child. She is out on bond while Cruz remained behind bars at the Webb County Jail, according to custody records. Overall, police said the child sustained 18 rib fractures that were estimated to be 10 to 14 days old. His fractures "are highly suggestive of physical abuse," the arrest affidavit said. READ ALSO: LPD: Man left 5-year-old in car while he gambled at a local maquinita A CT scan revealed he had four skull fractures with excessive brain swelling and excessive brain bleeding, according to court documents. "Hearing, vision and other normal body functions will most likely be affected," the affidavit said. The allegations date back to Sept. 13, when police responded to an injury to a child report at Child Protective Services in the 1500 block of North Arkansas Avenue. A CPS investigator told police she received a case from the Corpus Christi office. CPS stated there was a 3-month-old at the Driscoll Children's Hospital with a skull fracture and with several other injuries, according to court documents. Hospital personnel pointed out he also had old injuries. He had been airlifted from Doctors Hospital South in Laredo to Corpus Christi. Police would identify the parents as Cruz and Velez. A preliminary information revealed he had been airlifted to Corpus Christi for respiratory complications, but physicians at Driscoll determined he had sustained serious trauma. The affidavit said the child had suffered multiple fractured ribs and skull fractures that caused serious brain bleeding. A Driscoll intake specialist stated to police that child had little to no brain activity and that he may not survive his injuries, the affidavit states. The child was unable to breath on his own and had to be incubated, according to court records. The parents told police that he had fallen off the bed, which was about 2-feet high. Velez also told physicians about accidentally bumping her son's head against a door frame. CPS took temporary custody of the child and his 3-year-old sibling because the parents did not provide medical staff a reasonable explanation on the "disturbing injuries," the affidavit said. On Sept. 26, Velez arrived at LPD headquarters for a scheduled interview about the case. She told investigators that she had experienced postpartum depression and elaborated about four incidents where she and Cruz had accidents with their child, according to the affidavit. She said that one time, Cruz accidentally hit the child in the head against the edge of the door, LPD said. RELATED: Nuevo Laredo couple gets 20 years for child's beating death In another incident, she was carrying her son and accidentally hit his head against the edge of a door as she attempted to pass the boy to Cruz, according to police. A third incident occurred when the boy fell from the bed and on another occasion, he had difficulty breathing, the affidavit said. Velez denied knowing how her son sustained such serious injuries. On Sept. 26, investigators tried to reach out to Cruz. But his attorney advised him not to talk to police, according to the affidavit. On Nov. 8, Cruz arrived at LPD with his attorney. He provided to police the same information that they had received from Velez. #GivingTuesdayKaty exceeded its fundraising goal to benefit 16 nonprofits while raising community awareness of where to go to seek help. Sarah Beaton, who organized the first-year event, said throughout the month of November, $102,479 had been raised to benefit participating nonprofits, which drew applause and oohs and aahs from the group. The original fundraising goal had been $20,000, she said. A Dec. 18 press conference celebrated the result and also highlighted that charity leaders considered the collaboration among nonprofits important. Beaton said the campaign will return next year and possibly broaden to include more charities. Well look for more opportunities for next year, she added. Fred Shafer, board of directors president, The Arc of Katy, said, #GivingTuesdayKaty got us connected with other nonprofits. The event enabled community leaders to learn more about the mission of other nonprofits, he said. It was an opportunity to work collaboratively. It brought all the nonprofits in Katy together which wed never had an opportunity to do that. #GivingTuesdayKaty made a big difference, he said. Not only in terms of raising funds but also in raising community awareness of the different groups and what they do. Arc of Katy provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tina Hatcher, president/CEO of Hope Impacts, said there were several nonprofits of which she was not aware until she participated in the coordinated fundraising effort. Hope Impacts provides a network for homeless people. Kathy Alt, executive director of The Ballard House, called it a unique collaboration. Without a strong community Ballard House cannot provide for our families, she said. The strength of the Katy community makes The Ballard House work. Helping community members requires a broad approach, according to Alt. The Ballard House provides a home away from home for patients who travel to the Houston area for medical treatment for a life-threatening illness and their families. For example, a family member who has come to stay may not have brought clothing needed for Katy-area weather, she said, and they can find help at the nonprofit Clothed by Faith. A family member, who may not have insurance, comes down with an illness and needs to get medical attention, she continued. Thats where Christ Clinic, another nonprofit, can make a difference. Others made a difference, too, including Legacy sponsors Kingsland Baptist Church and Chick-fil-A. Kingsland Baptist Churchs senior pastor Ryan Rush donated $2,500 to the cause. Six-area Chick-fil-A raised $5,000 for #GivingTuesdayKaty said Wendy Reinwald, marketing director. The donation represented a portion of sales on Nov. 27. Cynthia Cavin, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A at Katy Mills Mall, said participating in #GivingTuesdayKaty was a no-brainer because the restaurant chain is a believer in and advocate for giving back to the community. Beaton read a list of sponsors who contributed to the success of the first-year program and added that supporting the community is more than just donating money and time in one month but is a year-round commitment. karen.zurawski@chron.com Montgomery County Sheriff's authorities were looking for a man they allege was linked to a fatal shooting on Saturday. Late Monday, authorities said an arrest warrant was issued against Wayne Gordon Jr. on a homicide charge, according to a news release. Believe it or not, 2019 is around the corner. If New Years plans sneaked up on you like 2019 did for many of us, don't worry. There are plenty of events happening across the Greater Houston area that are perfect for the family to ring in 2019. One of Houston's most well-known kid friendly New Year's parties is the Rockin' New Year's Noon Bash at the The Children's Museum of Houston. Bring the kids to the museum for a dance party and 2019 countdown at noon, complete with a ball drop they won't forget. Stephanie Molina and her family, like many other residents of Country Club Village Apartments in southwest Houston, were asleep when the building caught fire around 8 a.m. Christmas Eve. As the fire engulfed their apartment, three of the family's four kids made it out through their second floor window, Molina's aunt, Dalina Cruz said. Molina's husband, Pedro Guerra, was burned on the left side of his body as he tried to rescue the couple's fourth child, a 10-year-old boy, from his bedroom. UPDATE: HPD officer 'in for the fight of his life' after alleged drunk driver causes fiery crash Cruz was at work at an electronics store when Molina called her about the fire and she rushed to the complex on South Gessner near Bellaire. When she arrived, paramedics told her that 10-year-old Angel Molina had died in the fire and Guerra had been taken to intensive care at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Cruz, 44, held back tears as she talked about how distraught her niece and the rest of the family were in the aftermath of the blaze. "It's her oldest child," she said outside the charred building. "And of course to know that her husband also is injured we don't know his status right now, we just know that he's in ICU." Mario Gallegos, a public information officer with the Houston Fire Department, said the child and his father were rescued by a firefighter who was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation. The spokesman said about six apartments were destroyed while nearly 60 were affected by smoke and electrical damage. The firefighter is expected make a full recovery Gallegos said investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but cautioned Houstonians to be careful with space heaters and candles that are common during the holiday season. Even before the ashes stopped smoldering, firefighters and others began bringing toys and gifts to the children at the scene, Gallegos noted. By midday, the American Red Cross had set up a shelter for the displaced residents at the Vietnamese Community Center at 7100 Clarewood Dr. Meanwhile, neighbors at the complex surveyed the destruction and relived how they escaped while gathering in front of the apartments where the scent of burnt rubble still hung in the air. The fire wiped out entire segments of the apartment complex, leaving only charred remains of walls, roofing and staircases. The brick exterior had crumbled away at parts. James Lee, 73, was visiting his nephew at his home across the street when the fire erupted. Lee's family had been preparing to wrap Christmas gifts when he heard a commotion. He went outside and saw large crowds gathering on the sidewalk near the burning complex. He said people were "pulling hair out of their heads, crying" as firefighters urged people to move away from the fire as they extinguished it. "I'm not even related to them, I started crying," Lee said. brian.rogers@chron.com jasper.scherer@chron.com The United Nations Security Council has called for continuous dialogue and transparency with all political stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the postponement of presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections, until December 30. The polls, previously scheduled for Sunday December 23 were delayed by the countrys National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). Taking note of the CENI decision, the 15-member Council expressed hope that this delay will permit the creation of favorable conditions for the Congolese people to express themselves freely on the revised date. The Democratic Republic of Congo, sub-Saharan Africas biggest country, has never witnessed a peaceful transfer of power. The CENI last week ordered the postponement of presidential, legislative and provincial elections saying a warehouse fire had destroyed voting materials in the capital city, Kinshasa. The Security Council said MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, will provide support if requested. President Kabilas administration has several times said it wants to organize the elections without financial aid or logistical support from the European Union or the UN. The UN also called on all parties to engage peacefully and constructively in the electoral process, to ensure a transfer of power in accordance with the Congolese Constitution and the 31 December 2016 Agreement. The vote was initially supposed to be held in late 2016, but was postponed because the electoral commission could not arrange it in time a delay the opposition said was intentional to extend Kabilas rule. City of Richmond / City of Richmond The city of Richmond launched the fourth annual Share the Warmth program in October to assist those in the community needing blankets, coats, jackets and other warm clothing. This Share the Warmth Program has grown to a valuable partnership between these three entities to serve our Richmond citizens, said Moore. Drubbed. Shellacked. Whooped. Walloped. Routed. However you want to describe Novembers midterm election, it was disastrous for Harris County Republicans. They were swept from the remaining countywide posts they held the other shoe to drop after Democrats booted the Republican sheriff and district attorney two years ago and lost all 55 judicial seats on the ballot. For the first time in decades, Democrats will hold a majority of Commissioners Court. The path forward for the local GOP is unclear. The partys statewide slate went undefeated yet rebuked by Harris County voters, raising questions about whether its pitch to rural voters alienated urban ones. In the states most populous county, and his home base, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz got just 41 percent of the vote. Harris County Republican Party Chairman Paul Simpson, however, is optimistic. He said several local Republicans would have won, chief among them County Judge Ed Emmett, if straight-ticket voting had been eliminated before the election. Republicans in the Texas Legislature decided to retire the straight-ticket option after 2018, which traditionally benefited their party, but proved disastrous for the GOP in urban counties this cycle. Pendulums will swing back, Simpson said. Im confident in the near future, well be back. Scholars and Emmett, the county executive for 11 years before his upset loss, offered a less rosy assessment that of a party catering to a largely white, graying base that is failing to adapt to changing demographics and awaiting the return of a normal electorate that has ceased to exist. November 2018 should be a wake-up call, they say, but they wonder if the local Republican Party is listening. If you look at 18 as a turning point for Harris County, theres nothing data-wise that would give you any indication this was an aberration and not a structural change, said Jay Aiyer, who teaches political science at Texas Southern University. If anything, you could see it actually swinging harder to the Democrats in 22. Mark Jones, who studies Texas politics at Rice University, offered a more tepid view. He said the broad unpopularity of President Donald Trump drove some voters to the polls this fall who may not have participated otherwise. If you take Trump out of the equation and put in a more liberal Democrat its not clear to me that Democrats have the same level of advantage, Jones said. The county is trending from red, to pink, to purple. But I would not say Harris County is blue. Houston-area Republicans have regrouped and rallied after past Democratic surges. In 2010, two years after a majority of Harris County voters chose Barack Obama for president and swept the countys judicial seats, Republicans roared back. The GOP won each countywide post on the ballot and ousted Democrat Sylvia Garcia as Precinct 2 commissioner. Midterm elections traditionally have low turnout and benefit Republicans, whose voters tend to have higher participation rates than Democrats. This year, however, Harris County voters obliterated midterm voting records in a Democratic wave, and history suggests they will have success in 2020, too. Republicans have not won a countywide post in a presidential election year since 2012. University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus said the local GOP would be wise to lower its expectations for 2020, which likely will feature an unpopular president at the top of the ticket. The Republicans need to show theyve still got a pulse after the disaster that befell them in 18, Rottinghaus said. Thats about the best they can hope for in a presidential year. Simpson, who has led county Republicans since 2014, said the party will focus on recruiting fresh candidates who can appeal to a wide swath of voters, rather than the sliver of partisans who vote in primaries. He lauded the success of Dan Crenshaw in the 2nd Congressional District, a young, charismatic combat veteran who beat better-funded candidates in the primary. Crenshaws win, Simpson said, showed candidates can be conservative and still be cool. The Texas 2nd, however, is a district drawn for Republicans that has a far greater proportion of white residents than Harris County as a whole. Simpson acknowledged his party has to attract a more diverse coalition, and said Republicans are making inroads. He cited the dispute among Tarrant County Republicans over whether to remove a Muslim party official as an example of backward thinking, and noted Harris County ran a Muslim, Syed Ali, for state representative this year. We need to make sure that we keep recruiting young people, party activists and candidates of all demographic groups, Simpson said. Back in 2016, however, the chaplain of the Harris County GOP objected to naming Ali as a precinct chairman because Islam and Christianity do not mix. Simpson said Republicans will regroup and unify for the 2020 elections, citing how Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ended speculation he would challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary by endorsing him instead. Yet, local Republicans alarmed at the direction of their party are girding for an internecine fight to save their party from irrelevancy. Emmett, who narrowly lost his bid for re-election despite outperforming every other countywide and statewide Republican on the Harris County ballot, said he wants to pull the local GOP toward the center. He said he finds irony in the dont-let-Texas-become-California applause line that Cruz, Patrick and other Republicans used in their campaigns. Emmett warns the Texas GOP is repeating the mistakes of California Republicans in the 1990s, who adopted a hardline stance on issues such as immigration as the state diversified, to disastrous results. In 1996, the California party controlled five of seven statewide offices and 19 seats in Congress. Now it has zero statewide elected officials and just seven congressional seats. Emmett warned that Texas Republicans are running out of time to expand their base to include more young and nonwhite voters, and make inroads in cities where voters increasingly are turned off by their message. If we dont do something by 2022, this states Democrat, he said. Simpson, in contrast, predicted Harris County Democrats, with full control of the government, likely will push policies that upset voters and spark a backlash in 2020. He said the partys future candidates must emulate Emmetts broad appeal with voters without sacrificing their principles. We need to be able to win the center, he said. We need to win those people who dont agree with the party on everything. Jones, of Rice University, said the local GOP can attract conservative-leaning Asian and Hispanic voters by making a sustained effort to recruit diverse candidates. He cautioned, however, that the presidents far-right immigration policy proposals may sever any inroads Harris County Republicans make with these rapidly growing communities. If you have a president that effectively says you should be deported, youre not going to vote for them, Jones said. Zach Despart covers Harris County for the Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at zach.despart@chron.com. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The year 2018 in Ohio politics was the year when Ohio voters took a stand against political gerrymandering in the spring, and swept another wave of Republicans into statewide office in the fall. Heres a recap of some of the highlights, by the numbers. 5 for 5 The vote margins were well short of what could be considered landslides, but the Republicans made a clean sweep in winning all five statewide executive offices in the November general election, led by Mike DeWines win by 164,070 votes for governor. This means the Republicans will continue to deserve credit for the direction of the state, for better or for worse, depending on ones point of view. The GOP has won seven of the last eight gubernatorial elections, starting 28 years ago when George Voinovich was elected to follow Democrat Dick Celestes eight years in the governors mansion. Margin of victory in Ohio gubernatorial elections, 1982 through 2018. (Rich Exner, cleveland.com) 4.4 million The 4,429,582 votes cast for governor marked the most in history, topping the record of 4,022,928 set in 2006 when Democrat Ted Strickland scored an easy victory over Republican Kenneth Blackwell. Slightly more than half (50.2 percent) of Ohios voting-age citizen population took part in the 2018 gubernatorial election. Presidential elections draw more voters. There were 5.5 million Ohio votes cast for president in 2016. 15 New estimates say Ohios congressional delegation is expected to drop to 15 in 2022, losing a seat from the current 16 members in Congress. This is the result of the Buckeye States lack of growth while other states have been growing much faster. Ohio had 24 congressional seats as late as 1970, before dropping to 23 in 1972, 21 in 1982, 19 in 1992, 18 in 2002 and 16 in 2012. In 1970, the Ohio congressional delegation accounted for 5.5 percent of Congress. If Ohio drops to 15 seats in 2022, Ohio will have just 3.4 percent of the seats. Adjustments are made after each census. The next census results, for 2020, will be reported in early 2021. The number of Ohio congressional seats has dropped from 24 to a projected 15. (Rich Exner, cleveland.OM 75 percent Its very difficult to get 75 percent agreement on anything these days when it comes to politics. But that was the size of the support from Ohio voters in amending the Ohio Constitution with reform aimed at ending or at least reducing political gerrymandering in Ohio. Issue 1, approved in May, amended the Ohio Constitution, put rules in place, where none exist now, aimed at creating districts that make geographic sense - rather than districts designed solely with political gain in mind. How often - and to what extent - counties can be split will be severely limited. And a new 10-year map cannot be enacted without significant buy-in from both major political parties. The new rules will be used when the next maps are drawn in 2021, following the 2020 census. 75 percent (Part 2) Speaking of 75 percent, that is the share of U.S. House seats Ohio Republicans won in the November election, despite only defeating Democrats 52 percent to 48 percent in the head-to-head vote statewide for the 16 seats. The official vote totals released weeks after the November election showed Republican congressional candidates in Ohio combining for 2,291,333 votes vs. 2,082,684 for Democrats. Credit the skillful map drawers hired by the Republicans to create the maps in 2011. They designed 12 seats to be safely Republican by packing as many Democrats as possible into four other districts. Its worked out just that way in each of the four elections with these maps. The same advantage has worked for the GOP in the Ohio Statehouse, winning far more seats than their share (about half) of the vote in all General Assembly races across Ohio. 4.4 million Ohio Democratic congressional candidates including both the House and Senate received more votes than Republicans in what otherwise was a very Republican year in Ohio. Combining the votes for the U.S. Senate race won by Democrat Sherrod Brown and the 16 U.S. House races, Democrats collected 4,438,607 votes and Republicans received 4,345,296, or 51 percent to 49 percent head-to-head. In the 2018 election, Democrats won more total votes in Ohio for U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidates than Republicans. (Rich Exner, cleveland.com) 1.9 million Up to 1.9 million names were in line this year to be part of the process to potentially be removed from Ohio voter registration lists under an action by outgoing Ohio Secretary of State (and future lieutenant governor) Jon Husted. The U.S. Supreme Court on June 11 ruled Ohio's method of purging voters is legal, clearing the way for the purging process to resume. That started in November, following the general election. Notices went out to people who havent voted, or havent interacted with election officials for two years. People who go six years without voting could be removed and prevented from voting until they register again. But Husted in July established a new to layer to the process to reduce the number of people receiving the mailings. When an Ohioan renews their drivers license or state identification card through the BMV and provides the same address as the one included in their voter registration it will serve as confirmation of the individuals address for list maintenance purposes. For those removed, even a provisional ballot would not be counted, as they would end up being invalid if the person was removed the registration list. Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner. Find data-related stories at cleveland.com/datacentral. President of Iran Hassan Rouhani addresses the crowd during his visit in Semnan, Iran on December 4, 2018. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presented a state budget of 4,700 trillion rials to parliament on Tuesday, saying U.S. sanctions would affect Iranians' lives and economic growth but not bring the government to its knees. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a multilateral nuclear deal with Iran in May and reimposed sanctions on Iran, including on its vital oil industry. "America's goal is to bring Iran's Islamic system to its knees ... and it will fail in this, but sanctions will no doubt affect people's lives, and the country's development and economic growth," Rouhani told parliament in a speech carried live on state television. He gave the value of the draft budget at about 4,700 trillion rials for the next Iranian year which starts on March 21, 2019. Under the unofficial exchange rate the budget is equal to about $47 billion. Rouhani said state employees would get a 20 percent pay raise next year and the budget included $14 billion in subsidies to provide cheap basic goods such as food and medicine, up from $13 billion in the current year's state budget. Officials have said the budget is designed to provide for the basic needs of low-income groups, including state employees and pensioners, support production and employment and seek to relaunch thousands of stalled state projects with the help of private investors. Turkish and US flags are seen during a ceremony as their duty period finished on September 15, 2015 at the Patriot missiles deployment in Gaziantep, Turkey. President Donald Trump's administration may have just handed Turkey's President Recep Erdogan another win. Less than a week after Trump's abrupt decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, Turkey's foreign minister said Tuesday the U.S. has agreed to complete its previously established "roadmap" to remove all Kurdish militia fighters from the Northern Syrian town of Manbij before U.S. forces clear out. Ankara has been waiting for this guarantee for a while, complaining since its agreement in June that Washington was dragging its feet on the deal. The U.S. has been supporting the Syria-based Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG) as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting the Islamic State (IS), but the Turks view those fighting Kurds as linked to a Kurdish terrorist group that's carried out a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Last week, Erdogan threatened to attack Manbij to "cleanse" it of the YPG, whom he called terrorists a move the Pentagon has called "unacceptable." The U.S. withdrawal is reportedly expected to begin within weeks. At the time of this publication, the Pentagon had not yet responded to a CNBC request for comment sent Tuesday. Turkey also plans to cross east of the Euphrates River in Northern Syria "as soon as possible," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reportedly told local media Tuesday, without elaborating. Manbij is west of the Euphrates, but Kurdish forces control a wide swath of land on the eastern side of the river. With the impending departure of U.S. troops from Syria, Turkey will have vast sway to push out Kurdish forces, who now say the feel they are being abandoned by their American partners. Turkish troops have amassed along the Syrian-Turkish border and Turkish-backed Syrian rebels are grouping around Manbij. The Kurds have reportedly begun digging ditches and trenches in anticipation of the offensive, prompting Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar to say Thursday, "they will be buried in their ditches when the time comes." Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. JIT report is nothing but document filled with assumptions: Bilawal Zardari 25 December, 2018 Related News Imran Khan distributed loan cheques under Kamyab Jawan Programme PTI govt to face all challenges coming its way: Imran khan More on this View All Top 2021 Accessories We Know You Will Love Types of Casino Payment Methods Tips for Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos Best Poker Hands ever played on a Casino Are Slot Developers Important for players? Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry Ways that Players Used to Take Advantage of Slot Sites KARACHI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Calling ludicrous a joint investigation team (JIT) report submitted to the Supreme Court in the fake bank accounts case on Monday, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) saw it an attempt to turn the country into One Unit and wipe out opposition parties to bring one-party rule and warned that it would go to any extent to resist any move targeting its chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The report of the JIT probing money laundering of billions of rupees through fake bank accounts claims to have found a close nexus between the Zardari Group, Bahria Town and Omni Group. Addressing a press conference at Bilawal House in Karachi hours after the SC hearing of the money laundering case and the judgement by an accountability court against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, PPP leaders questioned the ongoing accountability system and vowed that the party would face all challenges but not give up its campaign against the selected government. There is a meeting of the partys central executive committee on Dec 26, said Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar. The chairman would announce the party decision on Dec 27 for its future strategy. And let me tell you that there is anger among the workers and people of Pakistan. If any move is made that targets our chairman then it would be clear to everyone that workers would come out [on roads] and we have every option to protest against such move, he warned. The PPP leader said the JIT report was nothing but a document filled with assumptions and table stories which had nothing to do with the reality, wondering why the countrys judiciary was only taking up cases against the opposition parties. Its so unfortunate that the former premier [Nawaz Sharif] was sentenced today, he said. Amid all such happenings, the question also arises over our courts. For instance a court in Rawalpindi is hearing cases against four former prime ministers of Pakistan, but at the same time its not moving against dictator General [Pervez] Musharraf, who had violated the Constitution and arrested the judges. Mr Khokhar asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) about the hurdles in the way of arrest of senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders and key members of the government, including Pervez Khattak, Aleem Khan and Zulfi Bukhari. It is pity that the system of accountability is only targeting opposition parties. Its not our opinion alone as every independent circle is raising the same issue. Everyone knows about strong stance of [PPP] chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari whether its about missing persons or freedom of expression. We firmly believe that the government wants to target him for his strong stance to suppress his voice, the PPP senator said. In Islamabad, senior PPP leaders lashed out at the accountability process in country and said the system was not only victimising the party leadership but also trying to silence the democratic voice. This JIT report was connivance between the JIT and the government and I have raised this question in the Senate too. What was Shazad Akbar, who is special assistant to the PM on accountability, doing with the JIT? Senator Sherry Rehman said. PPP secretary general Nayyar Bukhari said that a JIT had been constituted against the party founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and now another was investigating against its co-chairman Asif Zardari. As long as the allegations are not proved in the court of law, Faryal Talpur and Asif Ali Zardari are innocent, he added. Ms Rehman said: If they think that we will stand down with our hands folded under the pressure of accountability then they are wrong; we will never bow down to this politics of victimisation. She announced that on the occasion of death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto on Dec 27, the PPP would demonstrate its mass standing and show its strength against what she called political victimisation of the party leadership. She said Mr Zardari had spent 12 years behind bars, but nothing was proved against him, adding that the accountability process should be across the board and sparing a few persons was not correct. Ms Rehman said that everything was for the opposition parties only to hide failures of the present government as around 100,000 people had been rendered homeless and joblessness had increased over the past four months. If such mishaps and disrespect to public sentiments continued in new Pakistan, then we will not remain silent; PPP has never been afraid of political victimisation and our workers even get charged in such testing times, she added. In Lahore, senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira objected to the media reporting on the case proceedings and termed it hired reporting by the FIA. He said the media must not have reported on it before a court order, but it seemed as if the case had been adjudicated against us. He said they had requested the Supreme Court to refer the fake accounts case to a trial court and now its up to the apex court whether it accepted the plea or heard the case on its own. We would prove innocence of our leadership in courts as well as before the masses. Mr Kaira recalled that the PPP leadership had been sentenced in the past and the media then had reported similar authentic reports but the courts had latter acquitted them. The big remaining bugaboo the Dec. 19 emergency release of Internet Explorer patches for all supported versions of Windows remains shrouded in secrecy. That said, it looks like early reports of devastating bugs in the IE update are overstated; at this point, Im not aware of any replicable problems. Thats very good news, actually, given Microsofts exceedingly poor recent history with emergency patches. Where we stand with Windows That Internet Explorer patch KB 4483235 (1809), KB 4483234 (1803), KB 4483232 (1709), KB 4483187 (Win7 and 8.1), or KB 4483187 (19H1 beta) has had a series of workarounds posted, reworked, then reposted, over the past week. If you took Microsofts advice a few days ago and manually implemented the workaround (basically blocking access to jscript), you should check back and make sure that your old method is the same as the new method. The relatively small crop of December Patch Tuesday patches turned out just fine. There were no non-security patch previews this month, so we dodged the usual monthly second chance at screwing up systems. The rest of the December patches seem good to go, with two exceptions: The Outlook Manage Rules & Alerts operation failed error is still out there. Microsoft says it has fixed the bug, introduced in November, for Outlook 2013. The other six versions of Outlook with acknowledged errors (two perpetual versions and four rented Office 365 versions) still bear the bug. Windows Server 2016 (nee Windows 10 version 1607) has a list of acknowledged bugs that should give you Server savants pause. In many cases the bugs an exception thrown for SqlConnection, SCVMM errors, Outlook cannot perform the search, NERR_PasswordTooShort, Lenovo startup failure have been around for months , but the list isnt getting any shorter. The ongoing question of 1809 and seekers Im seeing more and more reports that Microsoft is pushing Win10 version 1809 on Win10 machines that arent seekers the machines get upgraded even if the user doesnt click Check for updates. Version guru @abbodi86 assures me that the old rules of engagement still hold true that Microsoft is only installing Win10 1809 on seeker machines. But the situations muddied a bit by the possibility that another forced-upgrade bug has crept into the rollout sequence (as it has many times before) and/or that the KB 4023057 Update for update reliability may be turning on the Seeker flag. Bottom line remains the same: Unless you want Win10 version 1809 on your machine, you need to proactively block it until youre comfortable with moving on to the next, arguably better version of the last version of Windows. Update Heres how to get your system updated the (relatively) safe way. Step 1. Make a full system image backup before you install the December patches. Theres a non-zero chance that the patches even the latest, greatest patches of patches of patches will hose your machine. Best to have a backup that you can reinstall even if your machine refuses to boot. This, in addition to the usual need for System Restore points. There are plenty of full-image backup products, including at least two good free ones: Macrium Reflect Free and EaseUS Todo Backup. For Win 7 users, If you arent making backups regularly, take a look at this thread started by Cybertooth for details. You have good options, both free and not-so-free. Step 2. For Win7 and 8.1 Microsoft is blocking updates to Windows 7 and 8.1 on recent computers. If you are running Windows 7 or 8.1 on a PC thats 18 months old or less, follow the instructions in AKB 2000006 or @MrBrians summary of @radosuafs method to make sure you can use Windows Update to get updates applied. If youre very concerned about Microsofts snooping on you and want to install just security patches, realize that the privacy paths getting more difficult. The old Group B security patches only isnt dead, but its no longer within the grasp of typical Windows customers. If you insist on manually installing security patches only, follow the instructions in @PKCanos AKB 2000003 and be aware of @MrBrians recommendations for hiding any unwanted patches. For most Windows 7 and 8.1 users, I recommend following AKB 2000004: How to apply the Win7 and 8.1 Monthly Rollups. Realize that some or all of the expected patches for December may not show up or, if they do show up, may not be checked. DON'T CHECK any unchecked patches. Unless you're very sure of yourself, DON'T GO LOOKING for additional patches. In particular, if you install the December Monthly Rollups or Cumulative Updates, you wont need (and probably wont see) the concomitant patches for November. Don't mess with Mother Microsoft. Watch out for driver updates youre far better off getting them from a manufacturers website. After youve installed the latest Monthly Rollup, if youre intent on minimizing Microsofts snooping, run through the steps in AKB 2000007: Turning off the worst Win7 and 8.1 snooping. If you want to thoroughly cut out the telemetry, see @abbodi86s detailed instructions in AKB 2000012: How To Neutralize Telemetry and Sustain Windows 7 and 8.1 Monthly Rollup Model. Realize that we dont know what information Microsoft collects on Window 7 and 8.1 machines. But Im starting to believe that information pushed to Microsofts servers for Win7 owners is nearing equality to that pushed in Win10. Step 3. For Windows 10 If youre running Win10 version 1709, or version 1803 (my current preference), you definitely want to block the forced upgrade to Win10 1809. Dont get caught flat-footed: Microsoft may decide to push 1809 again with little or no notice. Follow the advice in How to block the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, version 1809, from installing. Of course, all bets are off if Microsoft, uh, forgets to honor its own settings. Those of you who run Win10 Pro/Education and followed my advice last month to set the branch distribution ring to "Semi-Annual Channel" and set quality update (cumulative update) deferrals to 15 days dont need to do anything. Your machine will update itself on the 26th. Dont touch a thing. For the rest of you, including those of you stuck with Win10 Home, go through the steps in "8 steps to install Windows 10 patches like a pro." Make sure that you run Step 3, to hide any updates you dont want (such the Win10 1809 upgrade or any driver updates for non-Microsoft hardware) before proceeding. If you really want to hide everything, including the gonzo KB 4023057 patch I mentioned earlier, you need to go through @PKCanos steps to wring every last update out of your update queue. Microsoft hides some of them. For those of you running Win10 Pro, I suggest you follow the instructions in Step 7, but leave your advanced setup settings like the ones shown in the screenshot. Woody Leonhard Thatll ensure Microsoft has 15 days to pull its bad initial patches May all the coals in your stocking be intentional. Thanks to the dozens of volunteers on AskWoody who contribute mightily, especially @sb, @PKCano, @abbodi86, and many others. Weve moved to MS-DEFCON 4 on the AskWoody Lounge. AI medical startup claims of heart diagnosis within six minutes As technology takes giant leaps, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) medical startup Tricog claims of offering speedy diagnosis for heart patients based on their electrocardiography (ECG) data and that too within six minutes. This development will allow people suffering from a heart condition to soon get a specialists help. An ECG machine with a Tricog add-on encrypts a patient's results and sends them to a cloud, where a machine-learning algorithm interprets the data and forms a diagnosis. Artificial Intelligence (AI) medical startup Tricog claims of offering speedy diagnosis for heart patients based on their electrocardiography (ECG) data and that too within six minutes. Photo courtesy: Tricog There is a team of 20 doctors who work round the clock at centrally located hub to verify the data. The closest hospital is alerted so doctors can be on standby to provide treatment. Tricog recently raised some USD4 million from investors including Japanese based venture capital company The University of Tokyo Edge Capital. A team of medical experts and technologists founded Tricog with an aim to help preserve peoples lives through technology. Its solution involves installing a cloud connected ECG machine in primary and secondary care medical centres clinics, polyclinics, nursing homes and hospitals. Dr Charit Bhograj, co-founder of Tricog and cardiologist. Photo courtesy: Tricog The moment a doctor takes a patients ECG, the information is sent to their centrally located hub where medical experts are available 247. So every time an ECG is performed with Tricogs cloud-connected ECG device, a Tricog specialist interprets it and sends the report through an SMS as well as a message on their mobile app. Dr Charit Bhograj, co-founder of Tricog and cardiologist, said, The service is available in 12 countries including India, Indonesia and Malaysia, and has diagnosed 1.5 million patients over the past years. Tricog is in talks to partner a Singapore maker of ECG machines, allowing its AI system to be integrated with these machines and used in the island. Bhograj established Tricog in 2014 with a group of co-founders including a former researcher at IBM and a former member of Texas Instruments' self-driving technology development team. 100% Website canales.elcomercio.es uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 15877 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 633072 bytes (618.23 kb uncompressed) and 74285 bytes (72.54 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-07-14, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website helptobuyadvice.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 3787 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 148848 bytes (145.36 kb uncompressed) and 15833 bytes (15.46 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-29, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. NAB to file appeal against acquittal of Nawaz Sharif in Flagship case The National Accountability Bureau has decided to file an appeal against the acquittal of Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship corruption reference. The decision was taken in a meeting held under NAB chairman Javed Iqbal after the accountability court announced its verdict on Monday. The NAB chairman directed the legal team at the bureau to file an appeal after getting certified authentic copies of the judgment. Following the former prime ministers sentence earlier in the day, the NAB team took Nawaz Sharif to Adiala jail, from where he will be taken to Kot Lakhpat jail on Tuesday morning. The Connecticut Audubon has released its 2018 list of birds of the year and topping the list is a unique pink bird that attracted a lot of attention in Milford and Stratford this year: The roseate spoonbill. This is the first time the Audubon has done a list of this kind. Tom Andersen, the Audubons director of communications, said it was because 2018 was such an extraordinary year in terms of birds. The roseate spoonbill, a native of the sub-tropics, first appeared in Stratford on Sept. 15, Andersen said in an email, explaining the birds top spot on this first list of birds of the year. Word spread, and soon people from around the region were gathering to see and photograph it. For three weeks, the spoonbill shuttled between several locations in Stratford and Connecticut Audubons Coastal Center at Milford Point, where it fed on the lip of the beach with other wading birds. The Audubon Guide to Northeastern Birds describes the bird as gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close. The roseate spoonbill is a large wading bird distinguished by its pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill, according to the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Its upper neck and back are white; the wings and feathers underneath display light shades of pink. The birds can reach a height of 2.5 feet, and their wingspan can spread up to four feet. They breed in most of South America and through Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. In the United States, the roseate spoonbill is reportedly common in coastal Florida, Texas and southwest Louisiana, where it feeds in shallow waters. Its appearance was a happening in and of itself but also something of a fluke, according to Andersen. The spoonbill was what ornithologists call a vagrant, a bird that turns up far from its range. Number two on the list of 2018s top birds are the sedge wrens that nested in a field at Connecticut Audubons Bafflin Sanctuary in Pomfret. The birds had been considered eradicated from the state but in July were confirmed nesting and were raising young in a field near a marsh along Day Road. At number three is the Wilsons plover that Chandler Wiegand, Connecticut Audubons Important Bird Areas coastal ranger at Milford Point, spotted foraging with a group of other shorebirds in April. The Wilsons plover is typically found from Cape May, N.J., south, according to Andersen. Number four are the purple martins that enjoyed another good breeding year in the colony at the Milford Point Coastal Center, Andersen said. At least 128 baby martins hatched there in 2018, compared to 107 last year, 93 in 2016 and 79 in 2015, he said, adding that purple martins were removed from the states list of threatened species several years ago. Purple martins are described as large swallows which only eat insects they catch while on the wing. They are completely dependent on man-made nesting areas in Connecticut, Audubon officials said during a project last year. One of the most successful colonies is the one at the Connecticut Audubon Societys Coastal Center at Milford Point, a colony that arrived in Milford in 2015 when media personality Phil Donahue moved his colony of birds there. Local Audubon officials said that, thanks in part to the publicity Donahues birds generated, individuals, nonprofit organizations and government agencies erected more nest boxes and gourds to house the birds. Number five on the bird list are hundreds of migratory songbirds that took up residence at the H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport following a habitat restoration. Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins dubbed the property Sparrow-dise. Number six is the rusty blackbird that flew over Deer Pond Farm in Sherman at 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 8. Andersen said it was the first bird detected by the Connecticut Audubon Societys new Motus Wildlife Tracking System receiver. These bird tracking efforts might well revolutionize bird research, Andersen said. At number seven are the tree swallows that gather in Old Lyme. Each evening on Goose Island, tens of thousands of birds convene, said Andersen. Or is it hundreds of thousands? A million? Nobody knows for sure. But now a team of scientists, with the help of Connecticut Audubons Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, is trying to find out. If they succeed, they will have pioneered a method that will revolutionize the study and knowledge of tree swallows, he said. Number eight, the last bird on the list, is the western kingbird that Pomfret resident Nancy Barrett photographed in September. The bird is a native of the Great Plains and further west, Andersen said. Barrett sent her photograph to us but no one could (locate) the bird. She might have been the only person to see it. Nation celebrate 142nd birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam The nation celebrate 142nd birth anniversary of founder of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today (Tuesday) with renewed commitment to work hard for progress and prosperity of the country. The day dawn with Quran Khawani at the Quaids mausoleum in Karachi. A change of guards ceremony held at Mazar-i-Quaid, while the national flag hoisted atop all public and private buildings countrywide. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the Quaids mausoleum to pay homage to great leader of the sub-continent. The representatives of the three armed forces also visited the mausoleum to lay wreaths and offer Fateha. In Lahore, several government departments, institutions, besides political, social, academic and literary organizations have chalked out their plans to hold special ceremonies to mark the day in a befitting manner. One such ceremony will be held at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tahreek-e-Pakistan. Strict measures have been taken to ensure foolproof security on the occasion. In this connection, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed all police officers to ensure effective monitoring of security plan. The main function in connection with the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Jinnah held in Nishtar Hall Peshawar. Speakers highlight different aspects of the life and achievements of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Studying hard to get a college degree is the route to a good job, or so we were told. The number of U.S. adults with a college degree has been growing every year for decades. In the face of rising tuition fees, parents are being advised to start saving for college before their kids are even eating solid food. But is college education really the Holy Grail of well-paid employment with a reputable company? In 2018, the evidence is stacking up to show that employers are placing a decreasing emphasis on job candidates holding a college degree. Google consistently ranks as one of the top companies to work for in the U.S. As far back as 2014, Laszlo Bock, Googles Senior VP of People Operations, stated that holding a degree is not a prerequisite for employment with the company. In an interview with the New York Times, Bock indicated that for every job at Google, cognitive ability is the most essential attribute. His points were summed up as prospective bosses today care less about what you know or where you learned it than what value you can create with what you know. Google is not alone. Big Four accounting firm EY also stated that a lack of academic qualifications will no longer act as a barrier to getting a foot in the door. Recently, recruitment company Glassdoor published a list of 15 top U.S. employers actively recruiting for jobs that said they do not require a college degree. Related: 4 Reasons You Don't Necessarily Need a College Degree to Earn Big Changing job markets. All this is not to say that your college degree is worthless, but it is evidence that the job scene is changing. After the global recession in 2008, jobs were scarce, and many graduates found themselves unable to get work as employers raised the bar of requirements sky-high. As the economy recovered, the job market has picked up. Now, signs are emerging to indicate employers realize that competence matters more than having studied for a four-year degree. Companies are now implementing recruitment processes that focus on ensuring candidates demonstrate the right skills, or potential for acquiring them, rather than focusing on education and experience levels. With more and more people holding a degree, it is hardly surprising that employers are looking for other differentiators. Success doesnt depend on a degree. Many big-name entrepreneurs have achieved massive success in their industries without graduating from college. Richard Branson suffers from dyslexia which caused him to struggle at school. He left the education system at 16 and went on to found the Virgin Group, which now controls more than 400 companies. John Mackey dropped out of his studies at the University of Texas, saying he found the classes boring. After joining a vegetarian co-op with his girlfriend, the pair decided to open a natural grocery store which ultimately grew into the Whole Foods chain. Last year, Amazon bought Whole Foods in a deal worth $13.7 billion. Frederick Royce, one of the names behind luxury car firm Rolls Royce, managed to make his name without having set foot in a university building. After his father died, the young Royce finished school after only one year of formal education. In 1878, he did an apprenticeship and entered into a business partnership with a friend in 1884 -- with just a 20 stake. By 1899, the company underwent a public floatation, and the rest is history. Of course, the tech sector produces some of the best stories about entrepreneurial success, and plenty of those involve people who didnt take the traditional college route. Steve Jobs, cofounder of Apple, dropped out of college after one semester. Related: Why Skills Shouldn't Be Just a P.S. on a Resume His business rival Bill Gates managed a whole two semesters at Harvard before he dropped out and co-founded Microsoft. Harvard later awarded him an honorary degree. Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey founded their own highly successful tech companies in Facebook and Twitter respectively, and neither of them graduated college. David Karp didnt even finish high school. After discovering there was no computer science course he could take, Karp dropped out and decided to focus on developing his technical skills. This decision led him to found the online microblogging site Tumblr, which was later acquired by Yahoo for a cool $1 billion. Not a bad deal for a 27-year-old CEO. There are other stories outside of the world of business and technology. Ralph Lauren founded a global multi-billion dollar fashion business in his own name after having dropped out of college two years into his studies. David Geffen built up two record labels as well as co-founding Dreamworks SKG Studio together with Steven Spielberg. He also dropped out of college after two years. Online learning is an opportunity. All of these people succeeded not only in spite of their lack of college education but also in an age before the internet was so ubiquitous. In todays world, we have unprecedented access to all of the worlds information at our fingertips -- on laptops, tablets and smartphones. If you are someone who feels that the world of academia is just not for you, then there is no reason to exclude all study from your agenda. Online learning has never been easier, and it could help flesh out the education section on your resume without setting foot in a classroom. All industries and fields offer some kind of online courses. For many years now, technology has been a solid choice as developments are so rapid, all companies need IT people of some description. Right now, the tech sector is exploding, and there are a vast number of jobs open in areas such as big data, blockchain development and artificial intelligence. Columbia University offers a Machine Learning for Data Science and Analytics course via online learning platform edX. If you want to instead learn how to build a business from scratch Coursera partners with various academic institutions to offer a range of business courses at different levels. For example, the University of Pennsylvania provides a Business Foundations course, whereas the University of Illinois offers an online MBA for the more ambitious. Related: How I Became the CEO of a Multimillion-Dollar Company -- Without Going to College Competence matters. These days, it matters less whether you are a college graduate or have chosen to get your degree from the University of Life. Employers are looking for smart people who can prove at interviews that they can get the job done. The brightest students these days are the ones who use the university experience to prepare themselves for the challenges of the world of work, without depending on it as an automatic passport to the best jobs. Savvy non-academics should make the most of the online resources available to them, creating less risk that employers will discriminate in favor of those clutching their freshly-printed degree certificates. Related: What Businesses With a Nontraditional Approach Must Do Differently When Expanding How Startups can Utilise Public Relations to Attract Investors How Business Leaders Can Strengthen the Indian Government Schools Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Erie has a child care 'crisis.' But help could be on the way Nawaz Sharif sentenced to seven years in prison 25 December, 2018 Related News Imran Khan distributed loan cheques under Kamyab Jawan Programme PTI govt to face all challenges coming its way: Imran khan More on this View All Top 2021 Accessories We Know You Will Love Types of Casino Payment Methods Tips for Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos Best Poker Hands ever played on a Casino Are Slot Developers Important for players? Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry Ways that Players Used to Take Advantage of Slot Sites Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison in the latest conviction in a series of corruption allegations which saw him ousted from power last year. Sharif has denied all the charges against him and claims he is being targeted by the powerful security establishment. In its verdict on Monday, the accountability court held that the three-time prime minister was unable to prove the source of income for the ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. The court acquitted him in the Flagship Investment reference. The former premier requested that he be shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore instead of Adiala Jail, which was granted by the court. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison in the latest conviction in a series of corruption allegations which saw him ousted from power last year. Sharif, a three-time prime minister of Pakistan, has denied all the charges against him and claims he is being targeted by the powerful security establishment. Mondays conviction, centred on family businesses in the Middle East, is his second stemming from a corruption investigation spurred by the Panama Papers leak, and comes as Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to tackle endemic graft in Pakistan. In its verdict, the accountability court held that the three-time prime minister was unable to prove the source of income for the ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. The court acquitted him in the Flagship Investment reference. The court said there was concrete evidence against the former premier in the Al-Azizia reference, and that he was unable to provide a money trail in the case. However, there was not enough evidence to convict Sharif in the Flagship reference, thus he was acquitted. He was taken into custody from the court premises following the verdict, after which he is expected to be taken to jail. The former premier requested that he be shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore instead of Adiala Jail, which was granted by the court. Security was tight at the court on Monday morning, with some scuffles breaking out between Sharifs supporters and security forces, who responded with tear gas. The Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif from politics for life over the allegations last year, and directed an anti-corruption body to investigate three different charges regarding his familys properties and businesses. The months-long saga has seen him appear before accountability courts 165 times since September 2017. In July this year, he was convicted in one case revolving around family properties in London, and sentenced to ten years in prison. He was in London at the time as his wife received cancer treatment, but returned to Pakistan days ahead of the general election, only to be arrested and imprisoned on arrival. He was released in September after the Islamabad High Court suspended his sentence pending an appeal hearing. Sharif has been prime minister three times but power has been a rough ride. He was first expelled from office in 1993 on suspicion of corruption. He won an election in 1997, only to be ousted and exiled after a military coup in 1999. He returned to Pakistan in 2007 and took power once more in 2013 until his ousting last year. The trial against the Sharif family had commenced on September 14, 2017. On July 6, after four extensions in the original six-month deadline to conclude all three cases, the accountability court announced its verdict in the Avenfield reference. Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison. Nawaz and Maryam were released from jail on September 19 after the Islamabad High Court suspended their sentences in the Avenfield case. Nawaz and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only. The two brothers, based abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings began last year and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court. The charge against the family is that Hassan Nawaz set up an investment firm in 2001, with an office registered in the United Kingdom. At the time he was 25-years-old. Nawaz has never accepted any connection with his sons business, although the Bureau alleges that his name was listed as chairman of the board, further adding that Hasan was under the guardianship of his father till 1995. Hussain Nawaz Sharif, the former prime ministers elder son, claims that he received a sum of $5.4 million from his grandfather to establish the steel conglomerate in Saudi Arabia. The payment was made by a Qatari royal on the request of the elder Sharif. Thereafter, scrap machinery was transported from their Ahli Steel Mills in Dubai to Jeddah to establish Al-Azizia in 2001. The JIT constituted to investigate the graft allegations insisted that the real owner of the mills was Nawaz Sharif, and it was being operated by his son on his behalf. Hussain was 29-years-old at the time. The JIT also held that Nawaz Sharif received 97 per cent profit as gifts from Hill Metals Establishment, another company established by Hussain Nawaz in 2005, in Saudi Arabia. Of the amount, Sharif transferred 77 percent to his daughter, Maryam Nawaz (who is not accused in this reference). NAB claims that since Sharif received a large profit from Hussains companies, he is the real owner. Dear Editor: Contrary to John Habersbergers letter of Dec. 24 (LETTER: New York Democrats coming after Medicare), under the New York Health Act, Medicare will not be weakened but actually strengthened, enlarged and enhanced. In addition to the benefits it currently offers, seniors (and every other New Yorker) will get dental, vision, hearing and mental health care, prescription drugs, and long-term care all with no deductibles and no co-payments. Therell be no need for supplemental insurance: The New York Health Act will cover it all. True. therell be no choice but to be covered by NYHA. but thats a good thing. Only when the pool of risk is spread as wide as possible can costs be minimized; thats whats obvious about it. If people did have a choice, that would, indeed, be something to worry about. If your house were burning down, would you try to wave off the firefighters as they arrive? I suppose you might try, but since youve been paying taxes to support the fire department, you might as well let them save your house and your life, while theyre at it. Its exactly the same situation with the New York Health Act. NYHA turns health care into a public resource supported by everyone, and accessible to everyone. Mr. Habersberger would seek to frighten us with nightmarish visions of workers relocating to other states. Personally, I think hes got it backward: If we actually succeed in passing guaranteed health care here in New York, wed more likely have not an exodus but an influx of workers, because we then would have what the vast majority in this country have proven they want, but are afraid theyll lose, thanks to the depredations of the Republicans. Paul R. Cooper Kingston, N.Y. Paktribune wishes its readers Merry Christmas As Christians across the country celebrate the festive occasion of Christmas amid tight security on Tuesday, the president, prime minister and other top government officials extended their felicitations and warmest wishes to members of the community. A number of Christmas congregations and celebrations are being held to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. The day began with ceremonies and congregations in churches amid beefed up security and prayers for the country's sovereignty and prosperity. Christians attend a midnight service at St. Anthony's Church to celebrate the Christmas in Lahore. AP Christian citizens have decorated their homes and churches with colourful fairy lights. Residential colonies have also been decorated with twinkling lights and stars, and baubles such as bells, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel, balloons and bedecked Christmas trees. Special Christmas trees have been prepared to celebrate the occasion. Three tiers of security cover will be maintained for all churches, and law enforcers will be on a high alert during Christmas, new year celebrations and the Quaid-i-Azam Day in the garrison city and capital, where 4,000 policemen will be deployed. A number of top government officials issued Christmas greetings as the prime minister announced observing Christmas at an official level this year, according to MNA Shunila Ruth. President Arif Alvi in a message extended his warmest greetings to Christians in Pakistan on the joyous occasion and commended the sincere efforts of the Christian community towards socioeconomic development of the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan wished a happy and peaceful Christmas to all Christian citizens in the country. The prime minister also ordered that all scheduled gas load management be lifted across the country on Christmas eve to enable the Christian community to celebrate their religious festival in comfort, Radio Pakistan reported. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a statement felicitating the Christian community on Christmas said that the protection of the rights of minorities is among the top priorities of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government, according to a Radio Pakistan report. He added that the Constitution guarantees the protection of minorities, and appreciated the role that members of the Christian community have played in the solidarity, development and prosperity of Pakistan, as well as their services in health, education and other sectors. Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari wished everyone celebrating a truly joyous and safe Christmas. "May all your hopes and dreams come true," she added. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also congratulated the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas. He said that promotion of brotherhood, tolerance, harmony, love and affection is the essence of the teachings of Jesus. Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Aijaz Alam Augustine in his Christmas message said that the chief minister had announced a grant of Rs30 million on the occasion of Christmas and Rs25m for the scholarship of minority students across the province. Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan said the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ was being celebrated at national level to express solidarity with minorities. "Every citizen has equal rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan irrespective of colour, creed and ethnicity. The Punjab government is promoting a true image of the country in which all citizens will have equal rights," he said. An MI5 worker has been praised over their 'brilliant' response to a 10-year-old boy who wrote to the security service about his ideas for a spy suit. Schoolboy Daniel, from Derbyshire, shared his designs with the agency earlier this month after taking an interest in MI5. Taking to Twitter, his mother Julie Broad revealed that he received a personal letter just days later from employee Charlie Rhodes who praised his suit as 'very cool' and said it has 'many interesting features'. Schoolboy Daniel, from Derbyshire, shared his designs with the agency. Mother Julie Broad shared this snap of the letter her 10-year-old son received from an MI5 employee She praised Charlie Rhodes for personally responding to Daniel's letter. Her tweet has now racked up more than 20,000 likes and nearly 2,700 retweets Charlie, who was writing on behalf of the director general, even included a pen for the little boy to use for 'designing more gadgets'. Daniel's mother took to Twitter to praise Charlie for taking the time to write back, saying it made a huge impact. She wrote: 'Major, major shout out to our security service MI5 and especially Charlie Rhodes for personally responding to my childs letter. 'You have no idea of the impact this has had! Engaging the future workforce brilliantly.' Her tweet has since gone viral, racking up nearly 2,700 retweets and more than 20,000 likes. Speaking to Femail about the letter, Julie said: 'The response has been totally amazing, with some fantastic return stories and [so] much banter! 'I merely wanted to share how much of an impact someone taking the time to listen and give feedback on my son's curiosity and creativity has had.' Twitter users shared their own stories of companies and agencies writing back to their letters as children. One even joined the navy a few years after writing to Earl Mountbatten of Burma as a result The letter struck a chord with many users who shared their own stories of companies or organisations having a huge impact on them in the past. Hilton Holloway said: 'Happened to me when I was 10 or so in 1977. Wrote to Manchester airport asking about plane spotting. 'A chap called Martin Sweetapple replied with paper timetables. We were nobodies from a nowhere town. His reply had a massive impact on me - to get out and ask questions.' Catherine May added: 'The RNLI have my lifelong devotion, because they replied to my childhood letter. Its important that stuff.' Another user, who later joined the navy, tweeted: 'I love this. Well done to Daniel for writing and Charlie Rhodes for replying. Many users praised Charlie and one even said the letter 'supports my faith in human nature' 'I remember writing to Earl Mountbatten of Burma asking if he could arrange for me to experience some time in a RN warship - I was 14. He wrote back - I still have his letter. And a few months later...' Others praised Charlie and predicted his response would make a huge impression on the ten year old. Wayne John wrote: 'What a fantastic response and not at all patronising or dismissive. 'I'd love it if Daniel ends up working at MI5. I do hope the pen has invisible ink though. Well done Charlie Rhodes. We could do with more like you.' Ryan wrote: 'I love it when companies do this sort of thing, makes me think the world's not such a bad place.' Lise Elliott added: 'Brilliant...it supports my faith in human nature (which can take a hit sometimes). Others said they wanted to see the super suit themselves, and joked the letter would self destruct When nine-year-old Eliza O'Neill's father, Glenn, sings Jingle Bells or Frosty The Snowman, her eyes light up and her lips move. But she can't remember the words or how to say them. She hasn't been able to for two years - thats how long its been since Eliza last spoke. When I sing, she definitely wants to mouth along and sing with me, Glenn says. Its really sweet. She knows things are going on, but she cant speak to express that. Eliza was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome - often referred to as childhood Alzheimer's - five-and-a-half years ago, when she was four. Most children with the rare degenerative brain disease don't live past their teenage years. As toxins build up in their brains, they lose cognitive functions: the ability to walk, to speak and, eventually, to feed themselves. Incredibly, Eliza seems to have plateaued for the past two years, her mental and physical abilities remaining the same - not equal to other children her age, but the same, for Eliza. And for Eliza and the one out of every 70,000 children in the world with Sanfilippo, no news is good news, as there is no cure and, so far, children only decline gradually until they succumb to the condition. Eliza O'Neill turned nine last month. A photo captures her sunny personality - but not the 'childhood Alzheimer's' disease that is ravaging her mind over time Glenn, Eliza, Beckham, 12, and Cara O'Neill took festive Christmas photos in warm hats, but the family hoped to head South to warmer weather for the holiday Cara, Eliza and Beckham take a fall stroll. At 12, Beckham understands what is happening to her sister in a way she will never understand her own disease Since practically the moment he and his wife, Cara, got a diagnosis for Eliza, they have been fighting to change the 'incurable' status of Sanfilippo. They founded Cure Sanfilippo, which now consists of a network of 60 families, who advocate, fundraise and partner with scientists to work on the development of a cure, a treatment, or even medicines or methods that can make the days their children do have to live a little better. The foundation was formed to help Eliza and children like her, but while she (and kids like Will, Abbey, Josiah and Leila) grapple Sanfilippo, it is also a place for their families to support one another. For Glenn, sitting by and watching Eliza deteriorate simply was not an option. And when all else has failed Eliza, the foundation remains a place where his effort matters, and it has given meaning even to the ways that medicine has failed his daughter. 'It's never been just about Eliza, for us, it was about the foundation right off the bat,' he says. 'In a strange way, it's a privilege to do it, it's been my defense mechani When nine-year-old Eliza O'Neill's father, Glenn, sings Jingle Bells or Frosty The Snowman, her eyes light up and her lips move. But she can't remember the words or how to say them.. She hasn't been able to for two years - thats how long its been since Eliza last spoke. When I sing, she definitely wants to mouth along and sing with me, Glenn says. Its really sweet. She knows things are going on, but she cant speak to express that. Eliza may not be able to speak any more, but she still loves to run, play, and dress up, as she did for her ninth birthday in November (pictured) Playing in the backyard of the O'Neill family home in South Carolina and climbing around the tree house are still among Eliza's (left) favorite activities, especially when her mother, Cara (right) joins in Eliza was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome - often referred to as childhood Alzheimer's - five-and-a-half years ago, when she was four. Most children with the rare degenerative brain disease don't live past age their teenage years. As toxins build up in their brains, they lose cognitive functions; the ability to walk, to speak and, eventually, to feed themselves. Incredibly, Eliza seems to have plateaued for the past two years, her mental and physical abilities remaining the same - not equal to other children her age, but the same, for Eliza. And for Eliza and the one out of every 70,000 children in the world with Sanfilippo, no news is good news, as there is no cure and, so far, children only decline gradually until they succumb to the condition. Since practically the moment he and his wife, Cara, got a diagnosis for Eliza they have been fighting to change the 'incurable' status of Sanfilippo. They founded Cure Sanfilippo, which now consists of a network of 60 families, who advocate, fundraise and partner with scientists to work on the development of a cure, a treatment, or even medicines or methods that can make the days their children do have to live a little better. The foundation was formed to help Eliza and children like her, but while she (and kids like Will, Abbey, Josiah and Leila) grapple with Sanfilippo, it is also a place for their families to support one another. For Glenn, sitting by and watching Eliza deteriorate simply was not an option. And when all else has failed Eliza, the foundation remains a place where his effort matters, and it has given meaning even to the ways that medicine has failed his daughter. 'It's never been just about Eliza, for us, it was about the foundation right off the bat,' he says. 'In a strange way, it's a privilege to do it, it's been my defense mechanism against the reality of what has happened to my daughter and what she's going through and what she may go through in the future.' The 'privilege' is in helping other families do what they can for their children, and what these families need most are ways to make quality of life better for kids like Eliza. 'We don't need to start with a home run,' Glenn says. 'We want to start with a single something that parents can have access to. It's the quality of life stuff that children can see themselves.' The O'Neills take family photos on a regular basis, not just for their own enjoyment but for the sake of the Cure Sanfilippo foundation. They hope that their personal story can help raise awareness of the rare disease and bring families like theirs closer to a cure For Eliza, the latest improvement to her life is a device, not unlike those used by ALS patients, that tracks her eye movement, 'so she tells us stuff with her eyes,' Glenn says. For parents like Glenn, knowing that their children could be in pain or afraid but unable to communicate it to them is one of the daily agonies they endure. So anything that can help these children communicate, or simply prevent them from feeling pain in the first place, is coveted by Sanfilippo parents. Families dont want to see their child in pain, Glenn says. If there are things that can take away that pain, thats a good thing. Wed all love to snap our fingers and have them be cured and her done. But thats not how research works, and parents would accept a lot less than that in terms of ... their quality of life. Glenn and Cara themselves have had to accept less than a cure - though they once thought Eliza might be getting a shot at one. In 2016, Eliza was accepted into a precious spot in a Sanfilippo clinical trial. She received a single dose of a gene therapy in Ohio. Sanfilippo syndrome is caused by an extremely rare recessive genetic mutation. In order to develop the syndrome, children have to inherit two faulty copies - one from each parent - of a gene that codes for a sort of clean-protein. Without that protein, the brains sewage system doesnt function properly, so metabolic waste builds up, effectively clogging brain cells, impairing their functioning and, eventually, drowning them in waste. In gene therapy treatment - a relatively new category, also being deployed to try to combat cancer and other diseases - patients receive correct versions of whatever bits of broken or missing DNA they inherited. Eliza was one of the first three out of only a handful of patients to get the treatment - a single injection - in Ohio, where Nationwide Childrens and Ohio State University were testing the novel new treatment, and that was it. One shot that they hoped might be life-saving. And then the ONeills simply had to wait for something to happen or not happen. For a year after that, the researchers kept tabs on the participating children - including Eliza - publishing results intermittently. Since that fateful day in 2016, Elizas parents had watched her closely, looking for signs that she was getting better. Elize seemed to at least be declining less quickly - or was it just a placebo effect? Their desperate hope projected onto their childrens behavior? At last, in February, they got to see some of the trial's results (more would be published in December). They were good. Good enough, in fact that the researchers determined it was safe to give the studys second cohort more powerful dose than the one she and other first two children had received. Now, the drug is closer to being given to a new round of trial participants and an even higher - six-times higher - dose is being used. They plan to call it the therapeutic dose, Glenn says. Thats hard for us to hear as parents. We didnt know at the time. For a moment his voice deflates with the gravity of the illness his daughter and other children face. Glenn is deeply grateful for the chance the chance to take part in a trial, even as painful as that turn of events may be. It is too soon to tell what the full extent of the drug's effects will be, but so far, there are some promising data. There are some positive things happening in the body and the CSF cerebrospinal fluid - and theyve shown good trends, Glenn explains. Eventually, motor skills decline for children with Sanfilippo. Even though Eliza is of 'an advanced age' in Sanfilippo term, she's maintained the ability to draw Analyses of the trial participants blood and CSF show reductions in the levels of heparan sulfatre - a key marker chemical of Sanfilippo, a drop in which could signal that their cognitive decline will slow. Having received the lower dose, Eliza might not get those same benefits, or at least not to the same extent. She was treated at a progressive age, Glenn notes, so it might be different for a child that got it at two and at six times that dose. Still, it wasnt for nothing, in his eyes. I think it definitely benefited her quality of life, Glenn says. He and Cara are also acutely aware that Eliza is one of many children who did not or will not gain as much from these trials as families would like. Many children never even get a chance at a treatment. Most clinical trials want to test their treatments on the youngest children possible, to up their chances of having the best responses possible. That leaves parents confronted with the thought: Well, my kids going to die, I guess, Glenn says. Thats not right. 'It's never just been about Eliza.' Glenn (right) immediately saw that fighting for a cure - or at least ways to improve her quality of life - could help other children with the incurable disease Just since Thanksgiving, seven children who were part of the Cure Sanfilippo community have passed away. Its in memory of them and in honor of them that we go out and fight even harder, because thats what they would want us to be doing. This year, a campaign on behalf of Carter Sarkar, a four-year old who was diagnosed in 2016, raised $1 million toward research. Glenn hopes to organize the foundations first gala in the coming year. Currently their sights are set on raising $100,000 through the CrowdRise Holiday Challenge, which runs through January 1, 2019. Its something weve never done before. Usually we use photos of the kids wearing big smiles, says Glenn. But its not always smiles. Theres dementia happening every day. While the images of Eliza grinning as she plays in her backyard are sweet, and true to her disposition, so are more thought-provoking ones, like the campaigns main picture, of a little girl named Leila, staring dolefully at the camera. You can see that some part of her feels lost. Sanfilippo kids will give you a look thats like theyre staring into your soul. Its amazing, says Glenn. Its the foundations last push of the year, and even Glenn recognizes that his family needs some rest from the tireless fight. We might not plan a big Christmas, he says. Its cold here in South Carolina, so were considering driving somewhere for some warmer weather. Eliza loves the beach. She runs around and plays and she just loves the sand she gets so happy there. So maybe well just get in the van and start driving south. We might just go. Just go. In Glenns voice and in the sometimes pleading look that crosses Elizas face you can see the exhaustion of fighting year after year against a disease that never rests. In 2019, well come back and be right back at it, Glenn says. It never really stops. And thats okay. 'But this last week of the year, well take that little break then get right back to it. Back to the USSR? Putin raises fears of return to Cold War days with plans for 'Eurasian Union' of former Soviet states Proposed alliance between Russia and other nations could be 'one of the poles of the modern world' Unified market rules to be introduced between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan next year Putin seeking 'higher integration with the Eurasian Union' Global power: Vladimir Putin said the new group could compete for influence with the USA, Europe and Asia Vladimir Putin has raised fears of a revival of the USSR after he revealed plans to create a so-called Eurasian Union of former Soviet nations. The Russian prime minister who is all but certain to regain the presidency next year wants the bloc to become one of the poles of the modern world, and a rival to the United States, the European Union and Asia. In the past, Mr Putin has lamented the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 as the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century. But he denies the Kremlins proposed new alliance is an attempt to rebuild Russias old communist empire. Instead, Mr Putin who has effectively led the country for more than a decade, first as president and now as prime minister claims the union would merely act as an efficient link between Europe and the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. His assurances will do little to convince some ex-Soviet nations, however, many of whom are already suspicious of the Kremlins intentions. Alexander Dugin, a political scholar, said the Eurasian Union would become one of Mr Putins chief policies as president. He added: From the geopolitical viewpoint it represents an attempt to revive the USSR. But announcing the plans in a Russian newspaper, Mr Putin claimed: There is no talk about rebuilding the USSR in one way or another. It would be naive to try to restore or copy something that belongs to the past, but a close integration based on new values and economic and political foundation is a demand of the present time. Empire-building: Vladimir Putin has mourned the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union Dominant: A map from 1986 shows the span of the former Soviet Union, which incorporates cities such as Tblisi, Talin and Donetsk, which are now the capital cities of Georgia, Estonia and the Ukraine Near collapse: Three years later, however, the USSR's borders had retreated [caption THE ORIGINAL EURASIAN VISION The concept of Eurasia, the huge area of land mass comprising Russia and some of its European and North Asian neighbours, was first featured in George Orwell's dystopian fantasy 1984. Under Orwell's vision of a Totalitarian dystopia after the Second World War, the UK falls into civil war and is integrated to Oceania, a society ruled by the dictatorship of 'the Party'. At the same time, the USSR annexed continental Europe and created the second superstate of Eurasia. The novel's third state, Eastasia is made of large regions of East Asia and Southeast Asia. The novel describes the story of Winston Smith, who records how the world's three superstates are constantly fighting for the unconquered lands of the world. Smith recounts the Atomic Wars fought in western Russia, North America and Europe, and describes how 'the Party' referred to the postwar reorganisation of society as 'the Revolution'. Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have already formed an economic alliance to remove customs barriers between the countries, and now Mr Putin is pushing for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to join, too. In January, the group will adopt unified market rules. He said: We arent going to stop at that and are putting forward an ambitious task of reaching a new, higher level of integration with the Eurasian Union. Along with other key players and regional structures, such as the European Union, the United States, China and the Asia Pacific Economic Community, it should ensure stability of global development. But Mr Putins plans are likely to meet with fierce opposition from some of his prospective Eurasian Union partners, who are far keener to forge closer ties with Europe than their old communist masters. Last month Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych complained that the Kremlin was trying to coerce his country into joining the new customs union. And the Russian government has also caused tensions with Belarus one of its closest allies after it tried to gain a huge stake in its top state-controlled industrial assets, a move Belarus has strongly resisted. Mr Putin served as Russias president from 2000 to 2008, when he was frequently accused of undoing the former communist states transition to democracy. He only stepped down to make way for his protege, Dmitry Medvedev because rules barred him from serving a third consecutive term. SC imposed ban on sale-purchase of Zardari and Omni groups properties LAHORE: A joint investigation team (JIT) report submitted in the Supreme Court has held former the Zardari and Omni groups responsible in the mega money laundering and fake accounts case. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the suo motu case at the apex courts Lahore registry on Monday and issued a notice to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Zardari. The court also imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of Zardari and Omni groups properties. During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that expenses of the Zardari and Bilawal house were paid through companies operating fake bank accounts. Even the heater bills and money spent on their dog food was paid by someone else, he added. Further, the chief justice linked Omni Group properties with the court decision. These properties will be seized, the chief justice said and imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of Zardari and Omni groups properties. Directing that the JIT report be handed over to the respondents, the chief justice ordered Zardaris counsel, Farooq H Naek, to submit a reply by December 31. During the hearing, the Supreme Court played the JIT report on a projector. On December 19, the JIT probing the case had submitted a detailed report in the SC. The JIT report stated that money was transferred through fake accounts for the construction of Bilawal Houses in Karachi and Lahore. These companies paid for Bilawal familys monthly expenditure of over Rs12 million, the report added. Fake bank accounts paid for Zardari and Bilawals personal expenses. Expenses for dog food at Bilawal House and 27 sacrificial goats were also paid for through fake bank accounts, the report said. Further, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) requested the court to place names of all those involved on the Exit Control List (ECL). However, the top judge directed FIA officials to approach the Interior Ministry. They will take a decision in this regard, he said. Earlier as the hearing went under way, the chief justice also told Zardaris counsel, It is a matter of billions of rupees and we will not forgive. We cannot pardon those who looted billions and are now engaging in mischief. Turning to Omni Group counsels Muneer Bhatti and Shahid Hamid, Justice Nisar said, It seems that Omni Group owners are still sitting on high horses. They have looted billions of rupees of the nation and are still engaging in mischief. He added. It seems that they will have to be shifted elsewhere from Adiala jail. Justice Nisar continued, There will be no mercy for Anwar Majid. You are a counsel and are taking fees. We will hear you, but we have to make a decision, the top judge further said. Speaking to the media after the hearing, Zardaris counsel said, The case will be heard in Islamabad on Monday. The JIT has presented its report in the Supreme Court but I have not read it as yet so cannot comment, Naek added. We will be given the JIT report tomorrow, he added. The FIA is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts, including Zardari and Talpur. Zardaris close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July in connection with the probe. The former presidents other close aide and Omni Group chairman Anwar Majeed a close aide and Omni Group chairman and his son, Abdul Ghani, were arrested by FIA in August. Over 20 benami accounts at some private banks were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from where transactions worth billions of rupees were made, according to sources. The amount, according to FIA sources, is said to be black money gathered from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes. A banking court on Friday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of former president Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur till January 7 in the ongoing money laundering case. Earlier, the JIT that has been investigating the fake accounts recommended a legal course against some 415 key individuals and around 172 entities allegedly involved in transactions of approximately Rs220 billion through 104 fake accounts. The JIT recently observed that either the investigation would be further referred to banking courts, NAB, FIA or it was up to the apex court to decide based on the JIT findings. The report also revealed a domestic worker of Zardari, with an estimated fortune of around Rs8.1 billion stashed into one of his fake accounts. He's the zany entrepreneur who hit the headlines in June with his inflatable fake speed camera - which could have landed him seven years in jail if his gadget had caused any car crashes. Now, Shed Simove has incurred the wrath of alcohol watchdog the Portman Group - by creating, and marketing, a beer called 'Responsibly'. The beverage has an alcohol content below the average bottle of beer - leading Mr Simove to claim that you can now actually 'drink Responsibly'. However, the Portman Group - which regulates the promotion and packaging of alcoholic drinks - has slammed the London-based former Big Brother producer for 'undermining the responsible drinking message'. Mr Simove, 47, said: 'All current adverts for alcoholic brands have the strapline "please drink responsibly", so I thought I'd capitalise on the amazing awareness of this phrase by creating a brand of booze simply called Responsibly. Scroll down for video London-based entrepreneur Shed Simove (above) has been slammed by alcohol watchdog the Portman Group for devising a brand of beer called 'Responsibly' - and encouraging people to 'drink Responsibly' Mr Simove's beer contains lower alcohol levels than the average beer, which is around 4% to 6% ABV (alcohol by volume). The beers in the Responsibly brand range from 3.5% to 4%. The Portman Group - which regulates the promotion and packaging of alcoholic drinks - said he is 'undermining the responsible drinking message' 'Now, all other companies will be advertising my brand when they advertise theirs - and, because my beer is slightly lower alcohol, I can wholeheartedly urge people to Please Drink Responsibly too.' 'If I have to change the label on my beer to say "Please drink Responsibly responsibly" to satisfy the industry watchdog, then I will consider that,' said Mr Simove Mr Simove's beer contains lower alcohol levels than the average beer, which is around 4% to 6% ABV (alcohol by volume). The beers in the Responsibly brand range from 3.5% to 4%. 'This is the biggest breakthrough in safe drinking since the invention of the glass of orange juice. 'By literally drinking "Responsibly", revellers can now reduce their alcohol consumption while still satisfying their need to party,' said Mr Simove. But the Portman Group told him: 'By calling a product "Responsibly", you are undermining the responsible drinking message that the alcohol industry uses to communicate with consumers and replacing it with a call to action to drink your product.' Mr Simove disagrees. 'It seems rather disingenuous for them to have a go at me when ads for the alcohol brands they represent carry the strapline "Please Drink Responsibly" even though each brand actually hopes the customer will buy more of their product. 'They use the "Please Drink Responsibly" phrase as a catch-all disclaimer that they believe absolves them from any of the consequences brought by the drinks they sell. 'Also, these adverts often feature glamorous models, liberally poured alcohol and a carefree, party-like atmosphere which sharply jars with the "responsible" drinking message. 'It's brilliantly and amusingly contradictory. That said, if I have to change the label on my beer to say "Please drink Responsibly responsibly" to satisfy the industry watchdog, then I will consider that.' MailOnline has contacted Public Health England and education charity Drinkaware, which both declined to comment. The brewery that has made the Responsibly range for Mr Simove is a member of SIBA (Society Of Independent Brewers) - which means they have been inspected as such and have passed a food safety and quality audit. Mr Simove, who is currently in talks with various stockists regarding Responsibly, is the brains behind a string of novelty toy products. Mr Simove said of the Portman Group: 'It seems rather disingenuous for them to have a go at me when ads for the alcohol brands they represent carry the strapline "Please Drink Responsibly" even though each brand actually hopes the customer will buy more of their product' He is also the author of cult book What Every Man Thinks About Apart From Sex - a book filled with 200 blank pages. The masterpiece took just nine days to complete, from conception to publication, back in 2011. It proved a hit, outselling both Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code within weeks of its release on Amazon. Shed's handiwork transcended its original purpose as a novelty gift, and is now used by students as a lecture notebook. What is ABV? A guide to alcohol by volume Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of liquid in a drink. You can find the ABV on the labels of cans and bottles, sometimes written as 'vol' or 'alcohol volume', or you can ask bar staff about particular drinks. For example, wine that says '12% ABV' or 'alcohol volume 12%' means 12% of the volume of that drink is pure alcohol. Globally, one in three people drink alcohol - the equivalent to 2.4 billion people. Around 2.2% of women and 6.8% of men die from alcohol-related health problems each year. At only 18 years old, Zac Barnes seemingly disappeared into thin air At only 18 years old, Zac Barnes seemingly disappeared into thin air. Mystery and confusion have surrounded the apprentice bricklayer's disappearance from his hometown in the New South Wales Hunter Valley ever since he went missing on a Sunday evening on November 13, 2016. After two long years and complete silence, Zac's mother Karen Gudelj hasn't strayed from the hope of finding answers. She calls 'the story' of Zac running from a car toward the bush in a distressed state 'absolute bullsh*t' - but that doesn't mean she is any closer to finding out what actually happened to him. The mother-of-six has worked around the clock, launching search parties and hunting for clues about her middle son's disappearance - all to no avail. She is currently in the process of orchestrating a coronial inquest into Zac's disappearance, desperate to have her questions answered. The apprentice bricklayer disappeared from his hometown in the New South Wales Hunter Valley region on a sticky Sunday evening on November 13, 2016 Zac's parents (pictured) are determined to find out what happened to Zac, and say they will stop at nothing Ms Gudelj said she has so many questions to ask and all she wants is answers. The two men who were in the car with Zac were the last to see him. They claim they were driving through Thornton, in Newcastle, when he suddenly panicked and jumped out of the car on the corner of Tripp Close and Haussman Drive, before running into bushland nearby. But Ms Gudelj can't understand why the two young men have since withdrawn any assistance in solving the mystery of his disappearance. Zac's mother-of-six has worked around the clock, launching search parties and hunting for clues about her middle son's disappearance - all to no avail Zac was described as a happy-go-lucky larrikin who could win anybody over (pictured as a child) Zac has plenty of friends back home and was close with his large family - his disappearance was described as out of character The young Aussie larrikin has three identifying tattoos on his body that would have made it hard to miss him in the days after his disappearance. The first and most prominent is a VB logo on his right calf muscle. Ms Gudelj has always asked followers on Zac's official Facebook page to send in potential sightings if they think they spot him or one of his tattoos, but says none have been her son. In fact, there hasn't been a single firm sighting of Zac Australia-wide. The young Aussie larrikin has three identifying tattoos on his body that would have made it hard to miss him in the days after his disappearance - one being a VB logo on his right calf Zac hasn't used his bank accounts, social media, Medicare card or phone since the day he went missing. Shortly after Zac's disappearance, new allegations arose suggesting he owed people money or may have made some 'foolish mistakes'. But his mother quickly dispelled any possible theories that may have risen out of that allegation. Zac's family are hoping a coronial inquest will answer some of their burning questions The case, which has baffled family and friends as well as police is now heading toward a coronial inquest, which Ms Gudelj hopes may overturn some answers. The family are currently raising money on their GoFundMe page to ease the financial burden of legal representation. Ms Gudelj's employer, Love Realty, are also donating a percentage of every property that is sold or leased into a fund to be used for representation. But Ms Gudelj is determined to find out what happened to her son. Anyone with information that could help with the investigation should contact Police Link on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A teenage rapist has been freed from jail after serving just three weeks of a one-year sentence for sexually abusing two children, despite his victims' family fearing they will bump into him in their local village, MailOnline can reveal. Two children, one boy and one girl, were relentlessly abused by the man, now 18, when they were aged just five and eight during twisted games of 'murder in the dark'. Their family, from Devon, took comfort after their 'nightmare' earlier this year when the man was jailed for a year, subjected to a restraining order and made to sign the Sex Offender's Register. But just weeks later, that was overturned. Their parents have been left outraged after the teenage tormentor who 'ruined their lives' was freed after just three weeks. The family, who cannot be named to protect their children's identities, said the justice system has 'utterly failed' them. On August 14 a judge said the man had caused 'untold damage' to the children through repeated sex attacks when he was aged 13, between 2013 and 2014, possibly longer. However, MailOnline can reveal weeks later, on September 7, the judge's decision to jail the man for a year in an adult prison and add a year-long rehabilitation order was quietly overturned on appeal. To make matters worse, the family lives in the same Devon village as the eighteen-year-old and have had to explain to their children, now 11 and 13, that they face bumping into him. Although the courts could only prove nine months of abuse between September 2013 to May 2014, it is believed the abuse may have taken place over 18 months. Their mother said: 'It was of the worst kind of abuse in the end. He got progressively more brave as the weeks went by. The court case was heard at Exeter Youth Court where the man was sentenced for his historic sex crimes. However, the sentence was later reduced at appeal 'It was a weekly occurrence. We were close friends with his parents and we would often take turns for meals at each others' houses. 'The children would go off and play Murder in the Dark. Unbeknownst to me he was individually taking the children away and carrying out his abuse 'He was very clever he was always 'the finder'. That way he knew how much time he had.' The two children's parents found out about the abuse when their son took sex education classes at school. When he came home he spoke to his mother about what had happened to him, on an evening she describes as a 'night of hell' in 2016. When the mother spoke to her daughter, and asked if anything similar had gone on, she broke down in tears. She said: 'My childrendid not know the other one was being abused. He would take them away one at a time. 'My daughter was hysterical when she told me the extent of what he'd done to her . 'We know for sure my daughter was five when it started. 'She recounted two birthdays police could verify the times and dates. 'We are just devastated. As a parent it's one of the worst things you can ever go through. Up there with your children being kidnapped. 'He used a position of power. He threatened them. He was predatory. 'I've heard people defend it and say because he was young himself - it was 'experimentation'. The family from Devon went through eighteen months of court cases and recounting the abuse - yet the children's attacker who admitted rape was released from prison after three weeks 'This is someone who encited my five year old daughter who believed in the tooth fairy into doing sexual acts and keeping it a secret 'He took her innocence he has left them with life trauma he does three weeks in prison. It makes no sense. 'We are trying to come to terms with it. My daughter carries a huge amount of embarrassment, she's uncomfortable talking to me. 'My son wants to expose him to everyone because he's so angry. 'We are trying to get therapy for them both and it's a long winded process.' The appealed decision was not made public and it took MailOnline months to get confirmation from the courts. The parents told MailOnline the abuse got steadily worse until it became a 'weekly occurrence'. When questioned by police the boy said he was abused 'seventy times' as an estimate. However, the courts could only prove a minimum of 14 occasions. The mother added: 'The abuse was extreme in the end - it was the worst kind, rape. 'I don't think there was any sign of that stopping. The reason it stopped (is) my one child told me he had flashed to her. At that point I stopped any contact. I did not realise the flashing was the tip of the iceberg.' In court, the defendant admitted raping a boy under 13, raping a girl under 13, two counts of assaulting a boy and a girl under 13 by touching and two charges of inciting the boy to engage in sexual activity. District Judge Diana Baker rejected the defence argument that this was 'sexual experimentation', or that it was a 'one off type crime'. Because of the 'longevity and regularity', the judge passed the maximum sentence possible for his age at the time of offending. She said: 'He sought out two innocent children and raped them, sexually assaulted the boy and engaged in sexual behaviour, causing them untold damage and taken away their childhood innocence.' She handed down a two year detention and training order, of which he would serve half in an adult jail before being released under supervision - and made a life time restraining order banning him from ever contacting the two victims. His sentence was given after the third time in court, because enough time was allowed for him to pass his A-Levels. The Crown Prosecution Service said the teenager's vulnerability is prison was taken into account, when deciding to reduce the sentence. A spokesman said: 'The appeal was allowed because of the defendants age at the time, his lack of re-offending in the last five years, the willingness he has shown to work with a youth offending team and his vulnerability in an adult prison. 'Sentence of 2 years detention training order replaced with a 12 months Referral Order with community requirements.' The daughter of the family which is not being named was so upset she broke down when she revealed the abuse to her mother. Now she faces bumping into her tormentor The parents said: 'We were delighted even though it doesn't make right what he did. The sentence he's given my children is life long. 'We heard they were appealing on the basis they felt it was too severe. 'A new judge sat on the case agreed it was too severe we are flabbergasted. He was immediately released on Friday and was at a party on a Saturday night. 'It's not just the sentence they'e overturned. He will be on the sex offender register for 2.5 years not five. 'They've watered down the whole charge. For us as a family that is just devastating. 'I had to warn them they might see him they are frightened. It effects what we do and where we go. 'My children cannot walk freely in their own village. What messages does that send to other children? Should they come forward? 'Three weeks. I just found that such a ridiculous. It's preposterous. You would get longer for theft. That's the end of the line now. No further action. 'This is the most painful thing a family can go through. We discovered our two children were horribly sexually abused. It was hard to come to terms with and for all that pain - this is what we ended up with.' Advertisement A fascinating collection of images taken during the Christmas' of the Second World War showing nurses bringing festive cheer to the hospital wards have been unearthed. The images depict hospital staff rallying together over the Christmas period, gathering around an organ to sing carols to patients, distributing present-filled stockings to sleeping children and making Christmas pudding. These photographs are part of a 4,000 strong collection of pictures discovered by Historic England's Archive in Swindon, which document healthcare in Britain between 1938 and 1943, before the inception of the NHS. Several years before the war began, a picture of two nurses holding babies whilst another nurse holds mistletoe over the group at Scarborough Hospital was taken (pictured 1936) Nurses prepare to entertain their patients at the West London Hospital as they practice old English carols to sing in their wards over the festive season (pictured 1938) They offer invaluable insight into the practices of the time as well as portraying the more positive moments of the war, where the nurses brought joy to the children on Christmas Day. The archive began the Christmas before WWII, where singing nurses gathered around an organ in the chapel at the West London Hospital in one of the historic images. The caption attached to the old image revealed that they met in the little hospital chapel to practice new carols to music played by one of the sisters from the hospital, ahead of the festive season. More than a year into the war in 1940, another photograph shows a nurse at St Bartholomews Hospital in West Smithfield, laying out gifts at the end of her patient's bed ready for them to wake on Christmas morning (pictured in 1940) In another photograph that predates the war, a group of students and nurses celebrate Christmas in a ward at the Nightingale Training Home at St Thomas' Hospital, as Father Christmas arrives on a miniature Studebaker car (pictured in 1938) More than a year into the war in 1940, another photograph shows a nurse at St Bartholomews Hospital in West Smithfield, laying out gifts at the end of her patient's bed ready for them to wake on Christmas morning. At the same hospital that year, a nurse was pictured holding a small child as they looked out of the window together, it is believed that the patient was questioning how Father Christmas would arrive at the hospital. Making Christmas pudding proved to be a popular trend at the hospitals during the festive season, several images document nurses whipping up the delicious treat. Nurses prepared early for the annual festivities, as one picture displays a group of nurses removing stones from a tray of raisins at Middlesex Hospital six weeks before Christmas Day in 1939. A nurse was pictured holding a small child as they looked out of the window together, it is believed that the patient was questioning how Father Christmas would arrive at the hospital (pictured 1940) Elsewhere, at Watford Maternity Home in 1940, a photograph portrays a ward which was decorated with a Christmas Tree as nurses tend to the new mothers (pictured in 1940) The description discovered on the back of the photograph, read: 'London hospitals prepare for Christmas. Although Christmas is still six weeks ahead, the staff are already thinking of the festival and making plans and preparations, for despite the evacuation of many patients, quite a large number of people will have to spend Christmas in hospital.' Two years on the tradition continued, as nurses at St Bartholomew's Hospital used a Hobart mixing machine whilst making Christmas puddings, adding fruit into the appliance in order to create the tasty mixture. Ensuring that the mixture was up to scratch, one of the bakers tasted a spoonful of Christmas pudding before they were put into the oven to bake. One image captured from the time shows 20 employees engrossed in opening envelopes containing money for the British voluntary hospitals in response to the appeal (pictured in 1939) Making Christmas pudding proved to be a popular trend at the hospitals during the festive season, several images document nurses whipping up the delicious treat (pictured in 1941) Another old image from the same time at the hospital shows the mixture then being poured into basins by the staff and being covered with cloth. Elsewhere, at Watford Maternity Home in 1940, a photograph portrays a ward which was decorated with a Christmas Tree as nurses tend to the new mothers. On 24th December 1939 the BBC broadcast from France an appeal by Gracie Fields on behalf of voluntary hospitals in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Previously, the BBC had allowed individual hospitals to broadcast separate appeals; in 1939, however, the funds raised through the appeal would be shared between all voluntary hospitals. Two years on the tradition continued, as nurses at St Bartholomew's Hospital used a Hobart mixing machine whilst making Christmas puddings, adding fruit into the appliance in order to create the tasty mixture (pictured in 1941) One image captured from the time shows 20 employees engrossed in opening envelopes containing money for the British voluntary hospitals in response to the appeal. Several years before the war began, a picture of two nurses holding babies whilst another nurse holds mistletoe over the group at Scarborough Hospital was taken during the festive season, which was captioned: 'Their first Christmas.' In another photograph that predates the war, a group of students and nurses celebrate Christmas in a ward at the Nightingale Training Home at St Thomas' Hospital, as Father Christmas arrives on a miniature Studebaker car. The photographs were taken by the Topical Press Agency, but how and when they were acquired by the Archive remains a mystery. Duncan Wilson, Historic England's Chief Executive, said: 'The Historic England Archive is full of countless gems but the Topical Press Agency images are particularly striking. 'Thanks to the Wellcome Trust we are able to conserve these photographs and share them with new audiences. 'They have the potential to expand our knowledge of wartime medical practice and revolutionary treatments and help us delve deeper into the history of healthcare.' Advertisement The Affordable Care Act better known as Obamacare helps protect poor Americans from falling behind on rent or mortgage payments, according to a new study. Researchers from University of Colorado at Boulder and Washington University in St. Louis analyzed three years of tax data and survey responses from 15,000 people to test the effect of having health insurance among low-income Americans. They found that low-income people who purchased health care through an Obamacare marketplace were 25 percent less likely than poor Americans without health insurance to miss housing payments. 'When people think of health insurance they're thinking about its effect on people's health, but health insurance is primarily found to be important for their financial situation,' said lead author Emily Gallagher, in an interview with DailyMail.com. This map illustrates the rate of Americans without health insurance in each state, with darker red shades indicating a higher rate of uninsured, according to data from the U.S. Census bureau Researchers said that unexpected health care costs or 'shocks' can lead to low-income households being unable to pay their rent or mortgage, adding that they found a causal link between health coverage and housing stability. People who bought health coverage through Obamacare also ultimately spent less money out of pocket on health care costs saving them an average of $1,054 per household each year, according to the study, which is pending publication in the Journal of Public Economics. 'Having health insurance means you have less money being spent on health care and less medical debt,' Gallagher said. The resulting decrease in foreclosures and evictions is also good news for the greater housing market, local communities and governments, researchers found. A single foreclosure can reduce a neighborhood's surrounding home prices by anywhere from 1 percent to 8.7 percent, according to a separate 2014 study. And when housing values drop, local governments lose property tax revenues. By helping more Americans avoid those economic pitfalls, the ACA has offered some insulation to housing markets that are still recovering from the 2008 recession. 'One thing we learned from the financial crisis and the foreclosure bubble that occurred in the U.S. was that widespread foreclosures have an adverse impact on adjacent properties,' said Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel Inc., a New York City-based real estate and appraisal firm. 'If a neighborhood or a community has significant exposure to foreclosures, a couple of things happen: it depresses prices (and) it makes it harder to get a loan,' Miller told DailyMail.com. 'Financial institutions are more wary of markets that have heavy foreclosure exposure and it can take a long time to undo that concern.' That has been evidenced in Southern Florida housing markets, where prices are up but financial institutions remain so worried about lending that half of home purchases in that region are all cash, Miller said. The Affordable Care Act, which resulted in an additional 20 million people gaining health coverage, created a requirement (the so-called 'individual mandate') that all Americans must have health insurance. Trump eliminated the individual mandate in April, which had forced Americans who don't get employer-sponsored health coverage to purchase health insurance through state marketplaces often on a sliding scale based on income or pay a penalty. The insurance industry has said that the market will go into a death spiral when Trump's change takes effect in 2019, because young, healthy people are expected to stop paying for health insurance without the penalty. As a result, primarily sick and old people will remain in the market, driving up health costs across the board. Obamacare also gave states the option to expand Medicaid to more low-income Americans. This map illustrates which states expanded Medicaid to include more low-income people immediately under the Affordable Care Act in 2014, versus states that later expanded their programs and those that have opted against doing so Nearly half (22 states) initially chose not to expand Medicaid. Since then, an additional 9 have expanded the health care program for low-income Americans. As a result, many Americans fell into a 'donut hole' in which they earned too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to qualify for a subsidy through those state marketplaces. In those states, the decline in home payment delinquency ranged from 2.4-7.8 percentage points, according to the study. And the effect was more pronounced among people who expected to seek medical treatment. The study comes as a federal judge in Texas decided to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act on the grounds that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and that the rest of the law won't hold up without that provision. The law isn't gone, for now, but it's future remains uncertain. Lawmakers and legal experts from both parties have said they expect the ruling will be overturned on appeal. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged that his party will fight 'tooth and nail' against the ruling. Earlier this month, Donald Trump pushed the nation's high court to take up the case, saying he wants to work with Democrats to pass a new law that would replace the one that Republicans attempted to gut last year with a tax overhaul bill. 'The DEDUCTIBLE which comes with ObamaCare is so high that it is practically not even useable! Hurts families badly. We have a chance, working with the Democrats, to deliver great HealthCare!' the president said in a tweet. 'A confirming Supreme Court Decision will lead to GREAT HealthCare results for Americans!' Advertisement Rural Telfair County, Georgia has the lowest broadband internet subscription rate in the country, according to U.S. Census data. At 25 percent, Telfair's internet lag could become a big problem in a rapidly tech-focused world. 'There definitely is frustration at every level from the government standpoint,' said Elizabeth McLean, city manager of McRae-Helena, the largest city in Telfair and the county seat of government. Residents are frustrated too, 'because of the limitations that it puts on us as far as what kinds of businesses we're able to sustain or attract,' McLean told DailyMail.com. 'Our school system is going to a lot of electronic learning tools and it's really hard for students that live in the county to use those, or for that to be a viable option.' Telfair County is not alone: While the internet may seem ubiquitous in America, access to broadband is still a privilege unavailable in many parts of the country and the divide is increasingly apparent between rural and urban regions. This color-coded map illustrates broadband internet subscription rates in every county in America. The dark blue regions highlight areas with high rates of internet access, while the lighter shades illustrate those with limited access. Telfair County, Georgia has the lowest access in the nation 'Think about everything you do online in a given day. You probably check email connect with family and friends, do some banking,' said Brian Whitacre, a professor of agriculture economics at Oklahoma State University. 'Think about how much more difficult your life would be if you didn't have a broadband connection.' Communities that lack access to high-speed internet can lose out economically and educationally, as those rural areas have a harder time attracting major employers and providing young students with the best education possible, Whitacre told DailyMail.com. The hardship is pronounced for students trying to keep up with an increasingly connected world. 'There has been funding to get the schools themselves connected and we have done a pretty good job of getting pretty fast speeds ... but once you leave school and you go home and you dont have a connection theres a huge disadvantage,' Whitacre said. 'They call it the homework gap. If youre in school and your teacher assigns work that requires homework that requires access, you have to travel somewhere (to access the internet).' The areas with most limited connectivity are concentrated in the South, with pockets throughout Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and western and southern Texas that have below 55 percent subscription rates, according to Census data. The Southwest including Arizona and New Mexico also has patches with low access rates. Counties that the Census has designated as 'completely rural' had the lowest average subscription rate, at 65 percent, compared with 67 percent in 'mostly rural' counties and 75 percent in 'mostly urban' counties. The federal government has historically sought to extend broadband to more rural areas, including through the Connect America Fund, which initially offered $10 billion in subsidies to persuade the nation's largest internet providers to start offering service to areas in need. However, large internet service providers declined the offer in some states, illustrating the ongoing challenge to help broadband reach the 'last mile' of unconnected America. The latest development came earlier this month when a small portion of the new Farm Bill ($350 million) was allotted to expand the U.S. Department of Agriculture's loan and grant program for expanding access to broadband in rural America. That funding supplements the USDA's $600 million broadband program that Congress passed with its omnibus budget in March. Bringing high-speed internet to more people could be good for the economy: rural America is responsible for 15.5 percent of all consumer transactions on the internet amounting to $1.4 trillion in spending per year, according to the Foundation for Rural Service. At the community level, it's important for businesses in rural America to have access to the internet in order to compete in an increasingly global economy, said Joshua Seidemann, vice president of policy for NTCAThe Rural Broadband Association, which represents nearly 850 independent companies working to bring broadband to rural and small-town America. 'It's important for these companies to have connectivity in order to remain connected and to be part of a national or global marketplace,' Seidemann told DailyMail.com. 'It sounds kind of quaint, but we would not expect a business to succeed without electricity or water.' While rural areas are particularly vulnerable to being left without broadband, the access issue also affects cities. Census data shows some large cities and counties lagged behind their surrounding regions. For example, in Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago), the household broadband internet subscription rate was 77 percent. By comparison the rate was 92 percent in nearby Kendall County. Similarly, Los Angeles' rate of 80 percent was lower than the 88 percent in neighboring Orange county. The District of Columbia also had an unusually low 78 percent rate for an urban area, while 93 percent of nearby suburban Loudoun County in Virginia had a 93 percent rate. Income was also linked with internet access, as roughly 65 percent of counties with median household incomes below $50,000 had broadband internet, compared to 76 percent of those with median incomes above $50,000. Nationwide, 87.2 percent of U.S. households had a computer, and 78.1 percent had broadband internet subscriptions, according to 2013-2017 U.S. Census data released this month. In the areas that go without, the problem is often that the major internet providers have yet to lay the fiberoptic networks that would bring the worldwide web to more rural homes. Those companies need to justify spending money to expand their infrastructure and have historically focused on places with higher population densities that can financially support the investment, according to a report by the Bookings Institute. This chart illustrates the average internet subscription rates in America based on income and an urban versus rural setting. It illustrates that rural and low-income regions are more likely to have limited access to internet That largely leaves communities like those in outer Telfair County out, and, unfortunately, the consequences could be economic. A 2015 study by Cornell University's Community & Regional Development Instituted found that internet access correlated with economic growth. Researchers found that rural counties that had access to internet and high internet usage saw a significantly higher growth in median household income between 2001-2010 than counties that didn't have high levels of access and usage. 'We know down the line jobs are going to change,' McLean said. 'It could be more telecommuting and that might be something we need to support and right now we wouldn't be able to do that.' Telfair has a population of about 16,500 and is home to four major employers: two prisons, a Coca Cola bottling plant and a manufacturing facility that makes landscaping equipment, state Senator Steve Gooch told DailyMail.com. The prisons account for nearly half of the county's residents and incarceration is probably part of the reason such a low proportion of the population has internet access. Still, state officials are trying to do something for the people in Telfair and other rural counties in Georgia. Gooch said state legislators have drafted multiple bills to help expand broadband to more people. One proposal would allow using the state's right of way (strips of land that run along the highways) to put down fiber at no cost to the state. Another proposal would seek to get federal funds for internet expansion to the 'last mile' of homes lacking access. At least 28 states, including Arizona, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah have passed laws seeking to expand broadband internet to their more far-flung regions that currently lack access, according the National Conference of State Legislatures. One Massachusetts town recently took matters into its own hands. Residents of Charlemont voted earlier this month to defeat a proposal for Comcast Cable to install the town's cable internet, according to the Greenfield Recorder. Instead of spending $462,123 plus interest to expand broadband access to 96 percent of households, the town's 1,300 residents are expected to support plans to spend $1.4 million to develop Charlemont's own municipal network. The town received a $960,000 state grant to support the project, which is expected to charge residents $79 a month for standalone Internet service with no data caps. It's a bold move at a time when a few major companies have regional monopolies on internet access. Advertisement The robots may be coming for our jobs - but they are also job creators. Technology is increasingly infused into everything we do, and that will only become more evident in the workplaces of the future. Careers that used to safely dodge the high-tech bullet will soon require at least a basic grasp of things like web design, computer programming - and, yes, robotics. The majority (a projected 85 percent) of the jobs that today's college students will have in 2030 haven't been invented yet, according to a new report by the Institute for the Future. Many of those will be in high-tech fields think virtual reality and artificial intelligence. But many other opportunities will be in traditional fields that require new skills to interact with technology. Job titles such as 'head of machine personality design,' 'data trash engineer' and 'juvenile cybercrime rehabilitation counselor,' are among those envisioned in a separate report by tech consulting firm Cognizant. This map illustrates how many students graduated with STEM degrees in every state in 2016. It also shows the percentage of STEM graduates out of all degrees earned in each state, according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics The World Economic Forum is forecasting a massive shift just over the next four years, with 133 million new jobs created globally as a result of technology and automation by 2022. During that same period 75 million jobs are expected to be lost worldwide as lower-tech jobs are eliminated and more automation replaces low-skill positions. It's not a new problem, and for the most part society has so far managed to adapt to the evolving workforce needs that came with the introduction of the internet and mobile phones. 'We knew 20 years ago that software programming skills were increasing in demand, but we did not predict an app developer as the type of job that would emerge from these new developments - but the app developer's skills are very similar to what the software developer's skills would be,' said Nicole Smith, chief economist at Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. As workers strive to adapt for the rapidly arriving future, educators will also have to evolve to better prepare students for the future of work. Changes on the horizon will be more dramatic than anything we have seen in the past Even now, many Americans work in fields completely different from what they specialized in at university. A 2013 report by the Federal Reserve found that just 27 percent of college graduates worked in a job that actually matched what they studied in college. Jobs of the Future The Center for the Future of Work identified a number of tech-influenced job titles they imagine becoming reality in the near future, including: - Smart Home Design Manager: These professionals will work with architects, engineers and customers to design connected homes that integrate technology seamlessly and beautifully with design. - Data Trash Engineer: Companies across the globe are increasingly accumulating data that they have no immediate use for. A data trash engineer would be charged with identifying and curating unused data and finding new ways for it to be useful or profitable to businesses. - Juvenile Cybercrime Rehabilitation Counselor: These mental health professionals will work in schools and directly with children to rehabilitate youth convicted of cybercrime and help redirect their online talents to ethical activity. Advertisement Common job titles like social media manager, digital marketing specialist or drone operator didn't exist when most people now in those positions were in college. However, the changes that are coming are expected to touch a wider variety of career paths, and many experts say the majority of America's secondary and higher education institutions are not ready for that impending reality. 'The skills of the future are not well aligned with what schools are offering now,' said Ben Pring, managing director for Cognizant's Center for the Future of Work. The problem isn't necessarily a lack of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs at universities around the country, but the fact that students studying non-tech centric subjects will need the skills that are currently being taught almost exclusively to STEM-focused students. 'Every non-technology job a teacher, a policeman, a doctor, whatever it is every non-technology job in the future needs technology injected into it,' Pring told DailyMail.com. Higher education in America isn't ready for the changing tide - and change could be slow That will be impossible under the current structure of American college and universities, said Jonathan Blake Huer, an education consultant who advises colleges on the needs of the evolving workforce. 'The way that higher education institutions are organized is around departments, which are good at knowledge in a limited field,' Huer told DailyMail.com. 'That's part of why higher education institutions right now are struggling to adapt to technology and the environment.' The future will require ongoing education throughout one's career in order to remain nimble and up-to-date on the latest technology which experts say necessitates a dramatic shift in how Americans think about education and how and where they obtain it. This chart illustrates the proportion of American companies projected to adopt new technologies in the workplace by 2022. Some technologies - like big data analytics - are already widely in use, while others (humanoid robots) are just emerging 'You (need to) keep on learning, keep on injecting the next wave of technology, the next wave of performance, that's how you keep on learning and stay relevant,' Pring said. Many U.S. colleges have historically placed an emphasis on liberal arts programs. That often included majors that were difficult to translate into real-world careers, such as Russian literature, ancient languages and philosophy. Many experts say that emphasis has already shifted, but the 'soft skills' learned through writing and, say, defending a thesis, can still translate in the real world. Alternative learning will democratize education for the workforce, making it more affordable In some cases universities won't be the solution. Instead, certificate programs, distance learning and apprenticeships may evolve to be the entry-points to new careers or the methods for training workers to adapt to ever-evolving needs. Some experts envision video tutorials leading the way, or the availability of ongoing learning via company-sponsored mobile applications in the workplace supplementing more formal education paths. Some of these changes will allow workers to access free or low-cost learning that will dramatically increase their employability. Those options will offer a stark contrast to the rapidly rising costs of higher education in America. Whatever the eventual reality, universities will need to undergo fundamental changes to remain relevant, Huer said. Historically, there's been a dissonance between what universities want (to create new knowledge) and what students want (to get a job after graduation), he said. Within four years, machines are expected to take on significantly more of the work currently being done by humans. This chart illustrates the proportion of work hours that humans vs. machines spend on various tasks in 2018 compared to projections for 2022, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2018 Universities can adapt for students by blurring the lines of specialization across disciplines In the future, different academic departments will have to integrate to allow for new degrees that span multiple disciplines, Huer said. For example, someone who wants to focus on becoming a game designer would need skills that historically have been divided between art and graphics, computer science, and engineering departments. Skills like story telling (creative writing and literature departments) will also be relevant. 'Schools are either going to have to change their administrative structures to adapt to what the market wants, what students want and what technology allows or they're going to go out of business,' Huer said. He acknowledged that elite Ivy League universities are not at risk but the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 colleges, and most students in America don't attend name-brand universities. Those state and private schools are under more pressure to adapt. Community colleges and two-year degrees will play a big role in the future of education Community colleges and other two-year institutions may be uniquely poised to help students prepare for the future of work, said Kimberly Green, executive director of Advance CTE, a non-profit focused on supporting high quality career technical education across the U.S. Skills of the Future The Institute for the Future identified several skills that will help workers remain relevant in an every-changing world of work, including: - Self-promotion: In the future, everyone must have a personal brand and your own 'personal economy.' Whether it's using social media to highlight your expertise (makeup tutorials, for instance), entertain people while promoting products (think: Instagram stars), or simply winning contracts for being able to highlight the skills you offer in a chosen field, everyone will have to self-promote to remain competitive in the workplace. - Befriend the machines: In the future no one will be able to get by without taking on the machines. Whether it is robots, twitter bots or an AI assistant, the future is all about getting comfortable with new technology. - Build your tribe: As you build your brand online, it will be equally important to develop relationships and to network with people across the globe. It's one way 'soft skills' will translate into the modern world. Advertisement 'There is, by design, a component of community colleges that engage with their community and requires the community to be a direct stakeholder,' Green told DailyMail.com. Smith, of the Center on Education and the Workforce, agreed, saying that community colleges have done a better job in recent years at 'having their ear to the ground.' 'They are partnering with business to develop curriculum and changes that are more reflective of the types of programs that businesses actually need,' she told DailyMail.com. After declining in popularity in the 1980s, the interest in two-year degrees from career and technical colleges has started to rebound through greater funding for skills-based programs, according to the Brookings Institution. The number of colleges and tech schools offering vocational education programs rose 16 percent from 2003-2015. The key for all learning institutions will be focusing less on a narrow field of study and more on what competencies and skills are needed across the spectrum of job titles. Jobs in health care, finance and management are all going to require new STEM-focused skills in the near future, and 'if a student can't get a job when they are done, you have failed in one of your major objectives,' Smith said. Advertisement For most of us, Christmas will be spent surrounded by family and friends over a barbecue or under a decorated tree exchanging gifts and inevitably retiring after a long day of endless lunches and festive treats. But it's business as usual for the doctors and nurses manning the corridors of busy wards, attending to the sick and injured who have found themselves - often without warning - in hospital. Long lunches are traded for reheated soup in plastic containers and friends and family are restricted to short scheduled visits. Daily Mail Australia visited The Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick in Sydney to ask patients how they would spend the Christmas season. Robert Drake, (above) a 61-year-old HR manager, fell at a Christmas party. When he awoke he couldn't feel anything below the neck. Just weeks before Christmas, doctors told the father-of-three he had a spinal cord injury 'Mr Le', (left) the The Prince of Wales Hospital mailman, delivers thousands of letters and packages throughout the wards every day. Christmas is a particularly important time because many patients rely on receiving letters from family and friends. Alison Jeffers, 35, (right) mans the Emergency Department over the festive season An unlikely friendship formed between two patients, 25-year-old Domonique Pinalli (left) and 53-year-old Sian Faber (right). Both are in over Christmas for a hip dysplasia operation and a double hip replacement Sian Faber, 53, (pictured) is spending the lead-up to the festive season recovering from an double hip replacement operation Hospital patient Robert Drake, a 61-year-old HR manager, fell at a Christmas party. He doesn't remember much from the night but was picked up on the side of the road and woke up hours later in hospital. When he awoke he couldn't feel anything below the neck. Just weeks before Christmas, doctors told the father-of-three he had a spinal cord injury. 'It was pretty catastrophic', he said. 'I'm just not sure what mobility I'll get back.' For now, it's just about killing time until the doctors can agree on a date when he will be discharged. 'You've got no choice. You're trapped. Every day feels like a 90-hour day.' Just weeks before Christmas, doctors told the father-of-three (above) he had a spinal cord injury. It was 'pretty catastrophic', he said. 'I'm just not sure what mobility I'll get back.' For now, it's just about killing time until the doctors can agree on a date when he will be discharged A knitted snowman hangs from a hospital drip (left) as Robert (right) is confined to his wheelchair following his operation Robert's bed in the room he shares with three other patients is sparse with Christmas decorations. A few items from home, including a pair of slippers, sit on his bed Domonique Pinalli didn't expect to be spending her Christmas recovering from a hip dysplasia operation. The active 25-year-old said she felt a niggle in her hip but ignored it in the hope it would go away. Months later, she lost feeling in her leg. 'They broke my pelvis in four places, moved it and pieced it back together,' she explained. Domonique flew down from Brisbane to have the surgery because only four surgeons in the country are qualified to operate. It means she will be away from family, but Domonique says Christmas is a good motivator to get better. In the bed beside her, an unlikely friendship has formed with Sian, a 53-year-old woman who is in over Christmas for a double hip replacement. Sian, (left) a 53-year-old woman who is in over Christmas for a double hip replacement looks forward to leaving hospital to spend the holiday with family, while Robert (right) can expect to stay in the ward until April For some patients it's an overindulgence in the festive season that lead many through the emergency room doors in the first place And then there are the tireless hospital staff who keep the wards running, 24 hours a day to support and care for patients in need, even if it means time away from family. Just like Sydney, The Prince of Wales Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in the nation and receives a surge in local and interstate patients over the silly season. Each day over the festive period the Emergency Department expects to see 200 patients with more than 100 staff working around the clock. Alison Jeffers, a 35-year-old mother-of-one, is just one of the 100 staff who keeps the Emergency Department running over Christmas. 'It's the busiest time of the year,' she says. 'We have a lot of visitors, the GPs and clinics are closed ... the hospital can be someone's only option.' Cancer doesn't stop for Christmas, either. More than 500 patients visit the hospital each week for radiation and chemotherapy treatments over Christmas. Alison leaves her two-year-old daughter at home to be a part of the team over Christmas. Alison Jeffers, a 35-year-old mother-of-one, (pictured) keeps the Emergency Department running over Christmas. 'It's the busiest time of the year,' she says Just like Sydney, The Prince of Wales Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in the nation and receives a surge in local and interstate patients over the silly season Another hard-working member of the staff, Thanh-y-Le, (pictured) calls himself the doctor of the mail, delivering 2,000 packages and letters a day to patients throughout the hospital Another hard-working member of the staff, Thanh-y-Le, calls himself the 'doctor of the mail', delivering 2,000 packages and letters a day to patients throughout the hospital. He's been doing the job for 25 years. 'Our jobs are a silent sacrifice', he says. 'Nobody knows what we do.' 'Doctor' Le explains how the timing of delivering the packages can make the ultimate difference - and sometimes comes down to a matter of life and death - to many patients. 'Sometimes a letter is the only thing a patient has to remind them of home or talk with a relative,' he says. 'And sometimes patients die before they get the chance to read a card from a friend or relative. 'A patient can pass away and never know someone had written them a letter.' The Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation Christmas Appeal helps to raise money to support the essential care that is needed to give patients their best chance to enjoy this time of the year with the people they love. This year, money raised will go towards purchasing equipment for the new Acute Care Services Building. To leave what could be a life-saving donation, visit www.powhf.org.au President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill naming a Virginia post office for fallen U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan, whose Muslim father criticized the then-candidate in a 2016 Democratic National Convention speech. The Daily Progress reports U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released a joint statement Friday night saying the president had signed the bill filed by Rep. Tom Garrett. Trump was roundly criticized for his response to a Democratic National Convention speech by the soldier's father, Khizr Khan. Khan was 27 when he died in Iraq in 2004. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Khizr Khan, the father of fallen U.S. Army Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan, is accompanied by his wife Ghazala speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia Khan was 27 when he died in Iraq in 2004. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was the only University of Virginia alumnus killed in Iraq, according to a university plaque. The Republican representative for Virginia's 5th District plans to hold a ceremony for the Charlottesville post office before departing next month. A motorist accidentally pressed his SUV's gas pedal and plowed through a local cafeteria in Miami, trapping a female clerk behind the counter. Customers could be seen sitting at tables and waiting in front of a counter to be tended while another visitor is about to go for the exit door moments before the motorist thought he was playing his foot down on the brakes. Instead, the unnamed driver sent his truck careening through the glass structure at La Nueva Alameda Cafeteria Saturday afternoon. A female employee was wedged in between a counter, a refrigerator and a stand next to a wall, and a man who's order she appeared to be taking was knocked off a bar stool. Customers and employees are going about their day at La Nueva Alameda Cafeteria in Miami moments before a man accidentally hit the gas pedal and plowed through a window Customers and employees tend to one another after a freak accident at a local cafeteria on Saturday 'I was like a bomb. Boom!' Jorge Garcia, an employee at the Northwest Miami-Dade restaurant, told Miami television station WSNV. Another customer who was close to leaving the cafeteria was hit in the face by the side of the door when it was thrust open by the impact of the crash. He is seen on the security camera video bending over and clutching his face. A victim, who's identity was not provided, and the driver were taken to a local hospital, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Multiple people were left injured by the accident. 'The crash shocked everyone inside,' Denis Carballo said through a translator. A male customer (top left), who was hit by a door after a car crashed through a restaurant in Miami, bends over and grabs his head. Another man (center) looks on after he was knocked off his seat while a female employee (right) looks on in shock An SUV plowed right through the left side of a Miami eatery on Saturday, injuring multiple people. The driver and another person were taken to a hospital The incident has forced La Nueva Alameda Cafeteria to shut down it's business operation for the foreseeable future. The accident incurred thousands of dollars worth of damages. The main counter, refrigerators, coffee machines and plumbing system were severely impacted. 'We're going to be closed for a while because, I mean, it's going to take a while to fix all these things up and put it back again to work,' said Garcia. Shah Mehmood visits Kabul,Tehran,Beijing Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning on the third leg of his whirlwind three-day four-nation tour, following visits to Afghanistan and Iran. The foreign minister's tour to Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia is aimed at taking regional countries on board about Pakistan's fresh push to jumpstart the Afghan reconciliation process. Qureshi was greeted at the airport by Chinese Foreign Ministry officials and held a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi. The two parties discussed bilateral relations, promotion of regional connectivity and important regional and global issues, Radio Pakistan reported. Delegation-level talks were also held between both sides. Both sides reiterated their determination to adopt a joint course of action for regional peace and stability and to promote connectivity, the report stated. Qureshi called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor an undertaking of extensive strategic importance for Pakistan and the region. The foreign minister said that CPEC is a reflection of Chinese President Xi Jinping's One Belt One Road vision, and that Pak-China friendship is greatly appreciated both, at a public, as well as government level. Qureshi visited Kabul on Monday on the first leg of his trip, where he held what he described as "productive meetings" with Afghan leadership. This was Qureshis second visit to Kabul in 10 days and third since his appointment as foreign minister in August. He last visited Kabul on Dec 15 for attending the trilateral ministerial meeting with his Chinese and Afghan counterparts. A Foreign Office statement said that one of the aims of the visit was to brief Afghan President Ghani and Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on recent developments in the Afghan peace process after a meeting between the Taliban and United States in Dubai, in which Saudi Arabia and UAE also participated. Foreign Office spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said that the Pakistani and Afghan sides had both agreed during their meeting yesterday to continue the peace process and discussed issues of mutual interest, progress on Afghan peace and reconciliation process as well as bilateral trade. While apprising the Afghan leadership on Pakistans efforts to facilitate an intra-Afghan dialogue, the foreign minister had stressed the need for greater synergy among regional countries to ensure long-term peace and stability in the region. He noted that together Pakistan and Afghanistan with their strategic locations were a bridge for the surrounding regions. He said that expanding bilateral cooperation for improving relations with all its neighbours, especially with Afghanistan, was the top priority of Pakistan and that the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) was the most effective framework that provided practical avenues to address all issues of mutual interest. The Afghan foreign ministry in a statement from Kabul said that during the meeting, FM Rabbani had emphasised on direct talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban. The Afghan leadership, while appreciating Pakistans constructive role in furthering the Afghan peace process, agreed to undertake joint steps for strengthening of bilateral ties and agreed to expand cooperation and coordination against terrorism. "The Afghan leadership also appreciated Pakistans initiative for ensuring greater harmony among the neighbours of Afghanistan having serious stakes in peace and stability," the Afghan FO said in a statement. Later, Qureshi travelled to Tehran from Kabul where he met Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. It was his first official visit to Iran. Scores of residents who were evacuated from a 'creaking' Sydney Olympic Park high-rise overnight woke up on Christmas morning in a makeshift camp. About 300 people from more than 150 units in the 392-apartment Opal Tower were evacuated amidst fears the brand-new high rise could collapse. Engineers and the building's managers remained at the 34-storey building overnight, declaring that 51 units were structurally unsafe. Residents of the impacted units were escorted back to gather their belongings. A handful of them were left to sleep on the concrete ground in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society, while others made their own arrangements. Scroll down for video Some Opal Tower residents were allowed to return home just after midnight on Christmas Eve Affected Opal Tower residents were escorted by emergency services to their unsafe units to collect their possessions before relocating to alternative accommodation They were forced to leave amidst fears the 34-storey high-rise building could collapse Emergency services were called to the site on Monday afternoon following reports residents had heard loud cracking sounds coming from the 10th floor. Police then arrived and evacuated the rest of the residents. The 117m tower contains 392 units along with a childcare centre and other amenities. Some residents said the doors to the building were jammed and police had to break them down with heavy equipment to help residents escape. One also claimed they could hear movement in the building during strong winds. handful of residents were left to sleep on the concrete ground in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society Residents of the impacted units were escorted back to gather their belongings NSW Police Detective Superintendent Philip Rogerson said the building, which was only completed in March and opened in August, had moved one to two millimetres. The tower was being monitored with specialist laser monitoring equipment to detect any movement, but none had been recorded since the crack opened. Fire crews shut off the water and gas and took the building off the power grid while police taped off a 250m radius. Fire & Rescue NSW Urban Search and Rescue officers and specialist engineers, as well as the building's designers and managers, worked late into the night to assess the building. Emergency crews remained on the scene late on Christmas Ever, amid fears it may collapse Some residents made alternative living arrangements after 51 units were declared unsafe About 100 people were stranded in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society building as they waited for the all clear from authorities Just after midnight on Christmas Day, residents of the units that had been declared safe were allowed to return home. But many people claimed they have been left in the dark, having received no information from emergency crews about when they might be able to return home. 'We've been told nothing. We don't know how long we will be stuck here, maybe until tomorrow,' one group told Daily Mail Australia. 'We weren't even in the tower, we live nearby and just know what's on the news. It's very frustrating.' Firefighter search and rescue teams and public works engineer assessed the 34-storey building after a huge crack was found in its structure People sat on what few chairs were available and if they were lucky, used a table to eat or play cards on Christmas Eve night The situation was far worse for residents in the impacted 51 units, many of whom were forced to book accommodation on their smart phones while authorities dithered for several hours. Others who opted to stay the night at the makeshift camp sat on the few chairs available and if they were lucky, used a table to eat or play cards. One group somehow found a couch and one of them took a nap on it, but others had to sit on the hard concrete floor. Fire & Rescue NSW superintendent Adam Dewberry told AAP the strata manager would be working with the insurer and builders to fix the issue, but he wasn't sure what work would be happening on Tuesday. He said a local exclusion zone remained in the area of Opal Tower but all roads and public transport had returned to normal. There are no longer concerns of the tower collapsing, police say. More than 3,000 people in nearby buildings were also told to leave and those coming home were not allowed back inside Police and firefighters stand guard outside the exclusion zone they set up to keep people away Police said an emergency services operation was underway after concerns were raised for the structural integrity of the 34-storey Opal Tower (pictured) at Sydney Olympic Park Opal Tower is only months old The 117m Opal tower has 392 apartments over 34 storeys along with a childcare centre and other businesses and amenities. Brand new high rise was built alongside numerous other similar blocks in Olympic Park as it transforms into a major population centre. The building was only completed in March and opened in August, and cost $165 million to build by developer Ecove, which built many of the others nearby. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale for $934,000 and one bedrooms for $620,000. Advertisement Opal Tower is one of several new apartment towers in Olympic Park and cost $165 million to build. It was developed by Ecove, which also built many other new towers in the suburb along with One30 Hyde Park tower in the Sydney CBD. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale for $934,000 and one bedrooms for $620,000. 'We are aware of the concerns that have arisen with the Opal Building and confirm that the builder has been notified,' Ecove said. The tower was designed by architecture firm Bates Smart and built by Icon Construction. A resident stands on her balcony as evacuations began. She was one of about 140 who left the building under police orders A woman has received the ultimate Christmas gift of being reunited with her long-lost childhood kitty more than a decade after the feline ran away from home. Bianca Zammit was just a child when her beloved cat Rosie ran away from her family home at St Mary's in Sydney's west 14 years ago. But in a surprising twist, it turns out the finicky feline had only wandered up the road and was living with a neighbour just a few streets away, Yahoo7 reported. Bianca Zammit (pictured) was just a child when her beloved cat Rosie ran away from the family home at St Mary's in Western Sydney 14 years ago It was only when the man died and his family surrended Rosie to the Blacktown Animal Holding Facility that the feline's true identity was revealed. Caretakers at the facility were able to reunite Rosie with her original owners because they had microchipped her as a kitten. Blacktown Animal Holding Facility's Brandon Cowan told the publication they were able to return Rosie to Ms Zsammit just in time for Christmas thanks to the chip. 'I guess that's a message for everyone if they find a stray cat, take it to your vet or take it to your local pound to get scanned for a microchip,' Mr Cowan said. With plenty of furbabies being gifted at this time of year, Mr Cowan said ensuring pets are microchipped could make all the difference when it comes to their safety. He added, the process is quick and relatively inexpensive, with many local councils hosting free microchipping days every year. It was only when the man died and his family surrended Rosie to the Blacktown Animal Holding Facility that the feline's true identity was revealed 'With Rosie, she could have gone home 14 years ago if the person who found her took her to a vet to get scanned.' Ms Zammit told the publication she is thrilled to be reunited with her long-lost kitty, albeit a few years late. 'I was always hoping when I was younger that she'd come back,' Ms Zammit said. M Zammit said her story is a message of hope for other grieving families who are looking for their lost pets this holiday season. A woman who was caught nabbing a Christmas present from a doorstep in broad daylight has struck again in the exact same outfit a week later. The serial thief was caught on security footage set up outside an Augustine Heights home in Ipswich, Queensland. Wearing an identical dress to the one she wore during her first brazen robbery, the middle-aged woman can be seen jogging up the driveway of the home. A few moments later she is seen carrying a parcel which contains a $500 and gift vouchers, before hopping into her car and speeding away. The serial thief was caught on security footage of an Augustine Heights home, in Ipswich, Queensland 'Five-hundred dollars worth of money and gift vouchers for my niece, my nephew, myself, from my dad from Melbourne,' victim Fran Anderson told Seven News. The incident comes a week after the same woman was caught stealing a special Fortnite edition of Monopoly express shipped from the US costing $70. Once again the brazen thief was captured on security footage, this time in Bellbird Park, roughly five minutes up the road from the Augustine Heights home. Homeowner Matthew Higgins shared the footage online in a bid to find the woman. The woman (pictured) is seen strolling up the front driveway of the Bellbird Park home in broad daylight after driving past the house several times The thief then walked up to the front door, picked up the package and walked casually back to her car that was parked on the other side of the road 'The grinch visited our house this afternoon' Mr Higgins wrote alongside the series of images and footage. The stolen present was intended to be given to Mr Higgins' son James for Christmas. 'It was the only present that he really wanted,' Mr Eggins told Yahoo7. Moments before she took the parcel, she was captured on camera driving slowly past the home multiple times. Mr Eggins wants to make sure people are vigilant and rethink their delivery options closer to Christmas and is thankful to his local camera installer 360secure for the CCTV vision. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers. Nature lovers are struggling with the mystery of a 40-year-old Doritos bag that supposedly washed up on a North Carolina beach last week. Cape Lookout National Seashore shared images of the packet claiming volunteers cleaning up a beach discovered the item after decades of floating around in the Atlantic Ocean without much deterioration. However some their approximately 25,000 followers were skeptical of the find, mentioning that the details on the packaging were far too vibrant to have really survived that long in the saltwater and sun. Cape Lookout National Seashore shared images of a Doritos bag found last week that they believe to be from 40 years ago. Social media users were skeptical the item could have been floating around in the Atlantic Ocean without much deterioration after sun and water exposure 'Wayback Wednesday - This bag was found last week on the sound beach along the Soundside nature trail on Harkers Island along with other storm debris during a trail cleanup,' the caption read. 'The bag design looked 'odd' to us, but we couldn't put our finger on why until we noticed the date in the lower corner - 1979! While this was sort of a neat find due to its age, it serves as a reminder that plastic trash lasts a long time, in this case almost 40 years!' Displaying a vintage logo and a date of incorporation from almost 40 years ago, some commenters pointed out that while the design is indeed old, it could simply be a case of the older logo being used on fresh bags of the tortilla chips. Social media users requested to see the list of ingredients on the back of the bag to compare it to the ones used nowadays. The finders who now keep the bag framed in their office - shared it but a commented noted nutritional label standards were only passed as a law in 1990 so the brand would have been ahead of standards for their time. Websites such as Amazon currently sell the Frito-Lay brand's older looking bag, prompting followers to ask for a sell by date. Facebook users pointed out that nutritional label standards were only passed as a law in 1990 so the brand would have been ahead of standards for their time More than 1,000 interacted with the post. Some commenters confirmed the orange, yellow and brown colors survived so well because it could be a newer Doritos bag. 'I'm thinking that the design is from 1979, but it's a new bag. Those bags are everywhere right now as a 'throwback' promotion,' one Facebook user wrote. However the throwback bags are for the taco flavor, the one found was a nacho cheese packet. There's also a chance the bag came from a country with varying marketing updates. When one skeptical social media user asked whether Cape Lookout National Seashore fabricated the story, they said they received confirmation from the makers that it was not one from part of their throwback marketing. The page creators replied: 'No, we did not fabricate the story. We did find this bag along the nature trail. We checked with Frito-Lay corporate office and they confirmed that this is an original bag not a part of their current throwback marketing.' The logo used from 1973-1979 (left) and the logo used from 1985-1994 (right). A Facebook user said the bag from likely from 1989 due to a Frito-Lay logo used The 1973-1979 logo was used again for a 2017 'throwback' campaign for the taco flavor The logos have changed a lot through the decades. Left is from 2005-2013 and right from 2013 up until the present But an eagle-eyed snack fan claimed the Frito-Lay logo is what gives away that it's a newer bag. It features a logo used from 1987 to 1997, then again in throwback marketing from 2017 - making it no older than 31. 'Not from 1979..that's a throwback bag...check out the frito lay logo...that logo came about in 1987 was not around in 1979!!!' they commented. However, in 1987, the Doritos logo had changed twice and was yellow and red from 1985-1994. Regardless of whether the bag was 40 years old, it was a strong message for those who care about the environment and provided a talking point for keeping public areas clean. 'The point is we must stop the plastic,' read one comment. But a Facebook user defended those using North Carolina beaches, pointing out: 'Most of the trash that appears on the Outer Banks comes out of the ocean from currants and storms so sad but we have to deal with it, very little is created by visitors, Mother Nature will cleanup is on backyard.' Vegan animal rights activists have stormed a family-owned farm and shoved goats and a lamb into the back of a luxury Jeep Grand Cherokee to apparently free them from 'slavery'. A group of 50 protesters targeted the Gippy Goat Cafe at Yarragon, south-east of Melbourne, early on Friday morning by carrying livestock into the back of a four-wheel drive. They now face theft and animal cruelty charges, with the three goats and a lamb yet to be returned to their rightful owners. Vegan animal rights activists (pictured) have stormed a family farm and shoved goats and a lamb into the back of a luxury Jeep Grand Cherokee to apparently free them from 'slavery' A group of 50 protesters targeted the Gippy Goat Cafe at Yarragon, south-west of Melbourne, early on Friday morning by carrying livestock into the back of a four-wheel drive. Security footage and video taken by the activists themselves showed two women climbing a wooden fence to grab a lamb as scared goats in the enclosure ran inside for cover. The lamb was then carried over the fence and put into the back of the Jeep before a black goat was also shoved into the boot of the SUV, as activists wearing black crowded around the livestock pen. Animal rights activist Joanne Lee released a statement declaring she was opposed to farming altogether, and also posted video of a limping goat from the farm to justify abducting the livestock so they could be released to open pasture. 'We are not asking for bigger cages or better conditions,' she said. Security footage and video taken by the activists themselves showed two women climbing a wooden fence to grab a lamb as scared goats in the enclosure ran inside for cover The lamb was then carried over the fence and put into the back of the Jeep before a black goat (pictured) was also shoved into the boot of the SUV 'We are demanding the end of commodification of animals. 'They do not exist for human use.' Victoria Police Sergeant Dean Waddell told WIN News on Friday the animal rights activists faced theft and animal cruelty charges. As of Tuesday morning, no one had been charged, a police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. Farm manager Paul Cornelissen told WIN News the abduction of the goats had deprived two kids of breast milk, and was lost for words. 'It's really hard to explain,' he said. 'We have to feed them by bottle.' Animal rights activist Joanne Lee (pictured) released a statement declaring she was opposed to farming altogether A hoon in a supercar was caught driving 100km/h over the speed limit on Christmas Eve. Police pulled over the $300,000 Ferrari on Syd Einfeld Drive at Bondi Junction, Sydney just after midnight on Monday. The Chester Hill native was allegedly caught speeding 180km/h in a 80km/h zone in a vehicle that was not registered to him. A hoon in a hundred-thousand dollar luxury car (pictured) was caught driving 100km/h over the speed limit on Christmas Eve Police pulled over the $300,000 Ferrari (pictured) on Syd Einfeld Drive at Bondi Junction, Sydney just after midnight on Monday The 24-year-old driver tested negative to an alcohol and drug test and was charged with exceed speed limit by more than 45km/h and drive in a speed dangerous to the public. He will appear at Waverley Local Court on January 22 next year. NSW Police continue to urge drivers to take caution over the Christmas period as Operation safe Arrival remains in force until January 1. 'We know everyone today is trying to finish work, fit the last-minute shopping in as well as getting to their Christmas destinations,' Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy told the Daily Telegraph. 'I would urge everyone to consider getting a good night's sleep and extra time to get to your destination.' Already police have doled out 5,883 infringements across the state. Speeding fines already number 3,502, drink-driving charges reached 183 and deaths sit at two. Most recently a 19-year-old Narrandera local was killed after a ute left the road and rolled on Saturday night. The 19-year-old driver is still in hospital. A brave group of shopkeepers have defended their stores from a brazen daylight robbery attempt by a group of youths in a brawl which started over cigarettes. The dramatic footage shows the shop owners gathering outside their shop-fronts on Monday afternoon and defending themselves with chairs against a handful of young men of African appearance. The youths, who had come to blows with a group of middle-aged Vietnamese men in the area just days before, returned to the Song Huong restaurant in St Albans in Melbourne's south west to 'start trouble', a witness told Daily Mail Australia. Scroll down for video This is the moment a brave group of shopkeepers took matters into their own hands when confronted by a group of youths who appeared to be attempting to rob their stores The Vietnamese men can be seen arming themselves with chairs they grab from the outside seating area and hurling the chairs towards the would-be burglars The alleged assault began when the youths asked the Vietnamese men for cigarettes but were denied, according to a message thread obtained by Daily Mail Australia. 'They wanted smokes and the locals refused and they started attacking ... my mate's dad is in hospital with fractures, mild amnesia and internal bleeding,' one message reads. 'They went into the shop ... and stole people's handbags and phones that are table,' another messages reads. 'And now today they're sitting outside [the] door ... Not letting customers in.' The alleged assault began when the youths asked the Vietnamese men for cigarettes but were denied, according to a message thread obtained by Daily Mail Australia (pictured) The alleged assault began when the youths asked the Vietnamese men for cigarettes but were denied, according to a message thread obtained by Daily Mail Australia The brawl occurred outside the Song Huong restaurant (pictured) in St Albans, about 25km south west of Melbourne's CBD on Alfrieda Street An onlooker who filmed the incident capturing the Vietnamese men picking up plastic chairs from the outdoor seating area to haul them across the pavement in an attempt to get the youths to leave. About 4.30 on Monday afternoon, police were called to reports of an affray. 'A fight erupted between a 46-year-old man and a group of younger males,' Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia. 'The 46-year-old Delahey man was taken to hospital with a laceration to the forehead.' 'A fight erupted between a 46-year-old man and a group of younger males,' Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia In the footage, a group of men of Vietnamese men can be heard angrily shouting at another group of men of African appearance The brawl occurred outside the Song Huong restaurant in St Albans, about 25km south west of Melbourne's CBD on Alfrieda Street, a popular strip of predominantly Asian food stores and restaurants. In the footage, a group of men of Vietnamese men can be heard angrily shouting at another group of men of African appearance, who can be seen to the right of the camera. The Vietnamese men can be seen arming themselves with chairs they grab from the outside seating area and hurling the chairs towards the would-be burglars. A few men grab other impromptu items such as poles or table legs. 'Stop that!' one man yells in the background. The man taking the footage can then be heard asking: 'What's going on?' The chaos escalates as the sound of smashing glass can be heard as the alleged intruders retreat. The parties are believed to be known to one another and the investigation remains ongoing, police have said. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The dramatic footage, captured in Melbourne on Tuesday, shows the shop owners gathering outside their shop-fronts to exchange blows with the alleged offenders Chaos ensues as an onlooker films the incident, capturing the men throwing chairs and other items across the pavement From the humble mince pie to decorating a festive tree, the royal family are at the heart of many Christmas Day traditions celebrated in the country today. It is Queen Charlotte, the German-born wife of George III, who is credited with introducing the Christmas tree to the UK. She is known to have a decorated an evergreen tree for her royal family as early as the 1790s, using candles, paper flowers and sweets as was the custom in Germany. Queen Charlotte (left), the German-born wife of George III, is credited with introducing the Christmas tree to the country while Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert (right) is said to have popularised the tradition A print in 1848 showed Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their children around a festive tree But the habit did not spread much beyond the royal family at that time. The Christmas tree was actually popularised by Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert, who presented large numbers of trees to schools and Army barracks. In 1848, a print showing the royal couple with their children around a tree was published in the Illustrated London News. After this, the popularity of decorated fir trees escalated throughout society. Even now, the Queen continues Prince Albert's tradition by sending Christmas trees each year to Westminster Abbey, Wellington Barracks, St Paul's Cathedral, St Giles Cathedral and Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Crathie Church and local schools and churches in the Sandringham area. The tradition of decorating a tree has continued till this very day. Pictured: Staff decorating a 20ft Norman Fir Christmas tree in St Georges Hall at Windsor Castle, Berkshire The Queen and her family enjoy a traditional roast turkey for their festive lunch. Henry II, who ruled from 1154 to 1189, ate boar's head, pickled in brine and stuffed, braised and roasted, at his banquets, according to the Royal Collection book A Royal Christmas, which explores how the royals have celebrated Christmas through the ages. Royal turkey first appeared at the Christmas feast table of Henry VIII in the 1540s and became a Noel dish. But its rise in popularity across the country in the late 19th century is down to Queen Victoria's eldest son, the future Edward VII, for whom it was a personal favourite. King George IV was partial to a plum broth on Christmas Day, made using large quantities of port, brandy, madeira, sherry and claret, as well as beef and veal, while medieval monarchs dined on roast swan and gilded peacocks. According to royal collection book, Henry II (left) ate boar's head, pickled in brine and stuffed, braised and roasted, at his banquets while George IV (right) would give his staff plum broth and mince pies at Christmas and on New Year's Day George IV used to give his staff plum broth and mince pies at Christmas and on New Year's Day, while Queen Victoria presented her household with plum puddings. Each year, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh give 1,500 Christmas puddings to members of staff, including those in the Court Post Office and police serving at the palaces. Traditionally the puddings are from royal grocer Fortnum & Mason, but last year they were reportedly from the Tesco Finest brand. According to A Royal Christmas, until the 19th century, gifts were actually exchanged on New Year's Day, in a tradition dating back to the 13th century. Continuing the festive traditions, the Queen and her husband give gifts to staff and send around 750 Christmas cards every year Each year the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh give 1,500 Christmas puddings to members of staff The monarch would be given presents by their subjects, and then would reciprocate. The Queen also gives gifts to her staff, personally handing out the presents, usually vouchers, to long-serving members of the household. The monarch and Philip send around 750 Christmas cards every year, which will usually feature a family photo. The cards are signed 'Elizabeth R' and 'Philip', and include their official cyphers. Family, friends, and members of the Royal Household are the recipients, but British and Commonwealth Prime Ministers, Governor-Generals and High Commissioners may also be sent one. The duke has a further 200 cards delivered to different regiments and organisations close to him. The first Christmas card was sent by educator and inventor Henry Cole in 1843 - a friend of Prince Albert's, and the royal family's love of Christmas meant they quickly adopted the idea. A Mexican husband-and-wife political power couple have died in a Christmas Eve helicopter crash, officials announced. The newly sworn-in governor of the central Mexican state of Puebla, Martha Erika Alonso, was killed alongside her senator husband Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas, when the aircraft went down in the small city of Huejotzingo on Monday afternoon. Two pilots and a third passenger were also killed. Alsonso, 45, had only been sworn into office ten days ago after independent electoral authorities dismissed the challenge. Meanwhile her husband Valle was also the former Puebla governor and a prominent figure in the opposition National Action Party who had vied unsuccessfully for the party's presidential nomination and its internal leadership. The couple did not appear to have children. Scroll down for video Mexican governor Martha Erika Alonso (right) was killed in a helicopter crash Monday alongside her spouse Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas (left) The aircraft went down in Huetjotzingo, a small city near the second largest in Mexico, Puebla Mexico is still reeling from the loss and on Monday afternoon, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador paid tribute to the couple, while Marko Cortes, head of the National Action Party, tweeted he was deeply saddened. 'We are in mourning,' he wrote. The Agusta 109 helicopter suffered an 'apparent failure which hasn't been determined yet' shortly after taking off from Puebla airport bound for Mexico City on Monday. It crashed in the municipality of Santa Maria Coronango, which is about 3.5 miles north of the city's main airport on the western outskirts, federal Public Security Secretary Alfonso Durazo told a news conference. Images of the crash showed a shattered, still smoldering aircraft on the edge of a scorched patch of cornfield. Plumes of smoke could be seen as the helicopter was still on fire when others arrived at the scene It was not immediately clear how many were on board but it was reported at least two others died A forensic member was pictured on the scene after the crash on Monday A helicopter was pictured over the site on Monday following the incident The helicopter pilot and co-pilot have been identified as Captain Roberto Cope Obregon and Captain Marco Antonio Cabera Romero, according to Public Security and Civil Protection Secretary Alfonso Durazo. The other passenger has not yet been named. Mexican Civil Aviation authorities are investigating the cause. Both federal and state officials said they had opened investigations into the cause - a potentially sensitive case because President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's Morena party had challenged the validity of Alonso's election in July. She was sworn in 10 days ago after independent electoral authorities dismissed the challenge. State spokesman Maximiliano Cortazar demanded a 'transparent, impartial and independent' investigation. The Mexican president tweeted his condolences on Monday, confirming their death Alonso was the first female governor of Puebla and only the seventh nationwide Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas became Senator in September and was governor from 2011 to 2017. In 2015 his wife was the First Lady of Puebla and the second highest ranking in her PAN party Lopez Obrador expressed his 'deepest condolences' via Twitter to the family of on Monday evening. Moreno Valle governed the central state from 2011 to 2017 and was currently a federal senator. Opponents alleged that he had manipulated the election to hand power to his wife. Government agencies and scores of officials, including former President Enrique Pena Nieto, also expressed condolences via statements and social media. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard tweeted: 'I said hello to [Moreno] in the Senate just a few days ago. Those of us who had the opportunity to know them are sad and troubled.' Conservative Alonso became the first female governor of Puebla less than two weeks ago on December 14. The center-right candidate narrowly beat opposition from President Obrador's favored Miguel Barbosa Huerta on July 1. Teams from the State Attorney's Office, Attorney General's Office and state Civil Protect personnel were on the scene Security members work at the helicopter crash site in Coronango, Puebla, Mexico The cause of the accident was still unknown on Monday night Emergency rescue personnel, the army and the police arrived to the scene of the crash A helicopter of Puebla's government flew over the scene of the incident as it turned late Her election triggered a violent and hotly-contested reaction and on December 9 a Federal Electoral Tribunal had to validate the results due to accusations of fraud form her National Regeneration Movement (also known as the Morena party) opponent Luis Miguel Barbosa. Leftist Barbosa said in an interview with Milenio, that it's a tragedy and 'it is up to the authorities to do the same so that the causes of the accident are perfectly clear,' Animal Politico reported. The reported he declined to answer what would happen now the pair are gone. 'It is not the time to make political comments, it is time for solidarity, beyond the political rivalry that I had with both,' he reportedly said. 'I do not want to give an opinion on the succession, it's time to be supportive.' The couple celebrated their 14th anniversary this year and shared a dog Once Congress appoints an interim governor, an election - lasting between three and five months - must be announced within 10 days. Federal electoral institute official Benito Nacif confirmed it would happen. The fact the accident occurred just days after Alonso - who celebrated her birthday only one week ago - took office triggered speculation of foul play on social media, Reuters reported. A number of Mexican politicians have died in aircraft accidents in the past few years, including federal interior ministers in 2008 and 2011. Both were members of the PAN. BBC News reported that 13 people died earlier this year when a minister's helicopter crashed into a crowd. The minister survived. From 2015, Puebla First Lady Alonso became second in the power structure of the party behind her husband. Moreno became a federal senator in September. He shared the same name as his father who was Governor of Puebla from 1969 to 1972. The couple married in 2004, celebrated their 14th anniversary this January and shared a dog. amilies were seen with snow sleds and others were pictured taking photos of their winter creations using sun hats, traditional buttons and tinsel scarves for decorations Advertisement More than 2,000 snowmen have been sculpted in a park by winter revellers. Families were seen carving and decorating their snowmen in Harbin, dubbed China's 'ice city', where temperatures can drop to as low as -20c at night. The winter scenes showed people young and old creating snowmen of different sizes near the Songhua River in northeast China. Altogether 2,019 snowmen were made in Harbin in China's Heilongjiang Province. The snowmen were decorated with sun hats, traditional buttons and tinsel scarves. Families were seen with snow sleds and others were pictured taking photos of their winter creations. Harbin has seen a record number of visitors this year going through the city's Taiping International Airport, Xinhuanet reported. The city's airport topped 20million air passengers this year alone with tourists flocking to its winter attractions. The average December temperature during the day is minus nine degrees. It is also home to the Siberian Tiger Park, which houses almost 1,000 Siberian tigers in the cold winter climate. The city holds an annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival with ice and snow shows and sculptures. Families were seen carving and decorating their snowmen in China's 'ice city', while others took pictures of their creations on their phones. The snowmen were made in Harbin, northeast China, where the average December temperature during the day is minus nine degrees A woman and a young child stand next to the snowmen. Families were seen with snow sleds and others were pictured taking photos of their winter creations An aerial view shows the snowmen being made in Harbin, dubbed China's 'ice city'. Altogether 2,019 snowmen were made in Harbin in China's Heilongjiang Province Two people are seen making a head for the snowman out of ice blocks. Tourists have flocked to Harbin's winter attractions as the city's airport topped 20million air passengers this year alone This snowman is decorated with tinsel and traditional buttons. The snowmen will not melt, since the temperature in Harbin in December can drop as low as -20c at night and minus nine degrees during the day The winter scenes showed people young and old creating snowmen of different sizes by the Songhua River in northeast China. The city holds an annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival with ice and snow shows and sculptures We will not compromise on the process of accountability: Imran Khan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reiterated his resolve for effective and transparent accountability process in the country. The PM said this, while chairing a high level meeting of the party leaders here in the federal capital today. We will not compromise on the process of accountability, the process will continue across the board, he continued, adding its necessary for the progress of the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan was briefed about the ongoing cases in the Supreme Court during the party huddle. During the meeting, prime minister expressed satisfaction over the accountability court verdict against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said sources privy to the matter. Taxpayers money was looted by the rulers bitterly, the judgment has made the trust crystal clear in front of the people of Pakistan, the PM maintained. Khan said despite taking heavy loans during past 10 years, the economic situation of the country not changed. The meeting was attended by Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, Iftikhar Durrani, Usman Dar, Naeemul Haq, Shehryar Afridi, Shireen Mazari, Aleem Khan and other party leaders. A mother has witnessed her son and husband die after they drowned in treacherous surf while standing helplessly on the shore. The family, of Indian descent, had traveled to Phillip Island, near Melbourne, to spend some quality time together at the beach on Christmas Eve. But things quickly went downhill when the men of the family jumped in for a swim on Monday afternoon, despite the treacherous surf conditions. Emergency services were called to the Colonnades about 5.30pm after receiving reports three men were caught in difficult waters. A mother has witnessed her son and husband die after they drowned in treacherous surf. Paramedics are pictured at the beach, near Melbourne, trying to resuscitate one of the men The father, 45, was pulled from the water unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene. His son, 20, also died at the scene. The youngest son, aged just 11, was able to swim to safety and was taken to a nearby hospital where he is in a stable condition. Witnesses said the mother, who watched the drowning unfold from the shore, was screaming hysterically as paramedics tried in vain to save their lives. The notorious stretch of beach, which is an extension of the Woolamai Surf Beach, is well known for its dangerous rips and strong surf. It was only last year the beach claimed the lives of two other men. A 28-year-old Indian national drowned while swimming on Christmas Day, while another 46-year-old died after getting caught in a rip on New Year's Day. Emergency services were called to The Colonnades about 5.30pm on Monday after they received reports of three men caught in difficult waters off The Boulevard at Newhaven Woolamai Beach surf lifesaving club only yesterday issued a statement on its Facebook page, urging swimmers to avoid the beach due to perilous conditions. 'Please note that the majority of our patrolling members are volunteers, please don't make them come away from their families to rescue you!' the message stated. Following the tragic incident, the lifesaving club issued a repast safety warning message, asking swimmers to remain out of the surf. 'Woolamai Beach will remain closed tomorrow and we ask that members of the public do not enter the water,' the message stated. Authorities have urged swimmers to take extra caution given that in the last 25 days, 25 swimmers have tragically lost their lives. The recent Christmas tragedy comes less than 12 hours after an elderly couple died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a road in Queensland. The man and woman aged in their 70s, were crossing Ross River Road in Mysterton, Townsville about 7.20pm on Monday when they were struck and died at the scene. Emergency services attended the scene and the driver of a blue Mazda SUV was taken to hospital and treated for shock, The Courier Mail reported. An eyewitness, who had crossed the same intersection just moments earlier, told the publication she heard a noise and then saw two people 'flying' through the air. 'When we saw it happened we just broke down and cried,' the eyewitness said. A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson told ABC News the incident was an extremely distressing accident scene. A police officer has been videoed telling an Asian motorist to 'go back to China' on Christmas Day before appearing to shove him through an open window. The footage showed the cop pulling over a man in a Toyota Camry for an early morning random breath test at Carlingford in Sydney's north-west. Standing by the driver's side window of the sedan, the New South Wales highway patrol officer, wearing a bright yellow vest, appeared to use inappropriate language on a man with little English at 6.30am on Christmas morning. Caleb Strik took the video footage on a side street near Pennant Hills Road, at Carlingford, before confronting the police officer (pictured), of southern Asian heritage 'Where you from?' he asked the driver. A few seconds later, he said: 'Go back to China' before pulling out a blue 'Stop. Police' sign used to signify drivers will have their blood alcohol level tested. 'Can you see that?' he said. Seconds later he appeared to shove the driver through the open window, as he sat in a parked car near the Carlingford Village shopping mall. Caleb Strik took the Facebook video footage on Marsden Road, near the busy Pennant Hills Road intersection, before confronting the police officer. He told Daily Mail Australia he was shocked at what he witnessed, considering the officer appeared to be of southern Asian ethnicity. 'I saw him yelling at the man,' he said. 'I can't believe someone born in India is telling another immigrant to go back to China.' A police officer (pictured) has been recorded telling an Asian motorist to 'go back to China' before appearing to hit him through an open window The officer told Mr Strik (left) to 'move away' as he confronted him on Marsden Road near the busy Pennant Hills Road intersection in Carlingford in Sydney's north-west He also recorded himself confronting the officer. 'I'm recording this to make sure you understand,' he said. 'I have video of you hitting the worker. You also told him to "go back to China",' he said. The police officer told Mr Strik to 'move away'. 'It's got nothing to do with you,' he said. 'Can you get off the road? You're harassing me. I'm doing my work. Let me do it. 'You're upset because you've been fined. Now go back to your car.' The police officer on Marsden Road at Carlingford told the witness to go off the road as he asked another man in a side car park if there was someone who spoke English Mr Strik replied he had a right to film him. 'I can stand here. I'm allowed to stand here. I'm an Aussie,' he said. The officer then turned away and asked another Asian man standing outside the car if there was someone who spoke English. A NSW Police Force spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the footage was being examined and could lead to a professional standards review. 'NSW Police is aware of the videos posted on Facebook, which will be reviewed in due course,' she said. 'At this stage, we are unaware of any formal complaints being lodged by a member of the community.' Daily Mail Australia understands the police officer has been identified and his body-worn video footage will also be reviewed. Several people posted comments praising Mr Strik for confronting the police officer Another man said this kind of behaviour reflected poorly on police Caleb Strik won support for standing up for a driver being confronted by police One woman likened the police officer's behaviour to a television show Several people posted comments praising Mr Strik for confronting the police officer. 'What a dirty, racist cop. Good on ya, Caleb,' one man said. Another man said this kind of behaviour reflected poorly on police. 'Shame bro, most police officers are good people, they're humans and do their best to protect us even though we may not like the outcome,' he said. 'We call them when we need help but this is not good for the police officer and the ones covering up for him. 'Both the police officer and the driver need to go back for retraining (etiquette and English lessons).' Mr Strik also won support for standing up for the driver. 'Good lad for sticking up for the poor man,' he said. One woman likened the police officer's behaviour to a television show. 'Honestly thought this was a comedy TV skit. How disgraceful,' she said. Chris Dawson has broken his silence about his recent stint behind bars after being charged with the cold case murder of his wife Lyn. The 70-year-old, who was allowed out on bail on Christmas Eve, is living in his Mount Coolum home in Queensland with his third wife Susan as he awaits trial. Speaking from his swimming pool on Christmas Day, a shirtless Dawson broke his silence and told the The Daily Telegraph he 'needs a break'. 'Yeah look, yeah I'm well thanks I just really need a break,' Dawson told the publication, as he swam in the pool at a leisurely pace. Accused murderer Chris Dawson has broken his silence about his recent stint behind bars after he returned to his Mount Coolum home in Queensland this week When asked what got him through his three-week stint behind bars, Dawson initially refused to comment but then agreed 'thinking about family' made it easier. The 70-year-old is back home with his third wife, Susan, after he was released from Sydney's Silverwater prison on Christmas Eve, a week after a court granted him bail. A series of complications with the former rugby league player's application, including a problem with the $1.5 million surety, delayed his release by a week. Dawson was arrested on the Gold Coast earlier this month and extradited to NSW where he was charged with murdering wife Lynette Dawson, who went missing from Sydney's northern beaches in 1982. Up until recently, Dawson, a one-time model and rugby league player for the Newtown Jets, had never been charged with any offence and his wife's body has never been found. Police charged Dawson with Lyn's 1982 murder shortly after he landed in Sydney earlier this month following his extradition from Queensland. Dawson (pictured left with brother Peter) released from Sydney's Silverwater prison on Christmas Eve, a week after a court granted him bail On January 9, 1982 Lyn Dawson (pictured) made plans to meet her mother at Northbridge Baths, where her husband worked as a lifeguard. She did not arrive and is presumed to be dead Dawson's case might not go to trial until 2020 at the earliest, which may have contributed to the magistrate's decision to release him on bail. Since returning home, he will have to live at his wife's home on the Sunshine Coast and report daily to a local police station to comply with his bail conditions. Dawson and Susan have married for almost 30 years, and despite the intense public scrutiny over his first wife Lyn's disappearance, she has always remained supportive. The 70-year-old intends to plead not guilty to murdering his wife in the case, which made international headlines when it became the focus of The Australian newspaper's The Teacher's Pet podcast. Florida sheriffs are mourning the loss of a police dog shot in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend a suspect in an attempted murder. The three-year-old German Shepherd, named Cigo, was shot chasing down a suspected Latin Kings gang member in the parking lot of the Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington, Florida, according to WPTV. The animal, which had worked with the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office for a year, was taken to a veterinarian emergency center where he later died. In an emotional video posted with the caption 'RIP K9 Cigo' to the PBSO Facebook page, sheriff's deputies can be seen lining up outside the veterinary hospital waiting for the body of the fallen K9 as Cigo's handler hugs his fellow officers. At one point Cigo's handler, overcome with grief, hugs his fellow officer. The shootout in the mall parking lot that killed the the police dog took place when sheriff's deputies attempted to detain the accused men away from civilians. The three-year-old K9 Cigo was killed in the line of duty While one of the two men spotted at the mall were wanted by authorities, a third man they met up with was of particular interest to the sheriff's office. 'One of them is a known gang member with the Latin Kings and the person that we were the most interested in,' said Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. When officers approached the three men outside of the mall, the alleged gang member took off running. Cigo was released to give chase, and the suspect then turned and fired, striking the dog who still made it to the runner. Sheriff's deputies opened fire on the suspect now dealing with the wounded K9 on him, and he was hit multiple times about the torso. He was taken to a local hospital where he was in critical condition. The suspect had fired on the K9 and the deputies with a .45 caliber pistol, the same type of firearm used in the attempted murder case from weeks ago, according to the sheriff. Law enforcement wait outside the veterinary hospital to pay tribute to the fallen K9 Cigo Cigo's deputy handler is embraced by his fellow officers The K9 deputy had been Cigo's handler for a year 'As it stands now, we got two very dangerous people off the street,' Sheriff Bradshaw summarized. 'Unfortunately it took the life of one of our dogs, but he did his job, he saved the lives of the deputies.' Sheriff Bradshaw believes that the dog bearing down on the shooter had kept him wildly shooting at the K9 and from focusing on the deputies thereby protecting them. The mall had been put on lockdown after the shooting, but no civilians were hurt. Advertisement Meghan Markle's father prepared for Christmas 5,500 miles from his daughter by acting as Santa to deliver toys and treats to refugee children on the Mexican-U.S. border - and played happily with friends' children in a sign of how he might behave if he gets to meet the royal grandchild she is expecting. The Duchess of Sussex's father handed out toys, games and sweets to children at a hostel for homeless families just 200 yards from the border crossing between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, in California. And then he, two female friends and their three young daughters went to a rougher encampment, also on the Mexican side of the border, where destitute deportees from the U.S. have made their home - again to deliver festive cheer. Meghan Markle's father prepared for Christmas 5,500 miles from his daughter by delivering toys and treats to refugee children on the Mexican-U.S. border (he was pictured after the generous act in a supermarket parking lot in Mexico) Thomas Markle is pictured in his hometown of Rosarito on Christmas Eve, with his friends and their kids playing in a shopping trolley on the way to lunch at Caoba Bistro Bakery The way he played happily with friends' children in a sign of how he might behave if he gets to meet the royal grandchild she is expecting The 74-year-old grandfather-of-five proved he was still fit and healthy he carried his friend's child through the parking lot The little one, who was sporting a paper hat, looked delighted to be carried by Meghan Markle's father The show of charitable giving may change perceptions of Markle Sr. in the wake of his rift with his daughter just before her wedding to Prince Harry The spontaneous gesture of generosity was welcomed at both of the stop-offs made by Markle, 74, and his friends. At the first stop, the screams of delight from children could be heard from the street outside. The group of friends had loaded up their SUV in Rosarito, the coastal town a few miles from Tijuana where Markle lives alone, and spent about 20 minutes at the hostel. At the second drop-off, half a mile away, they came face-to-face with a growing border crisis which has made Tijuana not just the busiest border crossing with the U.S. but a city increasingly scarred by the fallout from tougher immigration enforcement in the U.S., at the border and beyond, under the Trump administration. Marble went to a camp which has become known as La Mapa - The Map - where around 100 tents have been pitched on empty land, mostly hosting deportees from the U.S. He and his friends spent 10 minutes handing out food and talking to people in the camp. Most of those there are deportees from the U.S. who have been returned to Mexico via the Tijuana border crossing. Most have stayed in the hope of crossing back into the U.S. One of them, Luis Fernandez, 36, who had spent the last six years in Santa Ana, California, before being removed for an offense which he declined to reveal to DailyMail.com, said: 'I have no place to go. I am just waiting things out before I decide to make another attempt to go back to the U.S. I have children [there].' Markle and a friend were spotted getting gas before the trip to the hostel to visit underprivileged children He arrived in the border town, dressed for cooler weather, as he prepared to act like Santa to surprise the kids His friend held up some of the toys he was ready to present to the young boys and girls at the hostel The Duchess of Sussex's father traveled to Tijuana where he handed out toys, games and sweets to children at a hostel for homeless families just 200 yards from the border crossing between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, in California (pictured in Tijuana) The group of friends had loaded up their SUV in Rosarito, the coastal town a few miles from Tijuana where Markle lives alone, and spent about 20 minutes at the hostel The show of charitable giving may change perceptions of Markle Sr. in the wake of his rift with his daughter just before her wedding to Prince Harry. The 74-year-old was revealed to have staged paparazzi photographs in Rosarito, where he has lived alone since retiring as a Hollywood lighting director, posing with a guidebook to Britain and pretending to have measurements for a weddings suit. The clumsily-staged photographs have led to Markle Sr. not speaking to his daughter since, and he has admitted he has never spoken to his new son-in-law. But the humble surroundings in which Markle Sr. delivered Christmas toys and food to the desperate and the homeless present a new side to the Duchess of Sussex's father. He had hinted at the plan for his Christmas in an interview earlier this month for the Mail on Sunday. A father of three and already a grandfather of five - all of them grown adults, and all largely estranged from his older son and daughter - he also used an interview with MailOnline editor-at-large Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain to speak of his sadness that he has been 'ghosted' by his daughter. After his charitable Christmas giving, Markle and his friends went for lunch in Rosarito, where he played happily with the children just like an involved grandfather. In contrast to his face-to-face encounter with poverty and desperation at the U.S. border, the Duchess of Sussex spent Christmas Eve with the royal family at Sandringham, the Queen's country estate in Norfolk. Thomas Markle spent around 10 minutes speaking with deportees at the border point while handing out Christmas gifts Meghan's father will surely be hoping the generous gesture will curry favor with the Royal household and bring him closer to his daughter, after he was forced to miss out on her wedding to Prince Harry After handing out gifts to those less privileged than himself, Mr Markle headed for lunch in his hometown of Rosarito with his friends and grandchildren Most of the migrants have been deported from the US, but camped out near the border in the hopes of reentering the country Mr Markle stands among tents housing deportees from the US in Tijuana, Mexico, on Christmas Eve After his charitable Christmas giving, Markle and his friends went for lunch in Rosarito, where he played happily with the children just like an involved grandfather The humble surroundings in which Markle Sr. delivered Christmas toys and food to the desperate and the homeless present a new side to the Duchess of Sussex's father Mr Markle fetches more gifts from a carrier bag with C3PO and R2D2 from Star Wars printed on the side She was due to spend Christmas morning at St Mary Magdalene's Church before heading back to the house to spend the day with her royal relatives. The visit to those living in deep poverty on the southern side of the U.S. border will inevitably be seen as having political dimensions. Markle Sr. previously made clear his own negative view of Donald Trump, whose hardline rhetoric and policies on immigration are seen by critics as causing a crisis at the border. His daughter has been compelled to avoid public political statements since her romance with Prince Harry began, but she previously spoke of her support for 2016 presidential Democratic loser Hillary Clinton. However she has been public in her advocacy for the under-privileged in the UK, promoting a cookbook for those affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, a fire in public housing close to her current home in Kensington Palace which claimed 71 lives. Her view of his charity with the destitute at the border remains to be seen, with their ugly public spirit continuing unabated, despite the expected arrival of his sixth grandchild in April. This month his other two children, Samantha and Thomas Jr., pleaded publicly with Meghan to end the rift 'before it is too late'. Christmas Day celebrations were abruptly abandoned as residents prepared to flee their homes under threat from a raging bushfire on Western Australia's south coast. Emergency Western Australia reissued a watch and act message for Bremer Bay and Boxwood Hill, 500 kilometres south-east of Perth on Tuesday morning. 'There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing,' a public warning stated. Bremer Bay Caravan Park stated on its Facebook page on Monday that it remains open for holidaymakers, despite a bushfire threat in recent days 'You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.' The alert has since been downgraded to advice level after more than 100 firefighters managed to contain the blaze. 'Thank you to the selfless individuals who have sacrificed time with their families at this time of year to keep the community safe,' Emergency WA later tweeted. The fire is still burning within containment lines on the western side of Dillon Bay Road against the wind in a south easterly direction. 'There is no threat to lives or homes,' the latest warning states. 'There is a lot of smoke in the area. Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.' Dillon Bay Road, Reef Beach Road, Reef Beach Track and Warramurrup Road remained closed while Borden-Bremer Bay Road between South Coast Highway and Millers Point Road has since reopened. 'Beach and bush camping between Dillon Bay and Pallinup River is closed until further notice,' the WA Emergency states on its website. The Bremer Bay bushfire burned through more than 9,000 hectares of scrub in recent days Relieved residents have since to social media to express their gratitude to firefighters. Words cant express our gratitude to those local and those that come far to fight this beast of a fire. Even now when you would rather be with your loved ones you're here keeping things under control, one posted. A Christmas Day warning for residents to prepare to leave has since been downgraded Another added: Tough gig in hot conditions at a time of the year when we would all rather be doing fun stuff with our favourite people.' The fire was first sparked on Thursday last week and has since burnt through more than 9000 hectares of scrub. The current heatwave in the nation's west has hampered firefighters' efforts to control the blaze. On the other side of Australia, a bushfire that threatened properties on Bruny Island off Tasmania's south coast on Christmas Eve is also now under control. More than 100 firefighters managed to get the Bremer Bay bushfire under control on Tuesday Residents in the island's south were advised to evacuate the area or prepare to actively defend their properties. The Tasmania Fire Service warned residents embers, ash and thick smoke may be a hazard ahead of the main fire. Around 22 hectares were burnt in the blaze. 'Fire crews and helicopters are making good progress on the Conleys Point, South Bruny Island fire. Today the TFS and Parks and Willdlife Service has 15 trucks and 5 helicopters working on the fire,' the Tasmania Fire Service posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon. Horrified families got a shock as they watched a paraglider take off on a windless day before instantly plunging into the rocks below. A huge rescue operation was underway at Bangalley Head, north of Avalon beach in Sydney's northern beaches on Tuesday before 1.45pm. 'There was just no wind. I couldn't understand why they did it,' a witness told Daily Telegraph. A huge rescue operation was underway at Bangalley Head (pictured) north of Avalon beach in Sydney's northern beaches on Tuesday before 1.45pm. A NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the man walked away with only a few bumps after the incident. 'They (police) thought they would have to rescue him,' the police spokesperson said. 'He got out of it alright and he ended up walking away from it.' Gary Sinise said sending 1,722 gold star family members to 'the happiest place on earth was very, very special', following the success of his foundation's holiday trip to Disney World this year. The award-winning actor, 63, is known for his role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in 1994 movie Forrest Gump but in real life he has dedicated decades to helping military relatives heal after losing a loved one in conflict zones. Although he has worked with the Snowball Express Program for the past 11 years to travel with young people and their guardians, in 2018 he took things an extra step further with the pre-Christmas excursion to Florida sponsored by American Airlines. Scroll down for videos Gary Sinise (center) sent 1,722 gold star family members to Disney World this month 1,750 Gold Star family members get holiday trip to Disney World from Gary Sinise Foundation GOLD STAR CHRISTMAS: Over 1,000 Gold Star children who have lost parents in the military got a holiday trip to Disney World, thanks to actor Gary Sinise https://cbsn.ws/2BlEqP9 Posted by CBS News on Thursday, December 20, 2018 With Snowball Express Sinise helps military families heal after losing a loved one He said the bittersweet annual event, which took place at Disney World this year, was 'heartwarming' and 'heartbreaking' 'You cannot underestimate the power of bringing all these kids together in a happy environment because we're trying to bring joy to them right before the holidays, which is a difficult time for a child who's lost a parent,' he told The Hollywood Reporter. 'So bringing all these kids together at the happiest place on earth was very, very special. 'We have counseling, we have all kinds of communal activities that focus on the healing aspect of a gold star family member who's grieving, but we also want to provide hope, happiness and joy.' Sinise said: 'Bringing all these kids together at the happiest place on earth was very, very special' The pre- Christmas excursion to Florida sponsored by American Airlines. They used at least 14 planes Over 14 aircraft safely transported participants from 80 cities across the country and approximately 1,000 American Airlines team members volunteered their time. In total more than 600 families of fallen heroes got to participate in the trip that took place early December. Sinise puts his famous movie character at the forefront of his charity work and his The Lt. Dan Band performs each year at the event for the holidays. The trip took place in early December and brought a smile to the faces of many In total more than 600 families of fallen heroes got to participate in the trip They safely transported participants from 80 cities across the country and approximately 1,000 American Airlines team members volunteered their time He described the occasion as bittersweet. 'It's heartwarming because it makes you feel good to see the kids laughing and having a fun time, but it's also heartbreaking because you know why they're there,' he continued. 'They're there because of loss and grief, and because they are a military family who's paid the ultimate price.' Each year he raises $30million to build homes for wounded veterans and support gold star families. President Trump offered little hope to bringing an end to the government shutdown when pressed by reporters on Christmas Eve. 'Nothing new. Nothing new on the shutdown. Nothing new, except we need border security,' he told reporters at the White House on Monday while participating in the annual tradition of answering telephone calls from children calling for Santa. Christmas Day now marks the fourth day of the partial government shutdown with no end in sight. Most lawmakers fled the capital over the weekend to be with family while Trump remained at the White House with Melania, after scrapping plans to spend Christmas at his Florida estate. President Trump offered little hope to bringing an end to the government shutdown when pressed by reporters on Christmas Eve (pictured receiving a briefing in the Oval Office on Christmas Eve) 'Nothing new. Nothing new on the shutdown. Nothing new, except we need border security,' he told reporters at the White House on Monday while participating in the annual tradition of answering telephone calls from children calling for Santa Trump has come under fire from Democratic leaders of Congress, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who have blamed him for 'plunging the country into chaos' with no clear plan how to get back on track. 'The president wanted the shutdown, but he seems not to know how to get himself out of it,' they said in a joint statement. They pointed to problems beyond the shutdown, including heavy losses on Wall Street and Trump's decision to fire his defense secretary. Trump had said he'd be 'proud' to shut down the government in a fight over the wall, but now blames Democrats for refusing to give him the votes needed to approve a House-passed bill that includes the $5.7 billion he wants for the wall. POOR ME: Bored at the White House on Christmas Eve as his wife flew back from Florida to be with him He is promoting a 'steel slats' fencing design that the White House thinks some Democrats will support. Existing legislation allows for 'bollard fencing' along the southern border The White House presented a counteroffer over the weekend to Schumer that is between Trump's $5.7 billion price tag and the $1.3 billion Democrats have offered, said budget director Mick Mulvaney. Mulvaney withheld specifics, but a Democratic aide granted anonymity to discuss the private talks said the White House offered $2.5 billion - an initial $2.1 billion plus $400 million Democrats called a 'slush fund' for the president's other immigration priorities. Mulvaney said he was waiting for Schumer's response. Schumer's office said the parties remained 'very far apart.' Trump chimed in from the White House, where he has relentlessly tweeted on a variety of issues while cooped up in the mansion since Saturday, when the shutdown began. He tweeted at one point about feeling lonely. Christmas Day now marks the fourth day of the partial government shutdown with no end in sight. The empty U.S. Capitol Rotunda is seen during a partial government shutdown in Washington, Monday National Park Service employees open the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, in Washington. The area was reopened after electrical repairs were made that were delayed because of the partial government shutdown 'I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security,' he tweeted. 'At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy!' He was later joined by first lady Melania. Together they spoke to children calling the NORAD Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve. President Trump capped off a terrible week for himself nearly ruining Christmas for the young caller by questioning his belief in Santa Claus. 'Are you still a believer in Santa?' Trump asked a caller named Coleman according to pool reports. 'Because at seven it's marginal, right?' He was later joined by first lady Melania. Together they spoke to children calling the NORAD Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve Earlier that day, Trump met border security with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and other department officials. Senate negotiators continued talks behind the scenes with Democrats and Republicans. The House and Senate briefly gaveled into session on Christmas Eve before quickly closing again with no further action. Several Cabinet departments and agencies have been closed since Saturday after their funding lapsed, and Mulvaney warned the shutdown could stretch into January, when Democrats are set to take back control the House. Trump excused federal employees from work on Monday and Christmas is a federal holiday, meaning the public could begin feeling the shutdown's effects on Wednesday. Some 800,000 federal workers must work without pay for the time being, or stay home and wait to be paid later. Trump promised to make Mexico pay for the border wall. Mexico has refused. Abraham Lincoln mercifully responded to his wife's Confederate cousins' request to return to Arkansas land taken over during the Civil War and the paper was sold last week A letter from Abraham Lincoln written during the Civil War sold for $60,000 last week to an unnamed buyer in the Northwest. The note from 1863 was recently purchased by The Raab Collection but Nathan Raab confirmed they exchanged the historic document for tens of thousands of dollars after an individual showed interest. In the handwritten communication, the 16th President of the United States showed mercy to former slave-owning couple on death's door who wished to return to the Arkansas land they'd been turfed off just before Christmas. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1962, declaring all slaves free as of January 1 the following year. But the Craig family, who were cousins of his wife Mary Todd, turned to the leader for permission to go back to their plantation before their lives ended. Lincoln met with then signed the paper a few days before the holiday saying he wished them to reoccupy the place without interference from Union forces. The 1863 letter from US President Abraham Lincoln sold for $60,000 to an individual in the Northwest US 'Mr. and Mrs. Craig, of Arkansas, whose plantation, situated upon the Mississippi River a few miles below Helena, has been desolated during the present war, propose returning to reoccupy and cultivate said plantation,' Lincoln penned. '(And) it is my wish that they be permitted to do so, and that the United States military forces in that vicinity will not molest them or allow them to be molested, as long as the said Mr. and Mrs. Craig shall demean themselves as peaceful, loyal citizens of the United States.' Nathan Raab praised Lincoln for showing mercy more than 150 years ago As per the agreement they went back to the cotton plantation without any slaves. Charley Craig died shortly after they were issued the unique protection order and his wife Susan passed away two years later in Little Rock. Mrs Craig was also the first cousin of his benefactor and law partner John Todd Stewart. Stewart brought her along to an event where she gained the sympathy of her other cousin, Lincoln's wife, and managed to secure a meeting with President Lincoln. Lincoln ordered the eviction of the 'carpetbaggers' - one believed to be a minister - who started living there and made sure the couple wasn't harassed by pro-Confederate neighbors. There have been no other instances found where Lincoln acted in a similar way to protect citizens returning to the South. Raab praised Lincoln for showing mercy more than 150 years ago, according to a CNN report. 'It's uncommon to find something where a figure of such great prominence and historical importance is connecting so personally on such a national level,' Raab said. 'You get a rare behind-the-scenes look and insight into how the war affected Lincoln himself. '(He) issues this remarkable order in what can only be described as a kind gesture toward his family, but which is symbolic of some of the broader things that he was doing in the nation to try and heal a country, which was being torn apart at the seams.' President Akufo-Addo has indicated that there is an ongoing debate within government to pass a decision on whether or not Ghana should abolish the system of duties payment on imported goods at the ports. Mr. Akufo-Addo said this whilst addressing journalists at his final media encounter for 2018 on Wednesday, December 19 at the Jubilee House. He used the encounter to update the media and the general public on happenings within several sectors of the countrys economy, including agriculture, railway, aviation, roads, banking and the judicial system. According to him, On high import duties, there is a major debate going on inside our government right now about what action we are going to take on the duties. President Akufo-Addo added that there is a strong lobby that is saying that we should go, for instance, the level of Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai almost no import duties, everything comes in and it will generate a lot of business. According to the president, the outcomes of the ongoing debate on the way forward for the maintenance or abolishment of duties payment system would be made public within due course. That argument is being made. The traditional argument is also being made that we maintain the duty system. I am hoping that very soon the final result of that debate inside the government will be known to the Ghanaian people, he pointed out. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nissan Motor Co. executive Greg Kelly was released from detention in Japan on Tuesday after being granted bail over the alleged under-reporting of his boss Carlos Ghosn's pay. The late-night release of Kelly, who is American, followed the Tokyo District Court's approval earlier in the day of a bail request filed last week by his Japanese lawyer. Kelly was freed after posting 70 million yen cash bail, which is the equivalent of $635,600, ending his detention after 37 days. Television footage captured the tired-looking, bespectacled Kelly, wearing a beige zip-up jacket, slowly walking out of the detention center and getting into a black cab. Scroll down for video Home for the holidays: Nissan Motor Co.'s executive Greg Kelly, center, leaves Tokyo's Detention Center in Tokyo Tuesday A Japanese court has approved a bail request for Kelly, who was detained and charged with under-reporting the income of his boss, former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn Kelly's wife, Donna, had made a plea to the Japanese authorities for her husband's early release so he could undergo surgery on his neck The vehicle drove past reporters waiting outside of the gate as cameras flashed. Kelly was expected to go straight to a hospital for treatment of his chronic neck problem, according to local media. Kelly and Ghosn were detained in Tokyo immediately after their November 19 arrest. They are charged with under-reporting Ghosn's pay by about 5 billion yen, or $44million, between 2011-2015. Kelly's Japanese lawyer sought bail after the court dismissed prosecutors' request for more detention for the two to investigate a separate allegation of under-reporting an additional 4 billion yen ($36million) in Ghosn's pay. Charges for an under-reporting allegation in more recent years are pending, and no trial date has been set. Ghosn will be detained until January 1 or longer since he also faces breach of trust allegations. Prosecutors say Ghosn and Kelly are flight risks. After his release, Kelly will have to follow rules set by the court, including those regarding his residence and travel, prosecutors have said. The arrests of Ghosn, who is an auto industry icon, and his American right-hand man have triggered international attention and raised concerns about the Japanese practice of extended detentions. Nissan has removed Kelly as representative director and Ghosn as chairman, but they are still company board members. The board of Renault SA, the French ally of Nissan, has retained Ghosn while naming an interim chair. Mitsubishi took a measure similar to Nissan. Kelly (left) and Ghosn (right) were detained in Tokyo in mid-November. They are charged with under-reporting Ghosn's pay by about 5 billion yen, or $44million, between 2011-2015 Ghosn has been credited with leading Nissan's rise to the world's second-largest automaker over the past 20 years Kelly, 62, joined Nissan North American in 1988 and worked in legal counsel and human resources at the company, and has been a member of the automaker's board since 2012. His American lawyer, Aubrey Harwell, has said he is innocent and that he only acted according to the law and according to company policy. Ghosn has also denied the allegations and told lawyers that he is determined to prove his innocence in court, according to Japanese media reports. Ghosn faces an additional allegation involving claims he shifted a personal investment loss of more than $16million to Nissan's books with help from a Saudi acquaintance. The scandal also raised concerns over the Japanese automaker and the future of its alliance with Renault, which in 1999 sent Ghosn to turn around Nissan, then on the verge of bankruptcy. He has since led Nissan's rise to the world's second-largest automaker. Ghosn's downfall is seen by some as a maneuver by others at Nissan to gain power in the alliance. A car carrying Kelly, left, comes out of Tokyo's Detention Center in Tokyo Tuesday Kelly, pictured left leaving the detention center, was expected to go straight to a hospital for treatment of his chronic neck problem Kelly's wife, Donna, had made a plea to the Japanese authorities for her husband's early release in a video message carried Tuesday by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and others. She said that her husband was 'framed' by Nissan and that he also should be released to get his neck problem treated. 'Release Greg and allow him to come home and have the surgery he needs,' she said. 'That is our family's Christmas wish.' Kelly reportedly suffers from spinal stenosis, a condition of a narrowing of the spaces in the spine that can cause pain, tingling or numbness. He had been scheduled to undergo surgery in Nashville in early December, according to media reports. New drone owners are being warned about the dangers of flying the devices as soon as they unwrap them this Christmas after the chaos at Gatwick Airport. Police and aviation authorities urged users to read up on strict rules about the remote-controlled gadgets before taking them for their first spin. Those caught flouting height and airport restrictions face a maximum fine of 2,500 and up to five years' imprisonment. The new law, which came into effect in July, restricts all drones from flying above 400 feet and within one kilometre of airport boundaries. New drone owners are being warned to know the rules before flying their devices in the wake of the Gatwick flight chaos that saw 1,000 flights grounded Around 1,000 Gatwick flights were cancelled or diverted across three days last week after drones were spotted inside the airport perimeter. The crisis at the UK's second busiest airport ruined the pre-Christmas travel plans of tens of thousands of people. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures obtained by the Press Association show there were 120 near misses between drones and aircraft reported in the year to December 4, up 29% on the total of 93 in the whole of 2017. There were just six incidents recorded in 2014. Equipment on top of a building at Gatwick Airport, showing a laser rangefinder (right) and a high-tech jammer (left) which may have been used to overload the drone with signals - knocking out the commands from the owner National Police Chiefs' Council lead for criminal misuse of drones Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: 'Before anyone uses a drone it is vital that they make themselves aware of their responsibilities and the rules to make sure these devices are operated in a safe and responsible way. 'Do not take this lightly, if you break any of these and act irresponsibly you could face criminal charges. 'Police officers will use all available powers to investigate reports of drones being misused and seek the appropriate penalty.' From November 30 next year owners of drones weighing at least 250 grams will be required to register with the CAA and take an online safety test. In the summer the Government consulted on a series of other measures to crackdown on misuse, including giving police the power to issue on the spot fines of up to 300 and the ability to seize drones being used irresponsibly. The Department for Transport is also considering using new technology to protect public events, critical national infrastructure and prisons from drone disruption. The CAA's code of conduct for drones, named the Drone Code, states that the gadgets must not be flown above 400 feet or within 150 feet of people or property. Drones must also be kept at least 500 feet away from crowds and built-up areas, and must not fly over those locations at any height. An international student has drowned on Christmas Day after going missing while snorkelling with his family. The 46-year-old South Korean's body was pulled from the waters of Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast before 3pm on Tuesday. His family and bystanders found him after a frantic search when he didn't return from swimming in the popular spot and his relatives raised the alarm. The 46-year-old South Korean's body was pulled from the water at Lake Conjola (pictured) on the NSW South Coast Desperate efforts were made to revive the man, who was in Australia on a tourist visa, by witnesses and paramedics but he was declared dead at the scene. The drowning is not being treated as suspicious and police will prepare a report for the coroner. A boat carrying people from North Africa to Europe has been intercepted off the coast of Spain by a rescue ship. The migrants, including small children, disembarked on Christmas Eve from a port in Malaga, southern Spain after being picked up in the Mediterranean Sea. Photographs show people waiting to get off the boat queuing in cramped conditions and chilly weather before sunrise. Many are wrapped in blankets provided by rescuers trying to keep warm. It was not clear how many people were on the boat, or the exact place it had set off from. A woman and small child wearing Spanish Red Cross rescue blankets disembark from a rescue boat in Malaga A volunteer ushers a group of migrants from a crowded Spanish rescue vessel onto dry land in Malaga, Spain Migrants, intercepted off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, disembark from a rescue boat on Christmas Eve Volunteers helped to carry small children and usher adults into tents erected by the Spanish Red Cross at the port so people could rest or receive first aid. The UN says more than 2,200 refugees and migrants have died crossing the Mediterranean Sea so far this year, as they try to reach European countries including Spain, Greece and Italy. Last week, 12 people died while trying to make the perilous journey from north African shores to Europe. A migrant woman, intercepted off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, is helped by a member of Spanish Red Cross on Christmas Eve Migrants rest inside a Spanish Red Cross tent after arriving on a rescue boat at the port of Malaga, southern Spain People wait to disembark from the Spanish rescue vessel that picked them up in the Mediterranean Sea on Christmas Eve Three women wearing blankets provided by the Spanish Red Cross are ushered by a volunteer onto dry land after being rescued in the Mediterranean Sea And on Sunday, two children were reported missing by Spain's maritime rescue service when it picked up 69 people from a rubber dinghy. Other occupants of the partially-deflated tiny boat said two boys had not been seen for several hours and are presumed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. The dinghy was spotted by a fishing boat with some of its passengers were in the water. After Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, announced Italy would close its ports to migrants earlier this year, Spain became the main point of entry for those trying to land in Europe. Migrants, intercepted off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, walk after disembarking from a rescue boat at a port on Christmas Eve in Malaga, southern Spain, December 24, 2018 A woman, the master of the German NGO Sea-Eye rescue boat, used for migrants saving missions in central Mediterranean Sea, stands as she watches migrants disembark in Malaga People intercepted off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, wait to disembark from a rescue boat at a port in Spain People walk past a Spanish Red Cross tent after disembarking from a rescue ship on Christmas Eve Margaret Thatcher could be the next face on the money in your wallet after the controversial former prime minister made the final shortlist to be on the new 50 note. The Conservative leader is in the last 1,000 contenders after votes for the design of the note, which will be the last to be made with polymer instead of paper, were closed. Mrs Thatchers competitors include cosmologist Stephen Hawking, father of theoretical computer science Alan Turing, Rosalind Franklin the woman whose work helped discover DNA and author and natural scientist Helen Beatrix Potter. The new 50 must use the face of someone who has contributed to science in the UK - and thanks to the politicians past in chemistry, she fits the bill. Before becoming Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher worked as a research chemist for food company J Lyons and Co - as part of a team of people that developed soft-scoop ice cream in the UK. Margaret Thatcher (pictured) appears on the list, although her exact contribution to science is unknown Margaret Thatcher at work whilst as a research chemist, 1950. She is credited as being part of the team which helped to create soft scoop ice-cream Who are the faces of current British notes? 5: The polymer 5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill entered circulation on 13 September 2016 10: The new polymer 10 note, featuring Jane Austen, entered circulation on 14 September 2017 20: The current 20 note features the economist Adam Smith. It will be replaced by one featuring landscape painter JMW Turner in 2020 Advertisement There were a total of 230,000 nominations to replace the current 50 which features industrial revolution pioneers Matthew Boulton and James Watt. Professor Brian Cox was quick to nominate Prof Hawking, the renowned theoretical physicist who died in March, for inspiring 'thousands of scientists' and 'millions' of others. Royal Society president Venki Ramakrishnan said he would choose 'remarkable individual' Prof Hodgkin, the chemist who died in 1994. The names will be reviewed next by the Banknote Character Advisory Committee which will reveal the winner in the summer. In 2020 the 20 will be replaced with a design featuring artist JMW Turner. The 330 million 50 notes in circulation will be replaced at a later date. More than 200 people, including Lord Victor Adebowale and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, signed a letter sent to the deciding panel encouraging them to pick a person of ethnic minority. So far, there are no BAME people featured on British bank notes. "We do not lack candidates, and arguably their achievements were the greater for having been made at a time when many careers and were effectively closed to them, whether through colonial rules, racism, or the legacy of slavery," the letter states. Among those put forward were Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole and wartime secret agent Noor Inayat Khan, the first female radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France. To be eligible, the individual must be real, deceased and have contributed to any field of science in the UK. Alan Turing is celebrated as the father of theoretical computer science and a pioneer of artificial intelligence Two teenagers, aged just 15, have been charged with the killing of a man in London. Portuguese national Wilham Mendes, 25, was stabbed to death in Tottenham in what may have been a robbery, police said. Officers were called on Saturday, December 22 to a report of a stabbing in Albert Place at about 1.20am, by the London Ambulance Service (LAS). Wilham, who has lived in the UK since 2015, was suffering from multiple stab injuries. Portuguese national, Wilham Mendes, aged 25, is believed to be the man stabbed to death in Tottenham. He was taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2.13am. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course and Wilham's family has been informed. The two teenagers were arrested on Sunday and later charged. The Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command investigate led by Detective Chief Inspector Glen Lloyd. DCI Lloyd said: 'Early enquiries by my team have established a possibility that Wilham was stabbed during a robbery and I would like anyone who saw the events leading up to or immediately following the murder to contact my officers without delay. 'No matter how small a detail, no matter how little you saw, your information could prove vital to our investigation and at the very least would assist in confirming details that we already have. The young boxer was living in London after moving to the English capital in 2015 'At the heart of our investigation is the loss of an innocent and promising young man who was brutally murdered in the street. 'Our thoughts are with Wilham's family as they struggle to cope with their loss at what should have been a happy time of year for them.' 'If you are reluctant to speak with police directly, please share what you know with Crimestoppers anonymously.' They are also charged with robbery and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 26 December. Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting CAD 503/22 Dec. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A wealthy children's doctor has been struck off after he hid his 100,000-a-year salary across 12 different bank accounts to dodge paying child support for his nine year old son. Paediatrics specialist Dr Collen Nkomo, 40, lived in a luxury apartment and was earning up to 10,000 a month whilst working as a locum GP and also looking after poorly youngsters at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. But the father of three was secretly dodging his family responsibilities at home and repeatedly lied to the Child Support Agency about his income to avoid paying 40,800 in maintenance over a two and a half year period. The CSA began investigating after suspicions were raised when Nkomo said he was unable to make payments to the child's mother with whom he had split. Inquiries revealed the doctor was earning 115,000 over one 15 month period and had over 126,000 being transferred across his six Halifax and six HSBC accounts during his work for various medical organisations. He subsequently admitted earning 30,000 in just three months. Dr Collen Nkomo, 40, from Manchester, failed to pay more than 40,000 in child support despite earning 100,000 a year and hiding his money across 12 accounts In 2017 Zimbabwean-born Nkomo who lives in Altrincham, Greater Manchester was given a 20 month prison sentence suspended for two years after he admitted fraud. Last week the medic was ordered to be erased from the medical register after a disciplinary said his conduct was 'calculating and persistent.' He has since attended a course for 'separated parents' and is now paying off the arrears at 500 a month. He has since married another woman. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester was told the fraud took place between April 2013 and November 2015 after Nkoma split up with the child's mother who lives in Coventry. Lawyer for the General Medical Council, Robin Kitchin said: 'Over a 15 month period, he provided information to the Child Support Agency knowing it was false. 'He was receiving money in his accounts from a business whilst saying that he couldn't make payments. He also said he was looking for regular work in the UK whilst living in Zimbabwe. 'It was found that he had six bank accounts with Halifax, and six bank accounts with HSBC. He was earning over 100,000 across work and his business over that time. He had over 126,000 being transferred across his personal accounts and had been working for agencies in the UK. 'The amount of money owed built up to 40,800.' Nkomo who has unrelated conviction for failing to provide a specimen of breath told the hearing how he had endured a 'horrible split' with his ex-partner and claimed he failed to make required support payments as he had been denied access to his son. He said: 'I was frustrated at not being able to see him although I know this is not an excuse for what happened. Nkomo said he had endured a 'horrible split' from his ex-partner and claimed he failed to make required support payments as he had been denied access to his son 'I am appalled at my behaviour. I applied for mediation as things with my ex partner were difficult. I would travel to Coventry to be told I couldn't see my son. I asked for evidence that he was in the country and said I would be happy to pay if he was - but she did not do this. 'It was not my intention to not pay, I was just trying to get access to my son. I realise just because I was not seeing him I should still have paid but I was not running away from paying for my son - it was about getting contact with him. 'For most of his life I would see him through a car window or I couldn't take him to the park, I couldn't do things that fathers and sons do. I have three children and stooped way too low. 'Being a father, being a religious person, more importantly being a doctor, I stooped way too low. It has lowered my expectations of myself and I should not have lied. That is not me. I did not go about this the right way at all and I am ashamed of this. 'My eldest son is nine, I am still trying to get contact with him and planning to go through legal processes again. I am going to preservere, he is my son, I will do whatever it takes. 'I attended a separated parents course which gave me an insight about what emotions different parents go through. I understand the importance of paying and I realise I need to focus on my family and not a fight. I have now been honest in my relationship and my work, and tried to be a changed person.' Nkomo's lawyer Stephen Chinnery said: 'He accepts what has happened and regrets it all. He is very sorry and was going under extreme stress at the time with access to his child being difficult. This is not an excuse but puts it does explain the context of the offences. He attended a course and has had time to reflect to make sure this never happens again.' But panel chairman Mr Russell Butland said: 'Dr Nkomo's actions were dishonest, calculated and persistent. He continued his dishonest actions for approximately two years and seven months, and he accrued approximately 40,800 illegally by his dishonest interactions with the CSA, having had multiple opportunities to declare his true status. 'The Tribunal concluded Dr Nkomo's actions and his criminal conviction have had the effect of bringing the profession into disrepute and betraying the public's trust in the profession. The public expects doctors to open and honest in all financial dealings.' Mr Butland added: 'When questioned on whether his employment income and dividends recorded as paid in his 2016/2017 tax return represented all of his locum income earned, the tribunal was sceptical that Dr Nkomo's evidence as to his income was accurate. 'Dr Nkomo estimated that he worked for 46 weeks in that tax year as a Locum GP, usually for three or four days each week 'When questioned as to how much he earned per month as a locum Dr Nkomo sought to avoid answering the questions, even saying he was unable to give an estimate. 'Eventually he stated that he had earned approximately 30,000 in the last three months, a figure potentially inconsistent with his assertion that he only earned 43,000 in the entirety of the 2016/2017 tax year. 'The Tribunal was concerned by these potential inconsistencies, and by Dr Nkomo's attempts to evade questions on his income. 'Erasure is the only sufficient sanction which would maintain public confidence in the profession and send a clear message to the profession and the public that Dr Nkomo's misconduct constituted behaviour unbefitting and fundamentally incompatible with that of a registered doctor.' A pair of six-year-old twins have been married in a lavish ceremony because their parents believe they were lovers in a past life. The young boy, nicknamed Guitar, and his sister, Kiwi, were born in September 2012 and their parents immediately knew they would have to be wedded. Buddhists believe that male and female twins have 'karma' from relationships in a previous life and have been re-born together, because the debt has not been settled. The young boy, nicknamed Guitar, and his sister, Kiwi, were born in September 2012 and were married in Samut Prakan on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, last Monday The twin's father Amornsan Sunthorn Malirat (right), 31, and mother, Phacharaporn (left), 30, arranged a lavish ceremony costing the equivalent of thousands of pounds for their children The young boy had to pay a dowry of 200,000 baht in cash and gold worth the equivalent of 1,000 before marrying his twin sister Buddhists believe that male and female twins (such as those pictured) have 'karma' from relationships in a previous life and have been re-born together They say that unless they're married as quickly as possible once they're old enough, they will experience bad luck in the future. The twin's father Amornsan Sunthorn Malirat, 31, and mother, Phacharaporn, 30, arranged a lavish ceremony costing the equivalent of thousands of pounds for their children in Samut Prakan on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, last Monday. Amornsan said: 'The reason for the marriage ceremony is because we believe that both the children used to be a partners in the past life. This is a belief we have inherited from ancient people. 'We must arrange a wedding for the two twins as a solution to the issues they had before they were re-born. If they are married, they will live healthy and successful lives and not be sick.' Dozens of guests including friends of the family, relatives and neighbours turned out for the ceremony. Despite them being 'married' according to local customs, the ceremony is not legally binding and each of them will still be able to seek out their own partners when they are older Dozens of guests including friends of the family, relatives and neighbours turned out for the ceremony - the traditional event even featured a street procession (pictured) A traditional ceremony featured a street procession followed by a game where the groom had to pass through nine 'gates' before he could meet the bride. The young boy then had to pay a dowry of 200,000 baht in cash and gold worth the equivalent of 1,000 before marrying her. The 'couple' then posed together with their arms around each other for wedding pictures. Despite them being 'married' according to local customs, the ceremony is not legally binding and each of them will still be able to seek out their own partners when they are older. The children's mother, Phacharaporn, said: 'They were both so sweet during their wedding. 'They will be the best of friends for the rest of their lives. They'll be able to find their own husband or wife when their older. But this ceremony will always be important for them.' Advertisement A hilarious collection of pictures show wildlife photographers being photobombed by curious animals as they try and get the perfect snap. One shows a snapper being harassed by a seal, while another shows a photographer being sharply shoved by an angry gorilla. Other brave snappers can be seen getting up close and personal with leopards and great white sharks as they persist in getting the ultimate wildlife shot. A cheeky cheetah cub clambers on wildlife photographer Stu Porter and perches on his shoulder after sneaking up behind him Snap happy: Dave Riggs holds a camera in front of the jaws of this great white shark in order to get a perfect picture of the sea creature Christophe Vasselin was determined to get the perfect picture but this baby gorrilla had other ideas and pushed him back Russell Mclaughlin and this leopard get up close and personal at the Tshukudu Game Reserve in South Africa These adorable lemurs in Madagascar, Africa decided that they wanted to say hello to this photographer Photographer Petr Bambousek proves he will do anything to get the perfect portrait shot of monkeys in a jungle Roman Rusin gets a close up shot of a deer in woodland This is the heartwarming moment a seal cuddles a wildlife photographer's underwater camera Richard Schneider bravely swam through jellyfish which are capable of giving a nasty sting so he could take pictures of them Dozens of Opal Tower residents could be homeless until New Years with their apartments deemed too dangerous to return to. More than 200 residents of the 38-storey Sydney Olympic Park high rise were evacuated on Monday afternoon along with more than 3,000 from nearby buildings. Most of them were allowed to return to their homes after 12.30am on Tuesday but a huge crack in an internal wall meant 51 of the 392 units were still unsafe. Some Opal Tower residents were allowed to return home just after midnight on Christmas Eve NSW Fire Service Superintendent Adam Dewberry said those apartments would be off limits for days to come, but didn't know how long. 'It's not as if it's going to be tomorrow or the next day because there needs to be an element of work done,' he said. 'Now it's just how quickly that work can be done by the engineers to get in and get a really good thorough assessment.' The 117m tower was evacuated after some residents fled about 2.45pm after hearing a cracking noise and a huge crack opened up. The operator of the nearby Botania tower also told its residents in an email: 'there is a potential for the tower to collapse, a 1km radius has been evacuated'. A shocking photo from inside the building showed a plaster wall collapsed in a heap and a crack down the length of the wall. Yellow tape was on the door handle Affected Opal Tower residents were escorted by emergency services to their unsafe units to collect their possessions before relocating to alternative accommodation They were forced to leave amidst fears the 34-storey high-rise building could collapse A shocking photo from inside the building showed a plaster wall collapsed in a heap and a crack down the length of the wall. Yellow tape was on the door handle. Some residents said the doors to the building were jammed and police had to break them down with heavy equipment to help residents escape. Public Works engineers found the tower had moved one to two millimetres, causing the huge crack centred around level 10 - where residents heard the sound. The NSW Government will now urgently investigate 'what steps were taken to ensure the structural integrity of that building and other buildings at Olympic Park' A spokesman for Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said he was 'very concerned about the situation with the Opal Tower'. 'Obviously his first concern is the safety of the residents,' he said. 'He wants to assure the affected residents that this matter is being treated with extreme urgency.' Residents were left to sleep on the concrete ground in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society Many claimed they were left in the dark, having received no information from emergency crews about when they might be able to return home People sat on what few chairs were available and if they were lucky, used a table to eat or play cards on Christmas Eve night Some residents who were allowed to return home refused to ever go back, packing up their essential belongings and getting accommodation elsewhere. Chris Abram, who lives on the 20th floor, came back to grab his two cats, Salt and Pepper, and take them and his valuables to his mother's house. 'I'm going to be moving, that's for sure. I don't want to spend a second in there that I don't have to. I don't want to die. I wouldn't feel safe sleeping there,' he told 9 News. British tourists Leon and Fiona Senior and their family booked an apartment in the tower for a family holiday in Sydney. Instead they ended up sitting on a concrete floor in the Royal Agricultural Society nearby among more than 100 others. 'Even if it is safe we're not going to be sleeping there,' Ms Senior told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'How can you sleep in there thinking the building might collapse? You wouldn't be able to rest. Residents of the impacted units were escorted back to gather their belongings A notice placed on the door of one of the 51 units deemed unsafe by Public Works engineers Hundreds of residents mill around after they were evacuated from Opal Tower and buildings around it Firefighters carry specialist equipment inside the tower as they assessed the damage Mr Senior said the family wouldn't even go in to pick up their, passports, clothes, luggage, hire car, and Christmas presents until it was safe. Another tourist, Narissa Knight from New Zealand, was forced to evacuate in just her bikini as she was in the pool when police evacuated the tower. 'We couldn't get anything, I was there in my bikini and no shoes on, nothing,' she told the Daily Telegraph. 'I was walking through the mall and I'm like oh my god, I had my towel around me. It was so embarrassing.' A resident named Yogi was stuck at the makeshift crisis centre until almost 1am and though his apartment is safe he wanted to break his 12-month lease. 'It definitely has taken that Christmas spirit away. I do have a long lease but after last night's events I won't be staying there long term,' he said. Those who couldn't immediately call friends or book hotels spent Christmas Eve on a concrete floor in the hastily-arranged crisis centre. Some residents made alternative living arrangements after 51 units were declared unsafe About 100 people were stranded in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society building as they waited for the all clear from authorities Emergency crews remained on the scene late on Christmas Ever, amid fears it may collapse Many claimed they were left in the dark, having received no information from emergency crews about when they might be able to return home. 'We've been told nothing. We don't know how long we will be stuck here, maybe until tomorrow,' one group told Daily Mail Australia. Another family had enough and set out on foot towards hotel rooms they booked last minute on their phones. 'We weren't even in the tower, we live nearby and just know what's on the news. It's very frustrating,' they said. People sat on what few chairs were available and if they were lucky, used a table to eat or play cards. One group somehow found a couch and one of them took a nap on it curled up under a blanket, but others had to sit on the hard floor. Salvation Army volunteers brewed tea and coffee and handed out basic food to the residents well into the night. Firefighter search and rescue teams and public works engineer assessed the 34-storey building after a huge crack was found in its structure More than 3,000 people in nearby buildings were also told to leave and those coming home were not allowed back inside Opal Tower is only months old The 117m Opal tower has 392 apartments over 34 storeys along with a childcare centre and other businesses and amenities. Brand new high rise was built alongside numerous other similar blocks in Olympic Park as it transforms into a major population centre. The building was only completed in March and opened in August, and cost $165 million to build by developer Ecove, which built many of the others nearby. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale for $934,000 and one bedrooms for $620,000. Advertisement Finally, about 12.30am, those not in the 51 affected units were allowed home and the rest escorted back to gather their belongings. NSW Police Detective Superintendent Philip Rogerson said the building, which was only completed in March and opened in August, had moved one to two millimetres. The cause of the fault in the building which was completed in March and opened in August was still unknown, as planning experts slammed the developer. Urban Taskforce chief executive Chris Johnson said the cracks were 'staggering', given the building was essentially brand new. 'It's a bit bewildering to me that something like this could happen. Buildings like that go through all sorts of checks and balances,' he told the SMH. The tower was being monitored with specialist laser monitoring equipment to detect any movement, but none had been recorded since the crack opened. Police and firefighters stand guard outside the exclusion zone they set up to keep people away Fire crews shut off the water and gas and took the building off the power grid while police taped off a 250m radius. Fire & Rescue NSW Urban Search and Rescue officers and specialist engineers, as well as the building's designers and managers, worked late into the night to assess the building. NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Boon said 'an internal support wall', which spans the whole height of the tower, failed. 'It's been a particularly frustrating time for residents and we're very aware they are keen to go home the night before Christmas,' she said. 'This is a large building and it's critical the safety of the residents comes first.' Superintendent Dewberry said the strata manager would be working with the insurer and builders to fix the issue. Police said an emergency services operation was underway after concerns were raised for the structural integrity of the 34-storey Opal Tower (pictured) at Sydney Olympic Park The park many residents were forced out into until they were herded to the crisis centre Opal Tower is one of several new apartment towers in Olympic Park and cost $165 million to build. It was developed by Ecove, which also built many other new towers in the suburb along with One30 Hyde Park tower in the Sydney CBD. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale for $934,000 and one bedrooms for $620,000. 'We are deeply sympathetic for the concern and anxiety of residents and owners and are actively following up the builder and the builder's engineers to hopefully provide residents and owners with further information,' Ecove said. The tower was designed by architecture firm Bates Smart and built by Icon Construction. A resident stands on her balcony as evacuations began. She was one of about 140 who left the building under police orders A German man has sailed from the other side of the world to Australia compete in tomorrow's Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Yachtsman Friedrich Boehnert is currently sailing around the world with only a few crew members, having sailed 18,000 nautical miles so far to get to the main event - the start line of the famous Australian yacht race. His wife Heinke, a well-known artist, and their children Arno, 27, and Inga, 26, have joined him in Sydney to help crew his boat, Lunatix, for the 628 nautical mile race. The crew of Lunatix including Friedrich Boehnert (top right) and children Arno (bottom left) and Inga (bottom right) 'It took me a year. I think you have to be a little bit of a lunatic to sail halfway around the world to sail the Sydney to Hobart,' Mr Boehnert told 7 News. Mr Boehnert is a keen sailor who has competed in many previous races. He says every serious sailor in Germany wants to compete in the Sydney to Hobart and looks forward to being able to share the experience with his children. 'Arno did the Rolex Fastnet, Middle Sea and Giraglia races with me, and also the Atlantic. He has been in my crew since he was 14,' he told sailing publication sail-world.com last week. 'Inga has mostly sailed separately to us, she races in Europe a lot,' he said. A German man has sailed from the other side of the world to Australia compete in tomorrow's Sydney to Hobart yacht race He is one of 11 international boats competing in the race tomorrow. A Polish vesel, Monster Project,was issued with a Notice of Arrest earlier this week due to an alleged failure to maintain proper insurance. Mr Boehnert will continue his round-the-world voyage after the race, heading to South Africa and then Europe where he will race in the Mediterranean before heading home to Germany. The race will start at 1pm New South Wales time Wednesday with coverage on Channel 7 and 7Mate. Last year's winner Ichi Ban is hoping for a repeat victory though it will see some strong competition from the likes of Wild Oats XI and Perpetual LOYAL. A doctor has been charged with murder after a toddler died and his twin brother was left in a critical condition following a circumcision a refuge centre in Rome. The two-year-old boy was said to have died from blood loss after a botched operation at a migrant centre on Saturday. A 66-year-old man, thought to be the doctor, has been charged with murder, according to Italian media. Officers are said to be investigating the doctor's qualifications for practising and charged the suspect yesterday. The operation took place in a centre provided by the non-profit organisation Arci and the council in Monterondo, a north-western suburb of Rome. The doctor, who is believed to be an American citizen of Libyan origin, called for emergency help when the boy began excessively bleeding, Italian media reports. His twin brother also underwent the operation and was admitted to Sant Andrea hospital but was later transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. A 66-year-old man, thought to be the doctor who carried out the circumcision, has been charged with murder, according to Italian media (stock picture) The youngster and his brother, who have not been named, were born in Italy. The boy's mother is said to be a woman of Nigerian origin, who is believed to have sought asylum in Italy and has five other children in Nigeria. She was said to have asked for the religious operations in line with Nigeria's Islamic traditions, despite being Catholic, local media report. Arci said the charity would take civil action once those responsible for the child's death had been determined by police. In a statement on Facebook the charity added: 'We are shocked to learn of the death of a child and the serious condition of his twin in Monterondo. 'The two children are hosted in a welcome centre that Arci has run with Monterotondo Council since 2009. 'It is a tragedy that leaves us speechless. We are anxiously awaiting a medical update on the second child.' Hospital staff at Gemelli confirmed that the brother is now in a stable condition. Antonino Lupi, the mayor of Monterotondo, told the Corriere Della Sera newspaper: 'It is an absurd tragedy.' More than 5,000 circumcisions are performed in Italy each year but more than a third are carried out illegally, according to health charity Amsi. Circumcision operations at private clinics in the country can cost up to 4,000, but they are can be offered for 50 to 20 at backstreet surgeries. A police officer and mother has been killed in an horrific crash on Christmas Eve after a sewage tanker rammed into the back of her cruiser. Detective Deidre Mengedoht, 32, was carrying out a traffic stop in Louisville, Kentucky, when the tanker ran into the back of her vehicle. Tanker driver Roger Burdette, 60, has since been arrested and charged with murder of a police officer and driving under the influence. Detective Deidre Mengedoht, 32, died on Monday after her police cruiser was hit by a sewage truck being driven by Roger Burdette, 60, who is now charged with her murder and DUI Mengedoht, who had been in the service for seven and a half years, leaves behind a young son, WRDB reported. Burdette admitted to taking prescription medication, according to an arrest citation seen by the Louisville Courier-Journal. He failed balance and heel-to-toe tests and evidence from the scene shows he 'made no attempt to avoid collision with the police cruiser'. Blood samples were taken for testing but results have not come back yet. Mengedoht, who was known to her colleagues as 'Dee Dee', had pulled over a pickup driver on Insterstate 64 around 2pm Monday when the crash happened. Her cruiser was parked in the inside lane with its lights on behind a pickup truck when the tanker hit her from behind. Images from WLKY show the truck pulled over at the side of the road with its front fender caved in. Mengedoht had stopped a pickup truck when the tanker hit her from behind, pushing her car into the back of the pickup and causing 'catastrophic' damage before it burst into flames Arrest reports show that Burdette made no attempt to avoid the cruiser, which was parked in the inside lane with its lights on The cruiser was shunted forward into the back of the pickup causing 'catastrophic' damage, before bursting into flames. Police Chief Steve Conrad said none of the four passengers inside the pickup were injured. He was unable to say what the original traffic stop was for. Jimmy Harper, the former commander of the division, praised Mengedoht as an outstanding officer 'who really got what it meant to serve in a higher risk community.' 'She had gained a lot of respect in her short career. Some of the bad guys liked to call her Blondie as a sign of appreciation because they liked her so much,' he said. The Interstate was closed for nine hours in both directions after the crash. A chilling Christmas greeting to the West has come from Vladimir Putin today in the form of a 2019 calendar from his burgeoning military machine. The calendar shows various examples of Russia's military might with threatening messages about how far the country's missiles can travel. Pictures of an explosion with the caption 'Christmas toys, candles and pop-guns' along with Russian soldiers loading guns are shown in the calendar for the new year. A female Russian soldier pointing a gun towards the camera and missiles being transported through snow-covered woods are some of the other military pictures used in the calendar. It was unveiled in apparent deliberate timing to mock the West as many countries mark festive celebrations on Christmas Day. Miss September: A female soldier pointing her weapon with the caption, 'some women can blow your head away' January shows an intercontinental missile being transported with the caption, 'cargo delivery to anywhere in the world' April shows 'Russian snowdrops' in action as part of the 2019 military calendar released on Christmas Day The Russian Defence Ministry view of next year begins with a snowy January view of a hulking Topol-M intercontinental mobile missile system captioned cheerfully: 'Cargo delivery to anywhere in the world'. Another icy calendar greeting comes in September with a picture showing a uniformed female sniper taking aim to shoot. The caption for September reads: 'Some women can blow your head away'. For Russians December 25 is a normal working day and their main seasonal celebration comes at New Year, the moment when Grandfather Frost - as Santa is known in the country - brings presents to all children. This kicks off a long Russian holiday season which includes Orthodox Russian Christmas Day on January 7. The March 2019 calendar shows the increasing number of women cadets joining Putin's military ranks. The message is: 'Shooting a glance is the Kremlin's secret weapon.' December festively shows explosions with the caption, 'Christmas toys, candles and pop-guns' The month of June shows soldiers loading their guns with 'tuning equipment before a "concert"' written in Russian 'Even "crocodiles" fly if you're a pro'. The picture for August shows a Russian Mi-24 'Crocodile' helicopter 'Advanced PC user' was used to caption this image of a soldier as Mr October in the new Kremlin calendar In February the picture is the Tu-95 strategic bomber, nicknamed the 'bear'. Here the message from defence minister Sergei Shoigu, a close ally and holiday buddy of Vladimir Putin, is: 'Russian 'bears' don't hibernate in winter.' April shows 'Russian snowdrops' - aka Russian special forces equipped with chemical attack masks. More special forces are seen in June examining their weapons, with the caption: 'Tuning equipment before a "concert"'. In July we see a view from a ballistic. Missile launcher with the defence ministry humorists saying this is a 'Russian waffle-maker'. In August the message is 'even crocodiles fly if you're a pro' showing a threatening-looking Mi-24 'Crocodile'. The picture for October shows an 'advanced PC user' - a soldier using a Kalashnikov, known as PK. November shows the Kornet portable anti tank anti-tank guided missile. 'Kornet is not a rank, kornet is a calling', said the caption for November in a dig at the British army. The 9M133 Kornet is a modern Russian man-portable anti-tank guided missile intended for use against main battle tanks. Cornet was originally the third and lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop This tank roof was described as a 'tough Russian waffle maker' in the calendar for the month of July 'Shooting a glance is the Kremlin's secret weapon', a Russian soldier throws daggers during a military parade Here the joke is aimed at the British - cornet used to be the third and lowest grade of commissioned officer in the British cavalry. 'Kornet is not a rank, Kornet is a calling,' says the Russian military. For December 2019 the calendar shows some Russian Christmas 'toys, candles and pop up guns'. With an eye to the future, the picture in May - when Russian stages its annual commemoration of victory against Hitler - shows two young girls. 'Drills for Victory Day parade 2033,' reads the calendar caption. Putin has poured money into his military machine in a bid to reverse the disparity with NATO that followed the collapse of the USSR a generation ago. Recently his forces have seen action in Syria and eastern Ukraine. In 2014, Russia defied the West in annexing Crimea from Ukraine. As 2019 approaches, relations between Moscow and the West - which has imposed tough sanctions on Putin's cronies - are seen as worsening. Advertisement Theresa May was full of Christmas cheer today as she spent time this afternoon visiting those alone during the festive period having earlier handed a playful Border Collie a present while attending church. Sporting a bright red coat, she was joined by husband Philip as they arrived at St Andrews Parish Church in Sonning, Berkshire where Mrs May is a regular worshipper. Fortunately for the Collie, the PM was brandishing a dog toy and offered it up to the eager pooch who she has previously been pictured playing fetch with. Theresa May paid a visit to a festive lunch for people who are alone this festive season in her constituency of Maidenhead today. The event was held at SportsAble at Braywick Sports and Recreation Ground Theresa May had earlier visited her local church - St Andrews Parish Church in Sonning, Berkshire - before attending the festive lunch for people who are alone during the festive season Theresa May was joined by husband Philip as they arrived at St Andrews Parish Church in Sonning, Berkshire where she is a regular worshipper. She offered the playful Collie, who is called Blitz, a wrapped present before entering the church The church, which is near her constituency home in Maidenhead, is regularly attended by both Mrs May, the Border Collie and its owner. The PM leaned forward and gave Blitz a toy which she had wrapped up specially for the expected reunion Sporting a bright red coat and patterned scarf, Mrs May was joined by husband Philip (pictured) as they arrived at their local church. She is seen here approaching the church with a present in her hand, ready to gift to the playful Border Collie Blitz and his owner were already at the church in the Berkshire riverside village when Mrs May arrived. The dog instantly recognised the PM who she has admitted to being a fan of and who she sees regularly on her Sunday morning church visits. The PM leaned forward and gave Blitz the toy which she had wrapped up specially for the expected reunion. She then walked into church for the annual Christmas morning service. Later this afternoon she took time out to visit a festive lunch arranged for people who are alone during the festive period. She was seen laughing and joking with several people at the event, which was also held in her Maidenhead constituency - at SportsAble, a sports disability centre. Mrs May will be enjoying a brief moment of political respite during the Christmas period, with MPs set to vote on her Brexit deal next month. She is expected to pull out all the stops over the next few weeks to try to win support for her plan. And has invited all Tory MPs and their spouses to a party in Downing Street in the new year, a week before the crunch vote. Theresa May gives a dog called Blitz a Christmas gift as she arrives with her husband Philip at the church this morning. The dog's owner is also pictured outside before the 10.30am service Blitz and his owner were already at the church in the Berkshire riverside village when Mrs May arrived. The dog instantly recognised the PM who she has admitted to being a fan of and who she sees regularly on her Sunday morning church visits Blitz the Border Collie and the PM have grown fond of one another following their regular meet-ups outside church. Mrs May has become so attached, she even brought the pooch a present on Christmas Day Mrs May also gave a short speech at the event in Maidenhead - which was hosted by SportsAble, a disability sports club The deal is currently being opposed as MPs fear the Irish backstop could trap Britain in the EUs custom union. The backstop effectively keeps the UK in a customs union with the EU and Northern Ireland in both the customs union and single market. This means many EU laws will keep being imposed on the UK and there can be no new trade deals. It also means regulatory checks on some goods crossing the Irish Sea. As it stands Northern Irish MPs won't accept the plan as it would put checks on some goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland. News of the party came as the Justice Secretary, David Gauke said Mrs May is unlikely to pursue a no deal Brexit if her deal fails. He sparked fresh Tory infighting by saying he would be 'very surprised if the Prime Minister went down that route'. He also stood firm with his threat to quit if a no deal became the Government's number one Brexit policy saying he would find it 'very difficult' to stay. Theresa May was pictured throwing a ball for Blitz the Border Collie earlier this month (December 16) as she and her husband Philip leave following a church service near her Maidenhead constituency Top architects are 'bewildered' as to how cracks formed in the wall of a brand new tower block, forcing the evacuation of 3,000 people. Hundreds were moved out of the 38-storey Opal Tower in Sydney Olympic Park on Monday along with thousands more from nearby buildings. Residents said they heard loud cracks coming from the 10th floor through the morning and raised the alarm about 2.45pm. Some Opal Tower residents were allowed to return home just after midnight on Christmas Eve A shocking photo from inside the building showed a plaster wall collapsed in a heap and a crack down the length of the wall. Yellow tape was on the door handle Firefighters and public works engineers found a large crack along an internal support wall after the building moved one to two millimetres. A shocking photo from inside the building showed a plaster wall collapsed in a heap and a crack down the length of the wall. Yellow tape was on the door handle. Some residents said the doors to the building were jammed and police had to break them down with heavy equipment to help residents escape. The cause of the fault in the building, which was completed in March and opened in August, was still unknown, as planning experts slammed the developer. Urban Taskforce chief executive Chris Johnson said the cracks were 'staggering', given the building was essentially brand new. 'It's a bit bewildering to me that something like this could happen. Buildings like that go through all sorts of checks and balances,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. A notice placed on the door of one of the 51 units deemed unsafe by public works engineers Affected Opal Tower residents were escorted by emergency services to their unsafe units to collect their possessions before relocating to alternative accommodation They were forced to leave amidst fears the 34-storey high-rise building could collapse Mr Johnson said the problem would either be a 'fundamental error' in how the building was constructed, or the ground it was built on. 'The only other option is that something underneath the building has changed. That could well create tensions through the structure itself,' he said. Opal Tower was build on reclaimed land that used to be a swamp and is less than 300m from another mangrove swamp. The crisis prompted the NSW Government to urgently investigate 'what steps were taken to ensure the structural integrity of that building and other buildings at Olympic Park'. A spokesman for Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said he was 'very concerned about the situation with the Opal Tower'. 'Obviously his first concern is the safety of the residents,' he said. 'He wants to assure the affected residents that this matter is being treated with extreme urgency.' Residents were left to sleep on the concrete ground in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society Many claimed they were left in the dark, having received no information from emergency crews about when they might be able to return home People sat on what few chairs were available and if they were lucky, used a table to eat or play cards on Christmas Eve night A structural engineer who said he worked as a site inspector during Sydney's building boom in 2015-16 pointed the finger at dodgy business practices. 'I regularly saw poor planning, poor execution, poor workmanship during my limited site inspections, and that's only the parts I was looking at,' he wrote on social media. 'Several of the projects I've worked on required remedial action during construction due to poor planning and workmanship.' He listed six common problems that stemmed from poor communication during design revisions, corner cutting, and too much time pressure. The engineer also questioned the propagation of private certifying companies that sign off on projects without public input. 'This whole industry with the private certifying authorities, councils getting kickbacks for developments, it's a mess,' he wrote. 'I can say there is no one working on any construction project in the residential space that is independent. Residents of the impacted units were escorted back to gather their belongings Hundreds of residents mill around after they were evacuated from Opal Tower and buildings around it Firefighters carry specialist equipment inside the tower as they assessed the damage Opal Tower is only months old The 117m Opal tower has 392 apartments over 34 storeys along with a childcare centre and other businesses and amenities. Brand new high rise was built alongside numerous other similar blocks in Olympic Park as it transforms into a major population centre. The building was only completed in March and opened in August, and cost $165 million to build by developer Ecove, which built many of the others nearby. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale for $934,000 and one bedrooms for $620,000. Advertisement 'Everyone has a vested interest in seeing this thing get built in the quickest way possible. It's frankly disgusting.' However, he believed the issue with Opal Tower was likely not serious - though there could be bigger problems appearing in years to come. 'I think what's happened is that there are structural elements which haven't been grouted or only partially grouted,' he said. 'The building's not going to fall over because of it but it's not what you would consider serviceable.' Opal Tower was approved by the Planning Department as a 'state significant development' in 2015 and certified by a private certifier. 'The private certifier has the original occupation certificate and all related structural, electrical, hydraulic certificates issued by engaged engineers,' Parramatta City Council said. Some residents made alternative living arrangements after 51 units were declared unsafe About 100 people were stranded in a temporary shelter at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society building as they waited for the all clear from authorities Firefighter search and rescue teams and public works engineer assessed the 34-storey building after a huge crack was found in its structure Most residents were allowed to return to their homes after 12.30am on Tuesday but 51 of the 392 units were still deemed unsafe. NSW Fire Service Superintendent Adam Dewberry said those apartments would be off limits for days to come, but didn't know how long. 'It's not as if it's going to be tomorrow or the next day because there needs to be an element of work done,' he said. 'Now it's just how quickly that work can be done by the engineers to get in and get a really good thorough assessment.' The 117m tower was evacuated after some residents fled about 2.45pm after hearing a cracking noise and a huge crack opened up. The operator of the nearby Botania tower also told its residents in an email: 'There is a potential for the tower to collapse, a 1km radius has been evacuated'. Police said an emergency services operation was underway after concerns were raised for the structural integrity of the 34-storey Opal Tower (pictured) at Sydney Olympic Park The park many residents were forced out into until they were herded to the crisis centre Opal Tower is one of several new apartment towers in Olympic Park and cost $165 million to build. It was developed by Ecove, which also built many other new towers in the suburb along with One30 Hyde Park tower in the Sydney CBD. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale for $934,000 and one bedrooms for $620,000. 'We are deeply sympathetic for the concern and anxiety of residents and owners and are actively following up the builder and the builder's engineers to hopefully provide residents and owners with further information,' Ecove said. The tower was designed by architecture firm Bates Smart and built by Icon Construction. A revolting Christmas Day menu of seal cutlets and turtle soup reveals what men on board a British Antarctic expedition feared they would have to eat during their journey. The mocked-up list of culinary delights such as penguin patties and roast reindeer shows the sailors led by famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton believed they were in for quite exotic meal as they headed to the South Pole. It was discovered 110 years after their mission in which they endured bone-chilling conditions and were starved of food to become the first men to reach the South Pole. To keep up their spirits the team made a menu of dubious-sounding fare they were meant to have indulged in for a celebratory meal. Antarctic explorers (left) Ernest Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott (centre) and Edward Wilson (right) at the start of a sledging trip during the earlier Discovery Expedition, circa 1903 Ernest Shackleton's Ship Endurance trapped in ice during their quest to get to the South Pole A celebratory dinner and presentation held for William Roberts in the town of Feltham (left). The mock menu of penguin patties and seal cutlets made by the the men of the British Antarctic Expedition For starters they were to tuck into turtle soup followed by an entree of penguin patties and seal cutlets. The main meal was to be a joint of roast reindeer, black currant jelly, potatoes and green peas and then plum pudding and mince pies for afters. Copious amounts of whisky, Champagne and cigars were also on the menu with sledges rather than carriages at 12.30am. While the menu appears to be tongue-in-cheek, it carried an element of truth as it was that sort of fresh meat the men would have eaten later on in the expedition, which lasted from 1907 to 1909. The menu forms part of a never-before-seen archive of documents and photos kept by William Charles Roberts, who was the cook and assistant zoologist on the Nimrod Expedition. The archive includes a rare and original contract signed by Shackleton for Roberts' services on the expedition to the 'Antarctic Zone'. There is also a menu card signed by Shackleton and other team members for a celebratory lunch held in his honour for being knighted by King George V in 1909. Sir Ernest Shackleton's South Pole expedition team, (left to right) Frank Wild, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Eric Marshall and Jameson Boyd-Adams Ship Endurance (left) frozen in ice in the Weddell Sea at the beginning of the long winter and Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (right) Signatures of the expedition party on a menu from 1909 celebrating the journey the men took Sir Ernest Shackleton's expeditions to cross the ice of Antarctica Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. Born in County Kildare, Ireland, his first experience of the polar regions was as third officer on Captain Scott's Discovery expedition from 1901 to 1904. He had to leave the voyage early for health reasons after the group set a new southern record by marching to latitude 82S. During the second expedition on board the Nimrod, between 1907 to 1909, he and three companions established a new record Farthest South latitude at 88S - 97 geographical miles from the South Pole. Shackleton returned in 1914 on board the Endurance and became trapped in the ice trying to travel from sea to sea via the the South Pole. After being rescued during the ill-fated trip, he later went back again in 1921 but died of a heart attack while his ship was moored in South Georgia. Advertisement And there is also a menu card for another dinner held in honour of Roberts by dignitaries in his home town of Feltham, west London. The archive has been held by the Roberts family ever since and is now coming up for sale with auctioneers Golding Young and Mawar of Lincolnshore for a total estimate of 15,000. Alastair McPhie-Meiklejon, of the auction house, said: 'William Roberts was the cook on the expedition and this is a collection of all his ephemera relating to that voyage. It has never been seen before. 'It was as if he got back from the expedition, did a few dinners and talks and then put hot all in a suitcase and left it for 100 years. 'I don't know why the menu was produced. It appears to be a bit of fun but the irony is that this was the kind of food they would have been eating when things went wrong for them. 'They were certainly on Antartica at the time of this meal and I would have thought those things would have been fresh. 'But an entire course dedicated to coffee and cigars is something that is quiet British. Members of the Antarctic expedition, including the cook William Roberts (far left) before they set off on their mission to the South Pole Sir Ernest Shackleton's men made the mock Christmas Day menu with turtle soup and penguin patties, not knowing thy would have to eat similar meat later on in their voyage Anonymous poems (left) which were written on board the ship, Endurance, as they travelle on their expedition to the South Pole 'I believe it is the most important collection of ephemera belonging to a team member of this expedition to have ever been found. 'Nothing ever like it has been sold before.' The Nimrod Expedition was regarded as a glorious failure as the party did not reach their objective but did travel farther south than anyone else had achieved. The sailors on board Shackleton's ship wot poems (above) to pass the time On their return across the frozen continent the endured snow blindness, sunburn and frostbite and almost ran out of food. They also carried out a great number of important experiments and up their return to Britain they were hailed as heroes. A black and white photo in the archive was taken of five of the men, including Scott, after their safely arrived back in New Zealand. And two poems on White Star Line headed notepaper written by an anonymous expedition members are also in the collection. The poems relate to the voyage and certain members of the party and were written while on board the SS Runic, the liner that took them south to New Zealand from where they switched to the Nimrod. Three years after the Nimrod Expedition, Captain Robert Falcon Scott led the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole only to find they had been beaten to it by Norwegian explorer Roald Amjundsen. On their return journey, Scott and his four comrades all died from a combination of exhaustion, starvation and extreme cold. Shackleton returned to the Antarctic in 1914 to attempt to cross from sea to sea via the pole. But disaster struck the expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice and was slowly crushed before the landing crews could land. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated and made their way to the island of South Georgia. The Roberts archive is being sold on January 3. A teenage couple's Christmas retreat ended in tragedy after a horror car crash killed a young woman and left her boyfriend fighting for his life. Casey Mallia and her boyfriend Matthew Agius, both 19, had left Sydney to go on a houseboat holiday on Saturday morning. But only a couple of hours into the drive, Matthew's Toyota Hilux ute flew off the road and flipped, trapping them both in the wreckage. A teenage couple have been involved in a horrific car crash on their way to a Christmas holiday Police and paramedics were called to Sturt Highway in regional New South Wales at about 6:15am, where they found the teenage couple struggling for life. They were airlifted to hospital in critical conditions. Casey survived a day before succumbing to her injuries on Sunday night while Matthew remains in a critical condition. The couple were inseparable, relatives told The Daily Telegraph. 'Her boyfriend was the love of her life, we knew that they would have gotten married - nobody has made her happier,' older sister Ashley said. 19-year-old Casey Mallia (pictured) was pinned in the wreckage and died from her injuries An aspiring child carer, Casey's father has remembered his daughter as being a 'natural with kids'. 'Kids were a magnet to Casey - we're going through photos and I noticed her baby sister was always with her,' he said. 'She had a heart of gold.' At Casey's bedside, Ashley tearfully pleaded with her sister to hang on to life because her two-year-old daughter Bella would miss playing with her aunt. Matthew Aguis (pictured) was also trapped in the wreckage and is currently fighting for life Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said the tragedy was a stark reminder of the importance of driving carefully during the holiday season. 'This fatality means another family will have a loved one missing from holiday celebrations. 'If that isnt enough to encourage people to drive safely, I dont know what is.' The death marked the first of the holiday season in New South Wales, during which time police say they will crack down on driving offences. No other cars were involved in the crash. Pope Francis has offered his Christmas wish for fraternity among people of different faiths, races or ideas. He urged the world to put aside 'partisan interests' to find a political solution to wars in Syria and Yemen and conflicts in Ukraine and on the Korean peninsula. Addressing tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans in St Peter's Square, Francis said on Tuesday that the universal message of Christmas was that 'God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters'. Pope Francis waves from the balcony of St Peter's basilica in the Vatican on Christmas Day Pope Francis delivers the 'Urbi et Orbi' message from the main balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 25, 2018 The Pope used the traditional Christmas blessing to urge the world to put aside 'partisan interests' to find a political solution to war Without fraternity, the pope said 'even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty'. He added that 'our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness'. Francis made his appeal as trends toward nationalism, fuelling suspicion of migrants and refugees, have gained traction in much of the developed world. Francis urged the international community to 'work decisively for a political solution that can put aside divisions and partisan interests, so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country'. The Pope gave his address to tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans in St Peter's Square on Christmas Day The pope said on Tuesday that the universal message of Christmas was that 'God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters' Pope Francis used his traditional Urbi et Orbi Christmas Day blessing to announce his Christmas wish - fraternity among people of different faiths, races or ideas He said he hoped an internationally-brokered truce for Yemen would bring relief to that country's people, especially children 'exhausted by war and famine'. Other Christmas wishes expressed by the pope included one for dialogue among Israelis and Palestinians so they can 'undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love'. He also cited conflicts and vulnerable populations in much of Africa, in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ukraine. He expressed hope that the 'bonds of fraternity uniting the Korean peninsula' would be consolidated. On Monday, Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass for the faithful in St Peter's Basilica. Looking at an audience of tens of thousands, the Pope said He 'our differences are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness' Members of Swiss Guard are seen as Pope Francis delivers the 'Urbi et Orbi' message today Airports across Australia are rolling out new drone-scanning technology in a bid to prevent Gatwick-style aviation fiasco. London's second busiest airport was brought to a standstill for three days last week when a drone hovered over the airspace. It stopped more than 1,000 flights causing travel misery for more than 14,000 passengers. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is now beefing up its security measures to combat the risk of a drone interfering with a passenger plane. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is now beefing up its security measures to combat the risk of a drone interfering with a passenger plane From January, any drone that breaches airport exclusion zones will be scanned for serial numbers and the operator's location. The owner will then be tracked down, CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told Fairfax. CASA currently has to rely on drone sightings from the public and police information. Mr Gibson said the new technology will give them an edge in the fight to prevent a serious collision. 'This change will give us the ability to be in a sensitive location like Tullamarine and conduct random drone checking and if we find you in that 5-kilometre radius, we will see you and find where you are,' Mr Gibson said. Gatwick, London's second busiest airport, was brought to a standstill for three days last week when a drone hovered over the airspace, stopping more than 1,000 flights and 14,000 passengers Drones weighing more than two kilograms must be registered or the operators must be certified. There are strict rules around drone operation in Australia. Drone's must remain 5 kilometres from airports, they must be flown more than 30 metres away from people and they cannot be flown above 120 metres from the ground. Recreation drone users will have to complete an online safety and training course to be registered with CASA from mid-next year. Anyone who breaches the rules could face a $10,000 fine. Drone owners could get five years behind bars if they are caught causing a hazard to an aircraft. With the new technology, comes new responsibility, Mr Gibson said. There are strict rules around operating a drone. They must remain 5 kilometres from airports, they must be flown more than 30 metres away from people and they cannot be flown above 120 metres from the ground 'I think we've been fortunate in Australia to have a robust set of regulations for a long time and because of that it's allowed us to really develop the commercial drone sector and identify a whole bunch of safety issues that are emerging and need addressing.' The culprit behind the Gatwick Airport chaos remains at large, as the Sussex Police are accused of bungling their probe. They held married couple Paul and Elaine Kirk-Gait from Crawley, West Sussex for nearly two days without charge. There were 67 sighting reports from December 19 to 21 of a drone being operated illegally around the Gatwick Airport runway in an act police described as 'deliberate' to disrupt the airport. 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. Advertisement Festive swimmers across the world have taken the plunge on Christmas Day to enjoy dips. The increasingly popular seasonal tradition saw brave bathers take to beaches, coastal rocks and lakes. Hardy souls temporarily swapped turkey for trunks and Brussels sprouts for bikinis at events across England. Festive swimmers across the world have taken the plunge at Christmas Day to enjoy dips These two ladies took to the water in Porthcawl for a Christmas Day Swim Amelia Morgan enjoying the festive fun at the Porthcawl Christmas Day Swim in South Wales Members of the public jump into Blackroot Pool an annual Christmas tradition in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Scores of daring people in fancy dress dived into a chilly lake as part of a wacky Christmas tradition in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham People enjoy the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon. This is the 50th year the event has taken place at the seaside town This woman was clearly having a good time at the swimming event in Sutton Coldfield Swimmers of the Serpentine Swimming Club in Hyde Park, London, line-up for the start of the Peter Pan Cup race The Christmas Day Harbour Swim in Weymouth, Dorset run by Weymouth and Portland Lions Club A lady steps out if the water at the Christmas Day Harbour Swim in Weymouth, Dorset Swimmers are helped from the cold waters following the 110 meter Peter Pan Cup swimming race at Hyde Park in London These two kind men help thus lady out of the water at the Christmas Day Harbour Swim Santas at the Christmas Day Harbour Swim which is organised by Weymouth and Portland Lions Club The event in Weymouth raised money for charities in the area Swimmers take to the icy waters of the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park in London wearing fancy dress Christmas Day swim at Sandford Park Lido, Cheltenham People in fancy dress to take part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth to raise money for Macmillan Caring Locally This woman donned a santa style beach outfit for her swim in Porthcawl People enjoy the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon despite the chilly weather People enjoy the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon. This is the 50th year the event has taken place at the seaside town People enjoy the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon dressed in a variety of festive costumes Swimmers take to the icy waters of the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park for the traditional Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup, a handicap race that sees the slowest swimmers starting first, cheered on by hundreds of spectators The Christmas Day Harbour Swim was filled with people wearing fancy dress including a lady wearing a Flamingo Christmas Day Harbour Swim run by Weymouth and Portland Lions Club raises money for local charitie This lady in Weymouth, Dorset helped herself stay afloat with this inflatable Flamingo Crowds gathered to watch the participants at Christmas Day Harbour Swim in Weymouth This swimmer dressed as a grape to take part in the White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth Andy's toys: this foursome took to the water in Bournemouth dressed as toy's from smash hit animated film, Toy Story Swimmers, many wearing Santa hats, laughed off the shivers as they lined up to jump into the chilly waters at the Forty Foot at Sandycove event in Dublin Team Dash and Splash swimmers in Christmas hats pose as they stand in the Irish Sea during swim at Bangor beach in Northern Ireland These two ladies braved the chilly waters at Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon People enjoy the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon which has taken place in the town for the 50th time Keen participants raced to the water at the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon This is the 50th year the Exmouth Christmas Day swim has taken place at the seaside town Hundreds of people enjoyed the Exmouth Christmas Day swim in Devon In Bournemouth people took part in the White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, to raise money for Macmillan Caring Locally. Scores of daring people in fancy dress dived into a chilly lake as part of a wacky Christmas tradition today at Blackroot Pool in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. Meanwhile in London, Swimmers took to the icy waters of the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park for the traditional Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup. But the festive dip tradition was not just confined to England as there was many other events held across the world. In Barcelona's Port Vell where there were much warmer waters, bathers, including one dressed as a clown took part in then 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' (Christmas Cup) swimming competition. In Co Dublin, an annual swim to raise funds for the RNLI has been held by Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club for the past 42 years. Ian Sargent, 74, who has been raising cash throughout those four decades, said the event was stronger than ever. "Our annual Christmas swim has been going from the 70s and it has been getting bigger every year, with more and more participation," he said. Mr Sargent stayed on dry land this year, insisting his winter dipping days were being him. "I stopped that when I was 60," The Christmas Day swim at Sandford Park Lido, Cheltenham Christmas Day swim at Sandford Park Lido, Cheltenham attracted many participants These swimmers at the Christmas Day swim at Sandford Park Lido in Cheltenham had broad smiles People in fancy dress to take part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier Team Dash and Splash swimmers in Christmas hats pose as they stand in the Irish Sea during swim at Bangor beach in Northern Ireland Participants swims with a word Llibertat "Freedom" to Catalan politicians prisoners during the 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' (Christmas Cup) swimming competition in Barcelona's Port Vell John White, co-founder of the Macmillan White Christmas Dip , dresses as the beast from Beauty and the beast as he takes part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth People in fancy dress to take part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth This woman dressed as a grape at the White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth Members of the swimming club 'Berlin seals' wear Christmas costumes as they go for a swim in the Orankesee lake in Berlin Swimmers jumped into the Orankesee lake at the event in Berlin dressed as Santas People take part in the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club annual Christmas swim in aid of the RNLI The increasingly popular seasonal tradition saw beaches, coastal rocks and lake filled with brave bathers Participants line up for the annual Hyde Park Christmas Day Swim at Hyde Park in London The pool was bursting with swimmers at the Christmas Day swim at Sandford Park Lido in Cheltenham This man wore a mask of Kim Jong-un, the North Korea leader, at the event at Boscombe Pier in Bournemouth People in fancy dress to take part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth People in fancy dress to take part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier, Bournemouth to raise money for Macmillan Caring Locall Nicola Jensen (30), from Brisbane, Australia, and Orla Doogue, from Dublin, (right) - members of Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club during the club's annual Christmas swim in aid of the RNLI This pair took part in the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club annual Christmas swim wearing Santa costumes A participant in a clown costume jumps into the water during the 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' (Christmas Cup) swimming competition in Barcelona's Port Vell Scores of daring people in fancy dress dived into a chilly lake as part of a wacky Christmas tradition today at Blackroot Pool in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham People in fancy dress to take part in the annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier Participants of the annual Hyde Park Christmas Day Swim are helped from the cold waters following the 110 meter Peter Pan Cup A man dressed as Santa Claus reacts with other participants while holding the city's flag at the traditional Christmas season swim in Nice, France Participants of the 80th annual Christmas swimming 'Coupe de Noel' swim in the lake of Geneva, in Geneva, Switzerland Swimmers take to the icy waters of the Serpentine in Londons Hyde Park for the traditional Christmas Day Peter Pan Cu Competitors dive in at the start of the race as members of the Serpentine Swimming Club brave the cold waters at the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, London Enthusiasts from the long-established swimming club Les Ours Blancs (The Polar Bears) swim during an annual swim in Biarritz, southwestern France Orla Doogue (left) and Nicola Jensen, 30, from Brisbane, Australia takes part in the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club swim in Dublin A participant wearing a Santa Claus costume jumps into the water during the 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' in Barcelona Nicola Jensen (30), from Brisbane, Australia, and Orla Doogue, from Dublin at the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club's annual swim Ian Sargent, from Dublin, a member of Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club People taking the plunge at the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club annual Christmas swim This man attached Santas to his diving suit to take part in the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club annual Christmas swim A Santa impersonator plunging into the water at the Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club annual Christmas swim This lady wore a Santa Claus costume with reindeer horns at the event in Barcelona John O'Reilly (left) and Tom Leonard members of Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club during the club's annual Christmas swim Participants swims with a word Llibertat "Freedom" to Catalan politicians prisoners during the 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' A participant jumps into the water during the 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' (Christmas Cup) swimming competition in Barcelona's Port Vell A participant with a Santa Claus had jumps into the water during the 109th edition of the 'Copa Nadal' (Christmas Cup) swimming competition in Barcelona's Port Vell on December 25, 2018 Participants jumps into the water during the 'Copa Nadal' Participants dressed in as Santa Claus costume enjoying a dip in at the Christmas Day swim event in Barcelona A man dressed as Santa Claus holds the city's flag while taking part in the traditional Christmas season swim in Nice, France Enthusiasts from the long-established swimming club Les Ours Blancs (The Polar Bears) swim during an annual swim in Biarritz, southwestern France President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania attended a worship service on Christmas Eve. The first couple arrived at Washington National Cathedral for a late service on Monday night after answering calls from youngsters phoning the NORAD Santa Tracker. The president most likely would have been attending Christmas services at a church near his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, but he scrapped plans to head to Florida for the holidays after parts of the government shut down. But Trump put business on pause as he and Melania joined in singing Christmas hymns like 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' at the cathedral that bills the Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist as 'one of the most beautiful services of the year'. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a Christmas Eve church service at the National Cathedral President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for a Christmas Eve service at the National Cathedral The National Cathedral bills the Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist as 'one of the most beautiful services of the year' The Trumps sat in the front pew of the National Cathedral. He appeared to be intently watching the procession during the service and was pictured joyously singing alongside his wife. The mass was underway around 10pm. It comes after the president possibly ruined Christmas for one seven-year-old boy calling into the NORAD Santa Tracker. 'Are you still a believer in Santa?' Trump asked a caller named Coleman according to pool reports. 'Because at seven it's marginal, right?' Trump appeared to try to keep things light as he sat beside his wife in front of a roaring fireplace beneath a portrait of former President Abraham Lincoln. He had spent the day complaining about his decision to remain at the White House because of the partial government shutdown, tweeting 'poor me' because he was alone at Christmas. Despite a day of travel, Melania Trump looked stunning in a dark blue, high-necked dress and deep red heels, ready to take calls. The Christmas Eve service at the National Cathedral got underway at 10pm The service ended after about an hour and the president's motorcade was back at the White House just after midnight President Trump with Melania in the front pew of the National Cathedral. Trump appeared to be intently watching the procession during the service Melania was the only member of the family in attendance with President Trump according to a White House pool report Trump, who had been scheduled to leave for his Florida vacation home on Friday, has opted instead to stay at the White House during the shutdown, which occurred when he and top lawmakers failed to end an impasse over funding for his proposed wall along the border with Mexico. This forced First Lady Melania to fly back to Washington D.C. from the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach on Monday/ Melania was the only member of the family in attendance with President Trump at the service, according to a White House pool report. The service ended in about an hour and the president's motorcade was back at the White House just after midnight to get back to business. President Trump and First Lady Melania joined in singing Christmas hymns like 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' At least 17 'migrants' have been treated for hypothermia after being rescued from three boats in the English Channel early this morning. Thirteen people were rescued by lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter at around 4.30am from a boat around two miles from Dover. A rowing boat carrying two more people was stopped about eight miles off the coast hours later, while Border Force also stopped a third vessel nearby with two more on board. The 17, who were all men, were taken into custody by Border Force agents and treated at Dover Marina by paramedics. At least 17 'migrants' were rescued by lifeboats and the Coastguard from boats in the English Channel last night (file picture) The nationality of the group is not yet known and none were wearing life jackets. In a statement, HM Coastguard said: '[We are] committed to safeguarding life around the seas and coastal areas of this country. 'We are only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities.' The Home Office has been approached for comment. It comes as more than 150 migrants have been plucked from the English Channel trying to reach Britain since the start of November. Most of those held by police crossing the world's busiest shipping lane from France since November have claimed to be Iranian. Helicopters also helped save the passengers from extreme weather conditions (file picture) It emerged last month that people smugglers are charging migrants up to 13,000 each to cross the Channel by inflatable dinghy. One family of would-be asylum seekers was charged 40,000 for the dangerous night-time sea crossing. So-called 'agents' have already charged families to reach the French coast. Many fly from Iran to countries such as Serbia or Turkey, before being smuggled across borders to make overland journeys across Europe. People traffickers then demand a further fee to get them to British soil. Individuals pay as much as 13,300 a head (15,000 euros) to board rubber dinghies for the freezing night journey. MP's have warned that lives will be lost without urgent action. Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones, and for pro-gun rights Americans, that means happily posing up with their beloved AR-15s, hunting rifles and handguns by the tree. Social media sites lit up with photos showing proud gun owners cradling their weapons of choice on Christmas morning. Some gun-toting Americans turned their passion for firepower into a family affair, taking their high-powered weapons along with their children to meet Santa Claus. Others staged elaborate family photos at home, with each relative, from grade-schoolers to senior citizens, packing heat while smiling for the camera in living rooms decked out for the holiday. Those who received guns as presents for the holidays, among them children and teens, took to sites like Instagram and Twitter to boast about their lethal new toys. According to a new analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database, close to 40,000 people died as a result of guns last year, making it the highest number of gun-related deaths since at least 1979. Another new study published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in 2016 alone, 15 per cent of all children between one and 19 who were killed by injury in the US died of a gunshot wound. On a related note, researchers found that 11 of every 100,000 children and teens treated in emergency rooms across the country have gun-related injuries, which amount to about 8,300 kids each year. Over the course of nine years, 75,000 children and teens were treated for gun injuries at emergency rooms at a cost of nearly $3billion. Earlier this year, researchers examined FBI data on nearly 250 active shooter incidents in the US since 2000 and found that gunmen armed with semi-automatic rifles wounded and killed twice as many people as those using non-self-loading weapons. Recent deadly attacks involving semi-automatics include the shootings at a California bar, a Pittsburgh synagogue, Parkland High School and Orlandos Pulse night club. Festive firepower: Two proud members of the Scotsdale Gun Club put their love of Christmas and heavy weaponry on full display while posing with Santa Claus According to a new analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database, close to 40,000 people died as a result of guns last year Researchers examined FBI data on nearly 250 active shooters incident in the US since 2000 and found that gunmen armed with semi-automatic rifles wounded and killed twice as many people as those using non-self-loading weapons In this holiday card, a no-nonsense mom brought her assault rifle to meet Kris Kringle, along with her three young children Weighty gift: Some social media users expressed their delight at having received firearms for Christmas and posed with their new toys by the tree Double trouble: A pair of gun owners showed off their weapons of choice while posing with St Nick, who wore a smile on his face For the young at heart: Plenty of senior citizens were overjoyed to have received a gun as a holiday present This feisty lady sat with St Nick for a holiday photo while clutching an assault-style rifle in her hands Ladies who load: Young women showed off their guns on social media Don't mess with them: This family posed for a Christmas photo while armed to the teeth with a variety of weapons, ranging from handguns to assault rifles Recent deadly attacks involving semi-automatics include the shootings at a California bar, a Pittsburgh synagogue and Parkland High School Santa found himself surrounded with high-powered firearms and ammo in this festive family snap, with one heavily armed woman sitting on his lap All in the family: Three blonde siblings each grabbed an assault-style rifle to pose for a Christmas photo A new study found that in 2016 alone, 15 per cent of all children between one and 19 who were killed by injury in the US died of a gunshot wound Advertisement The Queen has used her Christmas message to urge a nation divided by Brexit to reconcile, but also added a personal touch by admitting it has been a 'busy year' for her and her family. Sitting at her desk in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, the Queen reflected on a year which has seen two of her grandchildren - Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie - get married, and two others - Prince William and Zara Tindall - welcome new babies. Prince Harry is also expecting his first child with Meghan Markle next Spring, and the Queen joked that her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother kept her 'well occupied' throughout 2018. As head of state, the Queen remains publicly neutral when it comes to political matters and does not express her views on issues. Scroll down for video The Queen gave her Christmas Day message, in which she preached a message of conciliation to the nation, in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace But the 92-year-old Monarch appeared to strongly allude to the tense and bitter political atmosphere that surrounds contentious issues such as Brexit, by urging that 'even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding'. Speaking about the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story, she said: 'I believe his message of peace on Earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever.' She also highlighted the darker side of life, how religious faith, which can lead people to do good in the service of others, can also bitterly divide them. She said: 'Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I'd like to think so. 'Perhaps part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life's baffling paradoxes, such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil. 'Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.' This picture from April 26, 1949, showing a 23-year-old then-Princess Elizabeth with the Duke of Edinburgh and a baby Prince Charles, was on the Queen's desk during the broadcast With a Christmas tree behind her and plenty of family photos visible, she also described the importance of having loved ones around her. Now aged 92, the Queen's reign as monarch has lasted 66 years and she has been married to the Duke of Edinburgh for more than seven decades. 'Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance,' she said. A 1949 photograph showing the Queen and Prince Philip with a six-month-old Prince Charles stands prominently on her desk, a reminder that the Prince of Wales celebrated his 70th birthday last month. But the Monarch also offered words of comfort for those missing relatives or friends: 'At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. 'But, of course, we would not grieve if we did not love.' The Queen took the opportunity to reflect on George VI in his role not only as her father but in the early years of the Commonwealth and his service in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The Queen delivered her annual Christmas message surrounded by photographs of her family, with a Christmas tree behind her and as well as an eye-catching gilded piano, made for Queen Victoria in 1856 And she thanked current members of the armed forces, many of whom will be deployed overseas at Christmas, for their efforts. After footage was shown of a 'thrilling' RAF fly-past, celebrating the air force's centenary by forming the number '100', the Queen aid: 'We owe them and all our armed services our deepest gratitude.' She also acknowledged the sacrifices of the thousands of seamen who died fighting in the First World War Battle of Jutland in 1916 during which her father served as a midshipman. She said: 'The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement. My father wrote in a letter: 'How and why we were not hit beats me'. Like others, he lost friends in the war.' Footage of Harry and Meghan's glittering wedding was featured in the broadcast alongside Eugenie and Jack's nuptials, and also the moments when the couples kissed on the steps of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The duke and duchess's carriage ride was also screened. The first of the two royal babies to arrive this year was Louis, and there was a clip of his proud parents, William and Kate, presenting him to the world outside the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, where he was born on April 23. And in June, Zara and husband Mike Tindall, a former England rugby player, welcomed their second child - a daughter called Lena. 'We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales,' said the Queen as the camera panned to a framed picture on her desk, an official image released to mark Charles's milestone and featuring his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, along with the Cambridges and their children, and the Sussexes. They included William and Kate's Christmas card image featuring themselves and their children, a picture from Eugenie's wedding showing the bride and groom surrounded by their bridesmaids and pageboys, a black and white image from Harry and Meghan's big day, and a picture of George VI. The Queen hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April and she noted that eight states attended the first such gathering in 1948 and were welcomed by her father. She added that today the Commonwealth consists of 53 member countries with a combined population of 2.4 billion. She said: 'Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world. The broadcast was recorded on December 12 and produced this year by Sky News. The Queen concluded her broadcast by wishing everyone a 'very happy Christmas.' With Parliament fundamentally divided over the way forward with Brexit and military conflicts still raging in parts of the world, the monarch's words are likely to resonate with many. The broadcast ended as it had begun, with singing from the choir of King's College, Cambridge, famous, as the Queen said, for its Nine Lessons and Carols. They opened the festive broadcast by singing the National Anthem and ended with the carol Once In Royal David's City. The Queen wore a silk and lace cocktail dress by Angela Kelly, and a gold, ruby and diamond brooch - a present from her husband Prince Philip in 1966. An eye-catching gilded piano, made for Queen Victoria in 1856, stood behind the Queen's desk. The Queen's 2018 Christmas message in full 'For many, the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge, is when Christmas begins. Listened to by millions of people around the world, it starts with a chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. 'The priest who introduced this service to King's College chapel, exactly one hundred years ago, was Eric Milner-White. He had served as a military chaplain in the First World War. Just six weeks after the Armistice, he wanted a new kind of service which, with its message of peace and goodwill, spoke to the needs of the times. 'Twenty eighteen has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a thrilling unity of purpose and execution. We owe them and all our Armed Services our deepest gratitude. 'My father served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. He was a midshipman in HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement. My father wrote in a letter: 'How and why we were not hit beats me'. Like others, he lost friends in the war. 'At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. But, of course, we would not grieve if we did not love. 'Closer to home, it's been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales. 'Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I'd like to think so. Perhaps part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life's baffling paradoxes, such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil. Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism. 'But through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance. 'In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. My father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meeting in 1948. Now the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people, a third of the world's population. 'Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding. 'Indeed, the Commonwealth Games, held this year on Australia's Gold Coast, are known universally as the Friendly Games because of their emphasis on goodwill and mutual respect. 'The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn't provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life. Instead it's about the birth of a child and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago brought to the world. Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born. Now billions follow him. 'I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever. 'A very happy Christmas to you all.' Advertisement The Archbishop of Canterbury has used his Christmas Day sermon to call for the country to forget the 'tribalism' and 'rivalry' of politics. The Most Rev Justin Welby has previously spoken out against welfare, tax, inequality and Brexit this year. Earlier this month he said it could take society 'ten years' to reconcile after Brexit, thanks to a referendum that has opened 'so much bitterness'. Justin Welby also warned that politicians face a moral choice when considering the prospect of no deal and previously stated a second referendum could be dangerous. The archbishop denied he had gone too far in his political statements. Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby, used his Christmas Day sermon to call for the country to forget 'tribalism' and 'rivalry' Rev Welby told worshippers today at Canterbury Cathedral that the 'language of love' is spoken by God 'for the poor and suffering and oppressed in every place at every time'. He said the world does not stop because it is Christmas. 'To think so is a dangerous illusion because God came into the reality of the world, to change it, not to give us an escape from it,' he said. The archbishop told the congregation: 'God's language of love is exclusive. It requires us to forget other languages of hatred, tribalism, rivalry, political advantage and of materialism, pride, greed, and so many more. 'God's language of love is not mushy sentiment. In the Bible we see the richness of its vocabulary. 'It encompasses every aspect of living, and every aspect of knowing God. Jesus the adult spoke it perfectly. 'The baby in the manger lives it flawlessly before he can speak a word, because by his mere existence he is the word of God to us. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, delivers his sermon during the Christmas Day service in Canterbury Cathedral (left) and arriving before the service (right) 'It can be spoken by the generous and wealthy and powerful.' The sermon came after thoughts of peace, joy and sadness were raised in the Christmas messages of the Bishops of the Church of England. The bishops spoke of modern-day challenges from modern slavery to political divisions and urged people to remember those who struggle with Christmas as a lonely or difficult time of year. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster and the most senior Catholic in England and Wales, told a congregation at midnight mass on Christmas Eve that 'we are in difficult times, times of uncertainty and an absence of consensus'. Churches were providing help on food poverty and homelessness, but more volunteers were needed, he added. Graham Usher, the Bishop of Dudley, recalled a recent visit to Bethlehem but also thought of divisions that are closer to home. He said: 'Our current political debates also put up barriers between those who voted in different ways. 'Our country needs, more than ever, to seek grace and generosity in our political conversation so that there are not winners and losers, just the flourishing of all.' Advertisement Thousands of Central Americans in the migrant caravan are spending their Christmas in Tijuana, Mexico. The goal of making it across the border is looking bleak for the migrants, as the reality of the lengthy wait to apply for asylum through official ports of entry is beginning to set in. Despite the hardships, one Honduran couple were pictured sharing a passionate kiss in between the tents of their shelter on Christmas Eve. Photos display how some Central Americans of the migrants caravan are spending the holidays in the border town of Tijuana, Mexico Among the tents of their shelter, two Honduran migrants play with a gadget on Christmas Eve An Honduran migrant is seen scaling the US border fence to jump inside the United States to San Diego, from Tijuana, Mexico Two migrants were pictured playing with gadgets outside of their tents, while one Honduran migrant was seen scaling the US border fence to enter San Diego from Tijuana on Christmas Eve. Another Honduran migrant got his hair cut on Monday inside the empty warehouse- turned-shelters in downtown Tijuana. Meanwhile, US Border Patrol Officers were pictured on their guard and ready to detain anyone willing to cross illegally. Many from the recent caravans are now choosing to cross the US border and hand themselves in to border patrol agents. A group of Honduran asylum seekers were pictured on Christmas Eve being taken into custody by patrol agents after they crossed the border wall into San Diego. The Christmas Holiday comes on the heels of recent controversy which saw activist group Pueblo Sin Fronteras (Village Without Borders) under fire for encouraging thousands of Central Americans to risk their lives to join the caravan. A Honduran migrant gets his hair cut inside an empty warehouse that opened its doors to migrants in downtown Tijuana Honduran asylum seekers are taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents after the group crossed the U.S. border wall into San Diego A man climbs up a section of a US-Mexico border wall in Tijuana, Mexico on Christmas Eve In October, the caravan was faced with a choice; continue to the U.S. southern border or stop and put down roots in Mexico, where the government offered to let them stay. Pueblo Sin Fronteras, a group of 40 Mexican and US activists escorting the caravan, warned the migrants that the offer might be too good to be true and called a voice vote on whether to continue. 'Let's keep going!' the crowd yelled amid applause. Now thousands are stuck in the border town of Tijuana, where they are likely to be camped for months or longer with no easy way to get into the United States, creating what is fast becoming a humanitarian crisis in this overwhelmed city. President Trump could not say on Christmas Day how long the federal government would be closed. He vowed one again, in Oval Office comments, to keep it closed, however, so long as Democrats refuse to appropriate the money he needs for his border wall. 'I can't tell you when the government's going to be open,' he told reporters. 'I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they'd like to call it. I'll call it whatever they want. But it's all the same thing. It's a barrier.' The president was supposed to be in Florida this week with his daughters and sons. He was in Washington, D.C. instead on Tuesday morning making calls to the troops. On Christmas Eve he went to a church service with his wife Melania. 'I've been at the White House, and I love the White House, but I wasn't able to be with my family. My family's in Florida. Palm Beach. I just didn't want to go down and be there while other people are hurting. But it's going to all work out,' the president said on Christmas of the ongoing shutdown. Scroll down for video President Trump could not say on Christmas Day how long the federal government would be closed The president claimed for a second time in the last 24 hours in the Oval that he had signed a contract at a 'great price' to build 115 miles of wall in an undisclosed area of Texas. He said Tuesday that he'd be visiting the site at the end of January. He also talked to about 'a massive amount of wall' that he says the federal government has 'renovated' in addition to the new section he said is being built. It was not immediately clear where in Texas the president is building his wall, as none of the legislation that has been approved since he took office explicitly gives him permission to build a brand new barrier on as much land as he says the contracts cover. He has permission to build and replace fencing in some areas and is asking for unfettered authority and at least $5 billion in taxpayer funds to complete the construction project. The president said in the Oval Office on Tuesday that he is aiming to 500 to 550 miles of wall either renovated or completed by Election Day in 2020. It's a lofty goal for the administration, especially considering that Democrats and the White House have been unable to agree on language pertaining to the president's 'border wall' in a spending bill for the current fiscal year, forcing a partial government closure. In the Oval Office the president claimed that he's getting $25 billion from Congress for border security that has already been approved. Any legislation that contained money for border security like what Trump was describing has not passed Congress, however. 'That's for everything,' Trump said of the larger pot on Tuesday morning. 'Plus we have some wall money in there. But, we want the wall money to be increased. Because I want to finish it.' Trump said just yesterday that the $25 billion his administration is seeking for border security is not the same as the money he's seeking for the border wall. The White House last said it was seeking somewhere between $1.6 billion and $5 billion for just the border wall. Democratic leaders said after the Monday claim that they were utterly confused by what he's actually requesting, because the White House keeps changing on them. They begged him to stop causing 'chaos' in the markets by sharing his steam-of-consciousness and put him on blast for the holiday shutdown. 'Instead of bringing certainty into peoples lives, hes continuing the Trump Shutdown just to please right-wing radio and TV hosts,' House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer wrote. 'Meanwhile, different people from the same White House are saying different things about what the president would accept or not accept to end his Trump Shutdown, making it impossible to know where they stand at any given moment.' Most of the government had been funded prior to the stand-off with Democrats, but 25 percent of it is currently in limbo. They want to restrict his ability to build fencing to certain areas of the southern border and provide limited funds for him to do so. Trump said Tuesday that he'd already begun building the wall, and it would be 'very high,' as high as 30 feet in some areas, making it impractical for most illegal immigrants to scale it. 'Now there may be the case of the Olympic champion who can get over the wall, but for the most part, you're not able to do it. It's going to be very high.' he said. Some 800,000 federal workers have been affected by the shutdown. They have either been asked to work without pay or take an unpaid leave of absence for the duration of the dispute. The president said on Christmas that he has heard from some of those workers, and they told him to stand his ground. 'They want border security. The people of this country want border security. It's not a question of me, I'd rather not do shutdowns,' he asserted. 'These federal workers want the wall. The only one who doesn't want the wall are the Democrats, because they don't mind open borders.' President Trump has relaxed his request for $5 billion for a 'physical barrier' to a lesser number of approximately $1.6 billion or more. He is promoting a 'steel slats' fencing design that the White House thinks some Democrats will support. Existing legislation allows for 'bollard fencing' along the southern border. Lawmakers went home for the Christmas holiday over the weekend, as the Senate adjourned until Dec. 27. President Trump was at the White House this week, having cancelled his Florida holiday to be in Washington for the duration of the partial shutdown. There, he harped that Senate Democrats working against his wall had favored fencing until he called it a wall and ran for office and attempted to clarify his border security demands. He said the $25 billion he's seeking for border security is not the same as the wall money. 'The Wall is different than the 25 Billion Dollars in Border Security. The complete Wall will be built with the Shutdown money plus funds already in hand,' he claimed. 'The reporting has been inaccurate on the point. The problem is, without the Wall, much of the rest of Dollars are wasted!' Bored at the White House on Christmas Eve as his wife flew back from Florida to be with him, President Trump spent the day watching Fox News and tweeting about the government shutdown that was caused by a rift with Democrats over border security. The president sent multiple messages that made it clear that he was watching network news from the residence of the White House, where he said that he was 'all alone' until his wife Melania returned from Palm Beach. 'I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security,' he said on Monday afternoon. 'At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy!' His staffers had left for the day to be with their families, just as lawmakers had mostly departed Washington. Nothing was on the public schedule for the president that the White House typically sends out. It has not went out since the partial shutdown. He filled the time on Monday with tweeting, including an attack on the Federal Reserve, sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling 650 points on what was being declared the worst Christmas Eve ever for the market, and by talking to reporters on Tuesday after holiday calls to the military. 'It's Christmas Eve and President Trump is plunging the country into chaos,' a joint statement from Pelosi and Schumer on Monday afternoon said. 'The stock market is tanking and the president is waging a personal war on the Federal Reserve after he just fired the Secretary of Defense.' The National Christmas Tree that sits beside the White House went dark over the weekend, becoming a symbol of the partial government shutdown that's expected to last until 2019 President Trump has relaxed his request for $5 billion for a 'physical barrier' to a lesser number of approximately $1.6 billion or more He is promoting a 'steel slats' fencing design that the White House thinks some Democrats will support. Existing legislation allows for 'bollard fencing' along the southern border There, he harped that Senate Democrats working against his wall had favored fencing until he called it a wall and ran for office Their message to the president that he should stop waiting for their call came after he claimed the markets were crashing because the Federal Reserve raised interest rates again. 'The only problem our economy has is the Fed. They dont have a feel for the Market, they dont understand necessary Trade Wars or Strong Dollars or even Democrat Shutdowns over Borders,' he tweeted. 'The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch - he cant putt!' Yesterday, as he fumed alone, the president also said in a tweet that he had asked his defense secretary to leave by Jan. 1. General James Mattis had planned to stay through February, but Trump kicked him to the curb after he penned a searing resignation letter that outlined their differences on America's standing in the world. He claimed in tweets that he gave Mattis a second chance after Barack Obama fired the general that he maybe he shouldn't have. Trump also claimed to have never met the administration's diplomat in charge of the coalition against ISIS. Brett McGurk also said he was leaving the administration immediately after Trump's Syria withdrawal. McGurk had been humiliated by the president's announcement, after saying on television the week prior that no one in the U.S. was claiming mission accomplished. Most of Trump's tweets since the shutdown were about the issue at hand, though federal funding for his long-promised border wall. He is promoting a 'steel slats' fencing design that the White House thinks some Democrats will support. Trump harped that Senate Democrats working against his wall had favored fencing, until he called it a wall and ran for office, and they should be for one now. 'Virtually every Democrat we are dealing with today strongly supported a Border Wall or Fence,' he tweeted. 'It was only when I made it an important part of my campaign, because people and drugs were pouring into our Country unchecked, that they turned against it. Desperately needed!' Democrats have otherwise offered Trump $1.6 billion in border security money that cannot be used on a concrete border wall and may not may not allow him to build the steel-slated fence that he's begun pushing. That bill places restrictions on where the president is allowed to build the barrier, limiting operations to the Rio Grande Valley. A summary of the legislation explicitly states that funds would be limited to the 'currently deployed fencing design along the southern border, such as bollard fencing' and cannot be used for 'building any barrier in the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.' A White House source told DailyMail.com that Trump wants the restrictions on where the fencing can be built dropped. Another offer of $1.3 billion for fencing also contains restrictions on where the wall can be built, making it a no-go as well for the administration. Trump is refusing to sign any continuing resolution to fund the government that does not allow him to build a border wall. He rejected a bill Thursday that did not have the $5 billion for just the border barrier, leading to Friday night's government shut down. The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House is seen in Washington, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. Visitors were turned away because of electrical problems due to the partial government shutdown Litter spills out of a public dustbin next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Because of the shutdown, some 380,000 federal workers were furloughed Another trash can is seen overflowing on Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday morning The White House is warning that the shut down could last well into the new year, when Congress changes hands and a new legislative session begins. 'It's very possible that this shutdown will go beyond the 28th and into the new Congress,' Incoming White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on Sunday. 'I don't think things are going to move very quickly here the next couple of days,' he added. The new Congress will be sworn into office on Jan. 3. Even if House Democrats passes legislation to end it, the onus will fall to the Senate to also pass it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already said he won't bring any bill to the floor that the president has not already agreed to sign. Two applications were made in April this year to build 1,500 homes on the site Green fields and woodland which inspired Watership Down are under threat from developers who want to build hundreds of homes there. Thousands of fans flock to Sandleford Warren in Hampshire each year to follow in the footsteps of the novel's gang of rabbits. The woodland inspired author Richard Adams to pen his children's classic - and this week the BBC aired a brand new adaptation. Thousands of fans flock to Sandleford Warren in Hampshire every year to follow in the footsteps of the Watership Down rabbits The new adaptation, voiced by Olivia Coleman and Ben Kingsley, carries Adams' ecological message of the impact of destroying local wildlife habitats. But a real-life tale of green destruction began in 2011 when plans were unveiled by Bloor Homes and Donnington New Homes to build 2,000 homes. They applied to build on the Sandleford Warren on the outskirts of Newbury which borders an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They were approved but disagreements over access, education and other infrastructure between the two developers and the council led to an impasse. Plans were unveiled by Bloor Homes and Donnington New Homes to build 2,000 homes on the site in 2011 Two new applications were then submitted in April 2018 for 1,500 homes across the site. The new development comes as demand for housing in West Berkshire rises and the council need to build new homes as part of its local plan. The fate of the historic site will be decided by West Berkshire Council on January 31. Adams, who grew up in the area, spoke out against the proposals before his death in December 2016. Author Richard Adams was inspired by the woodland to pen his children's classic and this week the BBC aired a new adaptation (pictured) Mr Adams said: 'It is my firm belief that to build on the quiet meadows of Sandleford would be an ugly invasion, a nasty wound to one of the loveliest retreats in all Berkshire and Hampshire. 'I understand that houses need to be built, and that people need homes to live in. 'But any dispassionate examination of the situation leads to the emphatic conclusion that this land should not be built on. 'If Sandleford goes for development, it will be the thin end of the wedge. 'Once an area of countryside has been broken into for development, the process continues until the whole area has been ruined. I might be dead, but how will you feel about that?' Adams, who grew up in the area, spoke out against the proposals before his death in December 2016 Locals say that the plans will destroy the 'beauty' of the area and will severely impact on tourism which the famous trail brings. Peter Norman, from campaign group Say No to Sandleford, said he wasn't expecting the new applications to be submitted so soon. He said: 'But that doesn't alter the fact of the matter, which is that it's come in far too late and we have lost green land on north Newbury as a result. 'There are no congratulations for anyone involved here. I hope it will prevent further green space from being consumed, but I doubt it. Locals say that the plans will destroy the 'beauty' of the area and will severely impact on tourism which the famous trail brings Two new applications were then submitted in April this year for 1,500 homes to be built across the site 'I'm still very much of the view that this is in the wrong place and will put an enormous strain on Newbury's infrastructure.' Mr Norman added that the group's main objection was to the 'adverse affect' the development would have on the 'historic landscape'. Jack Taylor, from the Woodland Trust, said the development could destroy historic 'ancient woodland' on the site. Sam Cartwright, senior biodiversity and planning officer of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust said the site was vital to preserve ecol the rare ecology of the site including rabbits. He added: 'We have objected to the building plans on the basis of the detrimental impact it will have on the habitat of local wildlife and made a series of recommendations including larger buffer zones* to protect the site's ancient woodlands.' Sandleford was accepted as a housing site in 2012 and the first homes on the site were envisaged to be completed by 2018. The message from Clover, voiced by Gemma Arterton, echos the voices of locals in the BBC Drama, who said: 'There's terrible evil in the world men will never rest till they've spoiled the Earth and destroyed the animals.' An 80-year-old former vicar who spent 100,000 wooing his Romanian toyboy before they broke up has revealed they are back together in an 'open relationship'. Philip Clements fell in love with Florin Marin after meeting him on a gay dating app. The pair got married in April last year and the ex reverend sold his Kent home to move to a 100,000 flat in Bucharest. But a rift grew between the pair over Florin, an aspiring model, clubbing until the early hours. After just a matter of months Mr Clements moved back to the UK. Now, the pair have told The Sun they are giving things another go despite living thousands of miles apart. The 80-year-old Brit said: 'When I was separated from him, and in times past, I virtually had a depressive breakdown because I missed him. 'It was like losing an arm or a leg. I knew for certain that I needed him. 'You can't explain these things scientifically.' Philip Clements and Florin Marin on their wedding day. But a rift grew later over Mr Marin's partying in Bucharest After Philip Clements sold his home in Eastry, he found himself homeless when returning to England. Pictured with Florin Rev Clements, left, and Mr Marin married at a ceremony in Ramsgate in April this year The pair are talking over chatting app Whatsapp every day as Florin works in Spain. Despite living apart they are ironing out their differences with Florin claiming it is Mr Clements who has had to do some learning about love. Florin said to The Sun: 'Now it's much better than in the past. 'Philip had to change from the beginning to understand more my culture, from where I come from, how I am all this stuff. 'Sometimes he doesn't understand the culture - he's English, I'm Romanian, I have my manners, he has his manners. 'We don't think the same.' Philip added: 'I love him to bits. 'Sometimes we have a little row but underlying it all I have a deep affection for him. Florin Marin, 25, and his older lover Philip Clements, 80, are back together but in an open relationship The former clergyman spent six decades celibate but fell in love with a man after meeting him on a gay dating app 'I love him to bits, if we were permanently separated, I would be the most unhappy person in the world.' When it comes to their sex life the couple said Philip is more tactile. He said: 'I'm probably more tactile than he is. 'He just likes to be asleep when we are in bed at night. 'But we do have a very, very intimate and close relationship.' Rev Philip Clements, 79, pictured with his husband Florin Marin, 24, sold his home in Kent, pictured, for 214,750 before moving to Romania and buying a flat in Bucharest 'At one time, he used to shove me out of the way in the bed. Philip spent six decades celibate. Florin wants to one day be Philip's carer and says he does not care about negative attention he gets. The Church of England's rules state that clergy cannot enter same-sex marriages. Civil partnerships are allowed but must remain celibate. The former parish priest said he had repressed his sexuality throughout his career because of the church's stance on homosexuality but is now able to be his 'true-self'. He met Mr Marin, a model, on an online dating site almost three years ago and was attracted to his 'looks and flamboyancy'. Since leaving Romania the couple no longer take each other's surnames, but things have improved between them and Mr Marin has even visited England for a couple of days. Rev Clements spent 50 years in the Church of England as a vicar before his retirement Mr Clements added: 'Florin started to contact me again. I hadn't lost my feelings for him so I reciprocated. 'We started texting and speaking on video and we're still in touch now. 'Things were very amicable. It was as if he did regret what has happened. 'I believe in giving someone a second chance. There's still something that binds us. We're not enemies. 'He's not doing it for money because I haven't got much money left. 'The two of us suggested that one day we would have a flat in a town - Dover or Canterbury. 'He's renting out the flat and he said he'd put part of that towards the rent. 'I don't want a divorce and he says he doesn't want anybody else. 'I've asked him to tell me if he finds somebody else and I would understand.' MCLEAN, Va. (December 24, 2018)The annual Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's events in La Plata on September 8 and in Solomons on September 22 drew more 700 area residents in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. A total of 101 teams participated in this year's Walks.In La Plata, the Southern Maryland Boot Scooters were the top team, raising $34,715. They were followed by Team Handsome Dad, which raised $10,161. Team Purple Angels of Southern Maryland was third at $6,600. Wendy Latimer was the top individual fundraiser at $5,350, followed by Sue Garner at $5,000, and Leslie Harvey at $3,736In Solomons, the Care Blairs were the top team, raising $15,398. They were followed by Team Solidarity Against Alzheimer's at $7,210 and Team Asbury at $5,894. Marian Ann Blair was the top individual fundraiser at $8,805, followed by Liz Purcell Leskinen at $4,780 and Charlie Purcell at $2,210.Edward Jones continued its leadership role as the National Presenting Sponsor of Walk to End Alzheimer's. Local sponsors included Hope Sponsor: Waldorf Toyota; Strength Sponsor: The Charleston Senior Community; and Friend Sponsors: Asbury Solomons, Calvert Memorial Hospital, Discover Commons at Wildewood, Network of Care, Restore Health Rehabilitation Center, Sagepoint Senior Living Services, St. Mary's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, and Visiting Angels.To date, the Walk in La Plata has raised $108,573 and is at 97% of its goal of $112,000. The Walk in Solomons has raised $73,142 and is at 91% of its goal of $80,000.There is still time to support this year's Walks. Interested community members, businesses and organizations may donate online to the Walk in La Plata at act.alz.org/CharlesCounty or to the Walk in Solomons at act.alz.org/SouthernMaryland . Checks made payable to the Alzheimer's Association may be mailed to 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102. Please be sure to note on the check which Walk the contribution is for. Contributions received by December 31 will count toward the 2018 Walks.In Maryland alone, there are more than 110,000 people living with Alzheimer's disease and 294,000 caregivers. In the United States, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, the sixth-leading cause of death in and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 16 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias."There has never been a greater need for the community to join in the fight against Alzheimer's disease by participating in Walk to End Alzheimer's," said Kate Rooper, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter. "Funds raised through the Walk will provide information, education and support to people living with Alzheimer's and their families and caregivers, while also contributing to advancing critically-needed research."Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. The event would not be possible without the support of community volunteers. For information about this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's events and/or how to get involved with the 2019 events, contact Walk Manager LaKeysha Boyd-Moore at lmoore1@alz.org or 240-518-8496.The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Advertisement Charity workers are warning that supplies of medicine and fresh water for survivors of the Indonesian tsunami are running perilously low. Children are suffering with fevers and headaches while complaining of thirst, while 1,400 people injured in the natural disaster urgently need medical care. Compounding the problem is the fact that hundreds of bodies from the tidal wave - which killed at least 429 and left 128 missing - have been left to rot in the streets. Badly damaged roads and torrential rains compounded the issue as ambulances brought in to take the bodies away became stuck. Elsewhere Christians in the Muslim-majority country gathered for subdued Mass services on Christmas Day amid the tragedy. Aid workers are warning that medical supplies and clean water are running desperately low as ambulances struggle to remove bodies of those killed during the Indonesian tsunami Children are suffering from fevers and headaches, and are reporting symptoms of dehydration according to charity workers inside the disaster zone in Sumatra More than 1,400 people were injured when a 20ft wall of water smashed into Indonesia on December 22, after being triggered by a volcanic eruption which caused a landslide Family members visit a tsunami survivor at a hospital ward in Kalianda, Lampung province on Christmas Day A destroyed car is seen after a tsunami hit an area in Tangung Lesung, Banten province, Indonesia Local residents walk among debris after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait in Sumur, Banten, Indonesia Local residents walk among debris after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait in Sumur, Banten, Indonesia Christians in the majority-Muslim country held muted Christmas Day mass services amid the tragedy People attend a Christmas service at Rahmat Pentecostal Church in Carita, Indonesia. Typically filled with laughter and uplifting music, the celebrations were instead replaced by somber prayers Residents affected by the tsunami attend a mass during Christmas at Carita Pentecostal Church in Pandeglang, Indonesia Pastor Markus Taekz said Tuesday his Rahmat Pentecostal Church in the hard-hit area of Carita did not celebrate with joyous songs this year. Instead, he said only about 100 people showed up for the Christmas Eve service, usually attended by double that number. Many congregation members had already left the area for the capital, Jakarta, or other locations away from the impact zone. 'This is an unusual situation because we have a very bad disaster that killed hundreds of our sisters and brothers in Banten,' he said, referring to the Javanese province. 'So our celebration is full of grief.' Church leaders called on Christians across Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, to pray for victims of the tsunami. Rizal Alimin, a doctor working for NGO Aksi Cepat Tanggap, told The Telegraph: 'A lot of the children are sick with fevers, headaches and they haven't had enough water. 'We have less medicine than usual [and] there isn't enough clean water. They need food and people are sleeping on the floor.' Harmensyah, one of those involved in the disaster relief effort, said: 'I understand if some refugee groups don't get food but the most important thing for us is to save lives and evacuate the bodies before they start to decompose.' The death toll from the Indonesia tsunami rose to 429 overnight on Monday as search efforts continued, but officials privately admitted that there was little chance of finding anyone else alive Aid is now desperately needed to help the 1,400 people injured in the disaster along with shelter for 16,000 who fled their homes after the tsunami struck on Saturday Parts of a damaged ride are seen at a amusement park after it was hit by a tsunami at the Sumber Jaya village in Sumur A man holds his son amid the devastation caused by the Indonesia tsunami, which was triggered by an eruption at the 'Child of Krakatoa' volcano on Saturday People inspect the damage at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, on Christmas Day Soldiers and police will continue searches for survivors until the end of the week, despite hopes fading of finding people alive Attempts to reach victims of the disaster were hampered on Tuesday by torrential rains which stopped ambulances from arriving to carry away victims' bodies Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia Disaster Mitigation Agency, said there was an urgent need for heavy equipment in remote Sumur subdistrict, a hard-to-reach area near Ujung Kulon National Park that experienced heavy damage. Some villages there have been cut off due to damaged roads and bridges, making it difficult to supply aid and help people who may be injured or trapped. Military troops, government personnel and volunteers were searching along debris-strewn beaches. Where victims were found, yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out, and weeping relatives identified the dead. Chunks of broken concrete and splintered wood littered the coast where hundreds of homes and hotels had stood. Overnight on Monday Indonesian officials raised the death toll to 429 with 128 still missing, though admitted it was unlikely that anyone else would be found alive. Meanwhile the front man of an Indonesian pop group whose saw three of his bandmates killed when their gig was torn apart by a tsunami buried his wife on Tuesday after she also died at the event. Riefian Fajarsyah posted an emotional tribute to wife Dylan Sahara on Instagram on Tuesday, alongside a video which showed him stroking her coffin. Another photo of her was captioned: 'How can I live without you?' Sahara was in a crowd of 200 on Tanjung Lesung beach on Saturday as Fajarsyah's band Seventeen performed when a 20ft wall of water smashed into the crowd around 9.30pm. It was a day before Sahara's 26th birthday. Also killed were bassist M. Awal 'Bani' Purbani, guitarist Herman Sikumbang, road manager Oki Wijaya and another crew member, whose funerals were held on Monday. The band's drummer, who has not been named, also died. In another online post, Fajarsyah said: 'Thank you guys for your prayers. Only God can repay your kindness. Please send prayers for my wife Dylan so she will be at peace.' Riefian Fajarsyah buried wife Dylan Sahara (pictured together) on Tuesday, three days after a tsunami ripped through the gig venue where his band Seventeen were performing in Indonesia Dylan was in the audience watching her boyfriend perform on the day before her 26th birthday when the wave hit, also killing three other members of the band Riefian posted tributes to his wife on Instagram on Tuesday, one of which showed him touching her coffin along with the caption 'let's go home (left). Another showed a picture of her with the caption: 'How can I live without you?' Riefian attended funerals for two of his bandmates on Monday before his wife's body was identified that evening, before a funeral was held on Tuesday Dylan was the daughter of a prominent Indonesian politician, an actress and TV personality in her own right, and was gearing up to run for office in next year's elections Sahara - who was running for a parliament seat in next year's elections - was identified at a hospital late Monday, according to Indonesian media. The 25-year-old was the daughter of a well-known Indonesian politician and an actress and TV personality in her own right. '(She) was not perfect and neither am I, but she never stopped trying to be the best wife,' Fajarsyah said in his emotional online tribute. 'I could not ask for more.' Another tragic tale of survival came from the village of Way Muli, on the coast of Sumatra, where father Udin Ahok was forced to choose between saving his wife or his mother and baby. The 46-year-old Indonesian had just gone to sleep on Saturday evening when a wall of water smashed into his house in village on the coast of Sumatra. Panicked, he fought to reach his sleeping 70-year-old mother and one-year-old son but then he saw his wife about to drown in the swirling waters. He plucked her to safety and they survived the fury of a volcano-triggered tsunami that smashed into Indonesia's coast, killing more than 400 people who had no time to escape. Ahok's mother and baby were found dead under mountains of debris. Traditional fishing boats are seen damaged after being hit by a tsunami in the Teluk village, in Banten province A sunken vessel is pictured after a tsunami hit in Anyer, Indonesia A woman walks amid debris at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia Villagers inspect what is left of their homes and livelihoods after a tsunami hit Tanjung village last week Another aerial view of the volcano in Indonesia shows huge clouds of smoke climbing into the sky after its devastating eruption More than 1,000 people are also reported injured after a giant wave destroyed hundreds of homes, hotels and businesses along tourist beaches in Java and Sumatra on Saturday 'I didn't have time to save my mother and son,' a weeping Ahok told AFP from a local shelter for evacuees in one of the stricken region's hardest-hit areas. 'I regret it so much. I can only hope they've been given a place in God's hands.' Waves followed an eruption and apparent landslide on Anak Krakatau, or 'Child of Krakatoa,' a volcanic island that formed in the early part of the 20th century near the site of the cataclysmic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who faces what promises to be a tough re-election campaign next year, vowed to have all tsunami-detection equipment replaced or repaired. Nugroho acknowledged on Twitter that the country's network of detection buoys had been out of order since 2012 because of vandalism and budget shortfalls. But the head of Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Dwikorita Karnawati, said the tsunami was likely caused by Krakatau's volcanic activity and so could not have been picked up by the agency's sensors, which monitor conventional earthquakes responsible for more than 90 percent of Indonesia's tsunamis. Karnawati said the tsunami was probably caused by the collapse of a big section of the volcano's slope. Anak Krakatau been erupting since June and did so again 24 minutes before the tsunami, the geophysics agency said. Other scientists have said an underwater landslide may also have contributed to the disaster. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people, lies along the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The massive eruption of Krakatoa killed more than 30,000 people and hurled so much ash that it turned day to night in the area and reduced global temperatures. Thousands were believed killed by a quake and tsunami that hit Sulawesi island in September, and an earlier quake on the island of Lombok killed 505 people in August. Thailand has legalised cannabis for medicinal use in a region which has some of the the strictest drug laws in the world. The Thai government passed the new legislation today approving the use of medicinal marijuana and for its use in research. Marijuana was used in Thailand as a traditional medicine to relieve pain and fatigue, until it was banned in the 1930s. Using cannabis for recreational reasons will still be illegal. While countries from Colombia to Canada as well as certain states in the U.S. have legalised marijuana for medical or even recreational use, the drug remains illegal and taboo across much of South East Asia, which has some of the world's harshest punishments for drug law violations. Marijuana traffickers can be subject to the death penalty in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. A Thai activist with a marijuana tattoo on his face joined others protesters at a campaign for the legalisation of medical marijuana in Bangkok last month But in Thailand, the main controversy with legalisation involved patent requests by foreign firms that could allow them to dominate the market, making it harder for Thai patients to access medicines and for Thai researchers to access marijuana extracts. The junta-appointed parliament agreed to amend the country's drug law to allow the licensed medical use of marijuana, as well as kratom - a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller. Thailand is the first country in South East Asia to take such action, which is also under consideration in neighbouring Malaysia. New Zealand's government earlier this month enacted a law liberalising the medical use of marijuana, which had previously been tightly restricted. Somchai Sawangkarn, chairman of the drafting committee, in a televised parliamentary session, said: 'This is a New Year's gift from the National Legislative Assembly to the government and the Thai people.' Thai activists who use marijuana therapy protesting at a campaign for the legalisation of medical marijuana near Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, last month The law changes legalise the production, import, export, possession and use of marijuana and kratom products for medical purposes. Purveyors, producers and researchers will need licenses to handle the drugs, while end-users will need prescriptions. Chokwan Chopaka, an activist with Highland Network, a cannabis legalisation advocacy group in Thailand, said: 'This is the first baby step forward.' Recreational use of the drugs remains illegal and subject to prison terms and fines commensurate with the quantities involved. Panthep Puapongpan, Dean of the Rangsit Institute of Integrative Medicine and Anti-Aging, said: 'We're going to demand that the government revoke all these requests before the law takes effect.' The legislation passed its final reading on Tuesday at the National Legislative Assembly by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions. Thailand is the first country in South East Asia to legalise cannabis for medical use, which is also under consideration in neighbouring Malaysia Public hearings showed overwhelming support for the measure, which amended the Narcotic Act of 1979 in an extra parliamentary session handling a rush of bills before the New Year's holidays. The bill introducing the legislative changes had noted that recent studies have shown that marijuana extract has medicinal benefits, which has prompted 'many countries around the world to ease their laws by enacting legal amendments to allow their citizens to legally use kratom and marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes'. It added that despite being classified as an illegal drug, many patients have used marijuana to treat their diseases. Earlier this year, a man in Malaysia was sentenced to death for selling cannabis oil. Pip Holmes, 45, from Cornwall, is facing up to 15 years in an Indonesian prison after being caught with cannabis oil which he says he needed for medical reasons. The 45-year-old claims he asked a friend to send the drug to him while he was living in Bali to help his arthritis. A painting that was stolen during World War II and later spent decades in a Connecticut home will be returned to an art museum in Ukraine, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials. The FBI seized the painting after a retired couple in Ridgefield transported it to Washington, D.C., to be auctioned last year. The couple, David and Gabby Tracy, had long cherished the painting but figured it was a copy, not the signed original. Standing nearly eight-feet-tall, the painting depicts the 16th century Russian czar Ivan the Terrible looking crestfallen as he flees the Kremlin on horseback. It had been left behind in a Ridgefield home that David Tracy bought in 1987. The previous couple in the home said the painting was already there when they purchased the house from a Swiss man in 1962. When Tracy and his wife moved to a different house in the area, they paid $37,000 to add a sunroom big enough to display the painting. 'This painting was a beautiful painting, and we treasured it,' Gabby Tracy, 84, told The Associated Press on Saturday. 'You couldn't help but admire the fine painting, what detail was in Ivan's face.' The 1911 painting, stolen in World War II and found in the Tracy family's Connecticut home, is being returned to an art museum in Ukraine The painting is valued at around $5,000 although its unclear if it will be valued more now that its historical context is clear But as they made plans to move to a condominium in Maine last year, they realized the painting wouldn't fit. They hired an auctioning company near Washington to sell the work, which was appraised at about $5,000. After the auction house added the painting to its catalog, though, an employee received an urgent email from an art museum in Ukraine. 'Attention! Painting 'Ivan the Terrible' was in the collection of the Dnepropetrovsk Art Museum until 1941 and was stolen during the Second World War,' the email said, according to court documents. 'Please stop selling this painting at auction!!!' The museum identified the painting as a 1911 work by Mikhail Panin, titled 'Secret Departure of Ivan the Terrible Before the Oprichina.' It was a permanent exhibit at the Ukrainian museum until 1941 but disappeared during the Nazi occupation of the city. FBI officials took custody of the painting and later traced it to the Swiss man who sold the Ridgefield home in 1962. Officials didn't release his name but said he moved to the U.S. in 1946 after serving in the Swiss Army. He died in 1986. Gabby Tracy said it's unknown how he obtained the painting. After learning it had been stolen, the Tracy couple agreed the painting should be returned to Ukraine. The story particularly moved Gabby, who was born in Slovakia and survived the Holocaust. Her father, Samuel Weiss, died in a concentration camp. 'There was never a question that it was going back. It's just sad that we had to go through this experience,' Gabby said. 'It's ironic that I should have been so worried about keeping this painting safe.' Federal officials filed paperwork Thursday formally passing the painting from the FBI to the U.S. District Attorney's Office in Washington, which is turning it over to Ukraine's embassy. 'The looting of cultural heritage during World War II was tragic, and we are happy to be able to assist in the efforts to return such items to their rightful owners,' U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu said in a statement Friday. Officials at Ukraine's embassy thanked the Tracy couple and U.S. officials who helped recover the painting. A statement from spokeswoman Natalia Solyeva said it's the first time the two nations have worked together to recover stolen cultural goods. 'The Embassy of Ukraine was excited to work with its American partners on the case of returning the painting to its rightful owners - the people of Ukraine,' the statement said. Disgusted families have today taken to social media to complain that their Christmas was ruined because their supermarket turkeys were inedible. Shoppers complained that birds purchased from Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, Asda, Aldi and Lidl were rotten. Some even posted pictures of their ruined 'green', 'rancid' and 'stinking' meals. One frustrated shopper said her essential Waitrose butter basted turkey crown was inedible when defrosted Families have claimed their Christmases were 'ruined' after discovering their turkeys were 'rotten' and 'rancid' Customers from Sainsbury's said they found 'green' meat when they opened the packaging Nicola Thorn said she paid over 40 for a turkey from Morrisons only to find it 'stinky, green and rotton' Kelly, who purchased an essential Waitrose butter basted turkey crown for Christmas Day, said her bird was inedible when defrosted. She said: 'Wasn't able to eat it unfortunately - very much off! I think it hadnt been packaged correctly - was all dry and bad.' Kelly has contacted the supermarket who agreed to look into the situation. Another supermarket shopper, Mandy Evans, said: 'Well fabulous, one stinking, off turkey! Thanks very much and Happy Christmas it's the last time I buy any meat from you. Kim Ackroyd said her Oakham Turkey Crown was 'rotten' despite having been kept in the fridge with use-by date of December 27 Another shopper tweeted that they opened their Asda bird on Christmas Eve to find a 'horrific smell of rotten turkey' Another shopper, Mark Field, warned shoppers to be careful of birds purchased from his local Aldi 'You can have the stinking thing back tomorrow #turkey #aldi' Leigh Tredget said she discovered her turkey was 'rancid' after opening the packaging on Tuesday morning - despite it having a 'best before' date of December 26. She said: '@AldiUK opened my Christmas turkey to cook this morning and the thing is rancid. 'Best before date is 26 December and it had been in the fridge since buying it Friday. Allison Goldfinch said her free range turkey from Lidl was 'extremely smelly' despite having a best before date of December 26 Chris Hall posted a photograph of his 'bad' turkey to Twitter on Christmas Day - purchased from Tesco just two days earlier Others tweeted the supermarkets from which they bought the birds asking for advice on how to feed their families This Tesco basted turkey crown was 'smelly' and 'ruined' the Christmas dinner of another shopper 'Really disappointed, as our guests will be when they turn up to a turkey-less turkey dinner!' Sonya Kelly also purchased her Christmas turkey from Aldi. She wrote: 'Massive thanks to Aldi for selling us a gone off turkey. Christmas dinner is RUINED.' Mark Field, from Hemel Hempstead, warned other supermarket shoppers to be careful of turkeys purchased in his local Aldi as his bird was 'rancid'. Louise Mcgregor tweeted that Tesco had 'ruined xmas' after she was forced to throw her 'rancid' turkey in the bin Another turkey, from Sainsbury's, was apparently 'mouldy' on Christmas Eve - three days before its 'use by' date Another Twitter user, Carnifex, said his 'off' turkey from Tesco 'ruined xmas dinner' He said: 'Anyone who got a turkey from @AldiUK just be careful because ours is rancid and we won't be cooking it that's for sure! 'Meat handling and storage procedures are definitely lacking at #Aldi.' Jason McGrenra said a turkey purchased from Sainsbury's in Loughton 'ruined' his first Christmas with his little girl. He said: 'We bought ours from Sainsburys and had to bin it as it was rotten!! 'The smell would make you sick. It was our first Christmas with our little girl and it was ruined.' Sharon Beard said her Waitrose turkey was 'ripe' and had to be binned because 'the smell was awful' Jason McGrenra purchased his turkey from Sainsbury's in Loughton - but had to bin the 'rotten' meat Another bird, with a use-by date of December 26, was apparently 'already gone off' on Christmas Day Allison Goldfinch bought a free range turkey from Lidl and refrigerated it in preparation for Christmas Day. But when she unwrapped the bird she found it was 'extremely smelly'. She said: 'I bought a free range turkey from Lidl which was extremely smelly despite best before date of 26 December and being refrigerated since purchase. 'I couldnt serve it and had 10 for Xmas dinner. Got very stressed.' Another disappointed shopper, Natz Smith, said she had a similar experience with a turkey purchased from Tesco. Rick contacted Tesco on social media to let them know a turkey he bought from the supermarket was 'off' Richard said his turkey crown from Tesco had the 'disgusting smell of raw eggs' when it was unwrapped Lauren Burke said the turkey she bought from Aldi in Northwich, Cheshire had 'yellow slime all over it' She said: 'Thanks Tesco. Best Christmas ever with a mouldy turkey!!! Absolutely disgusted.' The supermarket responded to her complaint and suggested she return to the store she bought it from with her receipt. It said: 'Im really sorry youre unhappy with the turkey you bought from us. One Tesco shopper even said his son was 'crying' after discovering their Christmas turkey was 'off' 'Please return with your receipt to the store you bought it from and the Store Manager will be happy to help. 'Thanks again for letting us know about this.' A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: 'We apologise to the handful of customers whose Christmas orders have not met our usual high standards, and are investigating these cases.' Tesco told one customer to return to their point of purchase with the receipt over Twitter on Monday An Aldi spokesperson said: 'We are sorry that, in a small number of instances, we did not meet our usual high-quality standards. 'Customers can return any product that they are not satisfied with to their nearest store for a full refund.' MailOnline has contacted all supermarkets involved for comment. Police in Connecticut have arrested an 18-year-old undocumented immigrant from Jamaica on murder charges related to the shooting death of an innocent 12-year-old boy a week before Christmas. Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez on Monday announced the charges against Tajay Chambers stemming from the December 18 death of Clinton Howell outside his family's home on Willow Street. Chambers has been charged with murder; murder with special circumstances; use of a firearm during the commission of a felony; illegal possession of a firearm without a permit; risk of injury to a child; reckless endangerment, and larceny. Scroll down for video Police in Bridgeport, Connecticut, have charged 18-year-old Tajay Chambers (left), from Jamaica, with murder in the drive-by shooting that killed 12-year-old Clinton Howell (right) Howell was shot on the front porch of his family's home on the evening of December 18, after he had returned from buying snacks at a nearby store Courtesy: FOX 61 Three juveniles who police said were with Chambers that night, ages 12, 14 and 16, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder; carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit and larceny. According to police, at 9pm on December 18, Howell was returning home from getting snacks at a convenience store around the corner when Chambers opened fire, reported Fox61. Investigators said Howell was an innocent bystander, not Chambers' intended target, who was the victims older cousin. CTpost.com reported, citing police sources, that earlier that evening, Chambers and his alleged co-conspirators were driving in a stolen car when they got into an argument with some people walking along Willow Street, among them Howells relative. The victims cousin allegedly fired a pellet gun at Chambers car. The 18-year-old drove off, then returned with a pistol and allegedly opened on the cousin, but instead struck Howell as he was standing on the front porch of his home. The seventh-grader was struck by at least two rounds and collapsed in the doorway. Howell was a seventh-grader who loved food and playing video games, according to his family. The screenshot on the right shows the 12-year-old opening a Christmas present last year He was rushed to Bridgeport Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Family members said Clinton was a happy child who stayed out of trouble, loved food and video games. Some have been sharing videos on Facebook showing the boy opening Christmas presents last year. Howell's older brother, Gamel Dawkins (pictured), has launched an online fundraiser to help pay for the child's funeral Chambers has been in jail since December 19, when he was arrested on unrelated charges of second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace stemming from an October 12 attack on a 16-year-old boy at Central High School. In that incident, police said Chambers and two other juveniles punched the victim in the head, then kicked him down a flight of stairs. A judge set Chambers bond at $500,000, and ICE put a detainer on him because the Jamaican national has been living in the US with a visa, reported WTNH. He is expected to be arraigned on charges in the Howell case on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Howell's older brother, Gamel Dawkins, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to pay for the boy's funeral, writing in the description that his younger sibling was 'full of life and joy,' and was looking forward to celebrating Christmas, followed by his 13th birthday on January 13. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has drawn more than $22,250 in donations. The eight-year-old migrant boy who died on Christmas Day while being held by US officials at a border facility in New Mexico, has been identified. Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, from Guatemala, was taken to the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, in Alamogordo, on Monday night after suffering nausea and vomiting. He was dead just a few hours later, becoming the second migrant child to lose their life while being detained by authorities this month. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that earlier that day, Felipe had showed 'signs of potential illness' Monday and was taken with his father, 47-year-old Agustin Gomez, to hospital. But medical staff simply diagnosed him with with a cold and a fever. The agency reports that he was given prescriptions for amoxicillin and Ibuprofen before being released from the facility on Monday afternoon. Scroll down for video Tragedy: A young boy, eight, from Guatemala lost his life on Christmas morning after being held by officials in a detention center (file photo of children resting in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas in June) Tragedy: Jakelin Caal (above in file photo), a seven-year-old girl from Guatemala, lost her life as well earlier this month while in custody Funeral: She was laid to rest on Christmas Eve in Guatemala, two weeks after she suffered cardiac arrest, brain swelling and liver failure that led to her death In its release announcing the boy's death on Christmas, the Department of Homeland Security used the closing paragraph to defend the practice of detaining children at the border. 'DHS has continued to see a dramatic increase in unaccompanied children and family units arriving at our borders illegally or without authorization,' began the closing paragraph. 'Consistent with existing law, these individuals are held at federal facilities pending their removal or release into the interior of the United States with a notice to appear at a court hearing. During their period of detention they received medical screenings and further treatment as needed.' Hospital: The agency reports that he was given prescriptions for amoxicillin and ibuprofen before being released from the facility on Monday afternoon (Gerald Champion medical center, where the boy received treatment, above) Jakelin Caal, a seven-year-old girl from Guatemala, lost her life as well earlier this month. Her mother was finally reunited with her daughter on Christmas Eve when the young girl's body was returned to the village where she had lived before attempting to enter the United States with her father. Once home she was laid to rest, two weeks after the Guatemalan girl died in US custody. An indigenous Mayan who had been hoping to begin a new life in the United States with her father, Jakelin came down with a fever while being detained by authorities, and on December 8 died in an El Paso hospital. She and her father handed themselves in to border agents in New Mexico on December 6 and two days later she fell ill. Jakelin died after suffering cardiac arrest, brain swelling and liver failure. Shocking video shows the moment a lone cop used his baton to fend off a group of drunken homeless men on a New York City subway platform. It was five against one Sunday night when the officer approached the men at East Broadway station after a woman reported that they were harassing her. 'Stand back! Stand back!,' the officer commanded as the group held an aggressive stance. 'I don't want to hurt you.' One of the men lunged at the officer, but clumsily missed and fell on the train tracks. Video shows a group of five homeless men in a confrontation with a NYC cop Sunday Police said the officer was working alone at a counter-terrorism 'Omega' post when the woman sought his help. When the officer approached the vagrants, police said he saw one of them laying on the platform and visibly intoxicated. When he told them to leave, officials say the men 'approached him aggressively' but the cop 'took action and gained control of the situation,' according to the Daily News. The video shows the officer brandishing his baton as he tried to deescalate the situation. At one point the officer kicked a man down and swung his baton to fend them off. Someone finally intervened to hold three of the men back as they attempted to overtake and outnumber the cop. One of the men broke free of the human barricade, but as the officer swatted him away the man fell on the tracks. The officer called the MTA to cut off the power lines and then called for backup. 'He handled the situation with incredible restraint using the least possible amount of force to bring it to a close,' a senior NYPD official told the Daily News. 'He did a very good job.' The officer brandishes his baton and tells the men to 'stand back!' as they hold an aggressive stance and lunge at him The officer kicks one man and swats the baton at another when they approach The officer was not injured and all five men - Oseas Garcia, 32, Juan Munez, 27, Raul Ruiz, 29, Elisoe Alvarez Santos, 36 and Leobardo Alvarado, 31 - were arrested when backup arrived. All of the men are homeless and hospitalized as intoxicated emotionally disturbed persons. Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch commended the officer for a job well done while condemning New York Mayor Bill de Blasio for his administration's handling of homelessness. The area in lower Manhattan where the incident occurred is a notorious hub for homeless people to get together and do drugs. 'Once again, in de Blasio's New York, we see a police officer having to rectify a problem allowed to fester by the inaction of this administration,' Lynch said. 'The officer was responding to a complaint from a woman of harassment by these homeless men at the station. He used textbook defensive measures taught in the police academy against overwhelming odds in an effort to protect himself and anyone else on the platform. He is to be commended for good work and courage,' he added. Authorities rescued 40 people including two children from the English Channel yesterday after five groups of migrants attempted to cross into the UK from France on small vessels. One boat carrying nine people suffered an engine failure shortly after leaving France. Fortunately the migrants were rescued by French authorities. The Home Office confirmed that five groups of migrants, mostly Iraqi, Iranian and Afghani, arrived in the country. French authorities intercepted this rubber dinghy off the coast of Calais carrying nine migrants after the engine on their boat failed in an bid to cross the Channel. In total 40 migrants made it from France to the UK under the cover of darkness One group of eight migrants, including a young girl arrived in Folkestone, Kent at around 2.40am. Border Force officials spotted a dinghy off the coast of Deal, Kent shortly before 7am carrying 13 people including a child. A Border Force cutter was sent to the Channel to intercept a dingy carrying seven men and a woman at around 5.50am. The migrants were offered medical attention before being interviewed by immigration officials. Officials said the children will be placed in the care of social services. Sources told the Daily Telegraph it was believed trafficking gangs were hoping to capitalise on an expected drop in the number of border patrols taking place over the Christmas period. In another incident in French waters, nine migrants were rescued and are now in the UK after the engine of the vessel they were travelling in failed. They have been transferred to the Coastguard to be assessed. Border Force officials are being assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency after being called to an incident in the Channel before 9.20am involving two people in a small boat travelling towards the UK. All 40 people are now in the UK, the Home Office said. Criminal gangs have been smuggling migrants across the Channel in dinghies such as this Zodiac, pictured earlier this month in Dover, Kent. Six people made it into the UK in this boat A spokeswoman said: 'Border Force has intercepted a number of boats containing migrants attempting to cross the Channel overnight and this morning, and has deployed resources to deal with these incidents. 'The evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel. 'We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk.' The Christmas Day crossings follow a number of migrant rescues in recent months involving people trying to travel across the Channel to Britain. One group of migrants was found in a rowing boat about two miles from Dover. In a statement, HM Coastguard said: '[We are] committed to safeguarding life around the seas and coastal areas of this country. 'We are only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities.' It comes as more than 150 migrants have been plucked from the English Channel trying to reach Britain since the start of November. Most of those held by police crossing the world's busiest shipping lane from France since November have claimed to be Iranian. It emerged last month that people smugglers are charging migrants up to 13,000 each to cross the Channel by inflatable dinghy. One family of would-be asylum seekers was charged 40,000 for the dangerous night-time sea crossing. So-called 'agents' have already charged families to reach the French coast. Many fly from Iran to countries such as Serbia or Turkey, before being smuggled across borders to make overland journeys across Europe. People traffickers then demand a further fee to get them to British soil. Individuals pay as much as 13,300 a head (15,000 euros) to board rubber dinghies for the freezing night journey. MP's have warned that lives will be lost without urgent action. Advertisement A year ago, to the day, Meghan raised eyebrows when she debuted a less-than-perfect curtsy to the Queen. But it appears the Duchess of Sussex has been practising because today, despite being pregnant, she adhered to royal protocol and knelt down much further. Royal experts criticised Meghan last year fire for her 'poor attempt' compared to Kate's more polished effort. This year, the pregnant Duchess pulled off a much deeper curtsy, they said, with her hands clasped together and head bowed as a sign of respect outside the St. Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham. Meghan's curtsy to the Queen this year (left) was much deeper and more profound than her attempt last year (right), royal observers said Kate's curtsy from last year (pictured) was deep and respectful, according to royal insiders. A proper curtsy is seen as a sign of respect Last year, Meghan's right foot was not properly planted behind her left leg which meant she was not able to curtsy deep enough while maintaining balance. However this year, the Duchess of Sussex was seen giving herself a much more solid platform from which to curtsy as she fully planted her right foot behind her left leg and bowed deeply out of respect. Royal butler Grant Harrold said: 'What you should be doing, for a lady, is the right foot behind the left, and then it is a gentle bob. 'You keep the hands in because you're not a penguin.' Britain's Queen Elizabeth leaves St Mary Magdalene's church after the Royal Family's Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church The Duchess of Cambridge, who politely curtsied to her husband's grandmother alongside Meghan, pulled it off with aplomb, according to Mr Harrold. Kate kept her back straight and bent slightly at the knee in her black heels, however Meghan dipped too low and bowed her head in last year's effort. Princes William and Harry simply nodded their heads beside their respective other halves, in front of the gathered crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the royal family's new 'fab four'. Kate and Meghan reportedly fell out over the last year with Kate being reported as crying at Princess Charlotte's dress fitting for Meghan's wedding The 37-year-old relied on Prince Harry to tell her exactly when to curtsy last year as she held onto her Chloe handbag. But this year the Duchess, who came in on Prince Harry's arm, chose to go chic in dark colours and high heeled black boots. She wore a double breasted tailored 2,250 coat from the VB line, as well as a pair of boots by David Beckham's wife. The stylish Duchess also carried a 1,200 powder box bag by the Spice Girl turned designer. However, she was matched perfectly with her husband who wore a lighter shade of blue. The former suits actress who married Prince Harry in May also wore black, calf height boots over a dark dress, coat and matching hat with dark blue feathers protruding from it. President Donald Trump on Tuesday wished U.S. troops stationed around the country and the world a merry Christmas, but only after making them wait for a video conference while they stared at his empty chair. When he did take his seat he quickly thanked the troops for their service and then immediately went onto to talk about the government shutdown and his desire to get the US- Mexico border wall built. After being greeted by a lieutenant colonel in Guam who wished him a merry Christmas, Trump responded, 'Well, I want to wish everybody a really Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year. Just remember: the people in our country, we're very proud of you. The country is doing well. We have a little bit of a shut down because we believe in walls and we believe in borders and we believe in barriers.' 'And, you know, we have a special country; people have to come in through the legal process, not just walk in. We have no idea who they are. And we're stopping drugs at a record rate, but we need some help and the help is the wall, we need a wall to help us. Otherwise, they just flow through no matter what you do,' Trump continued. Trump went on to speak about the migrant caravans traveling from Guatemala through Mexico hoping to seek asylum in the United States. The US military members around the world waited patiently on the president who was to deliver a Christmas thank you to them for their service Trump was greeted with a happy holidays from the troops to which he responded about the country being proud of them and went immediately into the government shutdown and re-stated his desire to get his wall built The president switched gears from thanking the troops to talking about the government shutdown and complaining about not having his border wall Trump made sure to speak about the government shutdown while speaking with the US military members stationed around the world during his Christmas day video conference with them in which he briefly thanked them for their service 'We had caravans of people coming up, you've been seeing it. And we stopped them, and we stopped him cold and they're heading back. For the most part, they're heading back or they're staying in Mexico.' 'But I will...I will tell you, I know the work you do, and it's been amazing and it's great. I will see you all. I know I'll meet you all. I'll see you all. But on behalf of the country, Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Keep doing the job, we're all very proud of you. Nobody can do what you do.' Trump spoke by video conference to members of all five branches of the U.S. military. The president is spending a rare Christmas in Washington because of a stalemate with Congress that left several government departments and agencies shuttered since the weekend, affecting the livelihoods of some 800,000 federal employees. Trump usually spends Christmas at his Florida estate. He scrapped plans to travel to Palm Beach because of the shutdown. 'I thought it would be wrong for me to be with my family,' he told reporters in the Oval Office after the give and take with members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard from their stations in Guam, Bahrain, Qatar and Alaska. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump each speak on the phone sharing updates to track Santa's movements from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve President Donald Trump speaks on the phone sharing updates to track Santa's movements from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa Tracker on Christmas President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended a Christmas Eve service at the National Cathedral, Monday 'My family is in Florida, Palm Beach, and I just didn't want to go down and be there when other people are hurting,' Trump said. He didn't say which family members were at the Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump and his wife, first lady Melania Trump, had an active Christmas Eve. They answered telephone calls from children who wanted to know where Santa was on his gift-giving journey, with the president at one point asking a seven-year-old named Coleman, 'Are you still a believer in Santa?' Trump listened for a moment before adding, 'Because at seven, it's marginal, right?' Reporters in the room could only hear Trump's end of the conversation during the NORAD Tracks Santa program. The program became a Christmas Eve tradition after a child mistakenly called the forerunner to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in 1955 and asked to speak to Santa. It was not affected by the shutdown because it's staffed by volunteers at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado using pre-approved funding. The Trumps later attended religious services at Washington National Cathedral. He and the first lady usually attend Christmas Eve services at the Episcopal church in Palm Beach where they were married in 2005. Madge Thomason Ebner and her daughter Karen Kunow. During the winter of 1931 an epidemic of pneumonia had hit Southern Maryland and did not leave the Thomason family untouched.It was the Christmas school break that our family moved once again. Seems we always moved when it was school vacation time so my older brother, J.L., and I didn't miss any school. I was seven years old when we moved from Virginia to the shores of the Patuxent in Mechanicsville, where we would become tenant farmers for the Coleman family. Compounding the long move, cold weather, and leaving our family behind was the battle with pneumonia for my younger sister, Clara, and I. You need to remember that pneumonia was treated differently then than it is nowthey did nothing! It was treated like a cold. Eighty years ago, penicillin and antibiotics were not available.Four-year-old Clara would jump out of bed and run to the slop jar (potty) and be sick. We didn't have indoor plumbing. She just never seemed to slow down! While the sicker I got the more I just wanted to lay in bed and be read to.Landlord and good neighbor Marie Coleman would stop by often with news of the next child victim of pneumonia. There were many funerals every week for children who lost the battle. Mrs. Coleman left no stone unturned looking for something that might help we girls. Not much worked until she brought us her canned green beans. This was a food I could eat and keep down! I truly believe the nutrients from those beans saved my life!Miss Mannly, my future Trent Hall school teacher, made a visit to our home to welcome her new students. She was so surprised at how little our family had. She must have spread the word that the Thomason family needed some help. Soon the Clyde Raley family supplemented our dinners with already cooked Maryland sea foods and showed Mama how to cook the catch. The Morgan boys gave Daddy the eels caught in their seine nets which he fed to the pig. "I don't know if I'm eating fish or pig", Daddy would say about the taste of the pig meat.It was customary for the one room school teacher to ask each family to donate something for a basket to be given to a family in need. Miss Mannly received an overwhelming response and decided the Thomason family should be the recipient. That Christmas I had never received so many presents and mostly from kids I had never met! Imagine my joy as a seven-year-old kid!Clara and I pulled through that bout, but in the spring she had a relapse and died in the hospital.But I swear it was those home grown, canned green beans that saved my life and all the generosity of strangers in our community and being surrounded by new family. As they snuggle up together, triplets Oliver, Aurelia and Oscar are too young to know that one or two of them might not be here if it hadnt been for their mothers instinct. The babies had life-threatening growth problems in the womb and worried doctors suggested terminating one or two to help the other survive. But their mother Katie Johnson was determined to give all three a chance of survival, and let nature take its course. Katie Johnson, pictured with her triplets in October. Doctors had told Mrs Johnson she should terminate two of her triplets to give one the best chance of survival. Left to right: Oliver, Aurelia and Oscar Mrs Johnson, 32, who works in commercial real estate and lives in London with husband Patrick, 35, was told at her 12-week scan that the placenta was being shared unequally and the triplets were suffering from growth restriction Now: Oliver, Aurelia and Oscar are too young to know that one or two of them might not be here if it hadnt been for their mothers instinct It was a decision that paid off. The three were born safely although Oliver weighed only 2lb 15oz, while his identical twin Oscar was 4lb. Non-identical Aurelia was 3lb 15oz. After a month in hospital they were all allowed to go home and have just spent their first Christmas together. Mrs Johnson, 32, who works in commercial real estate and lives in London with husband Patrick, 35, was told at her 12-week scan that the placenta was being shared unequally and the triplets were suffering from growth restriction. There was a risk to all of them, she said. Oliver was 25 per cent smaller than his brother and the blood flow wasnt getting to him properly. If Oliver died, Oscar could have died too. But there was no way that we could terminate one or two babies. We had to give them all a chance of survival. The three were born safely although Oliver weighed only 2lb 15oz, while his identical twin Oscar was 4lb. Non-identical Aurelia was 3lb 15oz But there was no way that we could terminate one or two babies. We had to give them all a chance of survival, Mrs Johnson said We feel incredibly lucky that the triplets have all survived, and are here with us to celebrate their first Christmas. Its an incredible gift, Mrs Johnson said After Mrs Johnson and her husband, who works in finance, refused to consider termination, doctors at Kings College Hospital carefully monitored the triplets throughout the pregnancy. Mrs Johnson said: It was nerve-racking as they were scanned each week, and it wasnt getting any better with Oliver. At 28 weeks we were told he had stopped growing completely. But doctors said that as long as the blood flow carried on getting to him, then they would leave him in the womb. Three weeks later, however, doctors discovered that the blood flow to Oliver had stopped and they had to get him out immediately to save his life. The triplets were delivered by caesarean section. Mrs Johnson said: It was a relief when they were all born safely. Oliver was incredibly tiny. The triplets gained in strength day by day and after four weeks were allowed home. They are now 11 weeks old and Mrs Johnson said: They have done incredibly well; we are so proud of them. Oliver has put on some weight, so hes catching up with his brother now. The doctors expect the difference to even out at some point. The staff at Kings College Hospital were fantastic. We couldnt have got through it without them. We feel incredibly lucky that the triplets have all survived, and are here with us to celebrate their first Christmas. Its an incredible gift. Jessica Daniels, 17, was among hundreds who turned out to greet the Royal Family after their Christmas Day church service in Sandringham Meghan Markle today embraced a teenager she made friends with years ago on Instagram after recognising her in the crowd at Sandringham. Jessica Daniels, 17, would often message the Suits actress on social media before she deactivated her accounts. The teenager had been holding up a sign with her Instagram username, Jessica Scarlett, on it as she waited in the crowd outside St Mary's Magdalene church this morning. When Meghan recognised the name, she instantly gave her old social media friend a hug. Jessica, from Peterborough, said she would often ask Meghan questions or tell the former actress about her day through Instagram. She said: 'I started watching Suits, then I started following her on social media and then followed her acting and followed her humanitarian work, so I've been a fan of her for years. 'There were a group of us girls on social media she became kind of close with and interacted a lot online. The teenager, who had followed the Duchess on social media before she deactivated her accounts, had been holding up a small sign with her Instagram username on it 'This is the first time I've met her, she just said "It's so lovely to meet you, incredible to finally see you" and she was asking how we all are and if we're still talking and supporting each other.' The Suits fan also said Meghan used to comment on her photographs on social media. Jessica was among hundreds who turned out to greet the Royal Family after their Christmas Day church service. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent time greeting hundreds of well-wishers as they waited in the cold. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been greeting hundreds of well-wishers outside St Mary's Magdalene church in Sandringham, Norfolk The Duchess previously recognised another Instagrammer at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland during her and Prince Harry's tour of New Zealand in October. Hannah Sergel, 20, used to speak with the duchess online and had held up a colourful sign baring her social media handle in the crowd. Ms Sergel had confided with Meghan about her health battle - and the former actress sent her messages encouraging her to be herself and work hard at university. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Christmas Day church service Kate and Meghan laughed together as they walked towards St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning The 20-year-old was left in tears of joy when the duchess, in a 1,728 custom cream dress by Brandon Maxwell, spotted her among the thousands of adoring royal fans. Meghan's jaw dropped when she noticed Ms Sergel - who then handed her a letter. It came on the final day of their visit, during which the couple were also gifted Maori coats in a traditional ceremony and visited a Kiwi hatchery before taking part in a redwood walk. Meghan Markle's jaw-dropped when she recognised a young New Zealand woman she used to follow on Instagram while meeting fans in Auckland in October A man who was found with 14 MDMA pills hidden in a condom shoved up his bottom has been slammed by a judge but avoided a jail sentence. Zachary Currall from Canberra was attending the Sensations music festival at Sydney Olympic Park in November last year when he was caught with the illegal drugs. On Thursday, Magistrate Brett Shields blasted the 27-year-old for his recklessness, asking: 'how many more young people have to die and end up on a slab' before festival-goers and young people understood the dangers of drugs. Zachary Currall from Canberra was attending the Sensations music festival at Sydney Olympic Park in November last year when he was caught with the illegal drugs The 27-year-old was caught at the Sensations music festival (pictured) at Sydney Olympic Park in November last year Currall was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order which he will serve back in his home state, and is also banned from using or associating with drugs, Fairfax reported. According to police facts presented to the court, Curall was approached by authorities about 6pm when he appeared to be 'nervous and continued to place his hands down the back of his pants'. Poll Should the government introduce pill testing at music festivals? Yes No Unsure Should the government introduce pill testing at music festivals? Yes 76 votes No 45 votes Unsure 1 votes Now share your opinion Police questioned Currall who initially denied he had any drugs on him. During the questioning, Currall received several text messages which increased police suspicion. 'F**KKKK FINGERS crossed they don't find anything,' one text read. Currall then confessed to having tablets 'up my arse', and proceeded to remove a tied condom which contained the 14 MDMA pills which weighed about four grams. He admitted to carrying the prohibited drugs in a recorded police interview but insisted they were for personal use. Upon further inspection of Currall's phone, police found another text message where he was asking to buy 'roundies' for $25 each, the publication reported. Currall confessed to having tablets 'up my arse', and proceeded to remove a tied condom which contained the 14 MDMA pills which weighed about four grams 'How many more parents have to be told their child is dead?' Magistrate Brett Shields asked Currall Callum Brosnan died from a suspected drug overdose in December after attending The Knockout Games of Destiny Rave Magistrate Shields reminded Currall of the recent death of a 19-year-old man at The Knockout Games of Destiny Rave music festival in December, including the two death which occurred at Defqon.1 festival in September. 'I don't know whether you really understand the kind of fire you were playing with, or the consequence it can have ... people are dying. Do you want to be someone who ends up on a slab? Do you want to be responsible for putting someone else there?' he said. 'How many more parents have to be told their child is dead? He also warned Currall that if he were caught with any other drug he will be in breach of the order. Earlier this month, Premier Gladys Berejiklian refused the introduction of pill testing at music festivals. The testing allows those who have illicit drugs to have them examined to see what the tablets contain and whether they were potentially unsafe. She said testing could lull people into thinking the drugs were safe to consume even though it could not account for people's different physiology. Earlier this month, Premier Gladys Berejiklian refused the introduction of pill testing at music festivals 'Unfortunately what pill testing doesn't do is really take into account people's different physical attributes,' she told the Today show earlier this month. 'What is safe for one person isn't safe for another. What is a safe dose for one person isn't a safe dose for another. 'I would hate to think that that culture of taking illegal drugs is one which is normalised and one which where pill testing is seen to be the absolute end to fixing this problem. 'If we thought it was going to make a difference we would go down that path. We don't think it will. 'The strongest thing we can do is send a message to young people please don't take any illegal substance.' Disgraced Labour MP Kate Osamor has vowed to stay in her council house despite her generous salary Disgraced Labour MP Kate Osamor has vowed to stay in her council house despite her generous salary. The party's former international development spokesman lives in a north London home worth 750,000 along with her former councillor son, who was recently convicted of drugs offences. The council house is in Haringey, where there are 10,000 families waiting for a home. Miss Osamor, 50, continues to live there despite earning a salary of 77,379 plus expenses. Her son Ishmael earns up to 43,835 as his mother's chief of staff. On Monday evening the defiant MP tweeted that everyone deserves a 'home for life'. She wrote: 'On Christmas Eve, I will always remember that nearly 30yrs ago I was a homeless single mum who secured a tenancy to my home. Everyone deserves a home for life. I remain proud, not ashamed, to be in social housing.' The comment will be controversial because many believe that people who earn large amounts should consider buying their own home privately thus freeing up social housing for the needy. The pair would not be eligible to apply for social housing now because of their combined wage. There is no upper limit to earnings once tenants have been placed in a property. In Miss Osamor's borough of Haringey, 3,000 are living in temporary accommodation, with some families living together in one room. Her son Ishmael, 29, is still in his Commons job despite being caught with 2,500 of ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis at the Bestival music festival in Dorset in September last year. Ishmael Osamor, who admitted three counts of possession with intent to supply and one count of possession, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and to pay 400 prosecution costs. Ms Osamor's son Ishmael, pictured, resigned from Haringey council after he was convicted of drugs offences Following his conviction, he stepped down from Haringey Council. Miss Osamor resigned from her Shadow Cabinet role earlier this month after it emerged that she had known more about her son's case than she had said. She had claimed she had not known about it until he was sentenced in October but it was discovered that she had written to the judge to plead for a short sentence. When it became clear that the pair were living in a council house, Twitter users were furious. Resham Kotecha wrote: 'This is absolutely ridiculous. There's a massive waiting list. Move out and let someone on the list have this home. 'You earn more than enough and should make way for someone who actually needs social housing.' A gang of ten youths have gone on a carjacking spree on Christmas Eve before pepper spraying a resident who tried to stop them. CCTV footage captured the brazen crime spree on a Gwelup street, north of Perth at about 2am on Tuesday. At least nine cars were robbed of wallets, phones, computers and large sums of money in 24 hours. Scroll down for video Ten teenage thieves carjacked at least nine vehicles of wallets, phones, computers and large sums of money One resident was pepper sprayed after they allegedly tried to stop the theft on Christmas Eve Victim Jayde Kinane told 9News no one was able to approach the thieves because 'they had rocks in their bags', which could pose as a danger. The teenagers had ransacked resident Josh Pimentel's car parked just metres from his mother's bedroom. Mr Pimentel had left the house for work in the morning when he noticed all his car doors were opened. 'All the club boxes were open, all my receipts were everywhere and everything was all over the place,' he said. 'It ruined my day. I was in the worst mood possible and it's the last thing you want to see, especially before Christmas Eve,' The security cameras were installed by a cautious resident just six weeks ago. The incident is being investigated by Western Australia police. The younger generations may continue to draw more and more of the limelight. We may gently sense a passing of the baton to heirs and successors be it at the Cenotaph or at Palace investitures or when it comes to buttering up world leaders. Yet there was no question of who remains firmly at the helm of the ship of state yesterday as the Queen led the Royal Family in prayer at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham. There was no Prince Philip at her side on Christmas morning for only the third time in 71 years of marriage (the 97-year-old Duke was said to be in good spirits but erring on the side of caution on a chilly Norfolk day). Yet the Queen looked anything but downcast as the rest of the family bobbed and bowed and followed behind her. There was no question of who remains firmly at the helm of the ship of state yesterday as the Queen led the Royal Family in prayer at St Mary Magdalene Meghan's curtsy to the Queen this year (left) was much deeper and more profound than her attempt last year (right) All eyes, understandably, were on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, spending their first Christmas as a married couple All eyes, understandably, were on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, spending their first Christmas as a married couple. The beaming duchess looked delighted to be there, managing a deep curtsy to the Queen and chatting animatedly with her sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, as they walked to and from the big house (with zero sign of any rift in that quarter). Take a (deep) bow, Meghan! After seven months as an official member of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex finally looks to have mastered her curtsy. Meghans attempt last Christmas was eclipsed by the Duchess of Cambridge, with the former actresss curtsy to the Queen at Sandringham church dubbed a wobbly bob. Yesterday, though, she was much more assured, dipping confidently with her legs crossed at the ankles and her expression composed all the more impressive given she is around five months pregnant. Meghan's attempt at at curtsy last year (left) while she managed to get deeper this year (right) Advertisement Newly-wed Princess Eugenie, in festive red, arrived with husband Jack Brooksbank, the latest addition to the ranks of the royal in-laws. Her sister, Princess Beatrice, walked with Autumn Phillips, wife of the Queens eldest grandson, Peter. Three hours later, the Queen was administering a badly needed dose of equanimity to a fractious nation in her Christmas broadcast. Here was the human embodiment of Keep Calm and Carry On doing just that. Seeking to apply some perspective to our fetid political atmosphere, she focused on the higher, nobler theme of sacrifice. It was striking that the first member of the family whom she singled out in her address should be her father. The Queen quoted the future George VI, writing home after the Battle of Jutland where he served as a young midshipman. Princess Beatrice and Autumn Phillips attend Christmas Day Church service It was this years centenaries of the Armistice and of the formation of the Royal Air Force which led yesterdays broadcast, along with another centenary the 100th anniversary of the Christmas carol service at Kings College, Cambridge. This has, of course, been a year of great family milestones for the Queen. Were she writing one of those round-robin letters stuffed inside so many of our Christmas cards, she could have filled up pages with the weddings, the births, the birthdays and all the other landmarks all of which have underlined the increasingly important role of the monarchy as the strongest glue which binds our cracked society. Got a point to prove, Mr Markle? Meghan's father delivered toys and sweets to refugee children on the US border on Christmas Eve. Thomas Markle, 74, stopped at a hostel and camp for migrants in Tijuana, Mexico. His visit to families trying to get into the US seemed designed to appeal to the humanitarian side of Meghan. They have not spoken since before her wedding in May. Advertisement Only someone as secure and self-assured as the Queen would have been quite as blase about, say, Prince Harrys wedding to Meghan Markle back in May. Here was a global media event watched by billions, a glorious sun-kissed advertisement for the UK and for the House of Windsor. It was perhaps the last occasion in 2018 when the entire country buried its quarrels for a day. If this had been a politicians broadcast, it would have been right up at the top of the bill. Yet it was reduced to a few frames in the Queens annual round-up. Ditto the arrival of Prince Louis or the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales and there was just a nano-mention of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs impending arrival. The Queen herself has never liked boasting, except when it comes to her Forces, her Church and her Commonwealth. This year, she herself hosted the largest and most harmonious summit in the Commonwealths history when the leaders of all 53 member nations comprising a third of the worlds population gathered at Buckingham Palace. All the family rallied round to help the Head of the Commonwealth host her meeting. Though she has never intervened in its internal workings before, the Queen did voice her wish that the Prince of Wales should eventually succeed her as head (the position that is not a hereditary one). Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall arriving at the Sandringham service yesterday The leaders duly agreed, without a single dissenting voice, to nominate him as her successor. Few can recall the last time that this argumentative outfit was so united on an important issue. In her tenth decade, the Queen has continued to guide her Prime Minister on a weekly basis, to tour the nation and to ensure fellow heads of state are made to feel welcome. In the past six months she has not only staged a full state visit for the king and queen of Holland and entertained the entire Diplomatic Corps to dinner personally shaking hands with almost 1,000 guests but she has also charmed Donald Trump. His visit to Windsor for tea (and coffee) went on for twice as long as both sides had allotted. rincess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall were allat the Christmas service In other words, at a time when royal officials and commentators talk of Team Windsor shouldering more of the chores with the Prince of Wales in the vanguard the boss is still very much the boss. Next year, Britain marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the 70th birthday of the Queens beloved Commonwealth. I think we can already guess some of the scenes in next years Christmas broadcast. Just dont expect to hear the word Brexit. The Government is reducing the minimum investment in Premium Bonds from the current level of 100 to 25 to encourage more saving If your child received cash for Christmas, consider squirrelling it away, ready to buy Premium Bonds in the New Year. Those willing to wait a few weeks will be able to invest as little as 25 in the bonds, compared to the current minimum requirement of 100. Premium Bonds allow you to enjoy a flutter each month without losing your stake. The Government-run National Savings & Investments, which sells the bonds, pays out monthly tax-free prizes worth between 25 and 1 million. Next month, NS&I expects to hand out 3,177,703 prizes worth 90.8 million. The vast majority of these (3,120,433) will be for 25. There are then 24,906 50 and 100 prizes apiece; 5,451 at 500; 1,817 at 1,000; 101 at 5,000; 51 at 10,000; 21 at 25,000; ten at 50,000; five at 100,000 and two 1 million jackpots. At the start of each month, winning numbers are generated by a machine known as ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment), which was invented by one of the team of World War II code breakers at Bletchley Park. In 1956, it took more than 100 days to complete a draw. Now, it happens in around five hours. Every 1 bond number has a one in 24,500 chance of winning a monthly prize. But, for the 1 million jackpot, the odds are much longer, at around one in 39 billion. When the first Premium Bond was sold on November 1, 1956, the minimum stake was 1 worth around 24.97 in todays money. It crept up to 2 in 1972 (around 26.93) and again to 5 (39.95) four years later, before doubling to 10 (30.62) in July 1985. The numbers are picked out by a the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment more commonly known as ERNIE To curb costs, NS&I hiked the minimum stake to 100 (255.36) for adults in the late Eighties and then for children in 1993. This effectively priced out grandparents who wanted to treat all their grandchildren to the same stake at Christmas as well as many parents. However, next year, the minimum investment will be reduced to just 25. NS&I will not say exactly when this will happen, only that it will be before the end of March. The Government savings arm also plans to allow uncles, aunts, godparents and family friends to buy Premium Bonds for children. Currently, only parents, grandparents and legal guardians can purchase the bonds for under-16s. Ian Ackerley, chief executive of National Savings & Investments, says: We are extending the opportunity for more people to save and trying to encourage a savings habit, especially among younger people. Despite the current minimum stake of 100, Premium Bonds have remained the favourite NS&I product by far, with some 78 billion invested by more than 21 million customers. Thats nearly double the size of Britains second-largest building society, Coventry. Over a 12-month period, NS&I currently pays out 1.4 pc of the value of the money in the bonds or just over 1 billion though this percentage and the odds of winning can change. If you buy Premium Bonds online, over the phone or through the post for your grandchildren, you need to name a parent or legal guardian to look after them. The child will then receive the prize money even if you bought them. The bonds must be held for a full calendar month before they go into the draw. So bonds bought in January will go in from March. All money in the bonds is 100 pc guaranteed by HM Treasury. Advertisement Amal Clooney flaunted her post-baby body in a superhero inspired corset while arriving at a party at Anna Wintour's New York City home, just 10 months after giving birth to Ella and Alexander, her twins with husband George Clooney. The stunning 40-year-old human rights lawyer wowed in the bold red top with a cape detail while attending a party celebrating Glamour magazine's new editor-in-chief, Samantha Barry. Amal, who is friends with Samantha, co-hosted the high-profile event held at Anna's Greenwich Village townhouse on Monday evening. Scroll down for video Wow: Amal Clooney flaunted her post-baby body in a superhero-inspired corset for a bash at Anna Wintour's home in New York City Flawless: The stunning 40-year-old human rights lawyer wowed in the bold during her Monday outing Amal stood out in her lingerie-inspired top, which featured lace sleeves and a matching train that flowed down to her ankles. The corset highlighted the natural beauty's slim waist, flashing a hint of her midriff and her cleavage. She paired the sultry number with black skintight jeans and topped off her look with ankle booties and a black satin clutch featuring a gold clasp. The mother of two painted her pout a red hue, adding shimmery eye shadow and a touch of blush beneath her defined brows. Opting for a deep side part, she wore her long brunette tresses in loose waves that flowed past her shoulders. Amal was joined by fashion's biggest faces, including model Ashley Graham, actress Sienna Miller, television personality La La Anthony, and designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, and Zac Posen. Gorgeous arrival: The corset highlighted the natural beauty's slim waist, flashing a hint of her midriff and her cleavage Chic: Amal stood out in her lingerie-inspired top, which featured lace sleeves and a matching train that flowed down to her ankles What a lady: She paired the sultry number with black skintight jeans, adding booties and a black clutch Ashley, 30, poured her curves into a one-shouldered floral dress, which had a deep thigh slit. The form-fitting frock had a red, black and gray flower pattern, and she topped off the look with stiletto sandals. She slicked her brown locks back into a bun and added a swipe of pink gloss to her full lips. Meanwhile, Sienna, 36, went for a more springtime look, opting for a blue, red, yellow and black floral dress. The mother of one added an edgy touch to her look by topping off her frock with a black leather duster coat and her lace up boots. She clutched a structured handbag while making her way into the party. During the gathering, Samantha, 36, took to Instagram to share a photo of herself posed with her arms around Amal, while Anna was smiling next to them. Good times: Amal's statement piece featured double straps on each side with long-sleeved lace sleeves and a cape detail, grazing her legs. She is seen with Sienna Miller (r) and Bel Powley (c) Turning heads: The mother of two painted her pout a red hue, adding shimmery eye shadow and a touch of blush beneath her defined brows, She is pictured with Sienna Miller (r) and Bel Happy: The party, hosted by Amal and Anna, was thrown to celebrate Samantha Barry's new role as editor-in-chief for Glamour magazine Fancy: Model Ashley Graham was also part of the guest list, and the cat walker poured her curves into a form fitting one-shouldered floral dress Beaming: The 30-year-old cover girl chose a red, black and gray flower patterned gown, which had a deep thigh slit In bloom: Actress Sienna Miller, 36, went for a more springtime look, opting for a blue, red, yellow and black floral dress 'A super special night hosted by two of my favorite women Amal Clooney and Anna Wintour to celebrate my new role as Editor in Chief @glamourmag,' she captioned the image. Samantha was most recently the executive producer for social and emerging media at CNN Worldwide before she was named Cindi Leive's successor at Glamour. Cindi, 50, announced in September that she was leaving the magazine after 16 years as editor-in-chief. Samantha is the magazine's eighth editor-in-chief since it debuted in 1939, and the first one with an exclusively digital background. Star studded: Designers Diane Von Furstenberg (l) and Zac Posen (r) were also attendees Pretty in pattern: Lala chose a plaid mid-calf dress, adding pink lipstick and cobalt blue heels Heading inside: Designer Michael Kors (l) and TV personality Gayle King (c) were on hand, as well as Amal's mother, Baria (r) Bundled up: Designer Vera Wang, 68, covered up in a fur coat with black trousers and a coordinating blouse Grinning ear to ear: Megyn Kelly went for an off-the-shoulder black jumpsuit, adding silver heels and a coordinating clutch Having a blast: Huma Abedin (c) and Sienna were seen leaving together, with fellow friend Bel in tow Pals: Sienna clutched a structured handbag as she and Huma left Anna's home after the party All dressed up: Huma chose an emerald green off-the-shoulder frock with red lipstick. She is pictured with Sienna (r) and Bel Anna, who is also Conde Nasts artistic director, said in a statement to the New York Times that Samantha is 'fearless like so many leaders of the moment.' 'We recognized at once that Sam would be the perfect editor for a new more ambitious era of Glamours future,' she said. 'We cannot wait to see her vision unfold.' Samantha met Amal when they were both living and working in London, and they got so close that she was invited to her wedding to George Clooney. Amal and George, 56, got engaged on April 28, 2014 and tied the knot five months later during a destination wedding in Venice, Italy. The Lebanon-British barrister and the movie star welcomed twins - a daughter, Ella, and son, Alexander - on June 6, 2017. Former Today show host Lisa Wilkinson, 59, spent 10 years at Channel Nine before jumping ship to Ten. And on Saturday, Lisa became nostalgic as she reflected on a perk she was able to perform for the network for almost a decade. The Project host was the face of Nine's Carols By Candelight, and in her absence this year she said: 'It was always such an honour to be welcomed into, literally, millions of Aussie homes on such a special family night.' Scroll down for video 'Truth is, I loved it': Lisa Wilkinson becomes nostalgic as she reflects on one of her favourite memories working for Channel Nine after leaving the network last year for Ten The presenter was pictured in front of a Christmas tree for the vintage snap - no doubt from a prior Carols By Candlelight. 'For almost a decade at this time of the year I was heading to Melbourne for Carols by Candlelight,' she begun, having hosted it from 2008 to 2016. 'Still one of the greatest thrills I had during my time at Nine.' 'One of the greatest thrills I had during my time at Nine': Lisa would fly from Sydney to Melbourne each year to host the event from 2008 to 2016 Despite the demanding role, Lisa said she loved celebrating the Christmas holiday with millions of viewers watching from home. 'It did mean being away from Pete and the kids and our crazy big extended family on Christmas Eve and then crawling into bed at 3AM on Christmas morning.' She went on to say how much she missed it: 'The truth is, I loved it.' New presenters: Today Extra hosts Sonia Kruger, 53, and David Campbell, 45, (both pictured) will host Carols by Candlelight this year The presenter role is now being given to Today Extra star Sonia Kruger, and her co-host David Campbell. Lisa has been reflecting a lot on her time at Channel Nine with the axing of her former Today show co-host, Karl Stefanovic. Taking to her Instagram, Lisa appeared to post a backhanded tribute to her former co-presenter Karl who got the sack on Wednesday. 'Wishing @karlstefanovic_ all the best. Because when it was good, it was great @thetodayshow.' Way back when: Lisa and Karl, 44, hosted the breakfast show together from 2007 until she quit in 2017 following a pay dispute with network bosses Lisa and Karl hosted the breakfast show together from 2007, until Lisa quit in 2017 following an alleged pay dispute with network bosses. Lisa is now enjoying her Christmas holidays from The Sunday Project. Taking to Instagram last Friday, Lisa let fans known she was going on a break from filming the show. KIIS FM radio host, Jackie 'O' Henderson shocked her legion of fans in October when she announced she had split with her ex-husband, Lee Henderson. And two months after her admission, the 43-year-old star confessed she's feeling 'so happy' as she soaked up the sun with her daughter Kitty, eight, in Fiji this week. Jackie, who has been holidaying with her youngster at the lavish Kokomo Private Island resort in the South Pacific, shared an upbeat post to Instagram on Sunday. Scroll down for video 'Feeling so happy!' KIIS FM radio host Jackie 'O' (left) celebrates the festive season with daughter Kitty (right) in lavish Fiji Island resort following shock split from ex-husband Lee Henderson 'Another day in paradise - feeling so happy!!! Couldn't think of a better place to be,' Jackie captioned the image. In the accompanying image, Jackie was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as she posed alongside her adorable daughter at the beach. The blonde broadcaster slipped into a Rip Curl one-piece, which perfectly matched Kitty's floral swimsuit. Jackie and her daughter are currently staying at one of the radio star's favourite resorts, the Kokomo Private Island Fiji, where guests can enjoy a personal butler service, gourmet dining and beachfront villas at $3,500 (AU) a night. Shock split: The KIIS FM radio host (right) shocked her legion of fans in October when she announced she had split with her ex-husband, Lee (left). Pictured in March 2018 A one-bedroom beachfront villa starts at $3,524 a night, and prices increase to $4,085 a night during peak season, which is typically over the Christmas and New Year's break. Guests have the option to stay in either a one-bedroom, two-bedroom or three-bedroom villa. They can also stay in a luxury residence on the island, with a three-bedroom pad hosting up to six guests for at least $10,212 a night. From a personal butler service, gourmet dining and stunning beachfront villas at $3,500 a night: Inside the luxury island resort in Fiji where Jackie O is holidaying with daughter Kitty Lavish: The 43-year-old radio host is staying at one of her favourite resorts, the Kokomo Private Island Fiji (pictured is a villa on the island) No expenses spared! A one-bedroom beachfront villa starts at $3,524 a night, where prices go up to $4,085 a night in peak season, which is typically over the Christmas and New Year's break (pictured is inside one of the villas) Loving it: Jackie has shared a number of snaps to her Instagram account of the pair's stay A personal butler service is provided for guests who stay in a villa or residence. Also included in the rate for the villas is a 45-minute spa package, a scuba drive experience and water sport activities among other inclusions. There are three top chefs at the resort, including Australian-born, Anthony Healy. Pricey! Guests can also stay in a luxury residence on the island, with a three-bedroom pad hosting up to six guests for at least $10,212 a night Relaxing: For the health-conscious, guests can enjoy yoga, meditation and Pilates classes by the ocean For the health-conscious, guests can enjoy yoga, meditation and Pilates classes by the ocean. Jackie has shared a number of snaps to her Instagram account of the pair's stay including a photo of her and Kitty swimming in their private pool in matching floral vests. 'My girl,' Jackie captioned one shot of the pair, adding the hashtags 'holidays' and 'girls trip.' One hot Mama! She also showcased her recent 10kg weight loss in a Rip Curl one-piece as she strolled from their villa to the beach She also showcased her recent 10kg weight loss in the same one-piece swimsuit as she strolled from their villa to the beach. Jackie - who reportedly signed a five-year $20 million contract with KIIS FM in 2016 - has previously holidayed at the resort with ex Lee and Kitty, and in July revealed she was leaving Fiji as a certified diver. Jackie and Lee announced their split in October, after 18 years together. Over: Jackie (right) and Lee (left) announced their split in October, after 18 years together Jackie's holiday in the sun comes just days after Lee was spotted with a mystery brunette at Camp Cove in Sydney. An onlooker told The Sydney Morning Herald it appeared the two people knew each other well. In a candid photo, Lee could be seen walking shirtless down the beach wearing a pair of board shorts. Lee's female companion, meanwhile, showed off her slender figure in a string bikini. On January 4, 2019, the Board of Governors of the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC) cordially invites the Southern Maryland community to participate in a Stakeholders Forum. This all-day "Transforming Southern Maryland" event will be held at the SMHEC campus at 44219 Airport Road, California, Maryland, in the Center Hall of Powell Hall (Building 2), 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration, including sponsored lunch and breaks, is free. To check the agenda and register, visit: smhec.patuxent-labs.com Confirmed speakers include: U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen, The Governor of Maryland's representative, Dr. James Fielder JR., MD Secretary of Higher Education: Dr. Robert Caret, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland (USM): RADM John Lemmon, Commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division: Dr. Darryll Pines, Dean of the Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland College Park; Dr. Joann Boughman, USM Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ms. Ellen Herbst, USM Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance; and Mr. Tom Sadowski, USM Vice Chancellor for Economic Development; as well as a host of other recognized local leaders.The forum follows the theme that research, and technology inform education, education informs the workforce and the workforce brings innovation and economic diversity. This theme closely aligns with the forthcoming merger of SMHEC with USM. With the merger, SMHEC becomes the USM Southern Maryland Regional Center. This center comes with an $84M USM research and classroom building. The building, to be complete by 2021, features ample research space dedicated to advancing the science of autonomous systems. The additional classrooms provide capacity for expanded education. This includes the ability of local students to attend the College of Southern Maryland and to go on to complete their undergraduate degree without need to leave Southern Maryland. The multi-purpose assembly space permits much needed meeting space for community events.The goal of the forum is to factually inform and positively empower community stakeholders in the process of shaping the emergent center to satisfy regional needs. To this end, the afternoon of the forum will be dedicated to thematically relevant discussion groups to explore each aspect of the research, education and workforce triad.The evolution of the economic development at the adjacent St. Mary's County Regional Airport reflects the opportunity for complementary growth and vitality in Southern Maryland. As similar partnerships grow, programs are created, and economic drivers are identified and supported, the Center needs the stakeholder community to remain engaged and informed.Our sponsors include: The Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, the University System of Maryland (USM), Smartronix, Sabre Systems, the Aviation Systems Engineering Company (AESC), Coherent Technical Services, Inc. (CTSI), S. Hunt Aero, LLC and the Florida Institute of Technology. Registration is FREE, but space is limited. We encourage early registrations via: smhec.patuxent-labs.com/registration. She's been making the most of single life after splitting from her fiance John Noble last month. And Vicky Pattison made sure she turned heads on Saturday as he enjoyed a night out in her hometown of Newcastle. The former Geordie Shore star, 31, made a bold fashion statement as she put on a leggy display and showcased her sensational physique in a figure-hugging neon green dress. Work it: Vicky Pattison made sure she turned heads on Saturday as he enjoyed a night out in her hometown of Newcastle Adding height to her frame, she teamed the bright item of clothing with a pair of black suede heels. Dressing for the cool winter weather, she layered her ensemble with a black fur-looking duster coat. Vicky styled her brunette locks into an elegant blow-dried and sweptback hairdo, she added a full face of glamorous make-up. Strike a pose: The former Geordie Shore star, 31, made a bold fashion statement as she put on a leggy display and showcased her sensational physique in a figure-hugging neon green dress The reality star's appearance comes after she was seen putting on an extremely cosy display with a male pal on Thursday, as she let her hair down for an evening at Winter Wonderland. Vicky looked slightly worse-for-wear as she larked about with numerous male friends, after splitting from fiance John last month. In the snaps Vicky can be seen playfully dancing and hugging several male pals as she larked about in the festive theme park for a friend's birthday, before hilariously shouting at someone across the room. Who's that?: The reality star's appearance comes after she was seen putting on an extremely cosy display with a male pal on Thursday, as she let her hair down at Winter Wonderland Hilarious: Vicky looked slightly worse-for-wear as she larked about with numerous male friends, after splitting from fiance John last month Chic: As she perched inside the beer tent, Vicky kept her dark raven tresses styled into effortless waves Vicky was looking effortlessly chic in a stylish cream jumper and black skirt for the occasion, as she covered her brunette waves with a blacker baker boy hat. The reality TV starlet could be seen closely embracing on a mystery gentleman, before going on to jokingly do dance moves with another while sitting down. Vicky certainly seemed in good spirits on the outing following her recent heartache, as she shared close hugs with several of her male pals on the raucous night out. It came as Vicky continued to nurse her recent heartache, after insiders exclusively told MailOnline in November that she had split from fiance John Noble. Down in one: Vicky was seen rubbing shoulders with several male friends as they celebrated a birthday in the group Chic: The Newcastle-born star was perfectly dressed for the chilly December climes as she sported a stylish cream jumper and black baker boy hat Sources revealed: 'Vicky and John are officially over. She is concentrating on her busy work schedule and surrounding herself with positivity, friends and family... 'Its been a difficult couple of weeks but she is moving on with her life and looking forward to the future. News of the split comes after it was revealed the couple had began filming a bridal show just days before John headed on his fateful trip. Despite the fairy-tale aspects of their romance, sadly things came crashing down earlier this month when John was exposed for his love rat ways when a number of images and videos came to light showing her beau mingling with other revellers. Hilarious: While inside the beer tent Vicky could be seen taking part in numerous drinking games, as she also chatted with her bevvy of male friends Done: It came as Vicky continued to nurse her recent heartache, after insiders exclusively told MailOnline in November that she had split from fiance John Noble (pictured together in January) To add to her heartache, the betrayal will see the end of the wedding lead-up show however it has been revealed she will tackle the programme solo. Insiders told MailOnline: 'Vicky and John had a wedding special confirmed and started filming just a few days before John went on the boys' trip to Dubai. 'Obviously it was devastating for Vicky to have all this come out just after they started shooting. Vicky has decided to carry on filming with the crew. She's a professional and didn't want to let anyone down. Dancing it out: Linking hands with one of her pals Vicky could be seen trying to boogie while sitting down, as she looked slightly worse for wear on the outing What did you say?: The I'm A Celebrity star was also seen to be leaning in to try and whisper in her friend's ear inside the noisy bar 'It goes without saying it won't be a wedding show, but will follow Vicky on the next chapter as she bounces back from John's betrayal. She was excited to be starting wedding planning and looking at venues, but life has changed now.' Following the night out, Vicky took to Instagram on Thursday to post some snaps of her own, as she lauded seven years of friendship with her male pals, as well as celebrating one's 30th birthday. In the lengthy post she wrote: 'Winter wonderland... Such a lovely way to say goodbye to London for the year! So nice to bump into the gorgeous @lauraanderson1x and as always amazing to be with these lads!!! Stylish: The raven-haired brunette was still looking effortlessly chic in the white jumper and black trousers Give us a cuddle: Later in the evening, Vicky was seen grabbing one of her friends for a hug 'I couldnt live without these lads... and Im happy to announce that weve now officially been friends for over 7 years which means youre stuck with me forever!!! HAHA!!! 'Oh and I hope you had a nice birthday night @dannyj970! Dirty 30 palllllll!!!!! Ps Im wearing everyones coats in the last one... it was cold and Im a f***y.' Vicky's night out had come after she rubbed shoulders with Love Island beauty Laura Anderson earlier in the evening. The two stars put on a stylish display in matching cream jumpers as they posted up a storm at the festive theme park. Tender embrace: The reality starlet was seen trying to hug one of her friends Pals: Vicky Pattison was in good spirits following her recent relationship heartache on Thursday, enjoying a day at Winter Wonderland with Love Island's Laura Anderson Following her split from John, Vicky recently took to social media to post a snap on a night out with a male pal, where she thanked him for 'standing by her through tough times and awful relationships.' Fans were delighted to see Vicky's spirits lifted and took to the comments section to urge her to consider Gavin as a potential love interest. While his relationship status is unknown, they wrote things like: 'You just never know, your true love could of been in front of you the whole time & you just never knew it.' Others added: 'He's in love with you.' and 'The look on his face as he gets friend zoned.' Tough time: The 31-year-old reality star recently sent followers into a tailspin, posting a snap with a male pal, which led many fans to claim he could be her new dream man Em Rusciano was rushed to hospital this week following a pregnancy scare. And now the 39-year-old former radio star has revealed she won't be returning to the airwaves in a full-time capacity anytime soon. In an Instagram story question and answer on Sunday, a fan asked if she would return to radio after she gives birth, to which she firmly stated 'no'. Scroll down for video 'No more radio for me': Former 2Day FM star Em Rusciano reveals she won't return to radio after giving birth as it no longer suits her lifestyle Em replied: 'Oh, darling, no more radio for me.' 'Look, I am happy to fill-in every now and then but I don't want to [return full-time].' She said that she had too much to do in the New Year. 'I went into early labour': Em Rusciano, 39, was rushed to hospital this week following a pregnancy scare in her final trimester 'I've got a show, I've got a podcast, I've got a kid, got a maternity line - I don't want to do radio anymore, it doesn't suit me.' 'Every now and then,' she hinted as a possibility. Em bid farewell to the 2Day FM breakfast show she hosted with Ed Kavalee and Grant Denyer in September. Scary! 'I overdid it this week and went into early labour yesterday,' Em wrote online 'The truth is when I found out I was pregnant, I made my mind up on the spot that this year would be my last year of breakfast radio,' she said at the time. 'I had intended to work through until December, but as my pregnancy is progressing I'm finding it increasingly harder to fulfil the requirements of my job.' And it has been a difficult pregnancy for Em, who is in her third trimester. She revealed that she went into early labour on Friday and is now forced to rest up in hospital for the next few days. Resting up: 'I'm OK, the baby is OK and the good news is they managed to stop it for now. He needs a few more weeks to cook,' she said Taking to her Instagram story on Saturday, Em said that she and her unborn son are fine, with doctors managing to stop the birth as 'he needs a few more weeks to cook.' 'I overdid it this week and went into early labour yesterday,' Em wrote online. 'I'm OK, the baby is OK and the good news is they managed to stop it for now. He needs a few more weeks to cook,' she said. The media personality explained she has to stay in hospital on 'forced' bed rest, which she is 'not coping with.' Em went on, urging her fans to 'listen' their bodies and not to push themselves while pregnant. 'The lesson here is: listen to your body and don't be a hero, or renovate your house when you're eight months up the duff!' Taking it slow: Em went on, urging her fans to 'listen' their bodies and not to push themselves while pregnant Family: Em is expecting her third child, a son, with husband Scott Barrow (right). The couple are already parents to two daughters, Marchella, 16, and Odette, 11 'I'm in incredible hands with the midwives and Scotty and Mum,' she said. While in hospital on Saturday, the former radio personality was also visited by fellow Australian Idol alumni Rob Mills. He attempted to make her dining experience relaxed by cutting up her meat and vegetables on plate. 'I'm just helping you out, just so you can spoon the food in,' he said, before going on to joke that she was like an old lady with dentures. 'I'm just helping you out!' While at the hospital, the former radio personality was also visited by fellow Australian Idol alumni Rob Mills (pictured) Em is expecting her third child, a son, with husband Scott Barrow. The couple are already parents to two daughters, Marchella, 16, and Odette, 11. Em recently shared a 3D ultrasound image of her yet-to-be born son on Instagram and raved about his features and posing prowess. 'Straight up hottie! My son, those lips, that button nose, and the casual shoulder posing! See you in eight weeks kiddo,' Em captioned the shot. 'Yah (sic) he's mine (I mean obviously he is...I'm growing him) B**ch already knows his angle,' captioned another 3D ultrasound image. Love Island star Charlie Taylor declared 'Christmas came early' for him this year as he enjoyed a scantily-clad hotel celebration with his new girlfriend on Saturday. The hunky Islander and his Estonian model lady love Astrid stripped down to red lingerie and playfully posed in a 'couple shoot' at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. The new flames were certainly feeling the festive spirit as the ripped reality television star was seen cheekily embracing his girlfriends pert derriere. Scroll down for video 'Christmas came early this year!' Love Island star Charlie Taylor (left) and his new Estonian model girlfriend Astrid (right) enjoy scantily-clad hotel celebration Clad in jocks emblazoned with the word 'hung like a stocking', Charlie oozed sex appeal as he splayed his legs out and reclined on the hotel bed. Meanwhile, Astrid proved to be the definition of red hot as she posed in a satin push-up bra and a matching suspender set. 'Christmas came... early this year!' Charlie captioned the Instagram shot, alongside the hashtags 'Mr and Mrs Claus' and 'couple shoot.' Bit of all white! In the sizzling image, Astrid flaunted her peachy posterior in a white G-string, while Charlie showcased his impressive six-pack abs in a pair of grey jocks Astrid also took to the photo-sharing app on Saturday to post another scantily-clad photo of the pair from their shoot. In the sizzling image, Astrid flaunted her peachy posterior in a white G-string, while Charlie showcased his impressive six-pack abs in a pair of grey jocks. After the couple's work in the bedroom was done, the fitness model revealed the pair treated themselves to a glass of sparkling wine and fancy desserts. The blonde model also shared an image of a heart-shaped pendant necklace, she likely received as an early Christmas gift from Charlie. Charlie Taylor's mystery blonde revealed! The Love Island star (left) is dating Estonian model Astrid (right), after the pair were caught kissing at the beach Blonde bombshell! Astrid was identified by members of the public after displaying a distinctive arm tattoo during her beach date with Charlie 'We've partnered together': It seems Charlie and Astrid are business and creative partners in addition to dating one another, as they have featured together in comedic viral videos Charlie, who was the first person to be kicked off the Mallorca-based dating series earlier this year, has also apparently 'partnered' with Astrid to release a clothing line. Astrid was identified by members of the public after displaying a distinctive arm tattoo during her beach date with Charlie. While the pair have yet to comment publicly on their relationship, Charlie recently described them as 'couple goals' in a social media post. It seems they are business and creative partners in addition to dating one another, as they have featured together in comedic viral videos. Meanwhile, they both announced a partnership on Instagram on Thursday to produce a clothing label called Cabu Collection. Love Island Australia winner Grant Crapp is ready for another round of reality TV romance. In an interview with New Idea this week, the 23-year-old hinted that he's open to fronting the next season of Channel Ten's The Bachelor. 'I like to really test my limits and put myself in uncomfortable situations, so watch this space,' he told the magazine when asked about a potential spot on the series. The next Honey Badger? Love Island Australia's Grant Crapp has hinted that he's open to fronting the next season of Channel Ten's The Bachelor Grant won the inaugural season of Love Island Australia alongside Tayla Damir. However, their relationship was short-lived after it emerged that tradie Grant had a girlfriend on the outside. Tayla dumped the tradie after he lied about the relationship, before moving on with her Love Island co-star Dom Thomas. Flashback: Grant won the inaugural season of Love Island Australia alongside Tayla Damir If Grant does secure the coveted role of next year's Bachelor, then he won't be the first reality with a questionable past to front the show. Earlier this year, Ali Oetjen was named The Bachelorette despite allegations that she cheated on her boyfriend Grant Kemp, whom she met on Bachelor In Paradise. Love Island Australia's Kim Hartnett recently hinted that Grant's 'secret girlfriend' storyline from the show may have been staged by producers. Secret girlfriend: Controversy erupted when fans discovered that Grant, 23, was hiding girlfriend Lucy Cartwright (pictured) back home while dating Tayla Kim claims that at the start of filming, Grant confessed to her that he had a girlfriend but the footage of their chat was deliberately edited out to avoid spoiling a storyline that played out later in the series. 'Producers knew all about it... I'm pretty sure the reason why they couldn't put it in is because they were waiting for me to tell someone,' the 22-year-old single mother told Daily Mail Australia at Gold Coast's HiSmile event. 'It would've looked stupid if the producers just put a clip of Grant saying ''Oh, I have a girlfriend'', when my reaction was like, ''Oh, cool, good for you'',' she explained. Kim revealed that she was the only one that knew about Grant's 'secret girlfriend'. Staged? Love Island Australia's Kim Hartnett recently hinted that Grant's 'secret girlfriend' storyline from the show may have been staged by producers 'I haven't told anyone this but Grant told me on like week one 'cause we were really close in the villa, I was the first person he told,' she explained. 'He told me he was with someone before the show and I was like, ''Well, was she happy you went on the show?'' and he was like, ''Well, not really,'' Kim recalled, adding that Grant was just going to 'see what happens' after the show. While Love Island Australia was airing in June and July, controversy erupted when fans discovered that Grant, 23, was hiding girlfriend Lucy Cartwright back home while dating beauty queen, Tayla, 22. She's the glamorous WAG who just came back from a luxury family holiday in Dubi. And while Rebecca Judd is back home in Australia, it appears the brunette beauty is still in a holiday mood. The 34-year-old was spending time soaking up the sun in a bright pink bikini from Midnight, which retails for $149.90. Not an inch to pinch! Rebecca Judd exhibited her phenomenal figure in a skimpy hot pink bikini for a VERY saucy pool snap Rebecca looked sensational as she flaunted her figure while relaxing in a pool. She accessorised her summer ensemble with a pair of fashionable shades and her brown tresses were loosely pulled to one side. 'Thanks Steph Claire Smith,' Rebecca captioned a snap of her in the bikini which, was posted to Instagram, suggesting that the bathers were a Christmas gift from the social media model. 'We've had the best time!' Rebecca Judd shares a family photo on the last day of their luxury holiday in Dubai Rebecca and her husband, former AFL star, Chris, and their four children, Oscar, seven, daughter Billie, four, and two-year-old twin boys Tom and Darcy have just returned from a luxury trip in Dubai. On the final day of their holiday, Rebecca took to Instagram to share a commemorative family photo of their holiday before flying back home. The mother-of-four posted a picture of herself and her brood sitting on the steps of the luxury resort, Atlantis The Palm. Living it up: After arriving, the family headed straight to the luxurious Palazzo Versace Dubai, where a one-night stay in their largest suite, fit for six people, costs over $3,000 a night She wrote in the caption, 'Tribe. Thank you so much for bringing us to Dubai and hosting us all week,' and tagged Visit Dubai. 'We've had the best time and have created lifelong family memories. Here we are, signing off on the steps of @atlantisthepalm. See you next time,' along with the hashtags #mydubai #visitdubai #differentinwater. Rebecca's overseas posts all tagged Visit Dubai - the official tourism board for the holiday hotspot - on every post. The posts could have possibly been advertisements for the city - and questions were raised about who was picking up the bill for the lavish vacation. Rebecca has been documenting every moment and tagging Visit Dubai - the official tourism board for the holiday hotspot - on every post. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Bec Judd and Visit Dubai for comment. They are gearing up to celebrate their first festive season as husband and wife. And Bachelor lovebirds Tim Robards, 37, and Anna Heinrich, 32, looked every inch the festive newlyweds as they stripped down to skimpy swimwear for a sun-baking session in Sydney on Tuesday. Taking to Instagram, Anna uploaded a snap of herself looking sensational in an orange-and-black bikini as she kicked back on a beach towel next to her husband. Merry FIT-mas! Bachelor lovebirds Tim Robards, 37, and Anna Heinrich, 32, looked every inch the festive newlyweds as they stripped down to skimpy swimwear for a sun-baking session in Sydney on Tuesday Anna's lean physique was on full display as she beamed towards the camera from behind a set of round-framed sunglasses. 'The day before [sun emoji]. Summer in Sydney @mrtimrobards,' she wrote in the caption, referring to Christmas eve. Tim also documented the yuletide activity with a similar Instagram post, showing the couple luxuriating on their towels, alongside the caption: 'Casual Monday's [sic] #XmasEve.' Picture perfect! Muscle-bound Tim documented the yuletide activity with an Instagram post, showing the couple luxuriating on their towels, alongside the caption: 'Casual Monday's [sic] #XmasEve' Getting into the festive spirit! The pair, who met on The Bachelor in 2013, are gearing up to enjoy their first Christmas as a married couple Muscle-bound Tim looked festive in his beach-going ensemble, which consisted of red swim-shorts emblazoned with a coconut-themed cartoon print. He opted to go shirtless for the occasion, baring his famously chiseled chest with glee. The pair, who met on The Bachelor in 2013, are gearing up to enjoy their first Christmas as a married couple, having tied the knot in June at the Masseria Potenti hotel, Italy. 'It's the one thing we've been wanting to do': Recently speaking to The Daily Telegraph about their plans for the festive season, Tim and Anna happily announced that they will spend both Christmas and New Year's at their newly-purchased home Recently speaking to The Daily Telegraph about their plans for the festive season, Tim and Anna happily announced that they will spend both Christmas and New Year's at their newly-purchased home. 'Because we just bought we're just going to chill at our new place, because we want to celebrate it and entertain there,' Anna told the publication. 'It's the one thing we've been wanting to do, bring everyone over, because we have a really good entertaining space.' She's expecting her third child, a daughter, with her American film director husband Mark Webber. And on Monday, a 'super pregnant' Teresa Palmer flaunted her bare baby bump while on the set of the Michelle Payne biopic Ride Like A Girl. Looking radiant and cheerful, the 32-year-old actress tapped into her humorous side while sharing a photograph to Instagram. 'The part where Michelle Payne is super pregnant': Teresa Palmer flaunted her bare baby bump while on the set of Ride Like A Girl 'WERK on Christmas eve!' she began in the caption of the post. 'This is the part of the movie where @michellejpayne_ is suuuper pregnant (sic),' she jokingly wrote, adding the hashtags: '#justkidding', '#neverhappened', '#faceonly'. In the photo, the stunning blonde lifted her white top to expose her baby bump while sporting peace sign. She wore a black eye mask and helmet while filming scenes for her newest movie Ride Like A Girl, which tells the story of Michelle Payne - the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Work: Teresa has been filming scenes for her newest movie Ride Like A Girl, which tells the story of Michelle Payne - the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Pictured in another Instagram photo And the post comes after Teresa and husband Mark enjoyed a night out to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. The couple, who share two young sons, left their boys at home for a child-free date night at a restaurant in Adelaide, on Friday. Meanwhile, the pair are already proud parents to sons Bodhi, four, and Forest, three. Teresa is also a stepmother to Mark's 10-year-old son, Isaac, from his previous relationship with actress Frankie Shaw. Teresa and Mark tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Mexico, back in 2013. She's seen her husband Oliver Curtis put in prison time, but through it all Roxy Jacenko has managed to maintain her sense of humour. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 38-year-old PR maven shared a photo of herself wearing a pair of plastic handcuffs. She's seen laughing in the picture, while holding her cuffed hands up to the camera. Tied up: Taking to Instagram on Monday, Roxy Jacenko shared a photo of herself wearing a pair of plastic handcuffs 'At least they will know where to go for visits,' she jokingly captioned the photo. The caption is clearly a reference to Roxy's husband of eight years, who was imprisoned for a year in June 2016 for insider trading. Roxy and the couple's two children, daughter Pixie, seven, and son Hunter, four, were seen picking Oliver up from prison in a private helicopter in June 2017 upon his release. The Instagram post comes just a month after Roxy and Oliver sat down with Channel Seven's Sunday Night program for a tell-all interview. Having a laugh: She poked fun at her husband of eight years, Oliver Curtis, who was imprisoned for a year in June 2016 for insider trading Fly-ins: Roxy and the couple's two children, daughter Pixie, seven, and son Hunter, four, were seen picking Oliver up from prison in a private helicopter in June 2017 upon his release Speaking about Oliver's stint in prison, Roxy admitted her life spiraled out of control during the year her husband was locked up. 'I think I started living a life very quickly as soon as Ollie went to jail that was fast,' she admitted in November. 'And that was drinking too much and consuming things that I shouldn't have been consuming... I went rogue, basically.' Rough: Speaking about Oliver's stint in prison, Roxy admitted her life spiraled out of control during the year her husband was locked up In an interview with Daily Mail Australia in February, Roxy revealed she had told the couple's kids their father was simply away in China for business during his year-long absence. Roxy said she finally came clean with Pixie earlier this year, telling her the truth about what had happened. 'She cried, it was sad. I told her exactly what happened... She cried but now she understands as best a six-year-old can,' she explained at the time. 'I'm glad I've done it. I made her promise she must not tell her brother (Hunter) yet, because he's only three.' The Bachelor's Cat Henesey-Smith admits she's still receiving death threats after being painted as a villain on The Bachelor earlier this year. Reflecting on life after the show, Cat, 25, admitted to New Idea: 'It's been really intense and, to be honest, very challenging for me. 'It's hard because you're up all night because you can't sleep because you're receiving death threats.' Youre up all night because you're receiving death threats!' The Bachelors Cat Henesey-Smith claims trolls are still continuing to attack her after she was portrayed as a villain on the show And the jewellery designer confessed she couldn't help 'reading hateful comments about herself.' Cat rose to fame on The Bachelor Australia as she vied for the heart of Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins. During her turn on the show, she was asked to leave the mansion by the former Wallabies star after he learned of her 'bullying' behaviour. Three's company: During her turn on the show, Cat (middle) was asked to leave the mansion by former Wallabies star Nick Cummins after he learned of her 'bullying' behaviour. Together with 'co-conspirators' Alisha Aitken-Radburn (left) and Romy Poulier (right), the trio were dubbed 'mean girls' And after receiving death threats from members of the public following her depature from the series, Cat alleged none of her former co-stars got in touch with her 'I thought some people would reach out when people were giving me death threats,' she said during an interview on KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show in September. Shortly after, Bachelor star Tenille Favios told news.com.au her first-hand experience of 'bullying' at the hands of Cat, and co-conspirators Romy Poulier and Alisha Aitken-Radburn, was '100 times worse' than what was aired. Tearful: Bachelor star Tenille Favios (pictured) told news.com.au her first-hand experience of 'bullying' at the hands of Cat, Romy and Alisha was '100 times worse' than what was aired 'The things you saw is what I got. If you feel like they were being b*tchy or nasty, I was feeling it 100 times worse, being in the actual situation with them,' she recalled. Gearing up for a second stint in the spotlight in the New Year with a starring role in Bachelor in Paradise, Cat was spotted shooting the reality series in Fiji last month. But her chance at finding love appear unlikely after she was spotted back in Australia a week later. EastEnders viewers have been left in hysterics after Phil Mitchell was forced to help deliver Kim Foxs baby. Fans branded the Christmas Eve scenes the funniest moments ever on the BBC One show following the hard-mans amusing facial expressions as he squealed and squirmed. During the dramatic episode, the pair found themselves trapped in the Squares Minute Mart's storeroom. Hilarious: EastEnders viewers have been left in hysterics after Phil Mitchell was forced to help deliver Kim Fox baby And while Phil (Steve McFadden) was quick to call 999 once Kims (Tameka Empson) contractions started, the character started labour with only the veteran star in the room. He was soon asked by the midwife on the speakerphone to get down the business end, and the faces Phil pulled suggested he was in more pain than the pregnant woman. Eventually, fans saw Phil cheer to Kim that she had welcomed a gorgeous little boy into the world. Uh oh: During the dramatic episode, the pair found themselves trapped in the Squares Minute Mart's storeroom Drama: And while Phil (Steve McFadden) was quick to call 999 once Kims (Tameka Empson) contractions started, the character started labour with only the veteran star in the room But viewers at home were still distracted by the mans facial expressions and were quick to take to Twitter to express their amusement. One tweeted: The faces Phil Mitchell pulled delivering Kims baby in #Eastenders is the funniest Eastenders moment ever. Another said: These two really hurt my rib! Can't stop laughing and rolling on the floor! I have watched it over and over again. Hilarious!' Horrified: He was soon asked by the midwife on the speakerphone to get down the business end, and the faces Phil pulled suggested he was in more pain than the pregnant woman Reaction: Fans branded the Christmas Eve scenes the funniest moments ever on the BBC One show following the hard-mans amusing facial expressions as he squealed and squirmed With a third writing: Phil's facial expressions made me crack up. He's so funny!' Also during tonights episode, Alfie Moon, played by Shane Richie, will be left exposed as the truth about his past with Hayley Slater (Katie Jarvis) comes to light, after Stacey spots the former Queen Vic landlord and her cousin kissing. When Stacey (Lacey Turner) spots Alfie kissing Hayley, she is unaware of her severity of the situation - that the market trader has fathered Hayley's baby Cherry. Shock reveal: Elsewhere, Alfie Moon, played by Shane Richie, will be left exposed as the truth about his past with Hayley Slater (Katie Jarvis) comes to light, after Stacey spots the former Queen Vic landlord and her cousin kissing Meanwhile, EastEnders producer John Yorke said the Christmas episode will contain something 'sinister and dark'. He added: 'Kat (Jessie Wallace) is finally coming to trust Alfie, arguably foolishly. Alfie is doing anything he can to keep the secret. 'What's clear is that someone at the end of Christmas is going to have a lot of blood on their hands.' St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) will be expanding its use of School Messenger and activating a new communication feature that provides parents and staff with text message notifications.Text message recipients must opt-in to receive text alerts. The text alert feature will be available beginning the week of December 3, 2018. Parents and staff will receive an opt-in text message from SMCPS through the new School Messenger notification tool. The message will come from the short code, or short set of numbers, 67587, to all parents and staff members who have provided SMCPS with a cell phone number.To opt-in, users must text YES or Y to 67587. Text STOP to 67587 at any time to stop receiving text message alerts from SMCPS. Standard text message rates by cell phone carriers apply.Through this system, parents and guardians who opt-in for text messages will be able to receive brief school announcements and system messages. Text messages will be sent on a limited basis, and examples of messages may include: Weather closings Emergency announcements Schedule changes Links to weekly messagesThese text messages will be sent to cell phone numbers on file with the school. Parents who change cell phone numbers during the school year should update their contact information with their child's school. Once the number is updated with the school, parents should receive a new opt-in message from 67587.The School Messenger notification system uses data from the SMCPS student information system. Therefore, the system cannot send messages to community members who do not have children in SMCPS.For additional information, visit the SMCPS website at www.smcps.org . Contact the Office of Strategic Planning and Communications at 301-475-5511, ext. 32133, or your child's school with questions about School Messenger notifications.All St. Mary's County Public Schools and Offices will be closed to the public from Monday, December 24, 2018, through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. All schools and offices will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (Forrest Center) will host its nineteenth annual Forrest Center Tech Expo on Thursday, January 17, 2019, 5:30-8:00 p.m., at the school site located at 24005 Point Lookout Road, directly across from the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown, Maryland.The purpose of the Forrest Center Tech Expo is to familiarize students and parents with Career and Technology Education (CTE) career options offered by the St. Mary's County Public Schools. This is an opportunity to meet the staff at the Forrest Center and to learn about the 23 completer programs (including the MIFRI Fire and Rescue/EMS program at an off campus location) and the four elective classes currently offered. Middle school and high school counselors will be available to answer questions about career clusters and to assist students in planning their academic program. The Forrest Center will provide special presentations for parents to explain the registration process and how to incorporate Forrest Center programs into their student's schedule.For more details, contact the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center at 301-475-0242. In the event of inclement weather, the alternate date for the Forrest Center Tech Expo will be Thursday, January 24, 2019, from 5:30-8:00 p.m.The event may be recorded and presented on SMCPS Channel 96, the school system's educational cable channel, and the Internet. Millie Mackintosh got to relive her wedding day to husband Hugo Taylor all over again, as the pair returned to the spot where it all happened. The happy couple relived their happy day on Wednesday as they returned to the country estate in Whithurst Park where they said 'I do'. The TOWIE star, 29, and her beau, 32, looked smitten as they posed in front of the archway that they said their vows under and kissed while holding hands. Sweet: Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor relived their wedding day as they returned to the country estate it took place in on Monday Millie looked glamorous in a chic dress which had a clashing blue and leopard-skin print, which she teamed up with a pair of heeled boots. Hugo, meanwhile, put on a dapper display in his casual ensemble which saw him don a knitted jumper over a pair of black jeans and matching trainers. The pair also posed for a sweet selfie, and in the caption Millie wished everyone the best during the festive season, as she wrote: 'Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year! I hope all your wishes come true in 2019 'I am logging off for a week to enjoy family time without the urge to scroll! Lots of love xxxx' Big day: Millie wed Hugo at his uncle's country estate over the summer, and the couple opted for a religious blessing as they had married formally at Chelsea's Old Town Hall three days prior Millie wed Hugo at his uncle's country estate over the summer, and the couple opted for a religious blessing as they had married formally at Chelsea's Old Town Hall in London three days prior to the celebration. The couple favoured a 'rock n roll' themed nuptials, which saw their tables named after nightclubs - an ode to their wild younger years on the London party circuit - and guests served a fried chicken breakfast, as Hugo gushed about his 'angel' bride in his wedding speech. Millie and Hugo dated in 2011 while on Made In Chelsea, but split up when it emerged he had cheated on Millie with her friend Rosie Fortescue, who attended the wedding alongside a bevy of their other co-stars. Turbulent romance: Millie and Hugo dated in 2011 while on Made In Chelsea, but split up when it emerged he had cheated on Millie They reunited in the second half of 2016 and Taylor proposed during a holiday in Mykonos, Greece, in July last year. She was previously married to musician Professor Green, real name Stephen Manderson, in September 2013. The couple announced their split in February 2016 after two-and-a-half years of marriage and finalised their divorce in May 2016 - the same week that Millie went public with Hugo during a trip to Monaco. Guests in attendance at her wedding to Hugo including Spencer Matthews, who acted as Hugo's best man and attended with his wife Vogue - their first wedding after tying the knot themselves. Back together: They reunited in the second half of 2016 and Taylor proposed during a holiday in Mykonos, Greece, in July last year Meanwhile, Millie's ex Professor Green took to Instagram to share an emotional message to those struggling to get through the festive season. Posting three selfies in which he put on an animated display, he wrote: 'It's Christmas Eve, my great grandmother passed on Dec 18th when I was 13 and I've hated Christmas ever since. 'I'm currently home alone with a stomach bug. If you're feeling lonely you ain't the only one, but it's only a couple of days so on the off chance they're hard for you too, take the opportunity to have a look into the sadness, let it up and out. 'If you're going through it, keep going, it's the only way to get through anything, otherwise you end up stuck in it. And dont worry about the silly faces Im pulling, inside Im smiling. Just wanted to make you lot laugh and think about what it all really is x' Moving: Meanwhile, Millie's ex Professor Green took to Instagram to share an emotional message to those struggling to get through the festive season In his second post, he added: 'It's sold to us as this joyous time of year, which to me just reminds me of all the financial stresses in my household growing up - it became more about what I didn't have than what I did. 'Don't feel like you have to enjoy it, if you too find it hard, just know that many, many more do too. Feel free to have a chin wag in the comments about why. I'm hanging about here for a bit as I'm stuck in bed hating it too.' Before he shared a third picture, with the caption: 'And don't get me started on the fact that what little family I do have is fractured and there's no one place where everyone who is still around is, because that's what families are like, mad. 'It's only Christmas. Just think, if you weren't told repeatedly from every angle that it's Christmas and it's time to have fun it would just be another day that you probably wouldn't struggle with. Advice: Posting three selfies in which he put on an animated display, he wrote: 'Don't feel like you have to enjoy it, if you too find it hard, just know that many, many more do too' 'The only way I get through it is linking up with my pals who through the weird and wonderful ways the planet works have somehow all found each other and will be making tomorrow that little bit less miserable for each other. 'Bare love, not Christmas love, all year round love, remember, everyone's life looks great through the gram, don't get sucked in, focus on you and yours and remind yourself not to apply social norms to this day or any other, you can feel however you feel, as long as you're honest about it' The rapper has been outspoken about wanting to raise awareness about male mental health issues and has previously spoken about how his own father, Peter, sadly committed suicide. In November he released a new single called Photographs, and in a video about the song he reflected on his pain over not having enough images of his father. Offering a helping hand: He added, 'Feel free to have a chin wag in the comments about why. I'm hanging about here for a bit as I'm stuck in bed hating it too' Breaking down, he said: 'Photographs conjure up so many different emotions. The ones I miss the most are the ones I never took. 'They are for me in many ways the memories I dont have especially the ones from my childhood. I wish I had more. 'I was having a conversation about photographs and how there are large parts of my life where there are no photographs. 'We live in an age now where we take way too many pictures. That was really when I started to incubate the idea for the single, Photographs.' Opening up once again, Professor Green revealed that the last words he said to his dad, Peter, before he died were 'I hate you'. Tribute: In November he released a single called Photographs, and in a video about the song he reflected on his pain over not having enough images of his dad who committed suicide Troubled: His father took his own life in 2008 when Stephen was aged just 24 and he explained that the grief has never left him Sharing his story, he said back in 2015 that the grieving process is still one he is trying to get a handle on as he hosted a mini-documentary as part of the BBC's Lifeline series. Speaking candidly, the Hackney born star said of his father: 'He was always the parent I favoured but as a child it was complicated. 'He was always in and out of my life; at 18 we stopped talking and after five years I decided to reach out to try and arrange a meeting.' Talking about the last time he saw his dad added: 'Unfortunately we ended up arguing and the last words I said to him were "I hate you". The terrible thing is I never got to see him again because a few months later he killed himself.' Bond: Stephen said in the video that we take too many photos these days so it's sad there are times where we might not have enough Emotional: Looking back at the photographs that exist of Stephen and his dad, it's clear there was a lot of love there and his father would have known he loved him Scarred by their last conversation, Manderson, also told how as of yet he still has not gotten over the grieving process as he struggles to deal with such a great loss to his family structure. He continued: 'The moment I found out my dad had taken his own life is still as clear today as it was the moment it happened. I kept wondering why no one had seen it coming. 'I still find it quite difficult to articulate how I felt... the weird thing about grieving is it never stops.' Old wounds: Professor Green previously has revealed that the last words he said to his dad, Peter, before he died were 'I hate you' as he had felt let down by him at the time As well as his musical achievements, Professor Green has presented six critically acclaimed documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4. He has also published his autobiography Lucky, continuing his ongoing work as Patron of anti-suicide charity CALM. Most recently, becoming a regular columnist for newly launched mens title, The Book of Man. It's a support network for men, for which he writes about mental health issues and masculinity. For confidential help and support contact Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for details Model Jessica Gomes is known for her killer style. And on Friday, the 34-year-old didn't disappoint when she arrived at a business meeting in Los Angeles wearing a pair of quirky glasses. Clad in a casual ensemble, the brunette beauty showed off her slender frame in a white T-shirt tucked into a pair of skinny denim jeans. She's got specs appeal! Jessica Gomes, 34, didn't disappoint when she arrived at a business meeting in Los Angeles wearing a pair of quirky glasses on Friday Jessica finished off her sophisticated look by adding a navy blazer and suede ankle boots. She kept her makeup to a minimal, showing off her flawless complexion, adding a pink lip gloss and kept her dark straight tresses left out to flow past her shoulders. The casual outing comes after the model revealed her worst Christmas gift she and her siblings have ever received. Business chic: Clad in a casual ensemble, the brunette beauty showed off her slender frame in a white T-shirt tucked into a pair of skinny denim jeans She explained she nearly became a fashion victim one Christmas when her well-intentioned mother bought her and her siblings a rather 'edgy' gift.' 'My mum bought us all a pair of Crocs!' Jessica told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. However, Jessica is now proud of present her mum gave her, telling the publication: 'I think she was onto something as I'm starting to see some cool people wear them. Stylish: Jessica finished off her sophisticated look by adding a navy blazer and suede ankle boots 'Not sure if I'm there yet though!' Indeed, despite being in high demand, Jessica doesn't appear to care too much about how others perceive her. In October, the brunette beauty proudly declared that she had not had any plastic surgery. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Jess said: 'I'm proud that I don't have those things in my face.' Norman Reedus took to Instagram Tuesday to show off a shot of his newborn daughter with love Diane Kruger. 'A lot to be thankful for this year ... this one especially,' wrote the 49-year-old actor and motorcycle enthusiast. 'Love u Diane Mingus Helena. Happy family.' The accompanying image showed Reedus holding the small child's hand with photoshop filters. Hand-in-hand: Norman Reedus, 49, took to Instagram Tuesday to show off a shot of his newborn daughter with love Diane Kruger, 42 Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon on AMC's The Walking Dead, welcomed the child with the 42-year-old German actress early last month. Norman is also father to 19-year-old son Mingus with ex, model Helena Christensen, as the pair was together from 1998 until 2003. Kruger appears in the new movie Welcome to Marwen alongside Steve Carell, Leslie Mann, Eiza Gonzalez and Janelle Monae. She told E! at the Los Angeles premiere earlier this month that she's planing on spending a quiet holiday with the family. Happy new parents: Reedus and Kruger held hands earlier this month at a Versace show Affectionate: The Walking Dead star planted a kiss on the cheek of the German actress 'I'm just going to be home,' said Kruger. 'It's my baby's first Christmas so I just really want to be on a couch with her and my man and just realize how bloody lucky I am.' She told the outlet earlier this month that 'its already chaotic in the house' with the baby, and that 'its been a wonderful year. 'Its a great moment of joy. We have a lot to be thankful for,' said Kruger, who added she was 'just looking forward to having [her] own little family and be together and have take-out because [she] dont think I can step away to cook.' She added, 'I think this is the beginning of new, because we both come from single mother families, you know, so growing up we never had the big family reunions. Whats exciting is to start your own. 'And anything is possible and as long as my home is happy and light and positive, it doesnt matter.' Kruger, whose full name is Diane Heidkruger, began her career modeling, and has since appeared in high-profile films such as Inglourious Basterds, National Treasure and Troy. She split with longtime boyfriend Joshua Jackson in 2016. Professor Green revealed he has 'hated Christmas' ever since his great-grandmother passed away when he was just 13 in an emotional Instagram post on Monday. The rapper, 35, shared an emotional message about mental health as he reached out to those struggling to get through the festive season in a series of messages.. Posting three selfies, he wrote: 'It's Christmas Eve, my great grandmother passed on Dec 18th when I was 13 and I've hated Christmas ever since. Moving: Professor Green revealed he has 'hated Christmas' ever since his great-grandmother passed away when he was just 13 in an emotional Instagram post on Monday 'I'm currently home alone with a stomach bug. If you're feeling lonely you ain't the only one, but it's only a couple of days so on the off chance they're hard for you too, take the opportunity to have a look into the sadness, let it up and out. 'If you're going through it, keep going, it's the only way to get through anything, otherwise you end up stuck in it. And dont worry about the silly faces Im pulling, inside Im smiling. Just wanted to make you lot laugh and think about what it all really is x' In his second post, he added: 'It's sold to us as this joyous time of year, which to me just reminds me of all the financial stresses in my household growing up - it became more about what I didn't have than what I did. Advice: Posting three selfies in which he put on an animated display, he wrote: 'Don't feel like you have to enjoy it, if you too find it hard, just know that many, many more do too' 'Don't feel like you have to enjoy it, if you too find it hard, just know that many, many more do too. Feel free to have a chin wag in the comments about why. I'm hanging about here for a bit as I'm stuck in bed hating it too.' Then he shared a third picture, with the caption: 'And don't get me started on the fact that what little family I do have is fractured and there's no one place where everyone who is still around is, because that's what families are like, mad. 'It's only Christmas. Just think, if you weren't told repeatedly from every angle that it's Christmas and it's time to have fun it would just be another day that you probably wouldn't struggle with. 'The only way I get through it is linking up with my pals who through the weird and wonderful ways the planet works have somehow all found each other and will be making tomorrow that little bit less miserable for each other. 'Bare love, not Christmas love, all year round love, remember, everyone's life looks great through the gram, don't get sucked in, focus on you and yours and remind yourself not to apply social norms to this day or any other, you can feel however you feel, as long as you're honest about it' Offering a helping hand: He added, 'Feel free to have a chin wag in the comments about why. I'm hanging about here for a bit as I'm stuck in bed hating it too' In November he released a new single called Photographs, and in a video about the song he reflected on his pain over not having enough images of his father,Peter, who sadly committed suicide. Breaking down, he said: 'Photographs conjure up so many different emotions. The ones I miss the most are the ones I never took. 'They are for me in many ways the memories I dont have especially the ones from my childhood. I wish I had more. 'I was having a conversation about photographs and how there are large parts of my life where there are no photographs. 'We live in an age now where we take way too many pictures. That was really when I started to incubate the idea for the single, Photographs.' Opening up once again, Professor Green revealed that the last words he said to his dad, Peter, before he died were 'I hate you'. Tribute: In November he released a single called Photographs, and in a video about the song he reflected on his pain over not having enough images of his dad who committed suicide Troubled: His father took his own life in 2008 when Stephen was aged just 24 and he explained that the grief has never left him Sharing his story, he said back in 2015 that the grieving process is still one he is trying to get a handle on as he hosted a mini-documentary as part of the BBC's Lifeline series. Speaking candidly, the Hackney born star said of his father: 'He was always the parent I favoured but as a child it was complicated. 'He was always in and out of my life; at 18 we stopped talking and after five years I decided to reach out to try and arrange a meeting.' Talking about the last time he saw his dad added: 'Unfortunately we ended up arguing and the last words I said to him were "I hate you". The terrible thing is I never got to see him again because a few months later he killed himself.' Bond: Stephen said in the video that we take too many photos these days so it's sad there are times where we might not have enough Emotional: Looking back at the photographs that exist of Stephen and his dad, it's clear there was a lot of love there and his father would have known he loved him Scarred by their last conversation, Manderson, also told how as of yet he still has not gotten over the grieving process as he struggles to deal with such a great loss to his family structure. He continued: 'The moment I found out my dad had taken his own life is still as clear today as it was the moment it happened. I kept wondering why no one had seen it coming. 'I still find it quite difficult to articulate how I felt... the weird thing about grieving is it never stops.' Old wounds: Professor Green previously has revealed that the last words he said to his dad, Peter, before he died were 'I hate you' as he had felt let down by him at the time As well as his musical achievements, Professor Green has presented six critically acclaimed documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4. He has also published his autobiography Lucky, continuing his ongoing work as Patron of anti-suicide charity CALM. Most recently, becoming a regular columnist for newly launched mens title, The Book of Man. It's a support network for men, for which he writes about mental health issues and masculinity. Honest: Stephen took his fans on a very personal journey as he discusses what he's been going through, and he regularly writes about mental health issues and masculinity Professor Green's posts comes as his ex Millie Mackintosh relived her wedding day to husband Hugo Taylor, as the pair returned to the spot where it all happened. The happy couple relived their happy day on Wednesday as they returned to the country estate in Whithurst Park where they said 'I do'. The TOWIE star, 29, and her beau, 32, looked smitten as they posed in front of the archway that they said their vows under and kissed while holding hands. Sweet: Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor relived their wedding day as they returned to the country estate it took place in on Monday Millie looked glamorous in a chic dress which had a clashing blue and leopard-skin print, which she teamed up with a pair of heeled boots. Hugo, meanwhile, put on a dapper display in his casual ensemble which saw him don a knitted jumper over a pair of black jeans and matching trainers. The pair also posed for a sweet selfie, and in the caption Millie wished everyone the best during the festive season, as she wrote: 'Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year! I hope all your wishes come true in 2019 'I am logging off for a week to enjoy family time without the urge to scroll! Lots of love xxxx' Big day: Millie wed Hugo at his uncle's country estate over the summer, and the couple opted for a religious blessing as they had married formally at Chelsea's Old Town Hall three days prior Millie wed Hugo at his uncle's country estate over the summer, and the couple opted for a religious blessing as they had married formally at Chelsea's Old Town Hall in London three days prior to the celebration. The couple favoured a 'rock n roll' themed nuptials, which saw their tables named after nightclubs - an ode to their wild younger years on the London party circuit - and guests served a fried chicken breakfast, as Hugo gushed about his 'angel' bride in his wedding speech. Millie and Hugo dated in 2011 while on Made In Chelsea, but split up when it emerged he had cheated on Millie with her friend Rosie Fortescue, who attended the wedding alongside a bevy of their other co-stars. Turbulent romance: Millie and Hugo dated in 2011 while on Made In Chelsea, but split up when it emerged he had cheated on Millie They reunited in the second half of 2016 and Taylor proposed during a holiday in Mykonos, Greece, in July last year. She was previously married to musician Professor Green, real name Stephen Manderson, in September 2013. The couple announced their split in February 2016 after two-and-a-half years of marriage and finalised their divorce in May 2016 - the same week that Millie went public with Hugo during a trip to Monaco. Guests in attendance at her wedding to Hugo including Spencer Matthews, who acted as Hugo's best man and attended with his wife Vogue - their first wedding after tying the knot themselves. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article then you can call the Samaritans on 116123 for confidential support in the UK or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for details. Christmas is only hours away. But Sean Penn certainly didn't look very festive as he stood outside a grocery store in Malibu on Monday. The 58-year-old Mystic River actor did manage to give off a beachy vibe however. Not so jolly: Sean Penn certainly didn't look very festive as he stood outside a grocery store in Malibu on Monday The father-of-two looked relaxed in slate grey, quilted leather jacket, under which he layered a graphic tee. Some khaki-colored cargo jeans and black flip flops rounded out the extremely casual ensemble. While he seemed to be free of any accessories, he did enjoy a cigarette while lounging next to some shopping carts. Hanging out: While he seemed to be free of any accessories, he did enjoy a cigarette while lounging next to some shopping carts He looked remarkably untroubled given the content of his latest documentary project. It was reported earlier in December by Turkish media that the two-time Oscar winner is making a documentary about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Penn could be seen working with a film crew of at least ten people outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul back in the beginning of December. Hard at work: It was reported earlier in December by Turkish media that the two-time Oscar winner is making a documentary about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi Khashoggi, a US resident since 2017, was killed during his visit to the consulate to obtain marriage-related paperwork on October 2. Penn was also seen outside the Saudi consul-general's nearby residence, and at a meeting with Khashoggi's friend Yasin Aktay. Pro-government daily newspaper Sabah said the actor wanted to meet Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, during his visit. Penn was pictured in Istanbul as Turkey announced that they are seeking the arrest of two allies of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder. Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan has cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce filing from writer Christopher Noxon. The 49-year-old Los Angeles native, who also created the shows Weeds and GLOW, tied the knot in 1997 and have three children: daughter Eliza, and sons Charlie and Oscar. Kohan and Noxon did not have a prenuptial agreement at the time they exchanged vows, TMZ reported Tuesday. Noxon, via his lawyer has asked for spousal support, while Kohan's lawyer Laura Wasser has sought to deny the request. Splitting: Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan, 49, has cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce filing from writer Christopher Noxon. They were snapped in LA in 2016 The Emmy Award-winning writer and producer filed the divorce papers and Noxon, whose sister is Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Marti Noxon, issued his response simultaneously, which the outlet reported is a signal that the split is an amicable one. Kohan inked a new multi-year pact to create content for Netflix in November 2017, saying at the time, 'Current climate aside, its great to be in bed with Netflix.' Netflix exec Cindy Holland hailed Kohan as 'bold, outspoken and totally fearless' in announcing the deal. 'She possesses a rare and special talent to say whats unspoken, choose the unexpected over the safe and drive the cultural conversation - and audiences love her for it,' Holland said. 'She has been with us from the beginning and we could not be more thrilled to continue working together over the coming years.' Happy: The writing veteran was snapped at the Time 100 Gala in NYC last April Better times: The couple was snapped on the red carpet at the 2014 Emmys in LA Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter in 2015, Noxon vented about some of the awkward aspects of going to industry events with his successful spouse. 'The thing about it is - and it continues to be true - people come up to Jenji and say hello and then look at me like, "Who is this?" So I get to shake the hand, but I'm the one jumping up and down,' he said. 'They couldn't give a s*** about me because I don't matter. So it's fun, but it's also really sad. You're kind of an imposition because people have to pretend to be nice to you when they really don't give a s***.' He added that he preferred to keep a low-profile at those kind of events, adding that 'the worst thing you can be is a Federline,' as 'that would be really cheesy and rude.' Kohan said this past October that Orange Is the New Black was concluding following the show's seventh season. 'Its time to be released from prison,' Kohan said in a statement. 'I will miss all the badass ladies of Litchfield and the incredible crew weve worked with. My heart is orange but fade to black.' She flaunts her per derriere on social mediaalmost every opportunity she gets and it appears Christmas is no exception. On Tuesday, model Tammy Hembrow, 24, took to Instagram to wish her followers a Merry Christmas, alongside her son Wolf and daughter Saskia on a grey lounge chair. The mother-of-two could not resist showing off her figure in a white button-up tank top and a pair of red short shorts that left little to the imagination. Scroll down for video That's not Santa! Tammy Hembrow, 24, (left) posted a Christmas message in a pair of racy red short shorts on Tuesday. Pictured with children kids Saskia (middle) and Wolf (right) Tammy captioned the photo: 'Christmas morning with my little loves. So very blessed. Merry Christmas from my family to yours.' Meanwhile, her fair-haired children looked adorable in matching red-and-white striped pajamas. Tammy shares Wolf and Saskia with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins, 23. Tammy (pictured), 24, captioned the photo: 'Christmas morning with my little loves. So very blessed. Merry Christmas from my family to yours' 'Well, it's a whole new world': During a recent Q&A session on YouTube, Tammy's sister Emilee (left) asked their father Mark (right): 'What do you think about your daughters being so public on their social media?' Reece appears to be in America for the festive season, visiting his new girlfriend London Goheen. It comes after Tammy's father - actor and director Mark Hembrow - revealed what he really thinks of his daughter's social media uploads on Thursday. During a Q&A session on YouTube, Tammy's sister Emilee asked her dad: 'What do you think about your daughters being so public on their social media?' 'Any parent is always fearful': It comes after Tammy's father - actor and director Mark Hembrow - revealed what he really thinks of his daughter's social media uploads on Thursday. Pictured Mark (left) and Tammy (right) He candidly responded: 'Well, it's a whole new world... I see you all work hard.' 'And, you're in professions like fashion, fitness with Tammy, Amy being, you know, such a good businesswoman,' he raved, adding: 'You're all good businesswomen.' Despite doting on Tammy and her sisters - Emilee, 26, Amy, 28, and Starlette Thynne, 18 - Mark expressed that every parent shares the same fear when it comes to social media. Big business: 'You're in professions like fashion, fitness with Tammy, Amy being, you know, such a good businesswoman,' he gushed, adding: 'You're all good businesswomen' 'I think any parent is always fearful about the negative sides of social media which obviously, everyone is becoming aware of around the world and dealing with those issues,' he stated. Then he turned to Emilee and said, 'I've gotta support whatever you do.' When asked whether he has his own Instagram profile, Mark responded with a flat 'no'. She's celebrating her first Christmas together with DJ Ruckus as a married couple. And on Tuesday, Shanina Shaik shared her holiday festivities with her legions of Instagram followers. From a delicious lunch to a lavish Fendi gift by her husband, the 27-year-old appeared to have an unforgettable Christmas. 'I'm stuffed!': Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik shared her delicious Christmas lunch while gushing over luxe Fendi gift from husband DJ Ruckus Lucky! From a delicious lunch to this lavish Fendi gift by her husband, the 27-year-old appeared to have an unforgettable Christmas The day began with Shanina attempting to wake up her husband - real name Gregory Andrews - while sporting holiday themed pyjamas. Capturing the lunch table decorations, Shanina pondered: 'Where should I sit?' Showing off her culinary skills, the Victoria's Secret model shared a picture of a salmon dish she made, featuring a parsley walnut salsa. Yummy! Showing off her culinary skills, the Victoria's Secret model shared a picture of this salmon dish she made, featuring a parsley walnut salsa Food: Capturing the lunch table decorations, Shanina pondered: 'Where should I sit?' Treats! Shanina's lunch consisted of lots of fruit and vegetables, bread, oysters, potato salad, prawns and other delicacies such as this tree-shaped cake Later, she sipped on a beverage in the striped ensemble and pointed the camera to her beau. Shanina's lunch consisted of lots of fruit and vegetables, bread, oysters, potato salad, prawns and other delicacies. And the US-based pair appear to be back in Australia for the festive season, with Shanina documenting their shopping trip to Melbourne's Chadstone Westfield on Friday. Hydrate: Later, she sipped on a beverage in the striped ensemble and pointed the camera to her beau Sporting the spirit: The US-based pair appear to be back in Australia for the festive season. Pictured: DJ Ruckus While shopping she pondered buying a pair of $1290 Balenciaga sneakers - perhaps a hint for a present she would like to unwrap from her husband. Shanina and her husband were married in the Bahamas in April this year. Three years beforehand, Gregory proposed to the 27-year-old during a lavish trip to the island region. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have joined the growing group of stars who have played surprise layaway benefactors this holiday season. Cindy, 52, and Rande, 56, settled the tab for layaway customers at a Compton, California Walmart location. The stunning couple, parents to 17-year-old daughter Kaia and 19-year-old son Presley Gerber, were 'inspired by Kid Rock and Tyler Perrys generosity' and as a result, 'hundreds of families will have very happy children this Christmas thanks to the Gerber family,' an insider told Page Six Monday. Scroll below for video Holiday spirit: Cindy Crawford, 52, and Rande Gerber, 56, have joined the growing group of stars who have played surprise layaway benefactors this holiday season. They were spotted in London earlier this month It's been a blessed year for the model family, whose Malibu mansion thankfully escaped the flames of November's Woolsey Fire, the wildfire that ravaged the luxe beach community, burning down the homes of stars such as Gerard Butler, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke. Cindy took to Instagram earlier this month rejoicing in her return to the abode after more than a month away from the home amid restoration efforts throughout Malibu. 'That feeling when you are finally back in your home! So grateful to be back in Malibu and even more grateful to have a house to come home to! #malibustrong,' she wrote. The act of generosity came after Perry, 49, settled layaway tabs at two Atlanta-area locations (in East Point, and Douglasville, Georgia) earlier this month. Fortunate: The stunning couple posed with their children, 17-year-old daughter Kaia and 19-year-old son Presley Gerber, at the British Fashion Awards December 10 in London Trendsetter: Tyler Perry kicked off the cycle when he settled layaway tabs at two Atlanta-area locations earlier this month. The producer was snapped last month in LA Walmart spokesperson LeMia Jenkins told People the Madea creator paid $434,000 to cover the costs of the layaway items for about 1,500 customers. 'I have paid for all of your layaways for Christmas,' Perry said in a social media clip. 'I know it's hard times, a lot of people are struggling. I'm just really, really grateful to be able to be in a position to do this ... God bless you, go get your stuff, Merry Christmas!' The philanthropic act attracted the attention of Kid Rock, who tagged Perry in a tweet, writing, 'Great idea! I followed your lead and paid off the layaway at my local Walmart in Nashville. Merry Christmas and God Bless You!' The Bawitdaba vocalist, 47, settled around $81,000 in tabs at a Walmart location off Dickerson Pike in Nashville, according to the Tennessean. Karl Stefanovic reached boiling point on Christmas Day when he was spotted at Gold Coast airport with new wife Jasmine Yarbrough. The axed Today host, 44, raised eyebrows by exploding in a bizarre rant directed at a photographer who had taken photos of the newlyweds enjoying festive down time. Clad in a black T-shirt, white shorts and a trucker cap, an irate-looking Karl swore at the photographer and asked him if he had a 'disease.' EXCLUSIVE: The shocking moment Karl Stefanovic EXPLODES at photographer as astonished holidaymakers and children steer clear of the axed Today host during bizarre airport rant 'Take your f**king camera and get out that f**king door, it's f**king Christmas,' Karl was heard yelling by onlookers. He then stormed up to the photographer and continued his rant. 'It's Christmas Day and you're taking photos on Christmas Day,' Karl said. 'Why are you shaking? Have you got some disease, are you sick in the head? You got a s**t job?,' Karl continued. 'It's Christmas day. Go home!' Furious: 'Take your f**king camera and get out that f**king door, it's f**king Christmas,' Karl was heard yelling by onlookers Feeling awkward? Holidaymakers with young children were forced to steer clear of the incident, dragging their children away from earshot of Karl's rant Holidaymakers with young children were forced to steer clear of the incident, dragging their children away from earshot of Karl's rant. Jasmine meanwhile, looked red-faced as she waited for their luggage. On the day, the blonde shoe designer looked casual in high-waisted white trousers and a black and white camisole top, flashing her new wedding band and engagement ring. As the pair exited the terminal, Karl appeared to have composed himself, smiling as he stepped out into the sunshine towards a car that was waiting for them. Looking fresh: On the day, the blonde shoe designer looked casual in high-waisted white trousers and a black and white camisole top, flashing her new wedding band and engagement ring Feeling better? As the pair exited the terminal, Karl appeared to have composed himself, smiling as he stepped out into the sunshine towards a car that was waiting for them It's OK darling! Jasmine appeared to comfort her husband by throwing an arm around his shoulder It's no doubt been a chaotic two weeks for Karl and Jasmine, 34, who tied the knot at the luxurious One&Only Palmilla resort in Mexico on December 8. While the pair were celebrating their honeymoon with billionaire pal James Packer in Aspen last week, news broke that Karl had lost his role as Today show host after almost 14 years. Despite the controversy surrounding Karl's exit from Today, it was confirmed on Wednesday that he will remain at Nine. Newlyweds: It's no doubt been a chaotic two weeks for Karl and Jasmine, 34, who tied the knot at the luxurious One&Only Palmilla resort in Mexico on December 8 Gone: While the pair were celebrating their honeymoon with billionaire pal James Packer in Aspen last week, news broke that Karl had lost his role as Today show host after almost 14 years He'll be back on TV: Despite the controversy surrounding Karl's exit from Today, it was confirmed on Wednesday that he will remain at Nine Darren Wick, director of news and current affairs at Nine, issued a statement on Wednesday about his future at the network. 'Karl remains on contract with the network and will continue to host This Time Next Year, which records in February,' he said in a statement. After returning to Australia with Jasmine on Friday following their honeymoon, Karl insisted to media at the airport that he's not disappointed in his sudden demotion. 'I'm moving forward with a sense of excitement about what's to come,' he said. Meanwhile, details of the phone call when Karl was let go as host have emerged. Rumours: Meanwhile, details of the phone call when Karl was let go as host have emerged Speaking to Woman's Day, an insider claimed that the axing came after Karl rang Nine management to complain that his brother, Peter Stefanovic, had been dumped from Weekend Today. 'He didn't have a job at the end of that telephone call,' they said. Karl had begun to lose touch with the show's audience after divorcing wife Cassandra Thorburn before being linked to the much-younger Jasmine three months later. But it was the couple's lavish nuptials, held at the elite One & Only Palmilla Resort in Mexico, which apparently concerned Nine's executives. 'He was reportedly told to tone down the 'Jasmine midlife crisis' thing he had going on. He was told not to be seen as part of some A-list, to stop wearing white pants and silly hats,' the source said. Karl's new lifestyle, coupled with the revelation by Daily Mail Australia that his children did not in fact attend the wedding, was reportedly the final straw for Nine management. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Karl's management for comment, in relation to this story. LA PLATA, Md. College of Southern Maryland (CSM) graduate Danin Turner of La Plata is living her dream of owning her own performing arts studioand she is only 21 years old. She credits CSM for preparing her to become a small business owner and for putting her on a path to achieve her goals so early in life."I graduated in 2017 after completing my business administration degree program," she recently shared. "I chose CSM because it was such an awesome option. It allowed me to stay local, continue to dance and teach dance while furthering my education."She said she was thrilled this past winter, just months after graduating from CSM, to join the other 581,712 small business owners in Maryland when she opened Danin's Showbiz Boutique in La Plata. Dancing since the age of 2, Turner said that for as long as she can remember she has always wanted to dance and have a career doing what she loves."I have had a vision since I was younger to share my passion for dance and performance with othersto create a positive environment for children to pursue their passions with confidence," she said.Now, just shy of its one-year anniversary, Danin's Showbiz Boutique is a bustling performing arts studio offering ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop classes for all ages and features daytime dance classes for homeschooled children. The boutique also offers acting and singing classes for all ages and provides jobs for four part-time employees.CSM's Entrepreneur & Innovation Institute Director Thomas Luginbill said Turner's success is an example of CSM's deep commitment to its students and preparing future business leaders for success."Real-world business knowledge among students has been a subject of intense debate, both in rural and urban communities, as students' debts have swelled into trillions of dollars," Luginbill said. "As a regional education institute, it's our job to promote entrepreneurship and business studies in the classroom to help our students prepare for life after college. The college is proud of Danin and the many other CSM alumni who have gone on to start and work at successful businesses."Turner's said her start at CSM made all the difference for her."Business is going great," she said. "I absolutely love it. I love all the new people I get to meet through being a business owner. It's like a new adventure every day. There are some things that come up that are unexpected, but it has been so much fun learning the ins and outs of owning a business."The dancer turned entrepreneur said that her time at CSM equipped her to achieve her dream. "I had an overall great experience at CSM," Turner said. And while she has learned a lot about being a small business owner, she has bigger dreams. "My ultimate career goal is to keep growing my performance arts studio. I love kids and want to have a positive impact on as many children as possible."The Charles County Department of Economic Development applauds Turner's goals and CSM's commitment to student success."The College of Southern Maryland is an outstanding resource for workforce development and entrepreneurial training," said Economic Development Director Darrell A. Brown, Esq. "Whether it's an affordable start on your bachelor's degree, a two-year technical training program or a myriad of continuing education options, CSM is creating and maintaining a well-educated workforce, which in turn drives a healthy economy. We value their partnership."Registration for spring semester classes at CSM is underway with several options available. For information visit www.csmd.edu/programs-courses/. KIIS FM star Jackie 'O' Henderson shocked her legion of fans in October when she announced she had split with her ex-husband Lee Henderson, whom she spent 18 years with. And on Tuesday, the 43-year-old revealed that she and Lee spent Christmas Day together in Fiji, where she's been holidaying with their daughter Kitty, eight. Posing up for a family snap, Jackie joked about Lee not smiling in the image, writing on Instagram: 'I promise you Lee is happy.' 'I promise you he is happy': Jackie 'O' Henderson surprises fans by celebrating Christmas alongside ex-husband Lee and daughter Kitty in Fiji following their amicable split 'Merry Christmas to all,' Jackie's post began. 'Hope your day has been as wonderful as ours. I promise you Lee is happy, he just never smiles in photos, he's like the Posh Spice of our family.' She also shared a shot to her Instagram story of herself and Lee enjoying a drink together in the tropical paradise. 'Late night cocktails,' Jackie wrote, with the pair getting a selfie on a couch together. 'He's like the Posh Spice of our family': Jackie wrote in the caption of the snap 'Late night cocktails': She also shared a shot to her Instagram story of herself and Lee enjoying a drink together in the tropical paradise Family trip: The radio star and her daughter have been staying at the luxurious Kokomo Private Island Fiji for the past two weeks, but it's unclear if Lee travelled with them or arrived later The radio star and her daughter have been staying at the luxurious Kokomo Private Island Fiji for the past two weeks, but it's unclear if Lee travelled with them or arrived later. During her time at the resort, Jackie has shared a number of snaps to her Instagram account of her and Kitty's stay. She posted including of the pair swimming in their private pool in matching floral vests. 'My girl,' Jackie captioned one shot of the pair, adding the hashtags 'holidays' and 'girls trip.' The radio star also showcased her recent 10kg weight loss in a Rip Curl one-piece as she strolled from their villa to the beach. Hot Mama! The radio star also showcased her recent 10kg weight loss in a Rip Curl one-piece as she strolled from their villa to the beach Jackie and Lee's united front comes after they announced their split in October, after 18 years together and 15 years of marriage. She told Daily Mail Australia their 'focus' going forward is on their daughter Kitty. 'After 18 years together, we have made the decision to separate. We do so amicably, sharing many incredible memories and remaining best friends,' Jackie said. 'Our focus for this next chapter is of course our wonderful daughter and continuing to provide her love and happiness, together,' she added. She was absent on this year's Kardashian/Jenner Christmas card - while sisters Kim, Khloe, Kourtney Kardashian and Kylie Jenner posed with their kids for the annual holiday snap. But Kendall Jenner made an eye catching statement at this year's Kardashian Christmas Eve party and appeared to be having the time of her life as she headed down a ski slope. The 23-year-old supermodel rocked a bright neon green gown while seated besides sister Kourtney, 39, who just returned to LA following a trip to Mexico with ex partner Scott Disick and his girlfriend Sofia Richie. Hard to miss! Kendall Jenner made an eye catching statement at this year's Kardashian Christmas Eve party Kendall's neon frock conformed to her model frame, and also featured a lack of straps to support the garment Her raven locks were scraped back into high ponytail, while a smokey eye, subtle contouring and rose-tinted lipstick adorned her statuesque face. During the party, Kendall tried her hand at sledging and after struggling to get a head-start in her stilettos, things soon turned from bad-to-worse as she toppled over in the snow. Oops: During the party, Kendall tried her hand at sledging but toppled over in the snow Tricky: The model struggled to get a head-start in her stilettos while her pals whizzed down the slope Going, going, gone: It wasn't long until Kendall overturned her sledge and fell onto the snow Of course Kourtney definitely turned some heads as well thanks to her flattering garb. The mother-of-three wowed in a plunging black number which also featured a small train of fabric which came off her left hip. Flattering! Kendall's neon frock conformed to her model frame, and also featured a lack of straps to support the garment Stunner! Her raven locks were scraped back into high ponytail, while a smokey eye, subtle contouring and rose-tinted lipstick adorned her statuesque face The high hemline served to showcase her lithe legs, while long sleeves meant it was appropriate for the wintry shindig. While Kendall may have been happy sitting on the sidelines, it seems Kourtney couldn't help but cut up the dance floor. The eldest Kardashian sister looked to be having a ball while sister Kendall filmed the proceedings. Kicking up her heels! The eldest Kardashian sister looked to be having a ball while sister Kendall filmed the proceedings Don't slip! Kendall's friend Taco also looked to be getting in on the fun Perhaps Kendall was just a bit down because she wasn't present for the family's annual Christmas picture. Her big sister Kim Kardashian addressed the 23-year-old's absence. Kim wrote: 'Kendall and my mom rushed to a meeting after this shoot so this is what we have! As many of us as possible! From our family to yours Merry Christmas.' Explaining the card was the 'best they could do', Kim added: 'This year we waited until the last minute to do a card. Schedules were changing, my husband was in and out of town. But the day of this card last minute realized we were all together so we had all of our kids come meet us.' Obviously amused by the discussion, Kylie Jenner then took to Instagram to share two Photoshopped versions of the card. One showed every single person's head replaced by Kendalls. Kendall Jenner jokes about her absence from Kardashian Christmas card as she says 'well this is awkward'... while Kim says her little sister had to 'rush to a meeting' Don't blame me! Big sister Kim Kardashian also addressed the 23-year-old's absence Oh hi there: Kylie contributed this image to the discussion Prefer this Kendall? She also shared a shot using her sister's face instead of all the other family members Another had Kendall in a modelling pose, lying on the floor seductively. But one person who wasn't so amused was Khloe Kardashian, who defended the card furiously in a comment. Replying to a fan who wrote 'poor Kenny,' the enraged Khloe wrote: 'She was at the shoot and she chose not to be in the picture because she thought it was cuter that it was just the babies and the mommies. Man you guys are dramatic even for a f***ing Christmas card!! Lol Damned if we do and damned if we dont. Just enjoy the f***ing photo.' The new card was first shared on Christmas Eve by Khloe , before her sisters all also shared the shot. It's a Kardashian Christmas! Khloe shares the family card as she writes 'I have all I could ever want'; the image shows the new mom holding her daughter surrounded by her sisters and nieces and nephews Family: Kim poses with her newborn daughter Chicago and son Saint, three, while five-year-old North leans over her shoulder The picture featured Khloe and her sisters, Kim, Kourtney and Kylie Jenner perched on a white sofa, surrounded by all nine Kardashian children. Taking to Instagram new mother Khloe wrote: 'Merry Christmas!! We all wish you love and harmony. So far this is by far my most favorite of any Christmas. I have all I could ever want. FAMILY.' In the card Khloe cradles her new daughter True, who she welcomed in April of this year. She was one of three new babies to join the Kardashian family this year - along with cousins Chicago and Stormi. Barefoot: Penelope, six, and Reign, four, sit on mom Kourtney's lap, while Kylie holds ten-month-old daughter Stormi, right All she's ever wanted: Khloe holds her daughter True, while her niece Dream, two, climbs on eight-year-old nephew Mason All three are held by their mothers. Kim juggles baby Chicago and son Saint, while daughter North leans in over her shoulder, looking rather annoyed with the enforced photoshoot. On Kourtney's lap sit her children Penelope and Reign, while Mason has his cousin Dream, Rob Kardashian's daughter, climbing on his back. The family co-ordinate in white for the photo, with Khloe wearing a golden crown for the shot. Love & Hip Hop's Safaree and Erica Mena are officially engaged. The 37-year-old Brooklyn native proposed to Mena, 31, on Monday evening at a gathering of family and friends at her home in Atlanta, Georgia, TMZ reported. The artist, whose full name is Safaree Lloyd Samuels, plunked down around $175,000 on the 14-carat platinum ring for the Bronx beauty, insiders told the outlet, and had a hand in designing the piece of jewelry. Happy news: Love & Hip Hop's Safaree, 37, and Erica Mena, 31, are officially engaged after Safaree proposed to Mena at a Christmas Eve bash at her Atlanta home. They were snapped at a Brooklyn Nets game last month Safaree's rep KD McNair told the outlet that '2019 is the year of new beginnings and it's safe to say our guy Safaree stepped up and put a ring on it.' Safaree planned an ultra-romantic scene to go along with the proposal, setting up an area filled with 20,000 rose petals and 200 candles, sources told the outlet. He also had the musical artist 112 on hand to perform songs such as Crazy Over You and Cupid. Following the proposal, which Erica accepted, Safaree presided over a firework show outside of the abode. Safaree was previously linked to Nicki Minaj, while Mena, who's also been seen on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Bad Girls Club, was previously romantically-linked to musical artist Bow Wow and Clifford Dixon, who she was arrested following an alleged fight in October in Johns Creek, Georgia, TMZ reported. Romantic: The artist, whose full name is Safaree Lloyd Samuels, plunked down around $175,000 on a 14-carat platinum ring for the Bronx beauty Holiday spirit: Mena shared this shot of herself decorating her home for the holidays Authorities said they were alerted to the scene after reports of arguing between the then-couple, as Dixon was taken into custody in connection with criminal trespassing, while Mena was arrested in connection with marijuana possession. Erica was first publicly spotted with Safaree at a Brooklyn Nets game in last November, spurring chatter of a romance. She's celebrating her 34th birthday with twin sister, Lisa Origliasso. And Jessica Origliasso, one half of The Veronicas, has sparked engagement rumours after receiving a special birthday gift from her American partner, Kai Carlton. The Australian star - who used to date Ruby Rose - was gifted a stunning diamond ring from her new flame. 'Completely spoiled by my hunny!' The Veronica's Jessica Origliasso (left) sparks engagement rumours as she shows off a stunning diamond ring gifted to her by partner Kai Carlton (right) Elegant: Jessica was gifted a stunning diamond ring for her birthday, which falls on Christmas Day (pictured is the ring) 'Completely spoiled on my birthday by my hunny,' Jessica wrote in the caption of Instagram video on Tuesday, as she flaunted the ring while Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend played in the background. Kai also took to Instagram to share a tribute to Jessica, writing underneath one snap of the pair: 'Happy Birthday to a goddess.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to The Veronica's management for comment. Gushing: Kai also took to Instagram to share a tribute to Jessica, writing underneath one snap of the pair: 'Happy Birthday to a goddess' Over: Jessica only recently debuted her new relationship with Kai following her split from Hollywood actress, Ruby Rose, 32 (pictured) Jessica only recently debuted her new relationship with Kai following her split from Hollywood actress, Ruby Rose, 32. The Untouched hitmaker let fans know she had begun dating Kai after she shared a snap of herself and her partner at sister Lisa and Logan Huffman's wedding, which was held in Australia in November. The Veronicas meanwhile, celebrated their birthday on Christmas Day on Tuesday, marking their day with a video. In the clip posted to Instagram by Jessica, the twin sisters can be seen hugging as they give each other a peck on the lips. Sister, sister: This comes after The Veronica's celebrated their birthday on Tuesday and marked their day with of them hugging as they give each other a peck on the lips The clip was captioned: 'Happiest anniversary/birthday eve to my best friend and soul mate!' 'Living life next to you, growing with you, writing songs, touring the world, you have been there through the toughest times in my life, and the most beautiful.' 'I love you with all my heart. Happy birthday my angel X. I can't wait for another year around the sun with you XX. I love you, I love you @lisa_veronica.' Their rumoured romance has set tongues feverishly wagging. And Ashley Roberts will only cause further stirs with her Strictly co-star Giovanni Pernice as they were spotted touching down in Miami together, having confirmed reports they jetted over to her native US to spend Christmas with her family. The former Pussycat Dolls star, 37, looked sensational in a low-key maxi as she joined the hunky professional dancer, 28, amid ongoing claims they hit it off during this year's series of the dance show, where Ashley made it to the final. Happy days: Ashley Roberts will only cause further stirs with her Strictly co-star Giovanni Pernice as they were spotted touching down in Miami together, having confirmed reports they jetted over to her native US to spend Christmas with her family Ashley looked stunning as she hit the skies with Giovanni following the ongoing claim that they had travelled to Miami with her to meet her family. She nailed her off-duty celebrity look as she headed out in the loose snakeskin dress paired with a pair of trendy Vans trainers. She scraped her blonde tresses behind her ears while tucking the locks into a stylish black baker boy cap to perfect her chic ensemble. Giovanni was opting for pure comfort at the airport as he headed out in a loose-fitting grey T-shirt with baggy shorts while holding a Louis Vuitton bag. Happy days: The former Pussycat Dolls star, 37, looked sensational in a low-key maxi as she joined the hunky professional dancer, 28, amid ongoing claims they hit it off during this year's series of the dance show, where Ashley made it to the final Off we go: Giovanni was opting for pure comfort at the airport as he headed out in a loose-fitting grey T-shirt with baggy shorts while holding a Louis Vuitton bag Cheeky! This comes amid claims Ashley kissed Giovanni at Strictly Come Dancing's wrap party. The Pussycat Dolls star and professional dancer are said to have 'openly kissed' as they consoled each other after missing out on the Glitterball trophy Deep in thought: Ashley did not look too happy to be hitting skies Amid original reports around their now-confirmed trip together, a source told the Sun: 'This is a sign of just how heavily Giovanni has fallen for Ashley during the three to four months they were working in close quarters together. 'But because of the show's punishing rehearsal and performance schedule they couldn't spend as much time together as they might have liked. 'So now that the show is over, they're virtually inseparable. That includes not wanting to be apart at Christmas, even if that means Giovanni has to make a sacrifice.' Happy days: 'So now that the show is over, they're virtually inseparable. That includes not wanting to be apart at Christmas, even if that means Giovanni has to make a sacrifice' Heading off: The Pussycat Dolls star and professional dancer are said to have 'openly kissed' as they consoled each other after missing out on the Glitterball trophy Designer diva: She was sporting a bejwelled Yves Saint Laurent handbag This comes amid claims Ashley kissed Giovanni at Strictly Come Dancing's wrap party. The Pussycat Dolls star and professional dancer are said to have 'openly kissed' as they consoled each other after missing out on the Glitterball trophy. Although Ashley missed out on the top prize, she won high praise from judges, getting a perfect score in the final. Long serving judge Craig Revel-Horwood, 53, who is known for his cutting comments also spoke highly of the star. Strutting their stuff: Although Ashley missed out on the top prize, she won high praise from judges, getting a perfect score in the final Happy days: The couple were preparing to soak up the sun Wow! The couple met during Ashley's stint on Strictly 'She's one of the best dancers I think we've ever seen on the show. Shes at the top of the leader board all the time! That might discourage people from voting for her', he told the Radio Times. Ashley found herself in the final with her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev, while Giovanni was competing for the Glitterball trophy with Steps star Faye Tozer. The reports come after Ashley's candid interview on This Morning last month, where she called out host Phillip Schofield for asking about her alleged 'romance' with the hunk. Shocker: The reports come after Ashley's candid interview on This Morning last month, where she called out host Phillip Schofield for asking about her alleged 'romance' with the hunk Advertisement She scooped Lord Alan Sugar's 250,000 investment after being crowned the winner of The Apprentice. And Sian Gabbidon proved to be best advertisement for her swimwear business as she hit the beach in a yellow floral bikini from her own range in Miami on Monday. Joined by her boyfriend Clint Gordon, the 26-year-old entrepreneur displayed her curves in the busty two-piece as she celebrated Christmas in style. Bikini babe: Sian Gabbidon proved to be best advertisement for her swimwear business as she hit the beach in a yellow floral bikini in Miami on Monday Sian teased a glimpse of her cleavage in the bandeau bikini, while the cross over detailing accentuated her trim stomach. Meanwhile, the thong bottoms made the most of her lithe limbs and pert derriere with its high-waisted design. Styling her long raven locks in loose waves, the TV star completed her beach get-up with yellow-tinted sunglasses and deftly touches of make-up. Joined by her boyfriend Clint Gordon, the 26-year-old entrepreneur displayed her curves in the busty two-piece as she celebrated Christmas in style Busty display: Sian teased a glimpse of her cleavage in the bandeau bikini, while criss-cross detailing accentuated her trim stomach Glam: Styling her long raven locks in loose waves, the TV star completed her beach get-up with yellow-tinted sunglasses Smitten: During their trip, the happy couple looked in the throes of love as they stopped their stroll to take a sweet selfie Strike a pose! Sian oozed confidence as she posed up a storm for Clint, who took a slew of bikini snaps Sian oozed confidence as she posed up a storm for Clint, who took a slew of bikini snaps. Clint showed off his hunky physique in a pair of pale pink board shorts, which he paired with black sunglasses. During their trip, the happy couple looked in the throes of love as they stopped their stroll to take a sweet selfie. After hitting the beach, the swimwear designer appeared in the holiday spirit as she skipped back to their hotel in a leopard print crop top and a pair of microscopic denim shorts. Co-ordinated: Sian complemented the look with a matching kaftan as she headed to a sun-lounger to top up her tan Talented: Lord Sugar chose Sian despite describing her company as 'a cottage industry', and rightly so given that she had sold only 400 'bespoke' swimsuits during its two years trading Before the finale aired, the swimwear designer spoke to MailOnline about her rivalry with runner-up Camilla Ainsworth whose 'gourmet nut milk' brand didn't quite impress. Addressing the cattiness with the Nut Milk entrepreneur, Sian admitted she didn't go on the BBC show to make friends, and asserted that it's sometimes necessary to be 'ruthless' to win. She said: 'We're business people and we're also friends, and what we're great at doing is turning into business women when we're on task and in the boardroom, and off camera everyone was friends and we were cool. Stylish display: After hitting the beach, the swimwear designer appeared in the holiday spirit as she skipped back to their hotel in a leopard print crop top and a pair of microscopic denim shorts Living the life: Following her win on the show, Sian seems to already be living a millionaire lifestyle complete with travel by helicopter and endless designer bags - and even has a whole room dedicated to shoes in her luxurious home Taking time out: Sian and Clint have been holidaying in Miami following the grand finale of The Apprentice last week Following her win on the show, Sian seems to already be living a millionaire lifestyle complete with travel by helicopter and endless designer bags - and even has a whole room dedicated to shoes in her luxurious home. Despite admitting her victory will lead to a 'crazy future', the Leeds native regularly updates her now 83.1k Instagram followers with snaps of her glamorous lifestyle. Lord Sugar chose Sian despite describing her company as 'a cottage industry', and rightly so given that she had sold only 400 'bespoke' swimsuits during its two years trading. Before the finale aired, the swimwear designer spoke to MailOnline about her rivalry with runner-up Camilla Ainsworth whose 'gourmet nut milk' brand didn't quite impress. Addressing the cattiness with the Nut Milk entrepreneur, Sian admitted she didn't go on the BBC show to make friends, and asserted that it's sometimes necessary to be 'ruthless' to win. She said: 'We're business people and we're also friends, and what we're great at doing is turning into business women when we're on task and in the boardroom, and off camera everyone was friends and we were cool. 'But in that boardroom, we were fighting for ourselves and I came into this process on my own. 'I didn't come in it to make friends, I came in it to win, and there was no way I was gonna think, 'Oh I don't wanna offend anyone' I was like, 'This is what I have to do' and I do believe that you have to be a bit ruthless sometimes.' And the raven haired beauty admitted that she has no plans to take her foot off the pedal after winning the show, asserting that in fact she's eager to work even harder under the pressure from 'brutal' Lord Sugar. 'I like pressure and there's gonna be pressure, so there's no way I'm gonna be sat thinking 'I've won it now, I can relax,' this is gonna be the first day of the rest of my life now. This is real life. It's gonna be a crazy future.' They welcomed their first child, a son named Theodore, in September. And Vogue Williams, 33, husband Spencer Matthews, 30, and the baby all wore matching pyjamas to pose for a sweet snap on Instagram on Christmas day. Vogue's top had 'Mama Elf' written on the front and Spencer's had 'Papa Elf', with their trousers emblazoned with elf emblems. Happy: Vogue Williams posed with husband Spencer Matthews and son Theodore in matching pyjamas for a sweet snap as she branded it her 'best Christmas ever' Model Vogue captioned the image with the words: 'Merry Christmas everyone... I hope you all have a fantastic day. 'This is definitely the best Christmas Ive ever had.' The day before, Spencer posted an adorable clip of his wife, 33, dancing with their youngster as he wore a sweet Santa hat. Dancing: Vogue and Spencer seem excited to spend their first Christmas as a family as the couple shared a cute video to Instagram of them getting into the festive spirit the day before He shared the video with his 662,000 followers and captioned it: 'Its nearly Christmas!!! That makes @voguewilliams a very happy mama.' Fans were keen to comment their excitement over the lovable video, with one writing: 'Fabulous! What a lucky baby, having a fun mummy! He's loving it x' Another said: 'Aw merry christmas!!! Happy family! X' Adorable: The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, posted a clip of his wife, 33, dancing with their youngster Theodore as he wore a sweet Santa hat Cute: He shared the video with his 662,000 followers and captioned it: 'Its nearly Christmas!!! That makes @voguewilliams a very happy mama' Dancing to Cardi B's Money, Vogue is all smiles as she rocks her little boy while wearing a white hoodie and relaxed hair style. Her moves come as the couple were seen jetting off on their first holiday together as a married couple on Wednesday. The pair, who married in August, were dressed to fight off the chill as they were seen arriving at the private airfield. While it is unclear where Spencer and Vogue are heading off to, the pair are no doubt in for an incredible time as they spend their first Christmas together as a family of three. Reaction: Fans were keen to comment their excitement over the lovable video Beaming: Dancing to Cardi B's Money, Vogue is all smiles as she rocks her little boy while wearing a white hoodie and relaxed hair style Their sighting comes after Vogue reflected on her life before motherhood and dating Spencer, revealing that her past romances have been 'disasters'. In a candid chat with the Irish Independent, Vogue admitted she was done with dating when she first met husband Spencer - confessing it took awhile for him to persuade her to marry again, as she revealed her hopes to move her family back to her native Ireland. Vogue and Spencer met on set of The Jump at the beginning of 2017 and reflecting on the moment the duo had met, the beauty confessed that she had ruled out finding romance after a string of failed relationships. She jetted off to LA to bask in the Californian sun with her sister Petra, 30 for Christmas. And Tamara Ecclestone and her husband Jay, 37, doted on their four-year daughter Sophia, showering her with lavish gifts as they took to Instagram to share a slew of family snaps on Tuesday. Despite spending a reported 50k on decorations for her 70million London home, the billionaire heiress, 34, pulled out all the stops to ensure Fifi had a magical day in America. Happy family: Tamara Ecclestone and her husband Jay, 37, doted on their four-year daughter Sophia, showering her with lavish gifts as they enjoyed Christmas in LA with her sister Petra Ahead of the big day, the family enjoyed an extravagant dinner with beautiful floral decorations and a chandelier taking centre-stage. Jay and Tamara then let Sophia stay up late to watch Miracle of 34th Street, with the tot donning a pair of festive red pajamas. The television personality also shared a slew of snaps of Petra's inside decor with life-size gingerbread men, candy canes and garlands spiraling up the staircase. Fabulous and festive: Ahead of the big day, the family enjoyed an extravagant dinner with beautiful floral decorations and a chandelier taking centre-stage Cosy: Sofia examined all of the stockings hanging up on the fireplace as she enjoyed the festive period in the lead up to Christmas Cute: Fifi wore an 'Elf in training' PJs as she posed for the sweet snap with her mum behind the lens of the camera It's time! Fifi left out a carrot and a cookie and some milk for Santa Claus ahead of his arrival Despite their wealthy background, Tamara appeared overwhelmed with emotion after Fifi presented her with a handmade Christmas card. Even though the Ecclestone family have jetted to LA, Tamara is rumoured to have spent 50,000 on Christmas decorations and celebrations for her luxurious London home. The Formula One heiress took to her Instagram to share a picture of her daughter, Sofia posing next to the decadent sweet treat which over-towered her earlier this week. Insane: Tamara is rumoured to have spent 50,000 on Christmas decorations and celebrations for her luxurious London home Looking lovely: The young girl was dressed in a Christmas print dress as she posed on the extravagant staircase Cute! Fifi donned festive PJs as she posed with her huge card for her mum Tamara has also invested in a 4k 'magic mirror photo booth' according to The Mirror. On Saturday, the heiress also threw a party especially for Sofia, for which she invited 50 guests. This cost an estimated 3k, on top of a hire fee at a swish hotel for 1k. Sofia and pals were treated to a visit from a reindeer, an owl and Father Christmas. Christmas also features several jaunts abroad, as Tamara will spend about 14k on a trip to Lapland for Sofia, as well as 20k on first class flights to Los Angeles, where Petra lives with her family in a 148million Bel Air mansion. So sweet: Sofia went to great efforts to give her mum a really special card for Christmas Petra is mother to Lavinia, five, and twins Andrew and James, both three. And the sisters will also be joined in the States by their mother Slavica Ecclestone. The family alternate between LA and Switzerland each year - the latter being where 2.5b tycoon father Bernie, 88, lives. Talking about her Christmas plans, she said: 'We always have traditional roast turkey. 'My contribution is the stuffing and that comes out of a packet! I will be in LA with my mum, my sister and our children.' Present time: The mother-of-one looked ecstatic to receive the heartfelt card from Sofia Christmas is coming: Tamara shared a snap showing the countdown to Christmas as she left out carrots and milk for Santa Claus Petra has been dating Sam Palmer since late last year, as she and ex-husband James Stunt finally reached a divorce settlement in October 2017 after six years of marriage. 'My house in LA. It's really cool, but I want to sell it and move somewhere smaller.' 'I have a house with 14 bedrooms, a bowling alley and a hair and nail salon. I also have a home in Chelsea and come to London about every three months. 'We have seven dogs, including a St Bernard called Beethoven whos as big as a horse. Im allergic to cats' she said. Petra previously spoke about how she relocated her family to Los Angeles as she no longer felt safe at her luxury London home. Talking about her biggest fears during the interview, she said: 'I worry about the world my children are growing up in, which is becoming more evil daily.' Emily Ratajkowski went as far away from a white Christmas as she could. The 27-year-old bombshell modeled a barely-there thong bikini from her own line Inamorata Swim as she frolicked by the beach on a holiday getaway. On Christmas Eve, she posted a smoldering Instagram snap of herself staring out to see with her back to the camera, throwing her curves into relief. 'Xmas paradise': Emily Ratajkowski modeled a barely-there thong bikini from her own line Inamorata Swim as she frolicked by the beach on a holiday getaway Emily, who could be seen holding her phone out in front of her while facing the ocean, captioned that she was in an 'Xmas paradise'. This holiday season saw Emily ring in her first Christmas as a married woman after tying the knot this year to producer Sebastian Bear-McClard. Emily, who has a penchant for showing off her figure on red carpets and social media, told the June issue of Marie Claire her breasts are 'a key to my sexuality.' The Gone Girl supporting player told the magazine: 'Boobs are funny. They hurt sometimes, and sometimes theyre the thing that makes me feel the most powerful.' Vista: On Christmas Eve, she posted a smoldering Instagram snap of herself staring out to see with her back to the camera, throwing her curves into relief 'I remember there was some article like: "Emily Ratajkowski Is the Mozart of Breasts." What was so bad is someone sent it to my dad, who sent it to me,' she recalled. 'My dad still sees me as a little kid. I love my boobs. I love other peoples boobs. Boobs are kind of great,' rhapsodized the I Feel Pretty actress. The actress, who while showing Vogue around her vast apartment in 2015 said she was for a platform to 'redistribute wealth in this country,' married in February. Emily made a splash with her surprise courthouse marriage to producer Sebastian in New York, wearing a $200 Zara trouser suit. Cuddling up: This holiday season saw Emily ring in her first Christmas as a married woman after tying the knot this year to producer Sebastian Bear-McClard Though they only became a couple weeks before the wedding, a source told Us Weekly that 'Emily has known Sebastian for years.' The London-born model and actress recalled to Marie Claire: "People came after my marriage, like: "Wow. I give it three weeks." Im like: "What?"' Emily groused: 'No one can take women seriously on any choices that they make, especially if theyre unique to them and they dont play into the way we think women should get married. It's a constant writing-off.' She was born in the small town of Indian Hills, Kentucky. And Jennifer Lawrence made sure to honor her roots by giving back during this holiday season. The Academy Award-winning actress, 28, continued her holiday tradition of visiting the kids at the Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky Tuesday. Returning with love: Jennifer Lawrence continued her tradition of visiting the Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky this Christmas The hospital shared photos of the visit to their social media, writing: 'A special thank you to Jennifer Lawrence for visiting Norton Childrens Hospital to spread some holiday cheer!' In the photos, Jennifer looked effortlessly chic donning a grey turtleneck and jeans with shiny burgundy loafers She wore her hair with natural waves that hung down past her collarbone. Not needing any makeup, the Hunger Games beauty kept a fresh face. Cheerful! The hospital shared photos of the visit to their social media, writing: 'A special thank you to Jennifer Lawrence for visiting Norton Childrens Hospital to spread some holiday cheer!' Heartfelt: Spending time with some of the fearless young patients even brought a tear to her eye She posed with a number of patients and the lifesaving staff in one cheery group photo. Spending time with some of the fearless young patients even brought a tear to her eye. Jennifer's hospital visit has been an annual tradition for the past six years. Big giver: In 2016 Jennifer donated $2million to the hospital for its Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Cardiac Intensive Care Unit The star has a longstanding connection with the children's hospital. In 2016 she donated $2million to the institution, founding the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for children with heart conditions. Some of Jennifer's other charitable endeavors include work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Special Olympics, and she is a board member of Represent.Us, a nonprofit seeking to pass anti-corruption laws in the United States. She's also been an outspoken part of the Time's Up movement. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. The ring is so big it needs its own jewelry box. On Monday, Christmas Day, Erica Mena showed off her $175K diamond engagement ring from Love & Hip Hop's Safaree; they are officially engaged. The 37-year-old Brooklyn native proposed to Mena, 31, at a gathering of family and friends at her home in Atlanta, Georgia, TMZ reported. Happy news: Love & Hip Hop's Safaree, 37, and Erica Mena, 31, are officially engaged after Safaree proposed to Mena at a Christmas Eve bash at her Atlanta home Bling it on: On Monday, Christmas Day, Erica Mena showed off her $175K diamond engagement ring from Love & Hip Hop's Safaree; they are officially engaged The artist, whose full name is Safaree Lloyd Samuels, plunked down around $175,000 on the 14-carat platinum ring for the Bronx beauty, insiders told the outlet, and had a hand in designing the piece of jewelry. Safaree's rep KD McNair told the outlet that '2019 is the year of new beginnings and it's safe to say our guy Safaree stepped up and put a ring on it.' Safaree planned an ultra-romantic scene to go along with the proposal, setting up an area filled with 20,000 rose petals and 200 candles, sources told the outlet. He also had the musical artist 112 on hand to perform songs such as Crazy Over You and Cupid. Following the proposal, which Erica accepted, Safaree presided over a firework show outside of the abode. Safaree was previously linked to Nicki Minaj, while Mena, who's also been seen on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Bad Girls Club, was previously romantically-linked to musical artist Bow Wow and Clifford Dixon, who she was arrested following an alleged fight in October in Johns Creek, Georgia, TMZ reported. Romantic: The artist, whose full name is Safaree Lloyd Samuels, plunked down around $175,000 on a 14-carat platinum ring for the Bronx beauty Holiday spirit: Mena shared this shot of herself decorating her home for the holidays Authorities said they were alerted to the scene after reports of arguing between the then-couple, as Dixon was taken into custody in connection with criminal trespassing, while Mena was arrested in connection with marijuana possession. Erica was first publicly spotted with Safaree at a Brooklyn Nets game in last November, spurring chatter of a romance. She's proved to be her own best advert for her swimwear collection. And Kimberley Garner showed off her sensational figure again on Christmas Day as she slipped into a scarlet bodysuit. The 28-year-old reality starlet was a vision as she posed for snaps alongside her new pet rabbit, Gingerbread. Sizzling: She's proved to be her own best advert for her swimwear collection. And Kimberley Garner showed off her sensational figure again on Christmas Day as she slipped into a scarlet bodysuit Showcasing her ample cleavage and tiny waist, the stunning star sizzled in her scanty one-piece. She layered up with a cream bathrobe draped over her shoulders as she picked up her pet rabbit for the camera. In another sweet snap, she planted a kiss on the new addition to the family whilst posing in front of her Christmas ornaments. Festive fun: The 28-year-old reality starlet was a vision as she posed for snaps alongside her new pet rabbit, Gingerbread Adorable: In another sweet snap, she planted a kiss on the new addition to the family whilst posing in front of her Christmas ornaments Kimberley found fame in Made In Chelsea back in 2012 and went on to launch her own swimwear company off her reality TV career. Earlier this month, she sent fans wild as she modelled her collection in Barbados for a night shoot in shots posted to her Instagram account. The socialite showed off her incredible figure as she slipped into a rather daring polka dot thong bikini and frolicked in the surf in three smouldering snaps. Beach babe: Earlier this month, she sent fans wild as she modelled her collection in Barbados for a night shoot in shots posted to her Instagram account The TV personality arched her back and popped her leg to amplify her peachy posterior in one image. A second image showed the property developer with her back to the camera, leaning on her knees as she melted into the sand, while playfully looking over her shoulder. The third and final snap saw Kimberley stare seductively into the camera as she posed in the sea. Keeping with the surfer vibe, the reality star modelled a deep tan and styled her tresses with loose beachy waves. Glowing: The socialite, 28, showed off her incredible figure as she slipped into a rather daring polka dot thong bikini and frolicked in the surf in three smouldering snaps The swimwear designer went make-up free to highlight her stunning natural features for her striking shoot. Kimberleys two-piece is available via her website and retails at 130. Swimwear design is not the only business in Kimberlys portfolio; she is now following in her familys footsteps of high-end property development. He rocketed to fame playing the mischievous Kevin Macallister in 1990's Home Alone. And while the hilarious holiday movie made Macaulay Culkin a star, the actor wondered if the film hindered any criminal careers as he mused in a funny tweet Sunday. 'I feel bad about all the burglars who never had the confidence to rob a house on Christmas thanks to me,' the 38-year-old actor wrote to his some 287k Twitter followers. Dreams thwarted? Macaulay Culkin (above September) had fun wondering how many burglars never 'had the confidence to rob a house' because of his antics in the 1990 classic Home Alone In Home Alone, Macaulay played eight-year-old Kevin, who is left at home when his family flies to Paris for the holidays. When two bumbling burglars known as the Wet Bandits (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) break into a local home, they get more than they bargained for. Cunning kid Kevin sets up a series of booby traps to thwart the invaders, eventually leading to a chaotic chase and the criminal's capture. The Richie Rich actor must have been feeling nostalgic over this Christmas season. Whoops: When two bumbling burglars known as the Wet Bandits (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) break into a home, they get more than they bargained for Macaulay Culkin stars in a new commercial for Google Assistant The Home Alone star, who was 10 when he appeared in the 1990 film, is now 38 In the ad, he reprises his role as Kevin McCallister but shows how much easier it would be for him in 2018, thanks to AI Earlier this month, he debuted a hilarious commercial for the Google Assistant which was an homage to the John Hughes/ Christopher Columbus classic In the ad, the Home Alone star once again finds himself all by himself during the holidays but this time he uses the Google Assistant to make everything run smoother. As he steps into an empty room at the start of the commercial, he asks Google what's on his schedule for the day and the digital assistant replies reminding him that he has the house to himself. He seems pleased and goes about his day, recreating moments from the original film. He recreates several of the memorable scenes in the film, including shaving and applying aftershave In the movie, Kevin screams after applying aftershave because it stings his face The Wet Bandits, who were played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, do not actually appear in the ad He also jumped on a bed like he did in the original film, but instead of scattering popcorn everywhere, he asks Google to remind him to clean the sheets Ouch! He also stumbles when his back hurts while hopping on the bed He shaves and runs out of aftershave, and asks Google to add it to his shopping list. Also, being an adult now, he seems to know how to use it better, and fails to experience the stinging that Kevin did in the movie. That maturity doesn't stop him from jumping on the bed, but this time his body protests and his back starts to hurt as jumps. He also asks Google to remind him to clean the sheets later. In the movie, when Kevin orders pizza, he avoids interacting directly with the delivery guy, lest he realize he's a kid there by himself. Instead, he syncs up a movie to reply to the delivery person, telling him: 'Keep the change, ya filthy animal.' At one point, he watches TV with a bowl of ice cream when a pizza delivery guy pulls up outside He uses Google's home security app to see and speak to the guy, who is dressed the same as the teen in the 1990 movie In Home Alone, Kevin doesn't talk to the pizza delivery guy, and has him communicate with a movie isntead In the new commercial, he pulls up the same movie and still plays the line, 'Keep the change, ya filthy animal' This time, Kevin doesn't greet the man at the door either but it's because he doesn't have to. He speaks to him through a home security system instead. As he sits down to dinner macaroni and cheese with a glass of milk the clock strikes nine and he realizes it's time to prepare the diversion. In the film, this was an elaborate affair, with Kevin moving things with strings and a train set and other Rube Goldberg machines. But this time, everything's tied to the AI assistant. Though some former child stars try to forget their early game, Macaulay seems happy to embrace the film At the end of the ad, he sits down to eat macaroni and cheese with a glass of milk when it's time to throw the fake 'party' to throw off burglars This time, he orders Google to begin Operation Kevin, and the props all start moving of their own accord In Home Alone, Kevin needed to pull the strings, literally, to make everything work He set up dummies so it would appear from the street like a party was going on inside All he has to do is say the word 'Begin Operation Kevin' and the lights turn on, the door locks, the fire in the fireplace ignites, a cardboard cutout atop a Roomba starts moving, and a dummy perched on a model train whizzes around the room. This is enough to scare off the Wet Bandits surveying the home outside, and Kevin didn't even have to lift a finger. The new commercial is part of a string of recent appearances from Macaulay in which he references his Home Alone fame. During a visit to The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the former child actor revealed that he sometimes recites the film's lines to impress friends and acquaintances. The Richie Rich actor is currently attached to The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody actress Brenda Song. She recently confirmed that rumoured beau Giovanni Pernice had joined her in Miami for Christmas. And Strictly Come Dancing's Ashley Roberts was once again showing off her figure on Monday, as she took to Instagram to flaunt her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy pink bikini. The 37-year-old looked amazing as she posed up a storm beach-side, after she was spotted touching down with rumoured boyfriend Giovanni, 28, at the airport. Sizzling: Strictly Come Dancing's Ashley Roberts was once again showing off her figure on Monday, as she took to Instagram to flaunt her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy pink bikini Ashley captioned the post: 'Merry Xmas Eve. Sending lots of love and happiness out to you and yours.' It came after Ashley took to social media to flaunt her amazing body in another raunchy post the day before, where she was once again rocking the revealing pink two-piece. The outing comes after it was revealed that Ashley was spending the festive season with rumoured beau Giovanni, after they were spotted touching down in the airport together. The songstress cut a casual figure as she arrived at the airport with the Italian dance pro. Stunning: Ashley Roberts, 37, has taken a well-deserved break from the ballroom to jet back to her native US for the festive period, amid reports rumoured beau Giovanni Pierce was with her Sharing the raunchy post with her 381,000 Instagram followers, she said: 'Casual. Taking some me time in the US, reflecting on the past year.' Arching her back and tousling her golden locks into a messy bob, the star showed off her gym-toned physique in the two-piece, gaining legions of praise from her fans. One wrote: 'Gorgeous'. Another added: 'Enjoy your break, you deserve it, you didnt deserve all the negativity you got on strictly, you lit up the dance floor every week' A third said: 'Looking absolutely stunning Ashley'. Her post comes amid reports her rumoured beau Giovanni Pernice, 28, has travelled to Miami with her to meet her family. Almost! Ashley, who was dubbed 'the greatest dancer ever on Strictly' by Craig Revel-Horwood, narrowly missed out on the Glitterball trophy after reaching the final Wow! She later sparked envy with another idyllic snap from her trip A source told the Sun: 'This is a sign of just how heavily Giovanni has fallen for Ashley during the three to four months they were working in close quarters together. 'But because of the show's punishing rehearsal and performance schedule they couldn't spend as much time together as they might have liked. 'So now that the show is over, they're virtually inseparable. That includes not wanting to be apart at Christmas, even if that means Giovanni has to make a sacrifice.' Romance? Her post comes amid reports her rumoured beau Giovanni Pernice, 28, has travelled to Miami with her to meet her family This comes amid claims Ashley kissed Giovanni at Strictly Come Dancing's wrap party. The Pussycat Dolls star and professional dancer are said to have 'openly kissed' as they consoled each other after missing out on the Glitterball trophy. Although Ashley missed out on the top prize, she won high praise from judges, getting a perfect score in the final. Long serving judge Craig Revel-Horwood, 53, who is known for his cutting comments also spoke highly of the star Star power: Ashley found herself in the final with her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev, while Giovanni was competing for the Glitterball trophy with Steps star Faye Tozer 'She's one of the best dancers I think we've ever seen on the show. Shes at the top of the leader board all the time! That might discourage people from voting for her', he told the Radio Times. Ashley found herself in the final with her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev, while Giovanni was competing for the Glitterball trophy with Steps star Faye Tozer. The reports come after Ashley's candid interview on This Morning last month, where she called out host Phillip Schofield for asking about her alleged 'romance' with the hunk. Appearing on the show alongside her dance partner Pasha, 38, Phillip, 56, couldn't resist asking 'And Giovanni?'.... Ashley smiled, 'You cheeky little Giovanni and I are friends, and I am really really focused on the show. I am very passionate about being here and it's about the dance for me, so no, we are just friends. I'm single.' A week earlier, Giovanni echoed her comments on the show: 'According to the press I change girlfriends every single day! Ashley's great, we're really good friends I'm single. I spend all my time in Newcastle!', he added. She's recently come under fire from fans, who accused her of ripping off a small family business and copying their designs for her new personalised children's clothing company. Yet Sam Faiers continued to brush off the scandal as she shared a series of sun-soaked snaps from her family holiday in the Maldives. Celebrating Christmas Day in the sunshine, the 27-year-old reality TV star hit the beach with partner Paul Knightley, their two children and Paul's mother Gaynor. Family fun: Celebrating Christmas Day in the sunshine, Sam Faiers hit the beach with partner Paul Knightley, their two children and Paul's mother Gaynor Sam looked sensational in the snaps as she showcased her phenomenal figure in a bandeau bikini, with the nude colour complementing her tanned complexion. However, Gaynor was giving the star a run for her money, as she looked fantastic in a cream bikini whilst posing along the brood. Sam jetted to the Maldives with her children Paul and Rosie last week and has been keeping fans up to date on their antics with a slew of Instagram posts. Yummy mummy: Sam looked sensational in the snaps as she showcased her phenomenal figure in a bandeau bikini, with the nude colour complementing her tanned complexion But Sam's festive getaway comes as she left scandal at home. Sam's fans have threatened to 'boycott' her ITVBe show The Mummy Diaries after she was accused of shamelessly ripping off a small family business and copying their designs for her new personalised children's clothing company. She has been receiving freebies from Yorkshire-based website Forever Sewing for the past two years, and has posted numerous images of her children, Paul Jr., three, and Rosie, 13 months, wearing their colourful monogrammed tracksuits. After discussing working on a collaboration with the brand, the reality TV personality has now been accused of stealing their designs for her own new venture. Stunning: Sam took to Instagram on Saturday to share a stunning bikini-clad snap as she climbed out the pool giggling with her son Paul in the Maldives Nude ambition: And it's not the first gorgeous snap Sam's shared from her idyllic trip And now Sam's fans have threatened to boycott her series that she stars in with her sister Billie Faiers and even her new clothing line. One person said: 'When "celebs" like @SamanthaFaiers get loads of free stuff from small independent retailers then rip off the exact idea and pass off as their own... Shameful !! #boycot #MummyDiaries #foreversewing.' Clearly extremely enraged by the action, another show watcher commented: '@SamanthaFaiers won't be watching Clearly anymore!!!' A different user put: 'Sam Faiers asking for free clothes for her children is just shameful. I don't care that the brand got publicity,surely you want to earn and pay for the clothes on your own kids back!... Happy days: And now Sam's fans have threatened to boycott her series that she stars in with her sister Billie Faiers and even her new clothing line Spot the difference: Sam Faiers has been accused of RIPPING OFF small business by copying their designs by 'disgusted' fans - (left) her new children's range, (right) the clothing brand she has been receiving freebies from for two years 'Have some pride and self respect for gods sake. Absolute scrounger. Hope people boycott 'her brand'.' Sam told her fans she was setting up a new children's clothing venture named My Little Darlin' and has started an Instagram page which teases one of the designs, which is near-identical to Forever Sewing's. The page has 11.2k followers already and Sam was thought to be planning to launch in one week, but the comments section has been littered with angry posts from fans, which Sam has been deleting. Just hours after fans started calling out the former TOWIE star for her blatant copycat designs, Sam deleted all of the comments from the Instagram post in question and blocked further comments from appearing. Controversy: Sam shared this picture of her two children wearing personalised clothing from her new clothing venture just hours ago, which is almost identical to the brand that baby Paul has been wearing over the last two years and was littered with comments from angry fans who compared the two brands MailOnline has seen countless messages exchanged between Sam and the company, in which she lists an extensive amount of freebies she wants from them. The reality star states that her eldest son Paul, has been 'living in' the designs and has been wearing them throughout filming of The Mummy Diaries. The company has taken to Facebook to voice their feelings of betrayal over Sam's actions after learning that her new children's clothing line is remarkably similar to their own. Criminal charges have been laid more than two years after a newborn baby died in a tragic gas mix-up at a Sydney Hospital. Baby John Ghanem died after he was accidentally given nitrous oxide instead of oxygen at Lidcombe-Bankstown Hospital in July 2016. Another baby, Amelia Khan, was left with permanent brain damage in a similar mix-up at the same hospital a month earlier. The hospital's general manager and acting director were both stood down and an investigation was carried out into both incidents. A report released in August 2016 pointed to "a series of tragic errors" at the hospital including incorrect installations of gas pipelines, flawed testing and significant clinical and management failures. On Wednesday Safework NSW confirmed to AAP it had filed criminal charges for the matter but a spokeswoman refused to comment further. Five sets of criminal charges have been levelled at the state government's South-West Sydney Local Health District, the gas company and the man who installed the gas, Nine Network reported on Wednesday. Bill Shorten has thanked charities around Australia supporting people in need this Christmas. The federal opposition leader and his wife Chloe spread their Christmas cheer in front of a tree in a Foodbank warehouse in a video message to be released on Monday. "The wonderful team here at Foodbank are making sure that families who are doing it tough don't go hungry this Christmas. And lots of charity organisations around Australia are doing the same," he said. Mrs Shorten also thanked Australians who gave generously to ensure those less fortunate have a safe place to stay, a hot meal or presents under the tree. The couple went on to pay tribute to those who won't get to spend Christmas with their families, including Defence Force personnel deployed away from home, and emergency services personnel keeping communities safe. Mr Shorten paid tribute to those "for whom this is just another working day". "Chloe and I hope that you get some time to relax this summer, to celebrate and catch up with the people you care about most," he said. A Christmas heatwave will hit Adelaide and most of South Australia, with temperatures in the city to push into the 40s later this week. In the first sustained period of hot weather this summer, the mercury will stay high across much of the state for at least the next seven days. Adelaide is expected to have a top of 35C on Christmas Day but some northern centres, including Marree and Oodnadatta, will be even hotter with highs of 42C expected. In Adelaide the temperature will rise to 41C by Thursday, with 41C also forecast for next Sunday. The Country Fire Service has issued severe bushfire warning for three SA regions on Monday - the Mt Lofty Ranges, the lower southeast and the lower Eyre Peninsula. Residents in those districts have been advised to activate their bushfire survival plans. Adelaide Strikers' legspinning wizard Rashid Khan could do nothing but crack a wry smile when fellow Afghani Mohammad Nabi smashed him over his head for a straight six. It was the early stages of a match-winning, unbroken 96-run partnership in eight overs between Nabi and Dan Christian which helped the Melbourne Renegades stun the Strikers by five wickets at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Rashid was the best bowler for either team by several lengths, snaring 2-13 off his four overs. Nabi's six off Rashid's full offering was the leggie's only blemish for the night - and both of them knew it. "He (Nabi) said 'you bowled the wrong one and I hit it'," Rashid said with a laugh. "I just said 'I bowled it a bit fuller, that's why you did it'. "It was fun." Earlier, a pair of masterful googlies bamboozled Sam Harper and Cameron White, who were both trapped leg-before in Rashid's second over which stalled the Renegades' progress momentarily. The top-order pair were expertly set up, cat-and-mouse style, by the wily wrist spinner. "I tried to bowl initially a few legspinners, then bring in the wrong 'un," said Rashid, who is closing in on 100 Twenty20 wickets this calendar year. "I had this plan in my mind and it worked. "Not even a noticeably short 55m square boundary on the members' side spooked Rashid, like it appeared to some of his contemporaries. "Even when a miss-hit goes for six, I always back in myself and my good deliveries," he said. "With a bad delivery, an 80-90m boundary can become short for you. "I keep in my mind to forget about the boundary, whether it's short or long, I just need to bowl good deliveries." US President Donald Trump's pick to fill the role of acting secretary of defense after the sudden departure of General James Mattis is no stranger to Australia. Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive and Mattis' deputy at the Pentagon since April last year, regularly talks up the "robust defence relationship" the US and Australia shares and "the common strategic challenges" the longtime allies face. In February, when then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Washington DC, Mr Shanahan was waiting on the front steps of the Pentagon to greet him and in April, Mr Shanahan hosted Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne. It was General Mattis' concerns about Mr Trump's treatment of allies, the president's surprise plan to pull US troops out of Syria and the belief Mr Trump should replace him with someone "whose views are better aligned with yours" that led to the general's resignation last week. General Mattis had planned to leave the Pentagon at the end of February but Mr Trump, reportedly stung by the tone of the general's resignation letter, announced on Sunday via Twitter Mr Shanahan would start in the top job on January 1 and his boss' departure would be fast-tracked. There were concerns General Mattis' departure would shake up the US-Australian military alliance but Mr Shanahan, 56, has been a visible and positive presence at numerous public events involving the two nations. Mr Shanahan, during his meeting with Mr Turnbull in February, highlighted America's "commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, and to our allies and partners", according to the Pentagon's readout. At a service at the National Cathedral in Washington DC in June, Mr Shanahan spoke about the 100 Years of Mateship shared by US and Australian forces since the World War I Battle of Hamel in northern France. "Its walls were not made of stone or wood, but of flesh and blood," he said. "Its mortar was the mud of the trenches. "Its foundation was the courage in young kids from Queens and Queensland, from Adelaide to Appalachia." A man walked into a bar. This wasn't just any bar. This was the world's tenth best bar, which, a year after opening, is where it debuted on the The World's 50 Best Bars list in August. And according to those in the know, this is some feat. Especially when you consider this speakeasy isn't located in the bright lights of the other top-ten venues in New York, London, Singapore or Athens. No, this man walked into a bar tucked behind a cat food shop, halfway up the world's longest escalator, and down a dimly-lit alley in central Hong Kong. Intimidated? Maybe, particularly when entering such an acclaimed establishment is a slight challenge in itself. The man had to locate the hidden handle in the black front door. He opens it, to be greeted with an eerie mosaic splash on the back wall. It's made as a nod to literary giant Ernest Hemingway - confirming the connection to the bar's name, The Old Man. But there is another level of mystique. The man later finds out the mosaic is made of leftover material from the building. Hemingway overlooks the lone, T-shaped table acting as the small room's centrepiece, which features an iced gold plate running through the middle. A quick turn of the head and, with only a handful of tables at the back, the man realises no more than 25 people could squeeze into the green-tinted venue. "The owners wanted it that way," says Jake, the bartender. If bar managers Roman Ghale, Agung Prabowo and James Tamang are going for intimate, then it doesn't get more cosy. The Filipino bartender's charm is disarming instead of snobbish. "What would you like? Sweet? Savoury? Crazy? Classic?" he asks, handing the man a surprisingly simple one-page, ten-drink menu, all priced the same. There's no food, but there's a lot to digest. Each cocktail is not only named after and inspired by a Hemingway classic, but every taste is an experimental mix of ingredients from his famous sojourns. Jake, anticipating the man's indecision, makes his first recommendation. "It's my favourite," he says. The intriguingly named A Moveable Feast. Rotovap sea, clear-spiced cherry tomato, coconut and basil tomato seeds, all of which give the impression that you're about to eat something more than drink it. Sure enough, the man pays extra attention to Jake's instructions - "bite the leaf, take a sip, then tell me what you taste," he says - and allows sensory takeover. It's designed as a twist on the Bloody Mary, believed to be Hemingway's tipple of choice at its birthplace in Paris, where he wrote the book. In a bar that distils its own alcohol, the tomato seeds allow for it to have the taste of the Bloody Mary, but not the colour. As the man works his way through the menu - the pricing is believed to be slightly below average for Hong Kong - he wonders how this place got its rating. What takes precedence? Is it the quality of the drink? The exclusivity of the customers? The design of the venue? "Good drinks, good people, good times," sums up Holly, a former bar critic herself before dropping her pen and picking up a cocktail mixer. "The drinks don't have to be that good, actually. I think vibes and decent drinks are important, but it's the people that make it. "There's no pretence here. Just no pretentiousness." Holly goes on to recall a visit to a different top-ten bar - not in Asia - where she was disappointed by being confronted with a 25-page menu. She admits that, for the first time since she can remember, Hong Kong is finally spreading its wings in the food and beverage scene. Three of the top-ten bars are located on the continent. "I've lived here for eight years and while I might be a Londoner - don't get me wrong, I love the bars there - I don't feel any affiliation for them," she says. "I recently went to a bar in Berlin and I said to everyone, 'Watch out, Asia's coming'. "I don't think our scene has been represented well enough. Now you have Hong Kong, Singapore, and very quickly Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, quickly catching up." IF YOU GO GETTING THERE Cathay Pacific flies to Hong Kong from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. See cathaypacific.com. STAYING THERE: The Jervois is an upscale hotel in Sheung Wan, away from the hustle and bustle of central Hong Kong. Part of the reputable National Hotels chain, rooms can be had at around $a350 a night and come with their own travel phone. More info: www.thejervois.com EATING AND DRINKING THERE The Old Man Hong Kong, inspired by Ernest Hemmingway, believes every drink has a story to tell. For more info: www.theoldmanhk.com A good drink needs a good feed, and The Old Bailey (no connection to The Old Man), perfectly strikes a modern edge to traditional Cantonese cuisine in the aptly situated Tai Kwun heritage site that pays homage to Hong Kong history. (www.oldbailey.hk) For more info on Hong Kong: www.discoverhongkong.com/au The writer travelled as a guest of Hong Kong Tourism Board. Scott Morrison wants Australians to "conquer our fears" and look to the future with optimism. In his first Christmas message as prime minister, Mr Morrison paid tribute to Australian defence personnel away from their families, as well as doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders. "You keep us safe," he said in his message on Monday. Mr Morrison last week travelled to Iraq to meet special forces soldiers and other Australian Defence Force personnel training the Iraqi Army to combat Islamic State. He again thanked the 3200 deployed Australians for their sacrifice. "They were missing their families and friends at Christmas," he said. "I met mums who would be away from their infant children, as well as dads, for the first time. "I met others for whom this has been a way of life for decades." He recognised the challenges faced by drought-affected communities, and said charity and church groups supporting those in need were "Australia at its best." Mr Morrison quoted Australia's official WWI correspondent Charles Bean, who referred to the celebration of Christmas as "sign of our attachment to the highest ideals yet imported on earth". "Bean was talking about service, sacrifice, mates, family and country," Mr Morrison said. "And courage, which is not the absence of fear, but the choice to conquer our fears by committing to something even greater. "Charles Bean was right. Whether you a religious or not, Christmas is a time to hope, a time to give thanks and a time to look ahead with fresh optimism." Australians are being encouraged to take care of themselves and others this Christmas by watching their social media use and looking out for signs of domestic and family violence. Federal Labor MP Linda Burney on Sunday said rates of domestic and family violence typically increased over Christmas with calls to a helpline last December spiking by 22 per cent. She urged Australians to look out for family, friends and workmates who might be victims, noting that violence against women could be physical, emotional, psychological and sexual. "We need to look for more than bruises - manipulation, threats, coercion, humiliation, stalking and controlling behaviour are all forms of domestic violence," Ms Burney said in a statement. "If something seems wrong with someone you know, ask if they are OK. Don't leave it to chance." Meanwhile, the Australian Medical Association encouraged people to use social media positively over the festive season for the sake of their mental health and wellbeing. The peak doctor's body said that while social media could be a good way to easily stay in contact with family and friends, it could also have negative effects. Among young people, frequent use could lead to feelings of isolation, lowered self-esteem and exposure to cyber-bullying, AMA president Tony Bartone said in a statement. "Seeing negative posts and having negative interactions on social media has been shown to influence users' future posts - indicating that this might influence their mood as well," Dr Bartone said. "These holidays, try to use social media positively, to share festive messages and contact friends and family. "Importantly, don't let social media get in the way of spending quality time with those around you." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 A bushfire sparked by lightning is continuing to burn on Western Australia's southern coast, threatening lives and homes in the Area. Emergency WA has issued a watch and act message for Bremer Bay and Boxwood Hill, southeast of Perth. Conditions in the fire zone are continually changing and residents are advised to either leave or be ready to defend their properties. More than 100 firefighters are in the area, working to actively fight the blaze and strengthen containment lines. Aerial support has also been brought in to assist ground crews. The fire was first reported on Thursday last week and has already burnt through more than 8000 hectares of scrub. Australian border security staff who screen cargo and mail entering the country are plugging gaps in frontline services at airports because of federal government cuts, the opposition says. Labor's Immigration and Border Protection spokesman Shayne Neumann says the situation is putting Australia's border security at risk over the Christmas period. He said the shuffling of staff forced by the government cuts could allow drugs, firearms, illicit tobacco and other contraband into the country. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously denied the cuts, describing media reports as "just more storytelling". But Mr Neumann said with more reports emerging, Mr Morrison must come clean. "Australian Border Force staff have a critically important job protecting Australia's borders in airports, at sea, and at our ports every day," he said. "They should not be put in a position where this important work is being compromised because of cuts and chaos." Queensland's church leaders have focused on peace, joy and the celebration of life in their annual Christmas messages. Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall said the idea of hospitality, or welcome, was central to the Christian faith - especially at Christmas. "Christmas is an act of radical and generous hospitality on God's behalf. In Christ, God comes to be with us, face to face. To be born with us, to live with us, to eat with us, to share our struggles with us - to be one of us," he said. It was essential that welcome was offered to those on the fringe of society and to people who are different. "Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate God's generous hospitality and to practise it with others - to be good hosts and guests, to be generous in our thinking and our actions towards those around us." Brisbane's Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge said Christmas was about the "gift of life". "Because whatever about the shadow and the smell of death, the fact is we celebrate life, as gift, as blessing and not curse, and we celebrate life as the blessing and the gift of God because all human life - in fact all life, speaks of God," the archbishop said. "Life, not death, has the last word. "May the hope of Christmas touch every heart, so that the birth of the child will really be the 'joy for all the people' promised by the angle of life." Queensland Uniting Church Reverend David Baker admits 2018 has been a challenging year when "trust in the leadership" of many institutions has been eroded. "So, this Christmas, I encourage you to rediscover the wonder. In a world torn apart by conflict and beset by challenges, where it feels as though we wait for God in the wilderness, the wonder of the Christmas story disrupts the status quo," the reverend said. "Our thoughts are also with those for whom Christmas brings difficulty and challenge, particularly those in drought-stricken parts of the state." NSW is set for a warm and sunny Christmas before heatwave conditions are expected to hit much of the state by the end of the week. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Sydney city will reach 29 degrees on Christmas day while in Penrith the temperature will climb to 35 degrees. Duty forecaster Anita Dyne told AAP that further west, Orange would reach 29 degrees while Broken Hill would hit 38 degrees on Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the Hunter region, Newcastle will climb to 29 degrees before temperatures continue to rise in following days throughout the state. By the end of the week, much of NSW is expected to subject to heatwave conditions ranging from low-intensity to extreme severity. Ms Dyne said it would particularly be felt in the south, with Griffith expected to reach 44 degrees on Saturday while Wagga Wagga hits 42 degrees. "Those southern centres are in for a pretty sweltering time," she said. "It's not going to be as bad for people on the coast because we've got the ocean to help us out." After suffering a form slump, North Queensland back-rower Coen Hess must now overcome a serious case of being "starstruck" following Test lock Josh McGuire's Cowboys arrival. Hess has already been challenged by Cowboys prop Matt Scott to recapture his 2017 form which propelled him from the North Queensland bench to State of Origin honours after an underwhelming NRL season. Hess' disappointing display reflected the Cowboys' plight as they narrowly missed collecting the 2018 wooden spoon and hung on to finish 13th. The 22-year-old said his confidence had already been boosted for 2019 after earning a three-year contract extension that will keep him at the Cowboys until the end of 2022. Now Hess just has to get his head around playing alongside McGuire, who has bolstered the Cowboys pack since arriving from Brisbane on a four season deal. "You look around at training and in a way get starstruck," Queensland representative Hess said of McGuire. "I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play with him in the Maroons. "You can see he has taken it upon himself to make himself known within the club. "You really love having guys like Moose (McGuire) in your team. "He's a guy who is a real competitor and hates losing. That's what every club wants and needs." Hess has played five games for the Maroons and 59 NRL matches since making his senior debut as a 19-year-old in 2015. He finally nailed down a Cowboys starting spot in 2018 but only showed flashes of last year's brilliance, scoring seven tries from 23 games while averaging 99m and 32 tackles. Hess is ready to reclaim his mojo and reward the Cowboys' faith after securing the new deal he hopes will help make him a one club player. "It (new deal) is a step in right direction for sure," Hess said. "By the time I am finished (new deal) I will be 26 so hopefully I sign one more contract and that will be me done. "But in saying there is a long time between now and then. I have got four years now to really cement myself in the team and continue to improve." Hess hopes to be involved in North Queensland's pre-season games against Gold Coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast on February 23 and Melbourne at Mackay on March 1. Asia Bibi was on death row for eight years before her death sentence was overturned Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi will celebrate Christmas under guard, despite being cleared of the blasphemy charges that kept her in jail since 2010. Bibi -- a former labourer who was on death row for eight years -- remains a prime target in conservative Muslim-majority Pakistan, with extremists calling for her blood and the government refusing to reveal her location out of fear for her safety. "It's too dangerous... People want to kill her," said Yousaf Hadayat, a resident from one of Islamabad's impoverished Christian ghettos, littered this week by a smattering of Santa hats and Christmas trees. Security this Christmas, like many before it, will be tight with the government set to deploy armed forces to the Christian colonies. Residents say they feel more uneasy than ever during the religious holiday while Bibi's fate continues to loom large. Residents of the Christian ghettos like Pastor Munawar Inayat say they feel uneasy as Asia Bibi's fate continues to loom large during Christmas "We're afraid," said Pastor Munawar Inayat at Holy of Holies Church in Islamabad. "We can't speak against anyone." The Supreme Court overturned Bibi's death sentence for blasphemy in October, and she has legally been a free woman ever since. But the ruling ignited days of violent demonstrations that paralysed large swathes of the country, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading, mutiny within the powerful military and the assassination of the country's top judges. The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party -- the Islamist group driving the violent protests -- charging its leaders with sedition and terrorism. But authorities also struck a deal with the protesters to end the violence, forming an agreement which included allowing a final review of the Supreme Court's judgement. Security will be tight this Christmas around Pakistan's Christian communities Bibi, who is seeking asylum abroad, is believed to be in protective custody inside Pakistan as the review continues. But there is no clear timeline for when it will be completed. A government spokesman refused to comment on its status, saying only that the matter is with the court. Analyst Fasi Zaka warned that the longer Bibi remains in limbo, the greater the danger. "For some elements if they don't have access to Asia Bibi they'll find stand-ins for their vengeance," he told AFP. - 'Lightning rod' - Blasphemy continues to be a massively inflammatory issue in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims. But rights activists have warned that minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire, with blasphemy charges used to settle personal scores. While Asia Bibi remains in custody, Christians in the 100 Quarters Colony are preparing for Christmas with their families "This is a lighting rod issue that affects a whole community," said Zaka. The allegations against Bibi date back to 2009, when a fight erupted between her and fellow Muslim labourers, who later accused Bibi of blasphemy. She was convicted under Pakistan's controversial anti-blasphemy laws and in 2010 sentenced to death. Since her acquittal speculation has been rife that an asylum deal with a European or North American country may be in the works. Many residents of the 100 Quarters Colony in Islamabad cautioned against Bibi's release, saying her safety would only be guaranteed once she was granted asylum in a foreign country. "No, no. She cannot stay," said resident Hadayat. Polio campaign worker Shahnaz Arif argued against Bibi's ongoing custody. "We should get the same freedom that others enjoy," she said. Even so she admitted she was afraid, citing Pakistan's long history of political assassinations, including some over blasphemy. "There is not enough security for our leaders -- we are just poor citizens," she explained. - Blacklisted - Christians -- who make up around two percent of the population -- occupy one of the lowest rungs in class-obsessed Pakistani society, largely living in slums and working menial jobs as street sweepers, cleaners and cooks. Christians occupy one of the lowest rungs in Pakistani society, largely living in slums like the 100 Quarters Colony and working menial jobs as street sweepers, cleaners and cooks The tension comes as Washington added Pakistan this month to a blacklist of countries that it says wantonly violate religious freedom, citing the country's high number of blasphemy convictions and failure to hold perpetrators targeting religious minorities to account. Islamabad later dismissed the US move as politically motivated. Back in the 100 Quarters Colony, residents said their thoughts were with a mother who has already spent many Christmases in solitary confinement. "Christmas is celebrated with near and dear ones, and not in custody," said Christmas decoration seller Amjab Burgkat. "There are security fears, but she should celebrate Christmas with her family." A makeshift primary school in the dusty Hammam al-Alil 2 camp in Iraq's north opened earlier this year Maareb has big dreams, but she may never get to realise them. Every day, when her friends attend class in the Iraqi displacement camp they call home, she stays behind. The makeshift primary school in the dusty Hammam al-Alil 2 camp in Iraq's north opened earlier this year, but several thousand displaced children are unable to access it. For Maareb, the problem is paperwork. "I want to go to school with my friends, but I'm not allowed because I don't have an ID," says the seven-year-old, her plaited hair dangling down her back. "I want to finish my studies to become a doctor." Maareb and her family fled to Hammam al-Alil 2 a few years ago from Zammar, around 90 kilometres (60 miles) west, as the Islamic State group overran the region. At the time, Maareb had proof of birth provided by a hospital, but no government-issued identification. In the violent chaos of IS's reign, her father could not acquire the necessary papers to secure her a spot in a classroom. "Because of our displacement, I was never able to get an ID card for Maareb, so she doesn't have any paperwork now besides a birth certificate," says her father, Ibrahim Helo. Over the years, Hammam al-Alil 2 has become a bustling settlement: rows of tents with water and electricity access, plus storefronts, playgrounds, and a health centre Hammam al-Alil 2 lies in an arid plain just 30 kilometres (20 miles) southeast of Mosul, the historic Iraqi city that became infamous as IS's de facto capital in the country. Iraqi security forces retook Mosul last summer, but with no homes to return to, thousands stayed in camps. Over 1.9 million people remain displaced in Iraq, more than half of them children. - Starved of schooling - Over the years, Hammam al-Alil 2 became a bustling settlement: rows of tents with water and electricity access, plus storefronts, playgrounds, and a health centre. But aid groups only established a primary school this year, with five teachers instructing 2,500 kids up to age 10. That leaves around 5,000 camp children with no schooling, says school principal Ibrahim Khodr, 55. "There are many reasons kids can't attend school," Khodr says. "No documentation due to displacement, no encouragement by parents to finish schooling, tough financial situations, and the fact that families -- especially those without breadwinners -- send their children to work." Khodr says education authorities in Nineveh province have pledged to establish a school for older kids. Iraqi students from poorer backgrounds are much less likely to attend or finish school than wealthier classmates, according to UNICEF "We can't keep teaching in these circumstances. The Nineveh education directorate and the ministry of education must act to alleviate this suffering." Human Rights Watch researcher Belkis Wille told AFP Iraq's policy of barring school access for undocumented children was "shocking". "Iraq should be engaging in every effort to reintegrate the hundreds of thousands of families who lived under IS for three years," she said. "A key way of ensuring they are brought back into the fold is through putting their children back into Iraqi schools as quickly as possible." But even with the right paperwork, school remains too expensive for some families. Abdulkhaliq Julud, 37, cannot afford to educate his five children. "Our difficult financial situation means I can't buy what they need for school: clothes, backpacks, notebooks," says Julud. "I'm unemployed and we don't have savings. We live off whatever food aid we get in the camp." Iraqi students from poorer backgrounds are much less likely to attend or finish school than wealthier classmates, the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) says. Nineveh in particular has one of the lowest completion rates for primary or secondary schools. - No desks, chairs - According to UNICEF, 80 percent of Iraqi children have been violently disciplined in their lifetimes. Across the country, 3 million children don't have regular access to education. Half of public schools must be repaired and another 7,500 built to accommodate out-of-school kids. In Nineveh, the education directorate has deployed caravan schools to maximise class time, but is facing its own shortages, too. Iraqi security forces retook Mosul last summer, but with no homes to return to, thousands stayed in camps "The directorate is operating with just half its staff, after many were displaced to the Kurdish region or Baghdad and others retired," says associate head Khaled Jumaa. The scars from the recent conflict go beyond depleted teaching cadres: in November, unexploded ordnance killed three children in their school bus outside Mosul. In Hammam al-Alil 2, children -- some barefoot -- shuffle to ten tents that make up their school. During storms, the torn tarps leak water onto the kids. There are no desks or chairs. Students are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder on the ground, girls on one side and boys on the other. Their instructor paces down the aisle in between, trying to explain Iraqi geography without a chalkboard or map. "Our main river is the Tigris," he says, helplessly gesturing as confused students looked on, their heads in their hands. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd-R) arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on December 23, 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought on Sunday to calm domestic concerns over US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from Syria, saying his country will still act against Iran there. Netanyahu will also reportedly meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he travels to Brazil for the January 1 inauguration of new president Jair Bolsonaro. The prime minister's office has not confirmed the meeting reported by Israeli media. Trump last week said the Islamic State group had been defeated and he was withdrawing the United States' 2,000 troops from Syria. Israel has seen the US presence in neighbouring Syria as a bulwark against its main enemy Iran and a counterweight to Russia. Both Russia and Iran support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in the country's civil war. "The decision to remove the 2,000 US soldiers from Syria won't change our consistent policy," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. "We will continue to act against Iran's attempt to establish a military presence in Syria, and if the need arises, we will even expand our activities there." He added that he wanted to "calm those concerned". "Our cooperation with the United States continues full-force, and takes place in many fields -- the operational field, the intelligence field, and many other security fields." Separately, Israel's military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot told a conference on Sunday that the US decision was "a significant event but it should not be overstated". "For decades weve been handling this front alone," Eisenkot said. Trump's decision to withdraw from Syria -- as well as reduce forces in Afghanistan -- led US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to quit in disagreement. The US special envoy to the coalition fighting the Islamic State group, Brett McGurk, has also resigned. The withdrawal abruptly ends American influence in the war-ravaged country and gives Turkey an opening to attack US-backed Kurds in Syria. But Israel is particularly concerned about the presence of Iran there as well as Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite group backed by Tehran. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria against what it says are Iranian military targets and advanced weapons deliveries to Hezbollah. A friendly fire incident in September that led to a Russian plane being downed by Syrian air defences during an Israeli strike has however complicated Israeli operations there. Russia subsequently upgraded Syrian air defences with the delivery of the advanced S-300 system, which Damascus had said would make Israel "think carefully" before carrying out further air raids. The sudden reshuffle by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani caps a tumultuous few days for Afghanistan Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday replaced two of the country's top security chiefs with staunch anti-Taliban officials, in a major shake-up days after US President Donald Trump's decision to slash troop numbers in the country. Amrullah Saleh and Assadullah Khaled, both former heads of the Afghan intelligence agency, have been appointed to the critical posts of interior minister and defence minister, respectively, a presidential decree said. There was no official explanation for the sudden reshuffle. But it comes four months after Ghani rejected the resignations of former interior minister Wais Ahmad Barmak and defence minister Tariq Shah Bahrami following criticism over an increasingly deadly insurgency. The move caps a tumultuous few days for Afghanistan after an American official told AFP late last week that Trump had decided to pull out "roughly half" of the 14,000 US forces in the country. The unexpected move stunned and dismayed foreign diplomats and Afghan officials in Kabul who are intensifying a push to end the 17-year conflict with the Taliban. While the Taliban has not issued a formal statement on Trump's plan, a senior commander told AFP the group was "more than happy". Trump's decision apparently came Tuesday as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the Taliban in Abu Dhabi, part of efforts to bring the militants to the negotiating table with Kabul. Observers fear the hasty move could undermine Khalilzad's negotiating position, embolden the Taliban, and further erode morale among Afghan forces, which are being slaughtered at a record rate. Ghani, who is planning to seek re-election in April, could be trying to strengthen his security credentials ahead of the vote. Saleh, a fierce government critic who fought against the Taliban in the 1990s, served as head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) from 2004 to 2010. Khaled was briefly NDS chief in 2012 before being wounded by a Taliban suicide bomber. Both men will serve as acting ministers until the parliament approves their appointments. The proposal comes as China's economy slows and a bruising trade war with the US stymies growth China's legislature is considering a new law governing foreign investment that will streamline existing rules and prevent the forced transfer of technology, state media reported Sunday. The new "unified law" will replace three existing laws on Chinese and foreign equity joint ventures, non-equity joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises, the official Xinhua news agency reported. A draft of the proposed legislation was presented at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) which began Sunday. When in place, the new law would bar local governments from restricting market access for foreign firms and from forcing them to transfer technology. This will ensure foreign investors would enjoy the same privileges as Chinese companies in most sectors except those excluded on a "negative list". US and EU officials have long complained of a lack of fair access for foreign companies in China, as well as rampant theft of intellectual property. "In order to further expand opening up, actively promote foreign investment, protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investment, and promote the formation of a new pattern of comprehensive opening, the State Council has proposed a bill," the Standing Committee said is a statement about the meeting posted on the NPC website. The moves signal China's increased support for the economy as a bruising trade war with the US has stymied growth. Top policymakers on Friday pledged support with tax cuts and other policy measures including further opening the economy and better protection of intellectual property rights. Economic data has shown China's economy slowing this autumn, with Chinese consumer spending growing at its slowest pace in 15 years during November and factories easing up on production. Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump agreed to a 90-day tariff truce this month, as the two sides try to find a more permanent solution to the trade dispute. Senior officials from both countries had a phone conversation on Friday and "made new progress" on several issues including trade balance and strengthening intellectual property protection, China's commerce ministry said in a statement Sunday. The meetings of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, a powerful body of lawmakers headed by top legislator Li Zhanshu, run until Saturday. Kuwait's Minister of Oil and Electricity Bakheet Al-Rashidi arrives at the headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, on December 5, 2018, where member states agreed to cut output from the start of next year Oil ministers from leading OPEC nations said Sunday they expect prices will arrest their recent slide and rebalance early next year, when a deal on new production cuts takes effect. Oil prices have shed more than 36 percent since early October to trade at $54 (47 euros) per barrel, due to fears of oversupply and weak global demand. But president of OPEC and UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said that the surplus in the oil market was small compared to 2017 and expected it to vanish in one or two months. "Based on available figures, we have around 26 million barrels of surplus ... compared to 340 million barrels in early 2017," Mazrouei told a press conference in Kuwait City. "I think that we can easily do with this surplus and reach market rebalance in one or two months... in the first quarter of next year," he said. OPEC -- a cartel of producer countries that has long manipulated output of the commodity, to influence global prices in members' favour - and non-OPEC members agreed in early December to trim production by 1.2 million barrels a day from January 1, in a bid to shore up sagging prices. Mazrouei said that there has been higher than anticipated supply on the market in recent months, as US sanctions on Iran have had a less pronounced effect on the country's oil exports than had been expected. Iraq's Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadhban said that there is a consensus among OPEC and non-OPEC producers to comply with the new agreement to trim output in a bid to stabilise the market. He said the new agreement is valid for six months and the ministers will meet in April to assess the impact of the cuts. Ghadhban said he believes that the new measures taken by producers will "stop the slide in oil prices." Mazrouei said that producers are ready to renew the agreement or increase cuts in case the market does not balance. "If the production cuts of 1.2 million barrels a day is not enough, we will meet again to see what is enough and apply it," he said. During their meeting next April, the producers are also expected to sign a long-term agreement to formalise cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC members over oil output. OPEC has lately been cooperating closely with Russia and other non-cartel producers, in a bid to impose greater control over global output and prices. A Lebanese protester wears a yellow vest, inspired by France's Gilet Jaunes, during an anti-corruption demonstration in Beirut on December 23, 2018 Hundreds of Lebanese took to the streets Sunday in Beirut to protest rampant corruption and poor living conditions, as anger mounts over political deadlock that has left the country without a government since May. People marched to the prime minister's office in central Beirut to demonstrate against Lebanon's fractious political class, widespread graft and failing public services. Some protesters sported the iconic yellow vests worn by anti-government protesters in France, adorned with a cedar tree -- Lebanon's national symbol. "There is corruption and theft of state funds," 43-year-old Hana told AFP. "We are governed by a political class of corrupt thieves who rule with sectarian fanaticism," she said. Parliamentary polls in May gave Saad Hariri a new term as prime minister, but seven months on, debate still drags on over ministerial portfolios. Demonstrators demanded what they called their "most basic rights", including a reintroduction of housing loans stalled for nearly a year and more access to healthcare, water and electricity. They were met by security forces who erected a cordon in the city centre. Dozens also demonstrated in the northern city of Tripoli and in Nabatiyeh in the south. The protests came after hundreds took part in demonstrations led by Lebanon's Communist Party last Sunday. Lebanon's economy is on the brink of collapse and France warned this month that the country could soon miss out on a much-needed aid programme agreed in Paris earlier this year if the political deadlock continues. Since Donald Trump became US president, Emmanuel Macron has attempted to develop a "special relationship" with the billionaire tycoon despite widely differing political beliefs and styles French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday criticised US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw American forces from Syria, saying "an ally must be reliable". In a sign of the growing diplomatic rift between the two leaders, Macron said "I deeply regret the decision" by Trump to pullout US troops. Trump last week ordered a complete troop pullout from Syria, asserting that the Islamic State group had been defeated, as well as a significant withdrawal from Afghanistan. Analysts said the momentous reversal of years of US foreign policy will leave the war-torn regions at risk of continued and potentially heightened bloodshed. France has said it will maintain its participation in the coalition fighting IS in Syria. "To be an ally is to fight shoulder to shoulder," Macron said in Chad's capital N'Djamena with his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby, adding that France was doing just that in the fight against jihadist groups in Chad. The US troop pullout in Syria will leave thousands of Kurdish fighters in northern Syria -- which the Pentagon spent years training and arming against IS -- vulnerable to Turkish attack. Turkey, which fears the separatist ambitions of Kurds in its own country, has threatened to launch another offensive against Kurdish groups in Syria that Ankara accuse of being "terrorists". On Saturday, a senior Kurdish official called on the US to prevent a potential Turkish offensive, calling it America's "duty to prevent any attack and to put an end to Turkish threats". - Once a 'special relationship' - In his remarks Macron also paid tribute to Defense Secretary James Mattis, who announced he was resigning on Thursday after Trump told the world about his Syria U-turn. "I want here to pay tribute to General Mattis... for a year we have seen how he was a reliable partner," Macron said. Mattis, 68, was one of Trump's first cabinet picks and has spent nearly two years at the Pentagon. In his resignation letter Mattis made clear that Trump's world view was irreconcilable with his own. French president Emmanuel Macron criticised the US Syria pullout announcement during a visit to Chad's capital N'Djamena, alongside his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby "My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades' immersion in these issues," Mattis wrote to Trump, who has sought closer ties with Russia and heaped contempt on NATO and other alliances. "Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position." Brett McGurk, the US special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, also announced he would bring his departure forward from February due to the Syria policy change. Since Trump became president, Macron has attempted to develop a "special relationship" with the billionaire tycoon despite widely differing political beliefs and styles. The pair had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included patting and playful banter. But differences over policy -- in particular the Paris climate accords which Trump opposed -- have become increasingly hard to paper over and tensions in their relationship have become more apparent. - Allies must be 'reliable' - Even early on, when Macron and Trump shared a handshake at their first meeting at a NATO gathering in Brussels in May 2017, photographers focused on the white-knuckle grip of the presidents' handshake as the two tried to out-muscle each other. After Trump pulled out of the Paris climate accords, Macron played on the words of Trump's electoral slogan "Make America Great Again", instead saying "Make Our Planet Great Again". In July 2017, when Trump flew into Paris for Bastille Day, France's national holiday, Trump praised his host, saying: "France is America's first and oldest ally." But Trump raised eyebrows when attempting to compliment Macron's wife Brigitte by telling her she was "in good shape". In April, Macron visited Washington and the powerplay between the two was again evident to see, with Trump appearing to flick a piece of dandruff off Macron's jacket on national television, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect." Later, despite Macron repeatedly appealing to Trump to preserve the Iran nuclear deal, Trump exited the multiparty agreement negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama and reimposed punishing sanctions on the Iranians. Then in November, Trump publicly lambasted Macron and mocked the French president's approval rating over remarks about Europe taking greater responsiblity for its own defence. On Sunday Macron indicated his own disappointment at the frayed relations with the US. "An ally must be reliable, to coordinate with its other allies," Macron said. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, who heads a United Nations team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire between the Huthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen's Hodeida, arrives in Sanaa on December 23, 2018 The head of the United Nations team tasked with monitoring a fragile ceasefire arrived in Yemen's embattled port city of Hodeida on Sunday, a UN source said. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading a joint committee including members of the government and the Huthi rebels, in charge of monitoring a truce in the vital Red Sea city and its surroundings. Cammaert arrived in Hodeida from the rebel-held capital Sanaa after meeting with government officials in Aden. He is expected on Monday to tour Hodeida's lifeline port, which serves as the entry point for the majority of imports to war-torn Yemen, before starting meetings with the committee on Wednesday. Yemen's warring sides agreed on a ceasefire to halt a devastating offensive by government forces and an allied Saudi-led coalition against rebel-held Hodeida at peace talks in Sweden this month. The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to Hodeida to monitor the truce that came into effect on Tuesday. In Sanaa, Cammaert was met by the head of the Huthi delegation, Ali al-Mushki, as he arrived there earlier on Sunday. The visit to the rebel bastion came after the UN lead monitor urged Yemeni leaders and the Saudi-led coalition to uphold the ceasefire at talks in Aden on Saturday. Cammaert also sought government loyalists' "commitment and cooperation to secure the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid", the UN said, adding that he was conveying "similar messages" to the Huthis in Sanaa. - UN to secure port - Hodeida port, pictured on December 21, 2018, serves as the entry point for the majority of imports to war-torn Yemen Both the government and the rebels have backed Friday's UN resolution to deploy observers to Hodeida. Rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam said it marked "an important step towards stopping the aggression and lifting the blockade". He was referring to the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in 2015 and imposed a blockade on Yemeni waters and airports. The internationally-recognised government, in turn, reaffirmed in a statement its "commitment (to respect) the agreement" reached in Sweden and endorsed by the UN resolution. The halt to fighting in the strategic port city follows intense diplomatic efforts led by the UN which culminated in the truce agreed at the peace talks in Sweden. The ceasefire has remained shaky, however, with both sides accusing each other of violations in Hodeida province. The UN monitoring team aims to secure the functioning of Hodeida port and supervise the withdrawal of fighters from the city. UN ceasefire monitors in Yemen's capital Sanaa on December 22, 2018, a day before the team's head Patrick Cammaert arrives in the city The text approved by the Security Council "insists on the full respect by all parties of the ceasefire agreed" for Hodeida. It authorises the United Nations to "establish and deploy, for an initial period of 30 days from the adoption of this resolution, an advance team to begin monitoring" the ceasefire, under Cammaert's leadership. Around 10,000 people have been killed since the Saudi-led intervention began, according to the World Health Organization, although rights groups say the death toll could be five times higher. The conflict has unleashed a major humanitarian crisis and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. Trump's sudden decision to withdraw troops from Syria sparked turmoil in his administration, prompting the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, as well as of Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition Donald Trump said Sunday he had discussed Syria and "the slow & highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area" in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The US president tweeted that the two leaders had "a long and productive call," and also discussed the Islamic State group (IS) and "heavily expanded trade." Trump shocked US allies on Friday when he announced plans to pull the 2,000 US troops out of Syria, where they have been helping coordinate a multinational fight against IS. But the move was lauded by Turkey. The decision followed an earlier Trump phone call with Erdogan, who has been pressing for a US withdrawal. An American pullout would allow Turkish troops to move against the hardened Kurdish fighters in Syria deemed terrorists by the Ankara regime -- but who have strongly supported US efforts there. A US withdrawal, said Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish affairs analyst, "will open way for Turkey to start its operations against the Kurds, and a bloody war will begin." Trump's sudden decision sparked turmoil in his administration, prompting the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, as well as of Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition. Several US politicians of both parties rejected Trump's claim that the jihadist forces of IS had been defeated, and many in the US military expressed alarm and dismay at the thought of suddenly abandoning their Kurdish allies. bbk/mdo US President Donald Trump announced Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan (R) would step in as the acting Pentagon chief to replace Jim Mattis Donald Trump on Sunday announced he would replace Defense Secretary Jim Mattis with his deputy Patrick Shanahan, days after the outgoing Pentagon chief quit while citing key policy differences with the US president, notably on Syria. "I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019," the Republican leader tweeted, accelerating Mattis' planned departure by two months. "Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, & previously Boeing. He will be great!" Mattis, 68, had said he would leave at the end of February to allow a smooth transition for the next chief of the world's top military power -- but Trump sped the process amid reports that he was upset over media coverage of the stinging resignation letter submitted by Mattis. The announcement that Mattis would leave the administration came just after Trump stunned Washington and allies abroad in declaring that US troops would leave Syria and significantly withdraw from Afghanistan. Mattis and others had strongly counseled the often impulsive president against those moves -- and the decorated retired general did little to hide his disagreement with Trump. "Because you have the right to have a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned with yours," Mattis said in the letter, "I believe it is right for me to step down from my position." The resignation letter addressed by US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to US President Donald Trump "My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues," Mattis wrote. Shanahan spent over three decades working for aircraft giant Boeing, including as vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, before moving to the Pentagon as deputy in 2017. Syrian security services chief Ali Maluk, pictured July 2015, visited Cairo "at the invitation of" Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel Syrian security services chief Ali Mamluk held talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo over the weekend on a rare visit to the country, Syrian state media said Sunday. His Saturday visit came "at the invitation of" Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, the official SANA news agency said. It came just one week after a surprise visit to Damascus by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who became the first Arab leader to visit the Syrian capital since the conflict began in March 2011. Mamluk and his Egyptian counterpart discussed topics of common concern including "political, security and counterterrorism issues", SANA said. It was the second official visit by the secretive Syrian security official to the Egyptian capital since the outbreak of Syria's seven-year war. His last trip to Cairo was in October 2016, according to SANA reporting at the time. Mamluk was appointed as the head of national security in 2012 after a major explosion in Damascus killed four top security officials. He is considered to be a key member of President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle and is blacklisted under EU sanctions. In November, France issued arrest warrants for three Syrian intelligence officials -- including Mamluk -- wanted for "complicity in acts of torture" and "complicity in war crimes" among other charges. Syria's war has killed 360,000 people and displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-regime protests. US President Donald Trump, pictured December 21, 2018, tweeted that America is "praying for recovery and healing" in Indonesia after a volcano-triggered tsunami left 222 people dead and hundreds more injured US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered a message of support after a volcano-triggered tsunami left 222 people dead and hundreds more injured in Indonesia's Sunda Strait. "Unthinkable devastation from the tsunami disaster in Indonesia," the Republican leader tweeted. "More than two hundred dead and nearly a thousand injured or unaccounted for. We are praying for recovery and healing. America is with you!" He joined the chorus of world leaders voicing condolences after the destructive wave struck the area with little warning, destroying hundreds of buildings and uprooting trees. "I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the Indonesian people who have been hit so hard once again by natural disaster," Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said on Twitter. The UN and European Union both pledged to mobilize humanitarian support if requested by Jakarta. "The United Nations stands ready to support the ongoing government-led rescue and relief efforts," a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were arrested in December 2017 and later sentenced to seven year prison terms for what prosecutors said was the possession of classified material Lawyers lodged an appeal Monday to free two Reuters journalists jailed for their reporting on Myanmar's Rohingya crisis, decrying the sentence as a "mistake" that has already resulted in the pair being locked up for a year. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were arrested in December 2017 and later sentenced to seven-year prison terms for what prosecutors said was a breach of official secrets law for the possession of classified material on security operations. Reuters disputed the charge and said the two were set up by police after probing the massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims during a military crackdown. Their conviction in September sparked widespread global condemnation, including from US Vice President Mike Pence, who asked civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to intervene. But calls for their release have fallen flat inside Myanmar, where Suu Kyi has yet to speak up for the reporters publicly. The jailing of the reporters sparked widespread condemnation, including from US Vice President Mike Pence, who asked civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to intervene Their trial was criticised by rights groups as a sham and payback for uncovering the September 2017 massacre in Inn Din village in Myanmar's Rakhine state. During the trial a whistle-blowing policeman told the court his superior ordered a sting to entrap the reporters. On Monday lawyers for the pair submitted an appeal to the High Court. "This seven-year jail sentence is a mistake," the journalists' lawyer L.Khun Ring Pan told the bench, in a hearing attended by embassy officials and free media advocates as well as the wives of the jailed journalists. "They were trying to find out who was involved with the (Inn Din) case. That's why they tried to meet the police... they did not ask for anything secret." - 'We hope for fairness' - More than 720,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine state to Bangladesh since the military's crackdown last August, bringing accounts of rape, arson and mass killings. UN investigators have said the evidence warrants charges of genocide against the country's top generals, but the army maintains it was defending itself against Rohingya militants. "We hope for fairness. We want them to be free," Wa Lone's wife Pan Ei Mon told AFP while a second lawyer Than Zaw Aung said "we hope to hear good news" when the appeal judge rules over coming days. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were also jointly named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, alongside other persecuted and slain journalists Media advocates say the journalists' convictions under the British colonial-era official secrets law aimed to muzzle media investigating allegations of atrocities in Rakhine and other sensitive issues in Myanmar as it emerges from decades of junta rule. "This is unacceptable for a country that claims to be transitioning towards democracy," Daniel Bastard from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) told AFP. Myanmar dropped six places in RSF's latest World Press Freedom Index. Outside the country the two young men have been feted with awards presented in their absence and hailed as heroes. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were also jointly named Time Magazine's Person of the Year this month, alongside other persecuted and slain journalists, as concerns grow for deteriorating press freedoms around the world. The anniversary of their arrest was marked by newsrooms publishing photos of their staff flashing two thumbs up, a defiant gesture Wa Lone made at court that became synonymous with the duo's resilience. burs-zz/apj/mtp After Donald Trump's surprise announcement of the troop pullout last week, Israel is concerned its main enemy Iran will have a freer hand to operate in Syria Israeli leaders have lauded Donald Trump for his list of decisions in support of their country since taking office, but the mercurial president's withdrawal of US troops from Syria will not rank among them. After Trump's surprise announcement of the pullout last week, Israel is concerned over whether its main enemy Iran will have a freer hand to operate in the neighbouring country, analysts say. Israel's response to the announcement has been measured -- careful to point out that it respects the US decision, coupled with pledges to continue to defend its interests in Syria. But beneath those public pronouncements are worries over whether Iran will seek to take advantage of the US absence from the war-torn country and if Russia will respond to Israel's calls to limit it. Beyond that, the manner in which the decision was taken and announced -- and US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis's resignation in response -- may also give Israeli leaders pause, some analysts say. "Since it's our major ally, we want the United States to be strong ... and we want an ally which is being perceived in the region as strong and effective," said Eyal Zisser, vice rector of Tel Aviv University and who has written extensively on Syria. "And I think that what worries some Israelis is what message does this decision -- the way it was taken, what stood behind it -- send to the region?" - 'Even expand our activities' - The United States has only around 2,000 troops in Syria focused on fighting the Islamic State group, but they have been deployed in two areas along the Iraqi border, helping keep Iranian movement into the country in check. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria against what it says are Iranian military targets There have been warnings from Israel and others that Iran is seeking to form a "land bridge" across to the Mediterranean, and some analysts have said that the US withdrawal could help that effort. With Iran supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long pledged to keep it from entrenching itself militarily next door. Israel has repeatedly taken action, carrying out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria against what it says are Iranian military targets and advanced arms deliveries to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group. With the United States pulling out, Israel may look more to Russia, which is also backing Assad, to use its influence to limit Iran, some analysts say. But that is not a given, and a friendly fire incident in September that led to a Russian plane being downed by Syrian air defences during an Israeli strike remains an issue. The incident angered Russia and complicated Israel's operations in Syria, particularly after Moscow's delivery of the advanced S-300 air defence system there in response. Netanyahu and Israel's military chief of staff, Gadi Eisenkot, on Sunday sought to tamp down concerns over the withdrawal. The Israeli premier has indicated he was not taken off-guard, saying he had spoken with Trump two days before the December 19 announcement as well as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the previous day. "The decision to remove the 2,000 US soldiers from Syria won't change our consistent policy," Netanyahu said Sunday. "We will continue to act against Iran's attempt to establish a military presence in Syria, and if the need arises, we will even expand our activities there." - 'A free ride' - Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Netanyahu and ex-military intelligence official, noted US troops were not directly involved in Israel's fight against Iran's presence in Syria. But he said concerns over whether Iran will take advantage of the US withdrawal were legitimate. Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to tamp down concerns over the US troop withdrawal "From now on, it will be a free ride for the Iranians and they will use the corridor logistically to enhance their capabilities to build the military forces in Syria and to help Hezbollah afterwards," he told AFP. An analysis by the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank said "Israel is among the most important losers" of the withdrawal, along with the United States' Kurdish allies in Syria. But Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will continue to "defend ourselves" and Eisenkot, the military chief of staff, called it "a significant event but it should not be overstated". "For decades weve been handling this front alone," said Eisenkot. Nabil al-Aash inspects the war-scarred Saint George Church, a testament to the seven-year conflict that has left more than 360,000 people dead With Christmas approaching, Nabil al-Aash dusts off religious books as he attempts to tidy up the war-scarred Saint George Church in the town of Arbin, northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus. Retaken in the spring by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad during a brutal offensive to capture the rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta, Arbin is anything but festive. Rubble from razed buildings spills out into deserted streets lined with burned-out cars and twisted scraps of metal. The town looks more apocalyptic than merry. Arbin's only church, Saint George's flame-scorched walls and empty nave are a testament to the seven-year conflict that has left more than 360,000 people dead and displaced millions. "There's no celebration here. Christian homes are destroyed and their church is destroyed," says Aash. The restoration of the Greek Orthodox church, built in 1873, "will take a lot of time, money and effort", he adds. "There's not a single icon left -- all of them were either burned or stolen," said the 55-year-old, approaching the altar. "We also found broken crosses." Aash fled Arbin in 2012 as fighting engulfed the town, plagued afterwards for years by violence and a crippling siege imposed by Damascus. But after regime forces retook the area, he decided to return home. "I grew up in this church, I spent all of my Christmases here... it was once overflowing with joy," he remembers. "I almost collapsed when I saw it." For him, the festive spirit "won't return until the residents and parishioners do". - Contrast - After a blistering offensive backed by Russian air power, government forces in April retook Eastern Ghouta, a key rebel foothold at the gates of Damascus. The military push and years of shelling flattened large swathes of the area and forced most of its pre-war population to flee. Before the war, Arbin was home to some 3,000 Christian residents, according to Mayor Khalil Tohme. The Greek Orthodox church, built in 1873 will take a lot of time, money and effort to restore, Nabil al-Aash says But despite the return of relative calm to the capital and its surroundings, Arbin residents are still hesitant to come back. "We are only five Christians who regularly visit the town, the others go from time to time... most of their homes are destroyed," says Aash. A few dozen meters away from the church, Joseph Hakimeh directs a worker on a ladder as he puts the final touches to a freshly painted wall of a restored home. The contractor is getting ready to hand the keys back to the owner, and is working on three other homes in addition to his own. "We're preparing to return as soon as services and infrastructure are ready, but that needs time," he says. Sitting on a can of paint, the 39-year-old yearns for the way things once were. "I hope that next year everything will return to the way it was before -- Christmas trees, decorations, carols and prayers," he says. The mood is gloomy is Arbin, but just a few kilometres away, bright coloured lights illuminate the streets of Damascus. A giant tree decorates Abbasiyyin Square, long avoided due to its proximity to the frontline with the former rebel stronghold. - 'Roots' - Festive lights and garlands also decorate homes in the predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Kassaa in eastern Damascus. But not everyone is in the Christmas spirit. Since Riad Rajiha's family arrived to the area after fleeing Arbin in 2012, they have not had the heart to celebrate. Retaken in the spring by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad during a brutal offensive to capture Eastern Ghouta, Arbin is anything but festive "We left our Christmas tree behind, so we missed out on decorating," says Rajiha, his eyes brimming with tears. "What's the meaning of decorating a tree in a house that's not yours?" Leafing through an old photo album, he revisits pictures of the Saint George Church in all its former glory. Large chandeliers hang from its high ceilings, its wooden pews packed with parishioners. "Our roots are there and our memories are there," says the 66-year-old, who dreams of celebrating the holiday in Arbin with his grandchildren. "I was born in Arbin, I lived in Arbin, and I hope to be die and be buried there." With her ailing opponent in jail, Sheikh Hasina is set to extend her record as Bangladesh's's longest serving leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina heads to the polls in Bangladesh this week on course for a historic victory, while her ailing opponent faces an uncertain future in a colonial-era Dhaka jail. Bangladesh's "Battling Begums" have been fighting each other for three decades, but the 71-year-old Hasina is set to extend her record as the country's longest serving leader after dispatching Khaleda Zia, her chief rival. The two women have been political royalty -- begums -- since the 1980s. Zia, 73, is the widow of a military dictator and Hasina's father was the country's founding leader. They joined forces to dethrone military dictator Hussain Muhammed Ershad in 1990 and restore democracy. But they became arch-foes after Zia was elected prime minister in 1991, and the duo have alternated in power ever since in the South Asian nation. Hasina is now seeking a fourth term and opinion polls indicate she will have little problem at the December 30 poll despite criticism of her government's slide towards authoritarian rule. Zia meanwhile is serving a 17-year jail term on graft charges that her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) insists were "politically motivated". The convictions mean Zia cannot contest the poll, which the BNP says will be neither free nor fair. It claims thousands of activists have been jailed in recent months. Zia suffers from arthritis and diabetes, has had knee replacement surgery and can barely move one of her hands. Western diplomats have written off her chances of a comeback. "She is politically finished," said one diplomat based in Dhaka, adding Zia's only chance for escape would be if she is offered medical leave abroad. The fallout has spread to the Zia dynasty. Her youngest son died in exile in Bangkok in 2015. Her eldest child, Tarique Rahman, who masterminded his mother's return to power in 2001, went into exile in London in 2008. In October, he was sentenced to life in prison for his alleged role in a 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally in which at least 20 people were killed. Analysts say that even though she is out of the limelight, Zia still casts a huge shadow over the election. "It is fair to say that the conventional portrayal of Bangladeshi politics as the 'Battle of the Begums' has taken a back seat, for the moment," said Illinois State University political science professor Ali Riaz. "But it is too early to write the political obituary of Khaleda Zia. Although she is not on the ballot, her name and influence is not diminished." - Boycott campaign - Zia's woes started with her decision to boycott the 2014 election, which the BNP said was rigged after Hasina scrapped a caretaker government system used for previous polls. Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term on graft charges her Bangladesh Nationalist Party says are politically motivated Dozens were killed in subsequent violence. A nationwide road and railway blockade the following year, aiming to force Hasina into an early election, left up to 150 more dead. Many people were angered by the campaign and analysts said it allowed Hasina to launch a crackdown on the BNP. "The decision to boycott the election and then enforcing the blockades were suicidal," said Ataur Rahman, a political science professor in Dhaka. "They weakened the party and handed Hasina a big opportunity to target her opponents and create what has since emerged as a one-party dominant political system." Few believe that the Zia family will lose its grip on the BNP, especially in a region where political dynasties are a way of life. Zia's son, the acting party head, interviewed aspiring candidates for the party by video conference from London. "These all are indications that the Zia dynasty is still very strong and maintains strong authority over the party," said Oslo University lecturer Mubashar Hasan. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plans to roll out new drone monitoring equipment at major airports across the country next month. Australia will introduce new surveillance technology for a "crackdown" on drones next year, aviation authorities said Monday, as concerns mount over their increasing prevalence in public areas. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plans to roll out new monitoring equipment at major airports across the country next month. The technology has the ability to identify a drone, its serial number and the location of the controller while in flight, CASA communications manager Peter Gibson told AFP. "We can identify therefore who is flying it," he said. The technology, coupled with new registration requirements, will "dramatically" change the way rules relating to drones are enforced, Gibson added. "2019 will be a drone safety crackdown," he said. While the new equipment has been in planning for some time, the incident last week at Londons Gatwick airport -- which saw nearly 140,000 passengers affected by three days of disruption after reports of drone sightings -- "highlights the importance of having this capability", Gibson said. Officials will also roll out a drone registration scheme in mid-2019, so that authorities can better track who is flying them and advise of proper safety precautions. The new mobile tracking technology will be used in "known drone hotspots" like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which has seen a concerning rise of drones operating in a restricted area, Gibson said. Authorities will have greater powers to conduct safety checks, he said, and increased ability to issue fines of up to Aud$10,000 (USD$7,000) for those in breach of the rules. "In 2019 it could be very expensive doing the wrong thing with your drone," Gibson said. The killer wave struck tourist beaches and low-lying settlements on both sides of the Sunda Strait with devastating force on Saturday night An unpredictable chain of events and an inadequate early warning system combined to deadly effect with the tsunami that slammed into coastal areas of Indonesia killing nearly 300 people, disaster officials and experts said Monday. The killer wave struck tourist beaches and low-lying settlements on both sides of the Sunda Strait with devastating force on Saturday night, catching both residents and disaster monitors totally unawares. In a series of tweets later deleted with a stricken apology, the national disaster agency had stated there was "no tsunami threat" even as the wave crashed over parts of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java. "The lack of an early warning system is why the tsunami was not detected," acknowledged disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. "Signs that a tsunami was coming weren't detected and so people did not have time to evacuate," he added. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. A quake-tsunami that struck Palu on Sulawesi island in September killed around 2,200 people, with thousands more missing and presumed dead. Tide-monitoring stations and data-modelling are the main tools Indonesia monitoring agencies use to predict tsunamis -- usually in the wake of an earthquake. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide But even if all the country's stations are working, the network is recognised to be limited and in any case gives people little time to flee as they only detect waves once they are close to shore. Efforts to improve systems have been beset by problems, from a failure to properly maintain new equipment to bureaucratic bickering. Experts say Saturday's disaster was most likely caused by a moderate eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano in the Sunda Strait that triggered either a large and very fast moving flow of molten rock into the sea or a sudden and massive submarine landslide. In either case, large volumes of water would have been displaced, resulting in a tsunami. - No time to run - "Such triggers would not have been detected by Indonesia's tsunami early warning system because that is geared-up to detect earthquake-triggered tsunamis," said Richard Teeuw, a disaster risk reduction expert at the University of Portsmouth in England. "The night-time occurrence of the tsunami would have added to the chaos, with little chance of seeing the incoming tsunami wave and running to safety," Teeuw said. Anak Krakatoa had been displaying significant activity for months And the fact that Anak Krakatoa had been displaying significant activity for months, meant that Saturday's minor eruption would have sparked no particular cause for alarm. After the catastrophic Indian Ocean quake-tsunami in 2004, Indonesia deployed a number of early-warning marine buoys to detect tsunamis, but Nugroho said they had been out of action for the past six years. "Vandalism, limited budgets and technical issues are the reasons why we currently don't have tsunami buoys," he said. "We must rebuild them to strengthen Indonesia's Tsunami Early Warning System." Such buoys are normally deployed along underwater tectonic plate boundaries -- the focus again on detecting earthquake-generated tsunamis rather than those triggered by volcanic activity. Survivors from Sumur on Java island returned to salvage items from destroyed or damaged homes David Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at Britain's Open University, noted that a blanket deployment of buoys would still have a limited warning impact if the tsunami was generated close to the shore. "Even if there had been such a buoy right next to Anak Krakatau, this is so close to the affected shorelines that warning time would have been minimal given the high speeds at which tsunami waves travel," Rothery said. Li Wenzu had her head shaved last week in protest at the detention of her husband, Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang who has been held for more than three years Chinese authorities have placed the wife of a detained Chinese human rights lawyer under de facto house arrest to stop her from attending his trial, she said Tuesday. Li Wenzu, who last week shaved her head in protest at her husband's indefinite detention, said there were "more than 20" security personnel outside her Beijing apartment by early afternoon. One of them explicitly told her not to visit Tianjin, the city where her husband stands trial on Wednesday, she wrote on social messaging app WeChat. "I wish I could grow a pair of wings, free and unconstrained, and fly freely, fly to Tianjin", Li said. Local police in Beijing did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Wang Quanzhang, who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, disappeared in a sweep aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities. Charged in January 2016 with alleged "subversion of state power", Wang is the only one of more than 200 lawyers and activists arrested in the so-called "709 crackdown" in 2015 who is yet to be tried or released. On Monday, Li posted on Twitter that she had finally learned of her husband's trial date, which was conspicuously set for the day after Christmas. It is not the first time the Chinese government has chosen to sentence a political dissident during the year-end holiday season when international attention towards human rights cases is at a lull. On Christmas Day 2009, Nobel laureate and Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who died of terminal liver cancer last year while under police custody, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for subversion. Last year, Chinese activist Wu Gan, who refused to plead guilty to charges of "subverting state power", was sentenced to eight years in prison the day after Christmas. Besides Li, Chinese authorities are taking pains to ensure that other prominent rights activists and supporters do not attend the lawyer's trial. Zhang Baocheng, who received a two-year jail sentence in 2014 after calling for officials to disclose their assets as a measure against graft, said he had originally planned to travel to Tianjin for Wang's trial. But those plans have since been scuppered -- Chinese authorities will travel with Zhang and control his movements all day on Wednesday, he said. "You could call it their Christmas present," he told AFP. Hijacked bus crashes into pedestrians in east China Eight people were killed and 22 injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians in east China's Fujian province on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported. A hijacker carrying a knife has been detained and is being investigated by local police, state television CGTN said. The incident happened at about 3:20 pm (0720 GMT) in the city of Longyan, the local Minxi Ribao newspaper reported. A policeman was among the five confirmed dead. In a video posted by Duowei news, a Chinese media outlet based in the US, several injured people were shown lying on the street near a crashed bus, its front badly damaged. It also showed police wrestling a person to the ground. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported the suspect was a 48-year-old local man. Blood could also be seen on the steps of the bus, which had been stopped in the middle of a road. The hijacker had attacked a female passenger before taking control of the bus, Duowei reported. Longyan public security bureau declined to comment when contacted by AFP. China has suffered a spate of similar incidents this year. In late November, a car ploughed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in the northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19. The driver said he "chose his victims at random" and had reportedly been contemplating suicide due to domestic troubles before the tragedy occurred. In October, three people were killed when a man fleeing after committing a stabbing drove into a crowd and attacked onlookers in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The month before, a man ploughed a truck into a crowd in Hunan province and went on a rampage, attacking onlookers with knives and a shovel. Eleven died and 44 were injured. Grisly car accidents are common in China, where transportation authorities have struggled to enforce safety regulations, which are often flouted or go unenforced. Violent crime has also been on the rise in China in recent decades as the gap between rich and poor has widened rapidly. Studies also show a rise in the prevalence of mental disorders, some of them linked to stress as the pace of life becomes faster and support systems wither. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North's leader Kim Jong Un agreed to hold a ceremony pledging them to reconnect road and rail links between their two countries when they met in September A South Korean delegation left for North Korea on Wednesday to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for reconnecting roads and railways across the divided peninsula despite stalled denuclearisation talks. A nine-car special train carrying some 100 South Koreans, including officials and five people born in the North, was seen leaving Seoul railway station early in the morning for a two-hour journey to the North's border city of Kaesong. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North's leader Kim Jong Un agreed to hold the ceremony by the end of this year when they met at their third summit in Pyongyang in September. Concerns arose that the train and other materials being brought into the North for the ceremony could breach various sanctions imposed on the isolated regime over its nuclear weapons programme, but the UN Security Council reportedly granted a waver for the event. Seoul stressed that the ceremony would not herald the start of actual work on reconnecting and modernising road and rail links between the two Koreas -- which remain technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended without a peace treaty. The event is a mere "expression of a commitment" to the projects, a South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman said, adding that construction would depend on "progress on the North's denuclearisation and circumstances concerning sanctions." The two sides wrapped up their joint railway and road inspections for the projects this month. South Korea has set aside some $620,000 for the endeavour. The ceremony comes as the United States ramps up efforts to convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons. Following a rapid rapprochement earlier this year that culminated in a historic summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, progress has stalled with both sides accusing each other of dragging their feet and acting in bad faith. Critics say North Korea has made no concrete commitments and is unlikely to surrender its atomic arsenal, while Washington's policy of maintaining pressure through isolation and sanctions has left Pyongyang seething. - Second summit - Trump said Monday that he was "looking forward" to his second summit with Kim, which Washington says may take place early next year. He tweeted the statement after he was briefed by Stephen Biegun, the US special representative on North Korea, who wrapped up a three-day trip to Seoul on Saturday. Biegun said last week the United States will be more lenient in enforcing its blanket ban on US citizens' travel to the totalitarian state when dealing with aid workers, a goodwill gesture as Trump seeks a fresh summit. The Trump administration has generally refused to let US aid groups operate in North Korea, seeking to both maximise pressure on Pyongyang and ensure the safety of Americans. Biegun also said in Seoul last week Washington was willing to discuss trust-building initiatives with Pyongyang. Senior transport officials from Russia, China and Mongolia as well as several foreign ambassadors to South Korea will attend Wednesday's ceremony, the South's Unification Ministry said. CARITA BEACH, Indonesia (AP) - The deadly tsunami struck in the dark, without warning. At least 222 people were killed as waves smashed into houses, hotels and other beachside buildings Saturday night along Indonesia's Sunda Strait, in a disaster that followed an eruption and possible landslide on Anak Krakatau, one of the world's most infamous volcanic islands. More than 800 others were injured and dozens were reported missing after the tsunami hit coastal areas along western Java and southern Sumatra islands at 9:27 p.m. Saturday amid a Christmas holiday weekend, the Disaster Management Agency said. The death toll could increase once authorities hear from all stricken areas. It was the second deadly tsunami to hit Indonesia this year, but the one that killed more than 2,500 people on the island of Sulawesi on Sept. 28 was accompanied by a powerful earthquake that gave residents a brief warning before the waves struck. On Saturday night, the ground did not shake beforehand to alert people to the oncoming wave that ripped buildings from their foundations in seconds and swept terrified concertgoers on a popular resort beach into the sea. Azki Kurniawan, 16, said his first warning about the tsunami was when people burst into the lobby of the Patra Comfort Hotel shouting, "Sea water rising!" Debris littered a property badly damaged by a tsunami in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) Kurniawan, who was undergoing vocational training with a group of 30 other students, said he was confused because he had not felt a big earthquake. He said he ran to the parking lot to try to reach his motorbike but discovered it was already flooded. "Suddenly, a 1-meter (3.3-foot) wave hit me," he said, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "I was thrown into the fence of a building about 30 meters (100 feet) from the beach and held onto the fence as strong as I could, trying to resist the water, which felt like it would drag me back into the sea. I cried in fear ... 'This is a tsunami?' I was afraid I would die." Dramatic video posted on social media showed the Indonesian pop band Seventeen performing under a tent on popular Tanjung Lesung beach at a concert for employees of a state-owned electricity company. Dozens of people sat at tables while others swayed to the music near the stage as strobe lights flashed and theatrical smoke was released. A child could also be seen wandering through the crowd. Seconds later, with the drummer pounding just as the next song was about to begin, the stage suddenly heaved forward and buckled under the force of the water, tossing the band and its equipment into the audience. The group released a statement saying their bass player, guitarist and road manager were killed, while two other band members and the wife of one of the performers were missing. "The tide rose to the surface and dragged all the people on site," the statement said. "Unfortunately, when the current receded, our members were unable to save themselves while some did not find a place to hold on." Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said 222 deaths had been confirmed and at least 843 people were injured. The worst-affected area was the Pandeglang region of Java's Banten province, which encompasses Ujung Kulon National Park and popular beaches, the agency said. Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo expressed his sympathy and ordered government agencies to respond quickly to the disaster. "My deep condolences to the victims in Banten and Lumpung provinces," he said. "Hopefully, those who are left have patience." At the Vatican, Pope Francis prayed for the dead, the missing and the homeless in Indonesia, telling tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that his thoughts were with victims "struck by violent natural calamities." U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted support for Indonesia: "We are praying for recovery and healing. America is with you!" The U.S. State Department also expressed its support: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those in Indonesia affected by the natural disaster. We are currently not aware of any U.S. citizens directly affected, but stand ready to assist as needed." In the city of Bandar Lampung on Sumatra, hundreds of residents took refuge at the governor's office, while at the popular resort area of Anyer beach on Java, some survivors wandered in the debris. Tourists who were enjoying the long holiday weekend ahead of Christmas were also affected. "I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15-20m (meters, or 50-65 feet) inland," said Norwegian Oystein Lund Andersen, in a Facebook post. The self-described photographer and volcano enthusiast said he was taking pictures of the volcano when he suddenly saw the water racing toward him. He and his family fled safely to higher ground. The damage became apparent after daybreak Sunday. Nine hotels and hundreds of homes were heavily damaged by the waves. Broken chunks of concrete and splintered sticks of wood littered hard-hit coastal areas, turning beach getaways popular with Jakarta residents into near ghost towns. Vehicles were tossed into the rubble or were buried under collapsed roofs. Debris from thatch-bamboo shacks was strewn along beaches. Yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out, and weeping relatives identified the dead. Scientists, including those from Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics agency, said the tsunami could have been caused by landslides - either above ground or under water - on the steep slope of the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano. The scientists also cited tidal waves caused by the full moon. The 305-meter (1,000-foot) -high Anak Krakatau, whose name means "Child of Krakatoa," lies on an island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands, linking the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea. It has been erupting since June and did so again about 24 minutes before the tsunami, the geophysics agency said. The volcanic island formed over years after the 1883 eruption of the Krakatoa volcano, one of the largest, most devastating in recorded history. That disaster killed more than 30,000 people, launched far-reaching tsunamis and created so much ash that day was turned to night in the area and a global temperature drop was recorded. Most of the island sank into a volcanic crater under the sea, and the area remained calm until the 1920s, when Anak Krakatau began to rise from the site. It continues to grow each year and erupts periodically although it is much smaller than Krakatoa. Gegar Prasetya, co-founder of the Tsunami Research Center Indonesia, said Saturday's tsunami was likely caused by a flank collapse - when a big section of a volcano's slope gives way. It's possible for an eruption to trigger a landslide above ground or beneath the ocean, both capable of producing waves, he said. "Actually, the tsunami was not really big, only 1 meter (3.3 feet)," said Prasetya, who has studied Krakatoa. "The problem is people always tend to build everything close to the shoreline." Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people, lies along the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. Roads and infrastructure are poor in many areas of the disaster-prone country, making access difficult in the best of conditions. Saturday's tsunami also rekindled memories of the massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake that hit Indonesia on Dec. 26, 2004. It spawned a giant tsunami off Sumatra island, killing more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries - the majority in Indonesia. ___ Associated Press writers Margie Mason and Ali Kotarumalos in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed. A man reacts after identifying his relative among the bodies of tsunami victims in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) Wrapped bodies of tsunami victims are laid at a hospital in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) A women inspects her house which was damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) People inspect the wreckage of a car swept away by a tsunami in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo) People inspect the damage at a tsunami-ravaged neighborhood in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo) A man inspects his house damaged by a tsunami in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) A men inspects his house damaged by a tsunami in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Rescuers search for tsunami victims in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) Motorists pass by a car swept away by a tsunami in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) People search for relatives among the bodies of tsunami victims, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) A woman reacts after identifying a relative among the bodies of tsunami victims in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) A villager walks past a car damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami apparently caused by the eruption of an island volcano killed a number of people around Indonesia's Sunda Strait, sending a wall of water crashing some 65 feet (20 meters) inland and sweeping away hundreds of houses including hotels, the government and witnesses said. (AP Photo/Dian Triyuli Handoko) A rescuer is seen through a damaged house as he takes part in a search operation of tsunami victims in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami apparently caused by the eruption of an island volcano killed a number of people around Indonesia's Sunda Strait, sending a wall of water crashing some 65 feet (20 meters) inland and sweeping away hundreds of houses including hotels, the government and witnesses said. (AP Photo) Motorists ride past houses damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami apparently caused by the eruption of an island volcano killed a number of people around Indonesia's Sunda Strait, sending a wall of water crashing some 65 feet (20 meters) inland and sweeping away hundreds of houses including hotels, the government and witnesses said. (AP Photo) Villagers stand near a car damaged by a tsunami in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) An Indonesian rescuer searches for the bodies of tsunami victims in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The tsunami occurred after the eruption of a volcano around Indonesia's Sunda Strait during a busy holiday weekend, sending water crashing ashore and sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and people attending a beach concert. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) WASHINGTON (AP) - A top White House official signaled Sunday that President Donald Trump is willing to accept less money than he's been demanding to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, but a senior congressional Democrat said that, while their own offer could be sweetened, they still will not agree to a wall. The back and forth across the television airwaves did little to inspire hope that a Christmas season closure of some federal government operations would end later this week, when the House and Senate are scheduled to meet again. In fact, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney warned that the shutdown could stretch into January, when a new Congress is seated. Mulvaney, who also runs the White House budget office, said he's awaiting a response from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York after the administration on Saturday presented Schumer with a counteroffer in the long-running dispute over funding the wall. Mulvaney withheld specifics but placed the offer at between Trump's $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats are offering. "We moved off of the five and we hope they move up from their 1.3," Mulvaney said. The setting sun illuminates clouds behind the White House during a partial federal shutdown, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Washington. The partial federal shutdown was expected to drag into Christmas as President Donald Trump and congressional leaders remained stuck in a standoff over his border wall with Mexico. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The director's comment about the president's softening stance came less than 24 hours after a senior administration official insisted to reporters on Saturday that Congress give into Trump's demands, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Trump's negotiating style. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., argued instead for increasing the use of technology along the border instead of building "some medieval wall." Asked whether he's willing to increase the price tag as long as the money is not spent on a wall, Durbin responded: "Absolutely." A stalemate over the wall led parts of the government to shut down Saturday after funding for numerous departments and agencies expired. The closure, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country, was expected to last at least through late this week after the House and Senate, which each met in a rare weekend session, adjourned until Thursday. Monday and Tuesday, Christmas Eve and Christmas, respectively, are federal holidays, meaning the federal government would already be closed. Wednesday is the first day the public could begin to feel the effects of a shutdown, Mulvaney said. He predicted it could extend into January, when Democrats will assume control of the House based on their midterm election gains. "It's very possible that this shutdown will go beyond the 28th and into the new Congress," Mulvaney said. Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer, countered: "If Director Mulvaney says the Trump Shutdown will last into the New Year, believe him, because it's their shutdown." Democrats held firm Sunday in opposition to a wall, which Trump promised his political base would build. Mulvaney said that "the president's not going to not accept money for a border wall." Trump faced resistance from some Republicans. Retiring Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who has criticized Trump on other issues, called the battle for border wall funding a "made-up fight so the president can look like he's fighting." "This is something that is unnecessary. It's a spectacle. And, candidly, it's juvenile. The whole thing is juvenile," Corker said in arguing for real measures that he maintains will secure the border better than a wall. Trump tweeted Sunday, the shutdown's second day, that what's needed is "a good old fashioned WALL that works," not aerial drones or other measures that "are wonderful and lots of fun" but not the answer to address drugs, gangs, human trafficking and other criminal elements entering the country. Across the country, the shutdown played out in uneven ways. The Statue of Liberty remained open for tours, thanks to New York state, and the U.S. Postal Service, an independent agency, was still delivering mail. But the routines of 800,000 federal employees were about to be disrupted. More than half are deemed essential and are expected to work without pay, through retroactive pay is expected. Another 380,000 were to be furloughed, meaning they will not report to work but would be paid later. Legislation ensuring that workers receive back pay was expected to clear Congress. Trump was staying in Washington for Christmas because of the shutdown, the White House said. With Democrats set to take control of the House on Jan. 3, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., retiring from Congress, the shutdown provided a last gasp for the conservative majority before the new Congress. Trump had savored the prospect of a shutdown over the wall. He recently said he'd be "proud" to close down the government and has gone back on his pledge to not blame Democrats for the closure. He had campaigned on the promise of building the wall and forcing Mexico to pay for it. Mexico has refused. Schumer and Vice President Mike Pence met Saturday at the request of the White House, according to Schumer's office. But the senator's spokesman said they remained "very far apart" on a spending agreement. Schumer said the "Trump shutdown" could end immediately if the president abandons the wall. Democrats said they were open to proposals that didn't include the wall, which Schumer said was too costly and ineffective. They have offered to keep spending at existing levels of $1.3 billion for border fencing and other security. Senators approved a bipartisan deal earlier in the week to keep the government open into February and provide $1.3 billion for border security projects, but not the wall. But as Trump faced criticism from conservatives for "caving" on a campaign promise, he pushed the House to approve a package temporarily financing the government but also setting aside $5.7 billion for the border wall. The impasse blocked money for nine of 15 Cabinet-level departments and dozens of agencies, including Homeland Security, Transportation, Interior, Agriculture, State and Justice. Those being furloughed included nearly everyone at NASA and 52,000 workers at the Internal Revenue Service. Many national parks were expected to close. The Pentagon and the departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services are among those that Congress has fully funded and will operate as usual. Also still functioning were the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard. Transportation Security Administration officers continue to staff airport checkpoints and air traffic controllers were on the job. Mulvaney appeared on "Fox News Sunday" and ABC's "This Week." Durbin spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press" and Corker was interviewed on "State of the Union" on CNN. ___ Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Mary Clare Jalonick, Jill Colvin, Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking contributed to this report. ___ Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap People walk up the steps even though the National Archives is closed with the partial government shutdown, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) A lane is blocked to an unattended toll booth at Rocky Mountain National Park Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Estes Park, Colo. A partial federal shutdown has been put in motion because of gridlock in Congress over funding for President Donald Trump's Mexican border wall. The gridlock blocks money for nine of 15 Cabinet-level departments and dozens of agencies including the departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, Interior, Agriculture, State and Justice. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The sun rises behind the White House in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers faced a partial government shutdown early Saturday after Democrats refused to meet President Donald Trump's demands for $5 billion to start erecting a border wall with Mexico. Overall, more than 800,000 federal employees would see their jobs disrupted, including more than half who would be forced to continue working without pay. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is met by reporters as he arrives at the Capitol on the first morning of a partial government shutdown, as Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans, are at odds with President Donald Trump on spending for his border wall, in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) CAIRO (AP) - On the Giza Plateau outside Cairo, thousands of Egyptians are laboring in the shadow of the pyramids to erect a monument worthy of the pharaohs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for well over a decade and is intended to showcase Egypt's ancient treasures while drawing tourists to help fund its future development. But the project has been subject to repeated delays, with a "soft opening" planned for next year scrapped in favor of a more triumphant inauguration in 2020. Costs have meanwhile soared from an initial $650 million to well over $1 billion, with most of the financing coming from Japan. It's the latest mega-project to be championed by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is wagering that massive investments in infrastructure will revive an economy weakened by decades of stagnation and battered by the unrest that followed the 2011 uprising. The museum is a series of towering concrete halls that will eventually hold some 50,000 artifacts, including the famed mask of Tutankhamen - popularly known as King Tut - and other treasures currently housed in the century-old Egyptian Museum in Cairo's congested Tahrir Square. The hope is that tourists will stay awhile, and provide the foreign currency Egypt needs to buttress its economy. "It's a place where you can linger to enjoy ancient Egypt," project director Tarek Tawfik said on a recent tour of the site, which will also include a conference center, a cinema, 28 shops, 10 restaurants and a boutique hotel. Giant windows open onto the 5,000-year-old pyramids, and the museum will feature an intact wooden ship and a towering statue of Ramses II. Tawfik describes it as "a fantastic experience of ancient Egypt in a very modern building that provides all kind of modern, comfortable functions." In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 photo, workers landscape grounds at the Grand Egyptian Museum under construction in front of the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. Thousands of Egyptians are laboring in the shadow of the pyramids to erect a monument worthy of the pharaohs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for well over a decade and is intended to show off Egypt's ancient treasures while attracting tourists to help fund its future development. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) That would mark a major change from the current setup, in which tourists visiting the pyramids and the Sphinx are routinely hassled by touts and camel-drivers. Tourists are gradually returning to Egypt, but the industry has yet to recover from the 2011 uprising, which toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak and ushered in a period of instability, culminating in the military overthrow of the country's first freely elected president, an Islamist whose brief rule sparked mass protests. El-Sissi, who led the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi in 2013 and was elected the following year, has presided over an unprecedented crackdown on dissent. Political demonstrations, heavily restricted under a 2013 law, are now unheard of. A Sinai-based insurgency that gathered steam after Morsi's overthrow has carried out a series of attacks in recent years, mainly on security forces and Christians, but has only rarely targeted foreign tourists. El-Sissi has meanwhile sought to use large-scale projects to bolster the image of the state - with mixed results. A trumpeted expansion of the Suez Canal in 2015 has yet to deliver the soaring revenues the government promised, as global trade has eased. A grandiose new administrative capital under construction outside Cairo is still in the early stages, with negligible foreign investment and foreign embassies not keen to move so far out into the desert. Egypt's pharaonic heritage remains a major draw, however, and Tawfik expects the museum to attract 8 million people a year once it opens. An estimated 8 million tourists will have visited Egypt in 2018, an increase from previous years but well below a peak of 14.7 million before the 2011 uprising. Egypt's multi-national construction giant Orascom built the museum, with initial loans from the Japanese government of $320 million in 2006 and $450 million in 2016. The Japanese continue to advise on the museum's development and artifact restoration, but it is unclear who will provide the additional financing for the project, with costs now estimated at $1.1 billion. A bidding process is underway to find someone to operate the site. Much of the financing may end up coming from the military or affiliated companies, which play a major role in the economy and have been heavily involved in other mega-projects. The Associated Press spent several weeks seeking permission to visit the museum, which was ultimately granted by the military. Tawfik said the military is helping with "value engineering" - the sourcing of local components like stone cladding and materials to reduce reliance on more expensive imports. Egypt floated its currency in 2016 in order to secure a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, leading to a devaluation that has taken a heavy toll on poor and middle-class Egyptians. "Today, despite all the increases in costs and the floating of the Egyptian pound, it's quite amazing that the project will be completed, thanks to good management and value engineering," he said. ___ Online: www.hparc.com/work/the-grand-egyptian-museum/ In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 photo, work continues in the shadow of a statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, at the Grand Egyptian Museum, under construction in Giza, Egypt. Thousands of Egyptians are laboring in the shadow of the pyramids to erect a monument worthy of the pharaohs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for well over a decade and is intended to show off Egypt's ancient treasures while attracting tourists to help fund its future development. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 photo, construction workers talk in front of a statue of Ramses II, a 3000-year-old Pharaoh of Egypt, at the Grand Egyptian Museum under construction in Giza, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Thousands of Egyptians are laboring in the shadow of the pyramids to erect a monument worthy of the pharaohs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for well over a decade and is intended to show off Egypt's ancient treasures while attracting tourists to help fund its future development. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2018 file photo, a drone flies around a giant statue of the pharaoh Ramses II as it is relocated to the Grand Egyptian Museum, in Cairo, Egypt. Thousands of Egyptians are laboring in the shadow of the pyramids to erect a monument worthy of the pharaohs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for well over a decade and is intended to show off Egypt's ancient treasures while attracting tourists to help fund its future development. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 photo, workers go for a break at the Grand Egyptian Museum under construction in Giza, Egypt. Thousands of Egyptians are laboring in the shadow of the pyramids to erect a monument worthy of the pharaohs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for well over a decade and is intended to show off Egypt's ancient treasures while attracting tourists to help fund its future development. SIDON, Lebanon (AP) - Rozan Qarqour lives with her husband and six children in a tiny room in an unfinished building, where they share a bathroom with other Syrian refugees. Her husband sells paper cups of cardamom-flavored Arabic coffee on the streets of the Lebanese port city of Sidon to earn a few dollars to buy bread and vegetables. But despite their dismal life in Lebanon, the family, which fled Syria's central province of Hama six years ago, has no plans to return home. Nor do the 160 other families who live in the Ouzai compound - or most of the other 1.2 million Syrian refugees who live in Lebanon. "I will not take my children back to death and hunger," said Qarqour, 32, as she sat with other women on the floor cutting fresh fava beans that would later be cooked with rice on a small gas burner. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of refugees of Syria's 7-year-old war from around the region appears to have fizzled out, with only a tiny fraction of the nearly 6 million who fled their country since the start of the conflict in March 2011 returning home. The Russian military says 114,000 Syrians have returned home since the beginning of 2018. The U.N. refugee agency says it has verified only 37,000 refugees who have voluntarily returned this year. Syria's war has displaced half the pre-war population of 23 million people, of which 5.6 million have fled the country. In Lebanon, where Syrians make up nearly a quarter of the population, most of the refugees say they intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugees women walk in front of Ouzai refugee compound in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) The Qarqour family's region of Sahel al-Ghab is still in rebel hands and often gets bombed by the government, and their home has been destroyed. There are no jobs there, Qarqour says, and she hopes they can resettle in a third country, although the family has not yet applied. The fighting has wound down after seven years of brutal war. Using overwhelming military force, and with the help of Russian airpower and Iranian-backed militias on the ground, President Bashar Assad has retaken key cities and major population centers in Syria. But most refugees say they do not feel safe returning while the government they fled is still in place. Fighting continues in some areas, while others are in ruins. Many are worried their sons could be picked up for conscription or detained, harassed or imprisoned if they go back. Others worry they won't find jobs. Meanwhile, many have put down roots across the region and in Europe, and do not want to risk losing what they built by returning to Syria. Russia, a key ally of Assad, is eager to show a return to normalcy in Syria and has pushed to repatriate Syrians who fled. However, the U.N. has expressed concern about a premature return before the situation stabilizes and without guarantees for returning refugees. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in August that "all conditions are in place" for the return of 1 million refugees, quoting progress in restoring infrastructure and the fact that hostilities have largely subsided. At the height of the conflict, the number of registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon reached 1.2 million, making the tiny Mediterranean country the biggest host of refugees per capita in the world. Today there are about 940,000, after some returned to Syria or were resettled in other countries, according to Lebanon's Minister of State for Refugee Affairs Mouin Merhebi. Merhebi said about 12,000 Syrian refugees have returned home from Lebanon since June. His numbers are much lower than those released by Lebanon's General Security Directorate, which says more than 87,000 have returned. Merhebi, a harsh critic of the Syrian government and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, said some of those who have been registered as returnees go back and forth between the neighboring countries. Eager to see Syrians return because of the strain their presence puts on the struggling economy, the Lebanese government has embraced the Russian plan and organizes convoys for refugees to return to Syria on almost a weekly basis. Most will continue to opt out for now, however. At the Ouzai compound in Sidon, time passes slowly for the refugees. Abu Ahmad, 42, sat in the yard eating mushabbak, a Syrian sweet consisting of fried pastry dipped in syrup made by one of the residents. He works in agriculture but his boss has not called him for a week. "I am not happy in Lebanon, but here there is school for my children, there is a doctor if I need it and there are hospitals for an emergency," said the father of five daughters and four sons. "Here I can make enough money to survive." Ahmad added that he applied years ago for resettlement in a third country. "I am ready to go to the south pole if I get a job there," he said. ____ Associated Press writer Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow contributed. This Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo shows a general view of Ouzai refugee compound in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugees stand on their balcony at Ouzai refugee compound in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee Rozan Qarqour prepares lunch at her home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee Rozan Qarqour speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at her home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee Dawlat Saleh sews clothes at her home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugees women prepare lunch in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee children play in front of their family home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugees women hold their children as they sit in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, a Syrian refugee man, left, prepares Syrian sweets to be sold in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee Amal al-Ali and her son are reflected in a mirror as she speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at her home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, a Syrian refugee looks through a window as she holds her daughter in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee Bashar Qarqour crawls inside his family home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, photo, Syrian refugee Itihad Sayed weeps during an interview with The Associated Press at her home in Ouzai refugee compound, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. A much touted Russian initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees has fizzled out, with the return of only about 114,000 Syrians - out of more than 5 million in the region and Europe. In Lebanon, which hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita, most of the estimated 1.2 million Syrians say the intend to stay put, citing economic concerns, ongoing fighting and destroyed homes. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) VENICE, Italy (AP) - A Venetian cloth dyer's son, Tintoretto spent his entire career in Venice, becoming widely considered the last great painter of the Renaissance. The lagoon city's churches and palazzi essentially serve as a permanent retrospective of this native son's formidable talents in using dramatic color, bold brushstrokes and daringly innovative perspective on often-enormous canvasses. Still, curators here have encountered challenges when mounting tributes this year to mark the 500th anniversary of his birth. Some of Tintoretto's paintings couldn't be included in the main exhibition, hosted at the landmark Palazzo Ducale (Doges' Palace), because they couldn't fit through its 16th-century stone doorways. And several Venetian churches, where the painter did much of his best work, balked at loaning their masterpieces. Not surprisingly, they are eager for visitors making the Tintoretto pilgrimage to visit their venues and not just the stellar show , which, since opening in September, has drawn more than 100,000 visitors. After it closes here on Jan. 6, the exhibition travels to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. for a four-month run starting March 10. That will be the first-ever Tintoretto retrospective outside of Europe. In this Dec. 3, 2018 photo, a visitor to an exhibition of Tintoretto works looks at his "Presentation of Jesus in the Temple" at the Ducal Palace in Venice. After the show closes in January, it moves to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in what would be the first-ever Tintoretto retrospective outside of Europe. (AP Photo/Frances D'Emilio) When Venice last hosted a Tintoretto retrospective, in 1937, church paintings were cut out of their frames, rolled up and carted off to the exhibition. That method would be met with horror by today's art world, especially since nearly a score of Tintoretto paintings were recently restored, thanks to the Save Venice organization. "The churches generally felt, and we understood, it didn't make sense to move his masterpieces across the city," said Robert Echols, a Boston-based art historian who is one of the curators. Some of those church works will go to the U.S. exhibition, however. Some of Tintoretto's greatest works can never travel, of course, and are being celebrated here. In the Chapter House in the Scuola di San Rocco , admirers can lay on their backs to see Tintoretto's work, which has been likened to the monumental achievement of Michelangelo in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. Thanks to new lighting and strategically placed mirrors, the Chapter House last month had its own renaissance of sorts. Now visitors can see details in what before had seemed like a gloomy, cavernous room. Echols and co-curator Frederick Ilchman, chair of European art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, devoted much of their art historian careers to weeding out paintings that had been dubiously attributed to Tintoretto, whittling down what had been a list of 468 works to just over 300 paintings of his authorship. "Tintoretto, to some extent, is a painter who was a victim of his own success," Echols said. Tintoretto, a pseudonym of Jacopo Robusti, obtained so many commissions, particularly in his later years, that he farmed out some work, notably to his son, Domenico. While his genius was acknowledged in his own day, some works done by imitators or his workshop had been incorrectly attributed to Tintoretto in successive centuries. Tintoretto cleverly maneuvered to snag commissions from nobles and churches during the heady years of the sea-going Most Serene Republic of Venice. "The Shakespeare play is not the "Merchant of Florence," it's "The Merchant of Venice,'" Ilchman noted, recounting how Tintoretto sometimes offered discounts to ensure commissions didn't go to his rivals, who included Titian and Veronese. Another great Venetian artist, Tiepolo, worked later, also with paintings in the Grande Scuola di San Rocco. Tintoretto's imaginative use of perspective and his dynamic, inventive interpretations of mythological and religious themes are on convincing display, including one which sparked scandal in his day. In "St. Louis, St. George and The Princess, " a dragon's head emerges from between the legs of a woman and from under her billowing, burnt-orange gown. In the "The Abduction of Helen," the kidnapped woman, with a nipple poking out above her blouse, seems to be tumbling out of the frame toward the viewer. Tintoretto had an impressive production of portraits. The exhibition displays many of his finest in a long, narrow hall, as if in a noble family's own palazzo. Riveting self-portraits - one of Tintoretto in his 20s on loan by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and another of Tintoretto as an old man sent by the Louvre - open and close the retrospective. The Venice show to honor Tintoretto's birth anniversary began in 2018. The companion Washington show starts in 2019. The different years are fitting, for, while the year of his death - 1594 - is undisputed, and his grave prominent in a Venice church decorated with some of his masterpieces, historians aren't sure just when he was born. The artist's birth year is often written as 1518/1519. ___ This story corrects the name of the Tintoretto painting to "St. Louis, St. George and The Princess" and the painter's last name to Robusti. ___ Tintoretto in Venice: Fondazione Musei Civici Venezia: www.visitmuve.it/en/home ___ Tintoretto in Washington, D.C.: National Gallery of Art: www.nga.gov ___ Follow Frances D'Emilio on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fdemilio MOSCOW (AP) - Rescue teams on Sunday found the bodies of nine construction workers who were trapped inside a burning potash mine in Russia's Ural Mountains, while Russian officials opened a criminal investigation of the accident. A fire erupted Saturday at the mine operated by fertilizer company Uralkali in the Perm region east of Moscow. Uralkali said two teams of workers were doing maintenance work in the mine and operations had been suspended while they labored. Officials said 17 construction workers were in when the fire broke out and eight of them were quickly evacuated. The blaze cut off access to nine other workers who were in a different section. Russian news agencies quoted the rescue operation's headquarters as saying the rescue was refocused as an effort to recover the men's bodies. Seven bodies had been removed from the mine by Sunday evening. The workers were trapped 364 meters (1,200 feet) underground, and it took several attempts before searchers could safely reach the site. Firefighters were unable to extinguish the blaze for more than 36 hours. The Perm region declared Monday a day of mourning for the workers who died at the mine in Solikamsk, which is located 1,200 kilometers (740 miles) east of Moscow. In this video grab provided by RU-RTR Russian television via AP television, Russian rescue team wait for a elevator to go down into the mine potash mine in Solikamsk, the Perm region near the Ural Mountains, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Russian emergency teams struggled Saturday to reach nine construction workers trapped inside a burning potash mine in the Perm region near the Ural Mountains. (RU-RTR Russian Television via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin urged regional authorities and investigators to conduct a thorough probe into what happened inside the mine. Authorities were treating the incident as a result of lax safety procedures. The Investigative Committee said Sunday it launched a criminal probe of possible safety violations and had detained four employees of the subcontractor which was in charge of the maintenance work. Poor safety standards are often to blame for recurring accidents in Russian mines. The last major Russian mining accident took place in August 2017, when 17 people died after a diamond mine in Siberia flooded. In this video grab provided by RU-RTR Russian television, a Russian rescue team prepares to go down into the potash mine in Solikamsk, the Perm region near the Ural Mountains, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Rescue teams in Russia's Ural Mountains are still looking for a construction worker trapped inside a burning potash mine after the bodies of eight of his colleagues were found. (RU-RTR Russian Television via AP) PARIS (AP) - French authorities on Sunday defended aggressive police actions to contain violence at yellow vest protests after a policeman was seen briefly brandishing a gun at a surging crowd in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron called for "the most severe" legal repercussions against violent protesters. After a sixth straight weekend of demonstrations by the grassroots movement demanding more help for French workers, Macron called for "order, calm and unity" while on a visit to Chad this weekend. The numbers of protesters were sharply down Saturday from previous weekends, and most of their actions were peaceful. But violence again erupted in Paris, with protesters throwing projectiles and chasing police, who were firing tear gas and water cannon. A video of the gun-wielding policeman surrounded by protesters near the posh Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris circulated widely online. He briefly pulled out the weapon after being pushed off his motorcycle and did not fire, but the threat of lethal action shocked many in France. He and other police then fled the scene. Many protesters have denounced what they describe as disproportionate actions by police against the protesters, including multiple beatings also captured on video. Hundreds of people have been injured in the clashes, mainly protesters but also police officers and journalists. Police say they're acting in self-defense. A demonstrator wearing a yellow vest is blasted with a police water canon on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. France's yellow vest protesters, who have brought chaos to Paris over the past few weeks with their economic demands, demonstrated in sharply reduced numbers Saturday at the start of the Christmas and New Year holidays. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) The officer with the gun "did the right thing. It allowed a moment of pause, which allowed my colleagues to leave the scene safely," said Rocco Contento of the French police union Unite FGP. "It's a deterrent." Contento called the move exceptional, but said police are allowed to pull out their guns if they are physically threatened. And he said while the yellow vest protests seem to be abating, police are seeing a "growing intensity of violence against security forces." He called for tough sentences against those who intentionally target police. Sixty people were in custody Sunday after Saturday's violence in the capital, including four minors, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. Elsewhere, protesters attacked French prefectures and city halls from Nantes in the west to Carcassonne in the south. Still the arrests and the damages were smaller than in previous weeks, and tourists and residents were able to walk around Paris more freely. Stretched by the protests and extremism threats, French police threatened to hold their own protests to demand back overtime pay and better working conditions, and won preliminary concessions from the government last week. "Police officers, too, are confronted by this crisis" the yellow vest movement is protesting, from high taxes to wage stagnation, Contento told The Associated Press. With extra police on guard to protect French monuments and Christmas markets during the holiday season, he noted "it's not really a festive atmosphere." The interior minister praised the "professionalism and composure" of security forces and called for a national debate to addresses the protesters' economic concerns. Macron has already bowed to several of the yellow vest movement's demands to reduce taxes but many protesters want him to go farther. Riot police officers are seen on the Champs Elysees avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background, during a demonstration, in Paris Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. France's yellow vest protesters, who have brought chaos to Paris over the past few weeks with their economic demands, demonstrated in sharply reduced numbers Saturday at the start of the Christmas and New Year holidays. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) Riot police officers take position on the Champs Elysees Avenue during a yellow vests demonstration in Paris Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. France's yellow vest protesters, who have brought chaos to Paris over the past few weeks with their economic demands, demonstrated in sharply reduced numbers Saturday at the start of the Christmas and New Year holidays. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appointed hard-line opponents of neighboring Pakistan to two top security posts on Sunday, potentially complicating U.S. efforts to revive peace talks with the Taliban ahead of next summer's withdrawal of 7,000 American troops. Ghani announced that Amrullah Saleh will be the next interior minister and Asadullah Khaleed will be defense minister. Both are former intelligence chiefs who have blamed Pakistan for the Taliban's resurgence in recent years and have even called for it to be declared a state sponsor of terror. Afghanistan's parliament will have to approve the appointments. Pakistan, which has influence over the Taliban, is taking part in the latest U.S. effort to revive the peace process. It was Pakistan that helped orchestrate last week's talks in the United Arab Emirates. Representatives of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan and the United States attended those talks with the Taliban. In a significant development, Afghanistan's national Security Adviser was also in the UAE and while he did not attend talks with the Taliban he met with Washington's Peace Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who reportedly kept him informed of the discussions. However, two high ranking officials in Kabul, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said Ghani was displeased that the Taliban refused to hold direct talks with the Afghan government in the UAE. The Taliban have repeatedly refused to talk to Kabul calling them American puppets. The Taliban, who heralded the announced withdrawal of half of the 14,000 U.S. troops currently in Afghanistan as a good step toward peace, have refused to comment on the appointments of Saleh and Khaleed. In 2012, a Taliban suicide bomber targeted Khaleed, who suffered serious injuries. FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2008 file photo, former Afghanistan's intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh gestures during a press conference, in Kabul, Afghanistan. On Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appointed hard-line opponents of neighboring Pakistan to two top security posts. Ghani announced that Saleh will be the next interior minister and Asadullah Khaleed will be defense minister. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File) Meanwhile Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told the Associated Press that he will be in Kabul on Monday for talks with the government to reinforce Pakistan's commitment to finding a peaceful end to Afghanistan's 17-year war. Qureshi will be in Kabul on the first leg of a regional tour that will also include Iran, China and Russia. "Good relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as peace in Afghanistan, is critical for regional stability," said Qureshi. "Pakistan wants a sustainable peace in Afghanistan." ___ Associated Press writer Asim Tanvir in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Prayers were held Sunday for Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, a senior member of the royal family who supported women's rights and once led a group of dissident princes, who died at the age of 87. Prince Talal was an older brother to King Salman and the father of businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He is the son of the founder and first ruler of modern Saudi Arabia, the late King Abdulaziz, whose sons have ruled since his death, with the throne passing from brother to brother. Prince Talal's son Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal announced on Twitter that his father passed away on Saturday. The royal court also released a statement about his passing. Prince Talal served as minister of communications in the 1950s and minister of finance in the early 1960s. In 1957, Prince Talal founded the first school for girls in Riyadh, according to the Saudi newspaper Arab News. The school was founded at a time when females had no access to formal education in the landlocked capital and schools were open to boys only. Soon after he was appointed finance minister, he struck out and led a group of princes who called for a constitutional monarchy that distributes some of the king's powers. The royals, who became known as the Free Princes Movement, called for a constitution to govern the kingdom, rather than rules based solely on clerical interpretation of the Quran and other religious doctrine. Prince Talal led the group from Beirut and Cairo, which under then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser was an adversary of Riyadh. The prince's assets were seized by Riyadh, but he was not stripped of his nationality- a punishment Gulf monarchies have employed against dissidents. FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2010 file photo, Saudi Prince Talal bin Abdelaziz, left, receives Queen Rania of Jordan during the opening ceremony of the Arab Open University, Jordan branch, in Amman, Jordan. Abdulaziz, a senior member of the royal family who supported women's rights and once led a group of dissident princes, has died at the age of 87. Prince Talal was an older brother to King Salman and the father of businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. The royal court said prayers for Prince Talal, who died on Saturday, will be held in Riyadh on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Nader Daoud, File) After rifts emerged between Prince Talal and Cairo, he was allowed to return to Saudi Arabia in 1964 under King Faisal, who had deposed his brother King Saud that same year. Prince Talal served until 2011 as a member of the Allegiance Council, a body of senior princes who are meant to meet and choose the next king from among themselves. He'd reportedly left the council after questioning its efficacy when a senior prince was appointed to the line of succession without the council being fully consulted. ___ This story has been corrected; Prince Talal was never stripped of his nationality, and his passport was never seized. BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Spain's prime minister said in an interview published Sunday that only a solution supported by a large majority of Catalans and legal under the Spanish Constitution will resolve the crisis over whether the Catalonia region should secede or remain part of Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the Barcelona-based newspaper La Vanguardia that what "is needed is a wide consensus that right now doesn't exist in Catalonia." Voters in the wealthy northeastern region were evenly split in supporting parties for and against secession when the last regional election was held a year ago. However, the separatist politicians who prevailed in that vote and the previous Catalan election insist on pursuing a break with the rest of Spain. While Catalonia's regional government wants a binding referendum on independence, Sanchez is urging them to work with counterparts who favor unity with Spain on drafting a new charter law for the region, one that significantly more than half of the region's 7.4 million residents would support. Sanchez has not detailed what he would like a new charter for Catalonia to look like. "We have always said that we can find a solution to the Catalan political crisis within the Constitution," Sanchez said. "But the problem is not independence, it is about harmonious coexistence." Many separatists have said a new charter wouldn't be enough to satisfy the region's long-song demands for autonomy, saying independence was the only answer. Protesters hold a banner that reads in Catalan ''Knock down the regime'' during a rally in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Thousands of pro-independence protesters angry about Spain's Cabinet holding a meeting in Catalonia blocked roads across the region Friday and clashed with anti-riot police in its capital. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Separatist lawmakers tried and failed to break Catalonia away from the rest of the country in October 2017, igniting the worst political crisis in Spain in decades. Sanchez, the Socialist leader who inherited the problem from his conservative predecessor when he came to power in June, has made mending relations with Catalonia a priority. Sanchez traveled from Madrid to Barcelona on Thursday and met with the regional government's president, Quim Torra, a fervent separatist. The two leaders issued a statement saying they were committed to maintaining a dialogue that would lead to a "political proposal that has the backing of large part of Catalan society." Sanchez acknowledged in the newspaper interview that arriving at a proposal backed by both sides would "take years." A police officer beats a demonstrator during a protest against Spain's cabinet holding a meeting in Barcelona Spain, Friday Dec. 21, 2018. Scuffles broke out between protesters trying to reach the venue of the cabinet meeting and police trying to stop them on Friday in central Barcelona after pro-independence organizations called for peaceful demonstrations against the meeting across the city. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Pro-independence demonstrators sit down on the street during a protest against Spain's cabinet holding a meeting in Barcelona Spain, Friday Dec. 21, 2018. Scuffles have broken out between protesters trying to reach the venue of the cabinet meeting and police trying to stop them on Friday in central Barcelona after pro-independence organizations called for peaceful demonstrations against the meeting across the city. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Catalan riot police detain a protester during a rally in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Thousands of pro-independence protesters angry about Spain's Cabinet holding a meeting in Catalonia blocked roads across the region Friday and clashed with anti-riot police in its capital. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios) Firefighters help to control the demonstrators during a protest against Spain's cabinet holding a meeting in Barcelona Spain, Friday Dec. 21, 2018. Scuffles broke out between protesters trying to reach the venue of the cabinet meeting and police trying to stop them on Friday in central Barcelona after pro-independence organizations called for peaceful demonstrations against the meeting across the city. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Pro-independence demonstrators shout at a mossos d'esquadra Cataonia regional police officer accompanied by Spanish national officers during a protest against Spain's cabinet holding a meeting in Barcelona Spain, Friday Dec. 21, 2018. Scuffles have broken out between protesters trying to reach the venue of the cabinet meeting and police trying to stop them on Friday in central Barcelona after pro-independence organizations called for peaceful demonstrations against the meeting across the city. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) BEIRUT (AP) - Hundreds of Lebanese protested against deteriorating economic conditions Sunday, with some briefly scuffling with army troops, as public anger mounts against politicians deadlocked over forming a new government since May. The army appealed for calm in a statement, urging protesters to remain peaceful. The protesters marched to the government building in central Beirut, carrying placards that called for an end to the deadlock and corruption. Some protesters sported the yellow vests worn by anti-government protesters in France. The call for the protests began on social media, with some using the symbol of a yellow vest with a cedar tree, a national symbol that appears on the country's flag. The protests grew rowdy and angry protesters pelted security forces with water bottles. Security forces deployed, setting up barricades separating them from the protesters in a standoff that locked down the city center. By mid-afternoon, the demonstration began to fizzle but scores of protesters marched to a commercial district in Beirut, chanting "revolution" and urging others to join them. Some protesters tried to block roads, using dumpsters and iron rods to stop traffic. Local media and TV stations aired footage of army personnel chasing protesters when the scuffles broke out. Lebanese anti-government protesters clash with riot policemen as they try to reach the government building in central Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Hundreds of Lebanese protested against deteriorating economic conditions as politicians are deadlocked over forming a new government. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) The army's statement said it would not tolerate attacks on public property. Two local media outlets, Al-Jadeed TV and the Daily Star newspaper, said their reporters were attacked by security forces. Al-Jadeed said its cameraman's arm was broken and his camera smashed. The scuffles in Beirut prompted a smaller, calmer solidarity rally in the southern town of Nabatiyeh. Protests have spread in recent weeks as rival politicians have failed to form a new government following parliamentary elections in May. Highly publicized efforts to form a compromise national unity government faltered Saturday, fueling the protesters' anger the following day. Demonstrators chanted: "The people want to bring down the regime," a slogan from the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. The protesters, who said they didn't represent any particular political party, demanded improved health care, jobs and an end to corruption. "We want a government," shouted one protester to a TV reporter. "I am here to fight against the corruption of the state. We are here to bring back our social services. We need our rights. We need to live as human beings. We need that our government respects us," said Michel al-Hajj, another protester. Lebanon's political system is sectarian; Religious factions share power to maintain a delicate balance years after the country's civil war ended in 1990. But politicians are divided, among other issues, over the war in neighboring Syria, often paralyzing decision-making in Lebanon. CAIRO (AP) - Sudan's military on Sunday pledged to stand by President Omar Bashir, according to a tweet by the country's state news agency, a timely show of support as the embattled leader faces ongoing street protests decrying worsening economic conditions and demanding that he step down. "The armed forces assert that it stands behind its leadership and its keen interest in safeguarding the people's achievements and the nation's security, safety along with its blood, honor and assets," said the tweet, quoting a military statement. Bashir hails from the military establishment, which has dominated the country in the six decades since independence from Anglo-Egyptian rule in 1956. The Sudanese president was an army Brigadier-General when he joined forces with Islamists to seize power in a 1989 military coup that toppled a freely elected but ineffective government. The military statement came as opposition to Bashir mounted and violent street protests continued in a string of cities across the country. On Sunday, an umbrella coalition of professional unions said the nation's doctors will go on an indefinite strike that is expected to be the first of a series of work stoppages amid protests calling on Bashir to step down. In a statement, the coalition said the doctors will continue to deal with emergencies during the strike, which begins Monday and aims to "paralyze" the government and deny it much-needed revenues. The coalition also called on citizens to continue their street protests, which entered their fifth day Sunday, according to activists, with demonstrations in several cities. There have also been calls by a number of independent trade and professional unions for a general strike on Wednesday. The protests are chiefly over the rising prices and shortages of food and fuel. A steep rise decreed last week in the price of bread, a main staple for most Sudanese, proved to be the final straw. The protests prompted authorities to suspend classes in schools and universities in a string of cities, including the capital Khartoum, and to impose a nighttime curfew in some of them. Authorities on Saturday detained more than a dozen opposition leaders, including one who is in his 80s. On Sunday, according to Sudanese activists, protests took place in north Kurdofan west of Khartoum and Gadaref east of the capital, where six people were reported killed last week in clashes with police. They said protests also spread to south and north Darfur in western Sudan. Protests continued in the railway city of Atbara north of Khartoum as well, where police used tears gas and batons to disperse nearly a 1,000 demonstrators, according to the activists, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Participants in the protests have so far numbered in the hundreds or low thousands in each location, but their continuation for nearly a week despite the use of force by police suggests the level of popular discontent over Bashir's rule is at a dangerously high level. Opposition leader Sadeq al-Mahdi, who led the democratically elected government ousted by Bashir in the 1989 coup, told reporters Saturday that as many as 22 people were killed in clashes with police since the protests began. The government has acknowledged fatalities in the protests but provided no figures. Al-Mahdi triumphantly returned home last week from a year in exile abroad. Thousands of his supporters welcomed him. Addressing a news conference Saturday, he said the protests were legitimate and that he supported a "peaceful change" of government. Bashir, who is in his mid-70s, has in the past ordered the use of force against protesters - including in the last round of unrest in January - successfully crushing them to remain one of the longest serving leaders in the region. Although his time at the helm has seen Sudan plunging into one crisis after another, he is seeking a new term in office. Lawmakers loyal to him are already campaigning to rally support for constitutional amendments that would allow him to run in the 2020 election. On Saturday, the ruler of the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, spoke to Bashir by phone, lending his support and offering aid. "He (the emir) declared his country to be standing by Sudan and its readiness to provide all that is needed to help Sudan get through this crisis," Sudan's state news agency reported. Qatar is at sharp odds with some of Sudan's key Arab backers, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Qatar's aid offer, the details of which are yet to be announced, could either discourage those allies from helping Bashir ride out the current crisis or, to the benefit of Sudan, prompt them to match Qatar's aid or even outdo it. Sudan's economy has struggled for most of Bashir's rule, which has failed to unite or keep the peace in the religiously and ethnically diverse nation, losing three quarters of the country's oil wealth when the mainly animist and Christian south seceded in 2011. LONDON (AP) - London's Gatwick Airport operated without problems Sunday, but the fugitive drone operators who brought incoming and outgoing flights to a standstill over multiple days remained at large - and a potential threat - after police cleared two local residents who were arrested as suspects. Sussex Police were hopeful they had halted the disruptive and costly drone incursions during one of the heaviest travel periods of the year with Friday's arrests of a couple who live near the airport. But they were released Sunday, and police said they were no longer suspects. Tens of thousands of passengers suffered through long flight delays or were stranded by cancellations after two drones were reported seen above the airfield at Gatwick on Wednesday night, prompting an immediate suspension of all air traffic. Sussex Chief Detective Jason Tingley said Sunday he could not rule out new drone activity at Gatwick or other U.K. airports. He also said it was possible that witnesses who reported sightings after the first ones aroused alarm were mistaken. "Of course, that's a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have seen something," Tingley told the BBC. At the same, he said police were making progress in a three-pronged investigation: tracking "persons of interest," investigating 67 reported drone sightings, and examining a damaged drone found near Gatwick. A plane comes in to land at Gatwick Airport in England, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Flights resumed at London's Gatwick Airport on Friday morning after drones sparked the shutdown of the airfield for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded or delayed during the busy holiday season.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The drone in police hands may provide useful forensic clues, such as the DNA of people who handled it, Tingley said. But the rain the London area got on Friday and Saturday might have washed away some evidence, he said. Airport authorities consider drones a menace because they could damage a plane in flight or be sucked into a plane's engine, causing a deadly crash After the shutdown extended into Thursday, increased military protection was brought in Thursday night to watch for more drones while planes resumed taking off and landing at Britain's second-busiest airport. The government has kept the details of the security operation secret, but the military equipment is thought to offer better tracking capabilities and give authorities early warning if drones approach Gatwick, located 30 miles (45 kilometers) south of London. At the airport on Sunday, flight arrival and departure boards showed fewer delays than on Saturday. Additional tracking gear at the periphery of the runway and an increased police presence were the only clear signs of the headaches experienced there in the past four days. But officials have stepped up surveillance of the surrounding airspace behind-the-scenes. British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has said the unspecified "military measures" have bolstered confidence that the airport will be able to remain open without further interruptions. But anti-drone technology is a relatively new, imperfect field, Grayling said. It is not clear how officials will respond if another drone gets too close. The best guide may be what happened on Friday night, when the airport was shut down for 70 minutes after a drone was spotted. The military deployment allowed the airport to reopen relatively quickly, authorities have said. No confirmed drone incursions have taken place since then - a factor that led many to assume police had found the responsible operators when they arrested the two suspects Friday night. That hope ended Sunday when the couple - a 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman - was allowed to return to their home in Crawley, a 5-minute drive from Gatwick. Detective Tingley said he is satisfied the two were not involved. He is hoping a tip will provide a crucial lead. Tingley said police did not identify the suspects but The Mail on Sunday tabloid named them and published a large front-page photo of them with the headline, "Are These the Morons Who Ruined Christmas?" The crisis at Gatwick marked the first time drones caused sustained disruption at a major airport. There is not much data on the dangers drones pose to airplanes because they are a relatively new phenomenon. Police say the motive for the drone incursion is not yet known but they do not believe it is "terror-related." Gatwick Airport, which handles roughly 43 million passengers per year, has offered a 50,000 pound ($63,000) reward through Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the drone operators. A plane comes in to land at Gatwick Airport in England, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Flights resumed at London's Gatwick Airport on Friday morning after drones sparked the shutdown of the airfield for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded or delayed during the busy holiday season.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Passengers queue for flights at Gatwick Airport as the airport and airlines work to clear the backlog of flights delayed by a drone incident earlier in the week, in Crawley, England, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. London's Gatwick Airport took strides toward running a full schedule Saturday as police questioned a man and a woman in connection with the drone intrusions that caused mayhem for tens of thousands of holiday travelers. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP) Passengers queue for flights at Gatwick Airport as the airport and airlines work to clear the backlog of flights delayed by a drone incident earlier in the week, in Crawley, England, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. London's Gatwick Airport took strides toward running a full schedule Saturday as police questioned a man and a woman in connection with the drone intrusions that caused mayhem for tens of thousands of holiday travelers. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP) Passengers at Gatwick airport waiting for their flights following the delays and cancellations brought on by drone sightings near the airfield, in London, Friday Dec. 21, 2018. New drone sightings Friday caused fresh chaos for holiday travelers at London's Gatwick Airport. (John Stillwell/PA via AP) A plane comes in to land at Gatwick Airport in England, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Flights resumed at London's Gatwick Airport on Friday morning after drones sparked the shutdown of the airfield for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded or delayed during the busy holiday season.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Passengers wait to check in at Gatwick Airport in England, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Flights resumed at London's Gatwick Airport on Friday morning after drones sparked the shutdown of the airfield for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded or delayed during the busy holiday season.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) A passenger checks an arrivals board at Gatwick Airport in England, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. Flights resumed at London's Gatwick Airport on Friday morning after drones sparked the shutdown of the airfield for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded or delayed during the busy holiday season.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) BEIRUT (AP) - Turkey is massing troops near a town in northern Syria held by a U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led force, a war monitor said as Turkish media reported Sunday new reinforcements crossing the borders. The Turkish buildup comes even though Turkey said it would delay a promised offensive in eastern Syria in the wake of President Donald Trump's decision this week to withdraw U.S. troops. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he had a "long and productive" call with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in which they discussed "the slow & highly coordinated" pullout of U.S. troops from the area. This is the two leaders' second phone conversation in 10 days. U.S. military officials are scrambling to come up with a schedule for the withdrawal of an estimated 2,000 troops. A statement from the Turkish presidency said the two leaders agreed to coordinate militarily and diplomatically to ensure the U.S. pullout from Syria does not lead to an "authority vacuum." Trump's decision, announced last week after a call with Erdogan, surprised his allies and own experts, sparking the resignation of two of his top aides. He had asked for an immediate withdrawal, but experts convinced him that they needed time to work out a timetable. The Turkish IHA news agency reported that a convoy of Turkish troops - a commando unit - had been sent into Syria overnight. This photo released on the Facebook page of the Military Council of Manbij City, shows U.S. troops based around the Syrian town of Manbij speaking with residents, in northern Syria, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (The Military Council of Manbij City via AP) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the reinforcements were sent to the front line with Manbij, where U.S. troops have been based. The Observatory said 50 vehicles crossed into Syria - carrying troops and equipment. A Turkish military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, said the military reinforcements were dispatched to the areas administered by Turkey in northern Syria, without elaborating. The spokesman for the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council, Sharfan Darwish, said Turkish reinforcements have arrived in the area. "We are taking necessary measures to defend ourselves if we are attacked," he said without elaborating. U.S. troops based around Manbij patrolled the town and surrounding area on Sunday and were photographed speaking with the residents. Turkey has welcomed Trump's decision. Ankara views the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces as an extension of the insurgency within its borders. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to dislodge the Kurdish fighters from along its border with Syria. The U.S. has since 2014 partnered with the Syrian Kurdish militia to drive out the Islamic State group, a partnership that soured relations between Ankara and Washington. Allaying some of Turkey's fears was a deal reached in June over Manbij. According to the deal, the Kurdish militia would withdraw from Manbij and U.S. and Turkish troops would patrol the area as a new administration for the mixed Arab-Kurdish town is elected. But Ankara says the U.S. and the Kurds didn't live up to their end of the deal and that it would start an offensive in eastern Syria to drive out the militia. Turkey already has troops in northwestern Syria and has backed Syrian fighters there to clear towns and villages of IS militants and Kurdish fighters. After Trump's decision, Erdogan said he would delay the eastern Syria offensive and would work on plans to clear out IS from the region. A spokesman for the Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighting group said the continued Turkish and allied forces buildup is to prevent Syrian government troops from taking advantage of the tension in the area to seize territory. Youssef Hammoud, spokesman for the Syrian opposition fighters, accused the Kurdish militia of reaching out to the Syrian government to replace U.S. troops if they withdraw. Darwish dismissed the claims as "untrue," calling them "old accusations" from the rival Syrian groups. Also Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he "deeply regrets" Trump's decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria and warned it could have dangerous consequences. Macron showered praise on U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who quit in the wake of Trump's unexpected move. "An ally should be reliable, coordinate with other allies. Mattis understood this," Macron said during a trip to Chad. Macron said that the troop withdrawal endangers Kurdish fighters, who were instrumental in the U.S-led coalition's fight against IS militants. "We should not forget ... what we owe to those who died on the ground fighting terrorism," he said, referring to the SDF. "The SDF is fighting against the terrorism that fomented attacks against Paris and elsewhere ... I call on everyone not to forget what they have done." Macron did not say what France's military will do next in Syria. Kurdish officials met with a French presidential adviser Friday, and one asked France to play a larger role in Syria following the American withdrawal. ________ Bilginsoy reported from Istanbul. Associated Press writer Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report. FILE - In this July 11, 2018 file photo, President Donald Trump, left, talks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as they tour the new NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Trump's decision to withdraw American troops from Syria was made hastily, without consulting his national security team or allies, and over the strong objections of virtually everyone involved in the fight against the Islamic State, according to U.S. officials. Trump stunned his Cabinet, lawmakers and much of the world with the move that triggered Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation by rejecting the advice of his top aides and agreeing to the pull-out in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week, two officials briefed on the matter said. (Tatyana Zenkovich/pool photo via AP) DENVER (AP) - The government may be partially shut down, but that won't stop hundreds of volunteers dressed in Christmas hats and military uniforms Monday from taking calls from children around the world who want to know when Santa will be coming. The military says the NORAD Tracks Santa won't be affected by the government shutdown because it is run by volunteers Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado and is funded by the Department of Defense's budget that was approved earlier this year. Now in its 63rd year, the Santa tracker became a Christmas Eve tradition after a mistaken phone call to the Continental Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1955. CONAD, as it was known, had the serious job of monitoring a far-flung radar network for any sign of a nuclear attack on the United States. When Col. Harry Shoup picked up the phone that day, he found himself talking not to a military general, but to a child who wanted to speak to Santa Claus. A Colorado Springs newspaper had run an ad inviting kids to call Santa but mistakenly listed the hotline number. Shoup figured out what had happened and played along. The tradition has since mushroomed into an elaborate operation that attracts tens of thousands of calls every year. For the 1,500 civilian and military volunteers who will answer the phones for kids calling 1-877-HI-NORAD, it infuses the holiday with childlike wonder. FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2017, file photo, Canadian Lt. Maj. Chris Hache takes a call while volunteering at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. Hundreds of volunteers will help answer the phones again when the program resumes on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, for the 63rd year. Children from around the world call to ask when Santa Claus will get to their house. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP, File) "They're all really sweet, small voices," said Madison Hill, a volunteer who helped answer the phones in two previous years. "I had a little girl tell me good night instead of goodbye," she said. "It's really sweet." The North American Aerospace Defense Command - a joint U.S.-Canadian operation based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that protects the skies over both countries - has taken over the Santa tracker since the tradition started. The military command center embraced and expanded the Santa-tracking mission and has been rewarded with a bounty of goodwill and good publicity. Last year, NORAD Tracks Santa drew 126,000 phone calls, 18 million website hits, 1.8 million followers on Facebook and 179,000 more on Twitter. It takes 160 phones to handle the calls that pour in. New volunteers get a playbook that briefs them on the questions kids might ask. Big screens on the walls show a Santa icon making blistering progress around the globe. U.S. and Canadian officers do live TV interviews from the phone rooms. "It really gets you into the Christmas spirit," said Hill, a student at Mississippi State University who got involved through Air Force family members stationed in Colorado Springs. "There are Christmas carols in the background, everyone's very friendly, happy to be there," she said. One year, she took a call from a boy who began reading a very long Christmas list. "I remember having to cut him off after the 10th present or so," she said, explaining to him that she had to take calls from other children. A girl told Hill she wanted to warn Santa not to bump into a bell hanging on her door. "I think she wanted Santa to be quiet and not wake her up," Hill said. Sometimes the volunteers have to handle the unexpected. In 2012, a child from Newtown, Connecticut, asked if Santa could bring extra toys for families who lost children in the mass shooting that year at Sandy Hook Elementary. "If I can get ahold of him, I'll try to get the message to him," replied the volunteer, Sara Berghoff. NORAD's commander, Air Force Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, will also take a turn answering the phones Monday. "This is my first NORAD Tracks Santa," said O'Shaughnessy, who took command in May. "I'm really excited." O'Shaughnessy was even asked about the program during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in April to confirm him as NORAD chief. "I assume this committee can count on your commitment to continue that venerable tradition," Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton deadpanned. "Yes sir, especially since my son Sam would want to see that as well," O'Shaughnessy replied. ___ Follow Dan Elliott at http://twitter.com/DanElliottAP. LONDON (AP) - Police have charged four men who were accused of threatening the crew of a cargo ship in the Thames Estuary outside of London. Essex Police said Sunday the four were charged with "affray," a crime defined as using of threatening to use violence in a way that makes by-standers fear for their safety. The operator of the cargo ship Grande Tema said the men had been discovered stowed away on the vessel, which traveled from Nigeria to England. The men were confined to a cabin but escaped and, according to ship operator Grimaldi Lines, threatened the crew with iron bars. Friday's incident ended peacefully after authorities intervened. The men range in age from 20 to 27. They are scheduled to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday. GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Guyana's foreign ministry has condemned what it says was a dangerous incursion into local waters after a Norwegian ship hired by ExxonMobil was "intercepted" by a Venezuelan naval vessel. The ship, Ramform Tethys, was contracted to conduct seismic work by the company in a block off Guyana's coast. It was approached Saturday morning by the Venezuelan navy, which did not board the ship and later left the area, according to Norway's Petroleum Geo-Services, which was performing the seismic survey on behalf of Irving, Texas-based ExxonMobil. In a statement Saturday night, the foreign ministry called the incident an "illegal, aggressive and hostile act" by Venezuela "which once again demonstrates the real threat to Guyana's economic development by its western neighbor." It said that it would be bringing "this latest act of illegality and blatant disrespect for Guyana's sovereignty" to the attention of the United Nations and sending formal communication to Venezuela. It also said it was in the process of informing the countries that the ship's 70 crew members hail from about "the threat to their safety." A spokeswoman for ExxonMobil said Sunday that seismic operations on the Stabroek block were still paused. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Robert Palladino said on Twitter that officials were monitoring reports that the Venezuelan navy may have interfered with the ship. "We underscore that Guyana has the sovereign right to explore and exploit resources in its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone," he wrote. Exxon drilled its first successful well off the coast of Guyana in 2015 and since then has made nine more discoveries, including one this month that boosted to 5 billion oil-equivalent barrels the company's estimate of reserves in the deep-water area. The recent discoveries mean the tiny country of 750,000 people is on track to surpass Venezuela and Mexico to become Latin America's second-biggest oil producer within the next decade, behind only Brazil, energy research firm Wood MacKenzie wrote in a report this month. But Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called the oil drilling by the U.S. company illegal, and many fear that as his socialist-run country teeters on the edge of chaos he could seek to provoke his neighbor. Venezuela has claimed the mineral-rich region west of the Essequibo river in Guyana as its own since the 19th century, a view shared even by some of Maduro's fiercest opponents. An international tribunal ruled in 1899 that the area formed part of Guyana, which at the time was a British colony. The swath of disputed land makes up 40 percent of Guyana. Earlier this year, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres sent the case to the International Court of Justice following a failed UN-sponsored attempt to broker a settlement. Venezuela's navy seized a U.S.-chartered oil research ship working in the area in 2013 and held it for more than a week before releasing the vessel and its 36 crew members from the U.S., Russia, Indonesia and Ukraine. ___ AP Writer Joshua Goodman contributed to this report from Medellin, Colombia WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the government shutdown (all times local): 10:20 a.m. A Democratic senator is making clear that Democrats have no intention of giving President Donald Trump the billions of dollars that he wants to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown that's expended to extend past Christmas. Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley says Democrats are "absolutely willing" to commit taxpayer dollars for border security. But when an interviewer asked whether Democrats weren't going to provide any wall money, Merkley responded: "That's correct. None." The moon rises behind the North Portico of the White House, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Washington. The partial federal shutdown was expected to drag into Christmas as President Donald Trump and congressional leaders remained stuck in a standoff over the border wall with Mexico. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Merkley tells ABC's "This Week" that "30-foot concrete wall, 30-foot steel spikes, that's not the smart way." ___ 9:55 a.m. A top White House official says it's "very possible" the partial government shutdown will stretch into next year. Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told "Fox News Sunday" he's awaiting word from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York after the White House presented a counteroffer in a dispute over funding for President Donald Trump's border wall. Mulvaney declined to outline the offer. But he says it's between Trump's $5.7 billion request and the $1.3 billion Democrats offered. A stalemate over the wall led parts of the government to shut down Saturday after funding for numerous departments and agencies expired. The shutdown was expected to last through Thursday. Both the House and Senate have adjourned until later in the week. ___ 9:30 a.m. On the second day of the partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump is again turning to Twitter to try to make his case for a border wall with Mexico - the sticking point in the budget impasse with Congress. He says aerial drones and other measures "are wonderful and lots of fun" but they're not the right answer to address the problem of "drugs, gangs, human trafficking, criminal elements and much else from coming into" the United States. Trump says what the country needs is "a good old fashioned Wall that works!" The president is demanding billions of dollars for that wall, but Democrats are opposing it. The stalemate has shut down the government, and it looks like Christmas will be over and done with before the government will have a chance to get fully back to business. ___ 12:05 a.m. It looks like Christmas will be over and done with before the federal government will have a chance to get fully back to business. Even a temporary measure to end a partial shutdown seems out of reach until the Senate returns for a full session Thursday. President Donald Trump wants money for a border wall with Mexico and Democrats oppose that. The partial shutdown began Saturday and has limited impact over the next few days, because both Monday and Tuesday are federal holidays The first day of the shutdown played out unevenly. The Statue of Liberty was still open for tours, thanks to money from New York state, and the U.S. Post Office was still delivering mail. Yet the disruption is affecting many operations and some 800,000 federal employees. BERLIN (AP) - A German journalist who was found to have made up information for numerous articles may now be charged with allegedly soliciting donations for Syrian orphans from his readers. The German magazine Der Spiegel said Sunday that its award-winning former reporter, Claas Relotius, had asked readers by email from his private account for donations to be transferred to his personal bank account. Der Spiegel said it's not clear how many people donated money, how much Relotius collected or what happened to the money. But the magazine said it will press charges and will work with prosecutors to find out the details. Der Spiegel announced Wednesday that Relotius, 33, who worked first as a freelancer and later fulltime, had fabricated interviews and facts in at least 14 articles. It has since fired him. BENI, Congo (AP) - A Congo army official says rebels attacked the eastern city of Beni Saturday night, killing five civilians and wounding eight others. Capt. Mak Hazukay Mongba, spokesman for the army in Beni said the attack was by the ADF militia from Uganda. He said the army will pursue the enemy to their last bastions and called for the population to be calm. The rebel attacks come as eastern Congo is fighting an Ebola outbreak that has caused more than 270 confirmed deaths. Congo is preparing for long-delayed elections, that last week were postponed until Dec. 30. Human Rights Watch says that since October, 2014, the ADF rebels are responsible for several atrocities and have killed more than 1,500 people. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Luis von Ahn used to be best known as an inventor of the security tool reCAPTCHA, which helps digitize books every time you type those distorted letters to prove to websites you're human. Now the 40-year-old entrepreneur is better known as co-founder and CEO of a popular language-learning app, Duolingo. The mostly ad-funded app works like a video game, motivating users to keep translating words correctly by rewarding them. The Pittsburgh-based startup had more than $40 million in revenue this year and boasts 300 million users worldwide. Von Ahn spoke with The Associated Press after winning the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Prize for inventors who've made a positive social impact. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: Why did you shift your efforts to Duolingo? A: I wanted to do something related to education. Where I'm from, Guatemala, people who have a lot of money can buy themselves the best education in the world. People who don't have money barely learn to read and write. In non-English speaking countries, you can basically double your salary by knowing English. I wanted to give people a free way to learn English. Q: How are the reCAPTCHA and Duolingo business models alike? In this Sept. 12, 2018 photo, Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn poses for a portait in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt O'Brien) A: At first, the way we wanted to make Duolingo free is to have people translate stuff without knowing. It turned out it was much better to put ads. Q: Are you surprised by the customers you have? A: I thought most of the people using Duolingo would actually be interested in learning a language. Many are, particularly for learning English. But in countries like the U.S., where learning a language is more of a hobby, a ton of our users are people whose interest is doing something productive with their time. Their primary goal is to sort of be entertained, and not feel guilty about it. Q: Who do you see as your biggest competitors? A: We're competing for time. It's very rare that people leave Duolingo for another language-learning method. Usually people leave Duolingo for Instagram or "Candy Crush." Q: Like working out, learning a language requires a time commitment. How do you keep people interested? A: We do have people we've hired, mainly from gaming companies. It's what sets Duolingo apart from other learning platforms. We have really spent a lot of effort trying to keep people addicted to Duolingo. Q: Isn't addiction a bad thing? A: What's going on today is a lot of companies, gaming companies, Facebook, are using data from millions of people to figure out how to get you addicted. They're using sophisticated artificial intelligence to find out the exact right time to send you a notification or surface a post. We're using the same techniques but we feel good about it because we're getting you addicted to learning. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Luis von Ahn, the 40-year-old co-founder and CEO of popular language-learning app Duolingo, says one of the challenges of seeing his business grow is having to let go of doing everything. Motivating people and trusting them become important, he says. The Pittsburgh-based startup employs 150 people and has grown rapidly since its 2014 launch. It had more than $40 million in revenue this year and boasts 300 million users worldwide. Von Ahn spoke with The Associated Press after winning the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Prize for inventors who've made a positive social impact. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: How did you learn how to manage people as Duolingo grew? A: This is probably the toughest thing I've done. As a professor I spent most of my time coming up with inventions or new products. With Duolingo it's been a shift. Over time, you get to a point where you don't know everybody's name. You're not even talking directly to the people who are doing the stuff. It's about learning how to motivate and direct a large group of very intelligent people. Usually intelligent people have their own will, their own ideas. It's a balance between letting them innovate by themselves, but also everybody pointing in the same direction. Q: How'd you figure it out? In this Sept. 12, 2018 photo, Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn poses for a portait in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt O'Brien) A: Most of it was through trial and error. My approach to most things in life is, "OK, we're going to try this, as long as you know what the success condition is." What's failure, what's success? As long as you're pretty good at that, you can try a lot of things. And as long as everyone you're working with knows you have the company's best interests in mind, they allow you to try things. Q: How did you let go from being involved in everything? A: It's been very difficult. One of the reasons why Duolingo was successful early on was because I was very detail-oriented. I was on top of every single thing. It was psychologically difficult for me to let go. It was a tough realization when the product didn't get any worse when I stopped being on top of it. But eventually you get through it because you have to. It is now literally impossible for me to be on top of everything we do. I just can't. It's available in multiple platforms, multiple languages. I can't test everything myself. Q: Is it any easier to grow a tech company in Pittsburgh than in San Francisco or New York? A: Probably the biggest difference is the amount of time each person stays in the company. People come to Duolingo and very rarely leave. We have much less churn of employees. On the flip side, there's just not that many people in the ecosystem. We put a billboard on U.S. 101 in San Francisco that says, "Own a home, work in tech, move to Pittsburgh." We've gotten a ton of applicants. NEW YORK (AP) - Actress Debby Ryan and Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun are engaged. Both Ryan and Dun announced their engagement on social media Saturday. The 30-year-old Dun proposed to the 25-year-old Ryan in a treehouse in New Zealand. Dun posted a photo of himself proposing on one knee before a shocked Ryan. He called her his "dude for life." Ryan, star of the Netflix series "Insatiable," said on Twitter that she said yes. Ryan added she "technically said 'no way' twice but I meant yes." FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2018, file photo, Debby Ryan arrives at the LA Premiere of "Insatiable" at the Arclight Hollywood in Los Angeles. Both Ryan and Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun announced their engagement on social media Saturday, Dec. 22. Th (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File) SANAA, Yemen (AP) - A U.N. team led by a Dutch officer arrived Sunday at Hodeida to monitor a cease-fire that went into force in the Red Sea port city where Yemen's civil war rivals been fighting for months, according to security officials and witnesses. The team, led by Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, had earlier flown into Sanaa, Yemen's capital, from Aden, the home-in-exile of Yemen's internationally recognized government. The witnesses and officials said the convoy of the U.N. team arrived in Hodeida amid heavy security provided by the anti-government Shiite rebels. Both Hodeida and Sanaa are under rebel control. A U.N. security team had arrived in Hodeida ahead of the cease-fire monitors to secure housing for them and set up an operations center, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. Cammaert's first task in Hodeida will be to assess the military and security situation on the ground and estimate the number of monitors that will be required in the near future, said the officials. A major security concern, they said, was the protection of the monitors from Islamic militants known to reside in the city. The arrival of the team in Hodeida follows charges by both sides over the past week that the other was breaching the truce, reached in peace talks held in Sweden earlier this month. Dutch officer Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, center, who heads a United Nations advance team tasked with monitoring a cease-fire that went into force in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, is greeted on arrival to Sanaa airport, Yemen, Sunday Dec. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) In addition to the cease-fire, the agreement provides for the transfer of control of Hodeida's ports from the rebels, who are known as Houthis, to local administrators and security personnel. Some 70 percent of Yemen's imports come through Hodeida, and the Sweden deal is designed in part to facilitate the arrival of relief supplies to push Yemen back from the brink of famine. Yemen's four-year conflict pits the internationally recognized government, backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, against the Houthi rebels who are aligned with Iran. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, and has driven millions to hunger. The U.N. calls it the world's worst humanitarian disaster. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deepening a dispute with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him an "anti-Semitic dictator." Netanyahu on Sunday said the Turkish leader is "obsessed with Israel" and his military "slaughters women and children in Kurdish villages." He spoke at a meeting with Christian soldiers. Speaking in Istanbul Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Netanyahu an oppressor who commits "state terror." It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the latest spat between the leaders. Israel and Turkey were once close allies. But relations have steadily cooled since Erdogan, whose party has roots in Turkey's Islamist movement, became prime minister in 2003. The exchange came just days after the U.S. announced its withdrawal from Syria, where both Israel and Turkey are involved in the seven-year civil war. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas' incoming Democratic governor uses words like "decimated" to describe what's happened to state government over the past decade and will be looking to add staff, boost spending and rethink contracts that outsourced jobs to private companies. Yet the same electorate that chose Gov.-elect Laura Kelly out of displeasure with her Republican predecessors opted in more-localized races to push the Legislature further to the right. Upon taking office in January, she will face GOP supermajorities and conservative leaders, setting up political fights over proposals seen as expanding state government's footprint. It's not just big initiatives, such as more spending on public schools or expanding the state's Medicaid health coverage for the needy. After advisers fanned out to state agencies, Kelly said she's concerned about a shortage of social workers to serve troubled children, how the state processes tax payments and even whether it can clear highways well in a winter storm. She promised during her campaign not to increase taxes; she is not backing off that pledge, and GOP leaders have said they intend to hold her to it. But during a recent Associated Press interview, she also made it clear that she believes extra money and staff are needed to fix things. "I am not sure we knew how bad it was," said Kelly, a veteran state senator from Topeka and a key player in legislative budget debates. "We have seen our agencies just hollowed out." Some Republicans agree that parts of state government, particularly prisons and services for abused and neglected children, need attention. But conservatives also see an annual budget that has grown 22 percent over the past decade to $17 billion, with much of the new spending driven by Kansas Supreme Court mandates to boost education funding. In this Dec. 17, 2018 photo, Kansas Gov.-elect Laura Kelly answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The incoming Democratic governor says her administration will have to do "triage" on problems at state agencies and that fixing them will require extra money and staff. (AP Photo/John Hanna) GOP legislators slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at then-Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's urging, as a fiscal experiment and economic stimulus. After persistent shortfalls, lawmakers reversed most of the tax cuts in 2017. Kelly made Brownback a key issue in the campaign, even after he resigned in January for an ambassador's post. His successor, Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer, who narrowly lost the GOP primary in August, said he "walked into a very difficult situation," but, "I think we need to look at where we're going and what we've accomplished." "As a state and as state government, we're in a much better position than we were a year ago or 10 years ago, overall," he added during a recent interview. Prison disturbances last year spotlighted high turnover rates and low pay among staff. The Department of Children and Families faced intense scrutiny after high-profile deaths of children in abusive homes in recent years and reports that troubled kids slept in state contractors' offices . The department's staff of child-protection specialists and supervisors has shrunk 8 percent over the past decade, to fewer than 500, even as the number of children in foster care has jumped 49 percent, to more than 7,400. Kelly and her staff also have questioned two Department of Revenue contracts worth $82 million for a subsidiary of the Canada-based CGI Group to modernize its system for collecting delinquent taxes and to manage its tax-collection systems. "A core competency of ours is not software development," said Sam Williams, the current revenue chief. He said the contracts have made the department more efficient, but Kelly's transition team questions that, based on its own review. She said her team is reviewing all state contracts. "If we find contracts that are not in the best interests of the people of Kansas and there is a way to modify them or break them, we will do that, if we have a good substitute in place," she said. The incoming governor also cited the Department of Transportation as another agency with bigger problems than she anticipated. It lost more than 800 staff positions over the past decade, or nearly 26 percent. Kelly's team worries that road crews are stressed so much that, "They'd be lighting candles to ensure that we don't have a statewide snow storm." "I would imagine that we will need to increase the number of state employees," she said. "To what extent, I don't know yet." While Kelly talks of "triage" to fix the most urgent problems, Republican legislators said their constituents want government that's lean and efficient. "Accountability drives their greatest concern regarding the size of government," said Rep.-elect Kellie Warren, a Kansas City-area Republican. "They want to see that their tax dollars are being used wisely, efficiently - where is it going and can we do more with less?" ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna CAIRO (AP) - Egypt says its security forces have killed 14 militants in separate shootouts in the city of el-Arish in the turbulent north of the Sinai Peninsula. A Sunday statement said eight militants were killed when security forces stormed the hideout of a "terrorist cell" in a remote part of el-Arish. The forces later gave chase to six more militants who fled the scene, killing all of them in a shootout. The statement did not say when the shooting happened or provide other details. Egypt has for years been battling Islamic militants in northern Sinai. The militants grew more deadly and their attacks more frequent after the 2013 ouster of an Islamist president. However, an all-out campaign by the military this year has brought to a halt high-profile attacks by the militants. BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) - Jill Mott doesn't like the tweets. The hard line on the border is too hard. And when asked whether she will vote for President Donald Trump a second time, she lets out a long, deep sigh. "That is the question," said Mott, a Republican from suburban Detroit. In her moment of hesitancy, Mott is the portrait of a small, but significant slice of voters poised to wield considerable influence in the 2020 presidential campaign. They are the 18 percent of voters who described themselves as only "somewhat" approving of the president. It's a group whose backing for Trump is most tenuous and whose reservations about his personality and his policies reveal warning signs for Republicans, perhaps even more so as he dug in on his demand for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, leading to a budget impasse with Congress that has shut down the government around Christmas. An analysis of VoteCast, a nationwide poll of more than 115,000 midterm voters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago, highlights the fractures. Compared with the 27 percent of voters who describe themselves as strong Trump supporters, the "somewhat" Trump voters are much more likely to disapprove of Trump on key issues such as immigration and health care, and to express divergent opinions on a need for a border wall, gun control and climate change. They are much more likely to question his trustworthiness and temperament. Michael Bernstein is shown while shopping in Troy, Mich., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. Bernstein voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and likely would do so again in 2020 if he sought a second term in the White House. Bernstein, 52, points to Trump's success in getting justices approved to the U.S. Supreme Court and the positive economy as evidence he chose the right candidate, but the freelance auto writer from suburban Detroit could do without some of what Trump brings. A small, but significant slice of the American electorate may hold the key to President Donald Trump's political future. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) They are less likely to call themselves conservative, less likely to be evangelical Christians and more likely to have voted for Democrats in 2018. They are more educated, somewhat more likely to be women, and more likely to live in suburbs. "How he presents himself is the biggest issue," said Mott, a 52-year-old occupational therapist, who addressed her concerns this past week during a break from Christmas shopping outside the Gucci store at the Somerset Collection luxury mall. She also worries about the president's fiery approach to immigration. "I understand what he's going for - trying to keep out criminal activity," Mott said, pointing to Trump's rhetoric about a caravan of Latin American migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border. "However, I think he could do much better in showing concern for these people, offering short-term help." As Trump barrels into his third year in office, and tightens his focus on his own re-election, he has paid scant attention to shoring up support from voters such as Mott. Still, Trump's political future may depend on whether he can retain their support, particularly among the more educated and affluent suburban women who set aside their concerns about Trump two years ago and will be asked to do so again in 2020. Their backing helped Trump carve a path to the presidency through the industrial Midwest, but with little margin for error. The president won Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania by fewer than 80,000 votes combined. VoteCast found that 16 percent of those who "somewhat" supported Trump's job performance decided to vote for Democratic House candidates in the November midterms. That's compared with 6 percent of those who self-identified as Trump's "strong" supporters. That difference helped Democrats capture the House majority, picking up 21 of their 40 new seats in districts Trump carried only two years earlier. The flipped Trump districts include Michigan's 8th Congressional District, a swath of suburban middle-class America set between Detroit and Lansing. Dozens of recent interviews across the area show that most reluctant Trump supporters aren't ready to turn their backs on him or his party. Michael Bernstein voted for Trump in 2016 and said he is likely would do so again in 2020. Bernstein, 52, points to the economy and to Trump's success in getting justices approved to the U.S. Supreme Court as evidence that he chose the right candidate, but the freelance auto writer from suburban Detroit could do without some of what Trump brings. "He's supposed to represent the country and the people who don't like him," Bernstein added. "He doesn't. He prefers to play in the dirt." Still, November's elections bear out signs of erosion. In Michigan's 8th Congressional District, two-term Republican Mike Bishop was ousted by Democratic newcomer Elissa Slotkin, who attributes her victory in part to skeptical Trump supporters. "That's part of the reason we won - those voters who kept an open mind, who never really liked the tweeting and the chaos and the vitriol who maybe thought the president would become more presidential," Slotkin said in an interview. "We had lots of voters who said I was the first Democrat they ever voted for," she said. "They're not necessarily becoming Democrats. They just voted for the candidate who most represents their values." The VoteCast analysis suggests that a significant share of these wary Trump supporters have some views in common with Democrats in the Trump era. About half of Trump's "somewhat" supporters said Trump has the right temperament to serve effectively as president or considered him honest and trustworthy. On health care, reluctant supporters are more likely to think government should be responsible for making sure all Americans have coverage and they're far less likely to think President Barack Obama's health care law should be repealed entirely. Trump's reluctant supporters also are far more concerned about climate change than are other Trump backers and more likely to call for tighter gun laws. Immigration exposed another clear rift in the Trump coalition. Most Trump supporters favor building the border wall, but just 32 percent of his somewhat supporters are strongly in favor, compared with 80 percent of his strong approvers. While 60 percent of strong Trump backers said immigrants living in the United States illegally should be deported, about 6 in 10 reluctant supporters said those immigrants should be offered a chance to apply for legal status. Still, it's not safe to assume that reluctant Trump supporters will abandon the president in his 2020 re-election, said Republican pollster Frank Luntz, also a Trump skeptic. "They have rejected the Democrats. But they don't fully embrace Trump. So, the question is whether they stay with Trump or whether they stay home," Luntz said. Republican leaders are aware of the divisions within Trump's base of support, yet few expect Trump to moderate his tone or policies to appeal to wavering supporters. Some hope he'll learn to focus his message on the economy. About 90 percent of Trump's somewhat supporters are still supporting of his handling of the economy, and 8 in 10 said he is a strong leader, he is bringing needed change to the government and he stands up for what he believes. "Of course there are frustrations at times, however I know I have more money in my paycheck, more people working in our community, home values are up," said Theresa Mungioli, the GOP chairwoman of Oakland County, Michigan, where Republicans lost two congressional seats this fall. She acknowledged that some midterm voters, particularly women, may have soured on Trump's leadership, especially as it pertains to security issues. "Maybe in part because the president can be - likes to bluff in his negotiations, which makes it look like we're on the brink of war," Mungioli said. "That kind of instability was something that voters expressed." ___ Fingerhut reported from Washington. N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) - France's president is confirming his support for anti-extremist forces in Africa, amid growing international concern about the chaos in Libya. Speaking on a visit to Chad, Emmanuel Macron insisted that France will make no cuts to its military despite domestic budget tightening. He said the "threat is constant and changing" and requires robust military spending. He said France would spend hundreds of millions of euros in aid for programs to improve economies in central Africa and prevent Islamic extremists from "gaining ground." Macron reaffirmed French backing for a group of African anti-extremist forces and met with French soldiers deployed in the Sahel region with Operation Barkhane, France's largest overseas military mission. Macron also held talks with Chad's President Idriss Deby, U.S. military advisers and a delegation of Chadian women. PARIS (AP) - French maritime authorities have seized 16 migrants, including two children, from a fishing boat that allegedly was taking the passengers across the English Channel to Britain. The regional maritime authority, or prefecture, said in a statement that the boat didn't have its navigation lights on or respond to communication attempts when it was spotted before dawn off the coast of Boulogne-sur-mer on Sunday. The prefecture sent a tugboat to investigate and to offer assistance. It said the tug's crew found the migrants aboard and brought them back to France. The authority had no details about the migrants' origins. The statement warned of the high risk of vessel collisions in the busy shipping route. A growing number of migrants have been trying to reach Britain by boat in recent weeks. ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey's official news agency says prosecutors are investigating two prominent actors for comments on a television program. Anadolu agency on Sunday quoted a statement from the Istanbul prosecutors' that said actors Metin Akpinar and Mujdat Gezen were "invited" for questioning following media reports about their alleged insults of Turkey's president and threats of "a coup and death." The actors appeared on a talk show Friday on opposition television channel Halk TV. During the broadcast, Akpinar said Turkey needed to be more democratic and if that wasn't achieved peacefully, "maybe leaders could be hung from their feet or poisoned in cellars." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Akpinar on Sunday. More than 77,000 people have been arrested in Turkey since a 2016 coup attempt. HILO, Hawaii (AP) - A company in China that offered to help those displaced by the recent eruption of Kilauea volcano has sent its first prefabricated container home to the state. But the home remains in storage in Honolulu because it does not meet local regulations. The Hawaii Tribune Herald reported Friday that Hawaii County Managing Director Wil Okabe says the housing unit, made from a shipping container, received minor damage during the trip and doesn't meet county code. Okabe says officials are working with the company, Guangdong Huanbao Ecological Environmental, on ways to ensure the remaining units can be retrofitted to meet requirements before being delivered. The company has committed to sending 35 prefabricated container homes. Units were also being offered to Kauai after it suffered from flooding earlier this year. ___ Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ SAYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) - A man pulled his young daughter out of her car seat and to safety just as a commercial sign fell onto the top of their vehicle. Newsday reports Brian Pullan was taking 2-year-old Layla out of his pickup truck Saturday in Sayville, New York, when he heard a noise. He says he looked up to see the large store sign falling over, and jumped out of the way with Layla in his arms. The sign hit Pullan's truck and the car parked next to it. No one was injured. Emergency responders came to the scene, as well as a man in a Santa costume who had been doing a holiday event with firefighters. Police say wind was likely responsible for the sign toppling over. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria's state news agency is reporting that a top aide to President Bashar Assad has visited Egypt to discuss political and security issues, including efforts to combat terrorism. Syria's news agency SANA said Sunday National Security chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk traveled to Egypt a day earlier at the invitation of Egyptian intelligence chief. This is not Mamlouk's first public visit to Egypt. During another publicized trip in 2016, Mamlouk and Egyptian intelligence officers agreed to coordinate political positions and strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism. Syria has been expelled from the 22-member Arab League and boycotted by its neighbors since its civil war erupted in 2011. But Egypt has maintained security contacts with Assad's government throughout, negotiating limited conciliation deals between Syrian armed groups and the Syrian government. PARIS (AP) - The Latest on Europe's response to mass migration (all times local): 8:15 p.m. Spain's maritime rescue service says two children were reported missing at sea when 69 migrants were taken from a rubber dinghy in the Mediterranean Sea. The service says people on the boat told a rescue crew the boys hadn't been seen for several hours and were presumed dead. The Spanish crew responded Sunday after a fishing boat reported spotting a partially deflated rubber boat and some of its passengers in the water. The service says the fishing boat's crew saved some of the migrants before the rescue vessel arrived. On Thursday, 12 migrants died while trying to make the dangerous sea crossing from African shores to Spain. In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, migrants react in a rubber dinghy after Proactiva Open Arms, a Spanish NGO, spotted and rescued them in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) The United Nations says more than 2,200 migrants and refugees have perished in 2018 on the Mediterranean Sea, which also is conduit for reaching Greece and Italy. ___ 6:10 p.m. French maritime authorities have seized 16 migrants, including two children, from a fishing boat that allegedly was taking the passengers across the English Channel to Britain. The regional maritime authority, or prefecture, said in a statement that the boat didn't have its navigation lights on or respond to communication attempts when it was spotted before dawn off the coast of Boulogne-sur-mer on Sunday. The prefecture sent a tugboat to investigate and to offer assistance. It said the tug's crew found the migrants aboard and brought them back to France. The authority had no details about the migrants' origins. The statement warned of the high risk of vessel collisions in the busy shipping route. A growing number of migrants have been trying to reach Britain by boat in recent weeks. In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, a baby is loaded into the rescue vessel of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, migrants stay at the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, a woman faints after being rescued by aid workers of Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms, in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, an aid worker from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms holds a baby at the rescue vessel, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, a boy is helped by an aid worker from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, migrants stay at the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, migrants stay at the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, photo, migrants sit in a rubber dinghy after Proactiva Open Arms, a Spanish NGO, spotted and rescued them in the Central Mediterranean Sea at 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Al Khums, Lybia. The Spanish NGO Open Arms have rescued about 300 migrants from 3 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A car smashed through a church wall in Ohio during Sunday morning services, injuring six people and shattering stained glass. Firefighters say the six injured at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Columbus were treated for cuts and other injuries. The Rev. Jay Anderson says members were singing a hymn when the car crashed through the wall. He says that the wall "just exploded" and that pieces of glass went flying. He says the church was unusually crowded because there was a special Christmas performance. About 100 people were inside. One woman who was sitting in a pew struck by the car says she slid across the aisle. The crash left a wide hole in part of the church. A car that crashed into the entrance of the Crossroads United Methodist Church located at 1100 Hague Avenue is visible from inside of the church on the morning of Sunday, December 23, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. A woman drove into the church during morning services, injuring several people. (Brooke LaValley/The Columbus Dispatch via AP) Police did not identify the driver or say whether charges were planned. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Affidavits released Sunday by North Carolina's elections board allege absentee ballots were collected from voters by the man at the center of vote fraud allegations or those working for him. These latest documents focus on last month's disputed 9th Congressional District race, the year's only unresolved congressional election. Investigators are looking into whether McCrae Dowless and others working on behalf of GOP candidate Mark Harris ran an illegal operation to collect large numbers of absentee ballots from voters in at least two counties. In the batch of affidavits released Sunday, registered voter Christopher Eason of Bladenboro alleges he gave his signed but otherwise blank mail-in absentee ballot directly to Dowless, who had been hired by the chief strategist for Harris' campaign. It's illegal for anyone other than a close relative or guardian to take a person's ballot. "I signed the absentee ballot envelope but left the ballot completely blank. I did not make any selections in any of the contests on the ballot," Eason said in his affidavit signed Dec. 7, adding Dowless came to his home and asked for his absentee ballot. Another voter, Hazel Guyton of Bladenboro, said in an affidavit that she filled out her absentee ballot and Dowless and a woman stopped by to pick it up. She said he'd been "doing that for me for several years," though she states she suffers no legal disabilities. Dowless is a "person of interest" in an ongoing criminal investigation into irregularities in the 9th District race. His attorney, Cynthia Adams Singletary, did not answer Sunday calls but has asserted previously that Dowless hasn't broken any campaign laws. FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2018, file photo, Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr., poses for a portrait outside his home in Bladenboro, N.C. State investigators have described Dowless as a "person of interest" in their probe into 2018 voting irregularities involving absentee ballots. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, File) Also released Sunday was an analysis by a Harvard University professor who determined rates of unreturned absentee ballots in two 9th District counties were "extreme statistical outliers." Stephen Ansolabehere, a government professor at Harvard, said absentee mail voting patterns in Blade and Robeson Counties differed considerably from other North Carolina counties in two ways: The "exceedingly high rates" of unreturned ballots and the performance of the Republican candidate in those areas. "Mark Harris greatly over-performed in these two counties when compared with what one might have expected based on patterns elsewhere," he wrote in his analysis. The affidavits and the absentee ballot analysis for Robeson County and the portion of Bladen County in the 9th District were filed by attorneys for Democrat Dan McCready, who trailed Harris by 905 votes in unofficial results. Harris, McCready and candidates in a few other local races affected by the absentee ballot probe had until Friday to submit evidence for the board to review in advance of its Jan. 11 hearing. Neither Harris nor his campaign provided any such evidence or affidavits before the deadline, elections board lawyer Josh Lawson said Sunday. The candidates have until Jan. 6 to submit legal briefs to the board, which could ultimately order a new election or certify the results. The certification delay means no one will be representing the south-central 9th District when the new session of Congress begins Jan. 3. Other affidavits from local residents provided by McCready's attorneys and released Sunday also alleged that Dowless had held hundreds of absentee ballots unlawfully or "trashed" them as a way to affect election outcomes. In a separate matter before state judges, elections board Chairman Joshua Malcolm said in an affidavit Friday that the board's investigative staff members have conducted 100 interviews related to the election irregularities and are reviewing more than 182,000 documents produced from 12 subpoenas. WASHINGTON (AP) - Irritated with the criticism and fallout from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation, President Donald Trump on Sunday pushed the Pentagon chief out the door two months earlier than planned, an acrimonious end to a tense relationship that had been eroding in recent months. In a series of tweets, Trump appeared to question why he had put Mattis in his Cabinet in the first place and said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will take over as acting secretary on Jan. 1 to cover the accelerated departure. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, not the president, notified Mattis of the decision, said a senior administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss personnel issues. The sudden change strips Mattis of any chance to further frame national security policy or smooth rattled relations with allies through the originally planned transition at the end of February. And it reflects White House displeasure with the retired Marine Corps general's blistering resignation letter, which he delivered to Trump on Thursday. Mattis resigned in protest over Trump's decision to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria. U.S. officials, however, said that the reaction to his decision to leave - including the shock and dismay expressed on Capitol Hill - annoyed Trump and likely led to Mattis leaving earlier than planned. "When President Obama ingloriously fired Jim Mattis, I gave him a second chance. Some thought I shouldn't, I thought I should," Trump tweeted Saturday, foreshadowing his displeasure and the Sunday announcement. He also fumed over the media coverage of his Syria withdrawal order, suggesting he should be popular for bringing troops home. FILE - In this April 9, 2018, file photo, Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, right, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington. A U.S. administration official says that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will leave his post Jan. 1, 2019, as Trump is expected to name Shanahan as acting secretary. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) "With me, hit hard instead by the Fake News Media. Crazy!" Trump tweeted. A White House official said Trump decided Mattis should leave the administration earlier than planned to avoid a drawn-out transition when someone on hand whom they consider a qualified deputy capable of running the Pentagon in an acting capacity. The official asked not to be identified publicly discussing personnel matters. Lt. Col. Joseph Buccino, a spokesman for Shanahan, said the former Boeing Co. executive will accept the appointment as acting secretary. "Deputy Secretary will continue to serve as directed by the president, and the Department of Defense will remain focused on the defense of the nation," Buccino said on Sunday. It is unusual for the Pentagon to have an acting secretary of defense. Historically when a secretary has resigned, he has stayed on until a successor is confirmed. For example, when Chuck Hagel was told to resign in November 2014, he stayed in office until Ash Carter was confirmed the following February. While Mattis' resignation followed Trump's announcement that he would soon pull all of the approximately 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria, officials said that the decision was the result of an accumulation of disagreements. In a stunning resignation letter, Mattis made clear he did not see eye to eye with a president who has expressed disdain for NATO and doubts about keeping troops in Asia. Mattis was also unhappy with Trump's order to develop plans to pull out up to half of the 14,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Earlier Sunday, Trump's acting chief of staff said that Trump had known for "quite some time now" that he and Mattis "did not share some of the same philosophies ... have the same world view." Mick Mulvaney told ABC's "This Week" that the president and his defense chief "just could never get on the same page" on Syria, adding that Trump had said since his presidential campaign that "he wanted to get out of Syria." Mulvaney said the president "is entitled to have a secretary of defense who is committed to that same end." Asked whether Trump wanted a Pentagon leader willing to challenge him or someone in lock step with his views, Mulvaney said "a little bit of both." "I've encouraged him to find people who have some overlap with him but don't see the world in lockstep with him," Mulvaney said. The Pentagon on Sunday would only say that Mattis serves at the pleasure of the president. Other officials said it wasn't clear whether Mattis had spoken directly to Trump about the accelerated departure. Mattis had been at work on Friday, and defense officials had insisted he was planning to stay through February, when he would attend a NATO defense ministers meeting. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined leading Republicans on foreign affairs in urging Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw American forces from Syria. "We believe that such action at this time is a premature and costly mistake that not only threatens the safety and security of the United States but also emboldens" the Islamic State group, President Bashar Assad's government, Iran and Russia, according to the letter, signed by McConnell and eight other senators, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who organized it. They asked Trump to "not make any final decision for 90 days to allow time to adequately study the impacts of this decision on our partners, our allies and the re-emergence of ISIS and other terror groups, to ensure our nation's strategic interests are secured." But Mulvaney, asked on ABC whether there was any chance the president might change his mind on Syria decision, said: "No. I think the president has told people from the very beginning that he doesn't want us to stay in Syria forever. You're seeing the end result now of two years' worth of work. But keep in mind it's not unusual for a president to lose members of the Cabinet over these types of disagreements." Just after tweeting the announcement about Shanahan, Trump said he had had "a long and productive call" with Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump said they discussed IS, "our mutual involvement in Syria, & the slow & highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area. After many years they are coming home." Shanahan, a longtime Boeing Co. executive, was nominated for the deputy job in early 2017. He moved up through the management ranks at Boeing over a career that began in 1986. The Puget Sound Business Journal called him a Boeing "fix-it" man in a March 2016 report. He oversaw the company's global supply chain strategies and use of advanced manufacturing technologies. Shanahan was central to getting the 787 Dreamliner on track after production problems in the program's early years, the report said. ___ Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Two Olympic champions and three other weightlifters have been provisionally suspended after retests on their urine samples from the 2012 London Games were shown to be positive for banned substances. The International Weightlifting Federation announced adverse analytical findings for Ukraine's Oleksiy Torokhtiy, who won gold at London in the 105-kilogram category, and Uzbekistan's Ruslan Nurudinov, who won gold in the 105-kilogram category at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The IWF said retests also came back positive for Azerbaijan's Valentin Hristov, who took bronze in the 56-kilogram class at London, Armenia's Meline Daluzyan and Mikalai Novikau of Belarus. "The International Olympic Committee is responsible to decide about any consequences relating to the athletes' participation in the 2012 London Olympic Games," the sport's governing body said on its website Sunday. "The IWF will not make any further comments on the case until they are closed." ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports SYDNEY (AP) - One of the top prospects among 11 international entries in this year's Sydney to Hobart race is the New York Yacht Club's Privateer, which finished second in the Fastnet race in 2017. The Cookson 50, built in New Zealand and racing for 12 years, is owned by Ron O'Hanley. "This is a race that Americans love to come to," O'Hanley said. "I personally think this is the greatest sailboat race on the planet in terms of, if you think about the conditions and just its storied history, so it's something that we Americans aspire to do." Another American yacht, Joyride, also has good recent form, taking overall honors in the 2017 Van Isle 360 and 2018 Vic Maui races, both of which had taken more than 10 days to complete. Rather than returning home after the latter race concluded in July, it sailed to Australia via a stop in Fiji, as owner John Murkowski decided to do the Sydney to Hobart race. "It just seemed like we should keep going west and come down here and see what all the commotion was about," Murkowski said. FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2017, file photo, Supermaxi LDV Comanche enters open water at the start of the Sydney Hobart yacht race off Sydney. Comanche skipper Jim Cooney is predicting a quick Sydney to Hobart yacht race but believes his 100-foot super maxi's line honors record will probably stand from 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) The race, which begins Wednesday in Sydney Harbour, will also feature its first all-female crew, skippered by Australian Stacey Jackson but with sailors from Britain, New Zealand, the U.S. and the Netherlands. The tactician on Wild Oats X is Australian Katie Spithill, sister of America's Cup racer Jimmy Spithill. The 630-nautical-mile race (1,170 kilometers) takes the fleet, expected to be 86 yachts, down the southeastern Australian coast, across Bass Strait and into Hobart, the capital of the island state of Tasmania. Comanche, skippered by Jim Cooney, set the race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, 24 seconds while winning last year in controversial circumstances. First-place finisher Wild Oats XI, which has won line honors nine times, was given a one-hour time penalty for an illegal tack on Comanche while still in Sydney Harbour, giving Comanche the win. ____ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea said Monday it will fine BMW 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported in the country. South Korea's Transport Ministry its investigation panel after a five-month review concluded that the German automaker deliberately tried to cover up technical problems and moved too slowly to recall vehicles after around 40 of its cars caught fire earlier this year. The ministry found the fires to be caused by faulty valves in the vehicles' exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers. BMW apologized and recalled some 172,000 vehicles of 65 different models in July and October over the fires. BMW AG's South Korean unit said in a statement that the ministry's findings were generally in line with the company's assessment that the fires were caused by leaks of coolants in the EGR coolers. Combined with carbon and oil sediment the leaks could combust and cause fires when the vehicles were driven at high speeds for long periods of time, but BMW said the issue could be solved by the exchange of faulty hardware. The company did not directly address the ministry's accusation that it tried to play down the severity of the problem and recalled a narrower range of vehicles than it should have during its first recall in July. "The BMW Group is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and is committed to resolving the issue," it said in the statement. South Korean Transport Ministry officials and members of investigative panel on BMW engine bow during a press conference as damaged gears of a BMW which engine had caught fire are displayed at the government complex in Seoul, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. South Korea says it will fine BMW 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported in the country. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Junghyun Kim, an official from BMW Korea, said there had been no reports of injuries linked to the fires in South Korea. South Korean Transport Ministry officials hold a press conference as damaged gears of a BMW which engine had caught fire are displayed at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. South Korea says it will fine BMW 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported in the country. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Damaged gears of a BMW which engine had caught fire are displayed during a press conference at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. South Korea says it will fine BMW 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported in the country. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2018 file photo, BMW cars are parked for an emergency safety check at the playground of an elementary school near a BMW service center in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea says on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. it will fine BMW 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported in the country. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is garbling his story about what's going on with the Islamic State group. Has it been defeated or is it still a fighting force? He had it both ways over the course of several days. In a tumultuous week capped with the launch of a partial government shutdown, Trump also spread misinformation about poverty, the Russia investigation and immigration as he lost his defense secretary and his envoy to the anti-IS coalition after announcing U.S. troops will be pulled from Syria. A look at some claims and the reality: SYRIA TRUMP: "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency." - tweet Wednesday. THE FACTS: The militants are a diminished but deadly force, and U.S. partners warn that a premature American withdrawal will allow them to storm back. Trump seemed to contradict his own assertion when he tweeted the next day that the U.S. withdrawal means Russia, Syria and Iran "will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us." FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump gestures as he walks to Marine One after speaking to media at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Then on Saturday he said the group is "largely defeated" and other countries "should be able to easily take care of whatever remains." IS militants still hold a string of villages and towns along the Euphrates River in eastern Syria, where they have resisted weeks of attacks by the U.S.-supported Syrian Democratic Forces to drive them out. The pocket is home to about 15,000 people, among them 2,000 IS fighters, according to U.S. military estimates. But that figure could be as high as 8,000 militants, if fighters hiding out in the deserts south of the Euphrates River are also counted, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict through networks of local informants. Observatory head Rami Abdurrahman said they include seasoned militants who have fought global wars of jihad since the 1990s. The SDF, a Kurdish-led force that is America's only military partner in Syria, said Thursday: "The war against Islamic State has not ended and the group has not been defeated." The group is at the front lines of the battle against IS along the Euphrates River. It said a U.S. withdrawal would leave Syrians "between the claws of enemy forces." At their height in 2014, IS militants controlled approximately one-third of territory in Syria and Iraq, including major cities in both countries. The group flourished in the political vacuum of Syria's civil war, in which President Bashar Assad has violently put down a 2011 uprising against his family's 40-year rule. The pocket along the Euphrates represents just one percent of the territory it once held. But recent attacks in Iraq show the group is still capable of mounting deadly assaults even without holding urban areas. Trump's own advisers have described the battle against IS as a long-term commitment that depends on stabilizing Syria after nearly eight years of civil war. Brett McGurk, the special presidential envoy to the coalition to defeat IS in Syria and Iraq, said earlier this month, "Nobody is declaring mission accomplished" and it would be "reckless" to do so. After Trump announced the withdrawal of troops, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, then McGurk, resigned. Trump said he did not know his envoy. ___ TRUMP: "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us." - tweet Thursday. THE FACTS: Actually, Moscow welcomed the development, which gives both Russia and Iran more of a chance to spread influence in Syria. A lawmaker in Damascus put it bluntly, saying a U.S. withdrawal would be "recognition that Syria has won" the war. The U.S. military presence has been contentious for Assad and Russian and Iranian allies. In an otherwise negative appraisal of relations with the U.S., Russian President Vladimir Putin said Trump "has done the right thing" in deciding to pull troops out of Syria. He has long argued that the U.S. presence in Syria is illegitimate because it wasn't vetted by the U.N. Security Council or approved by Assad's government. ___ ECONOMY KEVIN HASSETT, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers: "Survey data suggests that the capital spending plans over the next year are very strong, or over the next six months." - phone call with reporters on Wednesday, the one-year anniversary of passage of the administration's tax cuts. THE FACTS: Actually, most economists note that surveys and more-reliable economic data point to a slowdown in capital spending growth next year. This is a critical point because Hassett is arguing that administration's tax cuts will continue to spur investment in large machinery, computers and other long-lasting equipment. Such investment not only lifts short-term economic growth but also can make the economy more efficient, which accelerates growth over time. Capital investment did increase markedly in the first half of this year, probably in part because Trump's tax cuts sharply reduced corporate taxes. But the most recent data suggests investment will slow, not accelerate, next year. U.S. factory orders for large capital goods have fallen in three of the past four months. Surveys by regional Federal Reserve banks show that companies are planning to spend less on capital equipment next year. That's one reason many economists forecast economic growth will slow in 2019 from a pace of about 3 percent this year. ___ POVERTY TRUMP: "Last year alone, we lifted 1 million Americans out of poverty, which is a record." - remarks Dec. 12. THE FACTS: It's not a record and barely a decline. The Census Bureau did report that the number of Americans living in poverty last year was 39.7 million, a decline of 918,000 from 2016. But the bureau said the 39.7 million is not a meaningfully different number statistically from 2016, when the figure stood at 40.6 million. In other words, the drop could be accounted for by variations in sampling the population rather than by an actual decline in the number of poor people. Last year's drop of 918,000 is also dwarfed by bigger decreases in the number of poor people of 2.5 million in 2016 and 3.5 million in 2015. The biggest recorded decline came in 1966, when nearly 4.7 million Americans were found to have been lifted above the poverty line. The agency considers declines of that size to represent a "a true difference that exists in the population as a whole," rather than just a sampling variation. ___ RUSSIA INVESTIGATION PRESS SECRETARY SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, on Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser: "We're arguing that he was certainly ambushed and that the FBI, that we know, had clear political bias." - interview Tuesday with Fox News. SANDERS: "The FBI broke standard protocol in the way that they came in and ambushed Gen. Flynn and in the way that they questioned him." - news briefing Tuesday. THE FACTS: She's suggesting impropriety in the FBI's questioning of Flynn that Flynn himself rejected in court. Sanders was echoing an argument by Flynn's lawyers in court filings that Flynn may have been tricked into lying by FBI agents. His lawyers had pulled from FBI documents in pointing out that unlike other defendants in the Russia investigation, Flynn wasn't warned in advance that it was a crime to lie to the FBI. Trump himself has argued that Flynn was unfairly targeted by special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and suggested that Flynn did not actually lie, despite having fired him nearly two years ago for just that reason. But at his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Flynn told Judge Emmet Sullivan that he knew it was a crime when he lied to the FBI in January 2017. Flynn declined to accept the judge's offer to withdraw his guilty plea. Neither he nor his lawyers disputed that he had lied to agents. Sullivan asked Flynn and his lawyers several times whether they believed Flynn was entrapped or if Flynn wanted to challenge the circumstances of his conversation with the FBI that led to charges. "No, your honor," Flynn said. ___ BORDER WALL TRUMP: "Mexico is paying (indirectly) for the Wall through the new USMCA, the replacement for NAFTA! Far more money coming to the U.S. Because of the tremendous dangers at the Border, including large scale criminal and drug inflow, the United States Military will build the Wall!" - tweet Wednesday. THE FACTS: He's making a flimsy assertion intended to cover up the fact that Mexico refused to pay for a U.S. border wall, as Trump promised it would do during the 2016 campaign. Trump is arguing that new terms of trade with Mexico will increase economic growth in the U.S. and produce more tax revenue. As part of that, he hopes for a lower trade deficit with Mexico. But those outcomes are not assured. The deal negotiated with Mexico and Canada is an update of the North American Free Trade Agreement he railed against, not a transformative pact. The three countries will continue trading in an environment of mainly low or no tariffs, with improvements here and there for all three partners. There is no credible way for Trump to forecast additional growth covering costs that are being charged to U.S. taxpayers if the wall is built. Trade balances depend on too many factors - consumer tastes, exchange rates, overall economic performance, and the choices of thousands of companies among them - and some are well outside any government's control. Trump specifically promised in the campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall. That is not the same as trying to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, which is about the exchange of goods and services among private entities rather than payments between governments. He wants $25 billion from Congress for wall construction over five years. If Trump gets the money, it will not be because lawmakers expect a refund to the treasury in future years from extra growth produced by a trade deal. ___ TRUMP: "Illegal immigration costs the United States more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. How was this allowed to happen?" - tweet Tuesday. THE FACTS: He's exaggerating the costs of illegal immigration. "I'm not sure where the president got his numbers," said Dave Ray, a spokesman for the nonprofit group FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for lower immigration numbers. Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security has said where Trump's estimate of $200 billion to $250 billion comes from. The Heritage Foundation, for instance, estimated in 2013 that households headed by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally impose a net fiscal burden of around $54.5 billion per year. Trump himself has contradicted the figure. During his 2016 campaign, Trump claimed that illegal immigration cost the country more than $113 billion a year - less than half the number he tweeted Tuesday. That estimate appeared based on a paper by FAIR, which released an updated report in 2017 that claimed taxpayers "shell out approximately $134.9 billion to cover the costs incurred by the presence of more than 12.5 million illegal aliens, and about 4.2 million citizen children of illegal aliens" at the federal, state and local levels, with "a tax burden of approximately $8,075 per illegal alien family member and a total of $115,894,597,664." The $116 million figure included services such as health care and education, as well as spending on agencies including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, minus the $19 billon the group concluded those who are living in the country illegally pay in taxes. But it also included costs associated with the children of those immigrants in its tally, even when they are U.S. citizens. The estimate was criticized for making broad generalizations and other major methodological flaws. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Cal Woodward in Washington and Philip Issa in Baghdad contributed to this report. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during the 2018 POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington. A U.S. administration official says Mattis will leave his post Jan. 1, 2019, as President Donald Trump is expected to name deputy defense chief Patrick Shanahan as acting secretary. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) FILE - In this June 7, 2017 file photo, Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy for the global coalition against IS, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq. McGurk has resigned in protest to President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, joining Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in an administration exodus of experienced national security officials. AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) President Donald Trump makes a statement on the possible government shutdown before signing criminal just reform legislation in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) - The stranger-than-sitcom American presidency opened 2018 with a big tease about mutual nuclear destruction from two leaders who then found "love" not war. It seems President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un were just playing hard to get. The presidency ends the year saturated in tumult, with the government in partial shutdown and Trump tweeting a video of himself warbling a parody of the theme song from "Green Acres," a television sitcom from the 1960s, to mark his signing of a farm bill. Throw in a beer-loving and very angry Supreme Court nominee, an unhappy departing defense secretary, Trump's parallel universe of facts and his zillion tweets, and you can see that the president's world this year was touched by the weird, the traumatic and the fantastical - also known as WTF. There was no holding back the self-described "very stable genius" with the "very, very large brain." Some serious and relatively conventional things got done in 2018. There was a midterm election. Many more Democrats are coming to Congress and not quite all of them plan to run for president. Divided government dawns in January when Democrats take control of the House; Republicans retain their grip on the Senate. FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at the Landers Center Arena in Southaven, Miss. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) An overhaul of the criminal justice system was accomplished, and in an unusually bipartisan way, though it took a dash of reality TV's Kim Kardashian West to move it along. Gun control actually was tightened a bit, with Trump's unilateral banning of bump stocks. Trump shocked allies and lost Defense Secretary Jim Mattis over a presidential decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, quickly following up with indications that up to half the troops in Afghanistan might be withdrawn, too. Self-described "Tariff Man" started one trade war, with China, and headed off a second by tweaking the North American Free Trade Agreement and giving it an unpronounceable acronym, USMCA. He withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, putting action behind his Twitter shout: "WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH." Trump placed his second justice on the Supreme Court in two years after Brett Kavanaugh, accused of alcohol-fueled sexual assault in his youth, raged against the allegations at a congressional hearing and acknowledged only: "I liked beer, I still like beer," but "I never sexually assaulted anyone." There were frustrations and fulminations aplenty for the president, particularly about the steaming-ahead Russia-Trump campaign investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller ("special councel" in some Trump tweets). Nor did he make much progress on his promised border wall ("boarder wall"), which he renamed "artistically designed steel slats" in December in what he regarded as a concession to wall-despising, concrete-cursing Democrats. The concession did not work: large parts of the government closed Saturday over the wall-induced budget impasse. He took heat for a zero-tolerance policy that forced migrant children from their parents until he backed off, inaccurately blaming Democrats for "Child Seperation." It was a very good year for jobs. It was a check-your-smartphone-right-now, pass-the-smelling-salts year for the stock market. Trump, who assailed the unemployment rate as a phony measure when he was a candidate, couldn't speak of it enough as Obama-era job growth continued on his watch. He went mum about the market, a prime subject for his boasting before it took a sustained dive. Trump's approval rating in polls was one of the few constants on this swiftly tilting planet: 42 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval in The Associated Press-NORC's latest and 38 percent-57 percent via Gallup, neither much different than in January. Through it all, the mainstreaming of the bizarre proceeded apace and North Korea's Kim set that tone right on Jan. 1 with his New Year cheer to Americans across the ocean: "It's not a mere threat but a reality that I have a nuclear button on the desk in my office. All of the mainland United States is within the range of our nuclear strike." Trump responded the next day with a tweet about size and performance. "I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Once they got that out of their system, things quickly improved, helped along by Kim's letters to Trump, which the U.S. president called "beautiful." There was no more talk about Trump being a "mentally deranged dotard" or Kim being a "maniac," the musty insults of an earlier time. In June, they held history's first meeting between a North Korean leader and a current U.S. president. "We fell in love," Trump later said at a West Virginia rally. Kim had previously vowed to visit "fire and fury" on the U.S. but the "Fire and Fury" that made Trump livid early this year was the book of the same name, Michael Wolff's insider account of the Trump White House. That was a different sort of missile. The president took particular exception to observations in the book by his former chief strategist, tweeting about "Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad!" They are said to be on better terms now. Over the course of the year, Trump spoke at more than 40 campaign rallies, kept up his Twitter barrage (40,000 tweets since 2009 on his @realDonaldTrump account) and answered plenty of questions in infrequent but lengthy news conferences and sit-down interviews. So what stands out in this blizzardy whiteout of unconventionality? How about this farewell to his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson? "He was dumb as a rock and I couldn't get rid of him fast enough. He was lazy as hell." (The president usually reserves "dumb as a rock" for journalists.) Or his description of Stormy Daniels, paid to stay quiet about their alleged affair, as "horseface?" Or this description of his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, as "scared stiff and Missing in Action," before Sessions was finally out in November? Will history long remember that in 2018 the president called Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff "little Adam Schitt" on Twitter and nations in Africa "shithole countries" in a private meeting? Or that he (correctly) predicted Hurricane Florence would be "tremendously wet" or told the AP: "I have a natural instinct for science?" In July, Trump appeared to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin when he stood by Putin's side at a Helsinki summit news conference and gave weight to Putin's denial that Russia meddled in the 2016 election, despite the firm conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that it had. "I don't see any reason why it would be" Russia, Trump said. But while it's been hardly noticed in a capital consumed by the shutdown drama, Mattis, Syria, steel slats and market convulsions, 2018 draws to a close as it started - with warnings of a nuclear Armageddon, this time from Putin. Putin's prompt was Trump's intention to walk away from one arms control treaty and his reluctance to extend another. That, said Putin, "could lead to the destruction of civilization as a whole and maybe even our planet." Maybe he's just playing hard to get. ___ AP polling director Emily Swanson, and AP writers Darlene Superville, Zeke Miller, Catherine Lucey, Jill Colvin, Jonathan Lemire and Nancy Benac contributed to this report. FILE - In this June 12, 2018, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) FILE - In this July 13, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II inspect a Guard of Honour, formed of the Coldstream Guards at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Friday, July 13, 2018.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool) FILE - In this April 24, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, pose for photographs as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, right, walk past Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, as they gather for the group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, center, listens as retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, right, ceremonially swears-in Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, left, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Kavanaugh's wife Ashley watches, second from right with daughters Margaret, left, and Liza. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Belgrade, Mont. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) FILE - In this June 20, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, right, listens as Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, left, addresses members of the media before Trump signs an executive order to end family separations at the border, during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump holds notes during a listening session with high school students and teachers in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump gestures as he walks to Marine One after speaking to media at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE - In this March 23, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE -In this Dec. 3, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump salutes alongside first lady Melania Trump in front of the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - Last year, during one particularly frenetic stretch in Donald Trump's presidency, a top Republican senator said there were three men guarding the country from chaos: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, White House chief of staff John Kelly and then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Within weeks, not one will be left in the administration. Mattis' abrupt resignation Thursday marks the end of the "contain and control" phase of Trump's administration - one where generals, business leaders and establishment Republicans struggled to guide the president and curb his most disruptive impulses. They were branded in Washington as the "troika of sanity," the "axis of adults" and the "committee to save America." But as Trump careens toward his third year in office, their efforts are in tatters and most are out of a job. The early consequences of the new era were already apparent at year's end, with Trump not stopping a partial government shutdown despite the advice of GOP leaders and ordering the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria over Mattis' objections. A similar pull-back in Afghanistan appeared to be in the works. The financial markets, spooked by uncertainty from a nearly yearlong trade war, tanked. "We are headed toward a series of grave policy errors which will endanger our nation, damage our alliances & empower our adversaries," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tweeted after Mattis' resignation. As Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perude watches, President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony for H.R. 2, the "Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018," in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on the White House complex, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) The shrinking circle around Trump is now increasingly dominated by a small cadre of longtime Trump loyalists and family members, ex-Fox News talent and former GOP lawmakers who were backbenchers on Capitol Hill before being elevated by the president. Attracting top flight talent will only get more difficult as more investigations envelop the White House once Democrats take over the House in January. To some of Trump's most ardent supporters, the exodus leaves the president with a team that is more in line with his hardline campaign promises. They viewed some of his early advisers as obstacles to enacting the unabashed nationalist agenda they believe Trump had been elected to implement. Mattis said in his resignation letter that Trump deserved a Pentagon chief "whose views are better aligned with yours." It was not readily apparent who that might be, as Trump's decision in Syria drew widespread bipartisan condemnation this week. Soon after Trump entered the White House, aides seeking to restrain the brash and inexperienced president's foreign policy decisions recognized that those best adept at advising him were or had recently been in uniform. Trump, who never served himself but attended a military academy as a youth, granted them outsized respect. Mattis was one of three generals who filled the top ranks of Trump's staff, along with Kelly and H.R. McMaster, who spent a year as national security adviser. Mattis' appointment required a congressional waiver to laws meant to preserve the civilian nature of the Department of Defense. Mattis and outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joseph Dunford became almost weekly dinner guests of the president early in his administration, particularly before first lady Melania Trump moved to Washington late last spring. The seemingly informal briefings for the president were in fact carefully orchestrated persuasion sessions designed to ease the president into abandoning some of his disruptive campaign rhetoric and accepting the advice of his senior national security advisers. But Mattis' departure highlights how those early efforts delayed Trump's disruption, rather than averted it. On issues from trade to defense, Trump aides have tried eye-popping tactics to wait out the president - Gary Cohn, the former chair of the National Economic Council, went so far as to remove documents related to a tariff action from the Resolute Desk in hopes of convincing the president to adjust course - but their exertions proved fleeting. Mattis' decision to resign followed a clash with the president over withdrawing troops from Syria, where a small military force has been fighting Islamic State extremists. The president is also said to be seeking to draw down American forces in Afghanistan, another move with which the Pentagon disagrees. Trump's split with Mattis followed a pattern of public breakdowns with advisers who served as guardrails in the administration. Trump initially hailed Tillerson, the ExxonMobil chief executive, as out of "central casting" when he was tapped as secretary of state, before being unceremoniously discarded by the president earlier this year. Earlier this month, Tillerson described Trump as "pretty undisciplined, doesn't like to read, doesn't read briefing reports, doesn't like to get into the details of a lot of things, but rather just kind of says, 'This is what I believe.'" Kelly suffered a similar fate. Hired to bring order to the Oval Office, the retired Marine ultimately found he, too, could not control Trump, who subjected Kelly to a series of public humiliations. Kelly is slated to leave in two weeks. Trump treated Mattis with respect in announcing his departure via tweet, though he cast the move as a retirement rather than a resignation. It was Mattis who made clear in his letter that he was leaving over a dispute with the president. Still, he said he would remain on through February to allow Trump time to nominate and confirm a successor, expressing concern about high-level turnover at the Pentagon at a critical juncture. Mattis, the last of the committee to save America, was trying to mitigate the damage one last time. But on Sunday, Trump pushed out Mattis sooner than planned. In a tweet, Trump said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will take over as acting secretary on Jan. 1. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE - Julie Pace has covered the White House and politics for the AP since 2007. Follow her at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC Zeke Miller has covered the White House for the AP since 2017. Follow him at http://twitter.com/zekejmiller Part of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation letter to President Donald Trump is photographed in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. Mattis is stepping down from his post, Trump announced, after the retired Marine general clashed with the president over a troop drawdown in Syria and Trump's go-it-alone stance in world affairs. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) With just over 100 days to go until the UK is due to quit the European Union, the Government is stepping up planning for a no-deal Brexit. Theresa May and the vast majority of MPs from all sides of politics have attempted to downplay the risk of this occurring after March 29, saying there is no consensus to drop out without an agreed Withdrawal Agreement. But Westminster is suffering from political paralysis and the Prime ministers Withdrawal Agreement seems likely to be voted down again when MPs vote in mid-January unless there are changes/concessions from Brussels. Prime Minister Theresa May (Dominic Lipinski/PA) What is no-deal Brexit? On March 29 the UK would quit the EU without a withdrawal agreement with the European Union covering issues including the Irish border, expats rights in Europe or a future trade deal, among other things. What will happen if Britain leaves the EU without a deal? Either a cataclysm of Biblical proportions or a minor hiccup on the path to self-determination, depending on your point of view. Who is concerned? Farmers are among those who have warned about a no-deal Brexit blocking access to export markets (Dan Law/PA) Various industries from pharmaceuticals to farming, haulage to aircraft production have warned that dropping out would be catastrophic for business and jobs. There have also been warnings about consumer protection, food supply and safety, and availability of medicines. Hang on, medicines? Many drugs like insulin that are vital to Britons health are manufactured partly or entirely abroad, including in the EU. There have been warnings timely imports of perishable substances could be hindered by increased customs checks at British borders. Ministers are drawing up plans to fly in vital drugs and give priority to lorries carrying medical supplies at gridlocked ports. Pharmaceutical firms have been told to stock six weeks supply of some imported medicines over fears they may be held up at the border (Julien Behal/PA) What does the Government say? Theresa May has used the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, and the damage it could cause, as a carrot/stick to convince sceptical MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement in a vote. This follows more than 100 technical papers on no-deal planning released by departments in the summer. Has it worked? Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement has proven hugely unpopular (David Hughes/PA) Not so far. The Government was forced to pull a vote planned for December 11 in the face of almost certain defeat. It has been rescheduled for mid-January, with critics suggesting that Downing Street hopes that MPs might see the March leaving date approaching fast and cave in. What has to happen to get us to that stage? Not necessarily very much at all. If Theresa Mays hugely unpopular Withdrawal Agreement is voted down by MPs in January, and no consensus alternative can be reached in the bitterly divided Commons on an alternative, no-deal would effectively become the default. Can the effects be mitigated? Some MPs, reportedly including Cabinet ministers, have suggested a managed no-deal Brexit, in which there is a two-year transition period after March 29 as with the Withdrawal Agreement which would give us more time to be ready to counter the negative impacts. The Bank of England has pained a grim picture of the possible effects of a no-deal Brexit (Kirsty OConnor/PA) But not everyone thinks it would be disastrous? No. Some Brexiteers argue that many of the warnings are overblown and part of Project Fear to either stop Brexit altogether or keep the UK in a closer relationship with the EU than they would like. Others simply think they are wrong and the UK could drop out of the EU and do global business on World Trade Organisation terms quite happily. What do economists say? Separate assessments from Whitehall and the Bank of England in November painted a grim picture of the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the UK economy. The Bank warned Britain could be tipped into a recession worse than the financial crash, with an 8% cut in GDP, unemployment surging by as much as 7.5% and house prices falling by almost one-third. Meanwhile, a cross-Government analysis found the UK economy would be 9.3% smaller after 15 years if Britain leaves without a deal. A European fisheries deal has been described as less than what was hoped for Scottish vessels. The annual industry negotiations concluded in Brussels with an agreement which protects the west of the country from overfishing, to ensure a sustainable future. It also gives room for an urgent review of the discard ban as well as securing year-long fishing opportunities for Scottish vessels. Industry bodies claimed the deal was challenging but acceptable and highlighted the need to leave the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). These were the final negotiations before the UK is set to leave the EU. Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers Association, said: The dynamics of negotiations this year were always going to be complicated given full introduction of the landings obligation and the fact that this is our last fisheries council as a fully-fledged member state. The outcome is less than what we hoped but as much as was possible under the circumstances. Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermens Federation, said: The talks have been difficult, as they always are, with the additional element this year of politics related to Brexit. For the Scottish industry, the central issue has been the inclusion of measures to limit the risk of chokes by swapping between member states. The Scottish delegation worked long and hard, along with their UK colleagues, to give the best chance of avoiding fleet shutdown during 2019. Industry bosses want to leave the Common Fisheries Policy (Steve Parsons/PA) He added: In the end, it is clear that our best interests can only be put first when we have left the CFP and are able to decide who catches what, where and when in UK waters. December Council is the culmination of all the year-end negotiations where fishing policies are finalised. The actual stocks under negotiation included monkfish, west coast saithe, west coast whiting, skates and rays, west coast haddock, plaice, sole and Norway lobster. Each member state, and then Scotland as part of the UK, is allocated quotas for each stock. This caps the amount the industry is able to fish for each stock. The quotas look to balance scientific advice and the need for sustainable fishing, with economic interests. Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said: This years negotiations in Brussels have been undertaken against an extraordinary political backdrop, adding to the already significant challenge of securing a good deal for Scottish fishing. Im sure that many within our fishing industry will share my disappointment at some of the outcomes agreed, but recognise that the Scottish Government made the best of a bad situation. Executive officer of the Shetland Fishermens Association Simon Collins added: Over the years, the CFP has degenerated from a simple failure to a shambles. It is now imposing severe and often highly questionable cuts in key quotas right at the point when an already challenging discard ban comes into full force. Despite the abundance of local fish stocks, Shetlands fishermen and fishing communities are to be punished by distant bureaucrats who are utterly obsessed with unworkable rules. The Scottish fisheries minister and his team have been a strong voice for our industry throughout these talks, but the CFP ensures that the European Commission can mismanage fisheries at will and other countries can gang up to harvest more of the natural resources around our shores than we can. This has to end. UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice welcomed quota increases for megrim and hake and progress towards achieving sustainable fisheries in a particularly challenging year of negotiations. He added: These negotiations were the culmination of months of Government-led work with the devolved administrations, industry and environmental NGOs, to secure the best possible deal for the whole of the UK fishing industry. We entered into discussions knowing that a good deal needed to carefully balance progress towards sustainability targets, while ensuring that we listen to the scientific evidence on the health of fish stocks and safeguard a profitable future for our hard-working fleet. MPs who want to block a no-deal Brexit will have to either vote for Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement or a replacement to do it, Andrea Leadsom has warned. The Brexiteer Commons Leader warned politicians lining up to block efforts to take the UK out of the EU in March without an alternative no-deal was the legal default position. Her comments in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph came after she spoke in support of a managed no-deal as a possible alternative to the PMs Withdrawal Agreement should it fail to pass the Commons in Januarys planned vote. In a sign of the widening splits in Tory thinking over no-deal, former chancellor George Osborne earlier warned that a no-deal Brexit could see the party stuck in opposition unless it abandoned the reckless decision of hard Brexiteers. Three Tory MPs Nick Boles, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston have warned they would resign the whip if a no-deal Brexit ever became official Government policy, and Justice Secretary David Gauke has suggested he would quit the Government. Mrs Leadsom, who publicly supports Theresa Mays Brexit deal, told the Sunday Telegraph: Parliament can always of course express a view, but in order to avoid a no-deal Brexit, Parliament does need to vote for a deal. She added: The legal default position is that if there isnt a deal then the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal. Writing in the same paper, Mr Boles spoke of how he left a hospital bed to vote for the triggering of Article 50. He said: I refuse to be bullied into accepting that crashing out of the EU with no deal would be an acceptable course for any British government to pursue. Nor am I willing to swallow pie in the sky about how no-deal Brexit might be managed or mitigated, especially when it is peddled by people who spent most or all of the last two-and-a-half years in Cabinet failing to make any preparations for this eventuality. Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement is due to be voted on by MPs in January. But few expect it to be approved by a heavily divided Commons, and Tory MPs including Cabinet ministers appear to have begun to polarise between those who might support a no-deal Brexit and those who would actively battle against it. However, Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, who supports the Best for Britain group backing a second referendum, insisted that MPs do have the power to stop a no-deal Brexit. She said: Is this really where the Brexiters have ended up? The merchants of take back control have pivoted to you cant stop us from crashing the car. This is a barking dog that will never bite. The reality is that Parliament can, and will, stop a no-deal Brexit. No politician worth their salt would allow such chaos and unnecessary harm. George Osborne warned that a no-deal Brexit could lead to years in opposition for the Tories (Matt Cardy/PA) Earlier, Mr Osborne had launched a scathing attack on the Tories, warning that the party will not remain in power unless it engages more with modern Britain and changes direction on Brexit. The politician-turned editor of the Evening Standard, who has been a vocal critic of Theresa May who sacked him from the Cabinet in 2016 also attacked the Prime Ministers handling of negotiations. He accused her of following a Brexit means Brexit ideology because she backed Remain at the 2016 referendum, albeit sotto voce, and therefore had to prove her Brexit credentials. He told BBC Radio 4s Today: That was essentially a massive mistake by the Conservative administration, which it was punished for at the general election because the Conservative Party decided to embrace the Brexit result in such a way as to essentially dismiss the views of those who voted Remain, treat them as saboteurs or traitors, and run against urban Britain. Mr Osborne, who said he had warned then-PM David Cameron against holding the referendum in the first place, also attacked the reckless decision of hard Brexiteers to pursue a no-deal Brexit, saying: I dont think the country voted to mobilise the Army, stockpile medicine, hoard food and go around the world buying every fridge available. That is not what was offered and that is now what is happening. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has taken a stance so completely at odds with the will of members by saying the party would continue with Brexit should they win a snap election, a critic has said. The opposition leader used an interview with the Guardian to also say that he would recommend the party advocate Brexit if there was a second referendum as he hit out at EU laws on state aid which he said blocked investment. Labour passed a motion at its party conference in Liverpool in September that it would seek a general election as its first choice, but left open the option of supporting a second referendum. Michael Chessum, who worked on Jeremy Corbyns successful 2016 leadership campaign and served on Momentums first steering committee, was among those expressing dissent at his support for Brexit. He told the Observer: Jeremy has fought for decades for the right of members to decide policy, and that is why many of us fought for him so hard. It is beyond me why he would now seemingly take a stance so completely at odds with both the will of members and the mandate of party conference. The Labour leaders fellow MPs have been critical of his position on leaving he EU (PA) If a left leadership is seen to thwart the will of members, this will do the left profound damage in the long run in Labours internal politics. If there's one thing the left can claim ownership of in Labour, it's fighting for internal democracy. If Jeremy Corbyn is now going to steamroller his members on Brexit, that will do us - the left - huge damage in the medium term in Labour's internal politics. Michael Chessum (@michael_chessum) December 22, 2018 Mr Corbyns fellow MPs were also critical of the stance which the Islington North MP revealed in a Guardian article, with former shadow business minister Chuka Umunna saying the interview was deeply depressing and disappointing. Writing on Facebook he said: Brexit is essentially a project of the hard right of British politics who want to turn Britain into a lightly regulated, offshore tax haven for the super rich, devoid of proper protections for workers, and one which seeks to dump the blame for the UKs problems on immigrants. Labour should stop pretending there is a good Brexit deal and we should certainly not be sponsoring this project because Brexit is the problem it solves nothing. Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn told the Sunday Mirror he did not foresee support for a second referendum in Parliament. When asked how he would vote in one, he told the paper: It would depend what the question was but were quite far from that anyway and Im not sure theres the support for it in Parliament. The issue is protecting jobs, manufacturing and the rights and conditions weve got not making us the bargain basement of Europe. He also said he will make sure Theresa Mays Brexit blueprint is defeated in the Commons when it returns in January. Im determined to hold this government to account, vote the deal down and reopen those negotiations, he said. Troy Deeney made no apologies for his provocative celebration in front of the West Ham fans during Watfords 2-0 win at the London Stadium. Hornets skipper Deeney gave his side the lead when he slammed home a first-half penalty before charging towards the corner of the pitch. The 30-year-old attempted a knee slide before punching the corner flag out of the ground and goading the home supporters, one of whom threw a paper cup in his direction. Afterwards, Deeney explained: Other than the knee slide, where I nearly broke my knee, but people have an opinion on me and my family and thats the only way I can shut them up. I get in trouble sometimes but this one Im all right. Gerard Deulofeu added the second three minutes from full time to lift the Hornets to seventh in the Premier League. Troy Deeney celebrated wildly after giving Watford the lead (Chris Radburn/PA) It was a tough game, Deeney told Watfords official website. We were more clinical, more ruthless and it resulted in a great away performance. Games like this are nice to win but its nothing too serious. Weve got Chelsea in a couple of days. Everyones going to enjoy Christmas with their families and then well go again. Defeat brought an abrupt end to West Hams four-match winning run, although they can count themselves unlucky to not get at least a point. Michail Antonio hit the woodwork twice, Javier Hernandez missed a gilt-edged chance and Robert Snodgrass was denied by a stunning save from Ben Foster. Its just bitterly disappointing because we have created chances, weve hit the bar, weve hit the post and their keeper has pulled off unbelievable saves, so its one of those games, said Snodgrass. We need to take our chances at this level if we want to have any chance of being in that top-six position, which was achievable when you look at the results weve had over the last few weeks and if wed made it five in five. Its back to the drawing board and weve got to come back from what is obviously a bad result. A man has been charged by police in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found at a house. The 33-year-old woman was found dead by officers who were called to Sillerknowe Court in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, just after midnight on Saturday. Police Scotland later confirmed a 31-year-old man arrested following the incident has been charged over the death. He is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal. Four men have been charged with affray following an incident on board a cargo ship in the Thames Estuary. Samuel Jolumi, 26, Ishola Sunday, 27, Toheeb Popoola, 26, and Joberto McGee, 20, all of no fixed address, were detained after police boarded the ship on Friday amid reports of stowaways threatening crew. The men are all due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Monday. Essex Police was called at around 9.15am on Friday to a call relating to the safety of the crew on board the Grande Tema, a 71,000-tonne ship which set off from Lagos, Nigeria, on December 10. It arrived at the Port of Tilbury in Essex just after 4.20am on Saturday, according to MarineTraffic.com. The ships operator, Grimaldi Lines, said there were no reports of injuries. Bomb disposal robots with technology that allows human operators to feel their way through disarming explosive devices have been delivered to the British Army, the Ministry of Defence said. Four Harris T7 unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) costing almost 1 million each have been delivered to explosive ordnance units, the first of 56 due to begin service by 2020. The robots use state-of-the art advanced haptic feedback, in which vibration is used to guide an operators hand movements as they work to defuse a device from a safe distance. Haptic technology, also known as haptics, is what creates the vibration sensitivity found in some modern computer game controllers. It is also being investigated for use in complex medical surgery. The MoD said the system was designed to provide operators with human-like dexterity while they operate the robots arm using the remote-control handgrip giving them physical feedback, allowing intuitive detailed control. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: These robots will go on to be an essential piece of kit, preventing harm to innocent civilians and the brave operators who make explosives safe. The robots will provide the Army with the latest bomb-disposal technology and will prove to be trusted companions both on UK streets and in deadly conflict zones. The T7 also comes with equipment including HD cameras and all-terrain tank-style tracks. The T7 robot being put through its paces (MoD/PA) It underwent eight weeks of trials in the UK and United States. The 56 robots were bought in a 55 million programme called Project Starter. The T7 robots will replace the Armys Wheelbarrow Mk8B remote controlled robots, which have been in operation since 1972 and will be phased out from 2020. An investigation has been launched after a man died in police custody. The alarm was raised when the 24-year-old became unwell at Clydebank police station at around 3.30am on Sunday. Emergency services attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination will take place to establish the exact cause of death, which officers are treating as unexplained. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: As is normal procedure in these circumstances, the incident will be reported to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. Detectives hunting the Gatwick Airport drone operator have found a damaged device on the airfield, police have confirmed. It comes as the prime suspects in the probe a man and a woman from nearby Crawley were released without charge by Sussex Police, 36 hours after being held on suspicion of disrupting services of civil aviation aerodrome to endanger or likely to endanger safety of operations or persons. The pair, aged 47 and 54 respectively, made no comment as they darted inside their home. Police outside the home in Crawley, West Sussex, of a 47-year-old man and 54-year-old woman who were released without charge in connection with the drone incidents at Gatwick Airport (Gareth Fuller/PA) Police will now turn their attentions to the damaged drone found within the airport perimeter. Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said: Yesterday morning we discovered a damaged drone close to the perimeter of Gatwick Airport and that is of course a significant line of enquiry. We are not back to square one. Whilst these two people have been in custody, we have a number of lines of enquiry and persons of interest, he said. We are still progressing those lines of enquiry, including house-to-house enquiries around the sightings of the drone. He said the force had received more than 67 calls from members of the public, airport staff and police officers stationed at the airport and detectives were working to determine whether they were confirmed. Mr Tingley assured members of the public that the specialist measures, including those provided by the military, would remain in place until it was deemed appropriate for efforts to be scaled back. Im confident we will get more information we will respond to, then we will progress an enquiry in order to identify the perpetrator, he said. Around 1,000 flights were cancelled or diverted after drones were spotted inside the perimeter of the UKs second biggest airport on Wednesday and approximately 140,000 passengers were affected. It comes as the airport offered a 50,000 reward through Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the chaos. This is in addition to the 10,000 currently offered by Lord Ashcroft, chairman of the charity. Passengers stranded at Gatwick (Isabel Infantes/PA) Crimestoppers chief executive Mark Hallas said: We are happy to support Gatwick Airport Limited on this reward to catch whoever has been ruining the travel plans of so many people this holiday season. Giving information through Crimestoppers, whether by phone or online, will always be 100% anonymous were interested in what you know, not your name. Police searched the house in Crawley on Saturday as the pair were arrested. But on Sunday, Mr Tingley said: Both people have fully co-operated with our enquiries and I am satisfied that they are no longer suspects in the drone incidents at Gatwick. It is important to remember that when people are arrested in an effort to make further enquiries it does not mean that they are guilty of an offence and Sussex Police would not seek to make their identity public. Counter-drone equipment on a rooftop at Gatwick (John Stillwell/PA) Our inquiry continues at a pace to locate those responsible for the drone incursions, and we continue to actively follow lines of investigation. We ask for the publics continued support by reporting anything suspicious, contacting us with any information in relation to the drone incidents at Gatwick. Meanwhile, Labour has called for an independent inquiry after accusing the Government of failing to act on the risks posed by drones at Gatwick. Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald claimed there were missed opportunities to prevent the airport from coming under such an attack. But a Department for Transport spokesman dismissed the claims as a combination of nonsense and gross misrepresentation. Michael Sheen has contributed towards security costs to protect a new Banksy artwork in his hometown in Wales. The Hollywood actor has also given access to legal advice to those in need in Port Talbot, where thousands are said to have flocked to see the mural by the elusive artist on a garage in the area. A spokeswoman for the Frost/Nixon star, who grew up in Baglan, the adjoining village to Port Talbot, confirmed his contribution, which included a donation to a protective plastic screen covering the artwork. The screen was fitted for free by a local businessman. Artwork by Banksy appeared on a garage wall in Taibach, Port Talbot (Ben Birchall/PA) Ian Lewis, a steelworker at Port Talbots Steel plant who owns the garage used by Banksy as a canvas for the artwork, said earlier this week he has not slept properly since the piece which shows a child playing in the falling ash and smoke from a fire appeared on his hand-built building. On Thursday he said he was paying out of his own pocket for a security team to guard the Banksy work after admitting he was struggling with the attention it has been receiving. Mr Lewis, 55, said: It started off as fun, but now its gone to stress. Its down to not sleeping, but now Ive got the security there its taken that weight off me. They will stay there indefinitely now I think. The quiet alley housing the graffiti mural in Taibach, Port Talbot, has been filling with art fans since the famous artists mural appeared on Tuesday morning, leading to concerns about the sudden increase in traffic for residents. On Friday, Neath Port Talbot Council announced it was going to place two members of staff at the site to help manage the large number of vehicles which are parking and filling the side street. A council spokesman said: This will be a temporary measure over the Christmas and New Year holiday period because we believe, due to worldwide publicity, this area of Port Talbot is going to attract a large number of visitors. We understand the excitement but we want to remind visitors this is a residential area and would ask that people coming to photograph or view the Banksy to do their best not disturb those living nearby. We would also ask that motorists do not park in the narrow lane where the artwork is located but find a safe and appropriate place to park elsewhere and then walk. Banksy claimed responsibility for the new artwork on his website and Instagram account on Wednesday. The work is Banksys first in Wales and is believed to be a comment on the towns industrial heritage and pollution linked to its famous steel plant. Detectives hunting the Gatwick Airport drone operator insist they are not back to square one, despite dismissing the two prime suspects initially held over the investigation from their inquiries. Sussex Police said there were some persons of interest particularly following the discovery of a damaged drone near the airports perimeter fence following the decision to release a man and a woman from nearby Crawley without charge. The pair, aged 47 and 54 respectively, made no comment as they darted inside their home on Sunday morning, having been arrested on Friday evening following a tip-off from a member of the public. Police outside the home in Crawley, West Sussex, of a 47-year-old man and 54-year-old woman who were released without charge in connection with the drone incidents at Gatwick Airport (Gareth Fuller/PA) Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said: We are not back to square one. Whilst these two people have been in custody, we have a number of lines of inquiry and persons of interest. Asked about speculation there was never a drone, he said: Of course, thats a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have seen something. Until weve got more clarity around what theyve said, the detail the time, place, direction of travel, all those types of things and thats a big task. But he said one of the working theories was that the damaged drone found close to the airport in Horley was responsible for causing the disruption. He said: Always look at it with an open mind, but actually its very basic common sense that a damaged drone, which may have not been there at a particular point in time has now been seen by an occupier, a member of the public, and then theyve told us, Weve found this. Then we go and forensically recover it and do everything we can at that location to try and get a bit more information. Around 1,000 flights were cancelled or diverted after drones were spotted inside the perimeter of the UKs second biggest airport on Wednesday and approximately 140,000 passengers were affected. Passengers stranded at Gatwick (Isabel Infantes/PA) Mr Tingley said police were running a three-pronged investigation including working through information relating to persons of interest, investigating more than 67 drone sightings and forensically examining the damaged drone. But he explained the examination could be hampered by the wet weather on Friday and Saturday, which could have washed away evidence. And he could not rule out the risk the culprits would strike again at Gatwick or another airport. Counter-drone equipment on a rooftop at Gatwick (John Stillwell/PA) But Mr Tingley said he hoped the reward money 50,000 from Crimestoppers and an additional 10,000 from the charitys chairman Lord Ashcroft would persuade someone to come forward with the vital clue. Someone, somewhere knows either the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for this, or has information relating to these incidents, he said. But secondly, our tactical response, should there be any more drone sightings, is still in place. Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 25-year-old man was stabbed to death in north London. The victim was found with knife injuries when police were called to Albert Place in Tottenham at about 1.20am on Saturday. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead just before 2.15am. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police said. Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder following fatal stabbing of man in #Tottenham - Detectives continue their appeal for information https://t.co/Q8RRdreVir pic.twitter.com/tpP9LWpAZ4 Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) December 23, 2018 Detective Chief Inspector Glen Lloyd said: Whilst we have made good progress with two arrests, I still need to hear from anyone who has information that could assist with my investigation. At the heart of this, we have an innocent young man who has been brutally murdered just days before Christmas. Two boys have been arrested (Joe Giddens/PA) If you are reluctant to speak with police directly, please share what you know with Crimestoppers anonymously. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. US defence secretary Jim Mattis will now leave his post on January 1, with deputy Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan taking over as acting secretary to cover the accelerated departure. The move comes just three days after Mr Mattis resigned in protest over President Donald Trumps decision to pull all US troops out of Syria and delivered a blistering letter to the president that roiled Washington and reportedly angered the White House. Mr Mattis originally said he would stay through February to ensure an orderly transition but officials said the fallout of his decision to leave including the shock and dismay expressed on Capitol Hill annoyed Mr Trump and likely led to Mr Mattis leaving earlier than planned. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Buccino, a spokesman for Mr Shanahan, said the former Boeing executive will accept the appointment as acting secretary. (The) deputy secretary will continue to serve as directed by the president, and the Department of Defence will remain focused on the defence of the nation, Mr Buccino said on Sunday. Jim Mattis will leave his post on January 1 (Susan Walsh/AP) While Mr Mattiss resignation followed Mr Trumps announcement he would soon pull all of the approximately 2,000 US troops out of Syria, officials said the resignation was the result of an accumulation of disagreements. In a stunning resignation letter, Mr Mattis made clear he did not see eye-to-eye with a president who has expressed disdain for Nato and doubts about keeping troops in Asia. Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trumps acting chief of staff said the president had known for quite some time now that he and Mr Mattis did not share some of the same philosophies have the same world view. Mick Mulvaney told ABCs This Week the president and his defence chief just could never get on the same page on Syria, adding Mr Trump had said since his presidential campaign that he wanted to get out of Syria. Mr Mulvaney said the president is entitled to have a secretary of defence who is committed to that same end. Asked whether Mr Trump wanted a Pentagon leader willing to challenge him or someone in lock step with his views, Mr Mulvaney said a little bit of both. Ive encouraged him to find people who have some overlap with him but dont see the world in lockstep with him, Mr Mulvaney said. Meanwhile, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell joined leading Republicans on foreign affairs in urging Mr Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw American forces from Syria. Mr Mulvaney, asked on ABC whether there was any chance the president might change his mind on Syria decision, said: No. I think the president has told people from the very beginning that he doesnt want us to stay in Syria forever. Youre seeing the end result now of two years worth of work. But keep in mind its not unusual for a president to lose members of the Cabinet over these types of disagreements. Railway food supplies workers in Edinburgh are to go on strike on Christmas Eve amid allegations of bullying by management. The move by Rail Gourmet staff, who work on the LNER line, has followed a breakdown in talks. Union RMT said the dispute was centred on claims of bullying and harassment of workers, abuse of the disciplinary procedures as well as non-payment of additional duties. Rail Gourmet staff provide supplies and logistics for getting food on board the service. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: The fact that low paid rail workers are being forced to strike on Christmas Eve for basic dignity and respect in the workplace is a scandal and Rail Gourmet should be hanging their heads in shame. This is a fight for workplace justice involving a crucial group of staff servicing the catering functions on LNER trains and they deserve to be treated fairly just like any other group of transport workers. Rail Gourmet workers provide supplies and logistics for getting food on board carriages (Jane Barlow/PA) RMT will not stand back while bullying, abuse of procedures and non-payment for additional duties is rife. Our members have voted overwhelmingly for action in an earlier ballot and have shown rock solid support for this fight and it is now down to Rail Gourmet to take this dispute seriously and start talking about a settlement that puts fair treatment in the workplace at the top of the agenda. It is clear that the only way we can get management to address these issues immediately is by taking further strike action. It is the third day of industrial action in the ongoing dispute. Members based at the Edinburgh depot have been told not to book on for any shifts that start on Monday. A Rail Gourmet spokesman said: Although a small number of employees in Edinburgh are taking strike action, we do not expect this to disrupt our operations. If any of our customers are inconvenienced by these events, we would like to apologise and reassure them we are in active discussions with the RMT to try to resolve this as quickly as possible. From earning a six-figure salary as a film special effects director to being homeless and close to death from alcohol abuse, Bill Scanlon experienced a dramatic fall. But he is now back on his feet and as a homelessness ambassador he believes prevention is key, suggesting utility companies could help by spotting the behaviour patterns of people at risk. There are obvious patterns of behaviour that can spot the people who are in trouble, Mr Scanlon said on Sunday. Patterns and behaviours of people living at what I call a granular level. Id like to see some movement on that from a national level. Mr Scanlon, from west London, was speaking at the launch of a temporary Christmas homeless shelter by charity Crisis at a school in Chalk Farm, where pop star Ellie Goulding also volunteered. Bill Scanlon had earned a six-figure salary in the film industry before his dramatic fall into homelessness (PA) Offering food, bedding, dental care and advice, the shelter is one of 15 across the UK set up by Crisis to accommodate more than 4,000 people over the Christmas period when some other shelters close. It comes as a study by the charity found homelessness has reached record-high levels with more than 170,000 families and individuals experiencing destitution. Mr Scanlon said his decade-long slide into homelessness was triggered by a divorce he could not deal with and pushed along by a bad drinking problem. He also had underlying trauma from childhood, as both his parents took their own lives when he was a young boy. But for many years he was the director of a film post-production company, earning more than 100,000 a year thanks to his talent for CGI animation. A huge welcome to all our homeless guests arriving at #CrisisXmas pic.twitter.com/moRgdqmRAk Crisis (@crisis_uk) December 23, 2018 Touched by who he met and what he saw while homeless, Mr Scanlon now wants to help others turn their lives around. Theres a story behind everybody, he said. Theyre not just feckless, useless people living on the street. There is some reason behind why theyre there and I want to start smashing the stigma. Although his fall into homeless was different to some others, Ms Scanlon connected with those roughing it in hostels. I found so much commonality between myself and many other people in there who had gone through similar kinds of childhood traumas, he said. The 51-year-old also advocates for the prevention of homelessness through effective programmes by local authorities, mental health services, the Work and Pension Department, and medical clinics. Detectives are examining a damaged drone found close to the last reported sighting at Gatwick Airport after two people held over the disruption were released without charge. The 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman were arrested on Friday after a tip-off from a member of the public, while their house in nearby Crawley was searched. Sussex Police insisted the force was not back to square one after ruling out the pair who made no comment as they darted inside their home on Sunday morning as suspects. #GatwickDrones | Gatwick Airport Ltd has offered a 50k reward through Crimestoppers, for information leading to the arrest & conviction of those responsible for the criminal act that disrupted flights. Reward will only be made if the information is given to Crimestoppers first pic.twitter.com/x9sBgxaj9z Sussex Police (@sussex_police) December 23, 2018 Gatwick Airport has offered a 50,000 reward, through Crimestoppers, and another 10,000 has been put up by the charitys chairman Lord Ashcroft to catch the culprits responsible for the chaos, which affected around 140,000 passengers. Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said he hoped the money would persuade someone to come forward with the vital clue. We are actively investigating sightings of drone activity at Gatwick Airport following 67 reports from the evening of December 19 to December 21 from the public, passengers, police officers and staff at the airport, he said. We are interviewing those who have reported these sightings, are carrying out extensive house-to-house enquiries and carrying out a forensic examination of a damaged drone found near the perimeter of the airport near Horley, which is close to the last reported sighting. He said there were some persons of interest, but would not reveal if police were close to making any further arrests. Police outside the home in Crawley, West Sussex, of a 47-year-old man and 54-year-old woman who were released without charge in connection with the drone incidents at Gatwick Airport (Gareth Fuller/PA) Around 1,000 flights were cancelled or diverted after drones were spotted inside the perimeter of the UKs second biggest airport on Wednesday. Mr Tingley said there is no video footage available and investigators are relying on 67 drone sightings by witnesses. Asked about speculation there was never a drone, he said: Of course, thats a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have seen something. Mr Tingley said police were running a three-pronged investigation including working through information relating to persons of interest, investigating sightings and forensically examining the damaged drone, which was spotted by a member of the public. Passengers stranded at Gatwick (Isabel Infantes/PA) But he explained the examination could be hampered by the wet weather on Friday and Saturday, which could have washed away evidence. And he could not rule out the risk the culprits would strike again at Gatwick or another airport. Counter-drone equipment on a rooftop at Gatwick (John Stillwell/PA) Someone, somewhere knows either the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for this, or has information relating to these incidents, he said. But secondly, our tactical response, should there be any more drone sightings, is still in place. Air passengers have been plunged into fresh chaos after one of the UKs international airports suspended all flights. Birmingham Airport said it had to temporarily suspend services on Sunday due to an air traffic control fault. The incident comes the same week as the Gatwick Airport fiasco, which saw roughly 140,000 passengers affected when a drone was apparently spotted around the runway, forcing bosses to ground flights across three days. Important update: Our full statement regarding the temporary suspension of flights from Birmingham Airport this evening can be found here: https://t.co/VDKCYD8vcu Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) December 23, 2018 A Birmingham Airport spokesman said: We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Passengers are advised to check with their airline regarding flight departures and arrivals. We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing to our passengers. Birmingham Airport said it had to temporarily suspend services due to `an air traffic control fault (David Jones/PA) Flights were affected from around 6pm. The spokesman said IT technicians were working on the problem and hoped it was not too serious. Birmingham Airport has resumed operations after a technical glitch temporarily grounded flights. Staff said the disruption began at around 6pm and was cleared around two hours later. A spokesman said: Following the earlier air traffic control technical fault, Birmingham Airport has now resolved the issue and operations have now resumed. Following the earlier Air Traffic Control technical fault, Birmingham Airport has now resolved the issue and operations have now resumed. We thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) December 23, 2018 We thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. The incident came the same week as the Gatwick Airport fiasco, where roughly 140,000 passengers were affected when a drone was apparently spotted around the runway, forcing bosses to ground flights across three days. Luke Shaw insists Manchester United can achieve a top-four Premier League finish following Ole Gunnar Solskjaers arrival at Old Trafford. Solskjaer started his reign as caretaker boss on Saturday with a 5-1 win at Cardiff, with United scoring five goals in the Premier League for the first time since Sir Alex Fergusons final game in May 2013. United are currently eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, but have a kind set of festive fixtures against Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle. Of course we want the top four, we want to be playing in the Champions League next season, Shaw said after being recalled to the United starting line-up. Seeing the way we played, I dont see why we cant if we keep playing like that. Theres a very long way to go and we need to focus on how to catch up. Were not too focused on the other teams scorelines at the moment. Paul Pogba and Ashley Young celebrate Manchester Uniteds fifth goal in their 5-1 win at Cardiff (Nick Potts/PA) The main focus is us and the next four or five games are very winnable. But we cant really be dropping points now with the situation were in. We need to focus on each game when it comes around and fight for every three points. Solskjaers side resembled the cavalier United teams of yesteryear as full-backs raided high and wide and midfielders flooded into the penalty area to support the strikers. Ole pays tribute to the travelling fans and looks ahead to our Boxing Day clash with Huddersfield... #MUFC #MUTV pic.twitter.com/C2SEJ42jkc Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2018 After the caution of his predecessor Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer let the players off the leash and invited them to play with freedom and expression. That switch in style was illustrated by a brilliant third goal, Anthony Martial stroking home after some wonderful one-touch passing between the Frenchman, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard. Under any manager, or any circumstances, thats how Man United are expected to play, Shaw said. At times, it didnt happen but we moved the ball quicker here. We were very quick at getting the ball forward and we were more clinical. I think in games before we have had a lot of chances that maybe could have ended up in the back of the net, but we didnt take our chances. It was nice to get the five goals because we havent done that for a while and we push on from there. "We hope they enjoyed it as much as we did."@LukeShaw23 on the travelling #MUFC fans pic.twitter.com/D4vEdFPPvJ Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 23, 2018 Shaw was among several United players to have fallen out with Mourinho during the Portugueses colourful two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford. But the England full-back insisted Mourinho should be respected for the job he did at the club. Its not very nice when something as big as that happens at the club, but I think we all, as players and as a team, show respect in what happened, Shaw said. Time was up on Jose Mourinhos reign at Manchester United after two and a half years (Andrew Matthews/PA) People might be quick to forget what Jose did for United the three trophies he won he did a lot. One of the trophies (Europa League) was one we had not won before, and he took us to three trophies in one season. So those people need to respect him and remember what he did, not only us as a team to win those trophies but the fans as well. The festive period can amplify feelings of loneliness, a top doctor warned as she encouraged people to connect with others in their communities. Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, warned that loneliness and social isolation can be as bad for a persons health as chronic diseases. She encouraged people to be good citizens and connect with friends and neighbours in a meaningful way. Any festival or gathering where people get together can extenuate or magnify feelings of being isolated or lonely, she told the Press Association. People usually are already vulnerable and also its darker, the whole SAD (seasonal affective disorder) thing about short days, amplify these things. As a GP we see people in their communities, we are part of their communities and we see the adverse impact these things have on peoples health these are as bad as chronic diseases to your health. Loneliness can be amplified at Christmas, says Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard (PA) She added: At a time of celebration and joy, particularly with our own loved ones, but also looking a little bit wider to, to be great citizens. Moments of meaningful connection is the language we use. Not just saying Hi or waving to the neighbour but actually saying How are you doing?, How are things going? Having a little chat. Checking in on people in more than a trivial way. As a healthcare professional we always feel like we spend our days doing good stuff but this is about being a good citizen and part of society. In a world where weve got more connection by social media than ever before, we also hear and see other people are less connected with somebody that can hold your hand in a time of trouble. The comments comes after figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown how the loneliness epidemic is sweeping Britain. Read our latest article: Loneliness - what characteristics and circumstances are associated with feeling lonely? https://t.co/GJx8FtFM1Q pic.twitter.com/zl07jRivHD Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) April 10, 2018 Figures reveal that both adults and children are affected. One in every 20 (5%) English adults reports feeling lonely often or always, according to ONS data released in April. An additional 16% said they felt lonely some of the time and almost a quarter said they felt lonely occasionally. And figures released earlier this month suggest 14% of children aged 10 to 12 say they often feel lonely. Our new report on loneliness gives perspectives from those aged 10-15 and 16-24 years old on how loneliness feels to them. Explore the findings: https://t.co/b1aBhn6bhA pic.twitter.com/kTKS5xtpoS Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 5, 2018 Among young people aged 16 to 24 from across England, one in 10 (9.8%) reported feeling lonely often, the ONS said. In January, Prime Minister Theresa May described loneliness as a sad reality of modern life for too many people as she announced a range of measures including the appointment of a minister with a specific brief to lead the Governments response. Ministers will discuss the Gatwick Airport drone drama in a Christmas Eve conference call as detectives examine a damaged drone in a bid to catch the culprits. A 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman who were arrested in the probe were released without charge after two nights in custody as police said they were no longer suspects. Sussex Police insisted the force was not back to square one as investigators probe 67 sightings and forensically examine a damaged drone found near the runways perimeter. Gatwick Airport has offered a 50,000 reward, through Crimestoppers, and another 10,000 has been put up by the charitys chairman Lord Ashcroft to catch the culprits responsible for the chaos, which affected around 140,000 passengers. #GatwickDrones | Gatwick Airport Ltd has offered a 50k reward through Crimestoppers, for information leading to the arrest & conviction of those responsible for the criminal act that disrupted flights. Reward will only be made if the information is given to Crimestoppers first pic.twitter.com/x9sBgxaj9z Sussex Police (@sussex_police) December 23, 2018 Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said he hopes the money will persuade someone to come forward with the vital clue. Asked about speculation there was never a drone, he said: Of course, thats a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have seen something. But he later clarified: We are actively investigating sightings of drone activity at Gatwick Airport following 67 reports from the evening of December 19 to December 21 from the public, passengers, police officers and staff at the airport, he said. Police outside the home of a man and woman who were released without charge (Gareth Fuller/PA) We are interviewing those who have reported these sightings, are carrying out extensive house-to-house enquiries and carrying out a forensic examination of a damaged drone found near the perimeter of the airport near Horley, which is close to the last reported sighting. He said there were some persons of interest but would not reveal if police were close to making any further arrests. Around 1,000 flights were cancelled or diverted across three days after drones were spotted inside the perimeter of the UKs second biggest airport on Wednesday. A Government source said that the disruption at the airport would be discussed in a conference call on Christmas Eve, which ministers will be involved with. Mr Tingley said there is no video footage available and investigators are trying to confirm sightings from members of the public, police officers and ground staff, as well as forensically examining the damaged drone, which was found near the runways perimeter, in Horley, by a member of the public. But he explained the examination could be hampered by the wet weather on Friday and Saturday, which could have washed away evidence. Passengers stranded at Gatwick (Isabel Infantes/PA) And he could not rule out the risk the culprits would strike again at Gatwick or another airport. Someone, somewhere knows either the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for this, or has information relating to these incidents, he said. But secondly, our tactical response, should there be any more drone sightings, is still in place. A Post Office is offering a free Christmas Day dinner to people who would otherwise be alone. Postmistress Sonya Carey and her husband Nigel will open their branch at Pontrilas in Herefordshire and cook meals with food donated by local farmers. The couple will even pick people up and take them to a cafe which runs alongside their branch. Sonya Carey at the Pontrilas Post Office in Hereford (Alistair Heap/PA) Sonya Carey said: My own family are all grown up and spend Christmas day with their own families which means I can spend the 25th giving back to our community. Local residents have said that our Post Office is the glue to this community and its hearing things like that that make our efforts all worthwhile. Christmas lunch at the Pontrilas Post Office (Alistair Heap/PA) Tom Moran, Network Development Director at the Post Office said: Our branches are at the heart of communities across the UK and we know how much people rely on our services in the run-up to Christmas. Most people will of course be taking a well-deserved break to enjoy Christmas Day with family and friends. So were extremely proud of people like Sonya who provide so much more than Post Office services to their customers, not just at Christmas but throughout the year. More than 60 million people are expected to have visited Post Offices by the end of the festive period, including many on Christmas Day. The amount of money paid in overtime costs to paramedics has hit a five-year high, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives. The Scottish Ambulance Service spent more than 6.3 million paying paramedics to work extra shifts in 2017, the numbers reveal. The precise figure of 6,361,218 was up more than 670,000 in a year, and is the highest figure in the last five years. The Tories highlighted that, overall in 2017 including managers, support staff and technicians the organisation spent almost 11.8 million on overtime payments. Ambulance chiefs pointed to increasing demand for the service, with a growing and ageing population, while ministers said funding for the organisation is at record levels. The data was obtained by the Conservatives via Freedom of Information rules. Ambulance chiefs say demand for its service is rising (Jamie Williamson/Scottish Ambulance Service/PA) Scottish Conservative public health spokeswoman Annie Wells said: Ambulance staff are under huge pressure, and that is increasing according to these figures. The fact more than 6 million was spent on overtime just for paramedics last year goes to show just how short-staffed the organisation must be. Many staff will be willing to do these additional shifts, but from a health and safety perspective, its not ideal to be relying on this so heavily. She welcomed ongoing work to train a significant number of extra paramedics but added: Clearly years of under-funding and shambolic workforce planning by the SNP government has contributed to this current unacceptable situation. A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: All of our staff do a fantastic job helping patients in communities right across Scotland. It is down to their hard work, commitment and professionalism that so many lives are being saved each and every day. With a growing and ageing population, demand is rising and our staffing numbers are obviously increasing as a result of this, with 1,000 additional paramedics being trained by 2021. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: We value the tremendous job our ambulance service staff do in what can be exceptionally challenging circumstances. Our ambulance service continues to be one of the best performing services in the UK despite continuous increased demand and servicing some of the most remote parts of the country. Funding for the Scottish Ambulance Service has increased to a record high, with more than 235 million being invested this year, which has allowed staffing in the ambulance service to increase by almost 25%. In the last two years the ambulance service has trained 690 new paramedics in line with our commitment to deliver an additional 1,000 paramedics by 2021. A 2 million investment in NHS England toilets has been announced in a bid to address utterly shocking accessibility issues facing the severely disabled. More than 100 hospitals will build the new facilities known as Changing Places toilets, as part of a wider strategy to improve accessibility of public buildings. The new facilities are larger than standard disabled toilets and have extra equipment such as adult-sized changing benches and hoists. There are currently around 30 to 40 Changing Places within NHS Hospitals. Minister for Care, Caroline Dinenage, said: It is utterly shocking how few Changing Places toilets there are currently in NHS hospitals and other public spaces. People with disabilities and their carers rightly expect to find suitable facilities in a hospital of all places. There are currently around 30 to 40 Changing Places within NHS Hospitals (Yui Mok/PA) While the number of Changing Places facilities within England has increased from 140 in 2007 to more than 1,200 in 2018, Ms Dinenage estimates around 250,000 disabled people require the larger toilets. Ministers are expected to launch a consultation in Spring 2019, aimed at updating building regulations to ensure the larger toilets are a requirement in all new large publicly-accessible buildings such as shopping centres. The Department of Transport recently invested 2 million in order to increase the number of Changing Places facilities in motorway service stations. The Government has also provided 70,000 for the development of an online map, designed to help the disabled and their carers locate Changing Places toilets throughout the country. The announcements have been supported by leading campaigners such as CEO of Muscular Dystrophy UK, Catherine Woodhead. The charity co-chairs the Changing Places Consortium, a group campaigning for the installation of Changing Places in all large public spaces. Ms Woodhead said: By investing in facilities we can tackle the exclusion many disabled people face on a daily basis. We, along with our wonderful campaigners, have long pushed for changes to legislation to make Changing Places toilets mandatory in new large public buildings and its fantastic that we are now one step closer to that reality. Minesh Patel, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: This investment must only be the start we want to see these facilities rolled out across the whole of our NHS, as well as public, charity and privately-owned buildings. Rolling them out across the country would be a step in the right direction towards a genuinely inclusive society for disabled people. Political leaders in Scotland have tried to raise awareness of those who suffer through the festive season in their Christmas messages. The First Minister has urged those who feel unhappy at this time to be open about their feelings, while Labours Richard Leonard highlighted the struggle of families who rely on foodbanks. Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute to those who work during the holiday period, including members of the armed forces, the emergency services and health workers. I want to thank all of you for your hard work it is highly valued at all times, but especially appreciated just now, she said. And of course for some people, Christmas can be a time of anxiety or unhappiness. Because of that, the Scottish Government is encouraging everyone to take care of each other this Christmas. Remember, first of all, to take care of yourself. If youre unhappy, be open about that. It is okay not to be okay at Christmas. Take care of your community. If youre able to, give a helping hand to people who need it, or join in a local activity. And finally, take care of the people you love. Look after them, and enjoy being able to spend some time with them. Mr Leonard said: For many people, Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends. But not everybody can. So its also a time to remember that we need to do so much more as a society to help those in need. When one in four children in Scotland are living in poverty, when foodbanks are handing out more parcels than ever before, and when thousands of families are facing Christmas without a home to call their own, something needs to change. He continued: This Christmas, let us all commit to do more to bring about the better society we know that we can be. Jackson Carlaw has paid tribute to NHS staff (Jane Barlow/PA) Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw also urged people to do what they can to help the vulnerable at this time. However we each keep Christmas this year, it is worth looking out for those who are on their own and to donate what we can to support those who will appreciate the difference it can make, he said. He also paid a special tribute to the NHS staff who are working over Christmas. The MSP said: As a country, we may have felt divided for much of 2018 it is the collective effort of our NHS staff, working together, who have shown us the country at its best. Adding to messages of support for Scotlands public servants, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: I want to take this opportunity to thank those working in our public services frontline doctors and nurses who staff hospitals with cheer on Christmas Day, the police and fire service workers who never take a day off, the posties who have put in lengthy December shifts to get cards and presents to the right homes, and to everyone else who is keeping Scottish society afloat this Christmas time. The latest on the investigation into drones which disrupted flights at Gatwick airport last week leads the Christmas Eve papers, along with Christmas messages from the Prime Minister and Queen. The Times says the probe into the Gatwick drone attack has descended into farce after a couple arrested were released without charge and a senior police officer said it was possible the reported drone may not have existed. The i also runs with Gatwick on the front, saying that ministers will hold a summit to discuss how security could be tightened following the chaos. The Daily Mirror calls events in West Sussex a farce. While the Daily Mail runs with the headline Clueless, reporting the innocent couple were held for 36 hours until being released on Sunday. The Daily Telegraph runs with the Queens Christmas message, in which she will tell Britons to overcome deeply held differences. What the papers say - December 24 (PA) The Guardian claims a provider of agency care workers has docked money from the pay packets of staff if they phone in sick. Guardian front page, 24 December 2018: Revealed: the care workers fined 50 for being unwell pic.twitter.com/Icz1MoJUzF The Guardian (@guardian) December 23, 2018 The Financial Times runs with the shutdown in the United States, with the new chief of staff warning it could continue into 2019. Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Monday 24 December https://t.co/qaCLgUqhyW pic.twitter.com/45WtajDqlI Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) December 23, 2018 The Sun leads with a picture appearing to show the Duchess of Cambridge picking up festive gifts at The Range. Tomorrow's front page: The Duchess of Cambridge stuns shoppers by popping into bargain store The Range for festive gifts https://t.co/yuYDd56bQz pic.twitter.com/STC3SeFkoU The Sun (@TheSun) December 23, 2018 The Independent claims some mobile phone companies are potentially leaving their customers exposed to scams. The Daily Express runs with words from Theresa May, with the Prime Minister urging people to back her EU deal so Parliament can focus on domestic issues. And the Daily Star says health killjoys want to call time on a traditional Christmas dinner. Theresa May has hailed the work of the Armed Forces from Salisbury to Syria in her Christmas message to UK servicemen and women. Mrs May highlighted the work done after the Russian Novichok attack in Wiltshire as well as those serving further afield in her end-of-year message to those who will not be at home with their loved ones. She said UK forces had continued to demonstrate why you are the finest in the world. From playing a vital role in cleaning up after a sickening nerve agent attack on the streets of Salisbury, protecting our waters and our skies from Russian intrusion and strengthening our allies in Eastern Europe, striking at terrorism as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh, and along with our US and French allies sending a message to the Assad regime that we will not stand by while chemical weapons are used, as they were in April on families, including young children, she said. Time and again, you have stood up to aggression and those who flout the rules-based international order. You should be incredibly proud of all that you do, just as the whole country is proud of you. Prime Minster Theresa May switches on the lights on the Downing Street Christmas tree (Dominic Lipinski/PA) She added: Now as we approach the New Year, there will be new challenges ahead. But I know you will continue to meet them in the same way that you have always done. With courage, determination, resilience, ingenuity. Qualities that are as vital now as they have ever been. Rafael Benitez has admitted it would be a miracle if he kept Newcastle in the Premier League for another season even if he has money to spend next month. The Spaniard described last seasons 10th place finish as miraculous and insisted in the immediate aftermath of Saturdays 0-0 home draw with Fulham a repeat would take some doing given the fact that most of the clubs around the Magpies invested far more heavily on recruitment last summer. However, he later went further, suggesting the imbalance was so great that simply keeping the club, which owner Mike Ashley had hoped to sell by Christmas, in the top flight this time around would be a major achievement. Benitez said: We have to be realistic and understand that we will be in the bottom half during the whole season. For me, it is almost clear and if we can be better than three teams, it will be another miracle. It was a miracle last year. People were thinking, Oh, you finished 10th, but with a couple fewer wins, we could have been in the bottom five, so it was a miracle. Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is gearing up for another Premier League survival battle (Mike Egerton/PA) If we do the same this year with teams spending even more money than last year, it will be a miracle. Questioned further on his bleak assessment of the situation just days before the January transfer window opens, Benitez pointed to promoted Fulham, who invested in excess of 100million on summer signings, as an example of the disparity he fears could cost the club top-flight status. He said: I know what is coming now and I know where we are. You can see the team the team is trying a lot of things, but still its not enough sometimes to get the points, and it will be like that. If we are under pressure and we feel this pressure, we will not be better, we can make more mistakes. Im trying to tell everyone, realise where we are, realise what we have to do and if we do well, fine, we can finish 10th or whatever. But if we think we have to beat these teams which have spent 100million, every one of them, during the summer, if we think we can beat them easily every game, no chance. We are wrong, 100 per cent. Tributes have been paid to a precious and beautiful lady who was killed in a car crash in north Wales. Rebecca Louise, 34, died on the A499 near Pwllheli on Friday evening, North Wales Police said. A 20-year-old, who officers have not named, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving and failing to stop, and is due before magistrates in Llandudno on Monday. Paying tribute, Ms Louises family said: Rebecca was a happy, funny and bubbly 34-year-old who touched everyone she met with her loving caring nature. She was a dedicated nurse at Ysbyty Gwynedd and had recently ventured into opening her own business. She had an amazing future ahead of her before being stolen from us. Rebecca Louise (North Wales Police/PA) Rebecca would be described as a very special lady by all who knew her and will leave a great hole that can never be filled. Parts of Britain could wake up to mist and fog on Christmas morning with a cloudy day forecast for most of the country. The Met Office has already issued yellow weather warnings for fog in Northern Ireland and central and south-west Scotland for dense fog and freezing fog patches. These run until 10am on Christmas Eve, but forecaster Greg Dewhurst said these could be extended. It's a frosty morning across much of Scotland with temperatures at or just below freezing. Quite a contrast to southwest England where temperatures are still in double figures pic.twitter.com/9DKiYQhmE6 Met Office (@metoffice) December 24, 2018 It could be quite dense from this evening and through the night tonight, he said. It will be a grey start for most. In the east it will be mostly dry, an odd spot of drizzle is possible in the west. Temperatures are expected to be average for the time of year, with 5-9C (41-48F) predicted in the east and 11-12C (51-53F) in the west. It could be a foggy start on Christmas morning (Brian Lawless/PA) Today's extremes! Warmest and wettest in the southwest. Coldest and sunniest in the north pic.twitter.com/fUSGTO6cQR Met Office (@metoffice) December 24, 2018 Later in the week there will be a mixture of misty conditions and sunny spells, with the potential for overnight frost if skies are clear. Sunday saw a wide range of temperatures across the UK, with 13.9C (56.8F) recorded in Exeter and a low of -2.6C (27.3F) in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. Dealing with a mercurial US President like Donald Trump is problematic for the American establishment itself, leave alone US allies, friends and adversaries. The fallout of domestic political rivalries in the US on the countrys foreign policy is destabilising for the international community at large. The US wants its domestic law to be obeyed by other sovereign countries, failing which, they are exposed to sanctions ranging from heavy fines, denial of access to the US financial system, and other punitive consequences. Others have no control over the framing of US domestic legislation but become victims of it. Big stick policy They have the choice of rejecting US domestic law, but they have to then weigh the costs of defiance. Upholding international law as a matter of principle is always an option. Americas weight in the international system is such that these calculations will almost always be in favour of finding a modus vivendi instead of standing on principle, beyond a point. India has had to do this exercise. US policies in our region have always been problematic for us. (Photo: Reuters) So far, we have managed to avoid the worst impact of the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) targeting Russia and Iran. However, CAATSA casts a shadow on the smooth development of India-US ties because the initiative to enforce the legislation or give exemptions lies with the US, and, in turn, India has to keep CAATSA in mind as it decides on future projects with its two critical partners. We have, of course, experienced US sanctions for decades in many critical strategic areas. Today, handling the vagaries of Trumps policies presents a challenge from a different optic. The US has, in many respects, become our strongest international partner, and the investment we are making in improved bilateral ties has been rising. To maintain their momentum, untoward political shocks have to be avoided. US policies in our region have always been problematic for us. It has now been confirmed by publicly released US State Department documents that it had agreed with China under Deng Xiaopings watch to allow Pakistan to pursue its nuclear weapon programme for a better balance in South Asia. Today, some elements of US thinking and policies on Pakistan have become more congenial for us, but the core equations in the sub-continent have not been decisively altered in our favour. It is ironic that the US began the war to oust the Taliban and now wants to end it by yielding to this retrograde force. (Photo: Reuters) Trumped in Kabul Trumps latest announcement about reducing American troop presence in Afghanistan by half from 14,000 to 7,000 seems to be part of the exercise of facilitating an agreement with the Taliban who have been demanding a total withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. On the face of it, the announced reduction seems to be a form of advance payment to convince the Taliban about US seriousness to end its 17-year war in Afghanistan. It is ironic that the US began the war to oust the Taliban and now wants to end it by yielding to this retrograde force. Terrible terrorist acts by the Taliban have multiplied dramatically in recent months and more and more Afghan territory has come under its sway. On the one hand, the combat against terrorism continues to be a shared India-US concern that gets reflected in joint statements, and this includes exhortations to Pakistan to suppress the jihadi elements on its soil accompanied by Trumps fulminations against Pakistans duplicity on the terrorism front. However, Trump is also seeking Pakistans assistance to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, which also amounts to implicitly believing in its good faith that could be potentially rewarded. It is Pakistan that has provided safe havens to the Taliban and now that Imran Khan who earned the sobriquet Taliban Khan for his opposition to the US war on terror and his Islamic links is the countrys Prime Minister, the Taliban are assured of stronger Pakistani support. Trump is willing to countenance this. Given Pakistans long-standing policy of opposing Indias presence in Afghanistan and promoting political forces there that would be under Pakistans broad control, the latest turn in Trumps Afghanistan policy bodes ill for India. Won't the present scenario hand Afghanistan over to the Sino-Pak axis? (Photo of Gwadar port: Reuters) US doublespeak It is not enough that India and the US have a strategic understanding in the maritime domain, but not on land in the Af-Pak region. A strategic partnership ought not to have contradictory elements, as is the case in the India-US partnership. China may be the principal player in the maritime domain, but its maritime ambitions are being bolstered by Pakistan through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and the development of Gwadar Port. The latest reports about Chinas stepped-up cooperation with Pakistan on defence projects suggest a strengthening of Sino-Pak strategic ties with implications for security in the Indo-Pacific region. The US potential walkaway from Afghanistan, coupled with deepening China-Pakistan ties would mean handing over Afghanistan to the Sino-Pak axis, to which Russia is also now contributing with its political support for the Taliban. Trump has identified China as a strategic adversary and is hitting out at it. However, at the same time, he is opening more strategic space for its expansion in the Af-Pak region at the cost of our security. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also Read: Why President Donald Trump is not the ally India wants or needs The accountability court on Monday sentenced former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison along with a heavy fine in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, while acquitting him in the Flagship investment reference. Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik announced the verdict in a short order, after reserving the decision last week. The court said that there was concrete evidence against Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference, as he was unable to provide a money trail in the case. Thereby, the court sentenced Sharif to at least seven years in prison along with a fine of $25 million and 1.5 million pounds. The verdict also ordered immediate seizure of all properties and assets in Nawaz Sharifs name. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been sentenced to seven years in prison along with a heavy fine in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. (Photo: Reuters) However, the court verdict maintained that there was not enough evidence to convict Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship investment reference. The case took rigorous attendance of Nawaz Sharif, who attended the accountability court for hundreds of times, answering difficult and blunt questions about his familys wealth and investments. Nawaz Sharif was arrested after hearing the courts verdict from the courts premises. The former Pakistani PM did not want to go to the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi the place where he had already spent weeks after being sentenced to 10 years jail in the Avenfield reference by the accountability court. The court accepted Sharifs request and ordered authorities to transport Nawaz Sharif to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, where he would be starting his seven-year long imprisonment. The courts verdict is yet another test for the Sharif family. (Photo: Reuters) The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed the three references (Avenfield, Al-Azizia & Flagship investment), on orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) in the Panama Papers case verdict, which saw the ouster of Nawaz Sharif as the countrys Prime Minister. Special security measures were applied around the judicial complex in Islamabad Monday ahead of the verdict. The courts verdict is yet another test for the Sharif family, especially Nawaz Sharif, who has been busy and severely occupied in handling the court proceedings since the time he was ousted from the premiership. Also Read: Why we can't but love Chand Nawab The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders and scholars are deeply cognisant of the fact that in the 21st century with the geopolitical and geo-economic renaissance of Asia, as the centre of gravity of global affairs, they could be hemmed in between China and India. SAARC is driven more by political considerations and regional fundamentals. (Source: Reuters) Also, the risk is quite high for them to lose their pride of place in international affairs with the trend towards closer integration of the Eurasian land mass with various high speed railway projects, and oil and gas pipelines. To reverse the situation, the ASEAN countries have to be the prime movers of globalisation with high technology innovations as well as high finance innovations nurtured by recourse to a pan-Asian development paradigm based on Asian values. Thus Singapore seeks to be the financial and intellectual hub to further the ASEAN spirit with huge investments in world class universities, service industries deeply involved in science and technology and research and development, as well as investing in policy think tanks that come forth with alternative global and regional paradigms. ASEAN visualises itself as the prime mover or catalyst for Asian integration by judiciously juxtaposing itself to benefit from and contribute to opportunities arising from emergent China and Indian civilisations by drawing upon its Indo-Chinese civilisational heritage. ASEAN diplomacy is about positioning the group as a prime mover in regional and international diplomacy by ensuring that regional, sub-regional and bilateral arrangements are nested into the global framework under World Trade Organisation (WTO) and not be like Chinese noodles enmeshed in a complicated rigmarole. ASEAN believes more in equality of nations. (Source: Reuters) However, this will be severely tested as the US comes forth with its pivot to Asia strategic policy and the proposed Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership that seeks to embrace both north-east Asia as well as south-east Asia, including Australasia and New Zealand. ASEAN allowed its Chinese diaspora to be regional entrepreneurs, whereas the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) left very little space to the subcontinents entrepreneurs par excellence during the British Raj and in post-colonial times. Probably, this is why ASEAN is far more business-driven as compared to SAARC, which tends to be more driven by political considerations and regional fundamentals. Its brilliant weathering of the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1999 cast doubts on the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its capacity to come forth with the right policy remedies to safeguard ASEAN interests over the Wests. ASEAN weathered the 1997-1999 Asian financial crisis brilliantly. (Source: Reuters) ASEAN welcomes the funding and participation by international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which has immensely contributed financially and well as technically, as an honest broker, in the creation of the Greater Mekong Subregional Cooperation (GMSRC). SAARC, as seen in the behaviour of bureaucrats, is deeply suspicious that any foreign organ can actually be an honest broker! This is how the South Asia Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ) initiative was renamed the South Asia Subregional Cooperation (SASEC) programme and now with India exerting, hopefully, proactive leadership which it refrained from during 1985-2018, matters will change for the good of the entire region. SAARC is, in principle, far more equity-oriented than ASEAN, which believes more in equality of nations. Thus, all counties pay the same membership fee. Thus, all countries pay the same membership fee there is no recourse to the universally recognised United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) call for Special and Different Treatment (SDT) for the least developed countries (LDCs) like Laos and Myanmar. ASEAN achieved its goal set in 2003 in 2015, and is now in search of a new vision 2030. It will be a Free Trade Area (FTA) soon with freedom to regional travel for all its citizens. It now seeks greater integration to go beyond markets and production networks, to include macroeconomic policy coordination and social policies to correct for the development divide between growth corridors and regional hinterlands, including between developed countries (DCs) and LDCs. ASEAN countries are working towards creating a free trade area. (Source: Reuters) More impressively, given that much of the developing countries economy is Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) driven, it had enunciated the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development (2010-2015). Its mission statement says that SMEs shall be world class with the capacity to be integrated with regional and global supply chains, including developing MNCs. ASEANs new aspiration is to be a fully developed industrial society by 2030; have a Customs and Currency Union; build strong regional institutions (here SAARC is far ahead of ASEAN with its regional centres which are now streamlined for greater efficiency, effectiveness and excellence as think tanks); harmonise cultures and security perceptions; improve governance; build regional identity as ASEAN citizens; move away from consensus in decision taking; seek strong intellectual capital to advance innovation and technological creativity; facilitate labour migration intra regionally (Note: this is being tested by the Rohingya migrants). As a final word, far more out-of-the-box thinking is required by both ASEAN and SAARCs key policy stakeholders to re-examine the appropriateness of the European Union (EU) model as historical pathfinders to the Asian region. Both ASEAN and SAARC as regional organisations must share experiences and learn from each other and deeply be engaged in delving into our own history and geography and culture to derive relevant solutions than simply to copy and paste from EU for lessons or even, as for SAARC, do the same thing from those from ASEAN. Both ASEAN and SAARC should, and must, be guided by the need to move towards an Asian Community of Nations with due role for all its major powers China, India, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Indonesia and Australasia. Assuming that the globalisation of the 21st century will be a globalised regional world order, so one may ask: how will ASEAN and SAARC collectively deal with China, Japan and South Korea? How will ASEAN and SAARC move the regional process in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) towards this noble aim of an Asian Community of Nations? All these issues remain unknown. However, perhaps if Japan revives the long-standing visionary projects to create Asian highways, railways and waterways, we shall be a step closer to regional peace, harmony and development for the benefit of all mankind. More highways, railways and waterways will contribute towards regional peace. (Source: Reuters) Also, the decisive step would be the working of emerging Asian economies with a positive spirit to fulfil the regional and sub-regional developmental dreams. Here, the role of India and China are going to be that of catalysts. Nepal, strategically placed, has its own share of responsibility to stimulate its economy at home and help shape the greater economic engagement with its giant neighbours with them its interdependence is a natural reality. The time to relook at ASEAN and SAARC the associations of hope for realising the Asian dream is yet not over. Also read: SAARC: How Pakistan, China and Nepal are finally cornering India While the Government may wish to dream away its problems or throw insults at the Opposition to run away from uncomfortable questions, it will be exposed at some point of time The Supreme Court last week delivered its judgement on the issue of whether a probe to look into the Rafale controversy needs to be constituted or not. In its decision, the court stated that it does not think that the matter, as argued before it, requires any intervention. While I cannot speak for the petitioners in the case that was filed before the Supreme Court in this matter, the Congress has consistently maintained its stand that the appropriate forum for an examination of the issues raised against the Rafale deal is not the Supreme Court but a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). In this weeks article, I will briefly speak about how the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) attempts to claim the decision of the top court as clean chit is unfounded and ill-advised. At the outset, it is imperative to state that the apex court, while passing its order, stated clearly that its decision is from the standpoint of the exercise of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. This examination by the apex court, as I am sure the Government fully knows, is limited to the extent that the court, under its Article 32 jurisdiction, cannot summon/examine all the relevant file notings, examine witnesses on oath and have the Prime Minister and Defence Minister answer questions on propriety. As stated by the Supreme Court itself, there are broadly three issues that the Supreme Court was required to examine, (1) the process of procurement of the Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation; (2) the issue of pricing of the jets; and (3) the selection of Anil Ambani as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation. All of these issues and the allegations against the Government warrant and require a thorough examination. Only a detailed examination of the deal, as is being demanded by the Congress and increasingly by the people of the country, can help actually determine whether there was any instance of wrongdoing. Therefore, the claim of the BJP that the decision of the Supreme Court on the basis of the limited information placed before the court constitutes a clean chit from it is a little farfetched. Separately, the essential question before the BJP is whether a limited examination and an absolute clean chit can go hand in hand? One would think it couldnt because a limited examination and an unequivocal clean chit are a contradiction in terms. The Finance Minister and industrialist Anil Ambani of course believe otherwise, judging by the statements that we have seen in the few days since the pronouncement of the decision of the court. It was fairly poetic that within a few hours of the judgement, the BJP was forced to curb its enthusiasm and answer some uncomfortable questions because of an especially troubling paragraph in the judgement of the apex court, which stated that as per the Centre, the pricing details, with respect to the Rafale jets, were shared with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and that the report was examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). This was a shock to the Congress as the PAC Chairman Mallikarjun Kharge received no such copy of the report. In a situation, frankly approaching the absurd, the Government of India then moved an application before the Supreme Court saying that the statement of the Centre had been misunderstood because of a grammatical error, and stated that in fact the PAC had never actually examined this report. The convenience of the explanation aside, the relevant question that must be asked is: How much of this obfuscation the Government engaged in while presenting its arguments before the Supreme Court? At the end of the day, the Supreme Court only examined the questions posed by it from a limited perspective and placed reliance on the statements of the Government on face value to some extent. But now this recent gaffe, which appears to be a slender fig leaf, clearly raises questions about the authenticity and honesty with which this Government has approached the court and placed facts before it. The Government could argue that the public should trust it to place authentic facts before the court and that its statements should be taken at face value. However, the Governments tactics of obfuscation as evidenced through its entire term do not inspire any trust. So, in light of the limited examination of the Supreme Court and the manner in which it has been misled by the Government, the question that arises is what is the best way forward to deal with this entire episode? While this may come as a surprise to the readers, I would actually like to offer the Government a word of advice to help them get out of this mess: Sunlight is the best disinfectant. At the end of the day, the Government has been posed with some uncomfortable questions and, therefore, the BJP must come forward and answer these three questions and expose the present Rafale controversy to the required disinfectant of proper scrutiny: i) If there is nothing to hide, why not constitute a JPC? ii) If the new Rafale jets are indeed cheaper, why did the Government only purchase 36 as opposed to the original requirement of 126? iii) Why doesnt the Prime Minister hold a press conference and answer questions on the deal from journalists? Of these questions, the question as to why a JPC should not be constituted, is perhaps the most pertinent. The Finance Ministers response to this question was that Parliament cannot question the judgment of the highest court of the land. This seems like a convenient excuse. For starters, the Supreme Court itself has stated that this is only a limited examination and, therefore, there appears to be prohibition on a JPC to look into the matter in greater detail. Further, when the BJP was in the Opposition, it insisted on a JPC on the 2G case and the Bofors matter as well. Then what according to the Finance Minister makes the Rafale deal so special? It is, therefore, apparent that if the BJP wants to get this Rafale-shaped monkey off its back, it will have to ultimately relent and allow for a thorough examination of the deal. While the Government may wish to dream away its problems or throw insults at the Opposition to discourage and dissuade these uncomfortable questions, it must be aware that at some point it will be exposed to sunlight. (The writer is Jharkhand PCC president, former MP and IPS officer. Views are personal) Following the criminal use of drone attack which created widespread disruption at the Gatwick Airport, it has now become a question of when, not if, UAVs will be used by terrorists As head of Scotland Yards Counter Terrorism Command between 2011 and 2016, I looked in some depth at the threat posed by drones during the London 2012 Olympic Games. It was clear to us then that it was one of the potential scenarios we faced for instance a Fathers 4 Justice drone coming into the stadium. A comprehensive report by the Combating Terrorism Center in the United States set out in 2016 how drones have been used in the terrorist context for a number of years, including by the Hizbullah and the Islamic State. At the time when the report was published, I had said that this has to be one of the biggest concerns for the West, because sooner or later, terrorists will use it here. It was always a question of when,not if. But drones are a very difficult threat in a civilian context, and there is sadly no foolproof solution. In relation to this, many people are asking this question: Why the drone cant just be shot down? Unfortunately, its not that straightforward. If a marksman were to shoot a drone down and its debris were to kill someone, potentially the officer could then face a manslaughter charge. Over a runway, of course, the chances of it landing on anybody are remote but youve still got the challenge of a marksman hitting such a fast-moving object, which is not easy. Jamming electronic signals works in some cases but thats not always the case. It would also jam everything else in the vicinity. There are also net systems that can catch and immobilise drones, which, however, depends on being in proximity to them. These difficulties aside, the Government should have been much more vigilant to this threat. Clearly, for example, there needs to be more effective deterrents. A five-year prison sentence for endangering aircraft or breaching the restrictions on operating drones is not enough. It should be a 20-year sentence. Those who use drones for malicious purposes need to know that they are going to be hit hard with lengthy jail sentences. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) itself admitted that rules and regulations around drone use are evolving but this is the state of play at the moment: Drones are classified as unmanned aircraft. The CAA was keen to point out that they are most certainly a type of aircraft and not toys. This, because lands managed for public enjoyment and biodiversity are not appropriate places for their use. There are concerns, too, that the legal 50m distance and full control cannot be guaranteed. If your drone weighs over 20kg then its only legal to use it in certified danger areas such as Parc Aberporth aerodrome in West Wales. Those using a drone weighing less than 20kg for commercial use receiving payment of any sort are required to seek permission from the CAA. To get permission, you will have to show that you are sufficiently competent. This is less clear-cut than for manned aircraft, where there is a well-established licensing procedure. If your drone is under 20kg and youre not using it for commercial reasons, you still have some rules to follow. i) Anyone filming with a drone for their own purposes must avoid flying it within 150 metres of a congested area and 50 metres of a person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the pilot. ii) You will also need to fly the aircraft within sight. This means you cant go above 400ft in altitude or further than 500 metres horizontally. If you want to exceed that limit, youll again need to seek explicit permission from the CAA. I also know that pilots have been asking for a five kilometre exclusion zone for drones around airports. They should have been given that. It was too long before the drone flying above Gatwick was seen as a national major incident and treated accordingly, and it was too long before the Whitehall machine got involved. If a drone is near any critical national infrastructure, it should be treated as a major incident. Im surprised there wasnt a ministerial Cobra meeting within six hours. From the outset, it was clear that it would cause chaos. Two people have been arrested in connection with the criminal use of drones which has caused widespread disruption to flights at the Gatwick Airport. Sussex Police said the people were arrested just after 10pm on the night of December 21. Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police said: Our investigations are still ongoing, and our activities at the airport continue to build resilience to detect and mitigate further incursions from drones by deploying a range of tactics. We continue to urge the public, passengers and the wider community around Gatwick to be vigilant and support us by contacting us immediately if they believe they have any information that can help us in bringing those responsible to justice. The arrests we have made this evening are a result of our determination to keep the public safe from harm, every line of inquiry will remain open to us until we are confident that we have mitigated further threats to the safety of passengers. No more details about the suspects were released. Anyone with any information was asked to call and cooperate with the police. Unfortunately, we are now likely to see copycat incidents. And the ease with which a major UK aviation hub was brought to a standstill will not have escaped the attention of terrorist groups who will be wondering, Why they have not tried using drones before? Ministers who are scrambling to protect Britain against potential copy-cats drone attacks fear that the chaos at Gatwick could be replicated at other transport hubs across the country. Whitehall sources said the authorities were very concerned about attempts to repeat the paralysis at Britains second busiest airport, which saw around 140,000 passengers delayed, and were taking urgent steps to safeguard others against the threat. Gavin Williamson, the UK Defence Secretary, who is among ministers liaising with authorities and airport chiefs, told The Sunday Telegraph: The Armed Forces stand ready to assist the civilian authorities whenever they are required. This is not just an airport issue, it is a threat issue which needs to be seen in the broadest context. There is little in place to stop these drones from being flown over Downing Street or Buckingham Palace or other highly sensitive areas. Also, they can be used to drop anything from great heights, including explosives.We saw a chaotic response to this incident because drones are a relatively a new threat and no single organisation believes that it is their responsibility to respond to the threat they pose. When something like this happens, where hundreds of thousands of people are affected, there is a lot of serious economic damage. No one has died as a result but there is a huge amount of impact on the nation. Its a serious major incident, which was unfortunately not treated as such. (Richard Walton is Director of Counter Terrorism Global Ltd. Matthew Sparkes is Deputy Head of Technology Post tepid response from TMC and BJD, KCR hopes hinge on SP, BSP After lukewarm response to his proposed Federal Front from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik, TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao is in Delhi hoping that his proposed meeting with BSP chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav will help his effort to prop up non-BJP non-Congress alliance for the next years Lok Sabha polls. Sources said KCR is expected to meet Mayawati and Akhilesh on Wednesday, but so far the meetings are not confirmed. While Mayawati is in Delhi, SP sources in Lucknow said Akhilesh has not yet planned any visit to Delhi. It is interesting to watch the moves of KCR as his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu is also meeting Opposition leaders as part of his effort to form an anti-BJP grand alliance that will also include the Congress. KCR is in the national Capital to also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers to talk about issues related to Telangana where he retained power last week. The Congress which is spearheading an assortment of Opposition parties, including the BSP, SP and TMC, has accused the TRS of being a BJP agent and feels that his proposed front cannot rescue the BJP as the front constituents will State specific anti-BJP alliance. Criticising the TRS chiefs efforts to forge a Federal Front of regional parties, the Congress said it is an attempt to help the BJP return to power after the next general elections. Claiming that the Chief Ministers of different States, whom KCR met would not fall for the idea of a third front, as the leaders of regional parties would join a broad coalition with the Congress, leaving only TRS in the Federal Front. KCRs attempts to rope in regional parties and State Chief Ministers to be part of the Federal Front will only help the BJP, said Congress leader Rajeev Gowda. Gowda further said the Congress would ensure that a mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) was formed with all regional, secular and progressive parties. This federal front idea... The truth behind it is nothing but an attempt to ensure that BJP and Modi Sarkar come back to power, he alleged. Meanwhile, reports from Hyderabad said even as KCRs mission to bring regional parties together to form a Federal Front reached New Delhi after passing through Bhuvaneshwar and Odisha, it was clear that the leaders whom he met so far have not made any direct commitment about their future course of action. According to the sources in TRS, both Naveen and Mamata remained non-committal about the stand they would take on the formation of a front which will not involve the Congress. Significantly, Mamata did not make any comment after meeting KCR in Kolkata on Monday. It was only KCR who promised that a concrete result of the deliberations will come out soon. Sources said while KCR repeatedly asserted the need for all the regional parties to come together and offer an alternative to both the Congress and the BJP, the other regional leaders indicated that they would like to wait and watch till the 2019 polls were over. Some of the leaders want to keep their options open till after the elections and take a final decision depending on the election results, sources said. At the moment it appears that any third front or Federal Front will have to wait till the elections are over. At best it would be a post-poll arrangement, not any pre-poll alliance, said a TRS leader. Meanwhile TRS member of Parliament Vinod Kumar said the idea of Federal Front is not new as KCR had thought about it back in 2006. Both NDA and UPA are seeking to rule the country on their own while KCR wants that the power should be in the hands of the regional parties to meet the aspirations of the people, he told the media. If the regional parties had responded positively back in 2006, Telangana State would have become a reality then only, he said. The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested six men for allegedly robbing gold ornaments from a jewellery shop owner in South Delhis Hauz Khas. The incident took place on November 26 when the jewellery shop owner and his colleague were returning home after closing the shop. The shop owner, in his complaint to the police, said when he along with his colleague, Sumit Kumar Raut, were returning home after closing the shop in Masjid Moth around 11 pm, four men arrived in a car, hit him on his head with a country-made pistol and robbed the gold ornaments they were carrying in a bag. The accused then fled from the spot. A case was registered and a probe was initiated, said Vijay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South district. During investigation, footage from around 25 CCTV cameras installed in the area was analysed and the registration number of the car was noted. Details of the car were obtained from the transport authority, Ghaziabad and the vehicle was traced that lead to the arrest of two accused, Bharat Saini and Tarun Kumar, said the DCP. During interrogation, four more accused, Meerut-based Kapil Sharma, Amit, Jitendar and Rohit Sharma, were identified and subsequently arrested, said the DCP. Two country-made pistols with live cartridges, the car and robbed gold ornaments were seized from them. Further investigation is going on, the DCP added. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttar Pradesh had failed to create jobs for the youths and ensure remunerative prices of crops to the farmers. Akhilesh claimed that people belonging to all sections were facing problems. Debt-ridden farmers are committing suicide. The future of the youths is in the dark. The BJP is out to crush the dreams of the younger generation, the SP chief said at a programme in Lucknow on Tuesday. Referring to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh said, The CM does not like opposition. Students who raise pressing issues are sent jail and even girl students are subjected to police action. Last year, a group of students, including two girls, associated with SPs student wing blocked Yogis convoy in Lucknow and waved black flags. They were detained and sent to jail. A court granted them bail after 20 days. There is a shortage of 35 officers in Chhattisgarh Cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Central Government has informed. At present, there are 158 officers posted against the Total Authorized Strength (TAS) of 193 officers in Chhattisgarh Cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Government informed. To address the problem the Government has increased over the years, annual intake of IAS officers under Direct Recruitment Quota, it informed. In promotion quota prompt actions have been taken for holding of Selection Committee Meeting for appointment by promotion/selection of State Service Officers in IAS. Eight IAS officers of Chhattisgarh cadre are on Central Deputation. Further, one officer is on Inter Cadre Deputation to Uttar Pradesh as approved by the Competent Authority. There is a shortage of 45 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in Chhattisgarh , the Lok Sabha was informed in July this year. In a written reply to MP Kamla Devi Patle, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office Dr Jitendra Singh informed that Total Authorized Strength (TAS) of Chhattisgarh Cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is 178. As on date, there is a shortage of 45 officers in Chhattisgarh Cadre of IAS. The shortfall in various cadres of IAS is a pan India phenomenon, he had stated. To address the problem the Central Government has increased over the years, annual intake of IAS officers under DR Quota. In promotion quota prompt action have been taken for holding of Selection Committee Meeting for appointment by promotion/selection of State Service officers in All India Services , the Minister replied. The first Chhattisgarh Cabinet meeting after oath taking ceremony of another nine Ministers of the Congress Government was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at the Mantralaya here on Tuesday. The Cabinet accorded in-principle nod to the proposal for returning of land acquired for Tata Steel in 10 villages of the Bastar region of the state. Newly inducted ministers Ravindra Chaubey and Mohammed Akbar informed media persons after the Cabinet meeting in a press conference that Chief Secretary Ajay Singh after taking a policy decision would start the process of returning the land of the farmers in Bastar. The action is being taken by the Government under Section 101, they informed. The ministers further informed that there are 1707 farmers who have been paid the compensation of Rs 42.7 crore for the land, they informed. Notably, the government had acquired land for establishment of Tata Steel Plant from the farmers in the year 2008 and the company had failed to set up the unit in stipulated time frame as per the MoU with the State Government. The villages where the land was acquired are Chidgaon, Kumhali, Beliyapal, Badanji, Dabpal, Badeparoda, Belar, Takraguda and Sirisguda. The MoU was extended but finally ended in June 2016, when company did not seek further extension. The company was allotted 2,500 hectares of iron ore mine in Bailadila Deposit 4 in 2008 for supply of raw material to the proposed steel plant. It is said that due to multiple factors in land acquisition and protest from local people, the project could not take off. Meanwhile, the company also lost the mine of estimated reserve of 108 million tonnes of high grade iron ore as it could not commence mining. The government then could not allocate the mine due to the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act 2015), which stipulates auction as the only mode for mine allocation. The Uttar Pradesh government celebrated the 94th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Good Governance Day with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declaring that a 25-foot statue of the former Prime Minister would be installed outside Lok Bhawan. The government has decided to install Ataljis statue outside Lok Bhawan and this will be a fitting tribute to the former Prime Minister and five time Member of Parliament from Lucknow, Yogi said at a function held in Lucknow on Tuesday. The function was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor Ram Naik and others, including ministers in the Yogi Council of Ministers. Yogi said that Atalji was known for sushasan (good governance) and therefore the UP government had decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as Good Governance Day. Atalji had the qualities of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and he learnt the intricacies of politics from Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Therefore, he always strived for betterment of the last man. The Antyodaya scheme was his brainchild and he always said that it was the dream of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Yogi said. The Chief Minister said that UP was Ataljis karma sthali and he started his political innings from Balrampur but was elected as MP for five times from Lucknow. Because of his special love for UP, the BJP government has launched many schemes after Atalji, Yogi said. The government had recently announced to set up a medical university after Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The first international stadium in Lucknow was also named after the late Prime Minister. The urban development scheme is also named after him. Because of Atal Bihari Vajpayees connection with Balrampur, an extension of KGMU has been set up in that district. In his address, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Atalji was an epitome of decency. Even in crisis, he remained calm. One should learn how to behave with people in public from him. I had the honour to work with him as a minister. He promoted and encouraged us to come up with ideas. As Union Agriculture Minister, the then NDA government took some revolutionary steps which helped the farming community, Singh said. As an MP, I always introspect as to how Atalji would have launched a particular scheme in Lucknow. I ensure that the scheme he had conceived as MP should see the light of the day, said Singh, the sitting MP from Lucknow. On the occasion, Governor Ram Naik said, Atalji was such an affable character that not only BJP leaders even leaders from the opposition sang paean to him, he said. Meanwhile, on the former PMs birth anniversary, camps were held at village level and people were apprised of government schemes. The State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party organised an event to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee here at Ekatma Parisar on Tuesday. The birthday of late Prime Minister is observed as Good Governance Day. Former State Chief Minister Raman Singh while addressing the gathering on the occasion said that the legacy of Atalji will remain and motivate the coming generation. So, with small barriers, the BJP workers will not accept defeat but will continue to work to fulfill the dream of the late Prime Minister. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced on Monday that the land of farmers acquired by Tata Steel in Lohandiguda region of Bastar region would be returned by the State Government to the farmers. The Chief Minister while reminding the promise made by him to the farmers directed the officials to start implementation of his order and bring forth a proposal in his next Cabinet meeting for its approval. It may be recalled that Baghel had assured the farmers that their land will returned to farmers during visit of AICC President Rahul Gandhi in the past. He had stated that the land acquired from farmers would be returned to them if no industrial unit is established within five years. The Chief Minister has directed officials to immediately start procedure for returning land of farmers of 10 villages. Notably, Tata Steel had acquired the land in February 2008.The villages where the land was acquired are- Chidgaon, Kumhali, Beliyapal, Badanji, Dabpal, Badeparoda, Belar , Takraguda and Sirisguda As per available details, around 2000 hectares of land was acquired for TATA project in February 2008 and December 2008. As land being in Scheduled Tribe area, the company could not purchase it directly from tribal farmers. State government had acquired to for the company, while company paid the compensation. The affected villages were Chindgaon, Kumhali, Beliyapal, Bandaji, Daabpal, Badeparoda, Belar and Sirisguda of Lohandiguda teshil, villages of Takraguda under Tokapal Tehsil. As per details, Tata Steel was to establish 5.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) green field integrated steel plant and had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government in June 2005 with an investment of about Rs 19500 crore. The MoU was extended but finally ended in June 2016, when company did not seek further extension. The company was allotted 2,500 hectares of iron ore mine in Bailadila Deposit 4 in 2008 for supply of raw material to the proposed steel plant. It is said that due to multiple factors in land acquisition and protest from local people, the project could not take off. Meanwhile, company also lost the mine of estimated reserve of 108 million tonnes of high grade iron ore as it could not commence mining in stipulated time frame. The government then could not allocate the mine due to the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act 2015, which stipulates auction as the only mode for mine allocation. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday launched 485 schemes and services of 37 departments under the 'Digital Haryana' initiative. He said through the medium of e-governance, people could be provided with good governance. On 94th birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 'Good Governance' programmes were organised in the state and the chief minister inaugurated 22 'Antyodya Saral Kendras' for all district headquarters from Karnal. "With this, Haryana has become the first state in the country, where 4,000 Atal Seva Kendras in rural areas, 22 at district headquarters, 51 at sub-divisional level and 20 Antyodya Saral Kendras at Tehsil level, have been launched simultaneously at such a large scale," he said while speaking on the occasion. All kinds of Antyodaya services, schemes meant for weaker sections of the society and target groups are available under one roof at Antyodya Saral Kendras. Through Video conferencing, the Chief Minister directed the officers concerned to ensure that there is adequate space available for Saral Kendras and all the schemes and services are displayed on the board for the convenience of the public. The Chief Minister also inaugurated Antyodaya Helpline number 1800-2000-023 and also dialed the toll free from his mobile and enquired about requirement of documents for Ration Card. Haryana Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar suggested that a SARAL App should be launched so that people could get all information about schemes on their smart phones at home. The Chief Minister appreciated the suggestion of Dhankar about launch of Saral App on the pattern of Umang App of Central Government, to provide information about all schemes and soon steps would be taken in this direction. He said that the aim of this project is to ensure that the citizen service delivery becomes effective, easy and corruption-free so that the citizen does not have to depend upon agents and middlemen to get benefits. He said that on the pattern of CM Window, everyday services being given at Saral Kendras would be monitored at Headquarters in Chandigarh. Responding to a question regarding possibility of setting up of a unit by Maruti Suzuki India Limited in Karnal, which is Khattar's home constituency, he said: "It depends on the Maruti company, from the state government's side the company had been offered two places in Gurgaon and one each in Samalkha, Faridabad and Karnal. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Swachh Bharat Mission had become a national movement and it could become the basis of fundamental change in the country. Yogi said that all stakeholders would have to come forward and perform their roles in effective manner for the success of the sanitation programme. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister distributed awards to urban local bodies that were declared winner in the Swachh Ward Competition organised by Urban Development department from November 15 to December 15. The awards were distributed to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In the nagar nigam category, ward number 44 (Katra Fulela) of Agra Nagar Nigam and ward Gajraula in the nagar palika parishad category were declared the cleanest in the state. In the nagar panchayat category, Swami Bagh Nagar Panchayat of Agra was also awarded. District magistrates of Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Jhansi and Shahjahanpur were also awarded for making strenuous efforts for maintaining sanitation in their respective districts. The landscape of urban UP will undergo a sea change if problems like sanitation, solid waste management and disposal, clean drinking water, drainage system are fixed. Mayors of cities and chairpersons of municipal bodies should tour their respective towns for an hour every day and monitor public amenities, the Chief Minister said. Exhorting the people to make sanitation an integral part of their daily lives, Yogi said, Even birds and animal hate poor sanitation and hence human beings too should not ignore sanitation. Insanitation and filth leads to disease taking huge toll on human lives every year, Yogi said. Referring to vector-borne and contagious diseases in Gorakhpur and neighbouring districts of eastern UP, the Chief Minister said, Sanitation campaign, availability of clean drinking water and immunisation campaign have played an effective role in curbing the menace of epidemics. Efforts of the state government for ensuring sanitation in these districts have resulted in sharp drop in the number of yearly causalities. In his address, Urban Development Minister Suresh Khanna said that a sanitation survey would be conducted across the state from January 4 to 31. He said in Swachh Ward Competition, 44 urban local bodies were awarded, and they included 12 nagar nigams, 18 nagar palika parishads and 14 nagar panchayats. 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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 Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state saying election would be held in Haryana at the fixed time. "An atmosphere is being created to hold Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections simultaneously across the country, for this all political parties would have to give their views and pass a bill in the House. As far as Haryana is concerned, elections would be held on their fixed time and if this is done by Central Election Commission then the state government is ready for simultaneous elections," he said. Replying to a question during a news conference, the chief minister said that in 2024, there can be possibility of conducting simultaneous general elections in the country. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stones of 576 projects worth Rs 161 crore at a function on the occasion of the 95th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow on Tuesday. The Union Home Ministers announcements were greeted with applause and enthusiastic Bharatiya Janata Party workers raised slogans in praise of the late Prime Minister. BJP Lucknow city unit chief Mukesh Sharma said that Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stones of international infrastructure to give shape to the dreams of Vajpayeeji, who dreamt of development of Lucknow. He said that Lucknow was slowly but steadily moving towards acquiring the status and stature that the former Prime Minister had thought of. Rajnath Singh inaugurated projects worth Rs 2 crore from CSR (corporate social responsibility) fund of GAIL, worth Rs 15 crore from MP Local Area Development Fund, 158 projects worth Rs 17 crore besides inaugurating Vishram Sadan having 210 beds at King Georges Medical University from CSR fund of Power Grid Corporation at the medical university. On this occasion, KGMU Vice-Chancellor ML Bhatt urged the Union Home Minister to fund the construction of a three-storey building at Vishram Sadan and of a multi-level parking on KGMU premises. The Union Home Minister gave an assurance to the VC in this regard. On this occasion, Rajnath Singh also inaugurated 17 projects worth Rs 2 crore undertaken by CSR fund of GAIL and 418 projects other projects. Singh attended a the tehri bhoj organised at Kudia Ghat in Lucknow. The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, ministers Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Brajesh Pathak, Mahendra Singh, Mohsin Raza, MLA Pankaj Singh, Suresh Srivastava, Neeraj Bora, Union Home Ministers representative Diwakar Tripathi and several others. Christmas was celebrated in different parts of the State on Monday with special midnight mass, visits to churches, singing of carols and exchange of greetings and gifts. Christians, along with many from other religious beliefs, attended the midnight mass by singing Christmas hymns and prayers at churches across the State. The churches were decorated with lights, candles, Christmas trees and bells to celebrate the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though I am a Hindu, I have been attending the midnight mass since over 10 years now. I visited the St Vincents Catholic Church at Satya Nagar (Bhubaneswar) along with my family members last night. It is a special day for me, said Aseema Dixit. Jesus Christ came to earth on this day to liberate us from our sins. We celebrate this day to remind us of the sacrifices he made for us. We attend the midnight mass and offered prayers at the church to mark the occasion, said Lawrence at the Catholic Church of Bhubaneswar. Apart from the religious significance, the day is fun. I love the cakes, gifts, music, dance and the holiday Christmas brings along, she added. Churches, homes and streets in the States western and southern parts with large Christian population were decked up with lights and other decorative items. Christmas trees and castles depicting the birth of Jesus Christ were placed to commemorate the occasion. A company controlled by Google's parent Alphabet Inc. has received an electronic money institution (EMI) license in Lithuania that will allow it to offer payment services across the European Union (EU). Amid the country's efforts to become a regional fintech licensing hub, the Bank of Lithuania issued the EMI license to Google Payment Lithuania, UAB on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported. "Our regulatory environment and the benefits it offers have been acknowledged by both start ups and world-class fintech companies," a statement quoted Marius Jurgilas, a member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, as saying. The EMI license authorises the company to issue and redeem electronic money and provide payment services. "We are constantly working to develop payments products and support our customers. We applied for a payment license in Lithuania as part of these efforts," Google spokesman Adam Malczak told local media on Friday. Google's EMI license in Lithuania was issued around a week after Revolut, a UK-based fintech start-up received European banking license which was facilitated by the Bank of Lithuania, paving the way for the company's banking services throughout Europe. "The end of this year reflects our efforts and experience of the past few years in actively developing a fintech-conducive ecosystem in Lithuania," Jurgilas said. Google's EMI license is the 45th such the Bank of Lithuania has issued so far. In total, more than 100 fintech companies, mostly in payments, electronic money issuance, peer to peer lending, crowdfunding, are licensed in Lithuania, according to the Bank of Lithuania. The Uttar Pradesh government Monday asked districts in western part of the state adjoining Delhi to strictly adhere to a three-day ban on industrial and construction activities imposed by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority. The order was issued to the divisional commissioners of Meerut and Saharanpur divisions and district magistrates of Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr and Shamli in a letter by Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey. As the national capital's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day Monday, the EPCA ordered that industries in pollution hotspots -- Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad -- and construction work across Delhi-NCR remain closed until Wednesday. The Ghaziabad administration said the ban has been relayed to industries and law enforcement agencies have been asked to take action against violators, while in Noida, all efforts will be made to adhere to the guidelines, officials said. "The brick kilns have been shut and industries, particularly those in Sahibabad industrial area have been told to suspend work for the next three days," Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ritu Maheshwari said. She said the administration will monitor the situation and act accordingly, while ensuring action against offenders. Noida DM Brajesh Narain Singh said his administration was already working on three fronts penalty, prosecution and arrest to ensure implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal and the EPCA on containing pollution. "We are issuing fines to violators, we have already prosecuted two government agencies for flouting pollution norms and have even arrested people for defying orders under CrPC section 151. If similar situations emerge, we will use these instruments (penalty, prosecution, arrest) more to ensure compliance to the advisory," he told PTI. In the letter, the chief secretary reiterated the EPCA's orders and instructed the administrators of various districts to keep the UP Pollution Control Board in Lucknow regularly updated on the actions taken. The EPCA has directed the traffic police to deploy special teams and ensure congestion-free traffic flow particularly in identified high traffic corridors and told the police department to strictly ensure that non-destined heavy duty vehicles travel through eastern and western peripheral expressways. The agencies concerned have also been asked to ensure strict action against illegal industries, intensify ground action and make all efforts to control polluting activities, particularly waste burning. "The ventilation index which allows dispersion (of pollutants) is extremely poor and it is expected that these conditions will prevail for the next two days," the EPCA said. In light of this and the expected weather conditions for the coming few days, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) task force has made these recommendations, which, the EPCA directs, should urgently be complied with. These actions have been taken on the recommendations of the CPCB, which said the reason the ban is imposed till December 26 is because winds are expected to pick up and the pollution could go down then. Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore amid tight security on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments case by the Accountability Court in Islamabad on Monday. The three-time former prime minister, who was taken into custody by police following the court judgement, was taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Monday. Upon reaching Adiala jail, jail doctors carried out a medical examination of the PML-N leader and found him physically fit. On Tuesday morning, Sharif was taken to Nur Khan Air Base amid tight security. Sharif was then flown to Lahore, where he was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail. Tight security had been put in place around the jail and Rangers were deployed at the police checkposts established on the route to the prison. Shortly after his conviction in the National Accountability Court's Al-Azizia corruption case Monday, Sharif's counsel requested court to shift him to Lahore jail instead of Adiala since the veteran leader is a heart patient and his personal physicians and family members are stationed in Lahore. The request was granted. The Punjab province government approved the provision of "better class" jail facilities for Sharif. The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table and chair in addition to a TV set and newspaper. A large number of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their Quaid (supreme) leader. However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the PML-N workers for trying to reach the jail. According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with "better class" facilities. Sharif has been shifted to the barrack where former president Asif Ali Zardari was also kept in corruption cases in 1990s. Upon reaching Kot Lakhpat jail, doctors carried out a medical examination of Sharif and found him physically fit. Tuesday also marks Sharif's 69th birthday. The PML-N's provincial secretariats have planned celebrations, along with Christmas celebrations. The party members also cut a cake in front of the Kot Lakhpat jail. Commenting on the verdict on Monday, Sharif said his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. Sharif's lawyers said the accountability court's verdict will be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. The accountability court verdict on Monday concluded a series of three court cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in July last year. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. The apex court set the deadline for December 24 to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the Sharif family. On Monday, the court delivered the judgement in two remaining cases. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. There is not enough analysis data for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust. 3.9 Community Rank Outperform Votes BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust has received 137 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust has received 98 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust has received 58.30% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BTZ will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BTZ will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the infrastructure sector. The fund employs fundamental analysis with a bottom-up stock picking approach, focusing on factors such as temporary market mispricing, values of assets, and cash flows to create its portfolio. It conducts in-house research to make its investments. Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. was formed on June 8, 2011 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is a publicly owned asset management holding company. The firm specializes in early stage, acquisition, distressed investments, short-term financing to mid-market companies, corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. The firm invest in attractive businesses through the public debt and equity markets or by providing financing. The firm invest in Business services, Industrials and Residential sectors. Through its subsidiaries, the firm invests in the property, power, and infrastructure sectors. Its property business includes owning and managing office properties, developing master planned residential communities, and offering clients bridge and mezzanine lending, alternative assets funds, and financial and advisory services. Through its subsidiaries, the firm operates hydroelectric power facilities, interconnections and transmission facilities in Northeast North America, and development of wind power in Canada. Through its subsidiaries, it invests in specialty funds including private equity and makes direct investments in real estate, energy, and resource assets. The firm launches and manages equity and fixed income mutual funds. It also manages real estate and hedge funds. The firm invests in equity and fixed income markets across the globe. It also invest in British Columbia, United States, Brazil, Australia, Chile, Uruguay, New Zealand. It prefers to invest between $2 million and $500 million in its portfolio companies. The firm also prefers to take both minority and majority stakes in its companies. It was formerly known as Brascan Corp. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices in Bogota, Colombia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Calgary, Canada, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Gatineau, Canada, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, London, United Kingdom, Melbourne, Australia, Montreal, Canada, Mumbai, India, New York City, Perth, Australia, Shanghai, China, and Sydney, Australia. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Crown: Adularia Inversiones 2010 S.L., Angleboard Sweden AB, Bates Cargo-Pak ApS, Butimove, CMB Machinery and Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CROWN AP (Thailand) Company Limited, CROWN Aerosols & Promotional Nederland, CROWN Aerosols Italia Srl, CROWN Aerosols Nederland BV, CROWN Aerosols UK Limited, CROWN Americas LLC, CROWN Arabia Can Company Ltd, CROWN Asia Pacific Holdings Pte. Ltd., CROWN Asia Pacific Investments (T) Limited, CROWN Bevcan Espana S.L., CROWN Bevcan France SAS, CROWN Bevcan Slovakia s.r.o., CROWN Bevcan Turkiye Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, CROWN Bevcan and Closures (Thailand) Company Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans (Cambodia) Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans (Dong Nai) Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Beijing Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Changchun Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Danang Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hangzhou Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hanoi Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Heshan Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hong Kong Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Huizhou Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Malaysia Sdn Bhd, CROWN Beverage Cans Nanning Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Putian Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Saigon Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Shanghai Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Sihanoukville Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Singapore Pte. Ltd., CROWN Beverage Cans Ziyang Limited, CROWN Beverage Packaging LLC, CROWN Beverage Packaging Puerto Rico Inc., CROWN Cans Ghana Limited, CROWN China Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, CROWN Commercial Belgium BVBA, CROWN Commercial France SAS, CROWN Commercial Germany GmbH & Co. KG, CROWN Commercial Hungary Kft, CROWN Commercial Netherlands B.V., CROWN Commercial Vermogensverwaltung GmbH, CROWN Cork & Seal USA Inc., CROWN Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A., CROWN Emballage France SAS, CROWN Emirates Company Limited, CROWN Envases Mexico S.A. de C.V., CROWN Famosa S.A. de C.V., CROWN Food Packaging (Thailand) Public Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Hat Yai) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Nakhon Pathom) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan Germany GmbH, CROWN Foodcan GmbH, CROWN Imballaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Imgallaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Italy Finance srl, CROWN Khmer Beverage Cans Limited, CROWN Maghreb Can, CROWN Magyarorszag Csomagoloipari KFT, CROWN Metal Packaging Canada Inc., CROWN Metal Packaging Canada LP, CROWN Middle East Can Co. Ltd., CROWN Packaging (Barbados) Limited, CROWN Packaging Holdings LLC, CROWN Packaging Investment (H.K.) Limited, CROWN Packaging Ireland Ltd, CROWN Packaging Jamaica Limited, CROWN Packaging Polska Sp.z.o.o., CROWN Packaging Technology Inc., CROWN Packaging Trinidad Limited, CROWN Packaging UK Limited, CROWN Promotional Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN SIEM, CROWN Senegal, CROWN Societe Malgache d'Emballages Metalliques, CROWN Speciality Packaging BV, CROWN Speciality Packaging Investment Pte. Ltd., CROWN Specialty Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN TCP Beverage Cans Company Limited, CROWN Verpakking Belgie NV, CROWN Verpakking Nederland B.V., Caretex Asia Ltd., CarnaudMetalbox Engineering Ltd, CarnaudMetalbox Food South Africa (Pty) Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Group UK Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overeseas Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overseas Limited, Cierres Hermeticos S.A. DE C.V., Constar International, Crown Americas Capital Corp., Crown Americas Capital Corp. II, Crown Americas Capital Corp. III, Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, Crown Americas Capital Corp. V, Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI, Crown Brasil Holdings Ltda., Crown Canadian Holdings ULC, Crown Closures Spain S.L., Crown Colombiana S.A., Crown Comercial de Envases S.L., Crown Commercial Italy Srl, Crown Commercial Polska Sp. z.o.o., Crown Consultants Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Company (DE) LLC, Crown Cork & Seal Company Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Crown Cork & Seal Receivables (DE) Corporation, Crown Cork & Seal de Portugal Embalagens S.A., Crown Cork Kuban, Crown Cork and Seal Receivables II LLC, Crown Developpement SAS, Crown European Holdings, Crown Food Espana S.A.U., Crown Foodcan Turkey Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Crown Hellas Can Packaging SA, Crown Heshan Trading Company Limited, Crown Holdings Italia Srl, Crown Holdings Spain S.L., Crown International Holdings B.V., Crown International Holdings Inc., Crown Luxembourg Holdings, Crown Mexican Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Crown Overseas Investments B.V., Crown Packaging Commercial UK Limited, Crown Packaging Distribution UK Limited, Crown Packaging European Division GmbH, Crown Packaging European Division Services SAS, Crown Packaging European Holdings GmbH, Crown Packaging Lux I S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux II S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux III S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Manufacturing UK Limited, Crown Packaging Maroc, Crown Receivables III, Crown Services Iberia, Crown UK Holdings Limited, Crownway Insurance Company, Dacro B.V., EMPAQUE, Fabricas Monterrey S.A. de C.V., Form Koruyucu Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Foshan Continental Can Co. Limited, Foshan Crown Easy-Opening End Co. Limited, Glass & Silice S.A. DE C.V., Globoplastt s.r.o., Gunther S.A.S., Haloila Bulgaria EOOD, Interstrap B.V., Josef Kihlberg AB, Kiwiplan GmbH, Kiwiplan Inc, Lachenmeier ApS, Liljendals Bruk AB, Litec France S.A.S., Mezger Heftsysteme GmbH, Mima Films S.a.r.l., Mima Films Sprl, Mima Packaging Systems S.A.S., Mivisa, Nordic S.A.S., Norsk Signode AS, Oy M. Haloila AB, PT CROWN Beverage Cans Indonesia, Package Design and Manufacturing, Prolatamex S.A. DE C.V., Quandel Verpackungs- und Foerdertechnik GmbH, SMB Schwede Maschinenbau GmbH, SMP Schwede Maschinenbau Weischlitz GmbH, SPG Denmark, SPG France Holdings SAS, SPG Germany Service Management GmbH, SPG Industrial Packaging S.a.r.l, SPG Netherlands B.V., SPG Packaging Ireland Limited, SPG Packaging Systems GmbH, SPG Packaging UK Ltd, Scybele S.A.S., Shippers Europe S.p.r.l., Signode BVBA, Signode Brasileira Ltda, Signode Hong Kong Limited, Signode Industrial Group, Signode Industrial Group AB, Signode Industrial Group Colombia S.A.S., Signode Industrial Group GmbH, Signode Industrial Group Holdings Lux S.a.r.l., Signode Industrial Group Holdings US Inc, Signode Industrial Group Lux S.A., Signode Industrial Group Mexico, Signode Industrial Group Sweden AB, Signode International Holdings LLC, Signode International IP Holdings LLC, Signode International Investment LLC, Signode Kabushiki Kaisha, Signode Korea Inc, Signode NZ Limited, Signode Netherlands B.V., Signode Packaging (Qingdao) Co., Signode Packaging (Shanghai) Co., Signode Packaging Espana S.L., Signode Packaging Group (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Signode Packaging Group Australia Pty Ltd, Signode Packaging Group Canada ULC, Signode Packaging Group NZ, Signode Packaging Systems Limited, Signode Pickling Holding LLC, Signode Polska sp. Z.o.o., Signode Singapore Pte. Ltd., Signode Sweden Holdings AB, Signode System GmbH, Signode System Packaging GmbH & Co. KG, Signode Systems (Thailand) Ltd., Signode US IP Holdings LLC, Silice De Veracruz S.A. DE C. V., Silice Del Istmo S.A. DE C.V., Silices De Veracruz, Societe Civile Immobiliere Rousseau-Ivry, Societe Civile Immobiliere des Baquets, Societe de Participations CarnaudMetalbox, Stopak India Pvt. Ltd, Strapex Austria GmbH, Strapex Embalagem L.d.a., Strapex Holdings Limited, Strapex S.A.S., Strapex Srl, Superior Investments Holdings Pte. Ltd., Superior Multi-Packaging Limited, TopFrame LLC, V.A.C. B.V., Vichisa S.A. de C.V., and Warehouse Automation Iberia S.L.. Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. It is co-managed by Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund also writes call options on one or more U.S. indices on a substantial portion of the value of its common stock portfolio. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the S&P 500 Index, the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, the NASDAQ-100 Index, and the CBOE NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite Index. Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund was formed on June 30, 2005 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom. Read More Invesco PureBeta FTSE Developed ex-North America ETF's stock was trading at $20.57 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, PBDM shares have increased by 38.7% and is now trading at $28.53. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Ivrnet Inc., a software and communications company, develops, hosts, sells, and supports value added business automation software solutions in North America. Its applications facilitate automated interaction through personalized communication between people; mass communication for disseminating information to thousands of people concurrently; and personalized communication between people and automated systems. The company also provides Safepay, a payment card industry (PCI), and PCI compliant online payment solutions. In addition, the company provides IT services, Website, and software development services, as well as sells equipment; communication services, such as telephone, fax, toll, audio conference, and invoicing services; and business services comprising website, server, community management, and registration system hosting, as well as offers custom applications, such as golf booking, Safe Team, 311, merchandising, call monitoring, tracking, reporting, and outbound calling applications, as well as texting and text advertising services. Further, it engages in the provision of software-related services, including training, installation, consulting, and maintenance. Ivrnet Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF's stock was trading at $23.69 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, PTEU shares have increased by 1.7% and is now trading at $24.09. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Amherst Pierpont, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16 Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets). Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. engages in the operation of senior living communities. The firm manages independent living, assisted living and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers. It operates through the following segments: Independent Living Assisted Living & Memory Care, CCRCs, Health Care Services and Management Services. The Independent Living segment is primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors who desire an upscale residential environment providing the highest quality of service. The Assisted Living & Memory Care segment offer housing and 24-hour assistance with ADLs to mid-acuity frail and elderly residents. The CCRCs segment offers a variety of living arrangements and services to accommodate all levels of physical ability and health. The Healthcare Services segment provides home health, hospice and outpatient therapy services, as well as education and wellness programs, to residents of many communities and to seniors living outside communities. The Management Services segment composes of communities operated by the company pursuant to management agreements. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Brentwood, TN. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Emerson Electric: A.P.M. Automation Solutions Ltd., AE Valves, AGI Mexicana S.A. de C.V., ALCO CONTROLS spol. s.r.o., APM Automation Solutions, ASC Investments Inc., ASCO (Japan) Company Limited, ASCO L.P., ASCO Numatics (India) Private Limited, ASCO Numatics Holding Inc., ASCO SAS, ASCO Valve (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ASCO/JOUCOMATIC s.r.o., ATX SAS, Advanced Protection Technologies, Aegir Norge Holding AS, Alliance Compressors LLC, American Governor, Aperture, Apple JV Holding Corp., Appleton Electric LLC, Appleton Electric S.A. de C.V., Appleton Group, Appleton Group Canada Ltd., Appleton Grp LLC, Appleton Holding Corp., Appleton Holding Sarl, Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Artesyn Hungary Elektronikai Kft., Artesyn Technologies, Asco AB, Asco Controls AG, Asco Controls B.V., Asco Joucomatic Ltd., Asco Joucomatic ZA B.V., Asco Magnesszelep Kft., Asco Numatics GmbH, Asco Numatics S.A., Asco Numatics Sirai S.R.L., Asco Numatics Sp. z o.o., Ascomatica S.A. de C.V., Ascomation (NZ) Ltd., Ascomation Pty. Ltd., Ascotech S.A. de C.V., Ascoval Industria e Commercio Ltda, Automatic Switch Company, Aventics, Aventics, Aventics AB, Aventics AG, Aventics AS, Aventics ApS, Aventics B.V., Aventics Corporation, Aventics Holding S.A.S., Aventics Holding S.a.r.l., Aventics Hungary Kft, Aventics Inc., Aventics India Private Limited, Aventics Limited, Aventics Ltd., Aventics Oy, Aventics Pneumatics Equipment (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Aventics Pneumatics Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aventics S.A.S., Aventics S.R.L., Aventics Services Germany GmbH, Aventics Singapore Pte. Ltd., Aventics Sp. z.o.o., Aventics Spain S.L., Aventics spol. s.r.o., Avtron LoadBank, Bannerscientific Limited, Beckman Industrial B.V., Beijing Rosemount Far East Instrument Co. Ltd., Bettis Canada Ltd., Bettis Holdings Limited, Bettis UK Limited, Biffi Italia S.r.l., Bioproduction Group, Branson Korea Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonic S.A., Branson Ultrasonics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonics B.V., Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Branson Ultrasonics a.s., Branson Ultrasonidos S.A.E., Branson Ultrasons SAS, Branson Ultrasuoni S.R.L., Branson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Bray Lectroheat Limited, Bristol Babcock Limited, Bristol Inc., Buehler Europe Limited, Buehler UK Limited, CR Compressors LLC, CSA Consulting Engineers Ltd., California Emerson LLC, Cascade Technologies, Cascade Technologies Holdings Limited, Cascade Technologies Limited, Chemat GmbH Armaturen fur Industrie - und Nuklearanlage, Chloride Koexa S.A., Componentes Avanzados de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Computational Systems, Computational Systems Incorporated, Conception et Representation de Technologies de Controle C.R.T. Controle SAS, Control Products Inc., Controles de Temperatura S.A. de C.V., Cooligy Inc., Cooper-Atkins, Cooper-Atkins Corporation, Cooper-Atkins Pte. Ltd., Copeland Access + Inc., Copeland Compresores Hermeticos S.A. de C.V., Copeland Corporation, Copeland Corporation LLC, Copeland Limited, Copeland Redevelopment Corporation, Copeland Scroll Compresores de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copeland de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copesub Inc., Crosby Valve LLC, Damcos A/S, Damcos Holding A/S, Daniel Automation Company, Daniel Europe Limited, Daniel Industrial Inc., Daniel Industries, Daniel Industries Canada Inc., Daniel Industries Inc., Daniel Industries Limited, Daniel International Limited, Daniel Measurement Solutions Private Limited, Daniel Measurement and Control Inc., Daniel Measurement and Control S. de R.L. de C.V., Danmasa S.A. de C.V., Dar Ibtikar Al Iraq for General Services and General Trade LLC, Decision Management International, Dieterich Standard Inc., Digital Appliance Controls (UK) Limited, Dixell North America Inc., Dixell S.R.L., Do+Able Products, E. Business Development E.B.D.Com Ltd., E.G.P. Corporation, EECO Inc., EGS Comercializadora Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Private Ltd., EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES s.r.o., EMR (Asia) Limited, EMR (Mauritius) Ltd., EMR Emerson Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, EMR Europe Holdings Inc., EMR Foundation Inc., EMR Holdings (France) SAS, EMR Holdings Inc., EMR Worldwide B.V., EMR Worldwide Inc., EMRSN HLDG B.V., EMRSN Process Management Morocco Sarl, ENPDOR2012A Limited, ENPESNA Inc., EPM Tulsa Holdings Corp., EPMCO Holdings Inc., ETC International Holdings Ltd., Easy Heat Europe SAS, Easy Heat Inc., El-O-Matic B.V., El-O-Matic Valve Actuators (F.E.) Pte. Ltd., Electrische Apparatenfabriek Capax B.V., Emerald Advanced Technology Limited, Emerson (Philippines) Corporation, Emerson (Taiwan) Limited, Emerson (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Arabia Inc., Emerson Argentina S.A., Emerson Asia Pacific Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Holdings Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Taiwan) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Thailand) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Czech Republic s.r.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Denmark A/S, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control France SARL, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Germany GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hong Kong Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hungary Kft, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Italia S.r.l., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Middle East FZE, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Netherlands B.V., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Polska Sp. Z.o.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Holding LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK II Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control US LP, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Automation Solutions GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Automation Solutions Ireland Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Isolation Valves Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions SSC UK Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Beijing Instrument Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Services LLC, Emerson Climate Technologies (India) Private Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies (Shenyang) Refrigeration Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Solutions (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Transportation Solutions ApS, Emerson Climate Technologies Arabia Limited Co., Emerson Climate Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies FZE, Emerson Climate Technologies GmbH, Emerson Climate Technologies Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Climate Technologies Refrigeration S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Europe S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Sarl, Emerson Commercial & Residential Tools LLC, Emerson Commerical & Residential Asia Limited, Emerson Comres de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson DHC B.V., Emerson Dietzenbach GmbH, Emerson Dominicana Srl, Emerson Egypt LLC, Emerson Electric (Asia) Limited, Emerson Electric (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Electric (Mauritius) Ltd., Emerson Electric (South Asia) Pte. Ltd., Emerson Electric (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Electric (Tongling) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation, Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation (Chile) Limitada, Emerson Electric (Zhuhai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric CR Limitada, Emerson Electric Canada Limited, Emerson Electric Company (India) Private Limited, Emerson Electric Company Lanka (Private) Limited, Emerson Electric Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, Emerson Electric II C.A., Emerson Electric International Inc., Emerson Electric Ireland Limited, Emerson Electric Korea Ltd., Emerson Electric Nederland B.V., Emerson Electric Overseas Finance Corp., Emerson Electric Poland Sp. z o.o., Emerson Electric U.K. Limited, Emerson Electric de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Electric do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Energy Systems (UK) Limited, Emerson FZE, Emerson Final Control US Holding LLC, Emerson Finance LLC, Emerson Fusite Electric (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Gabon SARL, Emerson Hazardous Electrical Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Holding Company Limited, Emerson Holding Sweden AB, Emerson InSinkErator Appliance (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Industrial Automation USA Inc., Emerson International Holding Company Limited, Emerson Japan Ltd., Emerson Junkang Enterprise (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Korea Limited, Emerson LLC, Emerson LLP, Emerson Machinery Equipment (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Mexico Finance S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Emerson Middle East Inc., Emerson Network Power DHC B.V., Emerson Paradigm Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management (India) Private Limited, Emerson Process Management (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Tianjin) Valves Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management A/S (Denmark), Emerson Process Management AB, Emerson Process Management AG, Emerson Process Management AS, Emerson Process Management Angola Lda, Emerson Process Management Arabia Limited, Emerson Process Management Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Process Management B.V., Emerson Process Management Chennai Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Distribution Limited, Emerson Process Management Europe GmbH, Emerson Process Management Flow B.V., Emerson Process Management Flow Technologies Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Process Management Holding AG, Emerson Process Management Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management Kft., Emerson Process Management LLLP, Emerson Process Management Lda, Emerson Process Management Limited, Emerson Process Management Ltda, Emerson Process Management Magyarorszag Kft., Emerson Process Management Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management NV, Emerson Process Management New Zealand Limited, Emerson Process Management Nigeria Limited, Emerson Process Management Oy, Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions Inc., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions India Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Qatar W.L.L., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Inc., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa LLC, Emerson Process Management Romania S.R.L., Emerson Process Management S.A., Emerson Process Management S.A. de C.V., Emerson Process Management S.L., Emerson Process Management S.R.L., Emerson Process Management SAS, Emerson Process Management Shared Services Limited, Emerson Process Management Sp. z o.o., Emerson Process Management Ticaret Limited Sirket, Emerson Process Management UAB, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Valve Automation Inc., Emerson Process Management Verwaltung GmbH, Emerson Process Management d.o.o., Emerson Process Management de Colombia SAS, Emerson Process Management del Peru S.A.C., Emerson Process Management s.r.o., Emerson Professional Tools (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Puerto Rico Inc., Emerson Retail Services Europe GmbH, Emerson S.R.L., Emerson Sales UK Limited, Emerson Saudi Arabia LLC, Emerson Scroll Machining (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Sice S.R.L., Emerson Sweden AB, Emerson TOV, Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Technologies Verwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Tool Company de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Tool and Appliance Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson UK Trustees Limited, Emerson USD Finance Company Limited, Emerson Valves & Controls Japan Co. Ltd., Emerson Ventures Inc., Emerson Vulcan Holding LLC, Emerson Xi'an Engineering Center, Emersub 1 LLC, Emersub 10 LLC, Emersub 11 LLC, Emersub 12 LLC, Emersub 14 LLC, Emersub 15 LLC, Emersub 16 LLC, Emersub 3 LLC, Emersub 4 LLC, Emersub 5 LLC, Emersub 7 LLC, Emersub 8 LLC, Emersub 9 LLC, Emersub CII Inc., Emersub CV Inc., Emersub Italia S.R.L., Emersub LXXXIV Inc., Emersub LXXXVI Inc., Emersub Mexico Inc., Emersub Treasury Ireland Unlimited Company, Emersub XLVI Inc., Emersub XXXVI Inc., Emirates Techno Casting FZE, Emirates Techno Casting Holding Limited, Emirates Techno Casting LLC, Enardo, Endura-Greenlee Tools, Energy Solutions International (India) Private Limited, Energy Solutions International GP LLC, Energy Solutions International Ltd., Energy Solutions International SAS, Energy Solutions International Sub LLC, F-R Tecnologias de Flujo S.A. de C.V., FC QSF LLC, FMC Technologies, Fiberconn Assemblies Morocco Sarl, Fincor Holding LLC, Fire & Safety Group.Com Ltd., Fisher Controles de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fisher Controls International LLC, Fisher Jeon Gas Equipment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Fisher Regulators (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Sanmar Limited, Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc., Flow Control Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Flow Control Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Flow Control US Holding Corporation, Francel SAS, Fromex S.A. de C.V., Fusite B.V., Fusite Corporation, Fusite Land Company, GSEG LLC, General Equipment and Manufacturing Company Inc., Generale de Robinetterie Industrielle et de Sytemes de Surete, GeoFields, GeoFields Inc., Greenex Ltd., Greenfield (UK) Limited, Greenlee, Greenlee Communications, Greenlee Tools Inc., Gulf Valve FZE, Gustav Klauke GmbH, H.T.E. Engineering Limited, HD Electric Company, HTE Engineering Services Limited, Hindle Cockburns Limited, Hiross India Private Limited, Hiter Industria e Comercia de Controles Termo-Hidraulicos Ltda., Humboldt Hermetic Motor Corp., Hytork International Ltd., I Solutions Inc., ICC Intelligent Platforms GmbH, ISE-MagTech, Industrial Controls Canada ULC, Industrial Group Metran JSC, Instrument & Valve Services Company, Intelligent Platforms LLC, Intellution, International Gas Distribution SA, Intrinsic Safety Equipment of Texas Inc., JCF Fluid Flow India Private Limited, JSC Metran-Export, Joucomatic S.A., K Controls Limited, Keystone Germany Holdings Corp., Keystone Valve (Korea) LLC, Keystone Valve (U.K.) Limited, Klauke, Klauke (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co Ltd., Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Klauke Iberia S.L., Klauke Polska Sp. z.o.o., Klauke Slovakia s.r.o., Klauke UK Ltd., Knurr, Liebert, Liebert Swindon Limited, Locus Solutions LLC, Locus Traxx Worldwide, Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe BVBA, MDC Technology Limited, MDC Technology Trustees Limited, METCO Services Limited, MYNAH Technologies, Management Resources Group Inc., Mecafrance (Deutschland) GmbH, Metallurgical Services Laboratories Limited, Metaserv Limited, Metco Services Venezuela C.A., Micro Motion Inc., Mobrey Group Limited, Motores Hermeticos del Sur S.A. de C.V., NetworkPower Ecuador S.A., Nippon Fisher Co. Ltd., Novel Environmental Technologies Ltd., Novel Extinguishing Agent Technology Ltd., Numatics Incorporated, Nutsteel DHC B.V., Nutsteel Industria Metalurgica Ltda, O.M.T. Officina Meccanica Tartarini S.r.l., Open Systems International, P I Components Corp., PT Emerson Solutions Indonesia, PT. Emerson Indonesia, PT. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia, Pactrol Controls Limited, PakSense, PakSense Inc., Paradigm, Paradigm (UK) Holding Limited, Paradigm B.V., Paradigm France S.A., Paradigm Geophysical (India) Private Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical (Nigeria) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (U.K.) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical B.V., Paradigm Geophysical Corp., Paradigm Geophysical Italy SRL, Paradigm Geophysical LLC, Paradigm Geophysical Limited, Paradigm Geophysical Pty Ltd, Paradigm Geophysical S.A., Paradigm Geophysical Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical Spain S.L., Paradigm Geophysical de Venezuela C.A., Paradigm Geophysical do Brasil Ltda., Paradigm Geoservices Canada Ltd., Paradigm Geotechnology (Egypt) S.A.E., Paradigm Kazakhstan LLP, Paradigm Middle East FZ-LLC, Paradigm Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Parex Industries Limited, Pentair Valves & Controls, Pentair Valves and Controls India Private Limited, Permasense, Permasense Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Permasense Limited, ProSys, ProTeam Inc., Progea, RAC Technologies (Israel) Ltd., RIDGID Inc., RPP Europe GmbH, RPP LLC, Rey-Lam S. de R.L. de C.V., Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Ridge Tool Company, Ridge Tool Europe NV, Ridge Tool GmbH, Ridge Tool GmbH & Co. OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. Ltd., Sakhi-Raimondi Valve (India) Limited, Scroll Compressors LLC, Scroll Mexico LLC, Sempell GmbH, Shanghai Virgo Valves Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., Sherman + Reilly, Soluciones 0925 C.A., Spectra-Tek Holdings Limited, Spectra-Tek International Limited, Spectra-Tek UK Limited, Spectrex, Spectrex Inc., Spectronix Ltd., Spensall Engineering Limited, Steel Support Systems Limited, Stratos Lightwave, System Plast International B.V., System Plast Ltda, System Plast USA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TDM-avtomatizatsiya, TV&C GP Holding LLC, Taiwan Valve Co. Ltd., TechnipFMC, Termocontroles de Juarez S.A. de C.V., Tescom Corporation, Tescom Europe GmbH & Co. KG, Tescom Europe Management GmbH, The Automation Group Inc., The J.R. Clarkson Company LLC, Therm-O-Disc Europe B.V., Therm-O-Disc Incorporated, Thunderline Z Inc., TopWorx UK Limited, Tranmet Holdings B.V., Tranmet Holdings Limited, Verdant Environmental Technologies, Vilter Manufacturing LLC, Virgo Valves & Controls (ME) FZE, Virgo Valves and Controls Sdn Bhd, Von Arx AG, Vulsub 1 Limited, Vulsub Brasil Holding, Vulsub Brasil Ltda., Vulsub Chile SpA, Vulsub Gulf Holding Limited, Vulsub Holding III (Denmark) ApS, Vulsub Holding Ltd, Vulsub Holdings A LLC, Vulsub Holdings B LLC, Vulsub Holdings C LLC, Vulsub Holdings D LLC, Vulsub Italia S.r.l., Vulsub Middle East Holdings LLC, Vulsub Peru S.A.C., Vulsub Property Holding LLC, Vulsub Property Limited, Vulsub S.A., Vulsub South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Vulsub VZ C.A., Westinghouse Electric Pvt. Limited, Westlock Controls Limited, Westlock Equipamentos de Controle Ltda., Woodstock Land Company LLC, epro GmbH, iSolera Inc., iSolutions Private Limited, and intelliSAW. iShares North American Tech-Software ETF's stock was trading at $211.67 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IGV stock has increased by 90.9% and is now trading at $404.05. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. CONSOL Coal Resources LP produces and sells high- British thermal unit (Btu) coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States. It owns a 25% undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex, which consists of three underground mines and related infrastructure that produce high-Btu thermal coal located primarily in southwestern Pennsylvania. The company markets its thermal coal principally to electric utilities. CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC operates as a general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as CNX Coal Resources LP and changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP in November 2017. CONSOL Coal Resources LP was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Read More Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sport shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Prim + Preux, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer panty hoses, tights, and leggings under the brands of Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, GT a GoldToe Brand, Silver Toe, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Kushyfoot, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brand names; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, or embellishers, as well as to retailers and consumer brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More 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 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 functions perform Read More The Boeing Co. is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space and Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. The Defense, Space and Security segment refers to the research, development, production and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft and weapons systems for global strike, including fighter and combat rotorcraft aircraft and missile systems; global mobility, including tanker, rotorcraft and tilt-rotor aircraft; and airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, including command and control, battle management and airborne anti-submarine aircraft. The Global Services segment provides services to commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Capital segment seeks to ensure that Boeing customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing product and manages overall financing exposure. T Read More FedEx Corp. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of a portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. It operates through the following segments: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Services, and Corporate, Other & Eliminations. The FedEx Express segment consists of domestic and international shipping services for delivery of packages and freight. The FedEx Ground segment focuses on small-package ground delivery services. The FedEx Freight segment offers less-than-truckload freight services across all lengths of haul. The FedEx Services segment provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications, customer service, technical support, billing and collection services, and certain back-office functions. The Corporate, Other & Eliminations segment includes corporate headquarters costs for executive officers and certain legal and finance functions, as well as certain other costs and credits not attributed to the firm's core business. The company was founded by Frederick Wallace Smith on June 18, 1971 and is headquartered in Memphis, TN. Read More KBR, Inc. engages in the provision of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program life-cycle within the government services and hydrocarbons industries. It operates through the following segments: Government Solutions, Technology Solutions, Energy Solutions, Non-strategic Business, and Other. The Government Solutions segment provides full life-cycle support solutions to defense, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies. The Technology Solutions segment combines KBR's proprietary technologies, equipment, and catalyst supply and associated knowledge-based services into a global business for refining, petrochemicals, inorganic, and specialty chemicals as well as gasification, syngas, ammonia, nitric acid, and fertilizers. The Energy Solutions segment provides full life-cycle support solutions across the upstream, midstream and downstream hydrocarbons markets. The Non-strategic Business segment represents the operations or activities which the company intends to exit upon completion of existing contracts. The Other segment includes corporate expenses and general and administrative expenses not all Read More Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF's stock was trading at $36.95 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, PXSG stock has increased by 47.0% and is now trading at $54.32. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Brookfield Business Partners LP engages in owning and operating business services and industrial operations. It operates though the following segments: Business Services, Infrastructure Services, Industrial Operations, and Corporate and Other. The Business Services segment includes services such as residential mortgage insurance, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, real estate and construction, entertainment, financing, and other businesses. The Infrastructure Services segment consists of services to the nuclear power generation industry and offshore oil production industry: and access, forming, and shoring solutions and specialized services. The Industrial Operations segment deals with automotive batteries, graphite electrode, and other manufacturing; water and wastewater services: natural gas production and well servicing; and a variety of other industrial operations. The Corporate and Other segment comprises cash and liquidity management, and activities related to the management of the partnership's relationship with Brookfield. The company was founded on October 1, 2015 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More 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.. Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc. engages in the acquisition and operation of multifamily properties in select targeted markets throughout the United States. It operates through the following segments: Multifamily Communities, Financing, New Market Properties, Preferred Office Properties, and Others. The Multifamily Communities segment consists of company's portfolio of owned residential multifamily communities. The Financing segment refers to the portfolio of real estate loans, bridge loans, and other instruments deployed by the company to partially finance the development, construction, and prestabilization carrying costs of new multifamily communities and other real estate and real estate related assets. The New Market Properties segment covers portfolio of grocery-anchored shopping centers, as well as the financial results from the retail real estate loans. The Preferred Office Properties segment relates to the portfolio of office buildings. The Others segment includes deferred offering costs. The company was founded by Leonard A. Silverstein and John A. Williams on September 18, 2009 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH. The Swiss Helvetia Fund Inc. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. The fund invests in public equity markets of Switzerland. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in value stocks of companies across all market capitalizations. It employs fundamental analysis with a bottom-up stock picking approach, focusing on factors such as capital appreciation, income, economic and industry trends, quality of management, financial condition, business plan, industry and sector market position, dividend payout ratio, and corporate governance to create its portfolio. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the S&P 500 Index and MSCI EAFE Index. It was previously known as The Helvetia Fund, Inc. The Swiss Helvetia Fund Inc. was formed in October 24, 1986 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More Systemax Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a direct marketer of brand name and private label industrial and business equipment and supplies in North America. It sells a range of maintenance, repair, and operation products, including storage and shelving, material handling, janitorial and maintenance products, furniture and office products, workbenches and shop desks, HVAC/R and fans, safety and security products, outdoor and grounds maintenance products, tools and instruments, and office and school supplies. The company also sells plumbing products and pumps, packaging products and supplies, electrical and lighting products, food service products and appliances, raw materials and building supplies, motors and power transmission products, pneumatics and hydraulics, medical and laboratory equipment, metalworking and cutting tools, vehicle maintenance products, and fasteners and hardware. It offers its products under the Global, GlobalIndustrial.com, Nexel Paramount, and Interion brand names. The company offers its products to businesses, educational organizations, and government entities through relationship marketers, catalogs, and e-commerce sites. Systemax Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Port Washington, New York. Read More Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. provides marine transportation, oil production, storage, long-distance towing and offshore installation, and maintenance and safety services for the oil industry. It operates in six segments: Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO); Shuttle Tanker; Floating Storage and Off-Take (FSO); Unit for Maintenance and Safety (UMS); Towage and Offshore Installation Vessels; and Conventional Tanker. The company serves customers in offshore oil regions of the North Sea, Brazil, and the East Coast of Canada. As at December 31, 2018, it had a fleet of 35 shuttle tankers, 2 chartered-in vessels, 1 HiLoad dynamic positioning unit, 8 FPSO units, 6 FSO units, 10 long-distance towage and offshore installation vessels, 1 UMS, and 2 chartered-in conventional oil tankers. Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. serves as the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. The company was founded in 2006 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. is a subsidiary of Brookfield TK TOLP L.P. Read More 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 First American Financial Corp. operates as an insurance company. It provides title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries. The company operates its business through the following segments: Title Insurance & Services and Specialty Insurance. The Title Insurance & Services segment provides title insurance, escrow, closing services and similar or related financial services domestically and internationally in connection with residential and commercial real estate transactions. It also maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The Specialty Insurance segment issues property & casualty insurance policies and sells home warranty products. It also provides title plant management services, which include title and other real property records and images, valuation products and services, home warranty products, property and casualty insurance and banking, trust and investment advisory services. First American Financial was founded in January, 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA. Read More Ellie Mae, Inc. provides cloud-based platform for the mortgage finance industry in the United States. It provides Encompass, an enterprise solution that engages in running the business of originating mortgages, including marketing and lead management; loan origination and processing; underwriting; preparation of mortgage applications, disclosure agreements, and closing documents; loan funding and closing; compliance with regulatory and investor requirements; and enterprise management. The company's Encompass Digital Lending Platform helps lenders and investors across their workflow from the prospective customers to the point of loan delivery. In addition, the company provides education and training services; professional and technical support services; and loan product, policy, and guideline data and analytics services. Ellie Mae, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. Read More 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. The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. The Union Cabinet last month approved strategic sale of government stake in Dredging Corporation of India to consortium of four ports. New Delhi: India needs to open up its dredging market to boost trade by its major ports which at present cannot handle very large vessels in absence of proper draft depth, government think tank Niti Aayog has said. More competition mainly from global players in dredging activities would help increase and maintain draft depth at ports and attract large vessels, enabling them to become hub ports, the Aayog mentioned. At present, the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and a limited set of private vendors serve the Indian dredging market, limiting competition. "The government needs to open up the dredging market to attract more players, particularly international players, in dredging activities to increase and maintain draft depth at ports to attract large vessels and enable them to become hub ports," Niti Aayog has said. Foreign players will be attracted to the market if the government takes measures such as consolidating dredging contracts across cohorts of ports and withdrawing, at least temporarily, the right to first refusal given to Indian vendors, it said. To enable major ports to handle large vessels, the government has already made an action plan to increase the draft depth of ports. Most major ports have already achieved a draft depth of 14 metres or more except Kolkata Port, where deeper draft has not been feasible because of the riverine nature of the port. Some major ports are striving to achieve deeper drafts up to 18 metres. The outer harbour in Visakhapatnam has very deep draft of more than 18 metres. Work is in progress to create a draft of more than 18 metres in Mormugao and Kamarajar Port. The Union Cabinet last month approved strategic sale of government stake in Dredging Corporation of India to consortium of four ports namely Vishakhapatnam Port Trust, Paradeep Port Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust. The government currently holds 73.44 per cent in Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCIL). The approval is aimed at facilitating the linkage of dredging activities with the ports, keeping in view the role of the DCIL in expansion of dredging activity in the country as well as potential diversification of ports into third party dredging. India has 12 major ports -- Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) which handle approximately 61 per cent of the country's total cargo traffic. New Delhi: The government will start disbursing fresh capital infusion to PCA banks from next week out of the total amount of Rs 83,000 crore. Almost all such banks are expected to receive funds to shore up their tier-I capital but the quantum of the recap would be linked to the reductions they have been able to manage on their NPAs and the improvements in the return on assets, official sources said. It (capital infusion in banks) will start next week onwards, in the first week of December, we already had completed recognition and accounting for non-performing assets in the PSBs . all PCA banks are expected to get it, sources said. The infusion is also expected to help four-to-five banks to pull out from the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework and also help loan growth. The capital infusion exercise will be completed by March 31, 2019. It also includes Dena Bank, which is not just fall under PCA but also barred from lending money. Dena Bank will soon be merged with Vijaya Bank and Bank of Baroda, which, however, will not get any infusion. However, last fiscals largest recipient IDBI Bank will not get any fund this time as the LIC will soon take over it. On a priority basis, major quantum of the capital would go to better-performing PCA banks to achieve 9 per cent capital to risk-weighted asset ratio, 1.875 per cent capital conservation buffer and the six per cent net NPA threshold, facilitating them to come out of PCA which could include Allahabad Bank and Uco Bank, sources said. At present total 11 banks are under PCA. Finance minister Arun Jaitley had announced last week that the government would infuse Rs 83,000 crore in public sector banks in the remaining part of the fiscal taking the total recapitalisation of banks during the year to Rs 1.06 lakh crore. Kevin Spacey is facing a felony following an accusation of sexual assault that hit the headlines last year and the actor has shared a bizarre video clip on his social media, suggesting "we're not done". According to Variety, the charge is related with an allegation of misconduct that was made by former TV anchor, Heather Unruh, who said that the "House of Cards" star sexually assaulted her 18-year-old son in July 2016 at a Nantucket bar. Michael O'Keefe, the Cape and Islands district attorney in Massachusetts, said in a statement Monday that Spacey would be arraigned on January 7 for one charge of indecent assault and battery, the first criminal charge levied against him as a result of sexual misconduct allegations. In the statement, O'Keefe also said there was a public show-cause hearing in Nantucket District Court last Thursday, after which Clerk Magistrate Brian Kearney issued the criminal complaint. The legal counsel for the actor did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On his part, Spacey shared a weird video on his Twitter Tuesday in which he addressed the audience in Frank Underwood's Southern accent, breaking the fourth wall as he did when he starred in Netflix's hit political drama series. In the over three-minute-long clip, the actor delivered a monologue over a kitchen sink while wearing an apron flaunting Christmas colours, in which he alluded to allegations against him that first surfaced last October when actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making a sexual advance when he was a minor at a party in 1986. Twenty other men later came forward to report that Spacey had engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour during his tenure as the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London. "I know what you want. Oh sure, they may have tried to separate us, but what we have is too strong. It's too powerful. I mean, after all, we shared everything, you and I. I told you my deepest, darkest secrets. I showed you exactly what people are capable of. I shocked you with my honesty, but mostly I challenged you and made you think. And you trusted me, even though you knew you shouldn't. So we're not done no matter what anyone says. "Of course some believed everything. They're just waiting with baited breath to hear me confess it all. They're just dying to hear me say that everything was true and I got what I deserved," the actor says in the video. Spacey further asks his viewers if they rushed to deliver a judgement "without evidence and facts". "All this presumption made for such an unsatisfying ending and to think it could have been such a memorable send-off. I can promise you this: If I didn't pay the price for the things we both know I did, I'm certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didn't do. "Despite all the poppycock, the animosity, the headlines, the impeachment without a trial. Despite even my own death, I feel surprisingly good and my confidence grows each day that soon enough you will know the full truth," he says. Towards the end, referring to his part being axed from "House of Cards" as a following allegations, Spacey taunts the viewers asking the question, "You never actually saw me die, did you?" He then puts what looks like a wedding ring on his index finger and glared at the camera, saying "Conclusions can be so deceiving. Miss me?" This video is Spacey's first post after over a year since his response to Rapp's claims in which he apologised to the "Star Trek: Discovery" actor Rapp saying that he "does not remember" any such encounter but he is "sorry" if he behaved in such a manner under the influence of alcohol. Spacey also addressed his sexuality in the same post. A new poster of Rajinikanth and Simran from Petta is going viral. While their first combo picture unveiled earlier showed them on a crowded street, in this one the duo is seen walking through dense woods smiling at each other. The film also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Trisha, Sasikumar, Bobby Simha, Malavika Mohanan, Megha Akash and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Directed by Karthi Subbaraj, this is the first time Anirudh Ravichandran has composed music for a Superstar movie. Touted to be a commercial entertainer with mass elements and suspense, Rajinikanth will be reportedly seen in two avatars -a hostel warden and a gangster from Madurai in Petta. For some reason, he hides his identity and poses as a college warden in the film. The film has been awarded U/A certification by the Censor Board. Though Karthik Subbaraj is tightlipped about the story, speculation ran high on social media that Pettais about the sensitive theme of honour killing. One may recall Karthik had dealt with Mercury poisoning in Kodaikanal in his earlier movie titled Mercury. It is learnt that Petta might also address a social problem. The actor who recently left for the US for a holiday with family told reporters at the airport, Expectations for Petta are high. I hope our expectations will be met. By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of 110 kV Agh Shahar-2 and Bakikhanov substations and the Birinji Fevvareler Street as well as a groundbreaking ceremony of the Agh Shahar pedestrian bridge and Zaman square in Baku White City. They also viewed the newly-built Fountains Square Park. The president first inaugurated the Agh Shahar-2 substation. Acting Chairman of Azerishig OJSC Vugar Ahmadov informed the president that comprehensive measures are being taken in order to supply the White City with quality and sustainable electricity. Then, the opening of the Birinji Fevvareler Street was held. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerbaijan Highway State Agency Saleh Mammadov informed the president of the construction of new roads. President Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the street. President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then viewed the newly-built Fountains Square Park. Executive Director of Baku White City project Ruslan Sadikhov informed the president that the Fountains Square Park, the foundation stone of which was laid by President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in December 2016, is part of a pedestrian passage and an 800-car public parking complex. President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then laid the foundation stone of Agh Shahar pedestrian bridge and Zaman square. After viewing the work done over the past period and projects to be implemented in the years to come, President Aliyev gave his instructions and recommendations. Aadi Saikumar has wrapped up the shooting of his forthcoming film, Operation Gold Fish. Directed by Saikiran Adivi, the actor went for a drastic transformation from head to toe for his role of NSG Commando, Arjun Pandit. Speaking about how Aadis role has come alive, the director shares, The response for Aadis look has been very exciting. When I penned the script, I was looking for an actor who was young and promising. One of the reasons I chose Aadi was because he had never done such a role (NSG Commando) thus far. I thought that Aadis character would bring a fresh appeal to the film. And Aadi too believed that the role and the makeover would be challenging, and would push him as an actor. On the film, Saikiran shares, The shooting is over and the post-production works are currently in progress. We are excited with the way the film has shaped up. Tipped to be an exciting drama, the story is based on real-life incidents. Popular writer Abburi Ravi is playing a negative role in this film that also stars Karthik Raju, Nitya Naresh and Sasha Chetri. The cops then arrested Bukya Venkatesh and rescued the girl. It was found that the man repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl at his room. (Representional Image) Hyderabad: A 21-year-old youngster from Warangal district has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl by luring her under the pretext of marriage. The girls mother had lodged a complaint with the KPHB police following which the accused was arrested. On November 29, the girl sent pictures to her cousin on WhatsApp saying she got married, following which a complaint was filed with the KPHB police. The cops then arrested Bukya Venkatesh and rescued the girl. It was found that the man repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl at his room. KPHB police said Accused Venkatesh, a native of Athamkur village in Sangareddy district lured the girl with the promise of marriage and had sexually exploited her at his room several times. The accused is arrested and produced before a court for judicial remand. The body of Sodan Singh was found hanging from a noose near a tubewell on Sunday. (Photo: ANI) Ghaziabad: An accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case was found dead in Sikheda village. The body of Sodan Singh was found hanging from a noose near a tubewell on Sunday. "In the morning, police was informed that a person has committed suicide by hanging himself on a trail. The post-mortem has also confirmed suicide," said Superintendent of Police, Om Veer Singh. While the police termed it a case of suicide, Sodan's relatives alleged that he was murdered by an enemy. "People who killed my brother are from the SC community. Some time ago, they had filed a false report in the police that Sodan had assaulted their daughter. We have filed a case against four people but the police have not taken any action so far," said Karamveer Singh, the deceased's brother. The clashes that took place in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts between the Hindu and Muslim communities in August-September 2013 claimed 62 lives while injuring 93 others and leaving more than 50,000 displaced. The riots reportedly took place over a minor altercation between Hindu and Muslim youths at Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar district. Described as the "the worst violence in Uttar Pradesh in recent history," the 2013 riots saw the Indian Army deployed in the state for the first time in 20 years. A motorist complained that once Mr Venkaiah Naidus convoy had passed the spot on SP Road, the police also left the place without clearing the jam. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: At least two ambulances were stuck in a traffic jam caused by the convoy of Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday. Mr Venkaiah Naidu was on his way to Begumpet airport and the traffic police halted vehicles at the junctions to provide him a green channel. A motorist complained that once Mr Venkaiah Naidus convoy had passed the spot on SP Road, the police also left the place without clearing the jam. Mr Suresh Kochattil, who was stranded in the traffic, said, At about 1.40 pm in the afternoon, an ambulance had to wait for 10 minutes for the traffic to clear near the College of Air Warfare near the CTO flyover. There was an ambulance which was wailing ways for almost 10 minutes. Many commuters suggested to the driver to take the left which was 100 metres away. He said traffic police ignored the ambulance. I called the traffic control room and complained about it and requested them to clear the way for the ambulance. He said he was in the traffic jam for almost half an hour. The moment the VVIP left all the traffic cops left the scene, he said. Mr Kochatil added that by the time he reached Rasoolpura, the scene was chaotic and he saw another ambulance in the traffic. An official from Hyderabad Traffic police on condition of anonymity said, We gave a traffic advisory to avoid the route. The traffic jam during the VIP movement can be solved by the lawmakers themselves. He said the police was doing its duty by providing green channel to the VIP. We cant allow any vehicle to move during the VIP movement. It is a security concern. If there is any untoward incident caused by the ambulance, who will be responsible? He also acknowledged the problem for the patient in the ambulance. If there is an emergency case in the ambulance and if the victim dies because he couldnt reach the hospital in time who will be responsible? It is a double edge sword, he said. According to sources, when Mr Venkaiah Naidu was informed about the traffic issue, he had agreed for some relaxation of the rules. When a green channel is ordered, vehicles on both sides of the roads are stopped. Mr Venkaiah Naidu reportedly agreed to free flow of traffic on the opposite side of the road. On Monday, however, traffic on both sides of the road appeared disrupted. Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs and other senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan. (Photo: Facebook) New Delhi: Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering will visit India from December 27 to December 29 at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation. Tshering will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs and other senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan, stated a press release from Indian Ministry of External Affairs. His state visit to India is happening during the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan. During the visit, Prime Minister of Bhutan will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other ministers will call on the Prime Minister of Bhutan. India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels. The upcoming visit of the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in our multifaceted partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples. He also stated that he is in constant touch with banks and wants to settle the issues and is willing to join the investigation through video-conferencing. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi informed Enforcement Directorate in the Bombay Court that he cant travel for 41 hours to reach India from Antigua due to his poor health. Choksi accused ED of misleading probe by not revealing his health condition deliberately. He also stated that he is in constant touch with banks and wants to settle the issues and is willing to join the investigation through video-conferencing. The Enforcement Directorate has asked the court to declare Choksi as a fugitive economic offender and seize his properties. Mehul Choksi was granted citizenship of Antigua and took an oath of allegiance on January 15. A few days later, on January 29, Central Bureau of Investigation filed a case and started investigating him and Nirav Modi. Choksi and Nirav Modi are accused of Rs 13,000 crore fraud involving fake guarantees in the name of Punjab National Bank to secure loans abroad. Earlier in December, the global police body Interpol issued a red corner notice against Choksi on the CBIs request. India is making efforts to bring back Choksi from Antigua under the provision of a law of the island nation, which provides for extradition of a fugitive. However, India and Antigua do not have a bilateral extradition pact. The Muslim employees in the IT and services hub of Noida have been asked to offer Friday prayers during work hours in mosques, eidgahs or inside the premises of the company. (Representational Image | PTI) Noida: The Uttar Pradesh police have asked the companies and offices in Noida Sector-58 to direct their employees not to offer Friday Namaz (prayers) in public spaces including community parks. The notice issued last week by the Sector-58 police station also warned the firms operating in the industrial park that they will be held liable for any violation by their Muslim employees who were seen offering namaz in open public spaces. "We want to inform you that there is no permission from the administration to conduct any kind of religious activity including Namaz offered on Friday in the authority park in Sector 58. It has been often seen that the Muslim workers of your company congregate in the park to offer Namaz and I, the SHO, have told the group to not hold prayers there. Also, their plea to the city magistrate has not received any permission to do so, the order said. Thus, it is expected from you (the companies) that you at your level inform your Muslim employees to not come to the park to offer Namaz. If employees of your company come to the park, it will be assumed that you have not informed your employees and your company will be held liable, the police notice further read. The Muslim employees in the IT and services hub of Noida have been asked to offer Friday prayers during work hours in mosques, eidgahs or inside the premises of the company. According to reports, companies in Sector-58 sought a meeting with senior Noida cops in order to get clarity on the matter. The notice imposing restrictions created furore after which the Noida police defended it saying that communal harmony could be disturbed, especially in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Dayanand Salian alias Pujari was missing after getting bail in the murder case of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother-in-law Ismail Parkar. (Photo: File) Mumbai: A 49-year-old gangster, who was missing after getting bail in the murder case of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother-in-law Ismail Parkar 22 years ago, was arrested on Monday, the police said. Dayanand Salian alias Pujari, a member of the Arun Gawali gang, was arrested by the unit-7 of Mumbai Police's Crime Branch after a trap was laid for him at Kanjurmarg in eastern suburbs, an official said. Pujari was allegedly involved in serious crimes like murder and attempt to murder carried out at the behest of the Gawali gang, he said. He was arrested by the Nagpada police in connection with the 1991 murder of Ismail Parkar, Ibrahim's brother-in-law, he said. Ismail Parkar was the husband of Hasina Parkar, Ibrahim's sister, he said. Pujari was arrested in 1993 and got bail in 1996, the official said. He then fled the city and went to Uttar Pradesh, where he had been working as a cook under a fake name, the official said. Bengaluru: Reiterating his decision to quit the Congress party, Belagavi strongman Ramesh Jarkiholi who was dropped from the H.D. Kumaraswamy ministry, on Monday said that he was committed to his decision (to quit the party). On Sunday he had told the media in Belagavi that he would resign in four or five days. Mr Jarkiholi is severely upset with the partys decision to drop him from the cabinet and blamed the media for this development. You created a villain out of me and described the villain as a hero. You (media) did irreparable damage to me and my career. People will not forgive you, Mr Jarkiholi told reporters outside his official residence here. In his place, his brother Satish Jarkiholi was inducted into the cabinet during the rejig on Saturday. While leaving the residence in his private car, Mr Jarkiholi refused to share more details on whether other disgruntled Congress legislators would resign from the party along with him. Why should I share any information with you? he shot back. A 14-second long video clip in which Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi can be heard telling his supporters that he along with a few others would resign from the party, has already gone viral creating a political storm. In the video, he however does not reveal the number of MLAs who would resign. Sources in the Congress camp quoting his close supporters, said the former minister despite his public posturing , does not feel resigning from his MLA post, would help him in his career. A cabinet berth has come back to our family (Satish Jarkiholi). How will I benefit if I resign from the party now, he reportedly told his loyalists hinting that people may not accept his decision to quit the Congress when his brother Satish Jarkiholi has been rewarded with a ministerial berth ensuring justice for the family. Bengaluru: Traffic on the busy Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway came to a grinding halt on Monday after Janata Dal (Secular) workers, led by Mandya Lok Sabha member L.R. Shivaramegowda, staged a rasta roko protesting against the brutal murder of a party activist in Maddur. Thousands of vehicles piled up on both sides of the road for over two hours as protesters blocked the highway demanding Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to visit the spot. Thousands of people heading towards various tourist destinations were caught in the traffic jam. The situation returned to normal after the local police convinced the agitators to call off their strike. On Monday, Mr Prakash (50), the husband of former ZP president Lalitha and an eyewitness in a double murder case at Toppanahalli village, was hacked to death by four to five motorbike riders, who came to the spot wearing helmets, at T.B. Circle on Bengalure-Mysuru Highway. On Monday morning, Mr Prakash, who had a tender coconut business, was on his way to the Maddur tender coconut market along with his two friends. They had stopped the car near a showroom to fix the car sticker. His friends, Muganna and Vinay, had got down from the car, while Prakash was sitting in the backseat. Four to five men came to the spot on two-wheelers, sat next to Prakash and stabbed him indiscriminately. By the time his friends came to his rescue, the miscreants fled from the spot. Prakash was rushed to a hospital in Maddur where the doctors declared him brought dead. Superintendent of Police D. Shivaprakash visited the spot and made security arrangements at Toppanahalli village and Maddur town as a precautionary measure. As the news spread, hundreds of JD(S) workers stormed the highway and blocked the traffic. Some of them vandalised the hospital premises by breaking the glass panes. It is learnt that Prakash had refused protection despite the local police warning him. Condemning the incident, Mr Kumaraswamy directed the Mandya police to take strong action against the culprits. He will visit the victim's family on Tuesday. By Trend The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has warned Iranians to avoid renting bank cards and accounts. Recently, on the social media and messaging channels there have been proposals to rent bank cards and accounts, Trend reports as Tasnim cited a CBI statement. CBI said it is easy to open a bank account or obtain a bank card for Iranian citizens. Renting bank accounts or cards to cover up criminal activities, money laundering and tax fraud or avoid judicial punishment would mean the owners of bank accounts and cards are responsible for these actions, the statement added. According to the law, the owners of bank accounts and cards are responsible for banking transactions, CBI said. Therefore, we advise our fellow citizens to avoid any offer to rent bank accounts or cards in order to be safe from legal punishment. K Chandrasekhar Rao met Odisha CM on Sunday and his West Bengal counterpart on Monday in an effort to forge a non-BJP and non-Congress alliance. (Photo: File | DC) New Delhi: Congress on Monday accused Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao of doing "politics of division" and of helping the BJP by proposing a non-Congress national front of other parties. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi made the remarks after CM Rao, popularly known as KCR, met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Monday in an effort to forge a non-BJP and non-Congress alliance. Singhvi said the Congress will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in an alliance with a number of other parties and emerge victorious. "If you talk of exclusion and do not want to ally with those who want to ally with the Congress, then you are doing 'politics of division' and you want to help the ruling party... I don't think other parties will get trapped in this," he told reporters when asked about the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief's proposal. Singhvi said if one wants to keep the principal opposition party out of an alliance, "it becomes clear that they want to help someone else". The Congress leader said his party did not have any problems with one political leader meeting another and that "everyone is free to meet anyone". "You will see that the Congress will emerge victorious after it contests elections with many other parties," he said. KCR met Mamata Banerjee on Monday and said efforts to cobble together a non-BJP and non-Congress alliance will continue. He claimed that very soon they will come out with a concrete plan for the Lok Sabha elections. The TRS chief met the Trinamool Congress president a day after he met his Odisha counterpart and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik, another strong regional leader. Hyderabad: Civilian residents of the Secunderabad Cantonment have started an online campaign demanding the merger of the SCB into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), stating that they are being discriminated against. Residents have been placing their views across social media platforms with a #mergewithghmc. Cantonments, by their nature, cater to the needs of the military establishment. Civilians in the SCB lamented that cantonments were unequipped to serve the needs of large civilian populated areas as that of the Secunderabad Canton-ment. Mr Srinivas, a software employee and a resident of SCB, mentioned, Cantonments lag far behind municipalities in terms of both democratic strength and professional versatility. Further, being Central government controlled agencies, they are denied the benefits of state government schemes and grants. Mr C.S. Chandra-shekar from the Federation for North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad (FNECS) said, It will be good for everyone if the SCB merges with GHMC. At least then, we will have accessibility to officials and share our problems which is missing right now. There is not even a redressal mechanism here. One resident said, Completely enclosed in the GHMC area, it is unjust and impractical to govern the Secunderabad Cantonment under the outdated Cantonments Act and the ill-equipped Cantonment Board. The non-excision of civilian areas from the Secunderabad Cant-onment Board besides harming the interests of civilians is also likely to strain the relations between the Defence and civilians further. Hence, immediate action may be initiated to excise civilian areas from there SCB and merge the same with the GHMC. Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday opened the Bogibeel bridge, countrys longest rail-road bridge in Assams Dibrugarh. The opening of the bridge coincides with the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee under whose government the work started in 2002. The Prime Minister, who reached Dibrugarh in the afternoon from New Delhi, flew directly to Bogibeel in a chopper and dedicated the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge to the nation from the south bank of the river. After greeting people, standing on the foothold of his vehicle, PM Modi deboarded the car and walked a few metres on the bridge along with Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Constructed for Double Line Broad Gauge Track and three-lane road, this bridge will be the lifeline of the north eastern part of the country and will facilitate connectivity between south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assams Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The biggest advantage of the bridge will be easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometres. Pointing out that the Centre gave utmost importance to this Bridge Project by declaring it a national project in the year 2007 thereby assuring availability of fund for speedy construction, sources in the Northeast Frontier Railway said. Bogibeel Bridge Project was also the part of Assam Accord and was sanctioned in the year 1997-98. The foundation stone of the Project was laid by the then prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997. However, work on the project commenced during Atal Bihari Vajpayees regime on April 21, 2002. The bridge has a total length of 4.94 km (revised from earlier 4.31 km). The sanctioned estimated cost of the project was Rs 3,230.02 crore. Revised estimate of the project amounts to Rs 4,857 crore which has been approved and sanctioned by the Railway Board to cover escalation and increased bridge length, the spokesperson of the NF railway said. The remote districts of Anjaw, Changlang, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Dibang Valley and Tirap of Arunachal Pradesh will be greatly benefited by this bridge. The bridge will reduce the road distance from Dibrugarh, in Assam to Itanagar by 150 km and the railway travel distance between these two points will be reduced by 705 km. Bengaluru: While the dust has still not settled on the scare following the discovery of cracks in the piers at the Metros Trinity Junction, passengers travelling on the purple line from Nayandahalli to Byappanahalli panicked on Monday as its services came to a halt for nearly 30 minutes at the Majestic and Vidhana Soudha stations following a technical glitch. A private company employee and a regular commuter, Sudha, who travels from Magadi Road to MG Road says she panicked as the train stopped abruptly at the Majestic station for over 10 minutes. Commuters were surprised that the train was taking so long to leave during the peak hour, she said. Seeing the trains stranded, anxious passengers began making frantic calls to their respective offices to inform them about the hold-up. One frustrated passenger, Anuridh Shetty, remarked that he would prefer to use his bike over the Metro in future given the kind of technical hiccups it was constantly facing. Commuting by the Metro should allow us to reach office and get back home faster than usual, but the technical glitches are only delaying us, he regretted. In a statement released to the media later, Namma Metro explained that its services were halted due to a technical hiccup. Chief Public Relations Officer, B L Yashwanth Chavan, said failure of power supply to the signalling system at the Indiranagar station delayed the trains running between MG Road and Swami Vivekananda Road stations by five to 15 minutes on the purple line. While normal services were restored at 11 am, six round trips from Byappanahalli to Mysore Road stations were cancelled by then, he admitted, adding that the BMRCL regretted the inconvenience caused to commuters. A stern message needs to be sent to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today Pakistan is not feeling the pinch it should feel, said Kumar. (Photo: DC File) Pune: Asserting that India should adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened. Kumar was delivering the Lalitaditya Memorial Lecture in Pune, organised by Sarhad organisation. During his speech, he also said that there is a need to send a stern message to Pakistan for its support to militancy. "A stern message needs to be sent to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today Pakistan is not feeling the pinch it should feel," said Kumar. He said India should deal strongly with Pakistan as far as training camps and terrorist launchpads are concerned. "Now USA is exiting Afghanistan. It has its implications in Kashmir. It is a matter of time that we will be feeling its implications in the Valley. After the US withdrawal, the terrorists organisations would feel pumped up, emboldened," he said. Seeing America's withdrawal as a "sign of victory", terrorist outfits can feel that New Delhi can also be defeated, so there is an urgent need for India to adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to deal with terrorism in Kashmir, he asserted. The US is planning to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The American troops contribute to training and advising local forces fighting the Taliban and the Islamic State group. Underling Pakistan's active role in spreading terrorism in the Valley, the former IPS officer said Pakistan is not only sponsoring terrorism but also sending its nationals to Kashmir in the garb of fighting jihad. "No matter which government is in power, Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in the Valley," he said. He said militancy in Kashmir started with local terrorist organisations but now it is tilting towards Islamic extremism. "The Valley has a rich history of Sufism but over the years it has moved towards Wahabism," he said, adding that efforts should be made to take Kashmir back to Sufism. Suggesting measures, he said the state needs stringent laws to deal with anti-national forces, a concrete policy to encourage youths to give up militancy. The surrender policy must ensure that youth who give up militancy are gainfully employed and discouraged from returning to the menace, he said. He also called for political outreach and empowerment of the civil society. He said social media has played a destructive role in inciting sentiments of the youth. Bhopal: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday expanded his ministry by inducting nine Congress MLAs including a woman in it. With this, the strength of his ministry has gone up to 12. Earlier, two ministers, T.S. Singhdeo and Tamradhwaj Sahu, were sworn-in along with Mr Baghel who had taken oath as chief minister of Chhattisgarh on December 17. The Bhupesh Baghel ministry has three members including a woman from Scheduled Tribe, two from Scheduled Caste and seven members including the chief minister from OBC communities. It has lone Muslim MLA. Durg region got lions share in the ministry by being represented by six members including the chief minister in the cabinet, while Bastar and Raipur regions have been represented by one minister each. At least four veteran leaders in the party, former Union minister Charan Das Mahant, former minister Satyanar-ayan Sharma, Amitesh Shukla and former Chhattisgarh Congress president Dhanendra Sahu were, surprisingly, not taken in the ministry, sparking strong resentment among their followers. In fact, Mr Sahu and Mr Shukla boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers as a mark of protest for being ignored by the leadership. Partys Rajya Sabha member Chhaya Verma has been assigned the task of pacifying Mr Sahu. Party sources said Mr Mahant may be considered for the post of speaker of Chhattisgarh assembly. Mr Baghel headed the first meeting of his cabinet in the evening in which the decision to return lands acquired for the abandoned Tata Steel project in Lohan-diguda under Bastar district in Chhattisgarh, to the original owners, was approved. A special POCSO court on Sunday pronounced death sentence to the accused holding the crime as the rarest of rare. (Representational images) Bhopal: A 52-year-old man has been sentenced to death for raping, sodomising and then strangulating to death his six-year-old daughter a year and half ago. A special POCSO court on Sunday pronounced death sentence to the accused holding the crime as the rarest of rare. The accused father committed the heinous and gruesome crime when his daughter was playing on the terrace of first floor of his house on March 15, 2017 suspecting her an illicit child born out of his wifes alleged extramarital affair. The girl was found hanging on the ceiling of the tin shed built on the terrace in his house. Hyderabad: Congress spokesperson Rajeev Gowda on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was behind the Federal Front proposed by TRS president and Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. The Chief Minister is on a four-day tour to rally allies for his proposed front and is due to meet Mr Modi on Wednesday. Speaking to mediapersons here, Mr Gowda said, referring to the West Bengal Chief Minister, To benefit the BJP politically, Mr Rao is trying to form the Federal Front. The Congress is confident that Ms Mamata Banerjee and other leaders will stay with the Congress. Everyone knows that Mr KCR is helping the Prime Minister. He said the BJP feared the Congress grand alliance. The Right to Information Act is being disposed of as the corruption of Mr Modi and Amit Shah will come out. The CBI and RBI are also being used as they wish, Mr Gowda said. On the Rafale deal, the Congress spokesperson said, The BJP has misled the Supreme Court. The CAG has not given any report to the PAC. Being a PAC member I know it. Why the defence minister not revealing the price of the Rafale jet? Anil Ambani was benefited by thousands of crores of rupees in the deal. Hyderabad: A petition challenging the state government ordinance related to restriction of the reservation for the Backward Classes in the gram panchayat elections was moved before the Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday. Mr U. Samba Shiva Rao of the Telangana States BC Mahajana Samithi and Mr Jajula Srinivasa Goud, president of the Telangana BC Welfare Association, filed a petition against Ordnance No. 2 of 2018, which was issued on December 15. The ordinance amended the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018. As per the Act, reservations for BCs was fixed at 34 per cent but it was brought down to 23 per cent as per the directions of the Supreme Court, which has laid a 50 per cent cap on reservations. The petitioners sought the court to suspend the ordinance as illegal and requested it to direct the government to implement reservations for BCs in accordance with the Constitutional scheme. They mentioned in the petition that government was not following the provisions of the PR Act, which stated that the BCs had to be enumerated and elections have to be conducted every five years in consonance with Article 243E of the Constitution. This petition will be heard on Wednesday by the Chief Justices bench. Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is following in the footsteps of Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to embarrass Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the ensuing elections. In the recent Telangana Assembly elections, which his party won, Chief Minister Rao branded Mr Naidu as anti-Telangana (Mr Naidu was not in favour of the separate state), thus playing with Telangana sentiments. Now Mr Modi is invoking founder president of the Telugu Desam, N.T. Rama Raos sentiment in the people of Andhra Pradesh to embarrass Mr Naidu in the ensuing elections. A couple of days ago in a video conference with BJP workers of Tamil Naidu, Mr Modi criticised Mr Naidu for betraying NTR by joining hands with the Congress from which NTR split to form the new party. Till a year ago, Mr Naidu was a strong critic of the Congress. In 2017, he called Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi Sonia Godse and said that the Congress should be buried. He called on farmers to come onto the streets with swords to kill the Congress and said the party is shani for country. With the shift in political fortunes, Mr Naidu allied with the Congress to fight the recent Assembly elections in Telangana. His opponents, who now include the Prime Minister, have taken advantage of this volte face to allege that this new alliance is a betrayal of the Telugu Desams most revered leader, the late NTR. Mr Modi said that NTR launched the Telugu Desam to counter the Congress and it is a sheer political opportunism that has made Mr Naidu join hands with the Congress now, betraying NTR. Mr Naidu has called these remarks of the Prime Minister atrocious. It is likely that the Telugu Desam and the Congress will be in alliance in the ensuing parliamentary elections. In Andhra Pradesh the appeal of NTR is much greater than it was in Telangana, and the BJP wants to cash in on this NTR sentiment in a big way to embarrass Mr Naidu. To counter the criticism of the Telugu Desam allying with its one-time foe, the Congress, TD leadership is giving the narrative a new twist. Telugu Desam leaders are now saying that the founder of their party, N.T. Rama Rao launched the Telugu Desam not against the Congress, but against the dictatorial attitude of the Centre towards the states. The party leaders have started this campaign from Monday in the partys attempt to defend its decision to ally with the Congress. Khimji Ramdas, a major conglomerate in Oman, recently held a workshop for Omani management trainees at Khimji Training Institute in Muscat. Hritik Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas outlined the importance of achieving a productive work-life balance to the trainees. Speaking at the event, he spotlighted critical points linked to the impact of overall wellbeing on performance with a speech that inspired the firms new employees to move towards a more pragmatic attitude at work, raising their perspective to help them act in their duties as one team delivering to its their full potential. Welcoming a cadre of 42 Omani men and women, Hritik Khimji said, As a modern enterprise committed to the groups long-standing focus on community wellbeing, we combine said values with leadership best practices to ensure an optimal performance from our employees as we help them to realize a strong sense of enjoyability at work and happiness in everyday life. It is known that those who are happy at work deliver to their fullest potential and remain conducive to the positive influences of their environment. This is something that we wish to inspire our entire workforce with as an incentive for the talent we have onboard across our various divisions, and thus the business as an economic contributor. Hritik Khimjis talk covered the importance of combining the quality of dedication with a robust set of social and business ethics capable of propelling each individuals journey as a cog within a far greater mechanism with the means of attaining positive change in society and success in the KR Group as a business. He added: We need to work for something greater than ourselves, and share that with our peers, discussing our plans, our hopes, and our dreams. It is further important that people ask, what am I doing to make a difference?, both inside and outside of the company, be it at home or within the communities that we live and work in. This boosts employee engagement as it creates new opportunities for interaction, cooperation, and enjoyment; which then translate back to the work environment by increasing our prospects through enhanced collaboration. Whether our employees go on to become entrepreneurs or climb the corporate ladder these traits will prove to be of great value. Elucidating on the potential impact of the trainees partaking in the programme, who are set to go forth in key roles amidst a team of 6,000 employees, he concluded: By realizing ones own vision for happiness we are able to ensure a greater bond with our environment and everybody in it. By acting in a positive and spirited manner we become one and can begin to enjoy the benefits that ensue at work, as well as outside in everyday life. Everything comes together when such balance in achieved. TradeArabia News Service Khalid Nasser Al Mashari, a management trainee selected from over 1,000 applicants, commented, We have the utmost faith in our leadership and the messages they deliver to us as part of the KR Family. We have come to understand how our individual visions as employees link to that of the business and our shared community values, moreover how this impacts the business and furthers our culture of success. Khimji Ramdas Management Trainee Programme comprises a four month training scheme that includes an intensive three week residential course in Malaysia. The experience attained by graduates are enriched through continued investment in corporate learning initiatives and professional development frameworks with a view to establishing motivated talent as future leaders in Omans public and private sector. TradeArabia News Service But now the Congress is struggling for its existence in both Andhra Pradesh and the newly-created state of Telangana. Hyderabad: The undivided state of Andhra Pradesh had been a bastion of the Congress since Independence. Two Congress Prime Ministers were elected from here, Indira Gandhi from Medak in 1980 and Narasimha Rao from Nandyal in the Rayalaseema region in1991. But now the Congress is struggling for its existence in both Andhra Pradesh and the newly-created state of Telangana. Till 1982, when N.T. Rama Rao launched the Telugu Desam, the Congress had no rival in the state. With the formation of the Telugu Desam, the downfall of the Congress started in AP. After a decade in the wilderness, the Congress returned to power in 2004 under the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. In 2009 the party retained power with YSRs welfare schemes making him immensely popular. After his death in an airplane accident in 2009, the Congress has been unable to find such a popular leader in the region. After the states bifurcation in 2014, both states were lost to the Congress like Tamil Naidu and West Bengal were. In the 2014 Assembly elections in AP, the Congress did not open its account. In Telangana, it won 21 seats. This has come down to 19 in the recent Telangana Assembly elections. The fact is that the Congress has no leader in TS to match Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao who had fought relentlessly for a separate state. The Congress thought that in 2014 the strong Telangana sentiment had helped the TRS to win, but in 2018, it was confident it could form the government, particularly after the formation of the Peoples Front, an alliance of five parties. But, belying those expectations, the TRS swept the Assembly elections. Worse is in store for the Congress. After March 2019, the party will have no representative in the Telangana Legislative Council. At present the Congress has 19 MLAs but its not known how many of them will jump ship and join the TRS in the coming days. The main problem in Telangana is that the Congress has no charismatic leader here and it is also plagued by groupism and infighting, a Congress tradition. There is no collective leadership and no collective responsibility in the party. There is no consensus on who should be legislative party leader or president of the state committee. In Telangana the Congress has only one strong Opposition, the TRS. But in AP it has two strong opponents, the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress. It is in no position to recover its lost ground in the near future, though it is trying to open its account in the Assembly in the coming Assembly elections through its alliance with the Telugu Desam. While there is no infighting in the party in AP, people are still angry that the Congress allowed the bifurcation of the state. In the present political scenario it will take years for the Congress to recover any of its past power in these two states. It may be that Telangana state and AP have gone the way of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in rejecting the party. TRS MLCs Ramulu Naik and Bhupathi Reddy, who were served with notices, met Mr Goud and requested him to provide more time to them to respond to the notices. Hyderabad: Legislative Council Chairman A. Swamy Goud on Monday turned down the request of TRS Council members who joined the Congress for more time to reply to his notice. In a related development, Congress leaders met Mr Goud, demanding that he disqualify MLCs who recently shifted to the TRS from the Congress. TRS MLCs Ramulu Naik and Bhupathi Reddy, who were served with notices, met Mr Goud and requested him to provide more time to them to respond to the notices. Both said that the Chairman did not respond positively. Congress leaders and the two MLC alleged that Mr Goud was misusing constitutional powers given to him. Speaking to mediapersons, Mr Naik asked how Mr Goud could take a decision on the MLCs who joined the Congress but not those who joined the TRS. He said, The notices were issued on December 18. I requested the chairman for four weeks but he did not respond positively. I was nominated in the Governors quota. It is a fact that I met Congress president Rahul Gandhi but I have not joined the Congress. Some people are trying to put me in jail and some are planning to kill me. The government will be responsible for whatever happens to me. Mr Bhupathi Reddy said, I received notices on December 19. The notice says that it was issued because I joined the Congress. I have requested the Chairman to provide me with some more time. Hyderabad: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao who is camping in Delhi would likely meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Mr Rao has travelled to Bhubaneswar and Kolkata during his ongoing four-day trip to bring consensus among the regional parties to have a Federal Front without the BJP or the Congress. He is likely to meet BSP president Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday. He may also meet leaders of other parties. The CM had announced recently before mediapersons that his action plan was ready for implementation and that he would reveal the Federal Front concept during his stay in New Delhi. TRS cadres were expecting an announcement from Mr Chandrasekhar Rao after meeting with regional party leaders and the Prime Minister with regard to the shape the Federal Front would take before he leaves for Hyderabad. Mr Rao has already discussed his proposed front with Biju Janata Dal supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Trinamul chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This is the second time that Mr Rao is meeting Ms Banerjee for talks over the Federal Front. Anak Krakatau volcano erupts in Sunda Straits off the coast of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java. The death toll from the December 22 volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia has risen to 373. (Photo: AFP) Tanjung Lesung: Efforts to collect hundreds of bodies and save the injured were stepped up in Indonesia on Monday following the country's latest tsunami, as scientists collected evidence on how a volcanic eruption triggered the weekend tragedy. Casualty figures from Saturday night's disaster continued to rise, with at least 373 people confirmed dead and more than 1,400 injured. The death toll was certain to rise further, with 128 people still missing from the affected areas along the coastlines of western Java and southern Sumatra islands, where hundreds of military personnel and volunteers were conducting their grim search along debris-strewn beaches. Where victims were found, yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out, and weeping relatives identified the dead. The waves that swept locals and tourists into the sea along the Sunda Strait followed an eruption and apparent landslide on Anak Krakatau, or "Child of Krakatoa," one of the world's most infamous volcanic islands. Hotels and homes were damaged by the waves. Broken chunks of concrete and splintered sticks of wood littered hard-hit coastal areas, turning popular beach areas into near ghost towns. The country is facing an acute shortage of automated teller machines (ATMs), as there are only 17 ATMs per lakh people. There is a need for at least 4 lakh ATMs in the next two years, from the present 2.22 lakh, according to a research note by Tata Communications Payment Solutions Ltd (TCPSL), which is the largest WLA (White Label ATM) operator. At present, the country has a total of 2,21,492 ATMs including 15,626 white label ATMs. A White Label ATM is operated by a non-banking entity. In a country where only 16% of rural population transacts online, the shortage of ATMs is a big concern as the majority of the countrys 134 crore population resides in the rural areas. Barely 5% of the rural areas have access to an ATM. There are over 6 lakh villages in India, but not more than 30,000 villages have ATMs. People from rural areas end up travelling at least 10 km to access any kind of banking services. At a time when we talk about Direct Benefit Transfer, how will these rural populations withdraw those subsidies without ATMs or bank services available, asked K Srinivas, MD, and CEO of BTI Payments, the second largest White Label ATM player. He stressed the need for more ATMs in rural and semi-urban areas. An analysis of RBI data reveals that India's ATM penetration stands at 15 per lakh population, less than the fourth of neighbouring China's 63. If we include 15,626 white label ATMs, the cash vending machines operated by non-bank entities in the country, stand at just 17 per lakh population. Globally, the US has the highest penetration of ATMs with 173 cash vending machines per lakh people. Sanjeev Patel, CEO of TCPSL said, Cash continues to be in strong demand even post demonetisation a fact that is reaffirmed in the ATM transactions volumes that are seeing a growth trend in spite of the digital euphoria. The total cash in circulation, as of December 14, stood at Rs 20.24 lakh crore, up 2.15 times in less than two years since December 23, 2016, when cash in circulation depleted to Rs 9.4 lakh crore, owing to the withdrawal of high-value currency notes (Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination). Patel added that though the Indian government is striving hard to push Indian digital economy to $1 trillion in the next 5-7 years, the fact remains that a large number of people depend on cash. Though many digital transactions including POS, m-wallets had increased exponentially immediately after demonetisation primarily triggered by less cash availability, however, their growth rates have reduced now and data show that they have not eaten into ATM transactions. Like in other economies namely US and China, instead of pegging Cash v/s Digital we should allow each payment platform to co-exist, for the end consumer to decide which is the most convenient way for him to access his own money, he said. ATMs are operated by 51 companies which include scheduled commercial banks, payments banks, and small saving banks. While the study by TCPSL calls for a massive uptick of the number of ATMs across the country, an analysis of RBI data suggests that the number of bank ATMs post-March 2017, has gone down by 2,331. In March 2017, the number of ATMs by various banks stood at 2.08 lakh as against 2.05 lakh at present. Two persons one a Gulf returnee and another self-styled social worker who had allegedly printed and planning to circulate fake currency notes of Rs 2000 face value were arrested by the City Police on Monday night and fake currency notes with face value of Rs 1 crore were seized from their possession. The accused have been identified as Asif Shaikh resident of Vadgaon suburb who had returned to the city after working for four years in Dubai wherein he had acquired knowledge to use computers, different software printer, while another accused as Rafiq Desai resident of Sri Nagar, a self-styled social worker who feeds patients in the District Hospital in the morning hours. Police Commissioner D C Rajappa told reporters told reporters here on Tuesday that they had received a specific tip-off that one person identified as Asif Shaikh who has printed fake currency notes had been coming towards Sri Nagar to hand it over to another person Rafiq Desai for circulation. Teams under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Seema Latkar and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mahaning Nandgavi comprising of Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mahanteshwar Jiddi and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Market Subdivision) Narayan Baramani were formed and a trap laid. While Shaikh who had come on a scooter had been handing over a bag containing fake notes to Desai, police teams raided them and both were detained. During checkup of the things in the bag, it was found that 50 bundles of fake currency notes with Rs 2000 face value were in it. During interrogation, Desai informed the police that the currency notes were fake and Shaikh had printed them in his residence by using a laptop, CorelDraw software and printer. Police seized the equipment from his residence in the presence of witnesses, he said. Among the fake notes seized, those with Rs 2000 face value have serial No 6FQ210241 and with Rs 500 face value have serial No 6BP478309. Shaikh had earlier attempted to print currency notes of Rs 50 and Rs 100 face value, but could not succeed, but the Rs 2000 face value note was near to the genuine currency note. Fake currency notes of face value Rs 1,00,81,500 were seized, he stated. Rajappa said the case will be handed over to Crime Investigation Department for further investigations with the fake currency value being big and it coming under their jurisdiction. Information of the fake notes seizure has also been shared with the police of neighbouring states of Goa and Maharashtra. JD(S) leader Thoppanahalli Prakash (48), husband of former ZP president Lalitha, was hacked to death by miscreants in the town on Monday evening. Prakash was an aide of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Transport Minister D C Thammanna. After spending some time with his friends at the guesthouse here, Prakash left for the tender coconut market on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway in his car. Miscreants waylaid the car and stabbed him several times. Prakash bled to death. The murder created fear among the shopkeepers nearby, who downed their shutters. As soon as the news of the murder spread, JD(S) workers blocked the roads at Thoppanahalli, K Honnalagere and other places and staged a protest. They withdrew the protest after the police promised to nab the accused at the earliest. It is said that a murder attempt was made on Prakash earlier. Transport Minister Thammanna appealed to the JD(S) workers not to take law into their hands. Supporters caned Tension prevailed at Maddur town and Thoppanahalli village and on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, following the murder. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesters from the highway. Police have tightened security and senior police officials, including IGP (southern range) Sharathchandra and Superintendent of Police Shivaprakash Devaraj, are camping in the town to supervise the bandobust arrangements. Forces have been brought in from Ramanagar and Channapatna. It is said the murder is a fallout of a dispute over displaying flex banners for December 25 in the village. Prakashs supporters say police failed to take action, even though they were informed of the threat calls he was receiving. SALT LAKE CITY When Eartha Kitt recorded Santa Baby in July of 1953, it was a huge hit for the sultry chanteuse and Broadway star. Although some criticized it for being irreligious, the Christmas song, with its greedy lyrics and catchy melody, actually has a redeeming quality at the end, according to the composer of the song, Philip Springer. You remember it says Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring? That was my line, Springer, 92, said with a laugh. He spoke with the Deseret News by phone from his home in Los Angeles about the song that has become an American classic. People didn't realize that made the lyric very moral, Springer explained. Nobody caught that. That line really says 'I want you to marry me.' Ive always believed that my line makes it clear that she is saying Santa baby, I also want to marry you if you want to go along with this relationship.' Over the course of his long songwriting career, Springer wrote songs for Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland and many other famous performers, but the one that may surprise Utahns the most is his 2007 collaboration with Sen. Orin Hatch. The sense of morality that he brought to "Santa, Baby" proved to be a commonality between the songwriter and senator. 'Forgot to mention one little thing, a ring' Springer was one of those children who had music inside of him from a young age. When he was just 6 years old, Springer recalled sitting at the piano and playing by ear a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach. By the age of 15 he had begun to compose music. He knew he was going to have a career in music, but he wasnt sure if it would be as a concert pianist or as a composer. When he was 18, Springer joined the army and served as a truck driver. After WWII, actor Mickey Rooney invited the musically gifted Springer into the special service to entertain the troops. Once home, and fresh out of the army, Springer applied for admission to the Juilliard School, where he auditioned with Chopins technically difficult "Fantaisie-Impromptu." After his performance the teacher turned him down for the prestigious music school, telling him, your fingers get around pretty fast, but thats not technique. For some, this might have been a heartbreaking rejection, but Springer said he was delighted to be turned down. That rejection to the prominent performing arts institution set him free to follow his dream to become a composer. Springer went on to get a degree in music theory and was working on a second degree along with his own compositions when he got the chance to compose Santa Baby. He was only 27. "My partner was a very close friend of the publisher," he said. "Her name was Joan Javits, and they had not only a business but a personal relationship. She's the one who brought me into the picture. She said, 'yes, I could write the lyrics but Philip Springer, my new partner, will have to do the music." But although Springer loved Christmas carols, he did have some reservations about writing the song when Javits asked him to compose the music in the summer of 1953. I felt that because (Kitt) was a sort of highly, very sexual attraction that it would be hard to write a Christmas song, Springer recalled of the request to write the song for Kitt. No Christmas song ever written before Santa Baby was a sexy song. I was a little skeptical. Those doubts would soon be shattered. In October of that year, Springer received a call from a friend in Boston with the news that Santa Baby was a hit. Springer said the song was highly criticized when he wrote it because Christmas is not supposed to be a sexy holiday. But through the years "Santa Baby" has become an accepted American Christmas carol. And the music to that classic song took Springer about 10 minutes to write. As far as the music goes, that was the easiest thing in the world for me to do, Springer said. I knew that Eartha Kitt had a limited range of notes and I knew exactly how to write for her. Springer and Javits worked on the song and in about three weeks completed the lyrics, including Springer's contribution when Javits got stuck on the last line of the song. Even though Im basically a music writer, I have worked with so many lyric writers that I can write lyrics myself, Springer said Its very lonely to sit there and write a song without a partner. The relationship between a lyric writer and a composer is an intimate one, according to Springer. When you write a song with somebody, there's absolutely no guard, Springer said. You just say whatever you feel. And the two of you develop the ability to create in that way. And that's why it is such a unique relationship." An unlikely musical duo: 'Santa Baby' and Sen. Hatch Back in 2007, Springers wife saw an article and photo in a newspaper that showed Utahs Sen. Orrin Hatch at the piano, writing a song. The piece gave Springer the idea to write a letter to the senator, asking if he would like to collaborate on a song. I didnt have very high hopes, Springer said. But I thought I would try it. The effort paid off. Hatch replied that he would be honored to work with the songwriter, and later that year, the two met at the senators office in Washington, D.C., where Hatch introduced him as the guy who wrote Santa Baby, Springer said. Ive never met a great political figure before, so I was a little bit in awe of him, Springer said. But he was extremely gentle and considerate. He treated me immediately like a friend. The new friends began their collaboration that year, and in 2009 the two would work on a song that would eventually honor an unlikely friendship in the senate. The title of that song, Headed Home, came from a simple question. We were talking on the phone and I said What are you doing right now? Springer said. (Hatch) said, Im headed home. And I said Senator, thats the title of our song. Springer slightly changed the lyrics of Headed Home when Hatch asked if he could dedicate the song to Sen. Ted Kennedy, who was at that time in poor health. Through their work in the U.S. Senate, an unlikely friendship had formed between the conservative Republican and the liberal Democrat. The words follow him were changed to honor him, and when Kennedy died in August of 2009, Hatch dedicated Headed Home to his friend. Almost 10 years after writing Headed Home, Springer continues to compose music, and the retiring senator from Utah has kept in contact with Springer since that collaboration. In fact, Springer said Hatch inspired him to write a recent Christmas song. Although the two come from different religious backgrounds Springer is Jewish and Hatch is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Springer respects the Utah senator who he calls a good friend to the state of Israel. (Hatch) was really into writing religious songs, and very often in the songs we wrote, he would throw in a line that reflected his deep religiosity, Springer said. Springers song, Turn, Turn to Him, grew out of his compassion for all those who are without help, without hope, without faith, according to Springer's YouTube channel. This holiday season, Springer's latest song has a special message, but unlike his famous Santa Baby," it's not one of materialist requests. Rather, this one tells of compassion, hope and love, according to his website composerofsantababy.com. And although Santa Baby may not have the spiritual meaning of Turn, Turn to Him, his old hit song has inspired countless cover variations. From Michael Bubles buddy version to Madonnas playful rendition, to Taylor Swift's country cover (Springers favorite) to Lindsey Stirling's recent cover, "Santa Baby" is one of the most covered songs in 21st century American Christmas song history. In 2008, the same year that Kitt died, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded "Santa Baby" certified gold. But the one person Springer really wants to record his famous tune has so far been absent. Everybody from Michael Buble to Taylor Swift to you name it and theyve done it. Except for Barbara Streisand, Springer said. She never recorded it, unfortunately. I wish she had recorded it very much so. But you cant have everything. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has confirmed that Article 54 of the Value Added Tax Law (VAT Law) provides that provision of financial services specified by the Regulation shall be exempt from the application of VAT. This exemption shall not apply in respect of specifically specified fees, commissions or commercial discounts, a statement said. Therefore, banking transactions will not be subject to VAT either on loan interests, deposits or withdrawals from accounts either cash or cheques, including withdrawal and deposit through ATMs, as well as transferring or receiving of any transactions with cash or any financial bond or banknotes or any payment orders in addition to the exemption of Islamic financial products provided in accordance with approved contracts. TradeArabia News Service MAGNA A barn under renovation burned in a large fire early Monday. Crews from Unified Fire Authority and West Valley City Fire Department were called to a large, older barn fully engulfed near 2900 South and 8000 West about 2 a.m. Firefighters immediately went into a defensive mode, meaning they only sprayed water on the structure from the outside. The barn was vacant. One firefighter suffered a minor injury after slipping and falling and was taken to a local hospital out of an abundance of caution, according to the Unified Fire Authority. The cause of the fire was under investigation Monday. It took crews about 30 minutes to bring it under control. SALT LAKE CITY A man accused of hog-tying his teen son and beating him with a belt multiple times was charged Monday. The case filed in 3rd District Court against Isbell Pupa, 55, comes a little more than two months after Pupa's wife was also charged with felony child abuse for allegedly cracking the skull of the same boy, according to court documents. On Monday, Isbell Pupa was charged with child abuse, a second-degree felony; three counts of child abuse, a class A misdemeanor; and witness tampering, a third-degree felony. A 14-year-old boy told police that his father had given him multiple "whoopings" over the past several years, according to charging documents. Those alleged incidents included being beaten with a belt while hog-tied with a rope, naked, with a cloth wrapped around his mouth "so he could not scream, the charges state. Investigators observed scars on the boy's arms, legs and back consistent with being beaten with a belt, according to charging documents. A 4-year-old boy in the house told police that Pupa had instructed him to deny to officials that any hitting had occurred, the charges state. In October, Irene Pupa, 52, was charged in 3rd District Court with three counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony, for allegedly beating her 14-year-old son with a metal broom handle, causing "a skull fracture and a brain bleed which required surgical repair," charging documents state. Police who responded to the scene noted the boy was visibly shaking and his speech became increasingly difficult to understand as he talked, the charges state. The initials of the victim allegedly beaten by each parent are the same in court documents for both cases, and they share the same address. Irene Pupa's next court hearing was scheduled for Jan. 14. Bail for Isbell Pupa was set at $150,000. SALT LAKE CITY Bryce Canyon National Park has announced the five days in 2019 when it will waive its entrance fee for visitors. Here are the free days: Jan. 21, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a Monday. April 20, Junior Ranger Day, a Saturday during National Park Week. Aug. 25, a Sunday and the anniversary of the National Park Service. Sept. 28, a Saturday and National Public Lands Day. Nov. 11, Veterans Day, a Monday. Park Superintendent Linda Mazzu said she and her employees are especially excited that the free days offer opportunities to enjoy the park's beauty throughout the year. "Everyone should have the chance to explore and enjoy the very special places our National Park system protects," she said in a statement. The park normally charges a $35 entrance fee per car or person. On the no-cost days, other costs will still apply, including those for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Outside of the special days, free or discounted passes are available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth grade students, and disabled citizens. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/brca or call the park's information line at (435) 834-5322 LAS VEGAS Authorities have identified a woman struck and killed by a car last week in the Las Vegas area as a retired sheriff's lieutenant from Utah's Weber County. The Clark County coroner in Las Vegas said Monday that 75-year-old Marva Whitehead died late Thursday of multiple injuries after the crash in suburban Henderson. Whitehead owned an apartment near where the crash happened on Wigwam Parkway near Green Valley Parkway. Her death was ruled an accident. The Weber County sheriff's office says Marva VanSlate-Whitehead worked for the department from 1990 to 2008. Henderson police Officer Rodrigo Pena says Whitehead was not in a crosswalk when she was struck by an Acura sedan. Police questioned the 44-year-old driver of the Acura and say alcohol and speed were not factors in the crash. SALT LAKE CITY Dispatch recordings show a University of Utah student grew increasingly concerned about the handling of her harassment complaint before her ex-boyfriend killed her on campus. The 911-call audio shows 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey telling Salt Lake City dispatchers she's worried about how long it was taking campus police to investigate 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, a sex offender who had lied about his identity. McCluskey's first call came a day after she initially reported Rowland was extorting her over compromising photos. The second was six days later, the same day campus police opened an investigation. Both times, dispatchers directed her back to university police under protocol. She died three days after the second call. University officials say the department is understaffed, but her death could not have been prevented. McCluskey's parents say the university failed to protect her. Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has teamed up with Hilal Conference and Exhibitions (HCE) to host the region's largest Chinese trade expo in the kingdom next year. More than 60 companies from China will showcase their latest offerings at the China Heavy Machinery and Industry Exhibition to be held from September 24 to 26 in Bahrain. It is being organised on behalf of Silk Road Steps Committee in China by Beijing Sea Level Science and Technology Company, over a 8,000 sq m area, said the event organisers. Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conference and Exhibitions (HCE) signed the co-operation agreement with Zhang Ming, secretary general, Silk Road Steps to Eco-Culture Committee. Much of the credit for this major event is as a result of the hard work of team Bahrain and all the parties involved deserve the credit for this coup, said Abdulrahman while speaking at the signing ceremony. The Bahrain Ambassador in China, Dr Anwar Yusuf Abdulla Al Abdulla, cannot be praised enough for his determined approach in putting the kingdom at the forefront of the Silk Road Steps Committee for their GCC promotion strategy, he stated. The invaluable work of the EDB China office has attracted 600 companies from China to the kingdom ensuring that the business case of Bahrain is firmly in the minds of Chinas business community; and the BTEA promotion of Bahrain as a MICE centre at global events helps to re-endorse brand Bahrain for the MICE sector, he added. This combined effort in addition to our humble contribution has contributed to a major win for Bahrain in line with Vision 2030, said Abdulrahman. Ming said China was re-energising its historical trade corridor with the Middle East. "The Silk Road is very much in keeping with President XI Jinpings Belt and Road Initiatives," he stated. Bahrain is our chosen location to celebrate major historical anniversaries for China. The events will carry a very serious commercial message as our platform to promote the quality and expertise of China in the heavy machinery and industrial supplies and services, he added. The exhibition take place against a backdrop of Chinas positive influence and investment in the Middle East to deliver on the Belt and Road Initiative. China has designated investment of $4.5 trillion for the Middle East. The China Council for Promotion of International Trade Figures estimated that in the first half of 2018 Chinese businesses have signed 1,922 new deals for projects in 61 countries at a total estimated value of $47.8 billion. Yong Fu, chairman, Beijing Sea Level Science and Technology Co, said: We were very impressed that our experience in Bahrain lived up to the expectations and promise recommended by the Ambassador of Bahrain. In our discussions with HCE we found a professional and quality company, and in Bahrain we found an auspicious location and atmosphere for direct business as well as potential business through Bahrain as a gateway for the region, he added. Fawzi Tulefat, BTEAs director of exhibitions and conferences marketing and promotion, said: This is a major achievement for Bahrain to be selected as the venue of the largest Chinese exhibition in the region. The efforts of the BTEA team in global events such as Barcelona promoting the MICE sector can only be realised by companies coming to see for themselves what Bahrain has to offer. We are proud that Bahrain can offer excellent facilities and excellent facilitators, such as HCE, to deliver on BTEAs strategic vision for the MICE sector, he added. Ming said: The event in Bahrain will be a very emotional one for the Chinese exhibitors as it is part of our celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. In 2019 we are also commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Chinas reforms and openness. The visitors to the fair from around the GCC will be able to see the remarkable industrial evolution and development of China in 40 years through the companies and products that will be on display, he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Executive Council of Dubai has signed a MoU with the Chinese city of Shenzhen with the aim of strengthening cooperation across cultural, economic and technology fields. The MoU was signed by Abdulla Al Basti, secretary general of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chen Rugui, Mayor of Shenzhen City, said a statement from the organisation. Al Basti reaffirmed the historic and long-standing relationship between the UAE and the People's Republic of China, during his recent visit to Shenzhen City. Al Basti also underlined the importance of strengthening these relations, aligned with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Executive Council, to adopt international best practices, promote the exchange of expertise with the world's leading cities and build cultural, economic and trade relations, it said. The signing was also attended by Ahmed Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, secretary general of the Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee; Rahma bin Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, UAE Consul-General in Guangzhou, China; Ai Xuefeng, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen City; Li Tingzhong, secretary general of Shenzhen; as well as a group of Shenzhens senior officials and members of the UAE delegation. Al Basti said: "China is internationally reputed in the fields of advanced technology, trade and financial and logistics services. Dubai too, has taken significant strides in developing all relevant sectors as part of our efforts to drive development and shape the future." Dubai also serves as a strategic hub linking China with the Middle East, Africa and Europe, he added. Al Basti said: This joint-cooperation will play a pivotal role in advancing relations between Dubai and Shenzhen, while contributing to the creation of an effective mechanism for developing trade, cultural and economic relations. In addition, the memorandum highlights our common desire to expand cooperation at all levels to include financial services, Information and Communication Technology, tourism, manufacturing, transport and logistics, he added. As per the MoU, the two cities will cooperate to achieve prosperity and development in various fields including logistics, infrastructure, public services, science and technology, trade, manufacturing, clean energy, investment, transport, tourism, aviation, finance, culture, free zones, special economic zones and other areas of common interest. The agreement also gives priority to cooperation on developing port and container handling logistics services. It also prioritises cooperation in financial fields, including banking services, training initiatives, innovation in services and technology, cooperation in starting financial institutions, the listing of leading companies in the financial markets, and facilitate and support business development in both cities, said a statement from the council.-TradeArabia News Service (Photo: Peter Kenny)Graffiti on the Israeli separation wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in February 2016. President Donald Trump is a hog. He has knack for stealing the headlines whether they are fake or about fake governance and about world politics. And he has even done it with Christmas in Bethlehem, which is now immersed in Trump invoked discourse due to its proximity to Jerusalem. Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of Jesus in a manager in Bethlehem, a city under the administration of the Palestinian authority that is only about 10 kilometers from Jerusalem. Trump managed to upset some global equilibrium when this month he said the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and wants to move it embassy there. Christmas Eve festivities in Bethlehem are being held against the backdrop of protests of Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Associated Press reported. Vatican officials crossed an Israeli military checkpoint from Jerusalem ahead of midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, which is believed to be the site where Jesus was born. MANGER SQUARE As usual hundreds of locals and foreign visitors gathered in Manger Square as bagpipe-playing Palestinian Scouts paraded past the Christmas tree. Accompanying the decorations this year is a banner protesting Trump's Jerusalem declaration, AP noted. Since Trump's Jerusalem recognition, Palestinians have been clashing intermittently with Israeli forces outside the gates of the Jacir Palace Hotel, a luxury Bethlehem inn, The New York Times reported. As the clashes simmered on, sporadic and limited in scope, Bethlehem, like the rest of the Palestinian territories, seemed suspended in a kind of limbo. Residents were neither basking in seasonal cheer nor raging in the throes of a new intifada, the popular mood in the city was more one of hopeless resignation, said the Times. The Jacir Palace sits along a stretch of road that has become a main flash point for protests, only yards away from Israel's 26-foot-tall (8 meter) concrete barrier separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem, the contested holy city. Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television and online outlet also harks on Mr. Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital looming "large in Christmas festivities this year in the traditional birthplace of Jesus." PALESTINIAN PROTESTS There some food vendors, sellers of holiday trinkets and a leading hotelier say Palestinian protests, triggered by what many here view as a provocative show of pro-Israel bias, have hurt their Christmas business. "Yet Bethlehem also offers a stage for a Palestinian rebuttal: banners proclaiming Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Palestine have been draped over facades on Manger Square as a backdrop for Christmas TV broadcasts to a global audience. "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is keenly felt - perhaps even more so at Christmas - in Bethlehem, just a few miles (kilometres) south of contested Jerusalem," says Al Jazeera. It notes that Israel's separation wall cuts into Bethlehem and a segment of it has become a tourist magnet in its own right. GRAFFITI ARTISTS The wall's cement slabs are covered with works by international graffiti artists such as Banksy and pro-Palestinian slogans left by visitors. Al Jazzera said that while Palestinians try to draw attention to the barrier when foreigners pour in for Christmas, Trump's policy shift on Jerusalem "has emerged as the dominant theme this year. It went again international consensus." It says that Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem houses major Muslim, Jewish and Christian shrines, and Palestinians seek it as a future capital. In Bethlehem's Manger Square the huge nativity scene, donated by Malta, sits in pride of place under a grid of festive lights draped across the plaza, Britain's Guardian newspaper, also wrote glumly. "Today as every Christmas Eve this square and the bulk of the ancient Church of the Nativity which sits on its periphery, will be lit up by television lights to allow images of Christmas in Bethlehem to be transmitted around the globe. "But once again, say the West Bank city's Palestinian residents including the large Christian minority it will be another gloomy holiday," the newspaper opined. It explained that for Christians "Bethlehem and Jerusalem are the alpha and omega of the Christian narrative; the first the birthplace of Christ and the second the site of his crucifixion and resurrection." In Palestinian Christian society during the major festivals, the faithful have traditionally shuttled between the two. But at the Vatican on Christmas Eve Pope Francis was looking to the greater flock. Speaking in St. Peter's Square after the Angelus prayer, Francis said he is praying for the dead and missing from a tropical storm which lashed southern Mindanao Island in the Philippines, Vatican News reported. His prayers are for the storm-stuck population of Mindanao Island in the Philippines where at least 200 people have been killed by floods and landslides and scores are missing. Speaking after the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, the Pope said: "I wish to assure my prayers to the population of Mindanao Island in the Philippines, which has been struck by a storm that has caused numerous victims and much destruction". "May the merciful Lord receive the souls of the dead, he continued, and comfort those who are suffering for this disaster". (Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Darko Tepert)Christian Scouts on Christmas Eve in front of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem on December 24, 2006. Pilgrims from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, queuing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and watching a parade led with pipes and trumpets in what is believed to be the biggest celebration in years. Midnight mass began in Bethlehem later, while Pope Francis held mass at the Vatican as Christians celebrate the traditional day of Jesus's birth. Celebrating "Mass During the Night" on Christmas Eve in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis said Jesus' birth in a manger teaches humanity to share their lives with their brothers and sisters in need. "In Bethlehem, we discover that God does not take life, but gives it," said the Pope. In his homily at Christmas Eve Mass, Francis said the location of Jesus' birth marks a turning point in the course of history. He noted that Bethlehem means "house of bread", and that Mary laid Jesus in a manger. "It is as if he wanted to say: 'Here I am, as your food'." The Pope said in his homily Jesus gives us his very self, teaching us to live our lives in a new way: "not by devouring and hoarding, but by sharing and giving." Francis said the birth of Christ pointed to a new way to live "not by devouring and hoarding, but by sharing and giving". He said, "Let us ask ourselves: Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity? "For many people, life's meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess of material objects. An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive." BAGPIPE BAND In Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians believe Mary gave birth to Jesus. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was to be among dignitaries attending the ceremony. This year, visitors viewed the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. The first church was built on the site in the fourth century, though it was replaced after a fire in the sixth century. Bethlehem is located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier. It has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, AFP news agency reported. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their highest numbers of vistors in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour who was with her son and daughter and was planning to attend midnight mass. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. While the security is less precarious since a wave of Palestinian knife and car-ramming attacks in 2015, Israeli roadblocks and a six-meter Israeli-built concrete separation barrier that curls around the town are still part of the Bethlehem vista, Reuters news agency reported. Palestinians see the barrier as a land grab, in territory they are seeking as part of a State of their own. Israel, which captured the West Bank in a 1967 war, asserts the fences and walls it has erected help prevent Palestinian attacks. Al Salem Johnson Controls, a leading provider of integrated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) solutions and equipment, said it has reached an agreement with Al Watania Poultry Company for the establishment of two industrial cooling plants at its facility in the Al Qassim area of the kingdom. As per the deal, Al Salem Johnson Controls will build the industrial cooling plant installed with Sabroe chillers to cool production lines and all facilities of the new poultry plant, which is part of Al Watanias modernisation plan for its slaughterhouse. It will boast a capacity of 1,280 tonnes. This new agreement is the second signed four months after a previous project, where a 960-tonne cooling plant was installed in May last year, it added. The deal comes as part of the company's strategic plan to raise its production capacity of chicken and eggs and is in line with expansion plans into new local and regional markets, stated Dr Mohammed Sulaiman Al Rajhi, chief executive officer of Al Watania Poultry Company after signing the deal with Al Salem Johnson Controls CEO Dr Muhannad Al Sheikh. Its also in line with government plans for domestic poultry production to meet 60 per cent of domestic consumption, he said. According to him, the poultry company is moving to expand its production facilities and add new facilities, including two new factory projects with a production capacity of 100 tonnes per day of poultry processing and the upgrading of a slaughterhouse according to the latest equipment and global standards. Al Sheikh said that all the solutions provided to Al Watania had been completed according to the requirements of the project. "Sabroe Industrial Refrigeration Coolers are certified and internationally recognised for their quality, long-term operational reliability and cost-effectiveness. They are environment-friendly, and ensure energy efficiency and operational efficiency," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Turkey determined to continue to fight against terror Turkey does not need permission from Israel or any other country to fight terror, says presidential aide. Turkey is determined to continue its fight against terrorism, the countrys presidential aide Ibrahim Kaln said on Monday. It is out of the question for Turkey to get permission or consent from Israel or any other country to fight terror, Ibrahim Kaln told reporters in the capital Ankara after a Cabinet meeting. Kalns remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday attacked the Turkish president over Turkey's counter-terror operation and Cyprus issues on Twitter. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to Netanyahus tweet, saying Israeli prime minister is heading state terror. ERDOGAN'S LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE Turkish presidential spokesman described as historic the Dec.14 telephone call between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump that led to Washingtons decision to withdraw forces from Syria. Kaln said the US decision came as a result of the Turkish presidents convincing arguments over the phone with Trump. He said that Erdogan told Trump loud and clear that Turkey and the US do not need PYD/YPG terror group to fight Daesh. There is no step back, weakness, halt, or slowdown in the fight against Daesh terror group, Kaln added. The Turkish presidential aide said that a US military delegation will visit Turkey this week to discuss the US troop pullout from Syria. Southern Californians can celebrate a "White Christmas" on the 25thholiday this month in the run up to for the Rose Parade. You can play the Drifters animation while you open gifts thanks to technology and Joshua Held. Christmas is a time for music, family, prayer, and SNOW! (at least this year). It's a teachable moment to use new gear and to have fun making new memories that will last a lifetime. Last night Christmas Eve, in Canada's Great Hall on Q, "Beverly Hills was a reason to miss home in the North", while White Christmas'sunifying lyrics are still associated with Bette Midler they resounded on the radio while rain fell at 11pm. This morning there will be snow on LA's surrounding mountaintops. Snowflakes can become an event to study water (hydrology): With rims of white tips revealed in the morning light, there will be a 2018 white Christmas morning ringing the greater So Cal valleys. This makes today a perfect opportunity that when the presents, services and celebration are done to put several hearts and minds together to figure out how everyone can see the snow from home and stay dry and warm using Google Maps together to see the beautiful system we live within. With computers and smart phones families or junior scientists can look at the big picture of the mountain range and cities with GIS and read a story to children that will explain our shared water cycle and the mountains are part of our precious geological system that will result in a new layer of our state snow pack. Scientific American to National Geographic have their place, but today is a day kids can make science, stories, meaning making and studies memorable. With a new book released on the web by GLOBE Elementary, it could make the afternoon or tomorrow exciting to explore hydrology whether with Grandparents, family exploring science at home, or in the near future recreationally, at school or in a park (see the free NASA Earth Observer app). While the December weather has been rotating between 70 degrees and now 30 or below with the snow, it will be an exciting Christmas day with white mountains, presents, and fun with friends with beautiful views of mountains that with new tools despite the holiday traffic or the shutdown can seen, studied, and explored using smart phones, tablets or cpus. The carols we see the world newly, but this can bridge to media, to studies, and to the weather. Water awareness during weather variation (Snow) can become a source of state and local water reserves, but rich with new vocabulary, the start of regional climate knowledge, and comprehension of the forces in our geographic areas now impacted by urban and rural changes. Wind, water, and wildfires can become events to comprehend forces, elements, and complexities that lead to good choices during emergencies or debris mudslides, drought, heat and cold that we now call extreme weather. GLOBE and Earth Observation through community hubs for learning or your computer and phone: For kids and adults, GLOBE is a great way to learn about the world we live in. You can add Science and IT to holidays, walks or classrooms. A common wireless phone can become a supporting tool for student achievement, for example students will be using digital tablets and sensors in STEM/STEAM explorations. Whether in Scrabble, or storybooks, or through wandering a browser on the web, surely water saving and energy can enter the discussion for peace on Earth and good will towards others because wealth, ease and opportunity come from the planning of water use locally and the integration of California studies with hand held technologies that show us a greater picture of the place we live. The app and tools make water conservation, weather and energy understandable and show us the synergy of city and countryside that supports our populations. Whether later this January you will want to read more, the books are online in English, Spanish, German, French and the water cycle map in 35 languages. For more information about helping New Education Options reach more teachers, create STEM jobs, or to underwrite supportive childcare services and home school programs with individual tutoring in the San Fernando Valley, write us at 14431 Ventura Blvd. #312, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Our goal to help wildfire families through providing childcare scholarships with the funds we raise before the year ends at the Billy Blanks Sweat Club at Califa and Desoto by raising funds for 60 places and start our capacity building campaign for after school or day programs and our research classroom programs. Systems thinking through songs to science: Cities, industries, crops, and homes have risen up from the rich resources of our mountains and valleys. The California Tartan and the Sierra Club tout our landscapes beauty. It's easier to protect our natural systems and resources for ourselves and future generations if we understand them, celebrate their cycles, and participate in seeing their changes using big data and taking a deeper look. Songs remind us of what we value and where we dream to go. They also invigorate, give us courage, and encouragement to believe in our dreams. You can head to the snow in place this holiday making anything possible for young students this holiday including joining the Trees across the GLOBE or Urban Heat campaigns. Plant a seed by reading aloud the book and discussing it. Summary/Background/News about learning technology and innovations: New Education Options is working with kids understand citizen science. Consider trying it yourself, it's at your fingertips. AND watch for our upcoming blog, vlog and articles working with students, teachers, scientists, and artists, coming soon through PASCO Scientific (PASCO.com). You can call us for student programs or help us to raise funds to acquire a traveling classroom in Woodland Hills at 818-742-5099. We welcome volunteers for tree and hedge projects or Scrabble fundraisers and for capital donations that are tax exempt before tax time this holiday. Santa and the reindeer, snowmen and songs were never so able to explain the green, white, high color trees, and berries we'll see this morning"Ho, ho, ho"have a great, happy and safe holiday. Bette Midler's White ChristmasCover Lyrics used in Canadathe West Coast from North to Southone watershed: http://www.metrolyrics.com/white-christmas-lyrics-bette-midler.html William Elliott's All Hearts are Home for Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwLqzTQL6U8 Kulak's Woodshed writers and Steve Schalchlin using music to help animals via the Rescue Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s_PpJciJtM New Snow Storybook (first book about Climate): https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/climate https://sciencenode.org/feature/climate-science-storybook.php https://www.climate.gov/teaching/professional-development/sharing-climate-story-young-learners-through-elementary-globe Maps and Data: https://www.climate.gov/maps-data Portal for Teachers: https://www.climate.gov/teaching Handheld with EOS (Nasa Earth Observer): https://observer.globe.gov https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app Storytelling with Data: https://www.tableau.com/asset/data-storytelling-using-visualization-share-human-impact-numbers?utm_campaign=Retargeting-CORE-ALL-ALL-ALL-ALL&utm_medium=Display&utm_source=Google+Display&utm_campaign_id=2017049&utm_language=EN&utm_country=USCA&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&adgroup=WEB-All+Other&adused=%7Bcreative%7D&matchtype=%7Bmatchtype%7D&placement=%7Bplacement%7D&creative=c18viz-redline&dclid=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg4-XiMO63wIVjKdpCh2y_A9lEAEYASAAEgKcpfD_BwE Landcover from space and weather that causes disease or helps crops: https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/12mar_disease https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-07-26/all-the-things-satellites-can-now-see-from-space CBC Christmas Eve on CBC, Finale on Q, White Christmaswith pre-chorus on Beverly Hills from the Great Hall: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/ Thank you for helping us remember to feel our thoughts and dreams through songs, words, stories, and charactersin a time where we need to replant, conserve, restore and renew the Californian dream into the inheritance of tomorrow for all of us: https://yipharburg.com Gas prices in San Antonio continued to fall going into the Christmas week to levels not seen since the end of 2016. The average price for a gallon of regular gas fell more than 4 cents since last week to $1.90 a gallon and is 26 cents lower than a month ago, according to gas price tracker GasBuddy. The last time gas prices were in this range was Dec. 5, 2016. Prices in Corpus Christi and Laredo fell 6 cents to $1.93 and $1.98 a gallon, respectively, while prices in Austin dropped 5 cents to an average of $2 a gallon. Nationally, gas prices fell 6 cents to $2.31 a gallon, and they have fallen 23 cents in the past month. The continued drop in prices, which began in October, is matched with plummeting oil prices, which have fallen by nearly half in the same period. Oil markets reacted negatively to a recent move by OPEC to cut oil production in order to prop up prices. Fears of a global economic slowdown have compounded problems for the worlds energy market, which has seen the U.S. continue to produce record amounts of crude oil. The country produced 11.5 million barrels of oil a day in September, a 21 percent increase over the 9.5 million it produced in the same month in 2017, according to Energy Department data. Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddys head of petroleum analysis, said that the most common price seen across the land has dropped to $1.99 per gallon, with over a quarter of stations in the U.S. under that psychologically important level. He added that Americans are spending $225 million less a day on gas than they were 75 days ago. Rye Druzin is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering Texas energy. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rdruzin@express-news.net | Twitter: @druz_journo As Mueller time approaches, it is likely that President Donald Trumps defense will consist of two phrases: But that is not illegal and But that is not impeachable. It is a strategy that prevails by the lowering of standards. Because Trump did not plot election fraud directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin by Skype, and because Trumps various crimes and misdemeanors do not constitute high crimes and misdemeanors, we should consider the president vindicated. Unable to make the case for his own virtues, Trump must aver that his vices are commonplace and inconsequential. Will this work? If the only standard of success is keeping enough Republican votes in the Senate to avoid Trumps removal from office, it may. It is now fully demonstrated that the Russian attack on the 2016 election was broad, ambitious and designed to give Trump practical aid. Russian intelligence fed ideological and racial tensions in a sophisticated attempt to arouse enthusiasm in Trumps base and dampen enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton among minority voters. Did this tilt the election toward Trump? Given that Trump prevailed by 107,000 votes in three states out of 120 million cast I think it is both likely and unprovable. Consider this outcome from two other perspectives. If you were the head of Russian intelligence, I suspect you would currently have a chest full of medals. And if the political circumstances were reversed if Clinton had received Russian help to become president every elected Republican would diagnose a conspiracy that undermined her legitimacy. Every. Single. One. But the Russians did not succeed by hacking voting machines in the upper Midwest. They saw an opportunity in the rise of social media and the strength of nativism and racism on the American right. They seem to have exploited a national weakness without invalidating the election itself. The Russians really didnt need to go very far to find a template. In inciting racial and ethnic tensions through obvious propaganda for the benefit of Trump, Russian intelligence was simply following the Fox News business model. Does it make a difference if special counsel Robert Mueller describes extensive contacts between Russian officials and the Trump campaign? Or that senior campaign officials systematically lied about those contacts? We have known of such cooperation and such lying for years. Campaign officials such as Donald Trump Jr. were eager for collusion with shady Russians. Trump publicly invited Russian hacking of Clintons emails. Trumps lawyers will continue to argue that, however unseemly these things may be, they are not illegal. Will it make a difference if Mueller reveals corrupt business dealings between Trump-owned companies and Russian oligarchs? It certainly helps explain why Trump was an obvious politician to favor. He holds the oligarchs view of business integrity. He supports the oligarchs view of economics, in which outcomes are determined by family-run cartels that have taken over the levers of government. But unless Russian intelligence is actually blackmailing Trump, Im not sure that suspicious, or even corrupt, dealings with the oligarchs is unexpected. Trump has bragged about buying American politicians. He has bragged about using bankruptcy laws to exploit his investors. He has often argued: I played by the rules as I found them. Elected Republicans may place money laundering through real estate in the same category. There is the problem for Trump. When all this evidence is stitched together in a narrative as Muellers report will certainly do the sum is greater than the sleaze of its parts. Russian intelligence officials invested in an innovative strategy to support the election of a corrupt U.S. businessman with suspicious ties to Russian oligarchs. The candidate and his campaign welcomed that intervention in public and private. And the whole scheme seems to have paid off for both sides. For the rest of us, the deal hasnt worked out so well. A deeply compromised American administration has been unable to effectively counter a direct attack on our democratic institutions by a hostile foreign government responding to a digital Pearl Harbor with a wink and a nod. This is an existential constitutional crisis, says historian Jon Meacham, because its quite possible that the president of the United States right now is a witting or at least partially witting agent of a foreign power. Some of us are still too shocked to process this. America seems to have gone from zero to banana republic in no seconds flat. But whether or not this transformation has been illegal, it must be impeachable or else impeachment has no meaning. michaelgerson@washpost.com Emmanuel Macron has been the great hope for those who worry that global politics is being dominated by populism, nationalism and racism. In his presidential campaign last year, Macron was able to rally France around a message of reform and multilateralism, staying firmly wedded to the European Union and other international alliances and institutions. Last month he brought together 65 world leaders for a major gathering dedicated to global governance. Now Macron has been humbled by the yellow vest street protests. He was forced to backtrack on some of his reforms and adopt new budget-busting subsidies in an attempt to mollify the mob. And there is the mess in Britain as it keeps trying (and failing) to Brexit; Italys budgetary woes; and the embrace of illiberal democracy in Hungary and Poland. It all adds up to a depressing picture of Europe and the West. But are things really so gloomy? As Politicos Matthew Karnitschnig points out, support for the EU is at its highest in decades. And on closer examination, while the forces of populism continue to surge in some places, the story of the last few months has mostly been one of pushback. Consider Poland and Hungary, in many ways the poster children for the populist-nationalist movement. In Poland, efforts to reshape the countrys Supreme Court ignited massive national protests, and Europes high court ordered that the move be reversed. Warsaw complied. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbans latest authoritarian steps changing labor law and judicial authority have also triggered widespread protests, uniting the nations opposition forces as never before. The street rebellion has the feel of a generalized opposition to the ruling party, which has predictably used tear gas on the mostly peaceful protesters, decried them as anti-Christian and accused George Soros of organizing the whole affair. In France, news of Macrons demise is premature. Yes, his poll numbers are way down, but voters still prefer him to the far-right Marine Le Pen by a wide margin. He has a five-year term, his party controls the Legislature, and most analysts agree that his reforms are inevitable if France is to compete for investment and generate growth. He may end up a one-term president, but he will still have spearheaded the most important changes in France in a generation. In Italy, the new coalition government had introduced a populist budget that promised a universal basic income and early retirement, only to meet the steely opposition of the European Union. And it was the populists who blinked. Rome retreated from those populist measures and announced a budget conforming to the guidelines set by Brussels. It feels like a flashback to 2015, when Greek populists were compelled to enact the very program they campaigned against. Britain remains more complicated, but the basic story is that every time the country comes close to actual Brexit, it pulls back, appalled by the costs. Prime Minister Theresa May has tried to do a soft Brexit, and while the compromise has earned her the scorn of hard-line Brexiteers, they cannot topple her. Perhaps they dont want to because then they would be saddled with Mays impossible task. Proponents of Brexit sold the country a fantasy that it could get the benefits of access to the European Unions market without the costs of having to obey its rules. And finally, look at the United States, where a president who proudly embraces populism and nationalism reigns. In November, the Democratic Party had its strongest gains in the House of Representatives since the Watergate wave of 1974. President Donald Trump has faced additional resignations from important members of his administration some under ethical clouds, others tired of the chaos. Most significant, there are now 17 separate investigations into Trump and his associates, some of which have already produced indictments. And that does not include the series of congressional inquiries certain to begin once the Democrats take control of key committees in the House. For two years Republicans have ruled Washington, giving them control over all information from government sources and all powers of subpoena and oversight. That ends Jan. 3. I dont mean to minimize the populist wave that is still coursing through the West and other parts of the world. But concern should not give way to despair. There are many people in every country who oppose the politics of anger and identity. They are also strong. They need to run fast but not run scared. @fareedzakaria.com During his time in CIA custody, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told his interrogator something prophetic. The United States may enjoy some fleeting battlefield successes, Mohammed declared, but in the end, we will win because Americans dont realize ... we do not need to defeat you militarily; we only need to fight long enough for you to defeat yourself by quitting. President Donald Trump should ponder Mohammeds words as he prepares to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria a move that will bring a smile to Mohammeds face. Trump knows the consequences of suddenly withdrawing from a country. The Obama administration created this huge vacuum in Iraq in 2011, Trump correctly observed during the presidential debates. We should have never been in Iraq, but once we were there, we should have never gotten out the way they (did), he added. Once Trump was inaugurated, he changed former President Barack Obamas restrictive rules of engagement and freed up our military to drive the Islamic State from the territory it had seized. He deserves enormous credit for this achievement. But just because the Islamic State controls no territory does not mean it is defeated. In 2011, the group controlled no territory in Iraq, yet thanks in no small part to Obama, it soon grew to establish a caliphate the size of Britain. Not only did the Islamic State revive itself, but the resurgent terrorist network also spread its murderous tentacles farther around the globe, establishing cells in 29 countries that have carried out 143 terrorist attacks that have killed 2,043 people and injured many thousands more. We are still living with the deadly consequences of Obamas catastrophic mistake. On Dec. 13, authorities in Bari, Italy, arrested a Somali man named Omar Moshin Ibrahim, believed to be a member of the Islamic State, who was threatening to bomb St. Peters Basilica in Rome on Christmas Day. Today, the Islamic State is much stronger than it was when Obama withdrew from Iraq in 2011. The Defense Department estimates that the Islamic State retains about 30,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria, and is more capable than its predecessor group al-Qaida in Iraq was at the latters peak in 2006-07. By contrast, when Obama pulled our troops out, they had only about 700 fighters. According to the Institute for the Study of War, the Islamic State was able to smuggle as much as $400 million out of Iraq and reinvest it into legitimate businesses across the wider Middle East. With the loss of its caliphate at Trumps hands, the Islamic State has gone back to its roots as a terrorist insurgency. It remains dangerous and well-funded, and has global reach. A U.S. withdrawal from Syria will not only remove the pressure on the Islamic State, it will create a vacuum in Syria that will be filled by the worlds worst actors. Al-Qaida, which has been rebuilding its capabilities while watching the United States weaken its Islamic State rival, will now also have a haven. More Information , See More Collapse Iran and its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, will establish forward operating bases in southwestern Syria to threaten Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will not tolerate this and warned that it could retaliate against Iran proper. So, a U.S. withdrawal could precipitate a disastrous regional war. Turkey will go after the Kurdish fighters we recruited and trained to fight the Islamic State. In Iraq, Obama could at least rationalize that the United States had left behind Iraqi security forces to keep the Islamic State remnants down. If Turkey takes out our Kurdish allies, there will be no one left on the ground in Syria to fight the Islamic State. Finally, the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad will resume its campaign of atrocities against innocent Syrian men, women and children. If we thought the refugee crisis provoked by Obamas failure to act in Syria was bad, imagine the flood of Syrians seeking refuge in the West if Trump repeats Obamas mistakes. Trump was right to denounce Obama for declaring victory against the Islamic State and withdrawing U.S. forces. So why is he now doing exactly what he criticized Obama for doing? The president needs to ask himself: Who is celebrating this decision? Answer: Iran, Russia, the Assad regime, Hezbollah, the Islamic State and, in his prison cell at Guantanamo Bay, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. When your enemies are cheering, you have made a mistake. Its not too late to change course. @marcthiessen In the letter Herd mentality (Your Turn, Dec. 12), Loren Williams describes a herd mentality with respect to climate change. This is true when referring to climate change deniers they create disinformation campaigns, which others follow. One theory is that since Al Gore publicized the dangers of global warming, right-wing types felt obliged to oppose it. Science, however ignores politics. Ive taken to looking up the education of climate change deniers. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and a noted denier, has a bachelors in American studies and a law degree. President Donald Trump, also a denier, has a bachelors in economics (given his use of tariffs, one may assume that he did not listen in class). I earned a bachelors in chemistry before switching to computers. In chemistry classes, we learned basic quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. Thus, it makes perfect sense to me that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases heat the atmosphere. Williams quotes Stephen Moore (masters in economics) of the Heritage Foundation, who used the book The Population Bomb from the 1960s, which exaggerated the dangers of overpopulation as an example of overreaction, implying that the dangers of climate change are much overblown. This is a common tactic misleading people with irrelevancy. Errors in population prediction have nothing to do with climate. Population growth depends on human behavior. Better birth control and more education for women, who started marrying later, and wanting fewer kids, helped slash population growth in many countries. Climate forecasting uses known data based on physics and chemistry. Scientists can measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and compare it with past data from core samples. They create a mathematical model, a complex set of equations, program it into a powerful computer, plug real data into it, and compare the results with actual measurements. They may have to adjust the model to improve accuracy. This is normal for computer simulations. To see the effects of global warming and the ensuing sea level rise, however, forget theory. Look up Miami flooding, and tropical diseases moving north, as well as images of melting glaciers before and after and Arctic ice. Thomas L. Arnow, Ph.D., lives in San Antonio. Pakistan's SereneAir has announced a three-year content distribution agreement with Amadeus which will see the growing airline make available more of its service offerings to global travel partners. Having launched in 2017, SereneAir has experienced rapid growth to reach an estimated 750,000 passengers in 2018, with more than 1 million anticipated to travel via the airline in 2019. By choosing distribution services through Amadeus, SereneAir will have the advantage of being able to interline with some of the worlds largest international carriers, increasing its opportunities to carry more passengers across Pakistan and fueling further growth. The partnership sets a new benchmark from Pakistans local carriers and is the first time SereneAir has adopted a global distribution system (GDS). Aside from SereneAir and national carrier PIA, no other Pakistan carrier uses a GDS to distribute content. Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan, CEO, SereneAir, said: SereneAir is a premium airline on a mission to rejuvenate domestic travel by building an impeccable experience. With such a strong portfolio of both products and clients, Amadeus was the natural choice for us to partner with in this distribution agreement, and will be a valued companion as we realize our vision through avant-garde technology and top-notch service. Speaking on the partnership, Maher Koubaa, executive VP airlines, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Amadeus, said: We are thrilled to welcome SereneAir into our global portfolio as the first Pakistan carrier to enter into a partnership with Amadeus. There is great growth potential in Pakistans domestic air travel sector, and with Amadeus as a partner of choice, SereneAir will be able to leverage the vast possibilities of our cutting-edge solutions and global alliances. Every year Amadeus supports over 200 airlines manage passenger service systems and over 500 airlines to distribute content to create 1.6 billion memorable journeys for their passengers. - TradeArabia News Service George Santayana said, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. History informs us that in the long run, walls do not accomplish their builders intent. Both the Mongols and Manchus breached the Great Wall of China. Hadrians and the Antonine walls did not keep England and Scotland from becoming one country. The Berlin Wall did not keep a great European city divided. The plan to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico will not secure us in the long run. Indeed, one is more likely to be shot in a place of gathering such as a school, church or synagogue by an American citizen than by an undocumented immigrant. The majority of immigrants who risk their lives to come here seek employment, just as they have done since the founding of this country. This country is great because of its immigrants. Those who wish to make America great again and who insist upon the values of the Good Book should take to mind and heart the dictum that whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did unto me. Phillip Balleza Beloved by Muslims I want to wish my Christian friends a very merry Christmas this holiday season. Many people have several misconceptions about my faith, Islam. One of them is that Muslims dont believe in Jesus (peace be upon him). But not only are Muslims required to believe in Jesus as a holy messenger of God, their faith is incomplete without accepting all the prophets of God. Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a distinct status in Islam as well. An entire chapter in the Quran is named after her (Chapter 19). The Quran states, O Mary, Allah (God) has chosen thee and purified thee and chosen thee above the women of all peoples. The Holy Quran also recounts, When the angels said, O Mary, Allah gives thee glad tidings of a word from Him; his name shall be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honored in this world and in the next, and of those who are granted nearness to God. Hence, Jesus is not only beloved to Christians, but to all Muslims as well. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I wish you all a joyous holiday season! Aiza Butt, Fort Worth A Christmas wish The other day, a guy went into a local restaurant, and it was crowded except for a seat at the counter by a San Antonio police officer, a Bexar County deputy and a state trooper. He sat down, ordered and struck up a conversation with the three. One asked if he had finished his Christmas shopping, and he said he had. Then another asked if he had a Christmas wish. At this point he was fairly comfortable with them and said, half-kiddingly, but also based on his observations in San Antonio for many years, Yes, officer. I wish I could live long enough to see any one of you give a ticket to someone caught speeding in a pickup truck. To which one of them of immediately replied, Thats a pretty outlandish statement, sir. I mean, nobody lives forever. J. Turner GREENWICH Earl Coyne usually comes to the Greenwich Knights of Columbus community Christmas dinner by himself. But this year, he brought a friend. My husband is in the hospital, said Margaret Jensen, a postal worker Coyne befriended on his regular trips to buy stamps. The two have seen each other at the dinner for years. (Earl) talked me into coming. I wasnt going to come because I dont like to go anywheres alone. Both Coyne, a resident at Agnes Morley Heights, and Jensen have been coming to the dinner for more than 30 years. Coyne said he didnt want to see a friend miss out on the holiday celebration that has fostered a tight-knit family feeling for decades. Each year since 1974, the Greenwich Chapter of the Knights of Columbus on West Putnam Avenue has held a free dinner open to the public. Anyone without a place to go is welcome; meals are delivered to people who are homebound. About 90 people gathered for the feast Tuesday. Jeanine Wojnas and lifelong Greenwich resident Carla Lynk caught each others gaze from the across the room as the meal began and came together to embrace in a warm hug. They met each other in a computer class at the Greenwich Library when computers had just come out, the women said. This year was Lynks third at the Knights of Columbus dinner. I dont have any family because all my relatives are dead, the Goodwill employee said. Except my cousin, who lives in Florida. Wojnas joined the dinner for the first time this year. Normally, we celebrate our Christmas Eve at home, she said. This year, we did not. My family went out and I stayed in because I did not feel well. Greenwich resident Margaret Yinkowski sat at a table of friends from the senior center. Were alone at the holidays, she said, adding the event brings together people without anywhere else to go. I dont have any family. Yinkowskis friend, Helna Zarga, said she has been coming to the community event for about seven years for friends, socialization, hospitality and food. You see friends who you dont normally see, she said. And you know they would otherwise be alone. As Coyne and Jensen enjoyed their festive meal with old friends, Coyne quipped about the next time hed see her. Im gonna need a new book of stamps soon, he chuckled. BRIDGEPORT The Christmas Eve arrest of four individuals in the drive-by shooting of 12-year-old Clinton Howell has brought some measure of peace to members of his family. Thank God justice will be served, Clintons brother, Gregory May, posted on Facebook on Monday. I prayed that this wouldnt turn into a cold case! R.I.P. baby brother. On Monday, police arrested Tajay Chambers, 18, charging him with murder with special circumstances, carrying a pistol without a permit, second-degree larceny and risk of injury to a child. Chambers was already in custody in connection with an earlier assault at Central High School. Police Chief Armando Perez also confirmed the arrest of three juveniles, ages 12, 14 and 16, in connection with the case. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit and larceny in the second degree. I feel so bad for the (Howell) family, but I am glad that we have been able to bring them justice. Our guys did a great job in the investigation, Perez said. Perez and Mayor Joseph Ganim visited Clintons parents on Christmas Eve to notify them of the arrests. Cynthia Dawkins, Clintons mom, told News 12 it wont bring her son back but does bring some measure of relief that the suspected killers have been caught. Thats all I wanted, was justice, Dawkins said. May, meanwhile, said Tuesday that while he is glad that the people responsible are finally caught and justice will be served, the pain and agony caused his family is beyond words. It gives us a peace of mind they wont do that to anybody else, but it still wont bring my baby brother back, May said. We love and miss Clinton dearly. Its not right or fair hes not celebrating Christmas with us. Police said Howell was shot once in the chest around 9 p.m. Dec. 18 outside his familys light green duplex in the 200 block of Willow Street. His family said he had just walked home after buying some snacks at a nearby store. He was rushed to Bridgeport Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later, becoming the victim of the citys 11th homicide reported in 2018. Police said the boy was a bystander, and the target of the drive-by shooting had been his older cousin, who was also standing outside the house. Police sources said Chambers had been involved in an ongoing dispute with Howells cousin, who was not identified. On the evening of Dec. 18, the sources said, Chambers drove slowly by the Willow Street home. They said the cousin fired a pellet gun at Chambers car. Chambers drove off, returning a short time later and fired at the cousin, hitting Howell, police sources said. Chambers was arrested the night of Dec. 19 on an outstanding warrant charging him with second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. The following day, Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton, aware that police were moving to arrest Chambers in the slaying, ordered him held in lieu of a $500,000 bond. To ensure that Chambers wasnt going anywhere, ICE agreed to put a detainer on Chambers, who they said is an undocumented immigrant from Jamaica. Police said Chambers is accused with two other young men of assaulting a 16-year-old boy in the stairwell of Central High School on Oct. 12. Police said Chambers struck the victim in the head and then kicked him down the flight of stairs. The victim advised the boys that he was not into gang stuff, so he did not understand why they were confronting him, police said The incident was caught on the schools video surveillance system. Chambers is expected to be arraigned in Superior Court on Wednesday on the murder charge. Police say the arrest would not have been possible without strong cooperation from the public. Clinton, meanwhile, will be laid to rest on Jan. 11, 2019, two days shy of what would have been his 13th birthday. 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. 1 Wall Street analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Tenaga Nasional Berhad in the last year. There are currently 1 hold rating for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street analysts is that investors should "hold" Tenaga Nasional Berhad stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in TNABY, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for Tenaga Nasional Berhad or view top-rated stocks. Vivint Solar, Inc. provides distributed solar energy primarily to residential customers in the United States. It owns and installs solar energy systems through long-term customer contracts. The company also sells photovoltaic installation products, as well as solar renewable energy certificates. As of December 31, 2019, it had an aggregate capacity of 1,294.0 megawatts covering approximately 188,300 homes. The company was formerly known as V Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Vivint Solar, Inc. in April 2014. Vivint Solar, Inc. was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. Read More UAE-based hospitality company, Time Hotels, has announced four new senior appointments across its sales and marketing, communications, e-commerce and training operations to lead the company in its next phase of growth ahead of Expo 2020 and beyond. The new appointments include Prasanth Janarthanan, director of Sales; Shawn Anthony Vaz, digital e-commerce manager; Ajaz Wani, area materials manager and Meenakshi Singh, cluster training manager. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, Time Hotels, said: We are delighted to welcome these new members to the Time Hotels team. They bring a wealth of experience in their chosen fields of expertise and will be crucial to the success of our extensive activity pipeline for 2019 and beyond. We have always thrived on providing exceptional standards and high levels of service, with these new appointments we are further endorsing this commitment. With more than 18 years experience, Janarthanan has worked with a range of global hospitality brands including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Habtoor Hotels, Carlton Hotels and most recently for Time Hotels, where he was director of sales for both Time Oak Hotel and Suites as well as Time Grand Plaza Hotel, before being promoted to his new position where he will oversee sales for the Time Hotels portfolio. Taking charge of all Time Hotels website and all social media requirements is digital e-commerce manager, Vaz. Maximising 14 years of digital experience in the hospitality industry, Vaz will be responsible for website redevelopment and branding, social media management and content development. Vaz has previously held roles at Emirates Palace Hotel, Kempinski Hotels Mall of the Emirates and JA Resorts & Hotels. With almost 20 years experience, Wani has been appointed as the new area materials manager, where he will develop a centralised procurement and materials management operation which covers all strategic business units including hotels, apartments, F&B and facility management across the Time Hotels portfolio. Rounding out the new appointments is new cluster training manager, Meenakshi Singh. With over nine years of hospitality industry experience in the UAE and India, Singh will be responsible for, amongst other roles, implementing training development opportunities for all members of staff across Time Hotel properties. - TradeArabia News Service Christopher & Banks Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of private-brand women's apparel and accessories in the United States. The company designs and sells women's apparel and accessories to customers ranging in age from 40 and older. Its stores offer women's apparel consisting of casual clothing, everyday basics, wear-to-work, leisure/active wear, and sleepwear in missy, petite, and women sizes, as well as jewelry and accessories. As of December 4, 2018, the company operated 461 stores, including 314 MPW stores, 80 Outlet stores, 35 Christopher & Banks stores, and 32 stores in its women's plus size clothing division CJ Banks in 45 states. It also operates christopherandbanks.com, an e-commerce Website for its Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks brands. The company was formerly known as Braun's Fashions Corporation and changed its name to Christopher & Banks Corporation in July 2000. Christopher & Banks Corporation was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. Read More iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF's stock was trading at $27.57 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWN shares have increased by 77.9% and is now trading at $49.05. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Tyson Foods: APF Legacy Subs LLC, Advance Food Company LLC, AdvancePierre Foods, AdvancePierre Foods Holdings Inc., AdvancePierre Foods Inc., Aidells Sausage Company Inc., Allied Specialty Foods Inc., American Proteins Inc, Artisan Bread Co. LLC, Australian Food Corporation Pty Limited, Australian Food Corporation Trust, BRF, Barber Foods LLC, Bosco's Pizza Co., Bryan Foods Inc., C.S. Grain LLC, C.V. Holdings Inc., CBFA Management Corp., Central Industries Inc., Chefs Pantry LLC, Clovervale Farms LLC, Cobb (Hubei) Breeding Co. Ltd., Cobb (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Cobb Ana Damizlik Tavukculuk Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cobb Columbia S.A.S., Cobb Europe B.V., Cobb Europe Limited, Cobb Peru (Andina) S.A.C., Cobb-Heritage LLC, Cobb-Vantress Brasil Ltda, Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cobb-Vantress New Zealand Limited, Cobb-Vantress Philippines Inc., Coominya AFC Pty Limited, Coominya AFC Trust, DFG Foods Inc., DFG Foods L.L.C., Don Julio, Egbert LLC, Equity Group - Georgia Division LLC, Equity Group - Kentucky Division LLC, Equity Group Eufaula Division LLC, Equity Meat Corp., Flavor Corp., Flavor Holdings Inc., Foodbrands America Inc., Foodbrands Supply Chain Services Inc., Gallo Salame Inc., Global Employment Services Inc., Grow-Out Credit LLC, Grow-Out Holdings LLC, Haimen Tyson Poultry Development Co. Ltd, Hudson Foods Company, Hudson Midwest Foods Inc., Hybro Genetics Brasil Ltda, IBP Caribbean Inc., IBP Foodservice L.L.C., IBP Inc., International Affiliates & Investment LLC, Jiangsu Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Keydutch Finance B.V., Keydutch Holdings I LLC, Keydutch Holdings II LLC, Keydutch Investments B.V., Keystone CLJV Holdings Limited, Keystone County House Road LLC, Keystone Foods, Keystone Foods (AP) Limited, Keystone Foods Holdco LLC, Keystone Foods Intermediate LLC, Keystone Foods LLC, Keystone Foods Pty Limited, Keystone Management Inc., Keystone Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, LD Foods LLC, M & M Express LLC, M&M Restaurant Supply (MI/OH) LLC, MFG (USA) Holdings Inc., Mac Food Services (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., Madison Foods Inc., McKey Food Services (Hong Kong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Shandong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Thailand) Limited, McKey Food Services Limited, McKey Luxembourg Holdings APMEA S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg S.a.r.l., McKey VI Holdings Limited, Myung Seung Food Company Ltd., National Comp Care Inc., New Canada Holdings Inc., Oaklawn Capital Corporation, Oaklawn IT Solution Private Limited, Original Philly Holdings Inc., PBX inc., Pierre Holdco Inc., River Valley Ingredients LLC, Rizhao Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Rizhao Tyson Poultry Co. Ltd, Rural Energy Systems Inc., Sara Lee - Kiwi Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Diversified LLC, Sara Lee Foods LLC, Sara Lee Household & Body Care Malawi Ltd., Sara Lee International LLC, Sara Lee International TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Mexicana Holdings Investment L.L.C., Sara Lee TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Trademark Holdings Australasia LLC, Saramar L.L.C., Shandong Tyson-Da Long Food Company Limited, Smart Chicken, Southern Family Foods L.L.C., Southwest Products LLC, TF 20 B.V., TF 5201 B.V., TFA Leasing LLC, TFA Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, TFI of California Inc., Tecumseh Poultry LLC, Texas Transfer Inc., The Bruss Company, The Hillshire Brands Company, The IBP Foods Co., The Pork Group Inc., TyNet Corporation, Tyson (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Tyson Americas Holding Sarl, Tyson Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Tyson Breeders Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Tyson China Holding 2 Limited, Tyson China Holding 3 Limited, Tyson China Holding Limited, Tyson Deli Inc., Tyson Europe Holding Company, Tyson Farms Inc., Tyson Farms QOZB LLC, Tyson Foods Brasil Investimentos Ltda., Tyson Foods Canada Inc., Tyson Foods Europe (Netherlands) B.V., Tyson Foods Europe GmbH, Tyson Foods France S.A.R.L., Tyson Foods Germany GmbH, Tyson Foods Group Limited, Tyson Foods Holland B.V., Tyson Foods Huadong Development Co. Ltd, Tyson Foods Iberia Alimentos S.L.U., Tyson Foods Italia S.p.A., Tyson Foods Korea, Tyson Foods Netherlands B.V., Tyson Foods Products Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Europe Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Sales (Europe) Limited, Tyson Foods UK Limited, Tyson Foods Wrexham Limited, Tyson Foods oosterwolde B.V., Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats Sales and Distribution LLC, Tyson Global Holding Sarl, Tyson Hog Markets Inc., Tyson India Holdings Ltd., Tyson International APAC Ltd., Tyson International Company Ltd., Tyson International Holding Company, Tyson International Holding Sarl, Tyson International Service Center Inc., Tyson International Service Center Inc. Asia, Tyson International Service Center Inc. Europe, Tyson Mexican Original Inc., Tyson Mexico Trading Company S. de R.L. de CV., Tyson New Ventures LLC, Tyson Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, Tyson Pet Products Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Prepared Foods Inc., Tyson Processing Services Inc., Tyson Refrigerated Processed Meats Inc., Tyson Sales and Distribution Inc., Tyson Service Center Corp., Tyson Shared Services Inc., Tyson Storm Lake Holdings LLC, Tyson Warehousing Services LLC, Tyson of Wisconsin LLC, Uninex SA, Universal Meats (UK) Limited, WBA Analytical Laboratories Inc., Wilton Foods Inc., Xamol Consultores e Servicos, and Zemco Industries Inc.. by Mark Leipold | Steelers Correspondent | Mon, Dec 24th 11:38am EST Kalen Ballage carried only four times for 10 yards but caught two passes for 39 yards on four targets in the Dolphins' Week 16 loss to the Jaguars. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- FAW-Volkswagen (FAW-VW) witnessed its 2 millionth vehicle of the year came off the production line on December 24. The joint venture originally planned an annual outputs target of 150 thousand units when it was founded. During the past 20 years, the yearly outputs for the company have been continuously jumping to over 2 million units in 2018 from more than 50 thousand units in 1998. Up until now, FAW-VW has already completed the construction and upgrade of its five major production bases in Changchun, Foshan, Chengdu, Qingdao and Tianjin. Out of that, there are four plants newly built this year which can increase by annual capacity of 1.05 million vehicles for the automaker, namely, the Changchun Audi Q plant, the production base in Eastern China, the second phase of South China base and the North China plant. Currently, FAW-VW has boasted a total capacity of nearly 3 million units on an annual basis. Aside from the existing MQB platform, the joint venture also introduced the MEB platform this year. The MEB platform is a modular car platform for electric cars developed by the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries and its battery system will be assembled in FAW-VWs Foshan plant. By the end of November, the automaker has sold a total of 1,288,970 vehicles this year. Besides, it has rolled out such new models as the all-new Bora, the all-new CC, the all-new Audi Q5L, the all-new Audi Q2L, as well as the T-ROC and TYRON SUV, which greatly shore up the growth of production capacity. Travellers from the UAE can enjoy Cebu Pacifics (CEB) one day festive Flash Seat Sale available only today, December 25, with prices for Dubai-Manila flights starting as low as Dh1 ($0.2). The Philippines largest airline is also offering low fares on other Philippine destinations with flight tickets as low as Dh1. The festive Flash Seat Sale is valid for travels from July 1 to November 30, 2019. This promotion provides UAE-based travellers an opportunity to experience some of the best islands in the world. The Philippines is home to three of the top five islands in Asia according to a survey by Conde Nast Traveler, a multi-award-winning international travel magazine. Siargao, which ranked first, is well known for its waves and was tagged as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. Palawan, clinching the second spot, is known for its biodiversity and natural wonders such as the Puerto Princesa Underground River. While Boracay, which ranked third, is famous for pristine waters and fine white sand beaches. Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier (LCC) flying directly between the Philippines and the UAE, having seven flights weekly. Booking for the Flash Seat Sale can be made online via the airline's website or by contacting the reservation hotlines. The quoted fares will be valid for one-way travel only, inclusive of base fares. The fare is subject to other additional costs. Fares offered are limited and are non-refundable but re-bookable subject to fees and charges, the airline said in a statement. - TradeArabia News Service A ban on the most-commonly used slug control product, metaldehyde, in 18 months time will present a 'major challenge' to growers. Slugs are a major pest of crops such as oilseed rape, cereals and potatoes. Defra has announced that a ban on the outdoor use of metaldehyde is to be introduced across Britain from Spring 2020. The UK Government decision to ban it has been taken to protect wildlife. It will restrict those growing crops susceptible to slugs in Britain to costlier ferric-based products. However, metaldehyde has been re-authorised for use in most other EU member states as well as other non-EU countries, handing a competitive advantage to food producers exporting to Britain. NFU Scotland Policy Manager, Andrew Midgley said: The arsenal of plant protection products available to growers to produce clean, healthy, disease-free crops continues to narrow. Metaldehydes potential impact on wildlife and watercourses has been recognised by the industry and farmers are acutely aware of the need to minimise its impact on the environment. In autumn 2017, the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group enhanced its guidelines to improve protection of watercourses and minimise the risk to wildlife. Disappointingly, this ban has come before figures on reduced metaldehyde use and water quality can be analysed. At the same time, the product remains widely available to farmers and growers across the EU and beyond. Unchecked, slugs can significantly damage crops of cereals, potatoes, brassicas and oilseed rape. Without metaldehyde, protection products to tackle slugs are narrowed down to ferric-based ones. Mr Midgley added: The cost per kilo is broadly comparable between the two, but ferric-products require significantly higher application rates, almost doubling the cost per hectare of slug control. That is an additional cost unlikely to be recovered by Scottish growers from the marketplace. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Nayanthara is arguably one of the biggest and most decorated actresses in Tamil cinema today. Fondly referred to as 'Thalaivi', the powerhouse performer enjoys a strong fan following thanks to her phenomenal versatility as an actress, good looks and graceful personality. In the recent years, Nayan has starred in some well received female-centric films and has helped her establish herself as a synonym for success. Today (December 25, 2018), Nayanthara completed 15 years in the industry and proved that she is a brand in the truest sense. On this special day, her fans took to Twitter and celebrated '15 years of Nayanism'. Here are the top tweets... #15YearsOfNayanism Still The Best One Of My Fav Star Looks and Performance Still Gorgeous Still Calm Still @ Its Best Still Lady SuperStar As Inspritational Movies Gets Lot Of Appaluds #Nayanthara Stands Still As Queen pic.twitter.com/L62I5ZRLdy Bhanu Chander (Gunnu) (@evry1ns4me) December 25, 2018 From 'A New Heroine For Malayalam' to #15YearsOfNayanism she truly has come a long way, it wasn't a path of roses and I think that's why I love her the most. Be it her work ethics or the way she presents herself & of course on screen, #Nayanthara has only been a wonder to watch! pic.twitter.com/yaERfUwUfZ Mahima Nandakumar (@memahima) December 25, 2018 Nayanthara made her big screen debut with the Malayalam film Manassinakkare which hit the screens on December 25, 2018 and became a commercial success. In the subsequent years, she went on to star in popular films such as Chandramukhi, Simha and Sree Rama Rajyam to name a few. And, needless to say, this worked wonders for her career. Her other notable films include Simha, Adhurs and Billa(Tamil). In 2015, she was seen in the horror-thriller Maya. The film's success opened up new avenues for her. This year, she acted in the hits CoCo and Immaikka Nodigal and continued her dream run. She was also seen in the Balakrishna starrer Jai Simha which did better than expected at the BO! At present, she has Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Viswasam, Thalapathy 63 and Airaa in her kitty. We congratulate Nayanthara on her special achievement and hope that she has a good year ahead. Danish Zehen: Shilpa Shinde Revelation, Lots Of Mystery Behind This; Asks Investigation| FilmiBeat Ace Of Space contestant Danish Zehen, who was also a famous YouTuber, recently passed away in a horrific car accident. The 21-year-old was reportedly returning from a wedding when his car hit against a divider and lost control. Thousands of his fans were a at of his final rites which took place a day after his death. His friends from the show Ace Of Space and many other celebrities took to their social media to mourn his death. Vikas Gupta is one among late Danish's friends who has been extremely vocal with regard to Danish's passing away. And now, the former Bigg Boss winner and television actress Shilpa Shinde has come forward to offer her condolences to Danish's family and friends. But,it wasn't only that. In a series of Tweets that she posted, she's seen calling Danish Zehen's death mysterious. Shilpa also went on to demand serious and immediate investigation into it. Shilpa Tweeted, "Heartfelt condolences on #mysterious accident of #DanishZehen..May his soul #RIP but he will himself clear the clouds on this planned accident and will then rest in peace. This requires immediate and serious investigation. He was not destined to go. " - (sic) In another Tweet she wrote, "Yes .. No mainstream media is covering the news.. Different information flashing on private news floating on YouTube.. His Instagram account gets deleted immediately. Lots of mystery behind this..@MumbaiPolice" - (sic) We wonder if Shilpa is hinting at someone as she questions Danish's death. We need to wait and watch what the Mumbai Police has to say. A few days ago, Vikas Gupta also took to his social media to question the sudden deletion of Danish's Instagram. MOST READ : Kapil & Ginni's Mumbai Reception First Look Revealed; It's Raining Stars! VIEW PICS He said, "Tribute by @mtvindia for @danish_zehen It's a request to @instagramto please reinstate #danishzehen Instagram account. His family has sent emails and tried contacting but there is no response so far. This is very important for his family and people who love him please share this and tag @instagram on comments so that they take into notice. His brother is trying a lot from his side but I think when the number of people increase they will have to notice and take an action. #Coolestbadboi#zehen #aceofspace My #houseguest P.S. please come together to help his family #lostsouls". - (sic) Announces Corporate Restructuring with post consolidation Private Placement of $500,000 and the Appointment of Mr. Robert Kang as Director VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 24, 2018 / Vangold Mining Corp. (the "Company" or "Vangold") (TSXV:VAN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Binding Letter of Intent effective December 12, 2018 (the "LOI"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Aventura Gold Ltd. ("Aventura"), in an arm's length transaction (the "Transaction"). Aventura is a privately held mineral acquisition company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia. Aventura holds an option to acquire the Tassawini Mining License (the "Property") located in Guyana, South America. The Property is located approximately 170 kilometers northwest of the Guyana capital city of Georgetown. The Property has had historical exploration including exploratory diamond drilling. The property possesses additional exploration potential with various untested zones on the Property. There has been two reports that have been published containing historical estimates of gold in fresh and weathered bedrock as well as saprolite. Saprolite is clay-like soft rock, created from deep intense weathering of the bedrock surface, in which gold grades may be enriched. In consideration for all outstanding shares of Aventura, the Company has agreed to make cash payments totaling US$4,000,000 and an equity payment of shares valued at $12,000,000 Canadian. The equity payment will be structured by way of common shares and a non-voting convertible preferred stock class which will be convertible into Vangold common shares valued on a 10-day VWAP with a $0.05 floor at time of issuance. Concurrent to the closing there will be an equity financing of up to $10,000,000 at the same price as the equity payment. Closing of the Transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and a number of conditions including; Vangold completing a consolidation of its outstanding capital structure on a 2:1 basis, completion of satisfactory due diligence, the entering into of a definitive agreement, the completion of a financing acceptable to both Vangold and Aventura and the completion of a technical report in respect of the Property. In preparation for the required due diligence the Company will implement a unit offering of $0.05 with a 2-year warrant at $0.10 commencing with the conclusion of the 2:1 restructuring. The Transaction cannot close until the required approvals are obtained, and the outstanding conditions satisfied. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. The Company has initiated the restructuring. Effective immediately, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment and acceptance of Mr. Robert Kang. Mr. Kang has a combined 28 years of public practice and company management on advising corporations and their executives regarding financing, mergers and acquisitions, going public transactions, continuous disclosure obligations, and corporate governance. Mr. Kang was previously with the TMX Group since 1992 and served most recently as the Director of Listings for the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Kang received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia in 1988 and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation at Ernst and Young. About Tassawini Gold Project The Tassawini project gold deposits are Proterozoic-aged shear zone-hosted replacement and vein deposits. The gold deposits are generally in deformed silicified and carbonate-altered metasedimentary phyllites with abundant pyrite and arsenopyrite. The deposits are in saprolite, weathered rock and fresh rock. Since 2004 a aggregate of $34,687,000 million dollars has been spent on the Property by previous option holders: Stratagold $28,695,000 and Takara $5,999,000. Aventura's Tassawini Project consists of two deposits - the Tassawini deposit and the Sonne deposit. An historical resource estimate for these two deposits, as determined by SRK Mineral Resource Estimation dated July 21, 2008 and revised Feb 10, 2010 is presented below. Since 2004, the Tasswini gold project has undergone extensive geological exploration including: Diamond and reverse circulation drilling (1,279 holes totalling 47,509 metres); Channel and Trench sampling; Geochemical soil sampling (9,167 soil samples on a 200 metre by twenty-five metre grid infilled with 100 metre by twenty-five metre grids); Structural mapping; Surveying; Geophysics; Petro-graphical studies; Metallurgical studies; Infrastructure development Assessment of Historical Resource Estimate by Qualified Person A resource estimate and disclosure of a Mineral Resource Statement for the Tassawini-Sonne Gold Project was performed by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. on November 13, 2009, for Stratagold Corporation (and was reissued with no changes in the resource estimate on February 10, 2010, for Takara Resources Inc. What was referred to in those reports as the Tassawini and Sonne gold deposits are both part of Vangold's Tassawini project. The resource estimate presented by SRK in 2010 for the Tassawini project has been reviewed by geologist M. Claiborne Newton, III, Ph.D., C.P.G., who is a qualified person in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines. However, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Vangold is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The mineral resource estimation was prepared by Dr. Lucy Roberts of SRK under the supervision of qualified person G. Dave Keller. The estimation was based on 440 diamond drill holes and 1,187 reverse circulation drill holes totaling respectively 58,390 metres (m) and 43,284 m of drilling. Gold assays were performed by ALS Chemex and Acme Laboratories. The qualified person for this news release reviewed the data verification procedures employed by SRK and has determined that SRK correctly verified the historical data as suitable for resource reporting to NI 43-101 standards. The methods used in the resource estimation are detailed in the SRK resource estimation report of 2010. The historical estimate for the Tassawini and Sonne deposits are reported in the following two tables and employ a cut-off grade of 0.5 grams of gold per tonne (g/t). The qualified person for this news release has determined that the historical resource estimation listed below is reliable. Table 1. Tassawini Deposit Mineral Resource Statement, Takara Resources Inc. TSX News Release of March 18, 2010. Resource prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc, May 21, 2008. Category of Mineral Indicated Inferred Tonnes 10,766,000 614,000 Gold Grade (g/t) 1.3 1.7 Gold (ounces) 437,000 33,000 Table 2. Sonne Deposit Mineral Resource Statement, Takara Resources Inc. TSX News Release of March 18, 2010. Resource prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc, May 21, 2008. Category of Mineral Inferred Tonnes 1,312,000 Gold Grade (g/t) 0.7 Gold (ounces) 29,000 The qualified person for this news release has determined that a qualified person(s) properly performed and reported the historical resource estimation according to NI 43-101 standards. Additional verification of historical drilling and assaying methods with validation of historical results is recommended, addition of any additional drilling and assaying information since the last resource estimation and an updated or re-verified resource estimation is recommended to consider the historical resource estimation as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. (To view the full-size image, please click here) (To view the full-size image, please click here) Statement of Qualified Person Maury Claiborne Newton, III is currently employed as Chief Geologist: Tectonex, LLC, 1110 Lay St., Winnemucca, Nevada 89445, is independent of Vangold Mining. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Geology (1977), received a Master of Science degree in Geological Sciences (1983) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Geosciences (1990) from the University of Arizona. He has practiced the profession of geology continuously since 1977. Dr. Newton is a Registered Member in good standing of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME, #4145342RM) and a Certified Professional Geologist with the State of Virginia (#2801001736). He is also a member of the Society of Economic Geologists. He certifies that by reason of his education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, he fulfills the requirements to be a "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101. Reference SRK Consulting, 2010, Mineral Resource Estimation, Tassawini - Sonne Gold Project, Guyana, NI 43-101 Technical Report for Takara Resources Inc, effective date July 21, 2008, readdressed to Takara on February 10, 2010, 152 p. About Vangold Mining Corp. Vangold Mining Corp is a Canadian-based precious metal mining company with a goal to acquire significant exploration opportunities supported by a defined set of geological principals. The Company has a diverse range of quality projects in Mexico. Vangold will continue to expand its portfolio with near production opportunities that bring value to shareholders by providing longer term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential. The Company's Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "VAN" and on the OTC American Exchange under the symbol "VGLDF". About Aventura Gold Ltd. Aventura is a BC, Canada based precious metal acquisition company whose goal is to identify and acquire prime mineral rights and advanced properties in Guyana SA. Aventura focuses on advanced exploration properties and production assets for the purposes of joint ventures and outright sales. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Cameron S. King" President, CEO and Director For further information regarding Vangold Mining Corp, please contact: Cameron King, +1 (604) 499-6545 Email: cking@vangoldmining.com Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress: Web: www.vangoldmining.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon estimates, forecasts and statements of management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the completion of the proposed Transaction, the issuance of permits, the size and quality of mineral resources, future trends for the company, progress in development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes, capital costs, mine production costs, demand and market outlook for metals, future metal prices and treatment and refining or milling charges, the outcome of legal proceedings, the timing of exploration, development and mining activities, acquisition of shares in other companies and the financial results of the company. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially and substantially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Vangold's expectations, and expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to the following, limited operating history, proposed exploration and/or drill programs and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Vangold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Vangold Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/531392/Vangold-Mining-Corp-Signs-LOI-to-Acquire-the-Tassawini-Gold-Property-Guyana-SA Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 24, 2018) - OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD. (TSXV: OS) (the "Company" or "Osprey") is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered private placement of up to of 1,334,000 flow-through units (FT Units) at a price of $0.075 Unit proceeds of up to $100,050. Each FT Unit will consist of one common share and one half of one share purchase warrant, entitling the holder to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.12 per share for a period of 18 months from the date of issue. Finders' fees, which may consist of cash and/or finders' warrants exercisable to acquire one common share at a price of $0.12 per share for a period of 18 months, may be paid on the private placement for proceeds of the subscriptions from subscribers introduced to the offering, in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies. Closing of the private placement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The net proceeds of the private placement will be used for exploration and advancement of Osprey's exploration projects located in Nova Scotia, Canada, and general working capital. All securities to be issued in connection with the private placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. About Goldenville and Osprey Osprey is focused on exploring five historically producing gold properties in Nova Scotia, Canada. Osprey has the option to earn 100% (subject to certain royalties) in all five properties, including the Goldenville Gold Project, Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer. Goldenville hosts a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 2,800,000 tonnes at 3.20 g/t gold for 288,000 ounces of gold (2,800,000 tonnes at 4.96 g/t gold for 447,000 ounces of gold uncapped) near the town of Sherbrooke, NS. All five properties in Osprey's current portfolio have a history of high-grade gold production. A copy of the Company's technical report titled "Technical Report on the Goldenville Property, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia Canada" prepared by David G. Thomas, M.Sc., P. Geo. and Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo. is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by the Company's Vice President of Exploration Perry MacKinnon, P.Geo, a 'Qualified Person' under NI 43-101. Additional information regarding Osprey and the Goldenville property is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and at www.ospreygold.com. ON BEHALF OF OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD., "Cooper Quinn" Cooper Quinn, President and Director For further information please contact Osprey at (778)986-8192 or info@ospreygold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Osprey within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and with respect to the financing and the properties. Osprey provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to exploration findings, results and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Osprey's public filings under Osprey's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Osprey has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Osprey disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. UNITED STATES ADVISORY. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth. New Delhi: The government plans to make all electricity meters smart prepaid in three years in a bid to cut transmission and distribution losses, an official statement said. "Move towards smart meters is a pro-poor step as consumers need not pay the whole month's bill in one go, they can pay as per their requirements," it said. The Power Ministry has decided to make all meters smart prepaid in three years from April 1, 2019. "This step is likely to bring revolution in power sector by way of reduction in AT&C losses, better health of DISCOMs, incentivisation of energy conservation, ease of bill payments and doing away with the paper bills," it said. Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth. State governments had earlier signed the 'Power for All' document and had agreed to supply power round the clock to their consumers. Under this, "The distribution licensee shall provide 24x7 power to their consumers by 1 April, 2019 or earlier. However the appropriate commission in exceptional circumstances for the reasons to be recorded in writing may grant extension in this time period," the statement added. The currency notes, except for banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, issued under old series continue to remain legal tender. New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon introduce a new Rs 20 currency note with additional features, according to a document of the central bank. The central bank has already issued new look currency notes in the denominations of Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 100, and Rs 500, besides introducing Rs 200 and Rs 2,000 bank notes. The new look notes are being introduced since November 2016 under Mahatma Gandhi (New) series. These are different in size and design compared to the notes issued previously. The currency notes, except for banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, issued under old series continue to remain legal tender. According to the RBI data bank, there were 4.92 billion pieces of Rs 20 note in circulation as on 31 March, 2016. The number more than doubled to about 10 billion pieces by March 2018. The Rs 20 notes accounted for 9.8 percent of the total number of currency notes in circulation at the end of March 2018. BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese recruitment service provider 51job on Monday rejected claims that more than 2 million job ads had disappeared from its website this year due to an economic slump, saying a Chinese securities firm was smearing economic prospects. BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese recruitment service provider 51job on Monday rejected claims that more than 2 million job ads had disappeared from its website this year due to an economic slump, saying a Chinese securities firm was smearing economic prospects. In a statement posted on its official social media account on Wechat, 51job said Wuhan-based Tianfeng Securities had made an "improper" analysis of the platform's data using a web crawler programme in a research note published in November. Tianfeng said it found the number of job listings on 51job shrank from 2.85 million to just 830,000 in six months, from April to September. "The content of that research is contrary to facts," 51job said in a statement, criticising the research approach as loose and irresponsible, stressing it owns multiple recruitment websites besides the main 51job website. It cited the company's robust earnings as evidence that the numbers were false. In both the second and third quarters, 51job's revenue from online recruitment rose more than 30 percent from a year earlier, it said. It did not give details on actual changes of job listings, however. Tianfeng Securities could not be immediately reached by Reuters for comment. "Our research department has always strictly observed relevant regulations and rigorously and objectively analysed data," Tianfeng was quoted as saying in a response to 51job after being contacted by its lawyers, according to 51job's statement. 51job said Tianfeng had declined to make a public apology after deleting the research note from its own platform. Tianfeng's share fell 2.66 percent on Monday from the previous trading day. Tianfeng's findings had misled the market and raised widespread concerns about employment stability and the health of the broader economy, 51job wrote in its statement. "Who gave Tianfeng Securities the guts to do this?" it wrote, adding it had not been asked to verify the numbers before the research was posted. China's economy has been under growing pressure lately from a combination of domestic deleveraging policies, a campaign to shut polluting industries, and a protracted trade dispute with the United States. Stability-minded policymakers have vowed to prevent extensive job losses, including rolling out measures to reduce costs for struggling companies that choose not to cut staff. China aims to maintain its urban survey-based jobless rate below 5.5 percent in 2018, while keeping the registered unemployment rate, another official gauge, below 4.5 percent. Many analysts say, however, that the government figure is an unreliable indicator of national employment conditions as it measures only employment in urban areas and does not take into account millions of migrant workers. (Reporting by Yawen Chen and Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Stella Qiu) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. In March, Vedanta was declared as the successful resolution applicant for ESL under the corporate insolvency resolution process. Kolkata: Natural resources major Vedanta Ltd on Tuesday said it will set up a new steel plant in Jharkhand with a capacity of 4.5 million tonne (MT) per annum at an investment of $3 to 4 billion. The plant will be part of the company's newly-acquired Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) at Bokaro, Vendanta Resources chairman Anil Agarwal told reporters. "This would be a new steel plant under ESL and in the same location at Bokaro... so it's a brownfield investment per se. The amount is likely to be to the tune of $3 to 4 billion for a capacity of 4.5 MT," Agarwal said. Vedanta would initially invest about $300 million to augment capacity of ESL to 2.5 MT from the existing 1.5 MT. Once the new facility is commissioned, the total capacity of ESL would be around 7 MT, he said without elaborating on the time frame. The plant would create 1,20,000 jobs in the form of direct and indirect employment, Agarwal said. "We have about 2,200 acres at ESL and are scouting for a little more... The Jharkhand government has been very cooperative in this regard," he said. In March, Vedanta was declared as the successful resolution applicant for ESL under the corporate insolvency resolution process. The company has acquired control of ESL through its wholly-owned subsidiary Vedanta Star Ltd, and a new board of directors has been put in place. Agarwal said in the next three years, Vedanta would invest a total of about $8 billion across its major sectors such as oil and gas, aluminium, zinc and silver. He also urged global oil companies to invest in India, as the country has an "easier clearance process" for the sector. On the controversy surrounding its Sterlite Copper plant in Tamil Nadu, Agarwal said the facility is one of the world's best copper plants and it will be in India's interest if the unit is operational again. Sterlite Copper had on Saturday announced it would move the Supreme Court to implement the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to reopen the facility in Tuticorin. The Tamil Nadu government had on 28 May ordered the state's pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests by locals over pollution concerns. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Tuesday President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Tuesday. Apart from the two leaders, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah, and senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani were among others who paid homage to Vajpayee. Earlier today, President Kovind had hailed Vajpayee as a "true Indian statesman". "Remembering our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth anniversary. Atalji will always live on in the hearts and minds of the people of our country," the President tweeted. Prime Minister Modi, too, took to the micro-blogging site to reiterate his commitment to fulfill Vajpayee's dreams. "Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," the Prime Minister tweeted. The veteran leader, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998-2004, was the first ever person from the BJP to have become the Prime Minister. He served as Prime Minister thrice briefly in 1996, and then twice more, 1998-1999 and a full term between 1999 and 2004. The BJP stalwart passed away on August 16 at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi following a prolonged illness. 25 December is also celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' in honour of Vajpayee. When he sat in the Opposition for many years, Vajpayee was called the right man in the wrong party. However, during his premiership, he began to be called Vikas Purush. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose 94th birth anniversary on Tuesday will be celebrated as Good Governance Day, was given several monikers during his unparalleled political career. When he was part of the Opposition for several years, Vajpayee was called the right man in the wrong party. However, during his tenure as the prime minister, he began to be called vikas purush. After he retired from active politics, Vajpayee came to be known as Bhishma Pitamah. However, one sobriquet stuck with him throughout his life that of a poet-politician. Hardliner to right man in wrong party A young Vajpayee flirted with communism before joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1939. After having dropped out of a law school, Vajpayee joined RSS mouthpiece "Panchjanya" in 1947. However, his career took off after his association with Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee began. His eloquence in Hindi proved valuable to Mookerjee, who wanted to refine his Hindi skills. The young Vajpayee became his stenographer, translator, help and secretary, all rolled into one, noted the 2016 book The Untold Vajpayee. Mookerjee died in mysterious circumstances in 1953, but Vajpayee quickly emerged out of the tragedy to achieve greater success. After losing a Lok Sabha by-election in 1955, he bounced back in 1957 by winning from the Balrampur constituency. Subsequently, Vajpayee emerged as a prominent Opposition leader. It is often said that Jawaharlal Nehru deeply influenced Vajpayees formative parliamentary career. So much so, that Jan Sangh leader Balraj Madhok used to call Vajpayee a Nehruite. Acharya Kripalani, on the other hand, believed Vajpayee was Nehrus planted man in the Opposition. Nevertheless, when Nehru died in May 1964, Vajpayee paid rich tributes to him. In the Ramayana, Maharshi Valmiki has said of Lord Ram that he brought the impossible together. In Panditji's life, we see a glimpse of what the great poet said, Vajpayee said, comparing the late prime minister to Lord Ram. In fact, according to a popular story, while stepping into South Block for the very first time as a minister, he noticed a portrait of Nehru missing from its usual spot. Vajpayee is reported to have said then, Where has it gone? I want it back. The portrait was immediately reinstated. Perhaps, as observed by noted Canadian scholar Robin Jeffery, the undying charm of parliamentary politics may have influenced Vajpayee to evolve into a more moderate politician. As Vajpayee began straddling the middle path in the 1970s and 1980s, he succeeded in bringing the Jan Sangh and its successor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), into the mainstream. Vajpayees moderate politics has been credited for the continuity in Indias foreign policy. Instead of reviewing Indias special relationship with the Soviet Union as the then foreign minister, he chose to continue with the relationship while building bridges with the United States, as mentioned in Kingshuk Nag's book Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Man for All Seasons. Vajpayee helped the BJP form electoral alliances ahead of the 1998 and 1999 polls. It was during this time that the moniker right man in the wrong party became strongly associated with him. Vajpayee himself was amused by this moniker. Some time in the late 1990s, while speaking in Parliament, Vajpayee quipped, Toh is achhe Vajpayee se apka kya karne ka irada hai? (so what is it that you intend to do with this good Vajpayee?) Vikas Purush to Bhishma Pitamah Contemporary India would remember Vajpayee for several grand infrastructure projects and the first national telecom policy. In fact, the Golden Quadrilateral linking Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna were Vajpayees pet projects. Many analysts have claimed that Vajpayee has been the only true economic reformer, so far. Perhaps, Vajpayees commitment to reforms could be gauged by his Independence Day speech in 2000: "Let us together resolve to make this decade, the Decade of Development... Reforms are the need of the hour. For example, the world has changed much in the past 50 years, and so has India. There have been many far-reaching political and economic transformations across the globe... To reform is to turn the inevitability of change in the direction of progress. What he proclaimed from the ramparts of the Red Fort did happen. The first decade of 2000 has consistently been called the golden period of the Indian economy. Thus, it came as no surprise that Vajpayee was called Vikas Purush by then BJP chief (now Indias vice-president) Venkaiah Naidu. That Naidus proclamation led to a political storm in 2003 is another story altogether. However, a multitude of factors ranging from rural neglect to the ghastly 2002 post-Godhra riots brought about the NDA governments downfall in the 2004 General Elections, effectively ending Vajpayees political career. Vajpayee subsequently became the elder statesman. During a crucial debate on the Indo-US nuclear deal, Manmohan Singh had sought Vajpayees help to form a consensus among various parties. Singh reportedly said, I now urge the Bhishma Pitamah (grand old man) of Indian politics to also listen to the call of his conscience and let the national interest prevail over narrow and partisan approach in politics. Vajpayee straddled the highs and lows of democracy and strengthened the political milieu of India. Had he not become a politician, he would certainly have been a poet. Those who have heard Atal reciting poetry say that the BJP chief was a great orator while delivering political speeches, but his recitation of poetry was even better, noted Nag in his book. But for Vajpayee, politics took precedence over poetry on most occasions. However, when he was fighting for his life at a New York hospital in 1988, Vajpayee remarked, "Maut ki umar kya hai? Do pal bhi nahi, Zindagi silsila, aaj kal ki nahi. Main ji bhar jiya, main mann se maroon. Lautkar aaoonga, kooch se kyun daroon? (what is the age of death? Not even a few moments. Life is a journey, not a day-long affair. I have lived life to the fullest, I will die happily. I will return, why should I fear the end?). Nearly 50 houses in a village were gutted by a massive fire that broke out in western Nepal's Kalikot district, displacing as many as 285 people, including 111 children, police said. Kathmandu: Nearly 50 houses in a village were gutted by a massive fire that broke out in western Nepal's Kalikot district, displacing as many as 285 people, including 111 children, police said. The fire broke out from a house at around 1.30 am on Monday and spread to other houses in the clustered settlement. "Clothes, food grains and other valuables belonging to 87 families living in 39 houses were destroyed in the incident that started at midnight and seven persons who were trying to douse the fire got injured, said Police Inspector Devendra Malla. The fire that broke out at Khada settlement of Palata Rural Municipality-1 in Kalikot on Monday morning destroyed 39 houses and displaced as many as 285 people including 111 children. As the houses in the settlement had thatched roofs, the village was engulfed in fire in no time. Properties worth millions of rupees were destroyed in the fire, police said. Police said two buffaloes and 21 cattle were charred to death while 48 other houses were partially damaged. "We had called the police immediately after the fire started but the police personnel deployed from Thirpu and Jarkot posts reached the site after four hours," said locals. The security personnel of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, as well as the locals, jointly took the fire under control. "Now that the fire is under control, we have to manage shelter and food for 87 families. We are preparing to keep the displaced families at a local school building," they said. Meanwhile, the provincial government of Karnali provided relief materials to the victims. The province executive also provided Rs 20,000 to each displaced family as immediate relief while various local units in the district also vowed to help the fire. The CBI on Tuesday initiated a probe in the anti-Sterlite clashes between demonstrators and police that led 13 people dead and over 40 injured in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi in May. New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday initiated a probe in the anti-Sterlite clashes between demonstrators and police that led 13 people dead and over 40 injured in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi in May. CBI recorded statements of families of the deceased and injured recently. However, statements of the officials of Tamil Nadu Police and Revenue Department are underway. The premier investigating agency also summoned several documents from the state police including documents on whose order 15 weapons were issued, who had signed and collected the weapons and who ordered firing which led to the killings. In August, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court transferred all the cases pertaining to the violence and police firing to CBI. Justices CT Selvam and Basheer Ahamed also quashed the detention of six members of Makkal Adhikaram. These members were detained under the National Security Act, 1980. Following the court's order, CBI registered a case against Tamil Nadu Police and Revenue Department officials on 29 November. The protest was against the construction of the Sterlite copper plant. The protester's contention was that it would pollute the groundwater. During the protest, the police and the agitators had clashed. Noida Police on Tuesday issued a notice to companies asking them to ensure that their employees don't offer namaz in public parks, demanding adherence to the restrictions. Noida Police on Tuesday issued a notice to companies telling them to ensure their employees don't offer namaaz in public parks, according to several media reports. As per the notice, the police warned the companies that if their instructions are not followed, they will be "held accountable." The notice, issued by the police of Noida's Sector 58, also clarified that Muslim employees should be asked to offer Friday prayers in mosques or on the premises of the company. DNA reported that the police, in the notice, informed the companies that prior clearance needs to be taken to perform religious activities in public places like parks. Earlier, the city magistrate was asked for permission to offer prayers in such spaces, but the authorities refused to allow it in public, as per the report. We want to inform you that there is no permission from the administration to conduct any kind of religious activity including namaaz offered on Friday in the Authority park in Sector 58. It has been often seen that the Muslim workers of your company assemble in the park to offer namaaz and I, the SHO, have told the group to not hold prayers in the park. Also, their plea to the city magistrate has not received any permission to do so," the notice read, as per the DNA report. Companies in the area sought a meeting with senior Noida police officers for clarification on the matter, particularly on the clause that threatens to hold them liable for violations of the order by employees, The Indian Express reported. The statement also read, "Thus, it is expected from you that you at your level inform your Muslim employees to not come to the park to offer Namaz. If employees of your company come to the park, it will be assumed that you have not informed your employees and your company will be held liable," as per the report. US-based BJP supporters said they back Modi because they believe he is ushering in policies that will turn India, already the worlds fastest-growing large economy, into a powerhouse. Maryland: On a chilly Sunday morning in this quiet American suburb, IT consultant Madhu Bellam scoured a spreadsheet with contact details for over 1,500 Indian voters. He punched numbers into his phone and rang his hometown of Hyderabad, a tech hub in southern India about 8,800 miles away. Bellam emigrated to the United States around two decades ago, and then renounced his Indian passport to become an American in 2011. He now runs his own tech consultancy. But the 47-year-old, convinced that the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will unlock Indias economic potential, is part of an army of activists seeking to propel Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a second term in next years general election, due to be held by May. I am requesting you to vote for BJP and spread the word in the constituency, Bellam says in his phone calls to people in India whose numbers were provided to him by the party. He then extols Modis policies, including his flagship Make in India plan. Bellam and fellow BJP supporters also lobby their own networks in India, calling acquaintances, cousins and old schoolmates with the same message. The US chapter of the Overseas Friends of the BJP has some 4,000 members, although its president Krishna Reddy estimates the broader network includes up to 300,000 supporters. Many cannot travel home to vote, so ardent BJP backers are channeling their energy into phone campaigns and a blitz of social media messages to people in India. To be sure, this kind of campaigning may only have a modest impact on the nearly 900 million voters in India, where hot-button issues centre on a lack of jobs for young people and distress in heartland farming states because of low crop prices. Vijay Chauthaiwale, the head of the BJPs foreign affairs cell, said Modi supporters in 20 countries will be helping out in the campaign. Besides the United States, these include Britain, Canada, Australia and parts of Africa, where there are large Indian communities. But Indian-Americans, who number around four million, have perhaps the most influence. As one of the most educated and prosperous minorities in the United States, the community is admired in India - an asset the BJP has seized on. They are shocked to be getting a call from the United States, Bellam said of the people he phones. We call some rural people too. They look at us as very successful people, so thats the good thing for us to convince them. They think that we speak the truth. Identity politics US-based BJP supporters said they back Modi because they believe he is ushering in policies that will turn India, already the worlds fastest-growing large economy, into a powerhouse. But identity politics also help explain BJP success overseas. US-based supporters often have roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist group that is the ideological parent of the BJP. Also helping Modi, who governed the western state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, is the large Gujarati community in the United States. Modi moved to the federal government after winning the general election in 2014 with a thumping majority, when he was widely supported by the Indian diaspora overseas. Although he remains popular and is largely expected to win another five-year term, the 2019 election will likely be tougher, with some voters feeling let down by his campaign promise of development for all. But there is no indication that the enthusiasm of Modis overseas supporters has waned. From his sofa in Maryland, Bellam was trying to woo voters ahead of local elections this month, in which the BJP lost control of three major heartland states to the opposition Congress party. But he and other Modi supporters already have their sights set on the general election. US supporters will likely make around 500,000 calls next year, according to Reddy, the president of the group. Members will target Indias biggest states and their own hometowns, given they can campaign in the local language and have a good grasp of community issues. Devesh Kapur, a political scientist at John Hopkins University who has written two books on Indian-Americans, said calls from the United States are unlikely to change voters minds but they could help rally support. My impression is that their effect is at the margin, and more on turnout rather than changing voting preferences per se, said Kapur. Amid the buzz around the BJP abroad, the Congress party, which ruled India for most of its post-independence era after 1947, is trying to drum up support from the diaspora, too. During a tour of the United States last year, Congress president Rahul Gandhi praised emigres as the backbone of India. For the 2019 election, members are asked to support Congress on social media and speak to friends and family back home - but not to call voters, said Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress Department. I am not going to force you. I am not going to tell you: Im great and successful, listen to me.... How can I tell some poor little farmer that I am successful? said Pitroda, who was an adviser to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the 1980s and now lives in Chicago. All you can tell them is: Do you believe in freedom? Do you believe in inclusion? Then the Congress party is the party you want to vote for. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy explained his 'kill mercilessly' comment after facing flak. Reportedly, he said that he had not made the statement 'a chief minister', but 'due to anger'. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy explained his "kill mercilessly" comment on Tuesday after facing much flak. He said that he had not made the statement "as a chief minister", but under a surge of emotion and "due to anger", ANI reported. On Monday, Kumaraswamy was caught on camera instructing someone reportedly likely to be a police officer to "mercilessly" avenge the killing of a local JD(S) leader. He had said, "He (JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why they murdered him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem." #WATCH Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy caught on cam telling someone on the phone 'He(murdered JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why did they murder him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem. (24.12.18) pic.twitter.com/j42dqiRs0a ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 However, later in the day, the chief minister clarified saying, "It was not my order, I was emotional at that moment. they (the killers) are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person (local politician Prakash), this is how they are misusing bail." NDTV also quoted him as saying, "It was not an order passed by me as the chief minister. It was due to anger." He also asked supporters of the murdered leader to "not lose their cool". Prakash was murdered on Monday by unidentified assailants while he was travelling in his car in Maddur. According to reports, Prakash (50) was travelling on Mysuru Road in Mandya when he was attacked by four bike-born assailants. Initial reports said Prakash was alive after the attack but succumbed to his injuries later. Chief Ministers Office (CMO) has ordered an inquiry into the incident. In a statement issued by the CMO, the chief minister said, "Prakash, who was murdered, was a party loyalist. I have instructed the police to take all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents are not recurring." A case of murder has been registered at the Maddur Police station, and the police are investigating a revenge angle. The News Minute quoted a Maddur police official saying, "Two years ago, a JD(S) leader Kumar, also known as Cable Kumar, was brutally murdered by bike-borne assailants in Mandya. At the time, there was speculation that Prakash may have been involved in the crime. He may have been targeted by a rival faction but the investigation will reveal the truth." The incident prompted protests by party workers on the Bengaluru-Mysuru and Bengaluru-Dindigul highways, alleging that political rivalry was behind the incident. The demonstrations also led to traffic jams running up to several kilometres. However, the protesters later called off the agitation and the highways were cleared. With inputs from agencies With no pressure to take their cues from their perennially feuding governments, Indians and Pakistanis get along just fine at a personal level the moment their paths cross outside South Asia. One doesn't need to live years abroad to see the light, but perhaps it helps. At least, it did for me. I am referring to the "enmity" between India and Pakistan. For nearly 14 years, I diligently deleted the phrases "arch-foes", "arch-rivals" and "have gone to war four times" from wire-service stories on India, Pakistan or Kashmir that I used in my job as a news editor. The intent was to strike a tiny twin blow against news-agency cliches and divisive language. But surprise, surprise, my effort made no difference when it came to the crunch. How could it when our own governments want us to be defined that way -- "arch-foes/arch-rivals". In the last week of September, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj laid into the "arch-rival" in her address to the UN General Assembly, saying "our neighbour's expertise is not restricted to spawning grounds for terrorism; it is also an expert in trying to mask malevolence with verbal duplicity". Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi returned the compliment in kind, albeit in slightly less florid prose. "India has been sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan," he told the delegates. "It is India that in plain sight operates state terrorism in Jammu Kashmir." From the perspective of an overseas South Asian, if any phrase starkly sums up the nature of India-Pakistan ties, it is "plus ca change" - the more things change, the more they stay the same. The routine has become so predictable, it can now be turned into an international rule-book for neighbours cum adversaries: mutual demonisation and visa restrictions, border infiltration and exchange of fire, political rows and recriminations, claims of interference in internal affairs and calls for boycott of films, and so on. Yet, for the sake of their combined over-1.5 billion population and future generations, establishing good-neighbourly relations should be the two countries' overarching strategic goal. As New Year resolutions go, few can beat "Strive to achieve permanent Indo-Pak peace". Through sustained collective and individual efforts, Indians and Pakistanis should aim for the kind of rapprochement that the Horn of Africa's "arch-foes/arch-rivals" Ethiopia and Eritrea quietly reached in July this year after 20 years of unremitting hostility. Of course, in the back of our mind, we should always know, as George Harrison said in the context of love, "It's going to take time, A whole lot of precious time, It's going to take patience and time." None of this is to assume a moral equivalence between the two sides. The claim that the Kargil war of 1999, the Mumbai attack of 2008 and infiltration across the Line of Control make Pakistan an unreliable peace partner is well-founded for sure. And one must spare a thought for Afghanistan too. If the policy of bleeding of India by the Pakistani military-intelligence "deep state" through a thousand cuts is intolerable, the havoc being wreaked by its proxy warriors on defenceless Afghans year after year is unforgivable. Then there is the deep state's repression of Pakistan's own intellectuals, journalists, ethnic and political minorities, outspoken liberals, and indirectly of all Pakistanis who simply want to live among their friends, aged parents and relatives in a secure, stable, economically thriving and religiously tolerant country. But as psychologists like to say, spotting other people's flaws can make us forget our own. A cursory look at the news headlines is enough to reveal that the rotten apples of Indian society and politics are steadily catching up with their Pakistani counterparts in religious chauvinism, petty-mindedness and hate-mongering. Equally alarming are the unmistakable and widespread signs of social decay, environmental degradation, desensitisation to Kashmiris' suffering, and chronic economic underperformance. At a time when discussions on the loyalties of even a national treasure like Naseeruddin Shah are not beyond the bounds of propriety, it is vital for everyday Indians to understand that their Pakistani brethren are not enemies in combat gear but their neighbours, friends and fellow travellers in the journey of life. Together, we must strive to change the region's dynamic for the better if we are to avoid the slippery slope to unbridled religious polarisation. With no pressure to take their cues from their perennially feuding governments, Indians and Pakistanis get along just fine at a personal level the moment their paths cross outside South Asia. I should know. Nearly every Pakistani I have dealt with in the course of my 21 years in two Gulf countries came across as kind, respectful, trusting, affectionate, hospitable and helpful to a fault. None of them even vaguely hinted that I should "Go to Hindustan" to make a living. None expressed any apprehension they would get a raw deal, to say nothing of unfair confidential appraisals, from me because of their country of origin. From restoring my job within hours of being summarily sacked by a mercurial Egyptian boss to helping me cope with problems caused by a broker of Indian origin, different Pakistanis have come to my aid at different times in the Gulf. And they continue to be among my closest all-weather friends and benefactors, no matter what the subcontinent's political temperature. Given the vast and complex web of vested interests, it may be too much to expect Indian and Pakistani leaders, politicians and military generals to transcend all national, religious and ideological boundaries. But at least in a regional context, they must begin to outgrow the logic of self-destructive rivalry and embrace the wisdom of their humble Ethiopian and Eritrean counterparts, who have gone from being implacable foes to friends on the basis of their common social, cultural, ethnic and linguistic pre-partition roots. If Ethiopia and Eritrea can bury their famous enmity, so can "arch-foes" India and Pakistan, at least in principle. Of course, it will take patience and time, as George Harrison cautioned. Possibly "a whole lot of precious time". But the peace dividend will most certainly be worth the wait. The author is an independent journalist and weekly columnist on the Middle East for Dubai's Khaleej Times daily and Iraq's Rudaw Media Network. Asserting that India should adopt a 'clear-cut roadmap' to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened. Pune: Asserting that India should adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened. Kumar was delivering the Lalitaditya Memorial Lecture in Pune, organised by Sarhad organisation. During his speech, he also said that there is a need to send a stern message to Pakistan for its support to militancy. "A stern message needs to be sent to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today Pakistan is not feeling the pinch it should feel," said Kumar. He said India should deal strongly with Pakistan as far as training camps and terrorist launchpads are concerned. "Now USA is exiting Afghanistan. It has its implications in Kashmir. It is a matter of time that we will be feeling its implications in the Valley. After the US withdrawal, the terrorists organisations would feel pumped up, emboldened," he said. Seeing America's withdrawal as a "sign of victory", terrorist outfits can feel that New Delhi can also be defeated, so there is an urgent need for India to adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to deal with terrorism in Kashmir, he asserted. The US is planning to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The American troops contribute to training and advising local forces fighting the Taliban and the Islamic State group. Underling Pakistan's active role in spreading terrorism in the Valley, the former IPS officer said Pakistan is not only sponsoring terrorism but also sending its nationals to Kashmir in the garb of fighting jihad. "No matter which government is in power, Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in the Valley," he said. He said militancy in Kashmir started with local terrorist organisations but now it is tilting towards Islamic extremism. "The Valley has a rich history of Sufism but over the years it has moved towards Wahabism," he said, adding that efforts should be made to take Kashmir back to Sufism. Suggesting measures, he said the state needs stringent laws to deal with anti-national forces, a concrete policy to encourage youths to give up militancy. The surrender policy must ensure that youth who give up militancy are gainfully employed and discouraged from returning to the menace, he said. He also called for political outreach and empowerment of the civil society. He said social media has played a destructive role in inciting sentiments of the youth. The Bogibeel Bridge will, indeed, create history, but it won't wipe away the memories of all those like me who traversed across the banks on boats. "I wonder if it will be completed in my lifetime" Those were my father's words at an event at the Chowkidingee Field in Assam's Dibrugarh town when the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was addressing a huge crowd in an impressive display of his oratorical skills after laying the foundation stone of the Bogibeel Bridge in April 2002. I still remember the cheer from the crowd when he announced that the bridge will have a double-line railway track instead of one. My father's words turned out to be prophetic as neither he nor Vajpayee would see Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating India's longest rail-road bridge to the nation on the former prime minister's 94th birth anniversary on Tuesday. Correctly dubbed an engineering marvel, this 4.94-kilometre structure is set to redefine communication links between the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra, particularly between the districts of Dhemaji and Dibrugarh, and also link places like Pasighat and Along (it isn't pronounced /l/ but 'aalong') in Arunachal Pradesh. With the Bogibeel Bridge soon to be opened to the public, the better medical facilities in Dibrugarh, which also has the Assam Medical College (earlier known as Berry White Medical School) and numerous private hospitals, will be easily accessible to people on the north bank of the river. Indeed a boom is in the making for medical professionals in Dibrugarh, and it's the same for the hospitality sector, as well. No doubt, the Bogibeel Bridge comes as a boon for those who have been languishing in a remote corner of the country for long. But a bridge will always remain a bridge and can't assume the charm of a boat! I can't recollect which year it was exactly, but I have a hazy memory of my first ride across the river over three decades ago, when my father got transferred from Tinsukia to North Lakhimpur in his capacity as a government doctor. It was a diesel-run country boat, maybe with a capacity to ferry 200 people. I was somehow clinging onto my mother's arm when she first entered the boat. An 8- to 10-feet-long thin wooden plank, hardly a foot wide, was the only connection between the boat and the river bank, with the swirling waters of the Brahmaputra beneath. My mother took an eternity to get onto the boat, screaming in fright all the way with all her might. That was in Dibrugarh (I don't remember which ghat it was as they frequently change depending on the water level) when I watched our household items, from furniture to utensils, being loaded onto the boat. For the faint-hearted, it would have been a nightmare to get onto the boat, but then that's life. With the ghats always on loose alluvial soil, the fear is not unfounded. During the same journey, I remember how my mother's Usha sewing machine was perilously placed on a porter's head at Sonari ghat on the north bank and somehow didn't end up falling into the river. If you think deboarding the boat is the last hurdle in this adventurous journey, you are so wrong. Once on land, one has to carry all the luggage and manoeuvre through the mad scramble for the only three buses to take you to Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur. One was a blue coloured bus belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Corporation and the other two privately-owned buses were Krishna and Godavari. No matter how many ferries came from the south to the north bank, these were the only three buses available, and they made the trip only once in a day. I remember the hurry with my parents to just make it to one of the three and then get squeezed like squash for the next three hours on the horrible National Highway-52. After my father bought an Ambassador, these scrambles stopped but not the adventure. During the summer holidays, which was often during the monsoon in Assam, the road to reach the ghat was not a road but a dirt track, particularly from Kulajan on the north bank. This is where the north end of the Bogibeel Bridge is. There was practically no road there back then. Only the slushy tyre marks of the buses had to be followed, often resulting in the car getting stuck in the mud, or the vehicle chamber scratching the loose soil below. It was almost like driving on two drains simultaneously, with one rear and front wheel on either side. When the car refused to move, my brother and I often had to get out either to push the car, or to put a particular kind of grass (probably elephant grass) near the rear wheels to get the tyres out of the mud. This, of course, happened as we raced against time to reach Sonari ghat as early as possible as the ferry that could carry vehicles (10 at a time) only made one trip a day. The bookings were always made on a first-come, first-serve basis, though the fellow who allotted the bookings played god. A few more hundreds than the government-approved rate could actually make one the lead vehicle, even if it was the 11th or the 13th one to arrive. Also, getting a four-wheeler onto the ferry was no mean task. During winter, the land was higher than the boat as the water level was usually low. But during the rainy season, it's the other way round. We literally had prayers on our lips when our father used to drive our car on two wooden planks, which were quite steep, to park the vehicle on the ferry. The wheels would often skid, and if the engines were not revved enough, it wouldn't climb up the planks. If the brakes were not applied at the right time after the wheels were on the boat, one could end up falling into the terrifying river, angry with its swift monsoon currents. And it was deep. The Assamese saying 'Rakhe Hari mare kune, mare Hari rakhe kune' (no one can kill the one protected by the lord and vice-versa) is so befitting. The journey from Sonari ghat to Dibrugarh would take even longer as the ferry had to move from west to east against the current. It was worse during the monsoon as it would often take over three hours, but travelling back along the route was equally faster. The Brahmaputra during the monsoon will mesmerise you, regardless of whether nature appeals to you. It's often foggy, windy and cold in the middle, with no sight of the banks on either side. The Brahmaputra is also India's widest river. The ferry would often shiver, even if it was loaded with 10 vehicles (mostly Ambassadors, Fiat and Jeeps during those times) while crossing the many small whirlpools created by the monsoon ferocity. It was also a sea of green with hyacinths floating in abundance. Sometimes, even tree logs could be seen floating by. The rolling waves enthralled me and my brother so much that during our monsoon visits, we would often tie Coca-Cola bottles with long ropes and put them in the river while sitting at the rear end of the ferry. It was so delightful to watch the bottle jump over the waves! Then there was the cup of tea that I enjoyed on the ferry. Made straight out of the river water on a kerosene stove, the ferry staff would invariably sell it along with a 'pop' (this wasn't pop music but a bakery item closest to a croissant). I have no idea why it was called 'pop'. My mother would also pack chicken fries along with rotis so we could have our lunch in the vehicle aboard the boat. The shouts of fry mach, fry mach (fried fish) still ring loud in my ears. There was probably no fish fresher than that. Caught straight out of the river, it was cleaned within minutes and put on a frying pan on a firewood chulha. After the fish is half fried, it is put on burning charcoal for a few minutes and soon after, wrapped with a newspaper for you to devour. Priced Rs 6 (yes, six and a bigger one would cost you Rs 10), it tasted delectable. No chef can beat that rustic taste! Sometimes, a water channel comes up overnight when the river changes course, and then people are forced to take smaller boats to cross them to reach the main ghat. The boatmen often bargained and agreed to a paltry sum on the banks, but they would shake the boat so violently in the middle of the channel that the passengers, fearing for their lives, would finally oblige and shell out more. Yes, it was blackmail, but it was fun, too. Cruel, I know! At times, for four-wheelers to cross the river, they would often tie two country boats parallelly, around three to four feet apart, and get vehicles like Ambassadors and Jeeps onto them. With the dead weight of the vehicle, the top edge of the boats would be dangerously close to the water level. Neither have I even seen any of them sink, not have I heard of it. But it was sheer luck and courage that made the boats float. The frequency of commutes along that route dropped considerably once the Kolia Bhomora Setu on the Brahmaputra river came up later in the 1980s, connecting Sonitpur district on the north to Nagaon district on the south in Central Assam. It was a major detour of over 400 kilometres via the Kolia Bhomora Setu while travelling from Dibrugarh to North Lakhimpur, and vice-versa. As the prime minister is just a few hours away from inaugurating the Bogibeel Bridge, a surge of memories grips me, from the sludge track to the spiralling waters, to the anxiety of whether our turn would come to get onto the boat, and to the thrill after getting onto the ferry. The Bogibeel Bridge will, indeed, create history, but it won't wipe away the memories of all those like me who traversed across the banks on boats. Thanks to the many unnamed and unsung boatmen from the Mising tribe who braved elements of nature and meagre resources to earn their livelihoods and who helped knit a story for many to reminisce today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest rail-cum-road 4.94 kilometre-long Boghibeel bridge on Tuesday. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-1998, is likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest rail-cum-road 4.94 kilometre-long Boghibeel bridge on Tuesday. The Bogibeel bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-1998, is likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister HD Deve Gouda on 22 January, 1997, while work commenced on 21 April, 2002 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. 25 December happens to be Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Because of the inordinate delay in implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 percent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 kilometres from the earlier 4.31 kilometres. Realising its strategic importance, the Centre had declared the construction of the bridge as a National Project in 2007, thereby assuring the availability of fund for speedy construction. Although it will ease out inconvenience caused to people living on the northern side of Brahmaputra to a great extent, officials said the defence requirement played an important role while sanctioning the structure and its design. "The bridge will enhance the national security of the eastern region by facilitating swift movement of defence forces and their equipment. It was constructed in such a way that even a fighter jet can land on it in case of emergency," a defence source said. Moreover, because of the technology used, the Air Force will have three landing strips, he said. "The biggest advantage of the bridge will be easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometres. "First, the Dhola-Sadiya bridge and now Bogibeel these two are going to enhance India's defence prowess," a senior Army official said. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma said almost 75 percent of the 4,000-kilometre-long border that India shares with China is in Arunachal Pradesh, and the bridge will help in logistical support for the Indian Army manning the border. The Bogibeel bridge over river Brahmaputra is situated 17 kilometres downstream of Dibrugarh city in Assam, and it has been constructed for double-line broad gauge track along with three-lane roads, he said. "This bridge will be the lifeline of the northeastern part of the country and will facilitate connectivity between north and south banks of river Brahmaputra in the eastern region of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. "The remote districts of Anjaw, Changlang, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Dibang Valley and Tirap of Arunachal Pradesh will be greatly benefited," Sharma said. The road distance from Dibrugarh to Itanagar will be reduced by 150 kilometres and the railway travel distance between these two points will shorten by 705 kilometres, while this bridge will provide an alternate and shorter route from Dibrugarh through north bank of Brahmaputra to Delhi and Kolkata via Rangiya, he added. "The distance from Dibrugarh to Rangiya will be reduced by 170 kilometres. Upper Assam and Eastern Arunachal Pradesh will see massive socio economic development," the CPRO said. Lakhimpur and Dhemaji in Assam will also benefit from the bridge, as the two districts do not have any reputed educational institute or good medical service. Students and patients have to cross the river on boat to come to Dibrugarh, which houses the famed Dibrugarh University and Assam Medical College, besides a dozen other such centres. Sharma informed that 30 lakh bags of cement, 19,250 metres reinforcement steel and 2,800 metre structural steel were used for construction of the mammoth structure. For the superstructure of the main bridge, 77,000 metres of steel fabrication was required, he said. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking direction to strike down the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, which regularise the entry and stay of immigrants in India New Delhi: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking direction to strike down the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, which regularise the entry and stay of immigrants in India. The petition filed by the 'Nagarikatwa Aain Songsudhan Birodhi Mancha' (Forum against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill), has termed "communally altered humanitarianism" the Passport Amendment Rules. The plea is likely to come up for hearing before the top court the next week. The PIL challenged the rules and notifications that regularise the entry and stay in India of people from six communities, which claim to be victims of religious persecution in their own countries. The petition sought direction for the Centre to constitute National Immigration Commission to frame a National Immigration Policy and a National Refugee Policy. The plea challenged the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, the Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015, and subordinate orders notified by the government which allow the naturalisation of illegal immigrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, fleeing religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The petitioner has claimed that these rules are "discriminatory, arbitrary and illegal" and urged it to strike them down as they are ultra-vires the Constitution of India. The Passport Amendment Rules exempt from the requirement of a passport to enter India, people belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, that is, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians. The rules said that these people should have entered India on or before 31 December, 2014. "The illegal immigrants who are to be granted the benefit of this legislation are to qualify for citizenship only on the basis of religion; a requirement that goes against one of the basic tenets of the Indian Constitution, secularism," the petitioner states. The PIL further claimed that the leeway would pave a way to the "uncontrolled influx" of illegal migrants from Bangladesh to Assam. This move of the government differentiate "illegal immigrants" on the basis of their religion and grant them naturalisation as "communally motivated humanitarianism", the petition further contended. "The Centre should take effective steps for conservation and preservation of the distinct culture, heritage and traditions of the indigenous people of Assam in furtherance to Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and also its commitments given in the several United Nations International Covenants," the plea urged. The first place of public worship for the followers of the Anglican Church came up on Christmas day, 300 years ago, in the form of St Thomas Church. Mumbai, as we know it today, isnt what it used to be four centuries ago. We werent even a single mass of land. Mumbai, or Bombay Im not getting political here, but the city has had over 20 names since its inception started off as an archipelago of seven islands, which were just part of one ruling empire or another. Not till the seven islands were gifted as a dowry to the King of England in 1661, and eventually handed over to the British East India company in 1667 for a princely sum total of 10 Pounds per annum, did the development of Mumbai as the trading hub we know it as today, began. While the Portuguese arrived in Mumbai much before the British, ruling the seven islands from the northern bastion on Bassein (current day Vasai), part of their key responsibilities was missionary work. Till the 1660s, the islands of Bombay were dotted with Catholic Churches, with St Michaels Church in Mahim dating back to 1534, St Andrews in Bandra established in 1575, followed by other churches in Dadar (Church of Our Lady of Salvation aka Portuguese Church), Byculla (Gloria Church) and so on. Well, the English settlers werent Catholics and in effect, only had makeshift chapels to worship in. The first place of public worship for the followers of the Anglican Church came up on Christmas day, 300 years ago, in the form of St Thomas Church. But first, some history Back when Mumbai was still an archipelago, the first thing that was done on the main H-shaped island of Bombay, was fortification. Be mindful that the East India Company was a trading company and India was not under the British Crown yet. So like any trading organisation at the time, they had to protect their land. The reason that the area around the current day CST station is called Fort is that there actually stood a fort surrounded by a moat protecting the island of Bombay and its natural deep-water harbour (the reason the East India Company was interested in Bombay in the first place) from marauders and pirates. To enter this fortified city, there were three gates which led the way in. The gate at the northern-most end was called the Bazaar Gate thats where the Crawford Market exists now. The southern-most gate which was called the Apollo Gate is where current day Gateway of India stands currently. The gate in between was called the Church Gate the location of Flora Fountain. And no, that naming convention had nothing to do with the railway station of the same name nearby. In fact, it was the other way round. Why it was called the Church Gate, you ask? Well, imagine you are standing outside this Church Gate before the 1860s, what you would then see in front of you was an archway, and through this archway you could see the spire of the St Thomas Church. St Thomas Church is what gave the name to the gate, and eventually to the station beside it. St Thomas Church was the first Anglican Church in Mumbai, named after St Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ and among the only ones to have had come to India. The foundation stone was laid in 1674 after the then Governor of Bombay Presidency, Gerald Aungier wrote to the Court of Directors for assistance to erect a small church for public worship in the centre of town according to Dr V Gupchups St Thomas Cathedral Bombay: A Witness to History. But from 1675 to 1715, barely any work took place. The funds collected for the construction of the cathedral mysteriously disappeared. What we had, instead of a fully constructed church, was five metre high walls. After 40 year slumber, church work begins From 21 September 1714 to 19 June 1715, the then East India Company Chaplain, Richard Cobbe, carried out the service inside two rooms in a building in Fort. Cobbe wasnt too pleased with the unsuitable nature of these services which were carried out in such a private manner. In 1715, Cobbe took over the second part of the construction of this church with a resolve to finish it. I ventured to propose the building of a Church for Gods honour and service, according to the rule of the Church of England, that all island might feel we had some religion among us, writes Cobbe in his book, Bombay Church: Or, a True Account of the Building and Finishing the English Church at Bombay in the East Indies. 19 June 1715, being the first Sunday after Trinity, is when Cobbe recommended a Sermon to preach about building a proper church to have a more public celebration of God. After that, work on the incomplete church began in all earnestness. Cobbe wrote to a whole bunch on probable financiers, requesting them to donate funds for the building of this church. Everyone from the East India Company to businessmen operating out of Surat to Persian businessmen were approached and they donated. The exchange of letters between Cobbe and the benefactors went on from July 1715 to 1720. A sum total of Rs 43,992 was collected in all. On Christmas Day in 1718, 300 years ago, is when the first service was held in this church. But it wasnt until July 1837 that the Church was consecrated as a Cathedral, which coincided with the appointment of the first Bishop of Bombay Thomas Carr a life-size memorial to whom lies just on the right side of the altar. A work in progress, reflecting the growing city The St Thomas Cathedral as it exists today, was not how it looked in 1718 when it began its public services. In fact, the neo-gothic style of architecture whose interiors are inspired by St Thomas Cathedral in Ireland, got additional elements as the decades passed and funds were easier to come by. Thanks in part to the cotton and opium traders of the time. Many portions of the church were added in the following years. For instance, the tower and clock were added in 1838. The inner chancel was renovated and enlarged in 1860 along with the external buttresses. It was almost like the church was growing along with the city. From a non-important back of the beyond, to a powerful financial hub during the British era the seeds for making Mumbai the financial hub that it is today were planted back in those days. More than a church St Thomas Cathedral is unlike most other churches in Mumbai. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with beautiful poignant sculptures and bas-reliefs of soldiers lost to war, memorials to prominent personalities who have left their stamp in Mumbais history, such as JA Ballard (after whom the Ballard Estate is named), and much more. The marble plaques remembering fallen soldiers have been financed mostly by their comrades or family members. Unlike the Afghan Church in Colaba, which was built in memoriam of Indian and British soldiers who died in the Anglo-Afghan War, the St Thomas Cathedral has more Anglican memorials. The altar windows were designed in the 1800s by Victorian stained glass designer and manufacturer, Charles Kempe. Theres an interesting bit of anecdote behind that as well. Kempe had hoped to become a priest of the Cathedral, but was prevented by his stammer. However, he said, If I was not permitted to minister in the Sanctuary, I would use my talents to adorn it. And his artwork is there for all to see. The Cathedral is blessed with some impressive stained glass work. Enter the church and look right and you have a stained glass work showcasing St Thomas with the Holy Bible flanked by St Gabriel and St Michael. As you walk down towards the apse, the semi-circular wall also has fine stained glass work, some of which had to be restored over the years. Back in those days, every church was associated with a school and St Thomas Cathedral was instrumental in the creation of one of the most popular schools in Mumbai, the Cathedral and John Connon School in 1860. The Cathedral also saw almost all the baptisms that took place among all the Anglican churches in Bombay back in the 1800s and early 1900s. It kept records of not just baptisms but also marriages and death in all of Bombay Presidency (an area encompassing Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and parts of Sindh region). A register of these records has an entry of a very prominent persons baptism on 22 January 1866. The son of John Lockwood and Alice Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling was baptised in this very Cathedral. Yes, the author of books such as The Jungle Book and Kim, was a Bombay boy. It was also considered to be the Zero Point or the centre of the city. The 16 milestones laid across erstwhile Bombay used the Cathedral as the starting point. Come to think of it, the towering spires of the Cathedral back in the day made it the most prominent landmark on the Bombay island. For probably the first time in the Cathedrals history, some of its artefacts around 41 in all have been showcased at the ongoing exhibition The Living Cathedral at the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vaastu Sangrahalay. These artefacts include the Holy Bible that was used to read out from 1870, silver chalices and flagons, a Bishops staff which has carvings of Jesus as a shepherd, fading black and white portraits of Bishops from years ago and much more. The exhibit is a good journey of the cathedral along with the city in which it existed. But Id say, visit the Cathedral instead if you havent already. Even if you have, visit again, especially now that it has been decorated like a shining star. Walk around its premises, admire the supporting buttresses behind the chancel. If there was one underrated gem in Mumbai, this is it. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has failed to create job opportunities for the youth and ensure remunerative prices for crops to farmers. Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has failed to create job opportunities for the youth and ensure remunerative prices for crops to farmers. He claimed that people belonging to all sections of society were facing problems. "Debt-ridden farmers are committing suicide. The future of the youth is in dark. BJP is out to crush the dreams of the young generation," Yadav said at a programme in Lucknow on Monday. He said employment opportunities have dried up as the present government in the state has not been able to provide jobs to the young. Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Yadav said, "The chief minister does not like even a little bit of opposition." He said students who raises their issues "are sent jail" and even girl students are subjected to police action. Last year, a group of students, including two girls, associated with the student wing of the Samajwadi Party had blocked the convoy of Adityanath in Lucknow and showed him black flags. They were detained and sent to jail. A court granted them bail after 20 days The incident reportedly occurred during Modi's interaction with 'booth workers' from northern districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Days after a BJP worker's question on struggles faced by the middle class reportedly caused embarrassment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister's Office has decided to select candidates and questions in advance for an interaction programme entitled, 'My booth is a strong booth', according to a report in The Times of India. We are double checking the process to avoid questions like the one raised by a functionary, Nirmal Kumar Jain, from Puducherry, a source from the party said, according to the article. The party has been receiving 500 to 1,000 questions from each constituency selected for the programme. They have been asked to fill in a form with information about themselves, the importance of their place (constituency), the question they want to ask, as well as their address and contact number, as per the report. The Puducherry incident is also a lesson for us, said another party functionary, adding that the teleconference programme, which covered 15 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, would be shifted to north and eastern states of the country in the coming days, according to the report. The incident reportedly occurred during Modi's interaction with "booth workers" from northern districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, when a worker sought to know why the Modi administration was busy collecting taxes from the middle class but not interested in taking care of them. The prime minister reportedly chose not to answer the question raised by the worker and continued with his interaction by switching to Puducherry. Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying forget a press meet, he cannot even hold a poll booth workers conference. Rahul also said "BJP-vetted" questions is a superb idea, but the party should also "consider vetted answers". Taking a jibe at the prime minister, Rahul tweeted: "Vanakam Puducherry! That's NoMo's answer to the struggling middle class. Forget a press conference he can't even string together a polling booth worker's conference." The Congress president has been criticising Modi for not holding a press conference during his tenure. Earlier this month, Rahul had posted pictures from a press conference he held and tweeted saying the prime minister should try one someday as it is fun to be asked questions. With inputs from PTI Talking about infrastructure, Prime Minister Modi said that his government in the last four years has built three bridges over Brahmaputra river that is equivalent to the number of bridges made in 60-70 years after the independence Dibrugarh: Asserting that his government is committed to curbing corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday cited the extradition of AgustaWestland chopper scam accused Christian Michel from UAE to India to underline his point. "Our government is committed to fighting corruption," he said, while inaugurating the country's largest rail-road Bogibeel bridge which will significantly reduce travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. "Four years ago, nobody could even think that the biggest 'Razdaar' (custodian of secrets) in the helicopter scam could be brought to India. But he has been brought here by our government," Modi said. He was referring to the extradition of Michel from the UAE earlier this month in connection with irregularities in Rs 3,600 crore deal signed in 2010 for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland company. "On one hand under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana our government has given houses to more than 1.25 crore families while under the Benami Transactions Act have seized Rs 5,000 crore of bungalows and vehicles from the corrupt ones," he said. Talking about infrastructure, Prime Minister Modi said that his government in the last four years has built three bridges over Brahmaputra river that is equivalent to the number of bridges made in 60-70 years after the independence. Prime Minister Modi said: "The delayed infrastructure projects were adversely impacting India's development trajectory. When we assumed office, we added speed to these projects and work towards their quick completion." Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said the party has given no such instructions The colour of one's socks is nobody's business. Certainly not the country's largest political parties. However, if one is headed to a public rally of their top leaders, they'd like to know. And it better not be black. Of late, security at political rallies have been instructed to make sure no one wearing black not even a stitch of it gets past the gate. No exceptions: Be it men, women or even children. Inner or outer wear. Sikh men with black turbans or Muslim women in burkhas. Behind this diktat, lies the politicos' anxiety that dissenters may sneak in as audience members, turn the black clothing into a flag and thus leave a black mark on their image building programme. This past year saw multiple instances of individuals being denied entry to political rallies for the sin of wearing black, being asked to take off their clothing and even having had the colour of their inner wear inspected. BJP's fear of black For Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in Jaipur on 7 July he was scheduled to interact with beneficiaries of a government scheme unsuspecting audience members were summarily told to discard their black clothing or leave. A heap of clothes mufflers, handkerchiefs, bags, jackets, caps, socks and inner wear was seen piling up at the entrance. Those who donned black shirts or pants stood helpless outside the venue, pleading with security to let them in, to no avail. It was later reported that local administration was given strict instructions to prohibit any black items to avoid a repeat of the 8 March public rally in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. At this event, when Modi was on stage with the then chief minister Vasundhara Raje, a few disgruntled contract workers disrupted Raje's speech by waving black flags and raising slogans. A Jaipur-based journalist who did not wish to be identified said that after this incident, police became extra cautious about not allowing in black clothing to enter such high-profile events. In January, BJP president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath held a rally in Varanasi. The authorities refused entry to individuals wearing black. In October, Shah addressed a women's convention in Chhattisgarh. The same protocol was followed and pictures of black clothing being confiscated at the entrance of the venue went viral. It was also reported that women's undergarments were inspected and searched, all to ensure no black flags were smuggled into the venue. A senior journalist working for an international publication covering this event witnessed this first-hand. Requesting anonymity, the journalist narrated how each person entering the venue was inspected diligently. A local journalist pointed out how at the time, the then state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel now Chhattisgarh chief minister was jailed over a sex CD case and that Congress members threatened to show black flags to BJP leadership to express dissent at his arrest. The journalist said it was this threat which spurred on vigilance about black clothing from the administration. In September, a balloon seller in Madhya Pradesh's Satna was arrested and taken to court because the black balloons he sold were released in protest at a convention presided over by the then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In August, Uttar Pradesh-based journalist Kumari Ranjana a veteran political scribe detailed in a Facebook post how, at an event, a member of Chouhan's security team objected to her black dupatta. In her post, she said that while she had often heard and read about this, it was the first time this was happening to her in an 18-year career. Ranjana said she refused to give in and walked past security. Ranjana said she didn't take this incident seriously and has not been stopped on other occasions, perhaps because she's a regular face at government programmes. A couple of months earlier, Ankit Singh Babu, a student leader at Lucknow University, spent more than a week behind bars for showing a black flag to Adityanath's convoy and raising slogans against him. Though Babu's later demonstrations against Adityanath blocking his convoy and jumping on his car attracted criminal charges, he was earlier jailed for merely waving black flags at Adityanath (from across the road) and sloganeering: as this reporter witnessed. The BJP's alleged intolerance of black flags goes back more than a year. As per a report from Dehradun, last December, even as Modi held a rally in the Himalayan state capital, the public was asked to remove their black clothing and headgear despite the biting cold. Congress no better The Congress isn't immune from this black flag phobia either. Rajasthan's new chief minister and his deputy, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, have openly criticised Modi and Raje for barring the entry of people wearing black in their rallies, calling them "paranoid" of criticism. However, the election rally of Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh in November, too, saw those wearing black being halted at the gate. This reporter, wearing a black T-shirt, was barred from entering the venue in Bastar. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men at the gate said they had orders from above, although they failed to specify who issued the order (despite persistent questioning). One CRPF jawan pleaded, "Sir, please understand. Change your T-shirt. You can have my shirt, but we can't let you in with black clothes. You and I have no bad blood, but if we let you in wearing black, we might lose our jobs." On seeking the intervention of senior Chhattisgarh Congress leader TS Singh Deo who was in the race for the chief minister's post this reporter was informed (by his personal assistant) in no uncertain terms that if the T-shirt was not changed, the reporter would be not be allowed to enter the venue. Five days later, this reporter was stopped at the gate of Modi's election rally in Ambikapur for the same reason. Whodunnit Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said he has received complaints of people being denied entry at party events for wearing black. He said the party has given no such instructions and that it is the local authorities who undertake such initiatives to impress their political masters. Tripathi said such criticism is a sign of a healthy democracy. He recalled how, as a student leader, he showed black flags to politicos on more than one occasion. He further added that action should be taken against protesters only when security is breached. Dinesh Tripathi, Superintendent of Police (City Range) Saharanpur where Modi addressed a rally in April said officers aren't given any written or oral orders regarding barring people in black. He said police act on their own to prevent any black flag protest. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abdul Hafiz Gandhi said criticism, including showing black flags to politicians, is part of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. He said it has become commonplace to harass those who show up at political rallies wearing black and called this scrutiny "illegal". Journalist Indrajit Singh who has been in the professional since the days of Indira Gandhi noted that the politicos' intolerance of black flags is a new phenomenon. He said leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee stopped their convoy and heard the protesters out, but today's politicians lack such pluck. "Such a protest is considered healthy for a democracy," Singh said. "Everyone has a right to do so. However, this new trend of not barring people at public gatherings, stopping journalists or charging those protesting in this manner with serious criminal offences is most unfortunate." Saurabh Sharma is a Lucknow- based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com Political pundits are vary of reading too much in KCR's efforts to form a 'national party'-less alliance. And there are two reasons behind it, one lies in the past, and one in the present With Telangana securely under his belt, TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao, aka KCR, has no qualms discussing his national ambitions. The Telangana chief minister has been working non-stop to conjure up a third front which can serve as an alternative to BJP and Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The fact that Rao's political ambition now lie at the Centre is clear from the fact that almost 12 days have passed since he was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Telangana, and he has literally shown no interest in expanding his cabinet or taking over administrative duties in the state. Mahmood Ali has been made Home Minister but there is no clarity over the rest of the cabinet as KCR hopped on a jet for his federal front dream to take off. Meanwhile, he has nominated his son KT Rama Rao as the working president of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti as he directs his attention to more pressing matters at the Centre. TRS won 88 of the 119 Assembly seats, riding the popularity of a slew of its government's welfare projects, including the farmer-centric schemes, quelling challenges from the Congress-led front and the BJP. Perhaps buoyed by this victory, KCR has vowed to work for installing a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre after the 2019 elections. Without losing any time and undeterred by attempts to form a united Opposition, Rao picked up his quest to form a non-BJP, non-Congress front from where he left off prior to the Assembly dissolution. KCR had earlier met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK president MK Stalin, this time around he again reached out to Mamata while meeting other regional satraps including Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati from Uttar Pradesh. The motivation behind such a move is also quite clear. KCR harbours national ambitions and that is no secret, however, he doesn't exactly share a friendly relation with either of the national parties. His 'all-inclusive' populist policies, including those specifically aimed at Muslims, put him in an uncomfortable spot with the BJP, while Congress, the principal Opposition party in Telangana, is his larger enemy. Moreover, the 16th Lok Sabha was a first in a long time when the role of regional parties at the Centre shrank because one party managed to outnumber all others at the expense of their seats. Since the 1989 election, when the National Front government led by Janata Dal ousted Rajiv Gandhi from power, almost all governments have been heavily reliant on regional allies. It was in 2014 that Narendra Modi scripted history by coming to power with an absolute majority. So the attempts to regain the lost space are a natural outcome of the uncertainty looming over the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as various parties are looking to realign themselves ahead of the big battle. Another reason behind the efforts to stitch up an alternate alliance could be to negotiate the said 'national parties' post results from a position of strength. However, the political pundits are wary of reading too much in KCR's efforts to form a 'national party'-less alliance. And there are two reasons behind it, one lies in the past, and one in the present. United Front government's past foretells new alliance's fate In 1996, a constellation of regional and left parties came together to oust both BJP and the Congress from the power. A potpourri of acronyms SP, BSP, RJD, BJD, SAD, PMK, JMM, TDP, AGP, RPI and TMC had come together bringing in regional aspirations to the national centre-stage in event of a hung House. The BJP could win only 161 seats and the Congress 140, much below the 271 halfway mark. However, the 11th Lok Sabha was rife with infighting within its constituents, and short, lasting barely two years and giving India three prime ministers in the span. JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda from the Janata Dal was chosen to lead the government and was sworn-in as the 11th Prime Minister of India. Later IK Gujral took the command of the country but when Lalu Prasad Yadav left Janta Dal and formed his own party, the 11th Lok Sabha was dissolved to get a fresh mandate from the voters in 1998. According to an India Today article from the time, the United Front government could not stick to its Common Minimum Programme (CMP) because of different regional aspirations leading to severe differences among the alliance partners. The United front's CMP was all about decentralising power in favour of a truly federal structure. It could not achieve that. The parties could neither agree at devising a formula for the Centre sharing more taxation income with the states, nor they could manage to reach consensus on transferring the control of schemes run by the Centre to the states; ironically these were the two most important basis of the alliance. Moreover, the ties between alliance partners were strained by the increasing recurrence of inter-state river disputes, an issue which continues to haunt many states till date. Given the past, such an alliance neither inspires confidence in voters nor among slightly stronger regional parties which could get a better bargain as part of the NDA or the UPA. Why the future of another United Front appears bleak? Until late 2017, whether for or against the BJP, most commentators mildly agreed that Modi will come back for another term before a change in power. However, the results of the recent five Assembly states, often dubbed as the semi-finals, have cast a pall of uncertainty over which way the wind will blow in 2019. The BJP has become more accommodating for its allies while Congress is ready to bring over just about anybody to the 'mahagathbandhan' camp. This has created a lot of free radicals in the bipolar politics of India, with many long-standing alliance partners looking to realign themselves on the basis of their individual interests. In such a scenario, a friction-less alliance between various regional satraps is quite a far-fetched dream. In event of a hung House, suppose even if the combined third front manages a 100-125 seats, it will be a tough job to get them to pick the same national party that they should support. The interplay of each of these regional parties with the Congress and the BJP is vastly different. While many parties have accused KCR of working in tacit understanding with the BJP to defeat Congress, it will be impossible for Stalin or Mamata to be associated with a grouping that has BJP in it. Secondly, there is no absolutely common agenda that compels these parties to stay together. Each of these states have their unique needs and problems, and they won't always share a symbiotic relationship with each other. For example, Dravidian parties, including DMK, often resort to an anti-Hindi narrative for regional political gains. How comfortable would then Mayawati or Akhilesh be staying in such an alliance? All these questions don't even scrape the surface of complexities in forging such an alliance. But even if we leave aside the longevity of such an alliance, which only becomes important once they gather enough seats to at least play kingmaker, there are problems galore. Sure, the regional satraps have surfaced strongly in different avatars to enchant a section of voters whenever national parties failed to fire up the imagination of the electorate, but will KCR manage to get on board enough number of regional players to trump Congress and BJP who each enjoy a large support base in politically crucial states that send a larger number of members to the House? KCR needs more than an exaggerated sense of indispensability and competitive provincialism to make his dream a reality. The BJPs stand against Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel for allegedly dropping former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's name from a resolution condemning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and passed by the state Assembly, has found the backing of constitutional expert SK Sharma, who helped formulate the rules and procedure of conduct of Business of the state Assembly The BJPs stand against Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel for allegedly dropping former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's name from a resolution condemning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and passed by the state Assembly, has found the backing of constitutional expert SK Sharma, who helped formulate the rules and procedure of conduct of Business of the state Assembly. Like the BJP, Sharma says that the bulletin of the proceedings of the House on 21 December does not correctly reflect the House's position on the resolution which sought to revoke the Bharat Ratna award given posthumously Gandhi. On Monday, Goel had published the bulletin of the proceedings of the Assembly which met on 21 December, but without mentionong the resolution demanding to strip Gandhi of the Bharat Ratna award. Infuriated over the deletion of Gandhi's name, the BJP has now sought the removal of the Speaker accusing him of forgery for manipulating the Assembly proceedings. Bolstering the BJP's stand, Sharma stated that once a resolution is passed, it cannot be deleted from the proceedings of the House. As per media reports, members of Opposition present in the Assembly on that day as well as the video recording of the proceedings, the resolution to strip the former prime minister of the Bharat Ratna award was placed by AAP MLA Jarnail Singh and duly passed with a voice vote. In no case this can be removed from the bulletin of the proceedings of the Assembly, he said. He further added that though the resolution cannot be deleted from the proceedings of the Assembly, it can certainly be cancelled later on by passing another one to that effect, which apparently was not done. There are earlier examples when wrongly passed resolutions had been amended. When Morarji Desai was Indias prime minister, the Parliament once wrongly passed an obituary reference of legendary political activist Jaiprakash Narayan on the basis of a wrongly circulated news that the leader had breathed his last while availing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai. But when the mistake was discovered, a separate resolution was passed cancelling the earlier one," he says. Since the rules followed by the Delhi Assembly are the same which are followed in the Parliament of India, the Assembly could have resorted to the same procedure to amend the resolution, he said But legally, the resolution cannot be deleted from the bulletin, commented the constitutional expert who framed the rules of Delhi Assembly in its heydays. Significantly, the Government of Delhi had decided to hold a two-day special session of the Assembly from 20 December after the Delhi High Court sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life in prison for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The special session included condemnation of the riots on its agenda. On the second day of the session, all hell broke loose after, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh moved a resolution demanding the revoking of the Bharat Ratna award given posthumously to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi for his statements made soon after the carnage allegedly justifying the riots. Alka Lamba, another AAP MLA expressed her dissent over the resolution in the Assembly and walked out in protest. Significantly, the resolution which was passed unanimously was seen as a major possible impediment in any ongoing talks between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over seat-sharing in Delhi in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The plot became even more intriguing after the party distanced itself from the controversial resolution. While speaking to the media, AAP spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the resolution seeking to revoke the Bharat Ratna awarded to Gandhi was not part of the original copy, but was scribbled down by another AAP MLA, Somnath Bharti. AAP sources said that the party has sought an explanation from Bharti for his act. While speaking with Firstpost, Bharti admitted that it was indeed his mistake to scribble down the resolution for Jarnail Singh right below the original resolution. "The resolution which I scribbled was meant for a separate mention and discussion. But mistakenly Singh read both of them in one go. The house was too emotionally charged after two days of discussions on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to notice the anomaly," he said. He also added that the situation would have been different if both the resolutions were read out separately. Bharti slammed the BJP saying that the party has no understanding of the parliamentary procedure, otherwise it would not have protested. Goel has also told ANI that the word Rajiv Gandhi was not a part of the original text placed before the House and that whatever Jarnail Singh said was not passed. Meanwhile, the BJP is in no mood to listen. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa has already submitted a Notice to the Secretary, Delhi Legislative Assembly, seeking removal of the Speaker for dropping the line from the Resolution which read this House also resolved that Centre should withdraw Bharat Ratna from the then acting PM Rajiv Gandhi". He said that the resolution has been illegally, unauthorisedly and unconstitutionally amended by the Speaker. The Speakers deliberate, planned and sustained action is clear-cut case of blatant forgery out of unpardonable moral and ethical turpitude. The above noted points clearly establish that the Speaker has violated the truthfulness, dignity and the faith of the House, and therefore, needs to be removed from his Office, he said. A source in the BJP said that the party would move the resolution to oust the speaker on the next session of the Assembly on the first week of January. tech2 News Staff With the snowing festivities, Google has added to all the festive joy with an animated doodle on its Search page, that wishes all Happy Holidays. The doodle is basically all that would make your heart go 'whooo' with the Google logo decorated with Christmas ornaments, a huge Christmas tree, and what looks like Mr and Mrs Claus wrapping up our gifts. Because, well, it's almost time! Don't forget to tap the play button on the doodle, which makes Mr and Mrs Claus' chair rock, along with the ornaments and other decorations. via GIPHY Google has been celebrating this beautiful time with a new Google Doodle every day since 23 December in some countries. In India though, this is the first of 'Happy Holiday' doodle that we see today. On its blog, Google writes, "Its that festive time of year again! Sending along holiday cheer to you & your loved ones during this merry time. Happy Holidays!" Even on behalf of Team Tech2, Merry Christmas, happy holiday, and a great new year to you all! Stay cool! 2018 has been an eventful year and here's our comprehensive list of year ender stories. tech2 News Staff For India, the #MeToo movement has been the highlight of the year 2018, but in countries abroad, this campaign against sexual harassment kicked off sometime in October 2017. And highlighting the intensity of the crusade, a US study suggests that millions of Americans have searched Google for information on how to understand, prevent and report sexual harassment and assault since the start of the #MeToo movement more than a year ago. In October 2017, following public accusations of sexual harassment and assault against film producer Harvey Weinstein, actress Alyssa Milano encouraged victims to bring the taboo topic out of the shadows by sharing their own stories on social media. The resulting #MeToo movement resulted in widespread sharing on social media, and the new study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, offers fresh evidence that the movement has contributed to a shift in public thinking about these issues, said senior author John Ayers of the University of California, San Diego. #MeToo is not the first movement to empower victims of sexual violence, but what is unique compared to past movements is #MeToos staying power, Ayers said by email. In India, the #MeToo movement began in 2018 after Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment. For the study, researchers monitored the volume of Google searches originating in the US from 1 January, 2010 through June 15, 2018 related to sexual harassment and assault. During the last eight months of the study period - after #MeToo began - there were 40 to 54 million Google searches related to sexual harassment or assault, the greatest number of searches on this topic ever recorded in the US, the study found. Overall volume for this topic was 86 percent higher during these eight months than what researchers calculated would have occurred in the absence of #MeToo based on their analysis of the earlier years of the study. Searches related specifically to reporting sexual harassment and assault were 30 percent higher than expected over the last eight months of the study. And searches related to preventive training for sexual harassment and assault were 51 percent higher than expected. These results suggest that #MeToo may have reduced the stigma of reporting or discussing sexual harassment and assault, the authors conclude. Google searches may also help connect victims with needed support and health resources, Ayers said. Survivors face serious health consequences including physical injury, PTSD symptoms, and emotional trauma, Ayers said. Yet, public investments in preventing and responding to sexual violence is disproportionately small compared with other health issues. However, the authors note, online activity is only a proxy for public engagement with topics like sexual harassment and assault, and more research is needed to determine whether or how the surge in Google activity might relate to meaningful shifts in public opinion or behavior. Its also unclear whether surges in search activity related to sexual harassment and assault were sustained only by the #MeToo movement on social media or related also to media coverage of accusations against high-profile men across a wide range of industries, said Luis Rocha, a researcher at the School of Informatics & Computing at Indiana University in Bloomington. This is all new territory and only time will tell with future studies, Rocha, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. I would think that what people do online will lead to greater awareness that can in turn lead to changes in workplace environments, Rocha added. If people are searching online in great volumes for the topic, it means they are interested (even if pinged by the media) in the topic, so I would expect this to have very real impact in all aspects of their lives. With inputs from Reuters. 2018 has been an eventful year and here's our comprehensive list of year ender stories. tech2 News Staff Nokia entered the notched display region this year by launching phones like the Nokia 7.1 and Nokia 8.1. Now the rumour mill has churned out news claiming the company to launch a new notch-less phone in 2019. There have been rumours already of the company to unveil the Nokia 9 PureView flagship phone with five rear-mounted cameras as per GizmoChina. But now a new leak circulating on Weibo shows a different Nokia phone which hasn't been identified yet. The leaked images show the mysterious Nokia smartphone to have a notch-less display, equal sized bezels on the top and both the sides with the bottom being a bit thicker and triple rear cameras. The bottom bezel is seen to house the Nokia brand name. There can be no front-facing camera seen on the display. We are wondering what Nokia might have got under its sleeves for the front camera. The rear-side shows the phone to come with a vertically aligned triple camera setup with a flash below it. There is no sign of the ZEISS branding as well as a fingerprint sensor on the back. Also, the smartphone seems to have a glass back. As per the report in GizmoChina, many leaksters are claiming the phone to be equipped with Snapdragon 845 SoC. There is no news on what the specifications of this mysterious phone might be. It is better to wait for further announcements to confirm the existence of the newly spotted Nokia handset. The Associated Press Archaeologists have unearthed the petrified remains of a harnessed horse and saddle in the stable of an ancient villa in a Pompeii suburb. Pompeii archaeological park head Massimo Osanna told Italian news agency ANSA that the villa belonged to a high-ranking military officer, perhaps a general, during ancient Roman times. Osanna was quoted on Sunday as saying the remains of two or three other horses were also discovered. The villas terraces had views of the Bay of Naples and Capri island. The area was previously excavated, during the early 1900s, but later re-buried. The volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed flourishing Pompeii, near present-day Naples, in 79 AD. Osanna says suffocating volcanic ash or boiling vapors killed the horses. He hopes the villa eventually will be open for public visits. Agence France-Presse Another tsunami could strike Indonesia, experts have warned, after a powerful wave caused by a volcanic eruption killed hundreds when it swallowed coastal settlements, taking earthquake-focused disaster monitors by surprise. What caused the tsunami? While tsunamis are often triggered by earthquakes, in this case experts believe the deadly waves were generated by an eruption of the Anak (or "child of") Krakatoa volcano, which could have caused a large undersea landslide or flow of molten rock into the water. The tsunami "appears to have been caused by an underwater collapse" of part of the volcano, said David Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at Britain's Open University. Anak Krakatoa is an island that emerged around 1928 in the crater left by Krakatoa, whose massive 1883 eruption killed at least 36,000 people. The tsunami that struck on Saturday was the third natural disaster to hit Indonesia in six months. The country has 127 active volcanoes and lies on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire" where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent. Why was it so deadly? Anak Krakatoa, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands, is close to densely populated areas. The volcano has been particularly active since June, noted Jacques-Marie Bardintzeff at the University of Paris-South. "We were helpless given how sudden" the event took place, Bardintzeff said. "The time between cause and effect was a few dozen minutes, which was too short to warn the population." The killer wave struck at night, sweeping across tourist beaches and low-lying settlements on both sides of the Sunda Strait and catching both residents and disaster monitors totally unawares. "Signs that a tsunami was coming weren't detected and so people did not have time to evacuate," said Indonesia's disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, who blamed vandalism, technical problems and limited budgets for the lack of warning buoys. But the Open University's Rothry said such buoys, normally positioned to monitor earthquakes at underwater tectonic plate boundaries, would still have had limited efficacy. "Even if there had been such a buoy right next to Anak Krakatoa, this is so close to the affected shorelines that warning time would have been minimal given the high speeds at which tsunami waves travel." Simon Boxall of Southampton University said the region was in spring tide, "and it would appear that the wave hit some of the coastal areas at the highest point of this high tide, exacerbating the damage done". While the tsunami was relatively small, Richard Teeuw, a disaster risk reduction expert at the University of Portsmouth in England said: "Such waves -- laden with debris -- can be deadly for coastal communities, especially if there is no warning." Could more tsunamis be coming? "Devastating tsunami caused by volcanic eruptions are rare; one of the most famous (and deadly) was caused by the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883," Teeuw said. "The likelihood of further tsunamis in the Sunda Strait will remain high while Anak Krakatoa volcano is going through its current active phase because that might trigger further submarine landslides," he said. Sonar surveys would now be needed to map the seafloor around the volcano, but "unfortunately submarine surveys typically take many months to organise and carry out," he added. Bardintzeff warned "we must be wary now that the volcano has been destabilised". tech2 News Staff If the American Federal Communications Commission (FCC) tells you not to do something like launching satellites without their approval, for instance it's probably in your best interest not to do that thing. And if you ended up doing it anyway, as US-based startup Swarm Technologies did, you'll likely be hung up to dry and fined an inordinate amount of money $900,000 in the case of Swarm Technologies, Quartz reported. The American startup was fined for having launched four unauthorised satellites on an Indian Space Research Organisation 31-satellite rideshare mission in January 2018. Along with ISRO's 100th satellite to be launched into orbit, the mission also held room for 30 commercial satellites, coordinated by ISRO's commercial arm, Antrix Corporation. Swarm's four 'SpaceBEE' satellites were deployed on ISRO's PSLV rocket despite having its application for launch denied by the FCC a month earlier. The regulators expressed that the satellites were far too small to be detected in space by terrestrial detectors, threatening the many other satellites in orbit with a higher risk of colliding into them. An investigation into Swarm Technologies began in March earlier this year, in which the FCC dug up more surprises. The FCC discovered quite a few "unauthorised weather balloon-to-ground station tests and unauthorised tests of its satellite and ground station equipment" following the launch of Swarm's SpaceBEEs. Over the course of FCC's investigation, the agency gave Swarm approval to start communicating with their satellites in August this year. It also allowed a second, approved launch of the ultra-small satellites in November this time, on a SpaceX rocket. This, because despite the FCCs initial concerns, it was possible for Swarm's SpaceBEEs to be detected consistently by commercial radar stations since their (unlawful) January launch, which was the crux of FCC's concerns about the satellites, to begin with. However, Swarm's illegal launch came home to roost in a case that was settled by them paying a hefty $900,000-penalty to the FCC. This, the FCC said in a statement, was because the unauthorised deployment and operation of satellites" poses a risk of "satellite collisions and radio frequency interference, threatening critical commercial and government satellite operations. Interestingly, Swarm received grants (including one from the American government's National Science Foundation (NSF)) for their technology. According to the grant, the satellites commissioned by the NSF were intended to support the worlds smallest two-way communications satellites and associated ground hardware, with applications focussed in Internet of Things devices. Given the NSF's investment in the unique launch economics afforded by the miniaturised satellites, as the grant award calls it, funding from the American government appears to have played a part in the unauthorised satellites' launch. Swarm appears to be at the tail end of its controversy and gotten away with having four illegally-launched satellites orbiting Earth for all intents and purposes for the time being. But, another takeaway from the episode was the lack of communication between two closely-related arms of the US government, the FCC and the NSF. With space startups burgeoning in the US, particularly in Silicon Valley, the case has thrown a spotlight on the approaches taken by the US government to regulate space. Both US lawmakers and the Trump administration have announced that they are working to address this gap. Might Trump put his new Space Command to the task of regulating launch rosters too? We'll just have to wait and see. It was the deadliest assault in Kabul since a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a religious gathering last month, killing at least 55 people. Kabul: An hours-long gun and suicide attack on a Kabul government compound killed at least 43 people, the health ministry said Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the Afghan capital this year. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which caps a bloody year for Afghanistan as civilians and security forces are slaughtered in record numbers. Another 10 people were wounded in Monday's raid on a site where the Ministry of Public Works and other offices are located, spokesman Waheed Majroh said. Gunmen stormed the compound mid-afternoon after detonating a car bomb at the entrance, sending terrified government workers running for their lives. Some jumped from windows several floors high to escape the militants. Hundreds more were trapped inside buildings as heavily armed security forces swarmed the area, engaging in a fierce gun battle with the attackers. At least four militants, including the suicide bomber, were killed and more than 350 people freed, officials said. Most of the victims were civilians, who have borne the brunt of the 17-year war. It was the deadliest assault in the Afghan capital since a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a religious gathering last month, killing at least 55 people. The raid followed a tumultuous few days in Afghanistan where officials are reeling from US President Donald Trump's plan to slash troop numbers, which many fear could harm efforts to end the conflict with the Taliban. It also comes after a major security shake-up in Kabul that has placed staunch anti-Taliban and Pakistan veterans in charge of the police and military. While there has been no official announcement of a US drawdown, the mere suggestion of the United States reducing its military presence has rattled the Afghan capital and potentially undermined peace efforts. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, said Sunday he had not received orders to pull forces out of the country. Trump's decision apparently came Tuesday as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the Taliban in Abu Dhabi, part of efforts to bring the militants to the negotiating table with Kabul. Many Afghans are worried that President Ashraf Ghani's fragile unity government would collapse if US troops pulled out, enabling the Taliban to return to power and potentially sparking another bloody civil war. Militants have previously attacked government ministries and departments because they are often poorly defended and seen as soft targets. Pope Francis assailed the 'insatiable greed' of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories): Pope Francis assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide. Thousands attended mass on Monday night at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, offered his Christmas homily. "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive," the 82-year-old pope said. Pope Francis will deliver his sixth "Urbi et Orbi" address on Tuesday, Christmas Day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Visitors from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve ahead of midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. In the "little town" in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians say Mary gave birth to Jesus. Crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, looked on at the square decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a manger as carols in Arabic played through speakers. "It's a great opportunity to be in such a symbolic location for Christmas," said Lea Gudel, a 21-year-old French student studying in Jerusalem, who was in Manger Square on Monday morning. Later in the day, musical groups took the stage at Manger Square in front of the Christmas tree, illuminated as night fell, to sing Christmas carols. This year, visitors were also able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. The first church was built on the site in the fourth century, though it was replaced after a fire in the sixth century. A newer and more spacious church, St. Catherine, is located next door to the basilica and is where midnight mass is held. Hundreds of worshippers crowded into the stone church for the mass led by the Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was among dignitaries in attendance. Pizzaballa in his homily spoke of a "responsibility of caring for the city and the land where we live." "Not to own or occupy it, but to transform it from a simple urban area of private services and personal interests, to an area and place that provides the experience of communion, peace, relationship and sharing." Bethlehem, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were beginning to mark Christmas after a year in which leaders warned over violence against fellow worshippers. On Friday, Pope Francis said "new extremist groups spring up and target churches, places of worship, ministers and members of the faithful." This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of which has come from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. The US National Park Service said that it would remain unlit and closed to the public "until further notice," with checks being made for damage following an attempt by an intruder on Friday to climb the tree. The tree, whose spectacular lights were switched on at a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, became a forlorn symbol of the dysfunction gripping Washington two years into his presidency. In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with the country badly divided over its impending exit from the EU. Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack in Spain's second-largest city during the Christmas holidays. The US government shutdown may have temporarily dimmed Washington's National Christmas Tree but never fear, Santa Claus is still comin' to town -- and the military is tracking his path. The US government shutdown may have temporarily dimmed Washington's National Christmas Tree but never fear, Santa Claus is still comin' to town -- and the military is tracking his path. Just as it has since the 1950s the Canadian and American defense agency NORAD is delivering live updates on the man in the red suit's international gift delivery route. NORAD eased the fears of good little boys and girls concerned the tracker might be down, after US lawmakers failed agree on a budget, triggering a partial shutdown of federal services, including the maintenance of the Christmas tree outside the White House. "In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on 24 December," the agency tweeted of the tracker, the Pentagon's largest public outreach program. "Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year." The 3-D, interactive website at www.noradsanta.org showed Santa on his delivery route, allowing users to click and learn more about the various cities along the way. Just after 0100 GMT, Father Christmas's reindeer-powered sleigh was headed for Santiago, Chile, having already delivered more than 4.2 billion gifts. In addition to tracking St Nick, volunteers donning military garb and Santa hats also respond to tens of thousands of calls and emails from eager children hoping to probe for details including their Christmas wish lists. Do you believe in Santa? The Trumps, who canceled their holiday trip to Mar a Lago, their residence and club in Florida, in light of the shutdown, took a turn fielding calls from the White House on Monday evening. "Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" Trump said when answering one call. But he went on to raise doubts about Santa's existence, asking: "Are you doing well in school? Are you still a believer in Santa?" Melania apparently managed to skirt that sensitive issue in calls she answered. "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you. Nice talking to you," she told one caller. The Santa tracker presented by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement misprinted a phone number to connect children with Santa and mistakenly directed them to the military nerve center hotline. To avoid disappointing the eager children, NORAD's director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, ordered his staff to check the radar to see where Santa might be and update the children on his location. Decades later volunteers are armed with a 14-page playbook with talking points to respond to queries from excited children. The Defense Department is able to follow Santa's journey thanks to satellites that pick up heat from lead reindeer Rudolph's bright red nose, which "gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch," according to Politico magazine. And for those kids skeptical of Santa's existence? "Historical data and more than 60 years of NORAD tracking information lead us to believe Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world," the Pentagon's handbook reads. President Erdogan's invite comes a day after Trump said his Turkish counterpart had assured him that he would 'eradicate' the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group after the US leaves Syria Washington: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited Donald Trump to visit his country next year, the White House has said, confirming that the US President is open to a "potential meeting" even though nothing has been finalised as yet. President Erdogan's invite comes a day after Trump said his Turkish counterpart had assured him that he would "eradicate" the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group after the US leaves Syria. "President Erdogan invited President Trump to visit Turkey in 2019. While nothing definite is being planned, the President is open to a potential meeting in the future," White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said on Monday. However, a spokesman of Erdogan said that Trump has accepted his invitation. Over the last few days, the US media reported that Erdogan was instrumental in Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Trump has argued that ISIS has been defeated and that Turkey can take care of the remnants of the ISIS in Syria. Trump tweeted on Monday that he had a very good conversation with Erdogan. "President Erdogan has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right next door. Our troops are coming home," he said. The US will withdraw its troops from Syria, a US official said last week, after President Trump said America has "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country. The decision has been opposed by several lawmakers, even from the President's his own Republican party. Trump's Defense Secretary James Mattis also resigned in protest. Currently, about 2,000 US forces are in Syria, most of them on a train-and-advise mission to support local forces fighting ISIS. Most US forces are stationed in northern Syria, though a small contingent is based at a garrison in Al-Tanaf, near the Jordanian and Iraqi border. ISIS swept across large swaths of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, implementing their brutal interpretation of Islamic law in areas they controlled. US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 US troops from northern Syria has dismayed many of Washington's allies, and critics say Turkey will look to benefit in its fight against US-backed Kurdish forces inside Syria. Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent more troops to Syria's border on Monday ahead of an imminent US withdrawal, threatening a Kurdish militia there as a US delegation prepared for talks on the pullout. US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 US troops from northern Syria has dismayed many of Washington's allies, and critics say Turkey will look to benefit in its fight against US-backed Kurdish forces inside Syria. Turkey has said any offensive targeting the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia and the Islamic State (IS) group will be launched in the coming months. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. But the militia has also been a key US ally in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, working with American forces on the ground there. "Just as we did not leave our Syrian Arabs to Daesh (IS), we will not leave Syrian Kurds to the cruelty of the PKK," Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara. A Turkish military convoy arrived overnight on Monday at the border with Syria, with local media reporting that some vehicles had entered Syria. Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told reporters on Monday that a US military delegation would arrive this week to "discuss how to coordinate (the withdrawal) with their counterparts". Kalin also said a Turkish foreign ministry delegation would go to Washington for talks on the pull-out on 8 January. In a telephone conversation Sunday between Trump and Erdogan, which both sides described as "productive", they agreed to avoid a power vacuum in Syria after the US withdrawal. Unlike several other allies of the United States, Turkey has praised Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 of his ground forces from Syria. Trump stunned the US political establishment and allies last week with his decision, days after Erdogan had warned that Ankara would soon launch an offensive in northern Syria. Critics of Trump's decision fear that thousands of Islamic State (IS) group extremist members are still thought to be in Syria, despite Trump's claim of having defeated IS. The US leader tweeted that Erdogan had told him Ankara would "eradicate" the last IS elements. And Kalin vowed that there was "no question of a step backwards, vulnerability or a slowdown in the fight against Daesh (IS)". He added: "Turkey will show the same determination against Daesh. To beat Daesh, we don't need the PKK or the YPG. We can bring peace to this region." The Turkish military convoy with howitzers, artillery batteries and several units of the armed forces, was deployed to the border district of Elbeyli in Kilis province, state news agency Anadolu reported on Monday. Parts of the convoy had entered Syria, the private IHA news agency reported, which said the reinforcements would take place "gradually". The deployment began over the weekend with around 100 vehicles, the Hurriyet daily said, and crossed into the Al-Bab region, headed towards Jarabulus and YPG-held Manbij. Jarabulus and Al-Bab were areas captured from IS during Ankara's first military operation in August 2016 which lasted until March 2017. Military reinforcements had also been sent to the Akcakale border town and Ceylanpinar district, both in the southeastern Sanliurfa province.\ Turkey conducted a second offensive with Syrian rebels against the YPG in its northwestern enclave of Afrin in January this year. Turkish officials have previously said Ankara has no territorial ambitions in Syria. Trump's move has sparked dismay among allies and turmoil within the administration. First Defence Secretary Jim Mattis resigned, then Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, stepped down. American support for the YPG, under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, has long been a source of tension between NATO allies the US and Turkey. But relations between the Turkish and American leaders appear to have improved substantially since a crisis in the summer over the detention of a US pastor, since released. Last week, the US approved the sale of USD 3.5 billion in missiles to Turkey, after American outrage over Ankara's major arms purchase from Russia. But there are still strains over the US refusal to extradite Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Muslim preacher who Turkey says ordered the 2016 failed coup. British security minister Ben Wallace said on Monday that the government can now deploy drone detection systems nationwide, after days of device sightings caused chaos at Gatwick Airport and criticism of the government response. London: British security minister Ben Wallace said on Monday that the government can now deploy drone detection systems nationwide, after days of device sightings caused chaos at Gatwick Airport and criticism of the government response. Britain's second-busiest airport was forced to close its only runway repeatedly last Wednesday through Friday due to numerous reports of drones, impacting nearly 1,40,000 passengers and leading to the deployment of soldiers. "We are able to now deploy detection systems throughout the UK to combat this threat," Wallace said in a statement. But he warned: "The huge proliferation of such devices, coupled with the challenges of deploying military counter measures into a civilian environment, means there are no easy solutions." Meanwhile police have received around 30 pieces of "useful information" in the last 24 hours, a police-backed charity said on Monday. The tip-offs came after the airport, some 50 kilometres south of London, on Sunday offered a 50,000 pounds ($63,000) reward for information on the incident. "Within the first 24 hours we had close to 30 pieces of useful information that we passed on to police," a spokesman for CrimeStoppers, a charity that helps police solve crimes, told AFP. "It's been a good response," he said, adding that it pays out rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators. It launched the new appeal on Sunday after police released without charge a local couple arrested on Friday on suspicion of involvement. Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk, who live in nearby Crawley, said in a statement on Monday they felt "completely violated" by their two-day detention. The police rejected criticism of their handling of the incident. A detective admitted it was a "possibility" that no drones had actually been in the area despite the discovery of a damaged device near the airport perimeter that is now being forensically examined. "We can unequivocally state that there have been numerous illegal drone sightings at the airport over three days from 19 to 21 December," Sussex police deputy chief constable Jo Shiner said on Monday. "There were numerous reports clustered around 37 occasions where a drone or drones were seen and I am keen for those responsible to be brought to justice," Shiner said. The force provided fresh details on the sightings, noting that five officers were among the witnesses who reported the devices first appearing on Wednesday night. Shiner added that police were investigating what would be considered "criminal and reckless behaviour" under an aviation and maritime law punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, awarded $501,134,683.80 to the Wambeir family, most of it in punitive damages Washington: A US judge on Monday ordered North Korea to pay $501 million over the death of American Otto Warmbier, ruling that the university student likely suffered torture. The parents of Warmbier sued North Korea in a US court after the 22-year-old was flown back to the United States last year in a coma, unrecognizable to his family and dying within days of his return. Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, awarded $501,134,683.80 to the family, most of it in punitive damages. "An American family, the Warmbiers, experienced North Korea's brutality first-hand when North Korea seized their son to use as a pawn in that totalitarian state's global shenanigans and face-off with the United States," she wrote. "North Korea is liable for the torture, hostage-taking, and extrajudicial killing of Otto Warmbier, and the injuries to his mother and father, Fred and Cindy Warmbier," she wrote. She said that North Korea did not submit any response to the lawsuit, which the family filed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which allows US-based plaintiffs to sue governments for offenses not considered to be covered by diplomatic immunity. North Korea is highly unlikely to pay the amount voluntarily and, as one of the world's most isolated countries, it is believed to have few assets in the United States that could be seized. But the verdict comes as President Donald Trump negotiates a deal on North Korea's nuclear arsenal, raising the possibility of future US payouts, which could become entangled by the court-ordered damages. Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, travelled to North Korea on a tour but did not return home, with the regime pulling him away at the Pyongyang airport and charging him with crimes against the state for allegedly taking down a poster in support of leader Kim Jong-un. The lawsuit said the family was continually advised by the State Department to stay quiet, believing North Korea would make a demand in return for Warmbier's safe release. Update December 25,2018: Xiaomi has started rolling out Mi A1 Android 9.0 (Pie) stable update for more users widely, including users in India. It has build number PKQ1.180917.001.V10.0.3.0.PDHMIFK, compared to v10.0.2.0 that rolled out earlier this month and is 1069.1MB in size, slightly smaller than the 1074.9MB. It brings December Android security patch. If you havent received the update, you can download it from here (or here) and flash it manually. If you have already reveived or flashed v10.0.2.0 update, you will receive a small update to 10.0.3.0 probably to fix bugs. Earlier: Last week we reported that Xiaomi started rolling out Android Pie beta update for closed beta tester. The update was also rolled out as stable update in some countries such as Netherlands. In addition to Android Pie 9.0 features including Adaptive Battery that uses machine learning to prioritize system resources for the apps, Adaptive Brightness, new Pill based navigation gestures and recommended Apps and Actions based on user context using machine learning, the update also finally brings Dual 4G VoLTE support in as well support for FM Radio. We tested it both on Jio and Airtel, and Dual 4G VoLTE worked fine, but it doesnt work on Idea. However, some users in Netherlands are reporting that Band 8 and Band 20 are not supported after the update so 4G doesnt work on Vodafone. Check out the changelog below. Your Mi A1 will be updated to Android 9 Pie. New features include: FM Radio Adaptive battery and brightness Simpler ways to navigate your phone Recommended apps and actions based on your context Source 1, 2 Mastercard ( MA 4.54% ) has been one of the absolute best stocks to buy at almost any point during the past decade. In 2018, Mastercard's stock price has appreciated more than 29%, vastly out-performing the S&P 500 index, which has actually depreciated in price by over 2%. That outperformance holds true over the trailing 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods, with the gap widening the further one looks. But with the company's stock price appreciation has also come a stretched valuation. The company now trades at an adjusted P/E ratio of above 32. Using GAAP earnings per share (EPS), the valuation looks even more inflated. It's only reasonable for investors to wonder if Mastercard's stock still makes a decent investment at these levels. However, rather than looking only at the company's latest quarter (which was actually quite good), or trying to ascertain who has the momentary upper hand in its perpetual fight with arch-rival Visa ( V 4.28% ), let's try to gaze out further into the future. Let's peer into our crystal ball and try to determine what the next five years might hold for Mastercard. Does Mastercard have a durable moat? An economic moat is a company's competitive advantage over business rivals that would look to take away the company's profitability and market share. While there are different types of economic moats, Mastercard has one of the most powerful: the network effect, which means a service or product gains in value the more it is used. In Mastercard's case, the more consumers who hold a Mastercard product, the more merchants will be compelled to accept Mastercard-branded cards as a payment method. Conversely, the more merchants that accept Mastercard products, the more consumers will be willing to have and use Mastercard products. In fact, in one significant way, Mastercard's network effect is essentially doubled, because banks are unlikely to issue cards other than Mastercard or Visa in most geographic markets because of the network effect both enjoy with consumers and merchants. This means any potential competitor would need to overcome Mastercard's place with consumers, financial institutions, and merchants -- an awfully tall order! Could this advantage disappear or deteriorate in the next five years? I find that unlikely. While it is always possible a cryptocurrency or blockchain-powered product used by banks could begin to displace Mastercard and Visa, those technologies are still in their infancy by comparison, and they would have to disrupt long-held consumer spending habits. Such products will not only need to be able to scale efficiently, but also gain the public's trust. That will take time. The advantages to Mastercard's business model Mastercard does not directly lend money to consumers; instead, that role belongs to the individual financial institutions that issue Mastercard products. Mastercard is merely the payments highway that consumer funds traverse when purchases are made using one of the company's cards. For providing a safe and quick journey for your money, Mastercard collects small fees. While almost microscopic on a transaction-by-transaction basis, these fees quickly add up due to the massive scale of Mastercard's network. In the company's third quarter, 2.47 billion cards were used to facilitate 18.83 billion transactions across its network. This asset-light business model gives Mastercard a world-class operating margin of 59%. Mastercard's target for operating margin is 50%, a threshold that CEO Ajay Banga believes shows investors "that we are committed to running the company with a fair degree of efficiency and profitability." The company actually tries to not exceed that goal because management wants to continue to invest in growth opportunities, to continue to displace cash and checks in B2B transactions and invest in its growing services division. Mastercard's services include everything from fraud prevention and data analytical tools to regulatory compliance assistance and reward program management. Accounted for under Mastercard's "Other Revenues," this segment's third-quarter revenue rose to $819 million, a 10% increase year over year. This quarter, Mastercard launched a new service, AML Insights, which helps banks comply with strict anti-money laundering regulations. The service is now live in the U.K. and will be rolled out to other geographic markets in the future. In the company's third-quarter conference call, Banga explained the importance of continuing to invest in these services: The second thing we've built out over these years is the investment in services. I'm hoping you guys are beginning to see a lot of those services embedded in our relationships with merchants, issuing banks, governments, and acquiring systems. And, the embedding of those services in those relationships enables us to not only have a better, more holistic relationship with our partner, but it also enables us to be seen as a value-added partner, not just a price play. Price is important -- don't get me wrong, I've said this every time -- but it also allows you to have more than that in addition to the service being a good revenue and good margin generator on its own. Mastercard's sustainable competitive advantage As Banga explained, these services only increase Mastercard's advantage with the financial institutions that issue its products. For instance, how likely is it that a bank that issues Mastercard debit and credit cards will switch to a competitor if it also relies on Mastercard for its fraud prevention? These services make Mastercard's ecosystem that much stickier, making it much more difficult for financial institutions to leave the fold. While it is impossible to predict the future with certainty, I believe Mastercard's moat will more than withstand the tests that the next five years throw at it -- and it might even emerge in a stronger position than it is in now. That's why Mastercard is one of the largest allocations in my own personal portfolio. Investors interested in companies with sustainable competitive advantages might want to consider it for their own. Social Security is our country's most important social program, with an estimated 22.1 million people being kept out of poverty as a result of the guaranteed monthly payout received by eligible beneficiaries (many of whom are senior citizens). Without this income, the poverty rate for elderly Americans would probably be a lot higher. Yet, the program is also contending with serious issues that leave its future in question. Are Social Security cuts in the cards? According to the newest annual report from the Social Security Board of Trustees, the program is expected to expend more than it collects in revenue for the first time in 36 years this year. Although this net cash outflow will start out relatively small, it'll grow considerably in 2020 and beyond. The $2.89 trillion currently in asset reserves is projected to be gone by the time 2034 rolls around, per the Trustees. The silver lining here is that Social Security is in absolutely no danger of going bankrupt. Even if the program were to lose one of its three sources of income -- the interest income from asset reserves -- it would retain its two sources of recurring revenue, which include the 12.4% payroll tax on earned income of up to $128,400 (as of 2018) and the taxation of benefits. These recurring sources of income, which simply require that Americans keep working, made up 91.5% of the $996.6 billion collected by Social Security in 2017. The downside is that a net cash outflow from the program signifies the unsustainability of the current payout schedule. In order to keep the program solvent through 2092, without the need for any further reductions, a benefit cut of up to 21% may be needed, according to the report. Trump preaches a hands-off approach There's no doubt in the minds of lawmakers that Social Security is facing an uncertain future. In every report since 1985, the Trustees have noted that the program doesn't have enough revenue to meet its expenditure obligations over the next 75 years. President Trump, however, firmly believes that indirect fixes are the right approach. During his presidential campaign and since taking office, Trump has repeatedly suggested that direct amendments to Social Security are off the table. More specifically, altering Social Security in any way would cause some group of folks to lose out, and Trump believes that such an outcome would lead to backlash against the party that passed such amendments. Rather, Trump favors the idea of promoting economic growth, which would influence Social Security by boosting payroll tax collection. The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 permanently cut peak marginal corporate income tax rates, as well as individual tax rates for most working Americans, providing a perceived boost to U.S. GDP growth and employment. Though not a long-term solution, it could provide the program with added payroll tax revenue in the near term. New Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney isn't afraid to suggest cuts However, Trump's hands-off approach to Social Security could come under fire from within the Oval Office. That's because on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, it was announced that now-former director of the Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney, will be taking over as Trump's chief of staff. Although a chief of staff isn't going to be directly involved in policymaking, Mulvaney will be a voice in the president's ear at all times. In the past, Mulvaney, a fiscal hawk, has advocated for a balanced federal budget, and hasn't been shy about suggesting that so-called entitlement programs, which includes Social Security, should be on the table as a possible option for expenditure cuts. Back in 2011, Mulvaney introduced the Balancing Our Obligations for the Long Term Act, or BOLT Act. The BOLT Act, if signed into law, would have required the federal government balance its budget via a reconciliation of long-term savings in entitlement programs. In particular, it called for increasing Social Security's full retirement age. Your full retirement age being the age at which you become eligible to claim 100% of your retirement benefit, as determined by your birth year. Why raise the full retirement age, which is currently set to peak at 67 for those born in 1960 or later? The simple answer is that it would require future generations of retirees to either wait longer to claim their full benefit or to accept a steeper reduction in their monthly payout if claiming early. Either way, it would reduce the amount of lifetime benefits paid to future generations of retired workers, thereby saving the program money and reducing its long-term cash shortfall. Does this mean Trump will change his tune on Social Security with Mulvaney as his chief of staff? Well, no, it doesn't. But having an ardent fiscal hawk as Trump's right-hand man should raise an eyebrow or two for those folks destined to receive a Social Security retirement benefit in a few decades' time. Iran is central to Indias trade, energy and connectivity plans with not just Central Asia and Afghanistan, but with entire Eurasia. DailyO reports in its article As Iran looks to the East, India must not lose sight of it that ever since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran, Irans Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who is responsible for setting the directions of the nations security and foreign policy, has repeatedly advised the government against relying on European powers to salvage the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Earlier this year, asking the Iranian government to avoid dependence on foreign countries, the leader argued that in foreign policy, top priorities for us, today, include preferring the East to the West, preferring the neighbouring countries to the far reached locations, preferring nations and countries that share in our goals. Irans Look to the East policy seeks to reconcile pragmatic ends as well as ideological goals of the country. It allows Iran to benefit from its integration into the world economy, while avoiding dependence on the West. The renewed emphasis on deepening relations with the East stems from the Iranian leaderships view of the international system as undergoing an era of transition, in which the pole of economic power and along with it, political power is gradually shifting from the West to the East. Maintaining its obligations under JCPOA and fighting off the unilateral American sanctions, Iran is trying to rehabilitate its relations with the international community. In doing so, it is focussing on strengthening relations with Asian powers willing to cooperate with Iran, while circumventing American sanctions. At a time when the economic rise of China and India has redefined economic integration in terms of continent-wide connectivity projects and energy corridors, a key component of Irans Look to the East Policy 2.0 is to find synergies with these projects. Connect Central Asia through Chabahar For India, connecting with Central Asia is important not only from the point of view of energy and resource security, but also for utilising the regions transit potential to connect with Europe and Russia. Countries in the region, on their part, are seeking to multiply their source of infrastructure investment, diversify routes and create an integrated and seamless transport space. They are also hoping that connecting with global supply chains will boost business activity in their own countries. Under the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, a number of transport corridors are connecting landlocked Central Asian countries to ports on Chinas eastern seacoast. But Irans Persian Gulf is the shortest gateway to the ocean for these countries. For Afghanistan, it provides a secure and alternate route to the sea, reducing its dependence on Pakistan. For India, Iran is a crucial escape out of its post-partition geopolitical entrapment, with Pakistan blocking Indias access to Central Asia and Afghanistan. Iran is a crucial node in Indias bilateral, sub-regional and transcontinental connectivity projects, important not only for their geo-economic potential, but also in the geopolitical sense for ameliorating Indias extended neighbourhoods dependence on China. Chabahar, a deep water port capable of handling big-cargo ships, is being developed as transhipment to Afghanistan and Central Asia, freeing Bandar Abbas mainly for trade with Russia and Europe. Four months after sanctions were lifted from Iran in January 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a tripartite Chabahar agreement, calling for joint investments to develop Chabahar as a regional trading hub. The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated last year, but the return of American sanctions on Irans banking sector, and the absence of payment mechanism for India to pay the Iranian company it had hired to manage its commercial operations at Chabahar, delayed the operationalisation of the port. Underscoring Chabahars importance to Indias developmental partnership in Afghanistan, as the port would provide the war-torn country with a secure trade and transit route with India and the world, it was granted waiver from the US sanctions on Iran. Subsequently, in a major boost for trade logistics between the two countries, Afghanistan announced its decision to establish the Afghan shipping sector, with private ships flying Afghan flags between Chabahar and India. To operationalise the potential of Chabhar for boosting Indias trade with the region, in January this year, India acceded to the Asghabat Agreement for facilitation of transportation and transit of goods between the landlocked Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and Persian Gulf littoral countries of Iran, Oman. India has invested massively in connecting Chabahar with Zaranj-Delaram road in Afghanistan and a railway link between Chabahar and Zahedan, on the Iran-Afghan border. The railway link would be extended to Mashhad in eastern Iran and thereon to Central Asia. In a testimony to the growing significance of Chabahar for Indias trade with the region, when Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited New Delhi in September this year, the two countries, while setting a bilateral trade target of $1billion to be achieved within two years, decided to route their trade through Chabahar. Iran is the linchpin of INSTC Bandar Abbas on the entrance of the Persian Gulf and Bandar-e Anzali on Irans Caspian Sea coast are two key transit ports of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal network of sea and railway route providing more efficient connectivity between Indias Eastern seaboard and Eurasia. Compared with the traditional route linking India to Northern Europe and Russia via the Suez Canal, the INSTC is expected to cut the time and cost of delivering goods by 30% to 40%. With last years trade turnover reaching $1billion, Kazakhstan is Indias largest trade partner in the region, but much more potential remains untapped. India is seeking to reach Kazakhstan and Russia through an Eastern branch of the INSTC, linking Gujarats Mundra Port with Bandar Abbas and thereon to Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan railway network. Last month in New Delhi, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and India held a quadrilateral meet on cross-border connectivity. The idea was to attract Indian businesses and investments to Eurasia, while informing them about the logistical capabilities of the route. As INSTC brings down the logistics cost, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will boost regional trade by reducing custom duties and eliminating non-tariff barriers between member states. Once both India and Iran have signed free trade agreements with WAEU, they will not only have a preferential access to the integrated Eurasian economic space, but would also help reduce the market dominance of China, which has a non-preferential agreement with EAEU. Iran is a crucial player in the Pipeline Geopolitics of the region Iran is also crucial for Indias long-term strategy of securing reliable and diversified energy supplies. As oil is on the frontline of the economic confrontation between the United States and Iran, the latter is trying to capitalise its gas reserves second biggest in the world with the help of Russia and China. Given that the Iranian population is concentrated in the northern part of the country while its active gas fields are located along the south-west coast, the logic of internal logistics for Iran and the Russian desire to export gas to South Asia anchor the emerging energy cooperation between the two countries. In a north-south energy corridor, Russia would use Azerbaijans pipeline system to transport gas to North Iran, while Iran can supply to Russian customers in Persian Gulf and potentially South Asia. Last year in November, Iran and Russia signed a MoU envisaging support for construction of a 1,200 km long pipe line from Iran to India, with a branch pipeline going to Pakistan. In June, India received its first LNG ship as part of a long-term deal, under which Russia would supply India LNG worth $25 billion over the next 20 years. For India, undersea gas pipelines to major gas producers Russia and Iran would not only be economical, but also provide a way out of the geopolitical uncertainties paralysing the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline. As TAPI remains a pipedream, Iran, sharing a long border with Turkmenistan, is eager to participate in gas swap, delivering Turkmen gas to South Asia. Irans look to the East policy presents India with a strategic opportunity to utilise Iran as the crucial land-bridge connecting India with Eurasia. But as the two countries closely cooperate on energy and connectivity, they must not only work to multidimesionalise their relations, but also immunise their ties against third-party influence. And there are no prizes for guessing who that influential third party is. PUBG Mobile banned by Maharashtra High Court? News oi-Vivek A new circular circulating on the social-media websites regarding the ban of the PUBG Mobile app PUBG is the trending Battle Royale style online game, which is available on Android and iOS devices for free of cost. And now, according to some of the social media websites, Maharashtra High-court Prejudge K Srinivasulu has officially banned the PUBG Game in India, and the circular has been shared across the social media websites. The circular has been sent on the 22nd of December 2018 at 11.45 am. Recently Vellore Institute of technology banned the PUBG Mobile gameplay in the hostel and college premises. What does the circular say? As per the consideration of many incidents and proofs that have been submitted by respected lawyers and majestratives, it has came to conclude that the PUBG MOBILE game is creating alot of nuisance and irrespective activities and many students spoiling their own lives. All we have knew that few countries took action on ban of o this game. It is to inform you that PUBG will not perform any operations and legally notices have been sent to tecent games corporation. Is it true? From the first impression of the circular, it becomes pretty evident that the circular is not an official one. There are a lot of grammatical mistakes, and even the format does not match with the previous official circulars of the Indian judiciary system. This is a fake circular created by a user, probably to scare someone who plays a lot of PUBG game. Forging a judiciary system is a crime, and the criminal who created this circular might have to face some severe action. Should PUBG Mobile players have to worry about the circular? As of now, there is nothing to worry about the banning of the PUBG Mobile, and uses can continue to play their favorite game without any worry and explore the Vikendi map and win some chicken dinners while you are at it. Via Best Mobiles in India Samsung might soon bring Bixby to its wearables News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Samsung is said to be working on a new fitness wearable called the Galaxy Sport. Codenamed "Pulse" the device is under the model number SM-R500 and is expected to be the first to get Bixby support, reports SamMobile. There's isn't much information about the wearable out there, but it is said to feature 4GB of internal storage and will have Bixby Reminder support. The company has just kicked off the development, but the launch is eminent alongside the Galaxy S10 launch. These products can see the light of day at MWC 2019 in Barcelona. Samsung recently unveiled the presumed counterpart of the new wearable, the Galaxy Watch in August, and hinted that Galaxy branding will be used for its wearables in the future. The Galaxy Watch might also get Bixby support at some point in the future. It doesn't come as a surprise since the company has already announced that all its products will have Bixby support by 2020. Regardless of which version of Bixby arrives with the Samsung Galaxy Sport, it will mark as the first time a wearable will feature the assistant if the Galaxy Watch doesn't get updated before. Back in November, Samsung provided a new piece of information regarding its upcoming Bixby overhaul at its Bixby Developer Day, in Seoul, Korea. The new Bixby will make its first appearance with the company's first foldable smartphone - the Galaxy F. Samsung's AI division head Eui-Suk Chung confirmed the news in a statement. He also said that the company isn't sure about the name for the upcoming version. He also noted that the next decade will see big AI advancements and a lot will change in the coming days. Samsung seems poised to make its AI better and come in direct competition with already dominant Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. But, we request our readers to take this piece of information with a pinch of salt and wait for the company to make an official announcement. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Xiaomi Poco F1 Armoured Edition with 6 GB RAM officially launched for Rs 23,999 News oi-Vivek Poco F1 Armoured Edition will be available from the 26th of December Xiaomi has finally unveiled a new Poco in India on Christmas Eve. As we expected, the company has launched an affordable iteration of the Armoured Edition with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage for Rs 23,999. Xiaomi Poco F1 Armoured Edition price and availability The Xiaomi Poco F1 Armoured Edition with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage for Rs 23,999 via Mi.com and Flipkart. The device will go on sale from the 26th of December on both platforms. The #POCOF1 6GB + 128GB (Armoured Edition) at 23,999 will be available on https://t.co/DREiXVqBDe and @Flipkart from 26th December 00:01 AM. RT if you are excited and stand a chance to win exclusive POCO merchandise. pic.twitter.com/2lybWEY14a POCO India (@IndiaPOCO) December 25, 2018 Buy the Poco F1 Armoured Edition with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage here Xiaomi Poco F1 Armoured Edition specifications The Xiaomi Poco F1 Armoured Edition comes with a 6.18-inch IPS LCD screen with FHD+ resolution, protected by 2.5D curved tempered glass. The smartphone has a Kevlar back panel, which offers a premium look compared to the other iterations of the Poco F1. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with powers the Armoured Edition Poco F1 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage with a microSD card slot. The device also has a dual SIM card slot with support for dual VoLTE. The Poco F1 offers dual-channel Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and A-GPS, but misses out on NFC. The mobile phone has a dual camera setup with a 12 MP primary sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and a 5 MP depth camera. The phone also has a 20 MP selfie camera with 1080p video recording capability. The smartphone is fueled by a 4000 mAh battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ via USB type C port. The smartphone also has a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone jack with a dedicated DAC to improve audio output via a headphone jack. If you were waiting for an affordable version of the Armoured Poco F1, then this is the time to buy. We at GizBot will recommend the Poco F1 for those, who are looking for a gaming smartphone with high-end specs sheet at an affordable price. 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 Qirmizi Qasaba, which used to be called Krasnaya Sloboda, is one of two localities outside of Israel with exclusively Jewish population (second is Kyryas-Joel in New York, USA). Correspondent of Ynetnews visited this town and shared his impressions of this trip in an article titled "The last Jewish town in Azerbaijan". In a small cafe in Qirmizi, Azerbaijan, a few elderly mountain Jews chat over a strong tea with sugar cubes. They speak Juhuro, the forsaken tongue of Caucasus Jews. Its a kind of Persian mixed with Hebrew. One of them, an elderly man with a big white mustache and a black cap, proudly shows off his arm, decorated with a flower tattoo. I had it done when I was 20 years old. So that when Im old, Ill remember my youthful days, he said. The cafe has a small shaded yard with two tables covered in oilcloth, and a pile of firewood next to them. It gets cold here in winters, on the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. An old Lada, essentially a tin can on wheels, is parked under a weeping willow tree. There are many Ladas on Azerbaijans roads, plodding alongside some extremely luxurious cars. Some 3,000-4,000 people live here, but at noon the streets appear empty. Some residents have businesses in Moscow and only come here for the holidays. The grand manse of Zerach Ilayev, a man whose fortune is estimated at $3 billion, stands empty in the center of town. The air is full of longinga longing for the children who have left, for the grandchildren who live in Israel or the US. A longing for the days when this place was called the Jerusalem of the Caucasus. But Qirmizi still has a lively side to it, which we experienced in the cemetery, of all places. We visited with our wonderful guide Elchin Mammadov (Eli), who wished to visit his mothers grave. The first thing you notice in the cemetery is the facesdozens of faces looking at you from all the black tombstones. The faces of the dead men, women and children. Some tombstones are covered in white plastic. The custom here is to only unveil the tombstone a year after the parting, and until then its kept covered. One tombstone has a stone bird figurine on it. This means the deceased left no children behind him, our guide explains. We spot a small area with four tombstones together: mother Golda, father Ephraim and children Eliya and Hava. Eliya was seven and Hava was five when the whole family died in a plane crash in Russia 10 years ago. A marble plaque shows a family picture under the image of a Boeing 737. Down the road are the older graves, from a century ago, some broken and others almost illegible. Hezi, the graveyard keeper asked us to translate some inscriptions from Hebrew. Here lies the woman who was killed by brutal gentiles in Quba. Shunamit daughter of Nisan, in the year 5678 (1918)." The Quba in question is Azerbaijans capital of carpet weaving and apple plantations, located across the River Kudyal from the capital Baku.The river is dry in early winter, but when the snows thaw up in the summits, it overflows. Matchmaking in Azerbaijan Three bridges separate Qirmizi and Quba. One of them, a bridge thats closed to vehicles, is referred to as "the love bridge" and functions as the citys JDate. This is where the single Jewish men and women come to meet a match. Girls walk the bridge with their mothers, Eli explains, while the guys look on from the banks. If a guy sees a girl he likes, his parents will approach her parents and ask for her hand. Not exactly what you would find on the curriculum of a gender studies program, but in Azerbaijan, it works. Around the corner from the bridge is the citys wedding venue a pillared hall that houses weddings, bar mitzvahs and circumcisions. Theres a huge photo of the Western Wall inside. So what kind of presents do you bring? we asked our guide. Checks, of course, he said. A minimum of 100 Azeri manatthe equivalent of NIS 220 or approximately $60. Caucasus weddings are a good deal A local kosher restaurant supplies everything you need for the big day. The feast menu includes juicy kebabs that can also be found everywhere from roadside stalls en route to Baku to the fancy restaurants once you get there; Dushpere, a soup with meat-stuffed dumplings; and Dolmavine or cabbage leaves stuffed with meat. Then theres the pickles, of coursenot only cucumbers, but also olives, peppers stuffed with cabbage, tomatoes and cherries. And add alcohol, and a band that plays Azar music with Persian instruments like kamancha and Tar. All this for $22 per personnot a bad deal. Azerbaijan pays its respect for the Jews Azerbaijan is a Muslim Shiite country, with most Azaris living in nearby Iran and making up 25% of the population there. But people here love Israel, and not only because we buy their oil and sell them weapons (including Iron Dome systems, which are lined across the Azari border with Armenia.) The local Jews are respected and treated with tolerance. In central Baku, Jews wearing kippas walk around undisturbednot something you would see in Paris or other European cities nowadays. A small sign informs us of the contribution of Azari Jews to their homeland: a plaque commemorating a young Jew, Albert Agrovich, who fought and died in the infamous war against Armenia in the 1990s over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. By the tea house theres a statue of a Soviet soldier, commemorating the Great Patriotic War, during which the Red Army stopped Hitler from conquering the oil-rich Caucasus and murdering its Jewish population. A prayer book in Juhuri During Soviet times, there were 11 synagogues in Qirmizi, but they werent in use Communism was the only religion. And yet the mountain Jews continued to preserve their faith and customs in their homesobserving the Sabbath, fasting on Yom Kippur. Most of them didnt even know why. If you asked a Jew why he observes Shabbat, the answer was because my grandfather told me to, says Eli. Today there are only two synagogues left in in the town, but they are both active. The larger one was closed so we visit the smaller one. The beadle asks us to remove our shoes, and when we enter we understood why: the floor is adorned with colorful and magnificent Azari carpets (such a carpet can reach a cost of NIS 10,000 or $2,500). Every day 25-30 people come to pray here, and during holidays its packed. Theres even a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) in Juhuru, the local dialect. Neither my wife nor I are religious, but here, standing in the last Jewish town in Azerbaijan, we pray. China Demands Explanation From US on Embassies Buying Spy Equipment Sputnik News 16:19 24.12.2018 The statement comes after papers released by WikiLeaks exposed the "US Embassy Shopping List" database with more than 16,000 procurement requests by US embassies around the globe, including those related to spying equipment. Beijing is surprised about WikiLeaks-released information on US embassies purchasing spying tools and wants Washington to explain the matter, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. "I am sure that many of those who got acquainted with the information had the same question as I had to ask: why do American embassies buy so much secret surveillance equipment? For what purposes did they prepare it?" she told a news briefing on Monday. Hua said that the disclosed data indicated that the US is "globally engaged in covert surveillance which specifically pertains to its allies". "I think Washington should give a clear-cut explanation to the international community on this issue", she pointed out. Her statement comes a few days after WikiLeaks published the "US Embassy Shopping List" database, where it revealed more than 16,000 procurement requests by US embassies around the world. For example, in an August 2018 procurement request for "Tactical Spy Equipment", the US embassy in El Salvador asked vendors to provide 94 spy cameras, most disguised as everyday objects such as ties, caps, shirt buttons, watches, USB drives, lighters, and pens", the release said. "Similar spy cameras were also requested by the US Embassy in Colombia", according to the document leaked by WikiLeaks. Another purchase completed in November 2016 from Frankfurt am Main's Regional Procurement Support Office (RPSO) included a list of various items such as "software and hardware solutions for forensic examination of mobile phones". The list also included "laboratory tool and hardware solutions for forensic examination of mobile phones", "software for expert evaluation and data analysis" from computers, etc. The items were to be delivered to the US Embassy in Podgorica, Montenegro. WikiLeaks' Twitter account also provided information regarding last year's request made by the US Embassy in Panama, which "sought licenses for Cellebrite's Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) in order to extract data from the phones of people detained or arrested in Panama". In early July 2015, the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung cited WikiLeaks documents as saying that the US National Security Agency (NSA) did not just tap Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone but also eavesdropped on the German Ministers of Finance, Economy and Agriculture. The accusations came after US whistleblower Edward Snowden, who currently resides in Russia, claimed that the NSA has been spying on many European governments. After he disclosed a number of US surveillance programmes in 2013, he had to flee the US where he was facing charges of espionage and theft of government property. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blast rocks eastern Afghan capital IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Kabul, Dec 24, IRNA -- According Afghan police explosion of a bomb-laden car rocked Makroyan District, in eastern Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday. Afghan Police Chief Basir Mojahed told reporters that no information has yet been released on the reason behind the accident, its casualties and damages to properties. Meanwhile, witnesses said that the suicide attacker detonated the car near a national security office in the 1st Makroyan District. Some media also reported that several gun shots were in the accident site. The accident happened while Kabul is hosting Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. 9376**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blast, gunfire rock Afghan capital, nearly 30 killed Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 01:37PM At least 29 people have been killed and several others injured as militants detonated a car packed with explosives before storming a Kabul government compound in an ongoing attack in the Afghan capital. Interior Ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said a number of gunmen had entered the compound where the Ministry of Public Works and an office of the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled are located. Sources said the raid began with a bomb-laden vehicle exploding at the entrance. That was followed by a second blast, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said, though he did not specify the nature of it. Plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the compound. Witnesses said militants inside the compound were exchanging gunfire with security forces. "They are also firing at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) facility nearby," said a witness who works at the Ministry of Public Works. Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said that at least four people had been wounded in the assault. Some media reports said one had broken several bones after jumping from the third floor of a building to escape the attackers. Another two were wounded by broken glass. Afghan security forces killed two of the attackers and freed 200 employees trapped inside one of the buildings occupied by the militants, Rahimi said. "There are still some hostages with the enemy and a clearance operation is ongoing," he added. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but it bears the hallmark of attacks carried out by Takfiri terrorist groups. Monday's attack was the biggest in Kabul since November 28 when the Taliban detonated a vehicle bomb outside the compound of British security firm G4S, which killed at least 10 people. The Kabul government has stepped up efforts to convince the Taliban to end the 17-year militancy amid Washington's failures on the battleground. US President Donald Trump has ordered the start of withdrawing some 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The figure accounts for about half of the total number of American boots on the ground in the country. The US State Department's special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, confirmed he had held "productive" meetings in Abu Dhabi with Afghan and international partners "to promote intra-Afghan dialogue towards ending the conflict." Khalilzad said the Taliban's demand remained an agreement over the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. The US, meanwhile, has sought assurances from the militant group that its forces would not be attacked. The Taliban have previously said the presence of foreign troops is the biggest obstacle to peace in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has been gripped by insecurity since the US and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror in 2001. The Taliban were removed from power but many parts of the country still remain plagued by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address December is time for looking back on the year. 2018 was a watershed year for the Caspian Five they managed to sign the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. Gulnara Mamedzade, the head of special projects in the Caspian Expert Club, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the key move of the year. - What are prospects for the Caspian Five after signing the Convention? - President of Russia Vladimir Putin called signing the Caspian Convention epochal. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also said that the signing was a historic step. For more than 22 years, our countries had been trying to reach the agreement. Now we are facing a new important stage as there are both new prospects and certain risks. One of main risks is failing to use the Conventions profits. Russia and other countries reached the consensus right in time. The Convention was signed in 2018 because risks were accumulated over the region. The Convention is based on providing the Caspian Sea with security and protecting it from third countries. We dont want military bases of foreign countries be deployed nearby our borders. The Caspian Five should seize the moment with Caspian long-term development concept for next 5-10 years, considering our changing reality. According to Article 14 of the Convention, limits for implementation of some energy and transport projects are lifted, including Trans-Caspian Pipeline. The fact multiplies interests of non-regional states in the Caspian Sea. We can see the interest not only in the West but also in the Middle East, South Asia, and so on. Very interesting projects are going to be implemented in the region. Moreover, projects in different formats are matching in Eurasian Economic Union, the SCO, the CIS, and so on. Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan participate in many regional and transnational projects. We need a road map of energy and transport potential accumulated in the region. Its important for our countries to state their positions and act in a consolidated manner. After signing the Convention, the Western countries bucked up. There is a think-tank in the US called the Caspian Political Center. It also has certain interests, fortunately, at the expert level only. They developed an interesting strategy on the Greater Caspian Region. We should keep it in map. As for military issues, the Caspian fleet will extend its capacity significantly. Probably, it will be relocated from Astrakhan to Kaspiysk where a new deep-sea port to be opened in 2025. A lot of serious projects will be implemented in the region till 2030. Vladimir Putin said that we wanted to see the Caspian region as a multimodal hub of Eurasia. Thus, its necessary to integrate the Caspian format into other projects, including the EAEU. Its notable that risks and tensions are being formed all round the Caspian region, at the same time the region stays stable due to firm agreements between the five countries. The problem of information strategy was already discussed. Information processes seriously influence certain opportunities. The Caspian Media Forum became a basic platform but there are some other resource in the sphere, for instance, Caspian-Eurasia, information and analysis centers. They form Caspian identity through the information field. The Caspian Expert Club accumulates expert opinions and ideas. Recently, we held a media training course in Astrakhan, where journalists and students were invited. We saw their big interest. Astrakhan is now turning into a center of Caspian media integration. We should use advantages of the geopolitical situation. Importance of information influence is recognized at the highest governmental level. I think it will be developed. However, we should watch all projects to be accomplished. - Moreover, we all need to share information to each other. On the one hand, the majority of the Caspian countries had common Soviet history; on the other hand, Iran is an unknown territory for many. Turkmenistan is as well - Its true that mostly we work in the trilateral format, considering big influence of the Russian language. Now we need to move forward and create media resources with several language versions and accumulate views of all five countries there. Modern technologies enable us to listen to and read each other. There are a lot of options for visualization of content. Of course, we face obstacles and political restrictions, but in Turkmenistan in question, we see notable interest of President to the Caspian region. In 2019, Ashkhabad hosts the Caspian Economic Forum. The Caspian region should widen its opportunities. There are many promising spheres the Middle East strategy, the Caspian and Black Sea Corridor, the Caspian and Caucasus Corridor, and so on. All elements should be reflected in the Caspian development concept. Its not isolated it is surrounded by Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the Middle East, the Black Sea. If it is reflected in a political concept, it will be reflected in a media strategy. - What do you think about making tourism a locomotive of Caspian economic integration? - As for logistics, the Caspian region has certain problems. We had an idea of a passenger cruise liner on the Caspian Sea. Its a positive moment. It will make communication easier, people will have an opportunity to visit neighboring countries. Azerbaijan is interested in Astrakhan as they have regional ties and contacts. But transport infrastructure is still a problem. A number of tourists grows in the world; tourism develops, despite international problems. We should use and develop touristic potential. - What is new in Russia-Azerbaijan relations after signing the Convention? - The relations between the two countries have been at a high level even before the Convention. Azerbaijan and Russia strengthened cooperation and set their interests in the region, including the North-South project. Frequent visits during this year show that the level of Russian-Azerbaijani relations is strategic. A recent Russia-NATO meeting in Baku also proves a high level of trust to Azerbaijan. Russian-Azerbaijani relations are based on political trust, political interests, and serious economic potential. The Caspian Convention opens additional opportunities as Russia and Azerbaijan are interested in implementation of energy and transport projects, including regional projects with participation of Turkey. China gets involved due to its One Belt, One Road initiative. Our countries always try to find mutual interest in such projects. Azerbaijan and Russia complement each other, considering the difficult geopolitical situation in the region. At the same time, the Caspian region creates opportunities. Somalia executes mastermind of 2017 al-Shabab bombings Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 09:29AM Somalia has executed a member of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group convicted of having masterminded a series of fatal car bomb attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, last year. The prosecutor of Somalia's military court, Abdulle Bule, confirmed that said the convict, identified as Abdikadir Abukar, had been executed on Monday. Last year's attacks masterminded by Abukar left 26 people dead and injured almost 40 others, he added. One of the attacks targeted a hotel and claimed 10 lives. In another incident, a bomb exploded near the ministry of sport, leaving at least 9 people dead. A third car bomb also hit an Italian restaurant in Mogadishu, killing at least seven people. The al-Qaeda-linked militant outfit, which has long sought to topple Somalia's Western-backed government, was forced out of Mogadishu by African Union forces in 2011. However, the terrorist group still wields control in large parts of the countryside, and every now and then carries out attacks against government, military, and civilian targets in the capital as well as regional towns. The militants have stepped up their attacks in recent months. On Saturday, a car bomb attack, claimed by al-Shabab, killed at least 13 people and wounded 17 others outside Mogadishu's national theater, near the president's heavily fortified residence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon signs order for US pullout from Syria: Military official Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 08:04AM The US military has announced that the order to pull the American forces out of Syria has been signed, after the US and Turkish presidents agreed on subsequent measures. President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced on Wednesday that the US would be pulling all its 2,000 forces out of Syria. He also claimed victory over the Daesh Takfiri terror outfit in the war-torn state. "The execute order for Syria has been signed," a US military spokesperson told AFP when asked about the pullout order, without elaborating. The news came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had spoken with Trump by phone on Sunday and "agreed to ensure coordination between their countries' military, diplomatic and other officials." Earlier in the day, Trump tweeted that he and Erdogan had "discussed (Daesh), our mutual involvement in Syria, & the slow & highly coordinated pullout of US troops from the area." Ankara welcomed Washington's decision to withdraw from Syria. Observers say it appears that the US has chosen to strengthen its alliance with Turkey at the expense of its Kurdish allies in Syria. Washington has long been supporting the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces, an anti-Damascus coalition of Kurdish militants, as its most effective partner in Syria. Ankara, however, views the SDF as a terrorist organization and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region since 1984. On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron rebuked Trump over his decision to withdraw troops from Syria, saying "an ally must be reliable." France, a leading member of the US-led coalition, has said it would keep troops in Syria. France's pronouncement of support came even as the SDF said it would stop its alleged fight against Daesh terrorists. Trump's decision has sparked turmoil within his administration, prompting the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the so-called anti-Daesh coalition. Trump later named Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan as the acting Pentagon chief, saying he will replace Mattis starting January 1, earlier than previously scheduled. Trump's decision on Syria was reportedly preceded by the deployment of forces from its Arab allies to Syria. 'UAE, Saudi, Sudanese troops deployed to Syria' The Arabic-language al-Manar newspaper reported on Sunday that forces from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and other nations of the so-called axis of moderation had been deployed to the east of Euphrates River in Syria, adding that the move came in coordination with the US and France. The paper quoted informed sources as saying that the deployment took place before Trump's announcement of the pullout plan. It said a number of Emirati and Saudi officers had been deployed to the region about a month before. Terrorists sent to Africa, Iran's neighbors: TV The sources also told al-Manar that the US had provided terrorists operating in the region, most of them Daesh members, with additional weapons, and transferred hundreds of them to areas in North Africa, Libya and Egypt's Sinai as part of a process to redistribute them after their heavy losses against Syrian army troops. The report said that Washington had also sent a number of terrorists to Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and areas near the Iranian and Russian borders. Washington and Arab allies, the newspaper said, claim that such moves would diminish the perceived threat posed by the presence of Iranian military advisers and Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement in Syria. Iran has been offering military advisory support to Syria at the request of the Damascus government, enabling its army to speed up its gains on various fronts against terror outfits. Hezbollah forces have also been assisting the Syrian government on the ground to clear areas bordering Lebanon from terrorist groups. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dozens Killed, Injured In Militant Raid On Kabul Government Compound By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan December 24, 2018 Security forces in the Afghan capital, Kabul, say 29 people were killed and at least 23 injured in a daylight militant attack on a government compound in the eastern part of the city on December 24. More than 300 people who were in the compound, which housed the Public Works Ministry and other government agencies, when it was attacked were freed by security forces in a gun battle that lasted around eight hours. Interior Ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told journalists that three attackers had been killed by security forces, while a fourth died in a suicide car-bomb attack that started the incident. "There are still some hostages with the enemy and a clearance operation is going on," Rahimi said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the incident. The attack began in the afternoon when a vehicle was exploded at the entrance to the compound just as employees were preparing to go home for the day. Journalists reported ongoing exchanges of gunfire hours after the initial attack. The incident was the 22nd attack in Kabul since January. In all, more than 500 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in attacks in the capital this year. On December 20, an official in the United States said President Donald Trump was planning to pull at least 5,000 U.S. troops out of Afghanistan in the near future. That news came one day after Trump said he would withdraw all 2,000 U.S. troops currently in Syria. U.S. forces make up the bulk of the international Resolute Support mission that is training and advising Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban and Islamic State militants. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/car-bomb-hits-kabul- government-compound/29673731.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 Pakistani Foreign Minister In Kabul To Discuss Afghan Peace Process By RFE/RL December 24, 2018 Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has arrived in Kabul for talks with the government on the Afghan peace process. Qureshi was received by his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani in the morning on December 24 and was expected to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Ahead of the trip, Qureshi told the Associated Press news agency that his visit aims at reinforcing Pakistan's commitment to finding a peaceful end to the Afghan conflict. "Good relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as peace in Afghanistan, is critical for regional stability. Pakistan wants a sustainable peace in Afghanistan," Qureshi said. Qureshi's visit to Kabul is the first leg of a regional tour that will also include Iran, China, and Russia. It's also his second visit to Kabul this month. Pakistan, which has influence over the Taliban, is taking part in the latest U.S. effort to revive the Afghan peace process ahead of next year's withdrawal of 7,000 American troops. Earlier this month, Islamabad helped orchestrate talks in Abu Dhabi where representatives of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Pakistan, and the United States met with the Taliban representatives. Afghanistan's national security adviser was also in the U.A.E. and while he did not attend talks, he met with Washington's Peace Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who reportedly kept him informed of the discussions. Islamabad welcomed President Donald Trump's decision to pull around half of the 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan. Qureshi said on December 22 that the move was "a step forward" in the peace effort. Qureshi's visit to Kabul comes as Ghani nominated hard-line opponents of Pakistan to two top security posts. Ghani announced on December 23 that Amrullah Saleh will be the next interior minister and Asadullah Khaleed will be defense minister. Both are former intelligence chiefs who have blamed neighboring Pakistan for the Taliban's resurgence in recent years and have called for the country to be declared a state sponsor of terror. The appointments will have to be approved by parliament. With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, tolonews.com, AP, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistani-foreign -minister-in-kabul-to-discuss-afghan- peace-process/29673296.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Withdrawal Order For U.S. Troops From Syria 'Signed' By RFE/RL December 24, 2018 The Pentagon has said the order for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria has been signed following President Donald Trump's December 19 announcement setting out plans for a full pullout, U.S. media are reporting. "The execute order for Syria has been signed," a spokesperson for the U.S. military was quoted by AFP as saying late on December 23 without offering further details. CNN said a defense official confirmed to it that the ordered had been signed, and it quoted another official as saying outgoing Defense Secretary James Mattis signed it. Trump in a Twitter video posting on December 19 declared that "we have won" against the Islamic State (IS) terror group operating in Syria and made the surprise announcement he was bringing home all U.S. forces from the war-torn country. Trump received criticism from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, former government leaders, and international allies for what they have perceived as a premature withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, where troops have been since 2015 assisting a Syrian Arab and Kurdish alliance fighting against IS. Many opponents say a quick departure by U.S. forces would represent a betrayal to Kurdish allies who could be at the mercy of nearby Turkish forces. Ankara accuses the fighters of having links to Kurdish insurgents operating in Turkey. Critics of the U.S. pullout also contend it would hand victories to Iran and Russia, which are active there. French President Emmanuel Macron on December 23 said he "deeply regretted" Trump's decision, adding that "an ally must be reliable." Some of Trump's closest allies had attempted to publicly persuade the president to reverse his decision on the pullout. After Trump revealed his plans, Mattis announced his resignation in protest of the president's foreign policy. The top U.S. envoy to the global coalition to counter Islamic State, Brett McGurk, also announced his resignation. Syria has been engulfed in a seven-year civil war. Russia and Iran back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The United States and Turkey back differing antigovernment fighters. IS also joined the fight, opposed by all other sides. After gaining wide stretches of territory in Syria and neighboring Iraq and declaring an Islamic "caliphate," they have mostly been driven from their strongholds, although they are holding out in some areas. With reporting by AFP and CNN Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-trump -syria-withdrawal-order-iran-russia- turkey-kurds/29673040.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 Ex-NATO Commander Questions Trump Rationale to Withdraw US Troops From Syria Sputnik News 19:14 24.12.2018 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Former NATO Commander Wesley Clark questioned in an interview on Monday whether Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan is behind US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all United States military forces from Syria. "There doesn't seem to be any strategic rationale for the decision. And if there's no strategic rationale for the decision then you have to ask, why was the decision made?" Clark said during a TV interview with CNN. Clark, a retired US Army general, said that people around the world, including US allies in the Middle East, are asking whether the decision came as a result of Erdogan blackmailing Trump. "Was there a payoff is or something? Why would a guy make a decision like this? Because all the recommendations were against it," Clark said. The comment followed Sunday's statement by Trump about his "long and productive" phone call with Erdogan on the same day, during which they discussed "expanded" bilateral trade and the planned pullout of US troops from Syria. Last week, Trump announced that the United States would withdraw its roughly 2,000 troops from Syria since the Daesh* terror group had been defeated. However, the White House later clarified the decision does not mean the end of the US-led international coalition's fight against the Islamic State. Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the US Congress who have supported US military engagement and intervention in the world criticized Trump's decision saying that a US troop withdrawal from Syria will lead to the reemergence of the Islamic State and aid Russia, Turkey and Iran's interests in the region. *Daesh a terrorist group banned in Russia Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Signs Order on US Troop Withdrawal From Syria - Reports Sputnik News 04:48 24.12.2018(updated 06:32 24.12.2018) The US Department of Defense has enacted the execute order for the pullout of the US troops from Syria, AFP reported Sunday, citing a US military spokesperson. On Wednesday, the White House announced that the United States began withdrawing its forces from Syria, but stressed that it did not mean the end of the US-led international coalition's fight against the Daesh terror group. Following the announcement, US Defense Secretary James Mattis filed a resignation letter over his disagreement with US President Donald Trump on the latter's sudden decision to withdraw US forces from Syria. The unexpected move has been widely criticized by many US lawmakers who argued the action would undermine America's security and give away the region to Russia, Iran, and Syria. In turn, Trump explained his decision by saying that the mission in the country has been accomplished and the Daesh terrorist group has been defeated. On Saturday, Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy for the global coalition to defeat the Daesh terrorist group had resigned over his strong disagreement with Trump's decision to withdraw troops from the war-torn country. The United States, with some 2,000 troops in Syria, has reportedly a concrete military leverage, controlling important outposts and providing the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and armed opposition with weapons and other necessary support in the northwestern Idlib province, northern Kurdish-majority autonomy known as Rojava and a 34-mile zone around its At Tanf base in Syria's southeast. The Kurdish-led SDF, backed by Washington, are engaged in fight against terrorists, but they also keep under control regions in northeast Syria, which is regarded by Damascus as illegal. The US-led coalition of over 70 countries has been carrying out airstrikes in Syria on a regular basis on the pretext of assisting the SDF in its fight against the Daesh terrorist group. However, the Syrian media has repeatedly reported about civilian casualties as a result of the coalition's airstrikes and the use of white phosphorus on numerous occasions. The Syrian authorities, in particular, urged the United Nations to take measures targeting the perpetrators of the attacks and put an end to the coalition's unauthorized presence in Syria. Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House: Trump Won't Rethink US Troop Pullout Amid High-Profile Resignations Sputnik News 04:43 24.12.2018(updated 05:14 24.12.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a resignation letter he was stepping down at the end of February, citing the fact that US President Donald Trump needed to find a defense chief whose views were more aligned with his own. However, Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on Sunday that Trump will not change his decision on the withdrawal of US troops from Syria, despite the resignation of the defense secretary and other high-ranking officials. "No, I think the president has told people from the very beginning that he doesn't want us to stay in Syria forever. You're seeing the end result now of two years worth of work. Keep in mind, it's not unusual for a president to lose members of the cabinet over these types of disagreements," Mulvany told ABC News broadcaster when asked whether the president could reverse the decision. Mattis' resignation came a day after the White House said the United States was withdrawing troops from Syria, the plans which the outgoing defense chief has previously slammed as a "strategic blunder." The unexpected move to exit Syria has been widely criticized by many US lawmakers who argued the action would undermine the US security and give away the region to Russia, Iran, and Syria. On Saturday, CBS News reported, citing sources, that McGurk had resigned over his strong disagreement with Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address THE COMMITTEES: Disarmament for a peaceful world, defines work of UN General Assembly's First Committee 24 December 2018 - Every year in September, the United Nations General Assembly makes the headlines as world leaders gather at UN headquarters to set the agenda for the year ahead. But for the nitty-gritty discussions of how to turn decisions into action, Member States break out into six specialized "Main Committees". For this first in our series of Committee explainers, we'll take you inside the work of the First tasked with addressing issues of disarmament and international security. How to ensure that perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks are accountable? How do we stop digital technologies from being used for malicious purposes across the globe? How can we really create a nuclear-weapon-free world, bringing all nations on board and what limits should the world set on the use of poweful new "automous weapons"? How can we curb illegal arms sales? The First Committee handles all of these tricky questions, and more, concerning threats to the security of States and individuals, across the world. A central pillar of the UN, from the ashes of World War The six General Assembly's Main Committees were established in 1945, at the UN's founding. As the world was coming out of devastating conflict including the first use of nuclear weapons issues of war and peace were at the very top of the founders' agenda. In fact, the very first resolution ever to be adopted by the UN General Assembly was the product of the work of the First Committee, and proposed the creation of a special commission "to deal with the problems raised by the discovery of atomic energy." Since then, the First Committee has pushed through hundreds of war-and-peace-related resolutions approved by the UN General Assembly. Although they are non-legally binding for Member States, these resolutions set important standards and principles, and ensure that constant dialogue takes place on the issues that most directly threaten the security of societies everywhere. Who makes up the First Committee? Just as in the plenary of the General Assembly, all 193 Member States are represented in each of the Main Committees. The officers of the Committees this year were elected in June. For the disarmament Committee, Ambassador Ion Jinga of Romania was elected to the position of Chair, with three Vice-Chairs, Marissa Edwards of Guyana, Noel Diarra of Mali, and Jose Ataide Amaral of Portugal. How do they go about tackling world peace? For its 73rd session, the Committee held a total of 26 meetings from 4 October to 8 November. The whole thing started with the "General Debate" where a series of statements were made by Member States, high level officials, as well as NGO representatives. In her opening statement this year, the UN disarmament chief, Izumi Nakamitsu, told Member States that the stakes were high as issues of security and peace "are now at their worst state since the end of the Cold War." The second phase focused on thematic discussions according to seven clusters: nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, outer space disarmament, conventional weapons, regional disarmament and security; other disarmament measures and international security, and disarmament machinery. This is where resolutions to be recommended for adoption at the General Assembly are proposed and drafted. The last week, called "Action on drafts," was dedicated to finalizing and voting on resolutions, as well as statements by Member States, explaining their decisions. What did the First Committee achieve this year? On 8 November, the Committee wrapped up its work programme with 68 draft resolutions and decisions sent to the General Assembly, out of which 26 were approved without a vote. Notably this year, among the proposals approved were two which created working groups loo develop rules for States on responsible behaviour in cyberspace. In addition, with a view to reducing the ever-widening gap between developed and developing countries, the Committee approved the draft resolution "Relationship between disarmament and development." In the last meeting, the Committee Chair in his closing remarks told the country representatives in the room that "disarmament and international security are in [their] hands and [their] actions as Member States result in consequences which we must all face." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indonesia tsunami: Many still missing as death toll rises 24 December 2018 - Indonesians are being warned to stay away from beaches along the Sunda Strait, between the islands of Sumatra and Java, following this weekend's devastating tsunami in the area, which government and humanitarian agency reports indicate has claimed hundreds of lives, with the total likely to rise. The tsunami struck coastal areas to the west of the capital Jakarta, in the middle of Saturday evening, local time, destroying houses, hotels and businesses. Latest reports suggest that the devastating waves were triggered by underwater landslides, following the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The worst affected areas are Pandeglang and Serang districts in Banten province, and South Lampung and Tanggamus districts in Lampung province, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In an update at around 7am local time, OCHA reported that there were just over 1,000 injured, more than 50 people missing; and close to 12,000 displaced by the tsunami. There are also reports that highways and road networks in the affected areas have been disrupted, impacting the emergency relief effort, and making it hard to assess the full extent of the damage. The Christmas holiday season means that many tourists have also been caught up in the disaster. The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), military, police, the National Search and Rescue Agency, national and local authorities together with volunteers - are providing immediate assistance to those affected, added OCHA, noting that so far, the Indonesian Government has not requested international assistance. People are 'understandably jittery' A high-tide warning also remains in effect and people have been advised to stay clear of low-lying areas. Local branches and volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross are helping people evacuate away from the coastline to higher ground. "People are understandably jitterythis is a traumatic event that has shaken people" it said in a news release issued on Monday. UN outer space office requests extra satellite data to aid relief The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) - which works for international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, including disaster risk reduction and response has requested the activation of the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" on behalf of the Indonesian space agency (LAPAN). The International Charter is a worldwide collaboration among space agencies through which useful satellite-data is made available to support disaster response efforts. Since its first activation in November 2000, the Charter has released data on hundreds of occasions, helping with the relief effort for floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. 'Ring of Fire' put Indonesia at particular risk Indonesia, given its geographical location along the so called "Ring of Fire" region in the Pacific an earthquake-prone region, with several active volcanoes has been hit hard by frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. Just three months ago, in late September, more than 2,000 people were killed when a powerful earthquake struck just off the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi, setting off a tsunami that engulfed the coastal city of Palu. In one of the worst disasters in modern history, the region was also hit by a devastating tsunami in December 2004, that claimed over 230,000 lives in 14 countries along the Indian Ocean, mostly in Indonesia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today, in Moscow, the presentation of the book by the head of the Central Eurasia Research Center of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Stanislav Pritchin "Russia in the Caspian region: in search of an optimal strategy" took place. On the margins of the event, Vestnik Kavkaza spoke with the author of the book about the changes that the Caspian region will face after signing the Convention on the Status of the Caspian Sea. - Stanislav Alexandrovich, how do you assess the overall significance of the Convention on the Status of the Caspian Sea? -This is a very serious achievement of the Caspian region. If we compare, say, the United States and Canada, which still share some parts of the Atlantic Ocean, then we have to admit that 22 years for a document to be agreed upon by five independent, completely different states with different political systems is a completely insignificant period of time to find common language not only on the territorial issues but also on the issues of security, transport and environmental protection. From the point of view of the regional security and regional cooperation system, the Convention is an extremely important step forward, which makes it possible to look at the region as predictable, stable and safe for long-term investments. - How will the Convention affect the development of Caspian tourism? - For quite a long time, the discussions have been held on the joint tourism and the creation of a free visa zone, where tourists can visit all five Caspian states on one cruise ship for one visa. I think that now when the agreement has been reached at the political level and the laying of such a liner has already taken place, the question is moving from a long-term theoretical discussion to a practical plane. We can expect that in the near future, this kind of tourism projects will be implemented in the Caspian region. - What prospects have the Convention opened in the field of the Caspian environmental protection? - At the political level, today we see that there is an understanding of the need to pay very serious attention to the ecology, including the creation of a legal framework that would maximally protect the ecology and set very high standards for the operation of oil and gas and transport projects. In such a situation, we see that the dynamics are quite positive, and now the environmental safety standards are in the focus of the presidents. This is one of the most important issues at the negotiation level. - How will the energy cooperation of the Caspian states develop further? -This is a difficult question. Until November of this year, until the United States finally left the nuclear deal with Iran, the Convention allowed relying on the fact that Azerbaijan and Iran, despite the unresolved territorial issues at the sea, will advance in the development of the southern part of the Caspian Sea - the Convention creates an interesting configuration when the delimitation moves to the level of bilateral relations. Already this year, in March, when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Baku, progress in reaching the agreements on dividing the southern part of the Caspian Sea was seen, a memorandum on the joint development of deposits in this sector was signed, that is, there were prerequisites. Unfortunately, the withdrawal of Americans from the deal created a difficult situation - the Western companies fear to enter the region and invest in new projects with the participation of Iran. Given this situation, we cannot expect that new projects in the south of the Caspian Sea, related to Iran, will be on the agenda in the near future. US Defense Chief's Resignation Stirs Doubts in Asia about Help Resisting China By Ralph Jennings December 24, 2018 U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis visited Vietnam twice this year and suggested in October stronger relations as China bears down on Vietnamese maritime claims. In the Philippines a month later, Mattis swore to uphold a decades-old military alliance that helps Manila resist China. A U.S. naval ship passes through the South China Sea every couple of months or so as support for keeping the resource-rich waterway open, not just for Chinese use. Moments like these raised Southeast Asia's confidence in U.S. support after some nervousness when President Donald Trump took office in 2017. Mattis will quit January 1, in turn shaking that confidence. Beijing has drilled for oil, built up islands or passed ships in South China Sea waters claimed as well by Vietnam, the Philippines and three other Asian governments. Weaker than China, the Southeast Asian states hoped the United States would help. Mattis advocated close relations with allies to resist authoritarian states. "I suspect many leaders, be they in Southeast Asia or elsewhere, will just roll their eyes and think, 'here we go again'" after Mattis leaves, said Sean King, vice president of the Park Strategies political consultancy in New York. "Mattis is different, as heholds such a critical life-and-death cabinet post and is a firm believer in America's alliances, as evidenced in his resignation letter to Trump." The U.S. Asia alliance spans democracies from Japan through South Korea and Taiwan into Southeast Asia. Many of those countries are trying to pare back the influence of China. Sudden resignation "It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies," the 68-year-old ex-Marine Corps general wrote in his resignation letter to Trump. "That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense," the December 20 letter says. Asian leaders found "reliability" in Mattis's ties with Asia, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean of the international affairs college at National Chengchi University in Taipei. The defense secretary made a particular impression by attending the Shangri-la Dialogue twice, telling Asia's major annual defense summit in 2018 that the U.S. government would help its "partners" improve protection of their maritime interests. Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan dispute Chinese expansion in the resource-rich South China Sea. Taiwan and Japan vie with Beijing separately over control of the East China Sea. "He played a sort of force of reliability because at least as defense chief he did what he said and then when he made contact with every other country he was steady, giving them a sense of reliability, so other people's trust in the United States won't fall so fast," Huang said. Mattis quit a day after Trump announced the U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria, a move opposed by the defense department. European allies France, Sweden and the U.K. have already voiced concern about the resignation. Among countries that claim the South China Sea, Vietnam will probably "miss" Mattis the most, King said. Vietnam has stood firmest against Beijing, he said, while other Asian maritime claimants look to the United States for security but to China for economic support. Wait-and-watch phase The U.S. withdrawal from Syria could show that Trump and his eventual new defense chief will later isolate Washington from its Asian allies, King said. China, he said, "would fill the vacuum." For the short term, expect leaders in Asia to wait nervously again as they did after Trump's inauguration, analysts suggest. "President Trump is playing demolition derby with his own cabinet and he's going to be distracted and this is not the time to mount any significant foreign policy initiatives," said Alan Chong, associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. "If there's any more restrained member of Trump's cabinet left, now is not that time, because a whimsical management team would pull the rug from under their feet at any time," he said. "So I think things will remain static." Trump will probably look for a new defense chief "who will listen to him," Huang said. Trump has said he would appoint Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan as acting secretary on January 1 to replace Mattis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan's Bashir Makes First Comments on Ongoing Protests By VOA News December 24, 2018 Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has made his first public comments about ongoing anti-government protests, urging citizens to reject what he called "attempts to plant frustration." More demonstrations took place Monday in Jazeera state, south of Khartoum, where Bashir is scheduled to make a visit on Tuesday. The protests began nearly a week ago after the government tripled bread prices.According to the official Sudan News Agency, Bashir said Monday that the state "will continue to carry out economic reforms to ensure decent living of the citizens." Sudanese doctors alongside professionals from other sectors went on strike Monday in support of the protests. A committee of doctors said in a statement that it would submit a formal demand to the president to step down Tuesday "in response to the uprising by the Sudanese people," the French Press Agency reported. Police have clashed with protesters in several locations over the past six days. The reported death toll from the violence ranges from eight to 22. Government officials blame the protests on what they call infiltrators and saboteurs. A tweet sent out by the state-run news agency says the Sudanese military "stands behind its leadership" and will safeguard the country's security and safety and honor. Bashir seized power in a 1989 Islamist-led coup that ousted democratically-elected Sadeq al-Mahdi, who is now Sudan's opposition leader.In the past, he has shown little tolerance for dissent. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US military launches most powerful GPS satellite into orbit Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 11:09AM The US military has finally launched its most powerful Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite into space after delaying the operation several times. SpaceX, a private space firm, put the roughly $500 million US Air Force into orbit on board the Falcon 9 delivery vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday. Heather Wilson, secretary of the Air Force, said the "next-generation" GPS satellite was three times more accurate than all previous versions and eight times better at countering jamming and other electronic warfare tactics. The GPS III satellite, made by Lockheed Martin, has a lifespan of 15 years. It was originally scheduled to blast off in 2014 but the launch was delayed due to numerous production issues. After years of work, the satellite was supposed to soar last Tuesday but concerns about possible rocket malfunctions as well as bad weather postponed the flight. Nicknamed Vespucci after a 15th-century Italian explorer who calculated Earth's circumference to within 50 miles (80 kilometers), the satellite was the first of 32 that Lockheed will produce over the coming years. According to Lockheed spokesman Chip Eschenfelder, the contracts for the Air Force GPS III program are worth a combined $12.6 billion. SpaceX, a creation of American billionaire Elon Musk, won the $83 million Air Force contract to launch the satellite in 2016, a year after suing the US military for granting a multi-billion, non-compete contract to United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed. The GPS III project allows US military operators to monitor performance of the civilian signals. The US-made GPS is currently the world's most widely used satellite navigation system, followed by Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo. China has also launched several satellites to set up its own version of the advanced system, called Beidou. Beijing plans to expand Beidou globally with a network of 35 satellites. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Court Orders North Korea to Pay Family $500 Million Over Student's Death Sputnik News 22:29 24.12.2018(updated 23:11 24.12.2018) US District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell ruled on Monday that North Korea is liable for the hostage-taking, torture and death of 22-year-old Ohio man Otto Warmbier, who was arrested for theft in the country in 2016. "An American family, the Warmbiers, experienced North Korea's brutality first-hand when North Korea seized their son to use as a pawn in that totalitarian state's global shenanigans and face-off with the United States," court documents reportedly said. Otto Warmbier was arrested in North Korea in January 2016 while on a guided tour there. In February 2016, Warmbier confessed during a televised press conference to attempting to steal a poster from a restricted portion of a building. When he was returned to the United States in June the following year, he was unconscious, and later died. Warmbier's parents claimed that their son had been tortured, as did US President Donald Trump, but a coroner's report found no signs of torture. Otto's father, Fred Warmbier, claimed during his first interview after his son's death that "it looked like someone had taken a pair of pliers and rearranged his bottom teeth." "North Korea is liable for the torture, hostage taking, and extrajudicial killing of Otto Warmbier, and the injuries to his mother and father, Fred and Cindy Warmbier," Judge Howell wrote. "Otto was taken hostage, kept as a prisoner for political purposes, used as a pawn and singled out for exceptionally harsh and brutal treatment by [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un. Kim and his regime have portrayed themselves as innocent, while they intentionally destroyed our son's life. This lawsuit is another step in holding North Korea accountable for its barbaric treatment of Otto and our family," said Fred Warmbier in a statement after the lawsuit was initially filed. While Otto ultimately died after his parents had his feeding tube plugged, he had been unresponsive yet wakeful following an apparent head injury suffered while in detention in North Korea. The BBC, after speaking with Dr. Daniel Kanter, one of the physicians who looked after the young man while he was back in the US, reported that there were "no signs that Otto was beaten." North Korea did not send representatives to argue their case in the Washington, DC, courthouse throughout the duration of the case and it isn't clear whether the country has any intention to comply with the judge's order. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU should adopt practical support for JCPOA: Araqchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 24, IRNA -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that the stands adopted by Europe with regards to Iran and the JCPOA are not enough and they should adopt practical stands to this end. Araqchi made the remarks in a meeting with Romanian ambassador to Tehran Adrian Kozjacski. On the eve of resumption of Romanian rotating chairmanship at European Union, Araqchi welcomed Europe stands with regard to Iran and the JCPOA and underlined that these stands now suffice and they should adopt more practical approaches in this regard. Europe is committed to maintain the JCPOA and is also to explore avenues to guarantee and protect Iran's economic interests guaranteed by the JCPOA. Romania is to do its utmost to help broaden relations and cooperation between Iran and Europe during its chairmanship, he said. 1430**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran not to let US warships near borders IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 24, IRNA -- Tehran will not allow US warships to approach Iran territorial waters, said deputy commander of the Iranian Army for coordination on Monday. 'Out of territorial waters, any country can navigate according to the international rules; we do the same,' said Rear Admiral Habibullah Sayyari. Sayyari said, 'But we will not allow the US warships to get near to Iran's territorial waters.' 'They can take no measures against Iran; we are equipped and ready enough to counter such actions.' Saying that reverse engineering for making advanced weapons is not acceptable, he added, 'We should make weapons no country has.' He also said, 'If we use reverse engineering techniques, the country that made the weapon would always be 10 years ahead of Iran.' General Sayyari added that some of our neighboring countries have 'borrowed security'; they have sought help from countries that are promoting Iranophobia. These neighboring countries will finally be ripped off by those countries, said the General. 9417**1771 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's senior cleric Ayatollah Shahroudi passes away Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 07:00PM Head of Iran's Expediency Council, Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi, has passed away at the age of 70 after months of suffering acute ill health. The prominent religious and political figure succumbed to renal and intestinal malfunctions at Tehran's Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital on Monday. During his lifetime, Ayatollah Shahroudi served in many other crucial positions in the Islamic Republic. He was born in 1948 in the Iraqi city of Najaf, which has hosted many Muslim scholars. In Iraq, Ayatollah Shahroudi attended classes held by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. He fought against the dictatorial rule of Iraq's Saddam Hussein and was jailed and tortured by his forces. Ayatollah Shahroudi traveled to Iran after the victory of the Islamic Revolution to serve as an intermediary between Imam Khomeini and Iraqi scholars and leaders. He took the helm of the Expediency Council in 2017 to succeed late Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani. The Expediency Council is mainly responsible for arbitrating between the Iranian Parliament and the Guardian Council, which itself supervises the Parliament. Ayatollah Shahroudi also served as the head of Iran's Judiciary for 10 years. His attempts for speeding up due processes and establishing close contact with the ordinary people were among the achievements the late cleric was credited for. Ayatollah Shahroudi also was a member and vice president of Iran's Assembly of Experts, which elects and oversees the performance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He had been a member of the Guardian Council for years as well. Ayatollah Shahroudi published numerous books and articles in various fields, including Islamic Jurisprudence and law. As a religious scholar and teacher, he was well-known for his precise reasoning and robust approaches. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran will not stand by for Europe to fulfill JCPOA commitments: FM Zarif Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 06:55PM Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran will not stand by for Europeans to fulfill their commitments under a multilateral nuclear agreement signed between Iran and six major world powers in 2015, following the United States' move to pull out from the deal. "The Europeans are acting slowly in the fulfillment of their commitments under the nuclear agreement (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the JCPOA)," Zarif said in an interview with Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network on Monday, adding, "We will not wait around for them unless they adopt practical steps." The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that the Islamic Republic has many option to deal with the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and would consider them based on its national interests. US President Donald Trump withdrew his country in May from the landmark Iran nuclear deal and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Under the deal, reached between Iran and six major powers -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China -- Tehran agreed to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions. The US administration hoped to get the other parties to the deal with Iran to likewise scrap the deal, but instead, they stressed that not only would they stick to the agreement, but they would also work to sustain it in the face of increased US pressure. Iran and the 28-nation European Union have been discussing various ways to continue doing business with Iran and bypass US sanctions. On September 24, Iran and its five partners released a joint statement announcing the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to facilitate continued trade with Iran, bypass the US financial system, and avoid any impact of America's secondary sanctions. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in December 10 that the bloc will establish a mechanism to facilitate non-dollar transactions with Iran in the near future in an attempt to circumvent sanctions imposed by the United States against Tehran. "I will expect this instrument to be established in the coming weeks before the end of the year as a way to protect and promote legitimate business," Mogherini told reporters in Brussels. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel to dissolve Knesset, hold early vote as tensions soar Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 06:35PM The coalition of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a decision to dissolve Israel's parliament, the Knesset, calling for snap general elections as soon as April. The announcement was made on Monday, after Netanyahu's ruling Likud party failed to garner the necessary support to pass controversial legislation aimed at drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military. "The leaders of the coalition decided unanimously to dissolve parliament and go to a new election in early April," a spokesman for the Israeli premier wrote on Twitter. Netanyahu's ruling Likud party also said in a statement that "budgetary responsibilities" had pushed the leaders of the coalition parties to "dissolve the Knesset and go to new elections at the beginning of April after a four-year term." Local media said legislative elections would most likely take place on April 9, 2019. Netanyahu, who currently serves as Israel's minister for military affairs, foreign minister and health minister, will be running for his fifth term as prime minister in the upcoming vote. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu had called an emergency meeting of his coalition heads to debate the military conscription bill affecting exemptions from compulsory service for ultra-Orthodox Jewish students. Yair Lapid, head of the opposition Yesh Atid party and Netanyahu's main challenger, clearly announced that his faction would not back the contentious legislation, calling any compromise "a payoff to draft dodgers." Netanyahu's coalition has been teetering on the edge with a one-seat majority since the November 14 resignation of the Israeli minister for military affairs, Avigdor Liberman, who stepped down over the Tel Aviv's handling of ongoing tensions in the Gaza Strip. Tensions have also been running high near the fence separating the Gaza Strip from the occupied territories since March 30, the day when Gaza protesters started their "Great March of Return" protests. Palestinian protesters demand the right to return for those driven out of their homeland. The clashes in Gaza reached their peak on May 14, the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day, or the Day of Catastrophe, which coincided this year with Washington's relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds. More than 220 Palestinians have so far been killed and over 20,000 others wounded in the renewed Gaza clashes, according to the latest figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry. Gaza has been under Israel's siege since June 2007, causing a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented unemployment and poverty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli Parliament to Dissolve, Election to Take Place in April - PM's Spokesman Sputnik News 15:26 24.12.2018(updated 16:27 24.12.2018) The resignation of Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the withdrawal of his party from the governing coalition in mid-November left Netanyahu with just a one-seat majority in the Knesset. Israel will hold a general election on 9 April, a representative of Likud party told Sputnik, adding that the current Knesset convocation would be dissolved by that time. According to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the decision to diband the government was "unanimous". The announcement came after a meeting of members of the country's Likud-led ruling coalition. According to Haaretz, the coalition failed to agree on the new law on conscripting yeshiva students. Eearlier in the day, the Yesh Atid party refused to vote for the bill. Israeli Defence Minister Lieberman stepped down from his post on 14 November over Netanyahu's push for a ceasefire with Hamas militants, which wrapped up the latest uptick in violence across the Gaza border. Lieberman, who accused the PM of "surrendering to Hamas terror", also said that his Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home) Party, which at the time held five seats in the 120-seat Knesset, would leave the coalition. Liberman's resignation has not deprived Netanyahu of a majority in parliament, but reduced the ruling coalition to 61 seats leaving it with just a one-seat majority. Netanyahu's coalition now consists of his own Likud Party, and others, such as United Torah Judaism, Kulanu, and Shas. The prime minister has been involved in several corruption cases since the beginning of the year. Specifically, he and his wife are accused of promoting the interests of a major telecom company in exchange for favourable media coverage. Two other cases focus on Netanyahu's receipt of expensive gifts from businessmen estimated at $300,000, as well as his purported attempt to strike a deal with an Israeli publisher. According to reports, the deal would see the government impose restrictions on the firm's main competitor in exchange for favourable coverage of Tel Aviv's actions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey plans to enter Syrias areas east of the Euphrates River as soon as possible, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. "If Turkey says that it will enter Syria, it will be so. We will coordinate the troop withdrawal with the United States. We plan to enter areas east of the Euphrates River as soon as possible," the TRT TV channel cited the minister as saying According to Cavusoglu, Turkey "is working to make sure there is no vacuum after the United States pulls out of Syria, which terrorist groups will be eager to fill." Turkey's top diplomat said that Ankara and Washington have agreed to complete their agreement on the Syrian town of Manbij by the time the full U.S. withdrawal from Syria is completed, the Anadolu Agency reported. Under the Manbij roadmap, Turkey and the United States agreed to a complete withdrawal of the Kurdish YPG militia from the town. Israel to Hold Early Elections, Dissolve Knesset By VOA News December 24, 2018 Israel will hold early general elections in April and the Knesset will be dissolved, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party said Monday. Netanyahu's coalition has been plagued by internal divisions for months, including the recent resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in protest of what he perceived to be the government's weak response to rocket attacks from Hamas-ruled Gaza. The prime minister's Likud party also faces criticism from Ultra Orthodox Jews over a new bill which would extend the military draft to include them. Ultra Orthodox Jews have been exempted from the draft for years as they fear conscription could lead to immersion in secularism. General elections were initially scheduled to be held in November of 2019. Despite the disagreements, Netanyahu seems well placed to win another term as Israel's prime minister, which would make him the country's longest-serving leader. However, he faces potential criminal charges over corruption allegations, and police have recommended he be indicted on bribery allegations. The Justice Ministry announced Wednesday that deliberations continued as the country eagerly awaits a decision from the attorney general. Netanyahu has angrily dismissed the allegations against him, emulating his ally U.S. President Donald Trump in calling them a "witch hunt" against him. The dissolving of parliament and scheduling of early elections is far from rare in Israel. The last time a government served its full term was in 1988, according to the Associated Press. Since then, similar coalition crises have led to early elections. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No Party Can Be Excluded From Libyan Settlement - Moscow Sputnik News 14:25 24.12.2018(updated 14:28 24.12.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow believes that no eligible candidate can be deprived of the right to run in the Libyan presidential election, including Saif Islam Gaddafi, the son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Sputnik on Monday. "We support everyone. We assume that no one can be isolated and excluded from the constructive political process. Therefore, we maintain contacts with all groups in the west, east and south [of Libya]," Bogdanov said, answering the question on whether Gaddafi's son had asked Moscow for support and whether he would receive it. "Historically, this society is tribal, that is, the position of different tribes is of great importance, so I think that Dr Saif Islam and those who support him, some tribes in certain parts of the country, should be an integral part of the process together with other political parties that are located in Tobruk, Tripoli, Misrata," the official added. Libya has been torn apart by conflict after long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. There are two major forces in the country: the eastern part of the country is governed by the Tobruk-based parliament, backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA). The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, operates in the country's west and is headquartered in Tripoli. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Ex-PM Sharif Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal December 24, 2018 An anticorruption court in Pakistan has sentenced former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison on a charge of possessing assets beyond his known sources of income, the latest conviction in a series of graft allegations against him. The court in Islamabad announced its ruling on December 24 on two corruption charges against Sharif, acquitting him in a second case. Sharif has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges against him are politically motivated. He can appeal the verdict. Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July over the purchase of luxury apartments in London. Sharif appealed that sentence and was released on bail in September. After announcing the verdict on December 24, the judge ordered authorities to take Sharif to Adiala prison near Islamabad where he was imprisoned in July. Sharif was removed from office last year after being disqualified from serving his third stint as prime minister. Ahead of the verdict, Ahsan Iqbal, a senior leader from Sharif's opposition Pakistan Muslim League party (PMLN) said that "it will be unfortunate" if Sharif is sentenced. Pakistani media reported that security was tight around the Judicial Complex ahead of the verdict. Citing the city administration, Geo.tv reported that about 1,000 police officers have been deployed around the court and that all passageways leading to the compound were sealed. Shortly after Nawaz's arrival, PMLN supporters hurled stones, pelting police and trying to force their way into the court building. Police used tear gas to disperse Sharif supporters. The charges against Sharif stem from a corruption investigation spurred by the Panama Papers leak in 2016. In Sharif's latest conviction, the court said he could not prove the source of income for ownership of al-Azizia steel mill in Saudi Arabia. The court acquitted him in the second case, Flagship Investment in Britain, for lack of evidence. The conviction comes as the country's new Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to tackle endemic graft in Pakistan. Sharif was first expelled from office in 1993 on suspicion of corruption. He won an election in 1997, only to be ousted and exiled after a military coup in 1999. He returned to Pakistan in 2007 and took power once more in 2013 until his ousting last year. Sharif's party lost general elections in July while he was in jail. Imran Khan's Tehreek-i-Insaf party that campaigned on an anticorruption platform, won the elections. With reporting by AP, AFP, BBC, dawn.com, and geo.tv Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-ex- pm-sharif-sentenced-to-seven-years -in-prison/29673487.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 Ex Pakistani PM Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison by Accountability Court - Report Sputnik News 12:56 24.12.2018(updated 13:35 24.12.2018) Last year, Nawaz Sharif had to resign as prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office amidst a corruption case against him. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to seven years in jail after he was found guilty of corruption in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case, local media reported Monday. According to Geo News reports, the former top official who served as a prime minister for three terms failed to prove the source of his income that would have allowed him to own a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. The verdict comes after Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were convicted by the apex court after his family was found to be linked to offshore companies named in the Panama Papers. The two were convicted in July this year, shortly before the general elections in Pakistan. In July 2017, the Pakistani Supreme Court removed Sharif from office after the so-called Panama Papers were released in April 2016, revealing that Sharif's children owned offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands and expensive property in the UK capital of London, which prompted a corruption investigation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's Former PM Sentenced to 7 Years in Jail for Corruption By Ayaz Gul December 24, 2018 An anti-corruption court in Pakistan sentenced former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison for owning assets beyond his known sources of income. Sharif, 68, was present inside the courtroom in Islamabad and was arrested shortly after the judge announced the verdict on two corruption cases against him. The ruling noted that the three-time ex-prime minister failed to disclose the source of income for establishing a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. But the accountability court acquitted Sharif in the second case, citing a lack of "enough" evidence. He was additionally punished by a fine of about $25 million and disqualified from politics for 10 years. Sharif is accused of building foreign assets while in power. He again denied any wrongdoing before appearing in the court Monday. "I have done nothing that would force me to bow my head and have always served the country and this nation with absolute honesty," the former prime minister said. Scores of party workers and activists were also present outside the judicial complex in the Pakistani capital and they briefly clashed with police. Sharif's opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party denounced the judgement and vowed to challenge it in a higher court. Senior PML-N leader, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, told reporters outside the court that the verdict will not be acceptable to the people of Pakistan because "they have punished him in a false case." Sharif was serving his third stint as prime minister when the Supreme Court ousted him from office in July 2017 for not declaring in election nomination papers a salary he was receiving from a foreign-based company owned by his son. Separately, Sharif was sentenced to 11 years in prison last July by the same accountability court in connection with expensive apartments his family owned in London. He was released on bail in September pending an appeal after a court suspended his punishment. Sharif's daughter, political heir Maryam Nawaz, and son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar, were also convicted in the case and freed on bail. Sharif's two sons, residing in Britain, were declared absconders by the court for failing to appear in the trial. Details of Sharif and his family's foreign properties were contained in the so-called Panama Papers, financial documents made public in 2015 that show how the world's richest hide their money. In a series of tweets, Sharif's daughter Maryam, again in a veiled reference to the powerful military institution, said Monday her father is being punished for resisting "unseen forces." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Funeral Held for Reformist Saudi Prince Talal By VOA News December 23, 2018 Saudi Arabia's King Salman has led funeral prayers for his half-brother Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz who died Saturday at age 87. Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, a senior member of the ruling al-Saud family, was a vocal supporter of reforms in the kingdom. Prince Talal was the son of modern Saudi Arabia's first ruler, the late King Abdulaziz. He is also the father of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He held various senior government offices in the 1950s and '60s, including that of communications minister and the minister of finance. According to the Saudi newspaper Arab News, Prince Talal opened the first school for girls in Riyadh in 1957, at a time when girls had no access to formal education. Later in life he was also a strong advocate for women's right to work outside the home as well as drive. He lived in exile after leading a group of dissident princes who called for a constitutional monarchy and an end to strict religious influence in the ruling the country. The group, which became known as the Free Princes Movement, allied himself with then Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser who was an adversary of Riyadh. Prince Talal was allowed to return to Saudi Arabia in 1964 after he toned down his rhetoric. Prince Talal served until 2011 as a member of the Allegiance Council, the body responsible for overseeing the royal succession. He quit after questioning its efficacy when a senior prince was appointed to the line of succession without the council being fully consulted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ankara working to carry Khashoggi investigation to UN: Turkey's FM Cavusoglu Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 03:43PM Turkey says it is working with other countries to carry the investigation into the murder of Jamal Khashoggi to the United Nations, more than two months after the dissident Saudi journalist was gruesomely murdered inside the Arab kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made the comment during a joint press conference with his Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui in the Tunisian capital of Tunis on Monday, calling on Saudi Arabia to share its findings on the case with the international community. Earlier this month, the Turkish top diplomat also said that Ankara was in talks with the world body on the probe and that demands for an international probe "have started coming." Back in November, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held talks with Cavusoglu on the murder. However, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at the time told reporters that the world body had not yet received a formal request from Ankara regarding the investigation. In October, a few weeks after the killing, four prominent rights groups - Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders - urged the Turkish government to ask the UN to probe into the disappearance of the ill-fated journo. Khashoggi, 59, a one-time royal insider who had been critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently, was killed after entering the Saudi diplomatic mission on October 2. For several weeks, the Saudi government denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance, however, under growing pressure from the international community eventually acknowledged that he was killed and dismembered in a "premeditated murder." Ankara believes that a 15-person "hit squad" was sent from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul to commit the unprecedented crime. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already said that the order to slay Khashoggi had been issued from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government, suggesting that the crown prince had ordered such a gruesome murder. However, the Saudi regime has sought to distance the heir to the Saudi throne from the assassination despite emerging evidence alleging otherwise. A report by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said it had concluded that bin Salman had been behind the gruesome crime. A purported transcript of an audio recording of Khashoggi's killing shared with CNN showed that the dissident journalist's death had been the execution of a premeditated plan, unlike what Saudi officials initially claimed. The transcript described the last painful moments of Khashoggi's life, noting that his screams and gasps could be heard on the tape. It also identified the sounds of saw and cutting as the victim's body was dismembered. The murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, has strained Riyadh's relations with the West and battered bin Salman's image abroad. Riyadh claims that the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Saudi Arabia has been facing international condemnation over the brutal crime. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia gets armored vehicles despite Canada's pledge to halt deal Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 11:22AM Military manufacturer General Dynamic Land Systems Canada has been contracted to deliver 742 armored vehicles to the kingdom whose war on Yemen has recently come under increased scrutiny. Canada has been exporting arms to Saudi Arabia based on the 2014 contract won by the Canadian unit of US weapons maker General Dynamics Corp. On Sunday, a cargo ship loaded with armored vehicles left the port of Saint John for Saudi Arabia, a day after protesters gathered in the rain and fog to condemn the shipment, Canada's leading daily the Globe and Mail reported. The protesters held signs and passed out pamphlets detailing concerns about the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis, the paper said. The cargo was apparently delayed for a day after longshoremen refused to cross the protest line, forfeiting their day's wages, it added. The longshoremen, the paper said, could face repercussions from their employer for their decision not to cross the protest, even though the combat vehicles were eventually transported. The shipment came even though Trudeau said in October that Canada was ready to halt the arms deal with Saudi Arabia if it concluded the weapons had been misused. "We strongly demand and expect that Canadian exports are used in a way that fully respects human rights," Trudeau said in the parliament. "We have frozen export permits before when we had concerns about their potential misuse and we will not hesitate to do so again," he added. His remarks, however, drew a warning from General Dynamics Corp which warned Canada against stopping the sales. "Were Canada to unilaterally terminate the contract, Canada would incur billions of dollars of liability to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada," it said. David Perry, defense analyst at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, called the warning "unusual" at the time. He said General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada would normally keep a very low profile. "I can't imagine they are anything other than extremely worried," he said. Trudeau, himself, had previously acknowledged that there would be "huge penalties" if Ottawa turned its back on the deal. The Canadian premier, known for trying to portray himself as a human rights advocate, has been under pressure to scrap the deal inked by the previous government. Besides killing tens of thousands of people, the Saudi war has brought the impoverished country close to the edge of a nationwide famine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Plans to Raise Issue of Khashoggi Killing at UN - Foreign Minister Sputnik News 15:19 24.12.2018 ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkey is cooperating with other countries in order to raise the issue of murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the United Nations' session, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. "Turkey is continuing its comprehensive investigation into the murder. We continue to work together with other countries to add this issue to an agenda of the United Nations, " the foreign minister Cavusoglu told the Turkish broadcaster NTV on Monday. He also noted that Ankara hopes that Riyadh will share the results of its own investigation into the murder of the opposition journalist with the global community. Commenting on the course of the probe, the official said that Saudi Arabia still has not told Ankara where the journalist's body is. Cavusoglu further noted that 'those who killed and dismembered Khashoggi are in Saudi Arabia, as well as those who ordered to commit this crime. Therefore, those who can answer the questions of the prosecution are now in Saudi Arabia." Khashoggi went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. After weeks of denials, the Saudi authorities admitted that the US-based columnist had been killed and dismembered inside the diplomatic mission. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey-backed FSA militants prepare to replace American troops in Syria Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 06:45PM The Turkey-supported militants of the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) say they are preparing to deploy in eastern Syria alongside Turkey's army troops as soon as the announced pullout of the American forces in the region is completed, an FSA spokesman say. Youssef Hammoud, quoted by Associated Press on Monday, further said that their forces and weapons has been deploying on the front line with Manbij, a flashpoint Kurdish-administered town in northern Syria where American troops are stationed along with the Syrian Kurdish militants of the People's Protection Units (YPG). He went on to say that there was "no alternative" except Turkish forces and those of the FSA, a loose faction of anti-Damascus armed militants, adding that up to 15,000 "fighters" trained in Turkey are ready to take part in the operation. Hammoud also noted that the initial focus was on Manbij and areas just across the nearby Euphrates River. "We are ready to fight Daesh" Takfiri terrorist group, he added. Late last year, Washington infuriated Ankara by announcing a plan for the formation of a Kurdish militant force in Syria near the Turkish border. The plan prompted Turkey to launch a cross-border military operation on January 20 inside the Arab country, code-named Operation Olive Branch, with the declared aim of eliminating YPG from northern Syria, particularly the Afrin region. The US-backed YPG, which controls swathes of Syria's northern border region, forms the backbone of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an anti-Damascus alliance of predominantly Kurdish militants supported by Washington. Ankara views the YPG as a terrorist organization and the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been fighting for an autonomous region inside Turkey since 1984. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced his unexpected decision to pull all 2,000 American troops out of the war-ravaged Arab country, adding that the withdrawal would be slow and gradual, without providing a timetable. Ankara, which has long been exasperated by the US support of the YPG Kurdish militants in Syria, warmly welcomed Trump's abrupt decision and stressed that both Turkey and the US were coordinating to ensure there is no "authority vacuum" once the American troops withdraw. Additionally on Monday, Turkey's official Anadolu news agency quoted Abu Yazan, an FSA commanding officer, as saying that his Hamza Division had dispatched forces, heavy weapons and armored vehicles to the border line between "YPG/PKK-held areas" and other regions controlled by the Syrian army troops. "Our units headed out to contact regions occupied by YPG/PKK terrorists," he said, adding that his forces would take up important tasks during a highly-anticipated Turkish military operation in the northern city of Manbij, which lies in mainly Arab territory west of the Euphrates, back to the eastern bank of the river. "We will liberate Manbij by sweeping away terrorists from the area," he said, warning civilians to stay away from "YPG/PKK-occupied" areas. Meanwhile, Associated Press quoted Ilham Ahmed, a senior Syrian Kurdish official, as saying her group was reaching out for help to back the Kurdish-administered areas against a possible Turkish offensive once the US troops leave. She also urged Trump to reverse his decision. "We will deal with whoever can protect the good and stability of this country," she further said, adding that her group was discussing with the Russians, Damascus and some European countries ways to deal with the US withdrawal, without giving more details. Separately, the AP quoted the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council, Sharfan Darwish, as saying on Monday that his forces "have taken measures to fend off any attack." The Syrian government has given a degree of authority to the Kurdish regions to run their own affairs. Washington, however, used the power vacuum to establish a foothold in those regions with the help of militants. However, Ankara is strongly against recognizing the territory on its border, fearing it will stoke the separatist ambitions of Kurds in Turkey. A US-led military coalition has been conducting airstrikes against what are said to be Daesh targets inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from the Damascus or a United Nations mandate. The military alliance has repeatedly been accused of targeting and killing civilians. It has also been largely incapable of achieving its declared goal of destroying Daesh. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Activists from the Communist Party of Armenia (CPA) held a rally outside the Russian embassy in Yerevan in support of maintaining the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri. The CPA issued a statement strongly criticizing the dissemination of anti-Russian sentiments among the Armenian society. "Strong and ungrounded accusations are made, addressed to the Number One strategic ally of Armenia. The Communist Party of Armenia calls on Armenian society not to give in to the provocations of political adventurers," News.am cited the statement as saying. Members of the Progressive United Communist Party of Armenia also joined the rally. US continues to violate UN resolutions on Syria, says Russian FM Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 03:28PM Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has denounced as "illegitimate" the military presence of American troops in Syria, stressing that the US continues to violate the main resolutions of the UN Security Council on the war-torn Arab country despite a troop withdrawal announcement. Lavrov made the remark in an interview with Russia's Sputnik news agency on Monday as he was commenting on a recent announcement by US President Donald Trump on the future of American armed forces in Syria. "The solution to the illegitimate and armed presence of the US in Syria might be difficult," Russian foreign minister said. "Washington continually puts new conditions that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria despite of [the fact] that these principles are mentioned by the main resolutions of the Security Council," Lavrov said, adding, "Let's see what the result of leaving Syria, which was announced by US President Donald Trump will be." Last week, Trump declared victory against Daesh in Syria and announced to pull out American troops from the country, saying that US troops cannot stay in Syria "forever." The decision sparked bipartisan backlash in Washington, with US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announcing that he would step down at the end of February. Trump's announcement also raised concerns among Washington's European and regional allies, which have long been supporting a myriad of anti-Damascus militants. Analysts have described US forces' withdrawal from Syria as a victory for Damascus and its allies, which was made possible through resistance of the Syrian nation and government during the foreign-sponsored militancy in the Arab country. France, a leading member of the US-led coalition, purportedly fighting Daesh in Syria, has said that it will keep troops in Syria. Turkey, which has opposed American support for the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), viewed by Ankara as an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has also stressed that it will take over the fight against Daesh in the Arab country. The US and its allies have been bombarding what they call Daesh positions inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from the Damascus government or a UN mandate. The strikes have on many occasions resulted in civilian casualties and failed to fulfill their declared aim of countering terrorism. Syria has on several occasions written to the UN, complaining that the US was flagrantly violating its sovereignty. The US supports militants fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad and has repeatedly attacked Syrian army positions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu: Israel Able To Contain Iran In Syria After U.S. Pullout By RFE/RL December 24, 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull all American troops out of Syria will not stop Israel's efforts to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent presence in Syria. "The decision to withdraw 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria will not change our consistent policy," Netanyahu said on December 23. "We will continue to act against Iran's attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria, and to the extent necessary, we will even expand our actions there," he added. Trump faced widespread criticism with his surprise announcement on December 19 that he was pulling all U.S. troops out of Syria, where they have been since 2015, supporting an alliance of Syrian Arab and Kurdish fighters battling against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. Many critics see a U.S. pullout as a betrayal of the Kurdish forces and say a withdrawal will hand Iran and Russia victories in Syria. Syria has been engulfed in a bloody civil war since 2011, with Russia and Iran backing President Bashar al-Assad, while the United States and Turkey have supported differing rebel groups. After Trump revealed his plans, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced his resignation in protest to aspects of the president's policies. The top U.S. envoy to the global coalition to counter Islamic State, Brett McGurk, also announced his resignation. Netanyahu said cooperation with the United States would remain in place, even with a U.S. pullout. "Our cooperation with the U.S. will continue in full and finds expression in many areas: Operations, intelligence, and many other security spheres," he said. Israeli media quoted the country's army chief of general staff, Gadi Eisenkot, as cautioning against overstating the effects of a U.S. withdrawal, saying the Israeli army has been operating on its own along the border region with neighboring Syria for decades. According to a report by Israeli Channel 10 TV, Netanyahu told ministers from his Likud Party that he will discuss the U.S. plans with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when the two visit Brazil next week for the inauguration of President-elect Jair Bolsonoro. The Pentagon late on December 23 said the order has been signed for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. With reporting by AP, dpa, and The Times of Israel Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-netanyahu-syria- iran-us-pullout-trump/29673028.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 Saudi Arabia Agrees to Finance Rebuilding of Syria - Trump Sputnik News 21:04 24.12.2018 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said in a statement on Monday that Saudi Arabia has agreed to pay for the reconstruction of Syria rather than the United States financing the reconstruction of that country. "Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States," Trump said via Twitter. Trump has welcomed Riyadh's decision, adding that it is "nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the US, that is 5000 miles away." The US president's comment comes after, on Wednesday, he announced that the United States would withdraw its roughly 2,000 troops from Syria since the Daesh* terror group had been defeated. However, the White House later clarified the decision does not mean the US-led international coalition's fight against the Daesh has ended. Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the US Congress who have supported US military engagement and intervention throughout the world have criticized Trump's decision, saying that a US troop withdrawal from Syria will lead to the reemergence of the Daesh and aid Russia, Turkey and Iran fulfilling their interests in the region. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu Unsuccessfully Tried to Split Up Syria - Turkish PM Sputnik News 18:10 24.12.2018(updated 23:29 24.12.2018) The Turkish PM's statement comes amid the ongoing war of words between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Sunday, the Israeli prime minister called the Turkish president an "anti-Semitic dictator" who is "obsessed with Israel." Erdogan responded by describing Netanyahu as "the head of state terror." Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to partition Syria by using Kurdish forces in northern and eastern parts of the country. "Netanyahu is worried because he discovered too late that he can't divide Syria", Cavusoglu said, claiming that Netanyahu planned to achieve this goal "with the help of the terrorists" from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), a Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), blacklisted by Ankara as a terrorist organisation. "As you can see, Israel began to slander our president," Cavusoglu added. He slammed the Israeli PM for "having sympathy towards [the] YPG", also arguing that "Netanyahu and the PKK have something else in common they are both baby killers." Cavusoglu's remarks follow Erdogan and Netanyahu trading accusations in their latest war of words. In a tweet on Sunday, Netanyahu responded to Erdogan questioning the morality of "Jews in Israel" by branding the Turkish president an "anti-Semitic dictator" who is "obsessed with Israel." Earlier, Erdogan claimed that Jews "kick" Palestinian women and children when "they fall in the ground". Netanyahu was quick to retaliate by describing the Turkish president as "the occupier of northern Cyprus, whose army massacres women and children in Kurdish villages." The remarks followed Turkey and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) opposition forces launching Operation Olive Branch in the Syrian northern district of Afrin in January, with the objective of "clearing" the Turkey-Syria border from hostile Kurdish forces. Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 when a longstanding ceasefire with PKK collapsed over a series of terror attacks allegedly committed by members of the group. Since April-May 2018, relations between Israel and Turkey hit a new low after they expelled each other's envoys following Erdogan and Netanyahu clashing over protests in the Gaza Strip and the US Embassy's relocation to Jerusalem. Erdogan called Israel's actions in the border region a "genocide" and summoned the Turkish ambassadors to the US and Israel for consultations. In addition, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expelled Israeli Ambassador Eitan Naeh. In retaliation, Israel asked the Turkish consul general in Jerusalem, Husnu Gurcan Turkoglu, who was tasked with establishing Ankara's ties with the Palestinians, to leave the country "for a while." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Seeking to 'Build a Force of 100,000 Ground Troops' in Syria - IDF Chief Sputnik News 11:31 24.12.2018 Late last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the Jewish state's commitment to counter Iran in Syria despite Washington's recent announcement to withdraw US troops from the Arab country. In the past four years, the Israeli army has mainly focused on preventing Iran's "entrenchment in Syria", according to outgoing Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief Gadi Eisenkot. He is due to wrap up his four-year tenure next month. Eisenkot claimed that Tehran's alleged plan on its permanent military presence in Syria had been endorsed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. "The Iranian vision for Syria for the day after [the war] was to build a force of 100,000 ground troops. There are already 20,000 fighters from Hezbollah, Shiite militias from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and thousands of advisers from Iran", Eisenkot said. He argued that Iran wants to create a "combined ground, aerial, naval and intelligence capability" in order to build up a "line of military positions along the Golan [border]". He called the IDF's efforts to contain Iran's alleged military presence in Syria "the large base of the iceberg, which was hidden from the Israeli public's eye". "We devoted significant resources, intelligence, aerial resources, and other mostly covert operations that average Israelis, even those living in the Golan, were unaware of over the years", Eisenkot pointed out. He touted the IDF's "independent" fight to destroy what he described as "arms factories in Syria" that he said "combine Syrian infrastructure, Iranian money, and Hezbollah capabilities". Eisenkot's remarks come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed late last week that Washington's decision to withdraw the 2,000 US troops from Syria will not stop the Jewish state from continuing "to act against Iran's attempt to establish military bases in Syria". Netanyahu was echoed by Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who assured that the country will "do everything to prevent Iran from gaining foothold in Syria". Israel has been conducting airstrikes on Syrian territory, in what the Jewish state claims is aimed at destroying Iranian military objects and convoys with weaponry. Tel Aviv insists that Tehran is transferring armaments to the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, which the latter uses against Israel, through the Arab Republic. Iran, in turn, denies any military presence in Syria apart from military advisors, which were requested by Damascus. Both Tehran and the Syrian government have repeatedly slammed Israeli air raids. The US announced the pull-out of its forces from Syria on December 19. President Donald Trump said that since obliterating Daesh* was the key goal of the US military in Syria, the troops should now return home following the alleged defeat of the terrorists. *Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State), a terrorist group banned in Russia Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan Pledged to Eradicate 'Whatever Left' of Daesh in Syria, Trump Says Sputnik News 09:45 24.12.2018(updated 09:50 24.12.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On Wednesday, Trump declared Daesh defeat in Syria and subsequent withdrawal of US troops from the Arab country, where they had been staying solely to counter the Daesh. On Saturday, he added that "local countries, including Turkey" should be able to "easily take care of whatever remains." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to wipe out the remaining forces of the Daesh* from Syria, US President Donald Trump said on Monday. Late on Sunday, Trump said that he had held a "long and productive" phone conversation with Erdogan, during which they discussed their "mutual involvement" in Syria and the planned withdrawal of the US troops from Syria. According to Erdogan, the two officials pledged to "expand coordination" on Syria. The United States and a number of its allies launched their campaign against Daesh in Syria in 2014, in what was approved neither by the UN nor Damascus. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regional Players Prepare for Imminent US Pullout from Syria By Jeff Seldin December 24, 2018 Major players in and around Syria have started positioning their forces as discussions get under way on how to proceed once U.S. forces vacate the country and their fight against the last remnants of the Islamic State terror group's self-proclaimed caliphate. The pace of troop movements, along with diplomatic outreach, intensified Monday, the same day the Pentagon confirmed outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ordered U.S. troops to start leaving Syria, without elaborating. "The execute order for Syria has been signed," a U.S. defense official confirmed to VOA, adding, "I am not going to provide more operational details at this time." Turkey U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday about a telephone conversation he had with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's spokesman said Monday Turkish defense officials would meet with their U.S. counterparts later this week. "They will discuss how to coordinate (the withdrawal)," spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said following a Cabinet meeting Monday in Ankara, promising there would be no slowdown in the fight against IS. "Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," he added. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field." Kalin also said Turkey planned to work closely with Russia on the future of Syria, sentiments echoed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "We are cooperating with Turkey and Iran," Lavrov told a Russian news agency, according to a transcript posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website. "We will see what President Donald Trump's declared decision to pull out of Syria comes to," he added. Trump's surprise announcement last week that U.S. forces would be leaving Syria also has Washington's main partner on the ground in Syria, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, looking to make a deal with Russia, Syria or even Iran. "If Trump doesn't change his mind and serious threats continue against Kurdish people, then we will have no choice but to work with others. It would be a bitter choice, but certainly better than a Turkish invasion," an official with the People's Protection Units (YPG), the main Kurdish group in Syria, told VOA last week on condition of anonymity. U.S.-backed forces have also raised concerns about what to do with hundreds of captured IS foreign fighters. SDF officials have said they may have no choice but to release more than 1,000 prisoners and their families unless they are somehow able to work out a deal with the Syrian government. Russian-backed Syrian government Already, SDF officials have met with Russian representatives in Moscow. A source close to SDF leadership told VOA the expectations are that Russian-backed Syrian forces will move into some of the areas the SDF vacates once the U.S. leaves. If that plays out, though, it could set up a conflict with Turkey, which despite U.S. support for the YPG in Syria, considers the YPG a terrorist group with strong ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. The PKK has been fighting a long insurgency for more Kurdish autonomy in Turkey. During a speech Friday, Erdogan promised to hold off on a planned military operation aimed at destroying elements of the YPG in Syria, although he added the campaign would still get under way in the coming months. In the meantime, Turkey has been working to strengthen its military position both along the Syrian border and by proxy forces already inside the country. "Yesterday units from the Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions [in preparation] for the battle," Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the Turkish-backed National Army, told Reuters. Manbij, a town in northern Syria, has been a flashpoint between Turkish forces and Kurdish militias. U.S. and Turkish forces had been conducting joint patrols around Manbij, and the U.S. set up a series of observation posts in the areas last month to help ease tensions. Forces on the move Reports from the region indicate other forces are also on the move as they, too, prepare for the U.S. troop withdrawal. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday that "military reinforcements of the [Syrian] regime forces and their allies have reached al-Mayadin and al-Bokamal areas on the western bank of Euphrates River, in the eastern sector of Deir el-Zour countryside." The reinforcements, which also brought additional armored vehicles and ammunition, are joining with Iranian militias already in the area. Mayadin and Boukamal are to the north and south respectively, of the town of Hajin, which has seen fierce fighting and an increase in U.S. and coalition airstrikes in recent weeks as U.S.-backed forces battle about 2,000 IS fighters who are clinging to the last sliver of the terror group's caliphate. "We are transitioning primary responsibility for the defeat of the few remaining ISIS remnants in Syria to our allies and partners on the ground inside Syria," a U.S. administration official told VOA Friday, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. President Trump late Sunday signaled it will be Turkey, and not the Kurdish and Arab SDF fighters, that will finish the job against IS. On Monday, Trump further defended his decision to declare victory over the IS caliphate and pull U.S. troops from Syria, tweeting criticism of both outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and former Special Envoy Brett McGurk. Mattis delivered his resignation letter to Trump at the White House last week, citing differences with the president over the importance of alliances. Senior defense officials have said Trump's decision to abandon U.S. allies on the ground in Syria was more than Mattis could accept. "We cannot protect our interests...without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies," Mattis wrote in his letter. VOA Watch Desk's Sirwan Kajjo contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China wants to wipe out Republic of China with '1992 consensus': MAC ROC Central News Agency 2018/12/24 23:34:21 Taipei, Dec. 24 (CNA) The "1992 consensus" China wants Taiwan to adhere to does not acknowledge that the two sides can interpret the meaning of "one China" based on their own definition but is meant to wipe out the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) warned Monday in a statement. The MAC issued the statement following recent media reporting polls showing more acceptance among Taiwanese of the "1992 consensus" and partly attributing that to popular Kaohsiung Mayor-elect Han Kuo-yu () winning over voters by publicly stating his support for the consensus. A Chinese-language China Times report Monday said it found in a poll Want Want China Times Media Group conducted recently that over 60 percent of people in Taiwan agreed to developing relations with China under the "1992 consensus." The MAC questioned the validity of the results because of problems with the way the poll was designed. Because of the flaws, it said, 30 percent to 50 percent of respondents misunderstood the "1992 consensus" as acknowledging different countries on each side of the Taiwan Strait. It therefore showed that the people of Taiwan have differences in their "understandings" of the consensus, the MAC said. The so-called "one China Principle" maintained by China does not allow the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) in the "1992 consensus," and it is meant to degrade Taiwan, the MAC said. The MAC urged the public to take into account the security interests of the country as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using the consensus to deny the sovereignty of the Republic of China. According to the Kuomintang, which came up with the term to describe the results of a semi-official meeting in 1992 between Taiwan and China, the consensus refers to a tacit understanding that both sides agree they belong to one China but are free to interpret what that means. Under that interpretation, Beijing could see it as the People's Republic of China while Taipei could see it as the Republic of China. The MAC said the government cannot accept that the CCP has distorted the historical facts of the 1992 cross-strait talks into a "1992 consensus" and imposed it on Taiwan, saying it does not allow each side to interpret the meaning of "one China" as it wishes and does not acknowledge the existence of the Republic of China. Cross-strait affairs that involve legal matters should be handled by the central government and parties it authorizes in accordance with the law, in order to truly protect the dignity of the country and the well-being of the people, the MAC said. (By Miao Zhong-han and William Yen) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey: US missile deal not to impact S-400 purchase from Russia Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 07:08PM Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin says his country's possible purchase of Patriot missile systems from the United States will not affect a deal with Russia to buy S-400 missile systems. "We are not closing the door to the Patriot; it all depends on the price, the possibility of technology transfer, joint production and other four or five important points We have received the best offers from Russia. If the United States provides us with good conditions, we will also evaluate them," Kalin said at a news conference in the Turkish capital Ankara on Monday. The spokesman also underlined that the purchase of US missiles worth $3.5 billion was not an alternative to Russia' S-400 systems. "The deliveries of the [Russian-made] S-400 systems will not be affected, and they will begin in 2019. This is not an alternative, but two parallel processes," the spokesman stressed. The Kremlin announced last week that there was no link between Turkey's possible purchase of US Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and that of the advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile system, saying Moscow was in the process of fulfilling the terms of the deal with Ankara. Moscow and Ankara finalized an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 missile systems in December 2017. The deal has drawn concerns among some of Turkey's NATO allies, who claim the missile batteries are not compatible with those of the military alliance and that the purchase could jeopardize Ankara's acquisition of F-35 fighter jets. The S-400, whose full name is the Triumf Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS), is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India. Turkey is striving to boost its air defense, particularly after Washington decided in 2015 to withdraw its Patriot surface-to-air missile system from Turkey's border with Syria, a move that weakened Turkey's air defense. Before gravitating towards Russia, the Turkish military reportedly walked out of a $3.4 billion contract for a similar Chinese system. The withdrawal took place under purported pressure from Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Possible Purchase of US Patriots Not Alternative to S-400 - Erdogan's Spokesman Sputnik News 20:00 24.12.2018(updated 20:10 24.12.2018) ANKARA (Sputnik) - The possible purchase of Patriot air defence systems from the United States will not affect Turkey-Russia agreement of the purchase of S-400 missiles, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Monday. "We are not closing the door to the Patriot, it all depends on the price, the possibility of technology transfer, joint production and other four or five important points We have received the best offers from Russia. If the United States provides us with good conditions, we will also evaluate them," Kalin said at a briefing in Ankara. The spokesman underlined that the possible Patriot purchase was not an alternative to S-400. "The deliveries of the [Russian-made] S-400 systems will not be affected, and they will begin in 2019. This is not an alternative, but two parallel processes," the spokesman stressed. The statement followed last week's announcement by the Pentagon, saying that the US State Department had approved a possible $3.5 billion sale of Patriot systems to NATO-ally Turkey. The Patriot sale comes in line with Washington's attempts to thwart the Russian S-400 air defence systems' sale to Turkey ever since the contract was signed on December 20. Previously, the US was threatening to halt F-35 jet shipments to Ankara. Transporters-launchers for S-400 Triumf missile systems at the final rehearsal of the military parade on St. Petersburg's Palace Square, which is timed to the 73rd anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War Recently, Bloomberg reported, citing two sources familiar with the negotiations between Ankara and Washington, that Turkey had suggested that US technical experts study the S-400 missile defence systems that it purchased from Russia in order to "control damage" in relations with Washington stemming from its decision to pursue the contract with Moscow. Reacting to this report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian-Turkish contract envisages Ankara's non-disclosure of certain data. S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler) is Russia's most advanced surface-to-air missile system. It has a range of 400 kilometres (248 miles) and is capable of tracking and destroying all existing aerial targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles. Turkey to Coordinate With Russia Its Actions East of Euphrates The Turkish presidential spokesman has also spoken about the country's action in Syria. "We will also work closely with Russia on the issue of coordination of actions east of the Euphrates, in addition to our usual coordination," Kalin said at a briefing in Ankara. According to Kalin, this week a military delegation from the United States will arrive in Turkey, and the coordination in Syria will also be discussed with them. Earlier Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara was ready to launch an operation in Syrian Manbij against the Kurdish formations. He later said that he had decided to postpone the start of the military operation in Syria after a telephone conversation with Trump on December 14, at the end of which Trump decided to withdraw US troops from Syria. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he planned to pay a visit to Russia to discuss the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. "I will travel to Russia to evaluate the process of US forces withdrawal from Syria," the Haberturk newspaper cited the minister as saying. According to the top diplomat, Turkey and the United States have agreed to complete the implementation of the roadmap on Syrias Manbij before the US pullout of Syria. Cavusoglu stressed that, if France wanted to retain military presence in Syria to protect terrorists from the Self-Defense Forces, that would benefit neither France nor these Self-Defense Forces, TASS reported. On December 19, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Washingtons decision to begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. He noted that the United States had succeeded in its mission to defeat the ISIS terror group and that it was time to bring U.S. troops home. No Deal Will Reduce 40 Security Programmes & UK Soft Power - Defence Minister Sputnik News 15:38 24.12.2018(updated 16:14 24.12.2018) An MP in the UK Ministry of Defence has spoken out against a no-deal Brexit and warned severing ties with the European Union without an agreement in place would have implications for national security. Tobias Ellwood, one of the defence ministers, has become the latest official to publicly express opposition to a no-deal Brexit. "Leaving without a deal would mean access to around 40 international security programmes would be significantly reduced. Exchanges of critical intelligence data would halt until new arrangements are in place. We would immediately reduce our ability to tackle threats from terrorism to cybercrime, modern slavery to fraud," Mr. Ellwood said in a Times interview. Arguing that Britain's reputation would suffer, he recalled the UK PM's Florence speech, in which Theresa May said failure to reach a deal with the EU "would be a failure in the eyes of history and a damaging blow to the future of our continent." Referring to Britain's soft power a concept championed by the staunch Brexiteer Boris Johnson the defence official argued it would be damage as a consequence of a clean EU exit. "A no-deal would damage our soft power at the very time threats to the world order on multiple fronts require strong nations to defend the international rule book. To deliberately pursue no deal over the government's deal would be an act of folly. No deal is simply not an option," Mr. Ellwood argued. British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, walks ahead of European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier prior to a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 Next month, the PM will appeal to the members of the parliament in hopes of enlisting their support for her Brexit withdrawal agreement. If Mrs. May succeeds and secures parliamentary approval for her deal, it would prevent a disorderly exit from the European Union in March 2019. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (C) chairs a meeting of her Cabinet at Sage Gateshead, in Gateshead, north-east England on July 23, 2018. Should the PM fail to get the MPs' backing, it may lead to a second referendum or a no-deal Brexit all together. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK reaffirms support for Ukraine in face of Russia 'aggression' Iran Press TV Mon Dec 24, 2018 09:00AM The UK has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine in the face of "Russian aggression," as Moscow and Kiev continue to trade barbs over political and territorial disputes. "The UK is a steadfast partner to Ukraine as it faces continued illegal acts of aggression against its sovereignty," British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson said after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart, Stepan Poltorak, on a visit to Odessa on Friday. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated earlier this year after Ukraine seized two Russian ships for port calls on Crimea, which rejoined Russia in a 2014 referendum. The move prompted Russia to increase patrols in the Sea of Azov to guarantee free navigation for its ships. The issue took a turn for worse last month, when Russia seized three Ukrainian navy ships off the coast of Crimea. The Sea of Azov is a strategic ocean route linked to the Black Sea by the narrow Strait of Kerch, where Russia has built a bridge to link the Crimean Peninsula with the mainland. During his stay in Odessa, Williamson also paid a visit to the HMS Echo, a British Royal Navy warship that arrived in Odessa two days earlier and was slated to enter the Black Sea in the coming days. The British defense secretary said the ship's deployment, which was accelerated following the recent tensions, sends a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "What we are saying to Russia, what we are saying to President Putin - they cannot continue to act with no regard or care for international laws or international norms," he said. "HMS Echo's deployment is a further demonstration of our resolute support and commitment to cooperate with the Ukrainian military," he added. Williamson and Poltorak also discussed the UK's military ongoing training mission to Ukraine. Called Operation Orbital, the mission began in 2015 with the declared goal of improving medical, logistics, ground sign awareness and general infantry skills of Ukraine military forces. Williamson said during his last Ukraine visit in September that the operation would be extended until 2020. This is the latest in a series of open accusations of "aggression" the UK has leveled against Russia. Last week, Putin dismissed constant attacks by British officials as parts of a broad campaign of Russophobia, saying London was always thinking of plots to undermine Moscow's growing clout at the international stage. The Russian head of state said ties with the UK has hit a "deadlock" but Moscow was still interested in restoring full relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Repeats Claim That Ukraine Is Preparing A 'Provocation' December 24, 2018 Russia's Foreign Ministry has said "it is quite possible" that Ukraine "might switch to full-scale combat actions within the next few days." Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the statements in Moscow on December 24, repeating claims by Russian officials predicting a "provocation" by Kyiv in the near future. The unsubstantiated claims come at a time of high tensions between the two countries since Russia seized three Ukrainian Navy ships and their crews near the Kerch Strait on November 25. The United States and the European Union have denounced that action and called on Russia to release the vessels and seamen immediately. "Apart from a ground operation, Kyiv is also mulling other option to increase tensions in the region and extend martial law," Zakharova said. "We are really concerned about increasingly more frequent reports by 'experts' in Ukrainian media outlets on the possible use of chemical-warfare agents by [Russia-backed militants in eastern Ukraine]." "This circumstance gives grounds to presume that the strategists in Kyiv have thoroughly analyzed the record of their foreign supervisors in staging provocations involving the use of weapons of mass destruction and are ready to put them into practice." On December 1, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Russia was amassing ground forces and weaponry along the border between the two countries. Speaking at a military event in Kyiv on December 1, Poroshenko said Russia has deployed "more than 80,000 troops, 1,400 artillery and multiple-rocket-launch systems, 900 tanks, 2,300 armored combat vehicles, 500 airplanes, and 300 helicopters" near the border. On December 22, Russia moved more than a dozen advanced fighter jets to the annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea. Ukrainian government forces have been fighting against Russia-backed separatists in the eastern Ukraine since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and forcibly annexed it. Some 10,300 people have been killed in the fighting since early 2014. Although Moscow denies interfering in Ukraine's domestic affairs, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2016 ruled that the fighting in eastern Ukraine is "an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation." With reporting by TASS, Reuters, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-repeats -claim-that-ukraine-is-preparing-a- provocation-/29674117.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 The global oil market is struck with panic today, despite the fact that the key exchanges - NYMEX in New York and ICE in London - are not working today. As of 10:00 Moscow time, Brent crude futures were trading at $50.6 per barrel on the Moscow stock exchange, but at 10:40am the oil price declined to $44.95 per barrel. As of now, the oil price bounced to $47.8 per barrel. A leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund, a lecturer at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Igor Yushkov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that "all economies are interested in preventing a further decline. At the same time, the collapse still cannot excluded, as soon as the largest stock exchanges start their work again: everyone wants to come out with money. That is, what we see now on the MICEX is the problem of the common and economic situations," he explained. "If in November the Brent oil price declined by $26 per barrel on the growth of production volumes, the development of shale projects and the accumulation of commercial reserves in the U.S., then now stock exchange indices are at fault, because oil prices are lowering after the indices. Todays drop is not connected with the OPEC + deal. in fact, the U.S. Fed, which raises the rates. have an impact on the situation. When no one takes loans, no one spends money - there are no money left on the stock exchange, there is nothing to trade, demand drops. As a result, all the prices drop," Igor Yushkov noted. "Now Brent oil price can drop to even $40 per barrel. Those with investments in futures are seeking to sell them, and oil from these sales will become even cheaper. We can only wait for the New Year, when OPEC + deal enters in force. The sanctions against Iran will come into force in March, Iranian oil will leave the market, so I think traders are waiting for this time to buy futures," the leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund concluded. The European Union member states deported 411 Georgian citizens between August and November of 2018, the Georgian Interior Ministry reported. A total of 152 people were deported from Germany, 74 people - from Austria and 70 people - from France. In the same period of 2018, 603 Georgian citizens have been refused entry into the EU Schengen Zone. A total of 158 people were refused entry to Italy, 69 people- to Germany and 69 people - to Cyprus, Agenda.ge reported. More than 335,000 Georgian citizens have carried out up to 550,000 visits to the Schengen Zone since March 2017, when the Georgia-EU visa free deal entered into force GREENWICH Fred McNulty is a man with a camera, on a mission to tell stories. But not in the usual way. A generation ago, a young person three years out of college with an energetic disposition, a sense of curiosity about the world and good writing skills might have been angling for a spot on the features desk of a big-city daily newspaper or a local television station, or more ambitiously, a magazine job. But McNulty is part of the YouTube generation, and those traditional slots in legacy media are not as plentiful as they used to be. So the young videographer has been following his own digital muse, combining technological savvy and plenty of old-fashioned shoe leather to carve out a new form of online journalism that bypasses traditional media, an increasingly common path. The do-it-yourself journalist, outfitted with an iPhone and a $25 microphone, has been roaming all over the state of Connecticut in recent months, looking for interesting stories to capture and upload to the social-media platform that draws millions of viewers every day. He has produced videos posted to YouTube on young peoples growing infatuation with horoscopes and New Age spiritualism. He profiled a coffee shop that allows patrons to bring their cats to mingle over espresso, Mew Haven, in the Elm City. Hes talked to an immigrant facing deportation in Meriden and interviewed a Hartford school teacher who helps the homeless through music. He has been working on recent piece about the states unusual borders, which took him to Greenwich recently to record some footage along the Byram River. McNulty senses hes part of new generation of innovators taking digital tools to new levels, sort of like being a part of the early days of television news. This is a unique time now, and I want to be part of a bigger media enterprise, he said. Im able to do stories that arent getting covered. And I dont have to answer to a boss or a company. Its not the model for every journalist, but theres a market for it, and I think I do good work. McNulty, who lives in the Old Saybrook area, has set up a Patreon account, allowing subscribers to pay to support the work. Hes looking for sponsors and hopes to eventually sell advertising on his YouTube videos. He has no illusions about the difficulties that one-man operations face in todays media landscape, and hes living at home. Its a difficult marketplace, and rising above that is difficult, he says. McNulty has been studying the Korean language in South Korea, and when he returned to Connecticut this year, an idea was born. Im going to take some time off and see if I can make something work with online journalism, McNulty said on his stop-over in Greenwich. He hosted a radio show when he was at Connecticut College, and the mix of personalities, conflicting viewpoints and lively talk gave him an enduring interest in the spoken arts. McNulty does all the research, interviews, shooting and editing himself. Hes guided, he says, by his own curiosity, digging in to a smorgasbord of interesting stuff. He focuses on local issues, or national issues that have a local focus, he said. Though hes content to work as a one-man operator for now, his work could also be used as a solid portfolio should he decide to enter a more conventional career path. There are more than a few one-man operators like McNulty working in the new-media landscape. It can be hard to discern where the growing media trend is headed and how it might make money, said one longtime media observer. If he wants it to be a business, I wonder where the revenue will come from, said Paul Janensch, a former editor and educator from Bridgeport, who holds the title of emeritus professor at Quinnipiac University. He has to decide what is his market. Janensch called McNultys output pretty good journalism, though he thought it could use some more editing and tighter pacing. The ability to create stories and visual media with a hand-made approach was certainly intriguing, the former editor said. Its definitely a promising medium, to communicate directly with people, said Janensch, There is a future for this. Theres going to be a lot of junk, while some of it will be great. It will be hard to turn it into a business. But its definitely the future. McNultys website and videos can be found at www.mieummedia.com. The name refers to the Korean language and its version of the letter M and its and phonetic sound. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com Haiti - FLASH : Terror in Savane Pistache, houses of police officers burned Following the police operation on December 21st in connection with the investigation into the assassination attempt of Eric Jean Baptiste, Secretary General of the Rassemblement des Democrates National Progressive (RDNP) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25269-icihaiti-politics-eric-jean-baptiste-takes-the-lead-of-the-rdnp.html which allowed the arrest of 17 suspects https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26480-haiti-news-zapping.html of which the concubine of the powerful and dangerous Chief of Gang "Tije", the members of his heavily armed Gang demanded the liberation of the concubine of their Chief and exerted violent reprisals. After setting fire to the sub-police station of the street Monseigneur Guilloux extended, to Savane Pistache (2nd district of Port-au-Prince) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26488-haiti-news-zapping.html they have decided to burn down police officers houses resident in this neighborhood. Residents of the area remained closed at home in fear, fearing for their lives and those of their families while sporadic shooting of automatic weapons caused panic and terror among the population. Special units of the Haitian National Police intervened to restore order, bravely confronting these dangerous bandits. Several cars were burned and houses looted according to several witnesses from the neighborhood whose police finally regained control. No official balance sheet has been communicated so far by the authorities. PI/ HaitiLibre An Iranian citizen broke into the Mellat Bank branch in Yerevan, made some demands in Persian, threatened with a knife and then started using the taser. The police officers on duty at the bank rendered him ineffective and handed him over to the Central Police Department. The police have found out that this person is Iranian citizen Morteza Ghorban Joshoar (born in 1982). Joshoar is arrested, a criminal case was opened, News.am reported. On December 21, the same person had entered a Yerevan pharmacy as a customer, demanded money from the pharmacy employee, but could not complete the crime due to circumstances beyond his control. Haiti - News : Zapping... Barriers to the arrival of new banks The Haitian banks make huge profits, it should attract the arrival of other banks this is what economics teaches but in Haiti we have the opposite, the same banks for more than 30 years. There are barriers to re-entry in the Haitian banking sector" Dr. Eddy N. Labossiere. Christmas distribution to Delmas On Sunday, in an atmosphere of solidarity and sharing Christmas party, the Mayor of Delmas Me Wilson Jeudy accompanied by the Deputy Mayor Rose Trinita Louis has distributed food kits and envelopes to children Did you know ? Between 2005 and 2018, Haiti is the country that has experienced the largest transition in the Caribbean region in terms of fertility, from more than 4 children to 3 children per woman, said Ramiz Alakbarov, the Director of Policy and Strategy of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the launch of the State of the World Population Report 2018. The 1st PAP Baptist Church, accessible to the disabled Sunday, December 23, Gerald Oriol Jr., the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with partner institutions, inaugurated the work of accessibility of the First Baptist Church of Port-au-Prince. This work, carried out by the Office of the Secretary of State, with funding from the "Christian Blind Mission" (CBM), was carried out by Haiti Tec and consisted of making accessible to the building, the pulpit and a toilet . Arrangements have been made to guarantee access to the building for persons in wheelchairs, support bars have been installed for persons with reduced mobility and guidance lines to facilitate the movement of the blind. Kiskeya : Words of Solidarity The fire that ravaged the building of Radio Kiskeya in the evening of December 21 hhttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26465-haiti-flash-radio-tv-kiskeya-reduced-to-ashes.html cannot take away this memory of struggles for the establishment of a real democracy Mayor Chevry Youri sympathizes with all the staff of this institution while wishing Kiskeya a quick rebound. "The Lorquet Foundation demonstrates its solidarity with Marvel Dandin, Liliane Pierre-Paul, Stephane Pierre-Paul and the entire team of Radio Kiskeya, who in an atmosphere of desolation, have seen the smoke of an achievement of more than 24 years old [...] The Foundation expresses all its solidarity and shares the pain of all the members of the station as well as all the other victims of this disaster having caused great damage and enormous losses in materials." HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2018/12/24 | Source Park Se-wan is doing a good job of playing the realistic teenager in the drama "Just Dance". Advertisement According to Nielsen Korea, the KBS 2TV "Just Dance" rated 1.9% and 2.0% on the 24th. Park Se-wan broke up with Jang Dong-yoon on this day. She broke up with him because her father had something to do with Kwon Seung-chan's father Kwon Dong-suk's death. She told him they don't belong to each other and broke up with him. At the same time, Park Se-wan portrayed the perfect image of a high school girl who was struggling with mixed emotions. Her performance is contributing highly to the drama and the viewing percentage. Meanwhile, "Just Dance" can be seen every Monday and Tuesday at 10PM. U.S. and Turkish military officials will meet this week, Pentagon spokesperson Heather Babb said. According to the spokesperson, they will discuss further coordination on possible future military operations in northwest Syria as well as security issues. "I can confirm that there will be meetings this week in Turkey. The United States and Turkey are coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in northeast Syria. I will not get into details of those discussions," Sputnik cited Babb as saying. Russia hit the record gas output of 733 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2018, the Russian Energy Minister Aleksander Novak said. The gas output rose by 20 billion bpd (almost 10%) from 691.1 bcm in the last year, the minister told the Rossiya 24 Channel. Novak said that this year the LNG production increased by 70%. 'It's not going away': Man still faces trial in 1988 assault on girls The Black Sea Fleets frigate Admiral Essen has accomplished missions as part of Russias permanent Mediterranean taskforce and has set off for its home base in Sevastopol, the Russian Black Sea Fleet spokesman Alexei Rulev said. "The warship has started to pass through the Black Seas Dardanelles and Bosporus straits, heading for the Black Sea Fleets permanent naval base - the city of Sevastopol," TASS cited the spokesman as saying. Rulev recalled that the frigate Admiral Essen performed missions as part of Russias permanent Mediterranean taskforce from August 2018, spending about 300 days at sea. During its stay as part of Russias Mediterranean Squadron, the Admiral Essen took part in the inter-fleet drills in the Mediterranean Sea under the direction of the Russian Navy commander-in-chief, during which the warships crew practiced conducting a battle by a sole ship and as part of a naval group. The frigate also held artillery fire against naval and air targets and practiced anti-submarine warfare. Since both Russia and the European Union are not dollar-based, it would be more beneficial for both to switch to euro in energy resource trading, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin said. He said that Moscow fully backs the EU in its recent initiative for wider use of the euro in the international arena, especially in the energy industry. "If you look [at Russia's relations with the EU]you will see cooperation and support from Russia in the current plan of increasing the role of the euro which was recently introduced by the European Commission," Oreshkin said in an interview to RT. "Russia is not a dollar country, Europe is, you know, not dollar based but for some reason were trading energy resources in dollars. So I believe we should think about switching at least to the euro as a more common currency both for Russians and the Europeans," the head of the Russian Economic Development Ministry stressed. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a multi-faceted genius an outstanding parliamentarian, a successful prime minister, a poet, an orator par excellence, a true party karyakarta, a disciplined Swayamsevak, and above all, a gentle and lovable human being. He was an institution in himself. Atalji as he was lovingly called by many, had left an indelible imprint on the lives of thousands, if not millions through his personality and politics. This 25 December is the first birth anniversary of Vajpayee in his absence. In his passing, a political era marked by conciliatory, not competitive, and value-based, not power-centric politics had come to an end. In the Bhagwad Gita, Bhagwan Krishna said: Jaatasya hi Dhruvo Mrityuhu those who are born shall die. Yet, we are all poorer for the demise of statesmen such as Vajpayee. A father figure, A statesman, A true democrat, Man of peace, Baapji, Dadda those who condoled his death had many narratives to share about him. The Americans remembered him describing the US and India as natural allies; the Chinese remembered his meetings with leaders of three generations Mao Tse Sung, Deng Xiaoping and Hu Jintao. While the Pakistanis remembered the Dosti Bus that Vajpayee rode to Lahore, the Bangladeshis remembered his contributions during the Liberation War and the subsequent presentation of the highest Bangladesh Liberation War Honour to him. Even the separatist Hurriyat leadership in Kashmir described him as a rare leader with humanness, and with a sincerity to resolve the Kashmir problem. Vajpayee held the democratic polity in high esteem. The power of democracy is a matter of pride for our country, something we must always cherish, preserve and further strengthen. Differences are bound to remain in the country, but the Indian nation cannot afford to be divided in its basic commitment to nationalism and democracy, he once said. One of the significant initiatives of Vajpayee as prime minister was to appoint a committee to study the functioning of the Indian Constitution. Instituted in February 2000 as National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, the body got mired in unnecessary controversy due to the wrong portrayal, projecting it as an attempt to tamper with and destroy the one drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar in the name of its review. The terms of reference given to the commission categorically stated that the commission would examine, in the light of the experience of the past 50 years, as to how best the Constitution could respond to the changing needs of efficient, smooth and effective system of governance and socio-economic development of modern India within the framework of parliamentary democracy. In his last address to the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, famously known as Three Warnings, Dr Ambedkar raised the spectre of India losing its independence once again if the Constitution was not adhered to in letter and spirit. If the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in a jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever, he warned in that address. For Vajpayee, Country is a temple and we are all its priests. We must sacrifice our lives at the altar of the national god. In his famous address to the parliament after his government lost the vote of confidence in 1996, Vajpayee exhorted: These power games will go on. Governments come and governments go. Parties appear and disappear. But this country should remain and its democracy should remain eternally. It was out of this urge to improve countrys democratic institutions that Vajpayee attempted the said review of the functioning of the Constitution. A man of emotions, Vajpayee practised humility and honesty as his quintessential personal self. In one poem, he prays to god: Hey Prabhu! Mujhe itna unchai bhi mat dena, ki auron ko chu na sakun meaning, Oh God! Please dont let me attain such heights that I wont be in the reach of the others. Such humility is rare in public life. A humble leader accepts failures without any attitude. Victory and defeat are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity, Vajpayee used to say. Political accommodation is a virtue that Vajpayees life sets out as an example for politicians. Many called him Ajatshatru one with no enemies. A towering leader, he never believed that I am always right. He was open to criticism. The belief that My views are always right is the starting point for organisations and individuals alike to hate others. The older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others, said Benjamin Franklin in his last address to the US Constitution Convention in 1776. Vajpayee could successfully run a 23-party coalition for full five years precisely because of this humility. Ram Madhav is national general secretary, BJP The views expressed are personal No one chooses to be born. Much less to this or that family, community, country. No one has any hand in the fall of that dice. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on this day in 1924 in any clime, culture would have been shaped by that environment, moulded by its mores. But being the kind of person he turned out to be, he would have imbibed something, rejected something else, modified, turned around influences and pressures and become himself. Something in him, something unique to him, would have made him, wherever he was, to be his own maker poet, friend, politician, statesman. If born a Christian Indian and on this Christmas day he would have related to the New Testament as a poet would. But he would have found the Old Testament impossible reading. And the Book of Genesis would have sent him to sleep, as it did young Mohandas Gandhi. As a Christian, he would not have enjoyed the company of proselytising missionaries but would have loved men of the Church like CF Andrews, Verrier Elwin and Jerome De Souza. Had he been born to Islamic parents anywhere in India he would have been inclined by temperament, instinct and taste to Sufi poetry, music. His mind would have resonated to the insights of Jalaluddin Rumi, the character of Dara Shukoh, the poetry of Mirza Ghalib. The rugged veracity of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan would have touched his heart, the lyrical intellect of Maulana Abul Kalam, his mind. He would have opposed the partition of India. The use of Islams great name for acts of violence, terror would have appalled him. For Khudas sake he would have said the Holy Quran does not enjoin this. The wings of destiny brought Atal Bihari Vajpayee to a Hindu hearth in the deepest recesses of Hindu life in small time Batukeshwar and then Gwalior, at the core of Hindi and Hindu pride. In his school teacher father and home-caring mother he had quintessential Hindus, saturating him in Hindu epics, and a sense of the greatness of Hindu dharma. As a result Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an unswerving member of the Sangh Parivar. And yet there was something in him that marked him out as his own person. He would think and plan and strategise as part of the saffron family. But he would feel, empathise with, smile, lament and most importantly share the silence of reflection with those outside the saffron family, no less than with those within it. I have two personal experiences of the Vajpayee who was himself, who could touch a chord with someone with a mental chemistry wholly different from those of his parivar. The first is about a signature of his. Aware of the text of his stirring obituary tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru, I sought and got through the kindness of his secretary, Shakti Sinha, on March 7, 2000, his autograph on a typescript of that speech. That autograph of a prime minister, a BJP prime minister, on the text of his tribute to Indias first prime minister who has been the BJPs bete noire is among my cherished possessions. The second is about a comment, or a set of comments of his. In April, 2002, as High Commissioner for India to Sri Lanka a position to which he had appointed me I was in Delhi to cover a visit by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. Riot-burnt Gujarat was still smouldering. At a lunch in Prime Minister Vajpayees official residence on April 24, 2002, she asked her host What is the situation in Gujarat like? Have there been deaths ? Vajpayee requested Advani to respond. The deputy prime minister gave the visitor details about 800 dead as on date, of which 180 he said were due to police firing. At this Vajpayee made just one comment: Gandhis Gujarat. I could see eyes turning towards where I was seated at the tables farthest end. Did you hear that, Gopal? , President Kumaratunga said to me. The prime minister says Gandhis Gujarat. Yes, I heard. Could Vajpayee have said more? Perhaps, yes. But to a visiting head of State? Perhaps, no. In that wisp of an incomplete line Gandhis Gujarat the prime minister of India said it all. The lunch gave over, as we filed past the PM to say goodbye, he said to me Gopalji, Gujarat jal raha hai. (Gujarat is burning). Agar vahan kuchh karne ke liye ap mujhe adesh dein, to mein tayar hun, I said. (If you direct me to do something there, Im ready). He heard me in silence. That silence of his was him. Gujarat was burning. And so was he. A human flame burned for breath inside the sealed glass-chamber of his political role, longing to be himself. Gopalkrishna Gandhi is distinguished professor of history and politics, Ashoka University The views expressed are personal As para-teachers began their hunger strike before legislators residences across the state on Monday, state human resource development (HRD) minister Neera Yadav invited the teachers for talks on their issues by December 26. She, however, urged them to withdraw their strike and join the schools, as students have already suffered a lot due to the long agitation. Yadav, while addressing media at the state secretariat, said, State government is serous over para-teachers issue and ready for dialogue, as it is the only way for solution of any problem. However, para-teachers should withdraw their agitation before the talk, as the ongoing strike has paralysed the education system in schools. She said para-teachers are spreading light of education in remote rural Jharkhand. So, their role cannot be ignored but they should also think about future of the school students, she said, adding, government understands their problems. It has been increased their remunerations at regular intervals, she said. The minister said a TET pass teacher for Class-6 to Class-8 used to get 8,400 a month before 2015. After a dialogue in 2015, TET pass teachers remuneration increased to 10,164. Now, government has decided to give them 12000 a month, she said. Similarly, a trained teacher for Class-6 to Class-9, who used to get 8,000 before 2015, would now get 10,000. She further said a TET pass teacher for Class-1 to Class-5 used to get 7,800 per month before 2015. After the talk with para-teachers in 2015, their remuneration increased to 9, 438. Now, government has increased their remuneration to 11,000. Untrained teacher did not get any increment. Government is considering on the issue, Yadav said, adding, government is also setting up a corpus of 10 crore for welfare of the para-teachers. Besides, their retirement age was also increased to 60. The minister further said, Since it is an issue related to childrens education, political parties should not take advantage of it for mere political mileage. Its a serious issue and all have to cooperate in it. Office bearers of Ekikrit Para Sikshak Sangharsh Morcha (EPSSM), an umbrella body of all para-teachers associations, however, said they would not talk to government until it assured of regularization of services on pattern of Chhattisgarh. If government really wants to talk to us, it should invite through a formal letter and government should be ready to meet our demands, said EPSSM member Sanjay Dubey. Over 45.000 para teachers are on strike since November 16 in support of their demands. They started hunger strike before residences of all legislators of Jharkhand from Monday. Excluding few ministers and legislators, para teachers sat on hunger before residences of most of legislators, which would continue government meets our demand, EPSSM member Vinod Tiwary. The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) pact with Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has cemented the wider National Democratic Alliance (NDA) equation in Bihar. The BJP has already arrived at an equal seat sharing pact with the third constituent of the alliance, chief minister Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United). With a wide Mahagatbandhan (grand alliance), led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), on the other side, the contest in Bihar now promises to be intense. But beyond Bihar, the BJP-LJP pact also reflects a perceptible shift in the manner in which the national party is now approaching the 2019 elections. Riding on an overwhelming majority of its own in the 2014 elections and victory in successive state elections since then, the BJP had little need for allies and partners. It had a legislative majority of its own in the Lok Sabha. Its governance model rested on the centrality of the Prime Ministers Office, which left little autonomy for ministers from other parties who were a part of the NDA. And given its political dominance, the party encroached on the space of its partners and often had the upper hand in all seat-sharing negotiations in the run up to elections. This led to murmurs of discontent among allies. Some like the Shiv Sena have been vocal. Others like the Akali Dal have been unhappy but relatively muted in their criticism. Some erstwhile partners like N Chandrababu Naidu and, most recently, Upendra Kushwaha, have walked out. But the BJPs unilateralist approach is changing somewhat . The party has increasingly come to recognise that winning an outright majority yet again in 2019 will be difficult. Recent state assembly elections have reinforced this sense. It will need both pre-poll allies and post-poll allies at a time when the Opposition is focused on stitching state-specific alliances to take on the BJP. It is this calculation which has led Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to recalibrate their stand. Conceding an equal number of seats to Nitish Kumar and quickly stepping in to bring an increasingly unhappy Paswan into the fold reflect this. Only an inclusive NDA which has the BJP in a senior role as the anchor but not as hegemonic partner can help the party deal with the Opposition challenge. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Sunday released the date sheet of Class 10 and Class 12 examination 2019. The Class 12 board examination will start on February 15 and conclude on April 3 while the Class 10 board examination will commence from February 21 and end on March 29. In a notification issued with the date sheet, the board said that it has tried to give students sufficient time between the exams of important subjects and kept in mind that dates of competitive examinations may not coincide with the boards examinations. The board further said that it has also taken care of the Delhi University admission schedule, as per orders of the Delhi high court, while preparing the board exams schedule. However, students across India gave a mixed reaction, when HT asked them how satisfied they were with the boards examination date sheet released on Sunday. Lucknow In Lucknow, a number of CBSE students expressed unhappiness over the date sheet for examination. They were a little surprised with the date sheet and said the gaps given between two difficult papers were far too less. Swaraj Tiwari, a student of Class 12 at the GD Goenka Public School said in her opinion this year the date sheet was quite a surprise. As a student who has taken humanities with maths there will be no gap between my two major subjects, that is math and political science, said Swaraj. However, Swaraj believes that challenges such as these are essential and will prepare her for the challenges ahead and therefore welcomed the exam schedule. Pratyush Singh a Class 12 student of the same school said, The first core subject exam has been scheduled on March 2 for English and this would be fine as we can prepare ourselves well in advance. The second exam of physics is scheduled on March 5. I feel that we should have been given at least five days to prepare because physics is a vast subject and needs time. The fourth exam of Biology is scheduled on March 15. Here I feel that the gap is quite short and we would have to work a bit faster to prepare. The fifth exam of math is scheduled for March 18. I feel students would not find it difficult to prepare for this exam as there is enough gap for them, but for PCMB students the gap could have been a bit longer. The physical education paper has been scheduled for March 30 and I feel this gap could be shortened as it would not take so many days to prepare for physical education. The main concern is of the physics paper, since the gap will not be enough to prepare for the subject, he said. Avinash Nair of Class 12 said being a PCM student with physical education, he found it quite outrageous that CBSE gave them about a week to prepare for both chemistry and mathematics, and almost two weeks for physical education, but only two days for physics. We all know that physics is a very technical subject. This year, we have 15 chapters to prepare in physics, each one requiring some kind of detail, skill or special attention. Even if he has studied before, a mere two days is definitely not enough to even revise the massive syllabus of the subject, let alone go through it thoroughly, said this student of GD Goenka Public School. Bhopal CBSE students from Bhopal mostly expressed satisfaction over the time table of the exams released by the board on Sunday. A Class 10 student Nandita Gaur said, We are happy with release of the schedule eight weeks before the exams. Now we will prepare accordingly. A Class 12 science stream student Anurag Chauhan said, CBSE has given sufficient time between two consecutive papers to reduce pressure. I am satisfied with the time table. A Class 12 commerce student Abdul Sami said, I didnt see any flaw in the schedule. Now, we can start preparation accordingly. Sahoday group state secretary PK Pathak said, CBSE did a commendable job by giving ample time to students for the board exams preparation. The gaps are also sufficient. Chandigarh Simran Singh, a student studying in Government Model Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh said, I think the date sheet of the board exams is fine, however, we were not expecting the exams this early. Usually exams start in March. Its very unusual. Madhur Vaidya, a student in KBDAV Sector 7, said, I am very nervous, especially for exams of math and science. This year theres hardly any time for preparing. Its December and within a month we have our board exams. Manpreet, a student of Government Model School Maloya said, This year there is not even a single gap between exams of political science and mathematics. I am worried how students who have arts and mathematics as combination will study these, for Class 12. Kunal Kumar, another student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37 said, I am very confident, I know I will pass. Prayagraj Students may have wanted CBSE to reschedule Class 12 examination for biology, chemistry, physics and a few other exams, but many students in Prayagraj consider the time table to be perfect. Saumya Maniyar, a Class 12 student of MPVM Ganga Gurukulam School said that she considers two days gap between chemistry and biology to be ideal. The chemistry exam is scheduled for March 12 and the Biology exam is on March 15, which is fine by me. This ensures that you remain in the rhythm of studies and the exam. The tightly spaced exam also means that the entire exercise gets over in a shorter period of time and someone like me can start preparing for the competitive exams like NEET set to be held on May 5, 2019. She maintained that most of her friends too were happy with the board exam schedule. Navneeta Nandan, a Class 12 (commerce) student is also satisfied with her board exam schedule. My exams kick off on March 2 with English and would conclude on March 28 with my optional paper of IT. I have got good gap between my business studies paper on March 14 and next paper economics on March 27. As a result, for IT I have got no gap but the 12-day gap between business studies and economics exams gives my adequate time to revise IT, she maintained. Navneeta also said that the fact that the exam gets over in a month, gives her adequate time to prepare for her college entrance exams that would start from May end or so. This would give students like her enough time to battle for a college or university of their choice. Laxmi Mishra and Abhas Singh, both Class 10 students of MPVM Ganga Gurukulam school said that their exams were starting on February 21 and ending on March 29 and all subject exams have gap of a day or two, which was enough. The fact that the exams would get over in just a month, has all of us smiling, they held. Jharkhand Gayatri Kumari, a Class 10 student of DAV Public School Tenughat (Bokaro) said, Preponement of the examination came as a setback for us, as we were thinking that the examination would be held in March. Now, we have the pressure to complete the syllabus at the earliest. Early examination could impact our papers. Priyanka Kumar, a Class 12 student of DAV Public School, Sindri (Dhanbad), said, Now, we have to work hard for the examination. We were preparing keeping the target of March. But, we have to devote more time on revision to match the gap. Some students of Class 10 and Class 12 said, CBSE should have announced the examination date sheet two or three months before so that students get time for revision. DAV, Sindri principal, Ashutosh Mairh said, Now, we have bigger challenge to prepare the students for the examinations. Students are not psychologically ready for the examination in February. We have to make them mentally prepared so that they could appear fearlessly. Bihar Neha Verma, a Class 12 student of Notre Dame Academy, Patna said, My combination is PCBM and there is only two days gap between English and physics and in between biology and math. Physics and math are tough papers and we need more time to revise. However, there is a gap of 11 days for physical education paper which is useless. Ask her if she has raised any objection on this, she says, Every year some or the other objection is raised by the students when the date sheet is out and nothing changes. So I think it is a waste of time to hope that anything will change now. (With inputs from Rajeev Mullick from Lucknow, Shruti Tomar from Bhopal, Srishti Jaswal from Chandigarh, K Sandeep Kumar from Prayagraj, Sanjoy Kumar Dey from Jharkhand and Nandini from Patna) After mohalla clinics, the Delhi government has set up 101 mohalla playschools or modern anganwadi hub centres for children from the economically disadvantaged families. The centres are part of the Delhi governments ongoing reforms in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme under which the anganwadi centres provide food, preschool education and primary health care to children up to six years of age and their mothers. Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia, who also looks after the women and child department, inaugurated the centres on Monday. We recognised that care for children starts from the time when they are in their mothers wombs and learning starts from the day they are born. Our 10,000 plus anganwadi centres are the platform to provide this care and learning. In a way, these hubs are mohalla play schools for the children of the common people who cant afford play schools otherwise, he said. The centres, which will cater to children aged between 3 and 6, have been created by clubbing two or three existing angawadis in multiple locations, including Okhla, Kondli and Patparganj. The centres were inaugurated by legislators of the respective areas. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is also planning to come up with a new curriculum to make these children school-ready. Poor early learning experience in early years is the beginning of the learning gap that gets further perpetuated as children progress to higher classes. Government school children start formal school in class 1 and are already at a disadvantage compared to those who go to playschools that use various tools for cognitive development during early childhood, Sisodia said. Earlier this month, the government had trained anganwadi workers under its new early childhood education (ECE) curriculum. The new curriculum was developed in collaboration with ECE experts and has many new learning features and techniques based on latest research on early childhood learning and development, a government statement read. In its first-ever performance audit of 11 central universities, the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry on December 15 asked them to address their crucial gaps by focusing on employment-oriented courses in some cases, strengthening infrastructure in others, hiring faculty, administrative officers, and statutory functionaries in still others. The ministry, UGC [the University Grants Commission, which regulates higher education] and the central varsities signed memorandums of understanding [MOUs] regarding key parameters [for the assessment] earlier this year, a government official said. Union education minister Prakash Javadekar had ordered the review, the official said. This was the first review on the basis of these parameters. The universities have drawn a roadmap about the areas in which their performance needs to be improved, he added. The vice-chancellors of central universities of Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kashmir, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Sikkim participated in the review. So did the heads of North-Eastern Hill University, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (Madhya Pradesh) Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Bihars Motihari and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya or GGV (Chhattisgarh). The official said the vice-chancellors made presentations at the December 15 meeting. Suggestions regarding the areas in which more was required were made after the presentations, he added. For instance, some of the universities have not filled up key posts like that of registrars or controller of examinations [They] have been asked to do so. The secretary (higher education) R Subramanyam and UGC chief D P Singh led the review. The official added the GGV was asked to fill up statutory posts such as that of the controller of examination and the finance officer and to also focus on starting vocational courses. The focus was on the need to start employment-oriented courses in case of Ranchis Central University of Jharkhand too. Dharamshalas Central University of Himachal Pradesh was asked to appoint key officials such as the librarian and a financial officer. The utilisation of a new campus was discussed in the case of the Central University of Kashmir. The MOUs regarding the review signed with the varsities include 14 performance parameters, output targets and programmes of work. The official said 39 central universities have signed such agreements. There will be a review of the remaining varsities as well. The varsities will be asked to set their own targets and then the progress can be followed up in consultations with them. The Delhi University is the only institution among the 40 central varsities under the UGCs purview that has not signed the pact yet. It is yet to get its executive committee approve the signing of the MoU. Former UGC member Inder Mohan Kapahy called the review essential and desirable. However, it is to be recognised that central universities differ widely in terms of resources, history, accessibility, ready availability of competent academic and administrative personnel. The HRD ministry should make special provisions for new central universities. Weve said it enough times already, Kareena Kapoor Khan can carry anything with a lot of panache, so much so, that it is easy to identify what she wears and how she carries it as a trend. On Christmas today, the entire Kapoor family and their respective significant others met for their annual ritual - Christmas lunch with the family - at Prithvi House, in Juhu, Mumbai. Kareena and Saif, who were holidaying in South Africa to celebrate the second birthday of their son, Taimur, came dressed fashionably (as usual) yet the simplicity in their fashion is what were totally digging. Yes, its rather difficult to look away when Taimur is in the scene, but its his mom, the fashionista Kareena whom we just cant take our eyes off, yet again! Kareena wore a white oversized cotton shirt, with a pair of black jeggings and black pumps. She kept her hair tied back into a messy bun and let her red lipstick lend the colour to the otherwise not-even-there makeup. The sling bag, shades and her round-dial watch added to the overall sophisticated look. The solitaire on her finger complemented her fair complexion and the metallic shade on her nails. Dont miss the interesting way in which shes carrying the boring suspenders, once used as a means to hold up ones trousers or skirt in the absence of a belt. Perhaps, chic is an understatement. Now, we arent saying that simple dressing would be as effortless, since its probably a lesser-known fact that women who keep their look completely effortless have put in more thought and by that extension, more time into keeping it simple and chic. Taimur, the paparazzi favourite was seen in a denim shirt and jeans matched with white sneakers. It might just be a matter of time before he becomes the next fashion influencer from kids to adults. Saif Ali Khan, looked his suave self in a cotton kurta and churidaar matched with tan-coloured shoes. A few days ago, Kareena was spotted at the Mumbai airport flying off to an unknown destination. She was wearing a sky blue tracksuit that, like always, gave us goals to go shop for trendy gymwear and workout before 2019 begins. What did you think of KKK aka Kareena Kapoor Khans effortless fashion sense? Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Bird Box Director - Susanne Bier Cast - Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, Rosa Salazar, Jacki Weaver, Sarah Paulson, Lil Rel Howrey, Tom Hollander, Colson Baker Rating - 3.5/5 Bird Box lays out its ground rules early. It has its star - the Oscar-winning Sandra Bullock - look directly into the camera in an attention-seeking close-up, and in its opening scene explain to us what the world has become. Bullock plays Malorie, a woman who has somehow survived the apocalypse and has with her two young children. She calls them Boy and Girl, perhaps in an effort to not develop emotional attachment. Theyre about to undertake the most dangerous journey of their lives, she tells them. They will need to obey her every command, otherwise theyd die. They must never open their eyes, even if they hear a loud noise, because if they do, theyd die. As a blindfold is pulled over their eyes, Boy and Girl nod silently, and if the movies been successful in its exposition, so will you. Watch the Bird Box trailer here Bird Box has been written by the Oscar-nominated writer of Arrival, Eric Heisserer, who gives it a unique structure, and as is made abundantly clear in that opening, also finds clever ways of communicating vital exposition about the origins of the apocalypse. The central idea in Bird Box very similar to what we saw in M Night Shyamalans The Happening and John Krasinskis recent thriller, A Quiet Place - although Heisserer has stressed that the book Bird Box is based on was published before A Quiet Place; in fact, its earliest draft was written even before The Happening. Sandra Bullock has dealt with similar themes in Gravity. (Netflix) Certain creatures have arrived on Earth, and looking at them with a naked eye compels the observer to commit suicide. After making landfall in Russia, the monsters arrive in America, which responds immediately by shutting down its borders - a statement on the current political situation that speaks volumes thanks to the subtle manner in which it is made. But perhaps the most prominent narrative choice Heisserer makes - and this is true of the source novel as well - is by setting most of the movie in flashback. After the stakes have been revealed in that opening scene, we are quickly taken back five years, when Malorie was a reclusive artist with social anxiety. On a trip to the doctor with her sister - when we first meet Malorie she is pregnant with a child she clearly did not plan for, nor appears to want - all hell breaks loose when people start harming themselves. Malories survival instinct kicks into gear - the first of many important character moments that develop her into the mother she is so afraid of becoming - and she hightails it out of there, ending up in the home of a cantankerous old man named Douglas (played by John Malkovich). John Malkovich plays the cantankerous Douglas in Bird Box. (Netflix) It is in this house that Bird Box spends the majority of its first couple of acts. It isnt the post-apocalyptic thriller that youd perhaps have expected it to be, but a survival drama and even a locked-room mystery. By trapping half-a-dozen contrasting personalities - maybe a nod to the title - inside a closed environment, during such a high-pressure situation, is a nifty way to add drama to the proceedings, and root the high-concept science-fiction premise in real human emotion. And what a murderers row of talent Danish director Susanne Bier has assembled. Joining Bullock and Malkovich in the ensemble are Moonlights Trevante Rhodes, Animal Kingdoms gangster matriarch Jacki Weaver, the great Sarah Paulson, Rosa Salazar from the upcoming Alita: Battle Angel, Get Outs Lil Rel Howrey, the rapper/actor Machine Gun Kelly, and an unrecognisable Parminder Nagra (from Bend It Like Beckham). But this is Bullocks movie. Weve seen her carry an entire film on her shoulders before, as recently as her Academy Award-winning turn in Alfonso Cuarons Gravity, and as in that film, her character in Bird Box is confronted by the complex notion of motherhood. Shes the rare actor who can switch - on many occasions mid-scene - from fierce intensity to incredible warmth. Its true that Heisserers screenplay gives her a meaty arc to work with, but her performance is the biggest draw for the movie. Bird Box is thrillingly written. (Netflix) As we form connections with the characters, the film intercuts these flashbacks with the present - Bullock and the two kids making their great getaway across a perilous river. Rapids are approaching, and the only way to navigate them, she tells the children, is by looking. Its going to have to be one of them. And then we cut back. Bier, meanwhile, lends a steady guiding hand to the boat. Bird Box is unlike anything that she, even in her unendingly diverse filmography, has tackled before. She stages several nail-biting set pieces - nothing like what Krasinski achieved in A Quiet Place, though - that are inserted at just the right moments. One in particular, that involves driving blind with the help of a GPS, is quite terrific. Of the supporting cast, Trevante Rhodes brings a much-needed emotional stability to the high-strung proceedings, as well as a strong physical presence. But it is Malkovich as the endearingly terrible Douglas whose performance cranes its neck above the others. He almost gives the impression of having improvised many of his own lines, because I could swear the last time I heard a movie character use the insult simpleton, it was played by Malkovich. For all its taut thrills and ambitious ideas, Bird Box ends up trapping itself into the same cage that ensnared other high-concept sci-fi thrillers such as the forgotten Nicolas Cage movie, Knowing, and even the recent Alex Garland film, Annihilation. Its third act is far too grandiose in its themes, and an unexpected change of pace from the rather lean story wed seen so far. But when it soars it soars. Follow @htshowbiz for more The author tweets @RohanNaahar Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions have released the first trailer for Us, director Jordan Peeles follow-up to his Oscar-winning horror film, Get Out. The film is said to be another horror/thriller with a socially relevant themes. The trailer opens with a black family on their way to a beachside vacation. An idyllic getaway is rudely interrupted by four strangers who appear mysteriously outside their rooms at night. Upon closer inspection, the family discovers that the strangers are creepier version of themselves. They look exactly like us, they think like us, they know where we are, a voiceover says, while visuals of slasher horror play out and the family is stalked by their evil counterparts. The two-and-a-half minute trailer notes that Us is from the mind of Academy Award winner Jordan Peele. Peele won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Get Out, a runaway horror hit that made more than $250 million worldwide on a $4.5 million budget and notched up four nominations. The film was acclaimed for its social commentary and satirical themes. Like Get Outs limbo world, which Peele called the Sunken Place, Us will also feature a novel horror concept. It is called The Tethering, but Peele hasnt yet provided any details about it. He has, however, spoken about why he wanted to use a pair of scissors as the primary weapon the doppelganger family uses in the film. Something I love about the horror genre is that everyday objects become weapons, so I wanted to create some elegant iconography. But the inherent duality of two equal objects that are connected, and an object thats used to sever or cut, is very important to the film, he told USA Today. Peele reunites with most of the central crew from Get Out, including producer Jason Blum. Us stars Lupita Nyongo, Winston Duke and Elisabeth Moss. The film is due out in March, 2019. Here are some reactions: Well cant wait for this. https://t.co/Bm6FcUTHqN Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) December 25, 2018 Follow @htshowbiz for more The oil market will be stabilized by the summer, Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview aired by the Rossiya-24 TV news channel. The minister said that the joint efforts agreed by OPEC and non-OPEC countries in December in Vienna will stabilize the situation, balance it in the first half of 2019. "The demand will traditionally grow during the summer, which is why I think the market will be balanced," TASS cited Novak as saying. The Tamil Nadu police have arrested a 19-year-old college student for the murder of her 50-year-old mother. Three others - her Facebook boyfriend, S Suresh, and two minors aged 16 and 17 - have also been arrested. The girl, identified as S Devipriya, a resident of Anjaneyapuram in Tamil Nadus Thiruvallur, is a second year Bachelor of Commerce student at a college in Avadi. Devipriya allegedly got her mother Banumathi killed for opposing her relationship with Suresh. Devipriya had befriended S Suresh, who is also 19-years-old and a resident of Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, last year through Facebook. Though they had not met in person, they had developed a strong relationship through Facebook. Suresh had claimed to be an IT professional in Mysuru. Devipriya had told her Facebook love story to her mother Banumathi, who had advised her to disbelieve Facebook love proposals and to concentrate on her studies, Tamil Nadu police sources told Hindustan Times. Banumathi also restricted Devipriya from using her mobile phone. Angry at this, Devipriya managed to call Suresh and sought his help in killing her mother. Suresh, in turn, sent two school dropouts, both minors aged 16 and 17, to help Devipriya execute the deed on Monday, police sources said. Devipriya introduced the two minors to her mother as her friends. When Banumathi was alone at home, Devipriya and the two minors attacked her with sickles and killed her, police said. Alerted by Banumathis screams, the neighbours chased and caught the two minors. The two minors confessed during interrogation and revealed the details of the case which led to Sureshs arrest on Tuesday. During preliminary investigations, it came to light that Suresh was not an IT professional as he had claimed. He was working at a factory in Sri City of Andhra Pradesh. He had lied to Devipriya about his background to make her fall in love with him, police claimed. Both Devipriya and Suresh have been produced before a city court which has remanded them to police custody. Dense fog hit flight operations for close to two hours at Delhis Indira Gandhi Internatioal Airport on Tuesday morning. All departures, put on hold since 7.30 am hour due to fog conditions and congestion, were resumed at about 9.15 am. Arrival of flights was normal . Every winter, fog plays havoc with flight schedules in north India causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers due to flight delays and cancellations. Meteorological department data says that in 2016-2017, at least 28 days saw visibility less than 200 metres while on 14 days, the visibility was less than 50 metres. In 2017-2018, only 17 days had visibility less than 200 metres and 12 days with visibility less than 50 metres. PM Narendra Modi will today inaugurate Bogibeel bridge, Indias longest rail cum road bridge and Asias second-longest, in Assams Dibrugarh. The bridge over the Brahmaputra between Dibrugarh and Dhemaji district bordering Arunachal Pradesh, will reduce travel time between the two northeastern state to four hours and also reduce Delhi to Dibrugarh train travel time by about three hours. The 4.9 km-long Bogibeel Bridge is Indias only fully welded bridge for which european codes and welding standards were adhered to for the first time in the country, said Chief Engineer Mohinder Singh, adding that a fully welded bridge has a low maintenance cost. (Follow live updates of Bogibeel Bridge inauguration here) All you need to know about Indias longest rail cum road bridge in 10 points 1. The 4.94 km bridge is touted as the longest rail-and-road bridge in India and is situated 17 km downstream of Dibrugarh city in Assam. The bridge will provide connectivity between the rail network of the North and South banks of river Brahmaputra after the Saraighat rail-cum-road bridge at Guwahati 2. The Bogibeel Bridge was a part of Assam Accord 1985 and was sanctioned in 997-98. The foundation stone of the project was laid by then Prime Minister, H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997 but work on the project was flagged-off by then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee on April 21, 2002. It has already missed several deadlines 3. The BJP said that the inauguration of the bridge on the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a fitting tribute to the man who had commenced the project Read: Brahmaputra boatmen ferrying people, goods see Bogibeel as loss of livelihood 4. With next road bridge 255 km away and next rail bridge 560 km away, the opening of Bogibeel bridge will save at least three hour of travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It will help people of both states to access medical facilities, education and access to the airport. 5. The construction of the bridge also assumes strategic importance as it will facilitate the rapid movement of troops along Indias nearly 4,000 km border with China. 6. The bridge, constructed at an estimated cost of 5,900 crore, has a serviceable period of around 120 years, according to its chief engineer Mohinder Singh, as per PTI news agency. 7. The bridge has a two-line railway track on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the top deck. For the first time in Indian Railways, the girder has steel floor system for railway tracks and concrete for road. 8. Early floods in the river Brahmaputra restricted the working season to a very short period of approximately five months (from November to March) and demanded huge mobilization of construction equipment, as per Mohinder Singh 9. With transportation of concrete across river channels of 600 metre to 900 metre width from both the north and south banks the biggest challenge, the makers pumped concrete through a pipeline laid over buoys. 80, 000 tonnes of steel plates was delivered for the project via a combination of rail and road transport, while a 1,000 tonne hydraulic jack and strand jacks linked with the substructures were used for place the steel truss over the pillars 10. The bridge is part of infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. This includes the construction of a trans-Arunachal highway on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, and new road and rail links over the river and its major tributaries such as the Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri and Kameng. (With PTI inputs) An alleged gang-rape victim tried to immolate herself in the office of senior superintendent police (SSP) on Monday. The woman had filed a complaint of gang rape. Alleging inaction in the case on the part of the police, she attempted self-immolation at the senior police officials office. Woman police personnel somehow managed to thwart her self-immolation attempt. The woman alleged that no action was being taken on her complaint despite raising it at different levels. However, the police have denied her charges and claim that her complaints were unsubstantiated. Rajesh Kumar, SP, Meerut Rural, said, She poured kerosene oil on her and entered our office. She alleged that she had filed a complaint against three people for gang rape yet no action was taken. I have spoken with the concerned investigative officer and was informed that no strong evidence has been found yet. Alleging that it was a pressure tactic by the woman, Kumar asserted that action will be taken against the woman for trying to attempt suicide. Police in Sector 58 of Uttar Pradeshs Noida have asked companies in the industrial hub to ensure their employees do not use a park for any religious activity, including offering namaz on Fridays. In a notice, police have said companies in Sector 58 will be held responsible if their employees are found violating the order. The administration has not given any permission to hold any kind of religious activity, wherein offering Friday prayers, in the park in Sector 58. It has been often noticed that some of your Muslim employees gather in the park in Sector 58 to offer namaz on Fridays, Pankaj Rai, the in-charge of Sector 58 police station, said in the notice. They have been asked publicly by me not to do so and who have not been given any permission by the city magistrate on their earlier application, Rai said. Please ask all your Muslim employees not to offer namaz in the park. If they still go to the park to offer prayers, then your company will be held responsible for the violation. Reports said the companies have sought a meeting with senior police officers for clarification on the notice and also planned to approach the court against the order. Noidas senior superintendent of police Ajay Pal Sharma has defended the move and said the notice was not specific to any particular religion. A few people had asked for permission for religious prayers in a park in Sector 58. In spite of no permission granted from city magistrate, the office people congregated. The companies in the area were informed about it. The information is not specific to any particular religion, Pal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday began examining Tamil Nadu police officers and the Revenue Department in its ongoing investigation into the anti-Sterlite protests case. The case dates back to May 2018 when the police had opened fire on the protesters leaving 13 dead and more than 40 injured. As part of its investigation, the CBI on Tuesday took collected the documents related to the 15 weapons that had been used in the firing. Apart from examining the Tamil Nadu police officials and Revenue department officers, the CBI also began recording statements of the families of the victims. Among the documents collected by the CBI are the ones which specify on whose order the 15 weapons were issued. The documents also include details of who had signed and collected the weapons, and who ordered the firing on the protesters which killed 13 protesters and left 40 others injured in the anti-Sterlite protests. The CBI investigation is now looking into the police firing after reports indicated that the 13 protesters who had been killed in the protests were hit by bullets in the head or chest and half of those were shot from behind. The autopsy reports of the deceased had indicated that two others had died when bullets pierced the sides of their heads. The Tamil Nadu police had opened fire on protesters on the 100th day of protests at the Sterlite copper plant, a unit of the Vedanta group. The protest had been organised against purported pollution concerns. The 13 deaths had drawn widespread condemnation by opposition political parties. The case was handed over the CBI on August 14 by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court which was hearing a batch of petitions related to the police firing. The newly-elected Congress government in Chhattisgarh has said it will return the land acquired from tribal farmers in Bastar in 2005 by the state government for the proposed Tata Steel project, which did not take off. The state government issued a press release on Monday stating that chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has issued directions to the concerned department and the process of returning the land of the tribals will start soon. The Congress party had promised in its manifesto that since the land is lying idle for more than five years it would be returned to the tribals as per Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, if they come to power. In 2005, Raman Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tata Steel and promised to set a plant worth 19,500 crore in Lohandiguda in Bastar. The state government later acquired about 2,045 hectares of land in ten villages. Subsequently, in August 2006, Tata Steel closed the Lohandigua project but the state government did not give the land back to the owners. Tata Steel officials in Jamshedpur declined to comment on the issue. Two out of three works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGS), the governments flagship job guarantee scheme, under the National Democratic Alliance is for individual beneficiaries, according to data from the rural development ministry. Experts say that this statistic highlights the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDAs effort to focus on individual beneficiaries, and also link the job guarantee scheme with other welfare programmes such as the one to build homes for the homeless. MGNREGS, the Centres flagship programme to address poverty by providing guaranteed jobs, covers all of Indias 691 districts and involves 116.5 million active workers across states. In 2014-15, schemes that benefited individuals constituted 21.4% of the total MGNREGS work. Now, it has reached 66.7%, with the lions share of MGNREGS funds going towards labour payments for building houses for the homeless. Under the NDA, at least 13.3 million homes have been built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna for the rural poor. The latest data from the rural development ministry comes even as the government is trying to reach out to beneficiaries of its myriad welfare programmes. As a part of the 2019 election strategy, BJP president Amit Shah has asked party functionaries and workers to reach out to all of the estimated 220 million beneficiaries of programmes run by the Narendra Modi government. BJP functionaries have revealed that the party will try to track down beneficiaries at the booth-level for better outreach. In many states, senior party leaders have started holding meetings with these people in their respective areas. A few months ago, the BJP had even called a special meeting where the partys chief ministers were told to furnish data on beneficiaries. In 2014, the BJP received 171.6 million votes across the country and 31% of the vote share, translating into 282 seats in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, has held meetings with beneficiaries of different programmes in the past few months, emphasising the urgency of connecting to them. Apart from construction of houses, creation or restoration of water bodies has seen large-scale demand. Since 2015-16, 1.6 million ponds, 1.73 lakh dug wells, 3.34 million check dams and 1.53 lakh embankments have been built under MGNREGS Over the last four years, the ministry of rural development has completed major reforms in MGNREGS to transform it into a resource for sustainable livelihood for the poor. This began with identifying the areas which needed urgent interventions, said rural development minister Narendra Singh Tomar. He added that the NDA government has removed the lack of transparency and accountability from the scheme that he says were rampant in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era. We have ensured full transparency in wage payments, asset creation, and payment for materials. We have started 100% geo-tagging of assets, Aadhaar linking of bank accounts, and direct benefit transfers for all wages, said Tomar. Economist Sudipta Mondal, however, disapproved the governments obsession with asset creation with MGNREGS funds. MGNREGS derives its origin from an old British famine laws that provided for alternative work to affected people. The idea is to provide jobs. Remember John Maynard Keynes had once said that the government should pay people to dig holes in the ground and then fill them up. He also pointed out that the focus on private assets is also because of the lack of scope in public work. Frankly, if the government uses public money to eradicate poverty it is fine, even if it means creation of private assets. But this business of focus on asset creation is distortion and fundamental misconception of the goal of the programme. Rural development secretary Amarjeet Sinha defended the governments stand on asset creation and said: The issue of creation of durable assets was very important. The 60:40 ratio was mandated at the gram panchayat level often leading to non-productive assets being created simply because 60% had to be spent on unskilled wage labour in that gram panchayat. His reference is to a 2016 change in MGNREGS norms that said the wage-material ratio need to be maintained at 60:40 at the district level and not the panchayat level. It was criticised by activists then, but the governments view was that while it was necessary in some panchayats to focus on providing more employment, in others, creating good quality assets through MGNREGS mattered more. Upbeat over its electoral victories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Congress has started preparations in Uttar Pradesh in case it has to go it alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. A senior Congress functionary familiar with the developments said the party has to be ready for any eventuality in case it does not become a part of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance in the state. Both the BSP and the SP have thus far been quiet about partnering with the Congress. They also stayed away from a December 10 meeting of opposition parties. The BSP is holding a meeting in Lucknow on January 15, Mayawatis 63rd birthday, to which it has invited several potential allies. As of now, the Congress isnt one of them. The Congress will soon hold meetings at various levels and start the process of identifying potential candidates for UP, which sends the highest number of representatives, 80, to the 543-member Lok Sabha. The victories in the Hindi heartland states has buoyed the Congress and galvanised its cadre across the country. We are already in the poll mode and have started preparations for the 2019 polls, said Prakash Joshi, All India Congress Committee secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh. Also read: Dont trouble Hanuman too much, your Lanka will be on fire: Raj Babbar to BJP He said the party has conducted booth-level conventions in most of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies and the process of identifying candidates will also start soon. The decision on whether to be a part of the grand alliance or not will be taken by the party high command but as an organisation we have to be ready to face any eventuality and any challenge, Joshi said. State Congress leaders have suggested to the central leadership that the BSP-SP combine might not offer too many seats to the party and suggested keeping a Plan B ready. Though there have been no formal talks with the BSP or the SP, the buzz is that the two parties might offer just two seats, Amethi and Rae Bareli, to the Congress. While Congress chief Rahul Gandhi represents Amethi, his mother and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi is a Lok Sabha member from Rae Bareli. Also read: BJP cannot fight its battles on the temple alone A BSP leader refused to comment on the matter, but said that the Congress deserves what they sowed in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Abdul Hafiz Gandhi, spokesperson of the SP, said: As of now, its early to comment on the alliance formation. We believe in forming grand alliance of like-minded parties in UP. I cannot say whether Congress would be the member of the alliance or not. Every political party including the Congress is free to strengthen the party base and select their candidates. Privately, Congress leaders say they will be demanding 15 seats from the two parties but are ready to settle at 8-10. The Congress also lost its bargaining power when it contested the bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March and finished a distant third despite the SP staking claim on the two seats and later urging the grand old party to withdraw from the contest. Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul have repeatedly called upon opposition parties to bury their differences in states and build consensus at the national level. Delhi-based political analyst N Bhaskara Rao said:they need to have in place a well-thought out strategy to be ready to face any situation, he said. Bogibeel bridge worlds longest incrementally launched steel bridge: Infrastructure major HCC Indias longest rail-cum-road Bogibeel bridge, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday, is not only the countrys first fully-welded steel bridge but the worlds longest incrementally launched steel bridge, infrastructure major HCC said. The prime minister inaugurated the the 4.94-km-long double-decker strategic bridge, built by HCC, over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam. 5,500 km national highways being constructed in northeast: PM Around 5,500 km national highways being constructed in northeast at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore said PM Modi in Assam Bridge will boost trade, economy: PM the Bogibeel Bridge connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will lead to improvement in trade sector and will also boost the economy, said PM Modi. Bogibeel bridge- a tribute to Vajpayees vision: PM About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee jis Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed, said PM Modi. We ensure quick completion of key projects: PM Modi Things have changed after May 2014, topmost priority is being accorded to key projects. Delayed infra projects were adversely impacting Indias development trajectory. When we assumed office, we added speeded up the key projects worked towards their quick completion, said PM Modi. We expedited construction work of Bogibeel bridge: PM Earlier governments managed to construct only three bridges, however, we expedited the work and completed the construction work of the Bogibeel bridge in 4.5 years, said PM Modi. Developments in entire north east region Developments in the field of infrastructure are happening not only in Assam, but in the entire north east region. Not just a bridge,its a lifeline: PM Bogibeel bridge is not just a bridge, it is a lifeline for crores of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, said PM Modi. 15 new trains in northeast to be inaugurated soon In a few years northeast will be well connected through a railway network, 15 new trains are being prepared for the purpose, said PM Modi A historic day for country: PM Modi After Bogibeel bridge inauguration, PM Modi is addresses a rally in Dibrugarh. The 14 coach train flagged off after inaugurating the Bogilbeel bridge, connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and is going to bring a lot of developments in this region,said PM Modi. PM Modi flags off first passenger train PM Modi flags off first passenger train as he inaugurated Bogibeel bridge today. The 14 coach train flagged off after inaugurating the Bogilbeel bridge, connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and is going to bring a lot of developments in this region, said PM Modi. Will soon be at part with rest of the country: Arunachal Pradesh CM Khandu Under PM Narendra Modis leadership at the Centre, north-easten states will soon be at par with the rest of the country, said Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu . A historic day: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu It is a historic day for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, said Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu while addressing public meeting at Dibrugarh. PM Modi address rally in Assams Dibrugarh After inaugurating the 4.94 km long Bogibeel bridge, PM Modi will address a public rally in Assams Dibrugarh . Bridge will make communication easier The strategically important bridge over the mighty Brahmaputra will remove communication bottlenecks to several districts in Arunachal Pradesh. The bridge, which begins at Dibrugarh and ends at Dhemaji districts of Assam, will connect parts of Arunachal Pradesh by road as well as railway. Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, CM Sarbananda Sonowal accompany PM PM Modi along with Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also walked a few metres on the bridge. PM Modi inaugurates Bogibeel Bridge PM Modi today inaugurated Assams 4.94 km long Bogibeel Bridge, Indias longest rail-road bridge. PM Modi inaugurates Bogibeel Bridge ( BJP Live/Twitter ) PM arrives for inauguration PM Modi has arrived to inaugurate Assams Bogibeel Bridge PM to inaugurate bridge at around 2pm Prime Minster Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Bogibeel Bridge at around 2 pm today. Sadaiv Atal- Vajpayee memorial inaugurated Sadaiv Atal, a memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was dedicated to the nation Tuesday on his 94th birth anniversary. President Ram Nath Kovind, vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the former statesman at the memorial built near the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where his mortal remains were consigned to flames on August 17. SAIL supplies 35,400 tn steel for Bogibeel Bridge construction The countrys largest steel maker SAIL Monday said it has supplied 35,400 tonne of steel for the construction of Bogibeel, Asias second-longest rail-cum-road bridge that will be opened to traffic by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Boatmen fear loss of livelihood after Bogibeel Bridge A group of boatmen making their living ferrying people and goods across the Brahmaputra here see Bogibeel, Indias longest railroad bridge, as a loss of livelihood. Over 40 boats operate from the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra river, ferrying not just people but also two-wheelers and cars. Of these, two are operated by the state government, while the rest are privately owned. President Kovind pay tribute President Ram Nath Kovind paid tribute to late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. PM Modi pays tribute to late PM Vajpayee PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. PM Modi pays tribute to late PM Vajpayee. ( Sonu Mehta/HT Photo ) Manmohan Singh, Amit Shah at prayer meet on Vajpayees 94th birth anniversary Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah have arrived at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for a prayer meeting on late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees 94th birth anniversary. Manmohan Singh, Amit Shah at prayer meet on Vajpayees 94th birth anniversary. ( ANI phot/Twitter ) PM Modi to inaugurate Bogibeel Bridge today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today inaugurate the Bogibeel bridge, Indias longest rail-cum-road bridge, connecting Assams Dibrugarh on the south bank to Dehamji in the north. The H1N1 virus, known as the swine flu, has caused the death of already two persons in Georgia, the republic's Minister of Health Davit Sergeenko said. According to him, the first person died yesterday morning in Adjara, the second person died yesterday in Kutaisi. "About 63 cases of influenza have been reported in the last 3 weeks and 95% of them were H1N1," director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health Amiran Gamkrelidze said. He added that there is no epidemic situation in the country and the virus was spread not only in Georgia but in Europe as well, Agenda.ge reported. Gamkrelidze called on the population to show special caution regarding the swine flu. A 76-year-old man who allegedly molested an eight-year-old girl inside the lift of a highrise in Ghaziabads Indirapuram area was arrested on Tuesday after her parents approached the police and lodged an FIR against him. According to the FIR, the incident took place between 2pm to 4pm on Monday when the girl , a class 3 student,had gone to play along with her friends and when the accused boarded the same lift in which she and another minor girl was present. The lawyer representing the case said that the CCTV footage showed suspicious movement of the accused before and after the incident. The man was waiting on the ground floor near the lift and his movements were suspicious. It seems he was waiting for the children to arrive. When they arrived, he touched the girl inappropriately and molested her. When the lift stopped at the first floor, both girls ran away and the victim told her grandmother, the lawyer said. After the two children fled the lift, the man went to the second floor and searched for them. He then again boarded the lift and came back to the ground floor to look for them. The girl told us that the man had been involved in couple of similar acts with her in past couple of days. His movements were captured on the CCTV. After this, the parents approached police, he added. The accused is stated to be running a shop and stays with his wife and a son in the same building as the girl. Following the complaint, the police lodged an FIR under the Indian Penal Codes sections 354 (molestation) and 354b (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and also levied provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The man has been arrested following information and complaint by girls parents. The man did not comment out of shame. The friend of the victim also testified before the police that the man molested her friend, Shlok Kumar, superintendent of police (city), said An eight-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man after he promised to give him a kite in Nabha of Punjabs Patiala district, police have said. Station house officer of Nabha Gurmeet Singh said a medical examination of the boy has confirmed the assault. Singh also said the accused was booked on Monday under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Sunil Kumar, took the victim to a secluded place in the local civil hospital and assaulted him on last Thursday. The boy reached home crying and told his parents about the assault. He was immediately taken to a hospital and the police were informed. I was in the market on Hospital Road when the uncle told me he has kites and he will give it to me if I go with him. He took me in a corner in the hospital complex where it was dark, the boy told the police. The accused is absconding and the manhunt is on, said Singh. A day after he was heard asking a person on the phone to kill the murderers of a Janata Dal (Secular) worker mercilessly in a shootout, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday that he was shaken up on hearing about the incident. Speaking to reporters after visiting the family of Prakash, the JD(S) worker who was murdered on Monday in Maddur town in Mandya district, Kumaraswamy said Prakash was known for his work among the people, especially farmers. Yesterday, I was informed about the incident in Vijayapura, when I got off at the helipad. I was shaken by this, and in that state I said some things to the police because nowadays in our country, murderers are given bail and other liberties under the legal system. Murderers do not have any fear and it is apparent not just in this case but if one looks at many similar cases, he said. I asked the authorities to take action because one of the assailants had come out on bail and though the local authorities were informed that this might lead to further incidents, there is information that were lapses by the police because of negligence, the chief minister added. Accusing the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party of raking up the issue, Kumaraswamy said it was not true that he took action only when workers of his party were attacked. This should not happen to any citizen in the state. The media need not misunderstand me over the use of the term shootout. Watch: Karnataka CM issuing order to Kill mercilessly Police on Tuesday arrested four persons in connection with the case, but officials declined to comment on which one of them the chief minister was referring to as having had a history of criminal cases. The police identified the accused as Yogesh, Swami, Shivaraj and Hemanth. However, the BJP continued to attack Kumaraswamy. State BJP president and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa called the remarks irresponsible and asked him to apologise to the people of the state. A chief minister cannot make such irresponsible remarks. If a chief minister speaks like this, what will happen to the state of law and order? So, he must apologise to the people of the state, he said. Yeddyurappa said it was not acceptable that Kumaraswamy was trying to play down the issue by claiming that he had not made the statement as chief minister. He says he did not make the statement as a chief minister. But how can he separate the two. This is not the first time he has made such irresponsible remarks, and I fear this will have a negative impact on the state, he said. The former chief minister called for the death penalty to be awarded to assailants of political party workers, but said that this should follow procedure laid down by the law. To say that does not mean people in responsible posts can make such statements, he added. Advocate Vinay Srinivasa said it was condemnable that the chief minister had made such a statement. Bail is granted under certain conditions and even if he claims that the criminal justice system is broken, which it is, it is so for the poor. The chief minister should use the opportunity to address this, he said. Srinivasa also alleged that the culture of promoting encounters had resulted in increasing injustice rather than promoting justice. On the outer periphery of Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya in Bihar, a mere few hundred steps from the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,000 years ago, the 14th Dalai Lama prays and meets his followers in a monastery behind an iron security curtain. Inside the temple, Trinley Thaye Dorje, the co-claimant along with Ogyen Trinley Dorje for the title of 17th Karmapa or head of Karma Kagyu school, is preaching to his followers from all over the world on Buddhism. The 17th Karmapa will become the key leader of Tibetan Buddhism in case the 14th Dalai Lama dies without reincarnation. The two religious leaders have no common ground because the Dalai Lama, like China, recognises Ogyen Dorje, who left India for the US in May 2017 and acquired citizenship of Dominica in March this year, as the real Karmapa. On Sunday morning after he discreetly meets a group of monks that has made its way from Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the frail looking but mentally alert 84-year-old spiritual leader of the Tibetan people talked exclusively to Shishir Gupta on wide-ranging political and spiritual issues. Edited excerpts: How is your health these days? Quite Good Not very good .. for an 84-year-old person, quite good. I go for morning walks in Dharamshala also.Here I take around 600 steps each morning in the monastery. What was the reason for indefinite postponement of the 13th Religious Conference of the Schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition (November 29-December 1, 2018) in Dharamshala? The conference was called to discuss the future of the institution of Dalai Lama. One important lama (Kathok Getse Rinpoche, Head of Nyingma school) all of a sudden passed away. The conference had to be postponed as it was a period of mourning . It has nothing to do with 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje not getting a visa to visit India. I could not meet Thaye Dorje as he was not present when I went for pilgrimage to the Stupa. Do you talk to both Ogyen and Thaye ? No I have not yet met Thaye Dorje. Recently, the two met in France. A rightful beginning. Shamar Rinpoche, nephew of 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje who took refuge in Sikkim after 1959 uprising, told me that there were indications that Thaye Dorje was reincarnation of the previous Karmapa. In the meantime, Situ Rinpoche (the rival regent) appointed Ogyen Dorje as the Karmapa. I mentioned to Shamar that a high lama in 19th century had five reincarnations. It is possible for 16th Karmapa to have few reincarnations but the holder of the seat should be one. This is like the two Panchen Lamas with Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (proclaimed by Dalai Lama as reincarnation on May 14, 1995) still alive (other being Gyaltsen Norbu who was appointed by the Chinese government). But then some group told me that I should not be talking about the possibility of two or three reincarnations. I said, OK, then I will keep quiet. Then who will decide the rightful one heir to the seat? Situ Rinpoche found a remarkable child (Ogyen Dorje) in Tibet. They came to see me and finalise that. Then I said yes to Ogyen as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa. There are now two Panchen Lamas, two Karmapas, now the question comes to the tallest lama, the Dalai Lama. Have you initiated the process of your reincarnation because the Chinese government has already initiated the process? No, no, no. That is not my business. I made it clear as early as in 1969 that it was up to the Tibetan people to decide whether the very institution of Dalai Lama should continue or not. They will decide. I have no concern. Since the 5th Dalai Lama, the (person holding the) title was the head of both temporal and spiritual affairs. Since 2001, I have proudly, voluntarily and happily given up the political role. We have already achieved elected political leadership (Centralized Tibetan Administration in Dharmshala) and they carry their full responsibility about our temporal affairs. I have totally retired since 2011. So my thinking is more liberal than Chinese thinking which is more orthodox. But how will people under stress in Tibet decide whether the institution of Dalai Lama should continue ? It should be decided in a free country, not in Tibet, where there is no freedom. Have you initiated the process of dialogue on the Dalai Lama institution? No. Formally, not yet. As the Dalai Lama institution is close to Mongolia, Mongolian people should be involved. I think there should be an international Buddhist conference involving Himalayan people and other Buddhist countries to decide on this. My main concern is that my body, speech, mind and life should be useful to other people. So long as space remains and suffering remains, I remain. My daily prayer is the source of my inner strength. This institution of Dalai Lama, I half-jokingly, half-seriously say, has lasted six to seven hundred years should cease with the 14th with grace. If the 15th Dalai Lama turns out to be naughty as the sixth then the institution will cease in disgrace. The institution could voluntarily and democratically cease with the 14th Dalai Lama being quite famous (he laughs). Has your middle way approach with China worked ? Is it going to benefit Tibetans at all? Oh yes. Like Germany and France after centuries of fighting came together after second World War to form European Union on shared common values, we also want to be part of Peoples Republic of China provided the Tibetan culture, language, knowledge and environment are protected. We get more economic benefit for material development as China is rich economically but spiritually we can help million of Chinese Buddhists. This is mutually beneficial. Historically, Tibet has never been part of China and this even some Chinese historians admit. But past is past, we have to live harmoniously and happily together rather than talk in terms of our nation and their nation. People ask me about the future of India and China relations. I say that neither India nor China has the capability to destroy each other. They have to live happily side by side with minor irritants. Ultimately, Hindi-Chini bhai bhai should be the principle. One must remember that there are around 400 million Chinese Buddhists who are inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, which in turn derives majority of its strength from the Nalanda traditions. There are media reports about Dr Lobsang Sangay, President of Centralized Tibetan Administration (CTA) often disregarding the advice of the 14th Dalai Lama. How is your relationship with him? No. As he is the head of elected political leadership, all decision-making is in his hand. I have never tried to control the political leadership. But in the meantime, he believes me and trusts me. There are some small rumours. Will Ogyen Dorje return to India ? We are told that the 17th Karmapa claimant is putting conditions to Indian Government for his return? That I dont know. Most probably, I think he will return. I recently had discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs and told them that it is between the government of India and Ogyen to decide. I have no problems. It is his business. Not an important matter. There is no question of the Tibetan movement splintering in this context. Are you looking forward to a pilgrimage to China ? Yes. Sure. As far (back) as 1954, I expressed my desire to Chinese government to visit Wutai Shan, the home of 13th Dalai Lama. I was told that there was no road. I still have that desire but it is up to the Chinese government. Once a high Tibetan lama wanted to go to Bodh Gaya but his disciple said that the real Bodh Gaya is in your heart. Historically, the Wutai Shan is seat of Deva of wisdom. Whether I am there physically or not, that wisdom from the Deva is already in my brain.very sharp. Is there any back channel open with the Chinese for resolving the Tibetan issue? After we decided not to seek independence from China in 1974, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping decided to have a direct contact with us through my elder brother and the dialogue started in 1979. We sent four fact finding missions to Tibet from 1979 but the dialogue ceased with the death of Deng in 1997. The official dialogue again started under President Jiang Zemin in 2002 but ceased in June 2010. Since then there is only an informal channel open with Chinese retired officials and private businessmen coming to see me from time to time. And they have some connection with the top leader. The Chinese are not in touch with the CTA. We never used the word Tibetan Government in exile. It is the Chinese who have used this and recognized them (he laughs). Of late various heads of government refuse to meet you fearing the reaction of a now all-powerful China? What is your reaction to it? I have nothing to ask from any head of state or country. I think they are afraid of the Chinese reaction. I met Barack Obama as former US President and Nobel laureate as also late President George Bush Senior. My visit to Sri Lanka was cancelled at the last moment. I have not visited Thailand since it established diplomatic relations with China. I am never allowed into Buddhist countries because I am a Buddhist (he laughs) except Japan. Any plans to visit the US and meet President Donald Trump? No because of my physical condition. Normally, I used to go to the US annually for medical check-up. One Indian doctor found traces of prostrate cancer at the Mayo Clinic in USA. A team of 10 doctors discussed and ruled out surgery due to my age and side effects. Instead, I got radiation and have been completely cured of the disease. I have not travelled to US in the past two years as it is too far and I cannot handle too much physical exertion. So instead of going to the US for treatment, I go to a private hospital in Delhi. US President Donald Trump has just signed The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act 2018, which allows the Tibetans to return to their homeland or else the Chinese officials stopping them face sanctions. What is your reaction to this? The present president of the greatest democratic nation is little bit unpredictable. So I am in no position to comment on this as I do not know enough. But both the US houses have been strong supporters of Tibet over the decades and so has been the American government. American people love Tibet. What is your reaction when you were asked to shift Thank You India event to mark 60 years of your exile in New Delhi to Dharamshala in April? The Indian government tried to avoid any obstacle to their relations with China. That is understandable. That is OK. I was not unhappy. Not much. Nothing. Basically, our relations with India are centuries old since a Nalanda master introduced Buddha Dharma in Sanskrit tradition in the 8th century. My body is Tibetan but spiritually and mentally I am an Indian. Today 10,000 monks and now nuns are studying in Nalanda Buddhist traditions with total freedom and not under any restricted environment in Tibet. Will you or your people ever be able to return to their homeland Tibet? India is the only place where modern education meets ancient knowledge, which is needed to tackle emotions. I am committed to reviewing the ancient Indian knowledge to tackle emotions. For these things freedom is very important. My return to Tibet is of no use if there is no freedom. I prefer this country and this freedom and then I am the longest guest of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to make any foreign visits in the first four months of the coming year in order to focus on local issues ahead of the general elections, senior government officials familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity. To be sure, they added, there are no major multilateral events in the coming months at least not any that require the PMs participation. In the last year, Modi made 14 overseas visits. In addition to his prime ministerial responsibilities, Modi is also the BJPs most important campaigner. The party has faced its most significant losses in the past five years in the recent elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Modi will also participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations in Varanasi during January 21-23. The prime ministers most recent foreign visits were to Japan in October, Singapore (for events related to the Asean Summit), the Maldives (for President Ibrahim Solihs swearing-in) and Argentina (for the G20 Summit) in November. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was in power in the three Hindi-heartland states. Analysts have attributed the losses to the ongoing agrarian crisis and the lack of jobs for young people. The BJPs arch rival, the Congress won all three states. Still, Modis aggressive campaigning in Rajasthan reduced the gap of his partys loss and turned what seemed like a landslide win for the Congress a few months ago into a tight contest an indication of how important he is to the partys campaign. The BJP-led NDA government has to address some of these issues, especially those related to the rural economy, in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls. The ruling alliance will also have to prepare itself to meet an alliance of opposition parties that is in the making. All this, in addition to the business of governance, will occupy Modi in the coming months, the officials added. Modi, who has, according to the prime ministers official website, made 48 foreign trips since June 2014, has no scheduled visits on his agenda for the next few months, the officials said. Though a visit to a South Asian country has been in the pipeline for some time, it is yet to be confirmed, one of them added. Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, who will be in India during December 27-29 for his first foreign visit, is likely to extend an invitation to Modi to visit his country, another official said. India would have to respond positively to any such invitation, given its special relationship with Bhutan. Modi will also participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations in Varanasi during January 21-23. The prime ministers most recent foreign visits were to Japan in October, Singapore (for events related to the Asean Summit), the Maldives (for President Ibrahim Solihs swearing-in) and Argentina (for the G20 Summit) in November. Senior officials in Uttar Pradeshs Noida on Tuesday defended the police notice to companies in Sector 58 of the industrial hub asking them to stop their Muslim employees from offering namaz in a public park. Gautam Budh Nagars district magistrate BN Singh said the officers were doing their duty and according to senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ajay Pal Sharma, the move to stop namaz in the park was not discriminatory. Noida comes under Gautam Budh Nagar. As per the Supreme Court order in 2009, to hold any religious ceremony in public place, it is essential to seek permission from the police and administration. There was no malafide intention in the notice and the police officers were doing their duty, following the orders of the SC, said Singh. Amid accusations that the language used by the in-charge of Sector 58 police station in the notice to companies was discriminatory, Singh said, I beg to differ because at the beginning of the notice it has been stated that no permission has been granted by the administration to hold any sort of religious gathering. Also Read | Ask your employees not to offer namaz in parks: Noida Police issue notice to companies In the notice, station house officer Pankaj Rai had said companies in Sector 58 will be held responsible if their employees are found violating the order. It has to made aware that the administration has not given any permission to hold any kind of religious activity, wherein offering Friday prayers, in the park in Sector 58. It has been often noticed that some of your Muslim employees gather in the park in Sector 58 to offer namaz on Fridays, Rai had said in the notice. They have been asked publicly by me not to do so and who have not been given any permission by the city magistrate on their earlier application, Rai said. Please ask all your Muslim employees not to offer namaz in the park. If they still go to the park to offer prayers, then your company will be held responsible for the violation. Reports said the companies have sought a meeting with senior police officers for clarification on the notice and also planned to approach the court against the order. SSP Sharma said a letter signed by at least 200-300 people was sent to the city magistrate and police around December 8, seeking permission to offer namaz in the public park of Sector 58. The permission to hold namaz was not granted by the city magistrate and police officials conveyed the decision to the people who had gathered in the park. The move was not discriminating against any community, said Sharma. The government is not planning to alter the age criteria of eligibility to appear in civil services examinations. This was clarified on Tuesday by MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh. There is no move by Government to alter the age criteria of eligibility to appear in civil service examinations. Reports and speculations should be put to rest, Dr. Singh said. Speculation about the possible reduction in maximum age for civil services aspirants was triggered after the NITI Aayog, in its report on the national strategy for 2022-23, proposed a series of measures to bring in reforms in recruitment, training and performance evaluation for the civil services. The NITI Aayog had, in its report titled Strategy for New India @75, proposed that the upper age limit for the civil services be reduced to 27 years for the general category in a phased manner by 2022-23. The NITI Aayogs recommendation is based on the fact that nearly 33 per cent of Indias population is under 35 years of age. Right now, the average age of civil services recruits is about 25 years. The age limit for general category right now is 30. The temporal and spiritual world of Tibetan Buddhism seems headed for a period of uncertainty and possible turmoil in the near future with Lobsang Yeshi Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, leaving the question of his reincarnation and the continuation of the very institution of the Dalai Lama to Buddhists living in the Himalayan belt, Mongolia, and outside Tibet. In an interview, he said this should be decided through an international conference after his natural death and that it is not his business to decide on his successor through either reincarnation or emanation. He admitted the dialogue process for reincarnation had not even started. Talking exclusively to Hindustan Times, the Dalai Lama said that his anointed 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje most probably would return to India. But that, he said, was a concern of the Karma Kagyu school head and the Indian government as he had no role to play in the matter. While the highest lama and head of Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism called the meeting of Ogyen Dorje and co-claimant Trinley Thaye Dorje in France this year a rightful beginning, he said he did not want to play the mediator between the two reincarnations of the 16th Karmapa. Thaye Dorje, who was anointed by rival regent Shamar Rinpoche, is currently preaching in Bodh Gaya to a large number of foreigners from the US and Europe and has not met the 14th Dalai Lama. Ogyen Trinley Dorje, supported by both the Dalai Lama and China, left for the US in May 2017, ostensibly for medical reasons. He then acquired a Dominican passport in March this year without informing India. He has been laying down conditions for his return for instance, that he be allowed to visit the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim which is the seat of the Karmappa outside Tibet and also at the heart of the Karmappa controversy, with the two rival factions laying claim to its ownership but New Delhi isnt playing ball. While he said that it was possible for the 16th Karmapa to have a few reincarnations, the Dalai Lama made it amply clear that there should be only one holder of the seat of the 17th Karmapa. The 14th Dalai Lama chose to remain quiet as to who will decide on the holder of the heads of Tibetan schools of Buddhism with the presence of two Panchen Lamas, two Karmapas and the Chinese government already initiating the process of anointing the 15th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama confirmed that his anointed Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi was alive with another co-claimant. Gyaltsen Norbu is sponsored by the Chinese regime and said to be sitting on the throne in Shigatse and mostly stays in Beijing. The Dalai Lama confirmed that there was only informal dialogue on with the Chinese government through retired officials and businessmen after all formal channels were closed in June 2010. He said that he did not want an independent Tibet since 1974 but wanted protection of Tibetan people living even outside Tibetan Autonomous Region of China in terms of language, culture, religious affairs and environment. He said he was committed to middle approach when dealing with Beijing and admitted that the Tibetan people will gain financially from the rise of China. The Dalai Lama dismissed news reports about Dr Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, not heeding his advice as small rumours and said that the politically elected leader trusted and believed in him. The 84-year-old head of Yellow Hat Gelug school of Buddhism confirmed that he had been successfully treated for what he called traces of prostrate cancer through radiation but added that he is in good health. Sowing of winter or rabi crops, an indicator of the pace of farm activities, is down by nearly 5% compared to last year, although the gap is sufficiently large in some individual crops, suggesting fresh weaknesses in the rural sector, analysts say. While all major crops continue to see a decline in their total acreage this winter, there are large gaps in urad or black gram (-9%), coarse cereals or millets (-17.3), groundnut (-28%), safflower (-53%), and sunflower (-29.5%). The acreage of wheat, the main winter staple that is generally stable, is down marginally at -1.5%, official sowing data from the agriculture ministry up to December 21 shows. Indias agriculture is precariously poised. Overall normal rains last year and higher output have pushed prices further down, stoking farmer protests. A smaller winter crop could affect other sectors of the economy since steady rural output and incomes are necessary to prop up demand for manufactured goods. One reason for the lower acreages is that several states have witnessed continuing localised droughts, while poor prices of farm produce, the main reason for the current agrarian distress, may have influenced sowing decisions. The room left for a catch-up in sowing is small since December-end accounts for more than 90% of total winter sowing. Analysts from Crisil Ltd said their data suggest sowing has been down by up to 5% in Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Some of these states are currently battling a rural distress. The biggest shortfall for coarse cereals is in Maharashtra and Karnataka, while pulses have seen the biggest fall in Maharashtra. Karnataka and Haryana have seen large declines in area under oilseeds. Predictably, lower water availability has pulled down rabi acreage in 2018 This is of concern, because the rabi crop accounts for 40% of Indias agricultural produce in both volume and value terms, said Hetal Gandhi, the director of Crisil Ltd. While pockets in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat have been hit by continuing dry spells, the northeast (winter) monsoon has been 49% below normal as on December 12. The northeast monsoon is critical for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, said prof K Mani of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Distress in the rural economy could impact growth in agri-linked sectors with the rabi season showing clear signs of weakness, rural Indias contribution has come under a cloud. Unless the sowing situation improves in the next few weeks, there could be a trickle-down effect on the sectors being driven by rural India, Gandhi said. A dent in the rural economy affects other sectors because about 54% of the countrys private consumption (of various manufactured items) comes from the hinterlands. For instance, nearly half of all motorcycles are sold in the rural India when rural incomes are steady. It also has significant political ramifications. Part reason for the Bharatiya Janata Partys loss in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh that went to the polls recently was agrarian distress. The attack on a 15-year-old schoolgirl, who was set on fire in Agra last week, was planned by her cousin, who committed suicide on the day she died of burn injuries in a Delhi hospital, police in Uttar Pradesh said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old cousin of the Class 10 student was angry because she turned down his advances, police said, adding that two people have been arrested in connection with the crime. The girls family reiterated their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, saying police were framing a dead person without any strong evidence. We will continue our fight for justice, the girls father said. The girl was intercepted by three men all wearing helmets on two motorcycles on her way back from school on December 18, and set on fire. She was taken to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital, where she died two days later. The cousin had promised 15,000 each to the co-accused. They happened to be his relatives and have been arrested, Amit Pathak, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Agra, said on Tuesday. Police said they used social media chats, photographs and CCTV footage to solve the case and recovered the motorcycles used in the crime, helmets, a lighter, a bag and the mobile phone of the cousin. The phone provided important clues in the case. The chats revealed that the girl was getting irritated with the cousin, who was obsessed about her, said Pathak. We suspected the involvement of some insider. The suicide of the girls cousin made the case more complex. We had to look into the reason for his suicide too, Pathak said. Family members of the cousin said he had gone to meet the girl in Delhi and committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance after returning to Agra. Pathak said investigations revealed that the man had purchased a bicycle for the girl and told her that he would help her achieve her dream of becoming a model. In a Facebook conversation, the girl showed suspicion that her cousin, fond of crime shows, was involved in an attack on her father, who was hit on his head on November 23, police said. Pathak said police, too, believed the cousin was behind that attack. The girl even told him, Tum bhai kehlane layak nahi ho (you are not worthy of being called a brother). Such conversations confirmed him as a suspect and it proved to be true when we found that he engaged two of his relatives in his plan to eliminate the girl, Pathak said. Pathak said the cousin and the two others planned the attack three weeks before they targeted the girl and conducted a recce of the spot. He showed the photograph of the girl in school uniform to the two men, but did not reveal her identity to them. Initially, we believed that there were only two accused, but CCTV footage revealed that the girls cousin was also on the spot of crime. They had come on two motorcycles, he said. Police said the cousin poured petrol on the girl and set her afire. The main accused wore surgical gloves and tied a handkerchief on his face to conceal his identity. He had asked his aides not to utter even a word. They changed their clothes after executing the crime. He kept his mobile phone switched off on the day of the crime, Pathak said Creating fake accounts in social networks on behalf of Azerbaijan's First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, sharing her photos and posting her alleged views, quotes and messages to citizens of the country have recently become widespread in social networks, the Secretariat of Azerbaijan's First Vice-President warned. Given the increasing number of such false posts, in order to prevent their spread, the Secretariat of Azerbaijan's First Vice-President said that Mehriban Aliyeva does not use any social network and all of her messages and statements are delivered to the audience only through official media. "Dissemination in media and social networks of false statements on the issues of vital importance to our state, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, on behalf of the republic's First Vice-President, causes confusion. While there is free access to full, official and accurate information on the activities of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, using and sharing false information is inadmissible. We insistently urge everyone to be responsible and refrain from spreading unverified, false and provocative information," AzerTAc cited the statement a saying. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president and Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar condemned the incident of allegedly blackening the statue of late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by Akali activists in Ludhiana.Jakhar also demanded that Akali Dal president should tender apology for this heinous act of his party workers. In a press release issued Tuesday, Jakhar said that after losing public support, Akali Dal leaders are indulging in such mean politics, but the people of the state do not like this type of politics. Jakhar said that in 10 year regime of Parkash Singh Badal led SAD-BJP alliance failed to take action against those responsible for the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and killing two peaceful protesters at Behbal Kalan in Faridkot district.On the contrary false cases were slapped on the innocent persons which resulted in the shameful defeat of the SAD-BJP alliance in the 2017 Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections. Watch: Akali Dal vandalises Rajiv Gandhi statute Jakhar said that due to alleged misrule of the SAD-BJP alliance for ten years,Punjab suffered set-back on all fronts and Capt.Amarinder Singh government has brought back Punjab on the development track. Jakhar remarked that SAD knows that it won't win even a single seat from Punjab in the coming general elections-2019 and that is why SAD is doing dirty politics. Jakhar supported the stand taken by chief minister Capt.Amarinder Singh of taking strict action against the accused of the said Ludhiana incident. At least 12 people were injured in an attack on a Sunday mass by a group of people in Maharashtras Kolhapur district, police said Tuesday. Deputy SP of Kolhapur Anil Kadam was quoted by ANI as saying, 10-12 people attacked Sunday prayer mass being held at the premises of a local resident Bhimsen Chauhan in Kolhapur. The victims were attending the Sunday Mass on December 23 in Kolhapurs Kowad village, located on the Karnataka border, when the incident happened around noon, a police official said. A group of 10-12 men armed with swords, iron rods and glass bottles reached the residence on motorcycles and attacked the congregation, he said. They threw stones on those attending the prayer and tried to barge into the house. But some women, who were part of the prayer meet, forced the attackers to back off by throwing chilli powder on them, the official said. Twelve people were injured in the attack and they were admitted to hospital, he said. Senior police officials were monitoring the situation in the area, he said, adding that efforts were on to ascertain the reason behind the attack. No arrests have been made so far but Police have formed five teams to track down the unidentified accused involved in the incident. Teams have been sent to Belgaum, Karnataka, to locate the miscreants, ANI quoted police officials as saying. The family of a 25-year-old electrician from Tamil Nadu who was working in Poland are claiming that he has been murdered and have sought the help of Union Ministry of External Affairss (MEA) to retrieve the body of the deceased and also ensure justice. P Venkatesan, who had done a diploma in electronics and electrical, went to Poland in November 2017, through a Chennai-based placement agency to work as an electrician at a private hotel chain in Warsaw, according to his family members in Vellore districts Sambasivapuram. As we did not receive any phone calls from Venkatesan since Sunday, we rushed to the placement agency in Chennai. On Monday they said that he was slightly injured and resting. While we insisted that they show us his latest pictures, they informed us later in the night that he had died. Since the placement agency says that Venkatesan had injuries in his body, we believe this was a murder. However the agency is washing its hands off the matter saying its role ended after placement, Venkatesans uncle S Pichandi told Hindustan Times. Venkatesan paid six lakh rupees to the agency to obtain this job. They promised him that he would get a salary of one lakh rupees per month. But last month he sent home just Rs.40,000. He shared accommodation with four co-workers including one from Bangladesh, Pichandi added. The family has approached the state police, the collector of Vellore and the ministry of external affairs seeking assistance to get back Venkatesans body and also get full details as to how he died, as they suspect foul play. Vellore district authorities said they they have forwarded all details of the case including necessary documents to the ministry of external affairs and and they are coordinating with them to extend further assistance to the family. We are not sure that it was a murder or accident. However, we are coordinating with the MEA to get full facts and also to retrieve the body of the deceased as requested by the family, Vellore collector S A Raman told media. The entire world witnesses Christmas festivities on December 25, but in Lucknow this day also marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A series of events has been lined up from December 24 to 27 by social organisations, literary organisations, government departments, individuals and fan clubs in memory of Vajpayee. Vajpayeeji was the tallest leader of the country in the post-Gandhi and Nehru era. No wonder, every Lucknowite wants to pay tribute to him by celebrating his birthday. He loved poetry and thats why the celebrations began with a kavi sammelan at the Scientific Convention Centre in Chowk on Monday, said Dinesh Sharma, deputy chief minister. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, union home minister Rajnath Singh, deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma listened to poets like Waseem Barelvi, Surendra Sharma, Sunil Jogi, Sarvesh Asthana, Alok Srivastava who presented the best of their renditions in the Kavi Sammelan. A few literary functions in Vajpayees memory have also been scheduled. Besides, union home minister Rajnath Singh will dedicate or lay foundation stones for projects worth more than 200 crore for Lucknow at Kudia Ghat on Tuesday. The projects involve construction of roads, drains and pipelines. Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, cabinet ministers Ashutosh Tandon, Brajesh Pathak and Rita Bahuguna Joshi will also be present on the occasion. This function would be followed by Tehri Bhoj for hundreds of people. A raen basera (shelter home) at King Georges Medical College (KGMU) for the stay of 180 patient attendants would be dedicated to the public by home minister on Tuesday. It is constructed at a cost of 9.60 crore donated by the Power Corporation of India from its CSR fund. The shelter home will have 180 beds along with arrangement of food for them. While 750 solar streetlights will be switched on in the city, the foundation stone for installation of 258 submersibles in different areas of the city for water supply would also be laid down. After that, 570 projects worth 158 crore would either be launched or dedicated to public on the occasion. These would be financed from the MP fund and 14th Finance Commission, said Diwakar Tripathi, representative of home minister Rajnath Singh. He said, The foundation stone for a flyover from Kursi road to Tehripulia and a service lane from Kursi road to Faizabad road would be laid. Sanction for three more flyovers is also expected on Tuesday, said Tripathi. Amit Puri, a close associate of former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, said the celebrations would continue till December 31. Atal Fans Club would organise Sundar Kand Path at the Hanuman Setu temple, which would be followed by a Tehri Bhoj. The fans club will also offer bhog of 51-kg laddoo at Hanuman Setu temple to mark the occasion. A portrait of Vajpayee will be unveiled at the Lok Bhavan. The district administration will celebrate Vajpayees birth anniversary as Sushashan Diwas (Good Administration Day) by organising seminars, discussions, debates, camps etc. BOX PROJECTS TO BE LAUNCHED Home minister Rajnath Singh will dedicate or lay foundation stones for projects worth more than 200 crore for Lucknow at Kudia Ghat on Tuesday. The projects involve construction of roads, drains and pipelines. After that, 570 projects worth 158 crore would either be launched or dedicated to public on the occasion. These would be financed from the MP fund and 14th Finance Commission, said Diwakar Tripathi, representative of home minister Rajnath Singh. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati is likely to put the finishing touches to a pre-poll alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) for the Lok Sabha election when she visits Lucknow either at the month-end or the start of the new year, said a senior party leader who did not wish to be named. Except for a few seats, the seat-sharing formula between the BSP and the SP had been decided, the party leader said. Once the alliance was announced, the hiccups over the remaining seats will be resolved, he added. The BSP chief was working to form a third front of parties not allied with the BJP or the Congress, the party leader said. Along with the SP, the leaders of the Indian National Lok Dal and the Janta Chhattisgarh Congress (JCC) had decided to project Mayawati as the PM candidate of the front, he claimed. The BSP chief was also likely to rejig the organisation, showing the door to those with a poor record and accommodating the performers, he said. During her visit here, the BSP chief, who is camping in Delhi these days, will also review her partys preparedness for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls at a meeting with party leaders in Lucknow in the first week of January. The state unit, which is gearing up for the meeting, will be briefed about the seat-sharing formula with the SP as well as the campaign strategy for the Lok Sabha election, the party leader said. People familiar with the matter said Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had held deliberations with Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi, INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren. Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader and Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is likely to meet the BSP chief on Tuesday. The BSP chief has held talks with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar. Attempts were being made to bring West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik into the third front, the BSP leader said. The senior BSP leader said the state unit leaders will present a report about membership drive, constitution of booth committees, organisation of meetings of the bhai-chara (brotherhood) committees and cadre camps at the Lucknow meeting. After the review meeting, the BSP will start preparing for Mayawatis 63rd birthday on January 15. The BSP has been celebrating the occasion as Jankalyankari Diwas after losing power in the 2012 assembly election. The party leaders assist the needy, poor and the handicapped. They also visit Dalit hamlets and hospitals and distribute fruit and blankets among the poor people, said a senior BSP leader. Mayawati is likely to release the new edition of her book, A Travelogue of My Struggle-Ridden Life and BSP Movement, and a missionary calendar of the party in a programme organised at the state unit office. Meanwhile, former SP MLA Ruchi Veera has joined the BSP and been made the party in-charge of the Bijnore Lok Sabha constituency. The BSP appoints its Lok Sabha candidates as in-charge of the parliamentary constituencies. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country have recorded a 20-30% rise in jobs being offered to their students in the first phase of placements that ended last week. According to the data, this year saw a 20% increase in the number of companies registering to offer jobs and the median salaries. More companies also meant more international offers. At IIT-Bombay, 89 students were offered international positions by companies based in USA, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea. IIT-Bombay secured a total of 1,122 jobs (including pre-placement offers) from 361 companies. This is an all-time high for the first phase, said a spokesperson of the institute, adding, Forty-five first-time recruiters took part in the process. The highest domestic CTC offered this year stood at 45 lakh an annum, whereas the highest international package offered stood at USD 1,65,000 (1.15crore) an annum. Most IITs witnessed a rise in the registrations of core-engineering companies, especially for electrical, civil, mechanical and chemical engineering. Topping the list of number of offers at IIT-B was Samsung, with 27 positions for their offices in Korea, Bengaluru, Noida and Delhi. At IIT-Madras, 92% registered students were offered a job in the first phase. Artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, stochastic modelling and predictive analysis seem to be upcoming sectors as the industry gears up to handle the exponential increase in organisations looking for talent with this skill-set. As expected, offers from core companies increased. Core companies, including those registering under the domain of information technology and others, yielded more than 70% offers, said professor S Dharmaraja, head, training and placements, IIT-Delhi. Officials from IIT-Kanpur said almost 55% of their batch was placed in the first week itself. More than 80% of our batch has been placed in the first phase of placements, about 6% more than last year. Many of our students received multiple offers, said professor Syam Nair, placements coordinator, IIT-Kanpur. The highest package of the year went to a student from IIT-Roorkee, where Microsoft offered 22 jobs, including three international postings, offering the highest package of 1.5 crore (base salary plus benefits) to a student. At IIT-Bombay, 1 crore-plus packages were offered by three companies, including Microsoft and Uber. Dutch trading firm, Optiver, offered an annual package of 81 lakh to another student of IIT-B. While a good market could be the direct reason for more jobs being offered to IIT students, the fact that more students also did well during their internships made way for more pre-placement offers, said a spokesperson from IIT-Roorkee. Two engineers of an IT firm in Navi Mumbai died after the car they were travelling in, rammed into a trailer on Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Lekhi Challapalli, 28, a resident of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh and Mannem Saikumar, 24, a resident of Hyderabad. They had been to their hometown a few days ago and were on their way to Navi Mumbai when they met with the accident. The police said that the trailer driver applied brakes suddenly which led to the accident. The front side of the car was also totally damaged in the accident. Challapalli and Saikumar took a flight from Hyderabad to Pune on Sunday night. On reaching Pune, they took a rental car to go to Mahape in Navi Mumbai. Saikumar was driving the car and they were crossing Tembri village near Khalapur around 7am. A trailer, which was also moving in the same direction, suddenly applied brakes and it came to a halt mid-street. As Saikumar was unable to control of the speed of the car instantly, it rammed into the trailer, said Mahendra Shelar, assistant inspector from Khalapur police station. Challapalli and Saikumar suffered severe injuries at different parts of their bodies in the accident and they lost their consciousness on the spot. A few local residents and police officials rushed them to a nearby hospital, but they were declared brought dead by the doctors. The trailer driver fled the spot just after the accident leaving behind the vehicles. We have confiscated the trailer. We have registered a case against the driver under sections 304a, 279, 337, 337 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle (MV) Act. We hope to arrest him soon, Shelar said. The deceaseds colleagues had come to the hospital and identified the bodies. We later contacted their family members and informed them about the accident. Once they reach Khalapur, postmortems will be conducted and the bodies will be handed over to them, he further said. Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu on Monday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a civil enclave at Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Darbhanga, paving the way for the launch of commercial flights for Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru under the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN-II. Under the scheme, Darbhanga airport will be developed with the upgrade of necessary infrastructure for commercial flights likely to be launched in June next year, at an approximate cost of 92 crore. AAI would operate and manage the flight operations. SpiceJet has already won bid to operate flight from Darbhanga airport, the first in Bihar under UDAN scheme launched by Narendra Modi government with an objective to expand civil aviation network across the country. The development work includes strengthening of the existing 9000-foot-long runway, setting up of no-frill, pre-fabricated interim terminal building, taxiway, six check-in counters to handle 200 peak hour passengers and parking facility for 30 cars. Addressing the foundation laying ceremony, the union civil aviation minister expected a promising start of flight service from Darbhanga in Mithila, which he described as a great cultural centre. "The commencement of civil aviation facility will usher progress by opening new avenues for the development of Mithila. We will work together with Bihar government to expand the aviation sector in other parts of state in the coming days, be it Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Raxaul and Jogbani, he said. Prabhu said that Darbhanga was once known for its Maharaja who had aeroplanes, but the first thing Prime Minister Narendra Modi did after taking oath was to provide civil aviation facility for ordinary people, who will now take the benefits of flight service. In a democracy, people are real king, he said. Darbhanga is known for fish, mango and makhana and the new agriculture export policy approved by Union cabinet is going to bring drastic change by providing institutional mechanism for pursuing market access and tackling barriers in farming sector across the country, the minister said. The minister also spelled out next measure to set up nodes in Bihar for direct export of agricultural produce under the policy. Speaking on the occasion, Nitish Kumar thanked the Centre for the huge progress in civil aviation under UDAN and connecting Darbhanga airport under the scheme. He urged the civil aviation minister to decide within a fortnight and announce the date of launch of flight service in June as the deadline for completion of civil enclave had been given as May 31, 2018. The CM also instantly granted approval to a suggestion by junior civil aviation minister Jayant Sinha for naming the Darbhanga airport after legendary Maithili poet Mahakavi Vidhyapati. He further said that the state government had already acquired and transferred 108 acres of land for development of Bihta airport and urged that work on construction of building should begin by February. The CM said that an elevator corridor would be constructed between Bihta and Patna, which will reduce the travel time between two destinations to merely 15-20 minutes. The CM said Purnia was also in the pipeline for start of civil aviation facility. The airport is under the possession of IAF and they have sought two years of time to expand and strengthen the runway there. We are ready to provide land and other assistance in this regard to cater to the need of people, he said. The CM also asked for increasing air connectivity from Gaya, which will cater to the larger number of flyers from surrounding districts and also from Jharkhand area. Bihar on aviation map Commercial flights for Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to be launched from June 2019 SpiceJet has already won bid to operate flights from Darbhanga airport, the first in Bihar under UDAN scheme CM gave instant nod to a suggestion by junior civil aviation minister Jayant Sinha for naming the Darbhanga airport after legendary Maithili poet Mahakavi Vidhyapati Next in line is Bihta, where 108 acres of land has been acquired for an airport, construction to begin by Feb 2019 An elevator corridor planned to cut Bihta-Patna travel time to merely 15-20 minutes SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The state unit of Congress is non-committal in declaring a chief ministerial face of the work-in-progress grand alliance for the assembly elections scheduled in the state around six months after the Lok Sabha elections next year, saying the party cant unilaterally declare a leader until all alliance parters meet and arrive at a consensus. Addressing reporters at the party state headquarters on Monday, Jharkhand Congress chief Ajoy Kumar said sitting together and finalising a common minimum programme was more important issue at hand than declaring the CM face. I totally agree that the modalities of the alliance need to be thrashed out at the earliest. In order to defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha and assembly elections, all constituents (of alliance) would sit together and thrash out the larger policies and programmes of the alliance. When we sit together, (CM) face of the alliance would also be discussed. We (Congress) cant declare a CM face unilaterally, Kumar said, refusing a direct answer to the JMMs repeated demand of announcing former chief minister Hemant Soren as the leader of the alliance. Kumar also underlined that the larger issues of the alliance is in the purview of president Rahul Gandhi and state in-charge RPN Singh and leaders would soon meet to thrash out the alliance. JMM and Congress are the biggest constituents of the oppositions grand alliance being proposed in the state, besides the Babulal Marandi-led JVM (P) and the RJD. Ever since the JMM, despite having more than double legislators than Congress, extended support to the latters candidate Dheeraj Sahu in Rajya Sabha election in March, the JMM has been demanding the Congress to make its stand official over the issue. During the Rajya Sabha elections, the two parties had in principle agreed that the Congress would get lions share in seat-sharing of the 14 Lok Sabha seats, while the alliance would contest assembly election under the leadership of Hemant Soren. Sources in Congress said a section in the party had always opposed the JMMs demand to announce the leader of the alliance before the election. As efforts are on to cobble up the alliance in the state, the JMM and RJD extended support to the Jharkhand Party (JP) candidate instead of the Congress in Kolebira assembly bypoll on December 20 in which the Congress emerged victorious while JP candidate forfeited her deposit. Congress insiders said the victory, close on the heels of victory in assembly elections in three states, has pumped up the party cadre and they are in no mood to take the diktats of the JMM hands down. JMM working president Hemant Soren recently said that the PM candidate of the grand alliance should be declared after the election results, then why does he want a chief ministerial candidate before the elections in the state, a senior member of the JPCC said. Party chief Ajoy Kumar, however, played down the issue of lack of JMM support in the Kolebira bypoll and underlined that the larger contours of the alliance in the state are already clear. The alliance is very much in place. Even I am of the view that the modalities of the alliance should be sealed at the earliest so that things are clear beforehand to all. The larger contours of seat sharing are clear. Of the 14 Lok Sabha seats, there is glitch on only two or three seats. Similarly, there is no confusion on around 65 of the 81 assembly seats. We will sit together and clear things soon, said Kumar. The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned a terror attack on a government building in the Afghan capital Kabul, which killed at least 43 people. "We have received the news with great sorrow that an attack perpetrated at the Ministry of Public Works in Kabul resulted in loss of lives of many and left many others wounded,"the ministry said in a statement. The ministry conveyed its condolences to the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan, Anadoly Agency reported. Yesterday, a group of armed militants attacked government offices in Kabul and took hostage employees of the Afghan Ministry of Public Works and the administration dealing with providing assistance to the families of people killed and disabled in the war. After setting off a car bomb near the Ministry of Public Works, militants opened fire. Two more explosions occurred after that. Taking advantage of the ensuing panic, the attackers broke into the building. At least five people were killed and 21 injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians in east Chinas Fujian province on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported. A hijacker carrying a knife had been detained and was being investigated by local police, state television CGTN reported. The incident happened at about 3:20 pm in the city of Longyan, the local Minxi Ribao newspaper reported. A policeman was among the five confirmed dead. A video posted by Duowei news, a Chinese media outlet based in the US, showed several injured people lying on the street near a crashed bus. It also showed police wrestling a person to the ground. The Longyan public security bureau declined to comment when contacted by AFP. China has suffered several similar incidents this year. In late November a car rammed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in northeast Chinas Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring another 18. Earlier that month, about 15 people died when a bus plunged off a bridge in southwest Chongqing municipality, after the driver got into a fist fight with a passenger who had missed her bus stop. In February, a van packed with pressurised gas tanks and petrol-filled bottles caught fire and ploughed into pedestrians in Shanghai, leaving at least 18 people injured. Grisly car accidents are common in China, where transportation authorities have struggled to enforce safety regulations, which are often flouted or go unenforced. . An hours-long gun and suicide attack on a Kabul government compound killed at least 43 people, the health ministry said Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the Afghan capital this year. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which caps a bloody year for Afghanistan as civilians and security forces are slaughtered in record numbers. Another 10 people were wounded in Mondays raid on a site where the Ministry of Public Works and other offices are located, spokesman Waheed Majroh said. Gunmen stormed the compound mid-afternoon after detonating a car bomb at the entrance, sending terrified government workers running for their lives. Some jumped from windows several floors high to escape the militants. Hundreds more were trapped inside buildings as heavily armed security forces swarmed the area, engaging in a fierce gun battle with the attackers. At least four militants, including the suicide bomber, were killed and more than 350 people freed, officials said. Most of the victims were civilians, who have borne the brunt of the 17-year war. It was the deadliest assault in the Afghan capital since a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a religious gathering last month, killing at least 55 people. The raid followed a tumultuous few days in Afghanistan where officials are reeling from US President Donald Trumps plan to slash troop numbers, which many fear could harm efforts to end the conflict with the Taliban. It also comes after a major security shake-up in Kabul that has placed staunch anti-Taliban and Pakistan veterans in charge of the police and military. While there has been no official announcement of a US drawdown, the mere suggestion of the United States reducing its military presence has rattled the Afghan capital and potentially undermined peace efforts. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, said Sunday he had not received orders to pull forces out of the country. Trumps decision apparently came Tuesday as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the Taliban in Abu Dhabi, part of efforts to bring the militants to the negotiating table with Kabul. Many Afghans are worried that President Ashraf Ghanis fragile unity government would collapse if US troops pulled out, enabling the Taliban to return to power and potentially sparking another bloody civil war. Militants have previously attacked government ministries and departments because they are often poorly defended and seen as soft targets. T hinking of buying a home? Don't make an offer without reading the 10 tips below, which will put you in the best position to bargain... You might not dream of asking for a discount in a restaurant or at the supermarket check out, but in the London housing market a bit of horse trading is now the norm. And, with tens of thousands of pounds at stake, if you are ever going to swallow your natural shyness and ask for a better deal than the advertised price then now is the time. According to the latest research from Hometrack, buyers in the capital are firmly in the driving seat with homes typically selling at almost five per cent below asking price which means that a buyer spending 400,000 could save themselves around 20,000. 1. GET YOUR FINANCES READY The very first step is to get your ducks in the row that means a mortgage agreed in principle and a lawyer on speed dial. You must have your finances and solicitors ready, said James Robinson, general manager of Lurot Brand. If you want to negotiate the price down speed is the cheapest bargaining chip. 2. PLAY IT COOL When viewing properties dont make it too obvious youve fallen in love, advised buying agent Nathalie Hirst, or your bargaining position will be weakened. Whilst it is perfectly acceptable to be complimentary and positive, it is also crucial to maintain a poker face, she said. UK house prices: how does your region compare? (December 2018) 1 /11 UK house prices: how does your region compare? (December 2018) London Average price: 602,996 Annual change: -1.1% Rightmove: December 2018 Shutterstock East of England Average price: 341,818 Annual change: -0.7% Shutterstock South East Average price: 389,180 Annual change: -0.9% Shutterstock South West Average price: 295,324 Annual change: 2.0% Shutterstock West Midlands Average price: 220,668 Annual change: 4.5% Shutterstock East Midlands Average price: 222,511 Annual change: 5.1% Shutterstock North East Average price: 143,902 Annual change: -0.8% Shutterstock North West Average price: 188,378 Annual change: 3.1% Shutterstock Yorkshire and The Humber Average price: 187,143 Annual change: 4.8% Shutterstock Scotland Average price: 147,114 Annual change: 1.1% Shutterstock Wales Average price: 191,927 Annual change: 6.2% Shutterstock 3. KNOW THE AREA You need to be able to give a good reason for the level of your offer just because the average London price drop is five per cent dont assume this is what you should offer because the asking price you are looking at might actually be perfectly fair, or it might be ludicrously high. Comprehensively research recent comparable sales in the area, said Giles Cook, head of residential agency at Best Gapp. 4. DO YOUR HOMEWORK Cook also recommends trying to find out why the vendor is selling because if they just seem to be testing the waters they are unlikely to accept a cheeky offer, but if they need to move they will be more amenable on reducing the price. Also study the sales history because an owner who has been waiting ages to sell is likely to be more willing to accept an offer than one who has only been trying for a few weeks. And those who have already cut their asking price may not be willing or able to go much lower. Do your homework: find out why the vendor is selling and study the sales history / Daniel Lynch 5. TREAD CAREFULLY Whatever you do dont waste your time with an insultingly low offer; nobody is going to sell you a nice two-bedroom flat in Islington for 250,000, no matter how desperate they might be. Making low offers on properties must be handled carefully, said Mark Peck, director of Cheffins, who suggests sticking within ten per cent of the asking price. Mishandled and they can upset, annoy or even totally alienate the seller and also make the agent question how serious the buyer really is. And while it is OK to point out faults in the property as a reason for your lower offer, dont get personal. Nobody wants to hear that their kitchen is absolutely minging even if it's true. 6. KNOW WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH You can afford to be pushier when dealing with a housebuilder, where there are less personal feelings involved. If you are offering on a new development, negotiate hard and be prepared to walk away if the deal isnt good enough, advised buying agent James Greenwood of Stacks Property Search. There are plenty of alternatives, and with many developers looking to offload large supplies, there are good deals to be had. 7. PUT IT IN WRITING Offers should be made in writing, through the agent, to show you are serious, and to avoid awkward face to face discussions. Offers that are supported by a solicitors client approval letter and one that contains proof of funds/personal financial information will have extra credence, said Cook. Include realistic timescales for exchange and completion, any specific requests or conditions attached to the potential transaction and your reasons for wanting to purchase. 8. TIMING IS CRUCIAL A good offer is not just about price, said Claire Owen, founding director of Loop Software, which monitors the difference between asking and selling prices across the UK. There are other factors that can make an offer attractive to a seller. Timing is often very important, can you complete quickly, or are you happy with a delayed completion? Are you 'proceedable'? Which means having finances in place, chain-free and ready to go? If yes, you have a better chance of negotiating a lower price. 9. KNOW YOUR LIMIT If you can afford to go a bit higher, do so. When you do counter-offer, your bids should always increase in smaller increments as you go on, said buying agent Caroline Takla, Founder & Managing Partner of The Collection LLP. For example, your first counter-offer might be by 50,000, the next one by 25,000, the next one by 10,000 and the final one 2,500. This sends a clear psychological message that negotiation is slowing down and that you have a finite pot of money. 10. DON'T GIVE UP EASILY And if your best offer is turned down, dont give up hope. Just because a seller won't budge on price today doesn't mean you'll get the same answer next week, said Rob Dix, co-founder of The Property Hub. It's shocking how few buyers follow up after having an offer rejected: it's the key to getting the best deals. A seller who wants to hang on initially might well change their minds and decide to take whats been offered, so its worth persisting. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Ankara had completed preparations for the operation against Kurds in Syria east of the Euphrates River. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a military operation against Syrian Kurds in Manbij and to the east of Euphrates but later postponed it in light of his recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. On December 19, Trump declared that the U.S. has won against the ISIS terror group operating in Syria and made the announcement he was bringing home all U.S. forces from the war-torn country. 21 Savage's latest tape I am > I was may very well be getting played more than some classic holiday songs right now and we can't blame people for the heavy rotation since it boasts features from J. Cole, Offset, Post Malone, Lil Baby, Gunna, ScHoolboy Q, Childish Gambino, Yung Miami, and more. One song, unfortunately, has been getting some hate since it features lyrics that have been called anti-Semitic. "ASMR" hears 21 rap: We been getting that Jewish money, Everything is Kosher." Lebron James already got in trouble for sharing the lyrics on Instagram, which forced him to apologize. "That's not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That's what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music and that was the byproduct of it," he said. "So, I actually thought it was a compliment and obviously it wasn't through the lens of a lot of people. My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody." Now the man behind the tune has come forward with his own clarification, detailing how he has love for everyone and meant no offense. "The Jewish people I know are very wise with there money so thats why I said we been gettin Jewish money I never thought anyone would take offense Im sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people," he tweeted. Lil Pump has recently come under fire for the lyrics of a new song called "Butterfly Doors." If you don't keep up with the youths these days, Pump previewed the song which contains the following lyrics: "Smokin on dope / They call me Yao Ming cause my eyes real low (ching chong)." The racial epithet did not go unnoticed, and he wound up being the center of a diss song from a Chinese artist, Lil Yijie, who released a song which, straightforwardly enough, is called "FXXX LIL PUMP." Lil Yijie wasn't alone though, Awkwafina, who you might recognize from the film Crazy Rich Asians and the internet in general, also took the time to call out Lil Pump for his choice of words. It seems Pump is not oblivious to the controversy, and while taking to his Instagram page to wish his followers a happy holiday, he also dropped off an apology. "I came to tell you from my part that I'm sorry, and I apologize for posting that, it was not my intentions to hurt nobody, or do none of that, deadass. Cause I got Asian homies, you know, I fuck with everybody," he says in the clip. He ended the video by wishing everybody a Merry Christmas, encouraging his fans to spread love. Watch it below. 21 Savage also had to an issue an apology of sorts lately, for his lyrical reference to "Jewish money." https://www.instagram.com/p/Bry8V8IjehA According to the digital era of dating, one must consistently gas up their lover in order to reach ultimate levels of #relationshipgoals vibes. Playboi Carti, who isn't actually looking for a serious relationship, still has no problem flaunting his lady friend, Iggy Azalea. The female rapper is often seen peacocking on her own, so this does not come as a surprise. However, she seemed slightly stiff while Playboi filmed her twirling for the camera. He asked her to show off her new hairstyle, an intricate set of cornrows. Perhaps the apparent stiffness was due to the braids' tightness as opposed to a feeling of shyness. Peep the designs after the jump. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Fans who have commented on the clip don't seem to be feeling the new 'do. Some say that her demeanor might be based on her own knowledge of her awkward appearance. There were also comments about the alleged lack of skill displayed on her head. Many criticized the pair for getting a mediocre stylist, considering both of their financial successes. One social media user said they could have at least "dipped" the braids, which would have given the hair a softer appearance. Others simply laughed it off Playboi Carti's attempt to transform Iggy into "hood barbie." https://www.instagram.com/p/Brvez7iBdYA Oil has been very good to university endowments in Texas. It was so good in the year through June 30 that the University of Texas saw the value of its endowment reach $31 billion, surpassing Yale to become the second-largest endowment in U.S. higher education, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Harvard is No. 1 with $39.2 billion. The University of Texas endowment was fueled by mineral rights from land it controls in the Permian Basin. Its an area bigger than Delaware that has emerged in the past decade as the worlds fastest growing oil-producing region due to advances in hydraulic fracturing. The state system shares the mineral rights revenue with Texas A&M University, which saw its endowment value surge to $13.5 billion. The boom may recede as the price of a barrel of oil has tumbled by 40 percent from a high this year of $76 in October. Still, endowment performance out of the Lone Star state is a testament to the influence of the Permian. A small school outside of Dallas with a big energy bet produced one of the best returns in higher education in fiscal 2018. Most universities began reporting fiscal 2018 endowment investment returns in the fall. Its very common in Texas to have a lot of exposure to energy, said Christian Busken, a senior vice president who oversees real asset investments at Fund Evaluation Group in Cincinnati. Fortunes are made and lost but if you play it in the right way it can be a great long-term investment. Mineral rights, which can be split from holdings of the surface property, convey ownership of the underground gas, oil and other natural resources. They are a common asset at Texas colleges. The two public systems receive royalties from land the state designates for higher education while other schools are often given mineral rights by donors. Mineral rights are also seen as a relatively low-risk way to get exposure to energy and generate income compared with buying shares in drillers or taking stakes through private equity funds. The University of Texas controls 2.1 million acres of land in the Permian, which generated a record 5.3 million barrels in July as drillers built longer and longer horizontal wells to frack. The companies paid out a little more than $1 billion of royalties to the state school endowments in the year through August, the most since 2014 when oil prices topped $100 a barrel. The oil has always been there, said Mark Houser, chief executive officer of University Lands, the state systems arm that leases and oversees the companies drilling on the properties. Really its the technology thats enabled us to open up more wells. Royalties flow into a fund that is controlled by University of Texas Investment Management Co., which invests in stocks, bonds and alternative assets. About 5 percent a year is paid out to support the state schools. While Yale University now trails Texas with an endowment of $29.4 billion, it's still by one measure richer because it has about a third of the undergraduate student body of the flagship school to support. The UT system has 235,000 students across all of its campuses to more than 12,000 at Yale. Other schools that have benefited include Texas Christian University. The school in Fort Worth has 10 percent of its $1.6 billion endowment allocated to energy, with more than two-thirds in mineral rights it received from donors, said James Hille, the investing chief. Abilene Christian University, a small private college west of Dallas, committed a quarter of its $450 million endowment to energy, including a big bet on the Permian region. The fund gained 15.8 percent in fiscal 2018, better than most wealthy U.S. colleges and eking past Bowdoin Colleges 15.7 percent return. Abilene Christian had a mix of energy investments when it decided in 2013 to ramp up its exposure with shares in Texas Pacific Land Trust, which controls vast tracts of land in the Delaware Basin in the western region of the Permian. The move proved prescient as Texas Pacific became the hottest oil stock from the U.S. shale boom, climbing more than 2,200 percent from 2010 before prices corrected in October. The university had so much conviction in the investment it lifted its limit on how much the endowment may own in one company, said Jack Rich, the chief investment officer. A 3 percent commitment was increased to 11 percent this year and generated a 130 percent gain, he said. Thats off the rails, said Rich, whos worked for the universitys administration for 28 years, creating an investment office about a decade ago. We took some risk there. Its rare for school funds to hold more than single-digit allocations to energy, said Fund Evaluations Busken. Many endowments and foundations have cut oil and gas under pressure to divest from fossil fuels. Rich said Abilene Christian is diversifying into wind, solar and other sustainable energy producers. Its also holding a position in Texas Pacific, even as the share price has tumbled with oil prices. Our edge is our willingness to buy into what we know, and thats the energy market, Rich said. Christmas came early this year for Lone Star College. Heavy metal band Metallica, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, donated $1 million to 10 community colleges nationwide including The Woodlands-area school, according to KOMO News. In December, each college received $100,000 as a gift from the rock legends' All Within My Hands Foundation. Formed in 2017, the nonprofit is dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. DEVINE Wilbur the hedgehog leads a charmed life: A popular video on the animal lovers website, The Dodo. Custom-made crocheted little hats that rack up the likes on Instagram. Only the best in Target fruit strips for nibbles. And to think just this summer he nearly died by his mothers own teeth. Five months ago, he was an injured newborn, a pink, see-through critter the size of a thumb, whose mother had also devoured two of his litter mates and fatally bit another. Now he nestles in the cupped hands and online posts of Melissa Schreiner, an animal lover in Eagle Pass whos taken all sorts of animals under her wing, with Wilbur poking his spiky little head above the pack. I want people to see Wilbur and think about all the animals that need help, that need to be rescued, (and) all the animals that have been in shelters waiting to be rescued that need homes, said Schreiner, whose animal rescue efforts in Eagle Pass include bringing adoptable cats and dogs to San Antonio. Wilbur can get attention that I cant get, Schreiner said. Hes so unique, and his personality is pretty adorable. As you can see, hes rough around the edges, but hes very special. Hes just ... Wilbur. I try to tell her he was a Sonic, said Schreiners close friend Malissa Polen, who recently hosted Wilbur, Schreiner, and Schreiners 4-year-old daughter, Brooke, at her own ranch in Devine. Schreiner said she always knew Wilbur was a Wilbur, more a reference to the pig of Charlottes Web than the zippy hedgehog of the Sega video games (though Wilbur certainly has raced to the forefront of animal advocacy and all around adorableness). In addition to scurrying up thousands of likes and followers on his Instagram account, @wilburstale, Wilbur also has starred in his own Dodo video with more than half a million views on the sites YouTube channel. And he has his own dot-com with wilburstale.com. Sandy Tovar, who runs The Buddy Foundation animal rescue group in Eagle Pass, has been following Wilburs tale from the beginning. Wilbur is just an amazing character, Tovar said. Not only because hes cute as a button, but when I found out Melissa rescued him as a tiny hedgehog, the chances of him making it were pretty slim. Its just an amazing rescue story. Wilbur needed help pretty much as soon as he was born in late June. Schreiner had heard of a young woman in Eagle Pass who was breeding hedgehogs for sale and was having trouble with a recent litter. Schreiner offered to help with the surviving two baby hedgehogs and raced to her home. One of the baby hedgehogs died on the way back, right in the hands of Schreiners other daughter, Gabby, 15. As for Wilbur, Schreiner recalled he somehow survived his mothers attack but was still cold as a Popsicle. Bringing Wilbur back from the brink wasnt easy. Schreiner had no previous experience with a hedgehog, and her go-to veterinarian only worked with larger animals, such as her dogs and horses. So Schreiner turned to Google, researching any tips she could find. She even consulted a hedgehog rescue group in the United Kingdom, where hedgehogs roam wild like rabbits. In addition to his bite wound, Schreiner learned Wilbur also was suffering from bloating, a condition hedgehogs are prone to which can be painful and even fatal. It was very touch and go, Schreiner said. Schreiner tried infant gas drops as well chamomile tea and even probiotics in Wilburs milk formula to minimize his bloating. Wilbur would spend his first fateful weeks slumped on a heating pad at Schreiners bedside, where she often woke up to bottle feed him at the first squeak. As for Wilburs injury and general hygiene, Schreiner learned to clean him with coconut oil on a toothbrush. At first, Wilbur weighed only about 8 grams, the equivalent of a quarter and a penny. Schreiner knew he was finally out of the woods when at six weeks old he ate his first solid food, a mash of formula and hedgehog food, right on Polens kitchen counter. That wasnt the only delightful first at Polens home. Wilbur swam in our pool here, Polen said. We had him in a drink cup holder shaped like a flamingo. And he gave my baby alpaca his first kiss. In addition to puckering up with Sheldon the alpaca, Wilbur also began cozying up to the various animals on Schreiners own ranch, which in addition to herself, her husband and their two daughters includes five dogs, three cats, three horses, Gabbys ferret, a duck and several chickens. Such moments with Schreiners animals make adorable snapshots. But Wilbur pulls the serious awwws when its just him being, well, Wilbur especially when he models one of Schreiners tiny crocheted hats, which she sells on the Facebook page Wilburs Wardrobe to offset her animal rescue costs and get more animals adopted. They start at $5 and can be custom ordered. Most of the time I rehouse my rescues, Schreiner said. With the exception of my Wilbur. Schreiner has cared for animals pretty much since she was a kid growing up in Germany. It started with a falconlike baby bird named Fluffy, which Schreiner found one day covered in greasy water. Fluffys rescue lead to many more saved animals and insects, be they snails or lizards or just about any other creatures great and small. Schreiner volunteered at a military base veterinary clinic in Germany. Then when she moved to the United States at 14, she volunteered at a zoo and also a pet store in Alamogordo, New Mexico. After she got she married, she moved to Las Vegas and continued working with animals at a vet clinic and then an animal shelter. Since moving to Eagle Pass almost four years ago, Schreiner has focused on animal rescue full-time. Which brings up another reason she loves to share Wilburs tale: to raise awareness of animal care in the Texas town she now calls home. Soon after moving to Eagle Pass, Schreiner became fast friends with Tovar and The Buddy Foundation, which is named after the Golden Retriever the Tovar family lost in 2016. Tovar said its been an uphill struggle to boost animal rescue and animal advocacy in her community, but slowly more people have come to see the value of animal rights and to see their pets more as part of the family. Its just heartwarming to see how the community itself has changed, Tovar said. Especially when a friendly, furry face like Wilburs encourages that change. People that had no interest at all in rescuing animals will come and ask me questions about Wilbur, Schreiner said. And it really opens the conversation for me to tell them about other animals that need help, too. These days, Schreiner said Wilbur plays more to type as the typical shy and nocturnal hedgehog, huffing and puffing whenever hes exposed to strangers or an unfamiliar environment. He now spends more time in his snuggle sack, a bumblebee-covered felt pouch Schreiner sewed that looks like a wine bottle holder. Though he still climbs all over Schreiner and in her hair whenever its just the two of them on the couch watching television. Schreiner couldnt be happier to see Wilbur not only survive but come into his own. Besides, they still have much in common. I just think that me and his personality just click, Schreiner said. Im not as good with people as I wish I was. But with him, I understand him. I can relate to him. Hes afraid of everything, but yet he wants to see whats going on. And as a face for animal rescue, Wilbur should continue to have plenty of appreciative and supportive company. rguzman@express-news.net | Twitter: @reneguz As 5-year-old Tonia Martinez left Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital on April 27, three days after undergoing brain surgery, she paused in the hallway. "Mom," Tonia said, turning to her mother, Benjana Batiz. "Why aren't all of these other kids going home when I go home?" Batiz thought before answering. "Well, your situation is different than theirs," she told her daughter. "They probably have to stay a little longer." Tonia, a small and slight kindergartener with a nearly ever-present million-watt grin, turned sad for a moment. She knew that within an hour, she'd be home playing with her toys. But these other little girls and boys would have to stay in the hospital where she'd been bored stiff for days. Then, when she returned to the family's apartment in Sunnyside, Tonia got an idea. "Mom, can I bring my toys to the hospital for the kids to play with so they won't be bored?" she asked. That's just like Tonia the kid who pauses at the grocery store to ask her mom if she can buy surprise candy for her teacher always thinking of others. Tonia was persistent. "Mom, please," she continued saying over the next few weeks, suggesting the family buy a slew of toys for the other children. "We have to do something." Batiz didn't want to let her daughter down. But she's a 25-year-old mother of three who works the graveyard shift as a home health aide, and squeezes in odd hours driving for Lyft to keep the family afloat amid Tonia's mounting medical bills. She couldn't exactly go down to Wal-Mart and buy out the toy section. But she knew Tonia wouldn't be happy until they'd been able to help the other kids. No matter how impossible it seemed. Batiz knows better than anyone else that "impossible" has never meant much to Tonia. When Tonia was born, her doctors told Batiz that a host of birth defects meant the little girl would likely never be able to walk or talk. And yet when Tonia was evaluated by experts for the Houston Independent School District at the age of 2, they found her to be mobile and incredibly smart. "An average 2-year-old knows about 100 words," an evaluator told Batiz after a few minutes with Tonia. "I stopped counting with her at 350. I'm just telling you. I stopped. She's amazing." Still, Tonia needed plenty of medical treatment. The bones in her lower arms never fully formed, due to a congenital defect called radial agenesis. As a result, her arms bend inward, and her hands are each short a few fingers. But the issue that brought her to Children's Memorial Hermann this April was unrelated to her arms: Tonia was born with an encephalocele, a very rare birth defect in which nervous tissue including parts of the brain protrude through holes in the skull. To Batiz, the encephalocele felt like a soft spot that never fully closed, right in the middle of the back of Tonia's head about where a little girl's ponytail would sit. But while soft spots usually fuse together by the time a child turns 2, Tonia's never did. And when Batiz would braid Tonia's hair, she could even feel Tonia's pulse through the tissue. In April, a pair of surgeons trimmed the excess tissue and plugged the hole with a bone graft from another part of Tonia's skull. And Tonia left the hospital with a small scar that would close over soon, and a new purpose: To bring joy to those other patients who had to stay longer. Tonia's quest was a challenging puzzle for her mother. For months, she'd circle the city for Lyft, pondering how best to help Tonia in her toy mission without dipping into the money she saved for rent and food. One afternoon in late September, she got a request to pick up a woman at the Toyota Center. Normally, drivers are paired with riders no farther than about five minutes away, but it was going to take Batiz 21 minutes to get to this client. She almost said no, not wanting to waste too much time, but she clicked accept. And when Tameka McNair sat down in the backseat for a 49-minute ride toward Katy, the pair fell into an easy conversation. McNair is a program manager at Microsoft on the West Coast, with no ties to Houston other than the women in technology conference she was attending. But the two women found common ground quickly. Batiz told her all about Tonia, and McNair reciprocated by sharing stories about her son who'd suffered a stroke when he was 6 weeks old, and whom doctors said would likely not survive. He's 12 now, McNair told Batiz. Her "miracle baby." Tonia's a miracle baby too, Batiz said. "She's got heart and drive," she continued. She told McNair all about Tonia's plans to donate toys, but confessed she didn't know how she'd be able to make it work. "You'll never believe this," McNair told Batiz. "A couple months ago, there was a store going out of business back in Washington, where I live, and it was placed on my heart to go in there and gather these items. And my intent was to give it to underserved children." McNair had never done anything like that before. And even as she walked through the store aisles, scooping up armfuls of plastic purses and shiny nail polish that her 12-year-old twin boys would never be interested in, she wondered why she felt compelled to do so. But now, in the Lyft, she felt certain it was part of a divine plan. "It's yours," she told Batiz. "God put us in this car together for a reason." Benjana was silent for a moment. Then came the tears. In October, Tonia had to return to the hospital for another procedure. Back in April, one of the two doctors performing Tonia's surgery, Dr. Matthew Greives, noticed another issue with Tonia's scalp: A 3-inch mole called a nevus sebaceous. These moles are typically benign in children, but have a higher risk of turning into skin cancers in adulthood. So Greives scheduled a second surgery for October to remove the mole. The procedure was quick and simple, and Tonia was in and out within the day. But before she left, Tonia nearly burst with excitement as she told Greives that her family had just received a whole box of toys from Washington. With Christmas fast approaching, Tonia felt her mission was becoming more important than ever. "How can we donate them to the other patients?" Batiz asked the doctor. Greives didn't have an answer. In decades of collective memory at the hospital, staff members can't think of a single other child who has taken on a project like this. So there wasn't a blueprint for how to handle this kind of donation. But Greives reached out to the marketing department, and after a few weeks of back and forth, they set a date for Tonia to make a delivery. On Friday, Dec. 14, Tonia's dad, Tony Batiz, pulled the handle of a little red wagon, loaded down with Scrabble boards, Uno cards and piles of dress-up accessories, as Tonia and her 7-year-old sister Kaelah skipped along beside him. Some are from McNair's care package, all the way from Washington State. Others are from friends who've donated to a second box set up at Tonia's elementary school. And then there are the ones Tonia bought with money she collected for the cause by handing out fliers with her family at grocery stores and in crowded parking lots all December long. They wove through the hospital, and Tonia clung to her father as she conquered her biggest fear riding in an elevator on her way to the 10th floor, where she zoomed into the arms of one doctor after another, greeting everyone with an oversized smile. "I brought toys!" she squealed. "I brought toys for Christmas!" Maggie Gordon is a features enterprise reporter at the Houston Chronicle, where she has worked since 2015. In 2017, her feature "Gator Hunting: A Love Story" won best general feature from the Society For Features Journalism. Previously, Maggie was an education reporter at the Stamford Advocate and a columnist for Hearst's daily newspapers in Connecticut. She is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Follow her on Twitter. @MagEGordon. She can be reached at maggie.gordon@chron.com. Steve Gonzales is a senior staff photographer at the Chronicle. He came to the Chronicle as the Director of Photography in 2005. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter, or reach him by email at steve.gonzales@chron.com. Design by Jordan Rubio Subscribe The Houston Chronicle is dedicated to serving the public interest with fact-based journalism. That mission has never been more important. Show your support for our journalism at HoustonChronicle.com/subscribe. *** As Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on Houston, a hero neighbor rescued my dad from his home near Meyerland using an inflatable raft. Together, they floated to the makeshift shelter at the church around the corner and spent the night until the water subsided. Though his house took on only about an inch of water, many Houstonians can tell you that just that little can do a lot of damage. My dad had been getting older and needed to downsize, anyway. So, shortly afterward, he and his neurotic dog moved in with my husband and me and our two dogs in Katy and has stuck around ever since. We hadn't lived under the same roof since I graduated from college in 2005. His house is on the market, but there are a lot of homes in his area that are. I'm not sure how long he'll be with us. It hasn't always been been easy. Last month, he brought home a huge 10-pound bag of baking potatoes for the army that lives here now, too because they were a "good price." So, Thanksgiving morning, I suggested that he make some mashed potatoes to take to our family lunch. He filled a spaghetti pot with water, threw the potatoes in whole and begrudgingly turned on the stove. Half an hour later, he drained them and cut them up. Of course they weren't done, which I tried to tell him. But he tossed them into my KitchenAid mixer to blend them anyway. As he turned it on, potato chunks started flying around the kitchen. Meanwhile, he was swearing, and I was laughing hysterically as he tried to pick them up and cram them back in the bowl. "If you break that," I told him, "you'll be replacing it." That only elevated his frustrations and profanities. But time ran out. The potatoes never made it to the lunch. He "reboiled" them later. (We'd probably still be eating them now, but I threw them out weeks ago.) This is daily life around our home these days. Always shenanigans. Then there's his dog, Nashville, an 11-year-old ill-mannered Weimaraner. What's his favorite seat on the couch? The one you're sitting in. With Nashville, it's a war of attrition. He'll plant his heavy head into your lap, bear down until you move or at least move over. And I can't begin to tell you the number of times he has left puddles on our guest bathroom floor. It's his happy place. If we leave the door open, he does the deed. We've learned to keep the mop loaded and ready to go. Having my dad live with us has been hard at times in more serious ways. It's changed our lives. It can be challenging to have another person in your space when you've lived independently as a married couple for more than a dozen years. For one thing, he's always watching TV, so there is constant noise in the house. It gets old. We often yell at him from our bedroom to turn down Stephen Colbert when we're trying to sleep. It has its perks, though, too. He helps out with chores and does most of the cooking. Also, when my husband and I went on vacation to Tennessee, we didn't have to hire a pet sitter. This summer, he had to go into the hospital for a couple of days for a bad infection. If he hadn't been with us and we hadn't seen what was going on, it probably would have been worse. That was lucky. Just like the rest of us, my dad is aging. Who knows how many holidays our family has left with him? So, this Christmas, I'll try to count the blessings, cherish the sweet times and breathe during the tough ones. Tracy Maness is a reporter for Houston Community Newspapers. Want to write for Gray Matters? Email Allyn West. Get the Gray Matters newsletter. It will yell at you from its bedroom to turn down Stephen Colbert. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Around Midland and around the world, loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. 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In his address, Minister Koonjoo highlighted Government's commitment to cater for the needs of the fishermen community through the implementation of various measures. The registration cards, he underlined, will enable fishermen to conduct their fishing activities in a legal manner while conforming to the Fisheries Act. The provision of life jackets also feature among the series of measures implemented to ensure the protection of fishermen at sea, he added. The Minister further spoke of the need to make the blue economy an important economic pillar for Mauritius. Marine resources, he pointed out, should be effectively and sustainably exploited while also ensuring the preservation of the ecosystem. Moreover, Mr Koonjoo cautioned the community of fishermen on illegal malpractices such as drug trafficking and overfishing, prevalent at sea and which adversely impact on the society. 2018 AllAfrica Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. William McConkey was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on January 22, 1774 (note: this is a typo in the original article; it should be 1744), the 15th generation from Donnachaide Reimhar MacAonghus of Scotland.With a thousand others he despaired of living conditions there and listened longingly to the tales of America and her opportunities.Finally, he embarked, arrived in New York and journeyed to New Jersey to settle nine miles north of Trenton on the banks of the Delaware river. In time, a road was built to the spot and William McConkey, grasper of opportunities, built a ferry and docks.A comfortable living came to him, through the farthings and half crowns from those who journeyed between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.The ferryman married, built a large stone house and settled down to family life. The ferry became not only his source of income but a main interest in life.He took to the work as a student - a deliberate, slow Scotch-Irish student studying each mood of the river; learning the shifts in currents and whirlpools between the high waters and the low until he had satisfied himself that he could outguess the Delaware under any condition. Students have created a mathematical formula that they believe can be used to cook the perfect roast potato. Pupils from the Edge Hotel School at the University of Essex collaborated with the Samuel Whitbread School in Bedfordshire to develop what theyve named the Edge Hotel School Method. While calculating the exact measurements needed to whip up a tasty spud may be more time-consuming than simply popping some potatoes in the oven, apparently its all worth it for the end result. The key is maximising the surface area of the potatoes, which they do by cutting them at a 30-degree angle. Were going for a formula which takes the three radii of the potato and it multiplies them altogether so that you can figure out the surface area, a student from the Samuel Whitbread School explained to ITV News. This utilises the same amount of potato as usual, while making the most of its surface area. The students at the Edge Hotel School then use Heston Blumenthals roast potato recipe to cook the potatoes in the oven. However, they didnt just take their own word for it. Members of the public and professional chefs were given the opportunity to try the roast potatoes for themselves, and the results were resoundingly positive. Several chefs across the UK have already started emulating the Edge Hotel School Method. The classic roast potato is undoubtedly a particularly treasured delicacy in many peoples households. Who knows - perhaps by next Christmas well all start to see a new style of roast potato adorning the dinner table. This article was originally published on 25 December 2018 A family who broke down on the motorway on Christmas Eve have been inundated with presents after a police officer discovered they had none at home. The South Wales Police officer picked up the family on the M4 and drove them home, only to realise they did not have anything at home for Christmas, the force said. The officer then visited Tesco Culverhouse Cross [near Cardiff] to buy them some goodies for Christmas, a spokesperson said. Staff at Tesco found out about the amazing generosity of this officer and they have contacted us wishing to also donate some amazing gifts for the whole family. These gifts including all the ingredients for the best Christmas dinner will be delivered by officers this evening. Another customer said she saw the police officer shopping for the family, who have three young children. Rhiannon Williams said it was a really lush moment, adding: Times are getting harder, but the harder it is the more I see people helping people. And it gives me a little glimmer of hope in these messed up times. South Wales Police Superintendent Alun Morgan called it a story to warm the heart as members of the public praised the officer on social media. The festive spirit continued in South Wales later on Christmas Eve, when police said a shopper handed cash they found at a Swansea supermarket back into security. A desperate food thief caught stealing to feed their family was left shaking with happiness after police officers took pity on them and arranged a delivery of essentials for Christmas. They were caught earlier in December trying to steal groceries from a shopping delivery outside a home in Romsey, Hampshire but said they had acted out of desperation. Hampshire Constabulary officers said they could see the family was struggling to make ends meet and had little to put on the table at Christmas, and opted to use community resolution instead of pursuing charges. After the victim said they would be happy with an apology, officers put the culprit in touch with Romsey Food Bank and arranged for a selection of donated food, home essentials and toys. Senior officers said they were proud of their constables compassionate community policing and said anyone in similar positions could turn to foodbanks for support. Foodbank use soared by 13 per cent in 2018 according to the Trussell Trust, which is the largest operator of the donation service, and 4 million Britons admit having used a foodbank. Charities have blamed the rise on the governments universal credit changes which have left entire families reliant on donations to make ends meet. The main reason that people are reporting needing help from the foodbank is changes in their benefits and having periods of time to wait for this to be resolved, Jo Topley, manager at Romsey Food Bank, told the Southern Daily Echo. The decision not to prosecute in this case was taken by neighbourhood police officers after the culprit was clearly remorseful. Hampshire Constabulary district inspector Chris Taylor said: This was a case where we were able to make excellent use of a community resolution. PC Claire Browne and PCSO Louise Allen from Romsey Neighbourhood Team could clearly see this family were struggling, and had very little for Christmas. [Home essentials] have now been delivered to the family by the officers. They described the recipient as shaking with happiness when they were handed over. We would encourage anyone who is in a similar position to make use of the fantastic network of food banks. I am so proud of our officers this is compassionate community policing at its best and it was humbling to help a family in need at Christmas. Hundreds of swimmers, decked in festive fancy dress costumes, took the plunge into the North Sea for an annual Christmas Day swim in Suffolk. As a crowd of onlookers gathered, the swimmers ran took a dip in the chilly waters despite temperatures of around 5C. The annual charity swim was organised by the Rotary club of Southwold and District to raise money for The Southwold RNLI and The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Blood Bikes. In the last six years, the event has raised a total of 17,081. It was the cause of months of deadlock between the UK and the EU, and is the basis of so much anger from Tory MPs that it threatens to split the Conservatives and topple Theresa May's government. But what is the customs backstop part of the Brexit agreement and why is it so controversial? In short, the backstop is an insurance policy. It spells out what will happen if the UK and EU cannot agree a trade deal which maintains an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The EU insisted on the fall-back, in part at the request of the Irish government, because an open border is a key part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the island of Ireland. The body of a seven-year-old girl who died in border patrol custody has been returned to her home country of Guatemala. The body of Jakelin Caal Maquin arrived on Monday in the tiny town where she was born. The Central American village has no running water, paved streets, or electricity, and has a population of only 420 people. Mourners gathered around Jakelins coffin and set up a handmade altar with flowers and photos of the girl. Community members made food and donated money and grain to the family. Her mother, 27-year-old Claudia Maquin, and Jakelins grandparents, grieved. On 6 December, Jakelin and her father, Nery Gilberto Caal Cuz, arrived in the US. They were arrested and taken into custody separately. Along with more than 150 other immigrants, the family was arrested and split up at Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Only hours after the arrest, Jakelins temperature reached 40.9 degrees Celsius, according to Customs and Border Protection. Emergency medical technicians revived her, and she was taken to a hospital in El Paso, Texas for treatment. On 8 December, Jakelin died. The family told the Associated Press that they could not afford to travel Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, to meet the body after it was flown into the country. Instead, they waited for a vehicle to drive it to their city, 13 hours away. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Customs and Border Patrol claims that Jakelin was not in good health when she arrived, and they did everything to save her life. However, the United Nations is demanding a special inquiry into the girls death, The Guardian reports. Her father, who is in debt to a coyote who helped them get into the US, has an upcoming court date to determine whether he can stay in the country, according to his father. Additional reporting by AP A US District judge ruled that Kim Jong-uns North Korean regime must pay $501m in damages to Otto Warmbiers parents for their sons death after spending over a year in captivity there. The Monday ruling in the US District Court for the District of Columbia is considered symbolic since it is unlikely that North Korea will cough up the cash. The ruling comes after Mr Warmbiers parents sued the isolationist country for than $1bn. North Korea is liable for torture, hostage taking, and extrajudicial killing of Otto Warmbier, and the injuries to his mother and father, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, Chief Judge Beryl A Howell wrote in the ruling. Mr Warmbier, who was studying at the University of Virginia, went on a tour in in North Korea during his study abroad program in China. During his tour in North Korea, Mr Warmbier allegedly stole a propaganda poster from a hotel. He was arrested in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour. Mr Warmbier, however, was held captive for more than 17 months before his health condition worsened. Recommended North Korea denies torturing US student Otto Warmbier The Ohio native suffered from severe brain damage and was in a coma when he was repatriated to the US in June 2017. He died on June 19, a few days after returning to the US, when his family requested doctors to remove his feeding tube. He was 22. Donald Trump criticised North Korea over the Warmbier controversy, but later, following a thaw in tensions, pushed ahead with a more conciliatory policy that resulted in the US president meeting Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June. The two leaders are due to have a second summit in 2019. On Monday evening, Mr Trump tweeted a picture of himself in the Oval Office, and wrote: Christmas Eve briefing with my team working on North Korea progress being made. Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim. North Korea has routinely denied accusations that Mr Warmbier was tortured under its custody. North Korean officials told the US that Mr Warmbier suffered from botulism, a rare and potentially fatal illness, and went into a coma after taking a sleeping pill. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events However, Cincinnati doctors said their examination did not show any evidence of botulism. When Otto returned to Cincinnati late on June 13 he was unable to speak, unable to see and unable to react to verbal commands. He looked very uncomfortable almost anguished, Mr Warmbiers parents said in a statement. Although we would never hear his voice again, within a day the countenance of his face changed - he was at peace. He was home and we believe he could sense that. At least 29 people have been killed in a gun and bomb attack on a government building in Kabul. Attackers fought Afghan security forces for almost seven hours, as more than 300 staff were evacuated. The assault started at around 1500 local time (2230 GMT) when a suicide car bomb was detonated outside a multistorey building housing a public welfare department that supports wounded soldiers. Minutes later, gunmen entered the building and rampaged through the office complex hunting for victims. They opened fire on the people and killed them and then made their way to the ministry, eyewitness Awal Khan Amiri told Tolo News. Some employees managed to barricade themselves inside offices while police evacuated 357 people, officials said. Witnesses reported hearing at least five explosions as police and gunmen traded fire, while the second of the building was in flames. One officer died and three were wounded. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which follows successive bombing and shooting atrocities targeting public authorities in Kabul by the Taliban and Isis. Less than a month ago, a British man was among the victims killed by Taliban militants in an attack on UK security firm G4Ss base in the Afghan capital. Officials said three gunmen had been killed in Mondays battle, with more than 20 victims dead and 20 more wounded. There were fears that the toll could rise as police continued to search the smouldering building, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. Protesters demand better security in Kabul Show all 10 1 /10 Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters demand better security in Kabul A woman tries to stop police from firing on protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Afghan security officials use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators as they protest against a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 02 June 2017. At least 90 people were killed and more than 350 wounded in a suicide bomb attack near the foreign embassies in Kabul on 31 May. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul A policeman rests during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters shout anti government slogans during a demonstration to protest against the lack of security in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters shout anti government slogans during a demonstration to protest against the lack of security in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. ( AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul A boy walks past protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP He said the militants had targeted the National Authority for People with Disabilities and Martyrs Families, which supports injured soldiers and the bereaved relatives of members of the security forces killed in years of battles against the Taliban, Isis and other Islamists. Police cordoned of the area as they tried to secure the building, but Mr Danish said the operation was painstakingly slow as officers moved carefully from room to room and floor to floor. Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said authorities received at least one telephone call from inside the building, but frightened employees were unable to provide any details. The attack came two days after Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of half of the 14,000 American troops stationed in Afghanistan. Earlier on Monday, Pakistans foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in Kabul to discuss a negotiated end to Afghanistans 17-year war. Mr Qureshi, who then continued his trip to Iran, condemned the attack. Pakistan has helped orchestrate peace talks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where representatives from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan and the US met with the Taliban. The terrorist group controls nearly half of Afghanistan and are more powerful than at any time since the 2001 US-led invasion. Taliban militants carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting security forces and government officials, and have been fighting Isiss local Khorasan division for control of parts of Afghanistan. Additional reporting by AP Turkey has begun bolstering military positions along its southern frontier as Ankara and the Donald Trump administration prepared for what specialists are describing as a risky, geopolitically fraught handover of anti-Isis efforts from American to Turkish forces in northern Syria. Video footage posted online and accounts collected by local and international media showed Turkish military personnel and hardware and Syrian rebels backed by Ankara on the move, both inside areas of Syria under Turkeys sway and along the 822km border between the two countries. Turkish media on Tuesday reported Syrian rebels were moving in on Manbij, a pocket of territory east of the Euphrates river in Syria that Turks controlled by US-backed Kurdish-led forces considered hostile by Ankara. A Turkish tank transported near the border with Syria this month (AP) Mr Trump last week announced he was withdrawing all of the 2,000 or so US troops operating out of northern Syria, to the worry of Washington lawmakers and foreign policy figures who argue that Isis has not yet been defeated and that the pullout could further empower Iran. A US military delegation is scheduled to arrive in Turkey this week to discuss northern Syria. With Trump announcing that the US will withdraw troops from Syria, this is looking more like a handover to Turkey, especially in the fight against Isis, Yusuf Erim, a political analyst for Turkeys state-owned TRT World television told The Independent. Is this a good decision? That depends on how this is going to be coordinated, he said. If the US Is just going to quickly withdraw and allow for a power vacuum where all the major players and non-state actors are going to scramble for land grabs, that will heavily destabilise Syria. The complicated eight-year civil war in Syria has cost Turkey dearly. It lost once-promising trade channels and hosts 3.5 million Syrian refugees. It has struggled to stave off spillover from its southern neighbour as well as forge an outcome that would serve its interests. Experts say Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan would relish fighting Isis, which subscribes to a puritanical version of Sunni Islam that is opposed to the Hanafi school practised by most Turks. Erdogan is not ideologically sympathetic to Isis and would very much like to see them wiped out, Selim Sazak, a Turkey scholar at the Watson Institute of Brown University, told The Independent. If the conditions are right, I think hed totally take the fight to Isis. But handing Turkey the role of proxy for US interests in northern Syria is for many regional specialists a dubious and confusing proposition. Nicholas Danforth, a Turkey expert at Washingtons Bipartisan Policy Center, called it a surreal idea. Though Ankara has the second largest armed forces in Nato, its Syria goals diverge significantly from those of Washington. Over the last four-and-a-half years, US troops in Syria partnered with a powerful Syrian Kurdish militia called the Peoples Protection Unit (YPG) to fight Isis and later confront Iranian influence. Turkey, meanwhile, hopes first of all to roll back the YPG, which it considers indistinguishable from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and has already crushed pockets of Kurdish control in northwest Syria. Far from seeking a confrontation with Tehran, it is partnered with Iran and Russia in discussions over Syria. Map shows areas of Isis control in Syria and Iraq (Institute for the Study of War) To reach Isis last remaining desert pockets, Turkey must to fight its way past both the YPG-controlled northeastern Syria, where British and French troops continue to operate and have yet to announce a pullout, as well as forces loyal to Bashar al-Assads Damascus regime. It is a difficult task for Turkey and that is why Turks urged Trump not to withdraw immediately, Gonul Tol, Turkey specialist at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told The Independent. If Turkey wants to reach deeper into Syria to fight Isis, it needs Russian military and political support otherwise it can clash with regime forces or Iranian militias. Turkey's NTV television showed footage of Syrian rebel fighters allied with Ankara moving toward Manbij, an area of Syria controlled by US-backed Kurdish-led forces Despite the size of its army and successes against both Isis and the YPG close its border, Turkey experts questioned the countrys ability to operate far within Syria -- including areas such as Raqqa and Deir Azzour, where Isis maintains influence and continues to launch attacks. Turks cant supply that deep, said one Western analyst briefed by both US and Turkish officials. Nor can they replicate American air power in any sense of the word. The handover comes amid the latest sudden shift in US Middle East policy under Mr Trump. After a promising start, relations between Mr Erdogan and Mr Trump soured over Washingtons alliance with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, dominated by the YPG. Turkey and the US are also at odds over demands for Washington extradite exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is living in Pennsylvania, and the White House's insistence that Ankara release US citizens and diplomatic personnel held in detention. But Mr Trumps decision to withdraw US forces, reportedly prompted by a 14 December phone call with Mr Erdogan, has resuscitated warm ties. The White House announced that Mr Trump accepted an invitation by Mr Erdogan to take a trip next year to Turkey, where the American presidents company has multiple business interests, including a flashy namesake luxury high-rise residential and commercial complex in a swanky district of Istanbul. Many were flummoxed at the logic behind Mr Trumps Syria plans, and suspect his administration is flailing dangerously in part because there is little the US can do at this point to meet any of its Syria aims. US troops launch mortar against ISIS positions in Syria (AP) Mr Trump also claimed in a Christmas Eve tweet that Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the money necessary to rebuild Syria instead of the United States, though it remained unclear to what he was referring. Saudi Arabia, a regional power, has poor relations with Damascus, and complicated ties to almost all of Syrias neighbours. Its a sign of just how grim the options are that a return of regime forces now seems like the most likely path to some measure of stability, said Mr Danforth. Whatever one thinks of a long-term US military presence in Syria, leaving suddenly and without a plan opens the door to conflict between Turkey, Assad and the YPG, which in turn gives Isis the perfect chance to regroup. The impromptu handover, initiated over the objections of Pentagon and senior White House officials, may also show Mr Trumps weakness and lack of experience, as he is played by more seasoned politicians such as Vladimir Putin and Mr Erdogan. Ankara is using the withdrawal for what it wanted all along the American facilitation of their presence east of the Euphrates River to create a buffer, said the analyst briefed by US and Turkish officials. Erdogan is careful to say the Isis mission needs US support, because that is entirely different than what they want. Trump is just too dumb to know it and doesnt ultimately care. The G20 summit in Buenos Aires provided a finale to a year in which strongman heads of state dominated international relations to a remarkable degree. Some of them stand accused of being involved in shocking acts that have garnered widespread publicity and had major global ramifications. Two prominent leaders at the gathering in Argentina have been implicated in killings. Not mass taking of lives in wars, but deaths of individual people. Vladimir Putin was accused of ordering the assassination attempt on former MI6 agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, which led to the death not of Skripal (though he and his daughter were poisoned) but of another unfortunate resident of the city, Dawn Sturgess. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, it is claimed, ordered the execution of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Both the Russian and Saudi governments, it should be noted, vehemently deny the allegations. A video of intense rocket fire over Israel popped up on Ramis mobile, as the Palestinian peace activist sat in Gaza in the dark waiting for the next airstrike. The video was sent on WhatsApp by an Israeli friend who lived just a few kilometres away on the other side of the Israel-Gaza border fence but who, because of walls and blockades, he had never met in person. It was November, during the worst flare up of cross-border fire since the 2014 war, sparked in part by a botched Israeli intelligence raid in South Gaza. Rami, a peace activist, sent back a video of Israeli airstrikes pounding his neighbourhood and asked, Are you ok? For the entirety of the exchange of fire this network of unlikely friends exchanged messages of solidarity, fed up with the violence that broiled above their heads. In the aftermath, the friendship group plotted initiatives to bring civilians in Gaza and Israel together, believing the leadership on all sides, and the international community, had truly failed them. Out of the violence SalamTalk was born an app allowing Palestinians and Israelis to meet virtually and chat. For much of the Palestinian youth, corralled into the Strip, it is the first and only connection to the other side. Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since the 2007 violent takeover of the Strip by Hamas, a militant group. The majority of Gazans think that Israelis are settlers, snipers, soldiers the majority of the Israelis think that Gazans are Hamas, killers who dream of murdering Jews, simply because neither side meet they only live through the lens of propaganda, Rami tells me. Im just recording videos and showing through Skype meetings that we are normal and peaceful. He calls his Israeli friend, writer and teacher Adele Raemer, 64, who has lived for years under Palestinian rocket fire, but still remembers the days before Gaza was closed off when a Palestinian woman taught in her school. The problem with what is happening in Gaza today is that most of the population are young, they have never met an Israeli face to face unless its an Israeli wearing a uniform, she explains from her kibbutz in Nirim, just over a mile from border with Gaza. She talks about her frustration with the Israeli government, which she believes has not maximised the three and half years of relative peace to build something permanent. So she has started a separate initiative to get Israeli children to donate musical instruments to Gazans to build an important bridge. I think connection is very, very important. We are neighbours, she says. The desperate drive for civilians to take matters into their hands is not a coincidence. The one common cry I heard throughout 2018, from Palestinians and Israelis alike across the political divide, is mounting anger with their leadership. People here believe that their leaders are increasingly speaking in propaganda best suited for their political survival, not for true peace. Even by Israeli-Palestinian standards, 2018 was a tough year that nearly saw the eruption of a fourth war in Gaza and, some speculated, the start of a Third Intifada in the West Bank. That was complicated at the close of the year by the spectre of a conflict between Israel and Lebanon, after the discovery of multiple cross-border tunnels built by Hezbollah, as well as fears about the intentions of Iranian forces in Syria. Tensions were only heightened when Donald Trump declared he was pulling his troops out of the battle-ravaged Syria, leaving Israel even more vulnerable to rocket fire on its northern front. In the middle of that, Benjamin Netanyahu, who rules with a knife-edge parliamentary majority, barely salvaged his government from collapse over inaction in Gaza and batted off headlines about his possible indictment for corruption. At the close of the year he also faced an increasingly boisterous Israeli protest movement, who have borrowed the moniker of the Yellow Vest uprisings to rally against soaring living costs. Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Show all 37 1 /37 Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinian mourners carry the dead body of Mukhtar Ebu Hamas, 25, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on 14 May Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian woman flashes a victory sign during a protest near the border fence AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Israeli soldiers guard on top of a watch tower along the Israel-Gaza border AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinian demonstrators react to fired tear gas Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinian demonstrators run for cover Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures US President's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner arrive for the controversial inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The United States moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem after months of global outcry, Palestinian anger and exuberant praise from Israelis over President Donald Trump's decision tossing aside decades of precedent. AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinians carry a demonstrator injured during clashes AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks during the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian man walks in the smoke billowing from burning tyres AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he arrives ahead of the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem. Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinian protesters lying on the floor during clashes Rex Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinian protesters burn tires AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara, Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner, US President's daughter Ivanka Trump, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and US ambassador to Israel David Friedman attend the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian man assists a wounded protestor AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian man holding his national flag walks in the smoke billowing from burning tyres AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump unveil an inauguration plaque during the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinians carry a protester injured AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Ivanka Trump and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stand next to the dedication plaque at the US embassy in Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator uses a sling to hurl stones at Israeli troops during a protest against U.S. embassy Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A female Palestinian demonstrator stands amidst smoke Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Ivanka Trump attends the opening ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinian medics and protesters evacuate a wounded protester AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures An Israeli soldier aims his weapon at Palestinian demonstrators Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Gazans carry an injured protestor Rex Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Protestors gather to demonstrate Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at demonstrators Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator poses with a slingshot Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Protestors carry tires Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A demonstrator kicks a burning tire Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Palestinians congregate prior to their demonstration against the US moving their embassy to Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Female Palestinian demonstrators react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator reacts Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian man throws leaflets dropped by the Israeli military during a protest against the US embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A boy holds a Palestinian flag as he stands amidst smoke Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator tries to put out a fire caused by objects dropped from Israeli drones during a protest against the US embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator with a slingshot REUTERS Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem in pictures Protesters look up at falling tear gas cannisters dropped by an Israeli drone AFP/Getty In Southern Israel, citizens fed up of being under barrages of Palestinian rocket fire told me they felt Netanyahu was weak. The tail is wagging the dog, one woman explained. Everyone is disappointed in him. Meanwhile in the Palestinian territories hopes of a two-state solution with Israel were increasingly disintegrating into a three-state one. This year a bitter rivalry between Fatah, the West Bank party that dominates the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Hamas in Gaza, passed the point of no return. The most dangerous manifestation of that appeared at the close of the year. Several Palestinian shooting attacks in the occupied West Bank left five Israelis dead, including two Israeli civilians, two soldiers, and a prematurely born baby. Hamas, which has grassroots support in the West Bank, claimed at least two of the shooters as their own fighters, stirring a dangerous pot. The PAs security forces were forced to stand by as Israeli security forces rolled into central Ramallah, the Palestinian business and administration capital, conducting raids just metres away from the Palestinian presidential compound. People are angry and humiliated, one Palestinian protester told me during a clash with Israeli soldiers near Ramallah. The Israelis came right into our cities, in broad day light. Our security forces stood by. We cant accept that. Meanwhile in Gaza, citizens I spoke to railed against Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. In a bid to force Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza he slashed salaries to PA employees last year and effectively strangled electricity to Gaza, leaving households with just four hours of power a day. This was keenly felt: half of Gazas 2.2 million population lives under the poverty line with 70 per cent youth unemployment, the highest rate in the world. Quietly, there were also grumblings against Hamas, who encouraged citizens to march on the border fences with Israel for 10 months of protests and riots demanding the end of the crippling blockade and a right to return to ancestral lands they fled or were forced from. Over 200 Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers, who defended their use of force saying protesters were rioters who had flown balloons laced with explosives into Israel and attacked the fences endangering lives. But the anger also spilled over onto international actors. The fate of the year was anchored in President Trumps December 2017 decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognising the disputed city as Israels capital. Several countries followed suit: Australia is the next country pitted to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. It parted with decades of careful US policy and destroyed the USs legitimacy as chief mediator in the eyes of the Palestinians, who cut diplomatic ties. It also sparked the Gaza border protests, which repeatedly snowballed into cross-border exchanges of fire that looked very like war. The promise of Trumps so-called deal of the century peace proposal was delayed again into 2019. But the US may well be too distracted by its withdrawal from Syria and the repercussions from that which will surely calibrate Israels policy next year, as its northern border heats up. Stuck in the middle of the maelstrom, civilians continue to battle for a peace on their own terms. I have no choice but to have hope my granddaughters are here, Adele tells me. This is my home and it is their home. It might have to get worse before it gets better. Amy Gilligan says "Our right to contest should be legislated" Picture: Arthur Carron A young woman who bravely waived her right to anonymity in a bid to improve the rights of rape victims has told how the Justice Minister took seven months to respond to her emails - even after she sent an "extremely personal" letter. Amy Gilligan (28), originally from Athlone, Co Westmeath, this year spoke out about her terrifying ordeal as an 11-year-old girl. She was raped by a teenage boy whose mother was babysitting her on May 9, 2001. Andrew Cox, also from Athlone, was only a few weeks past his 16th birthday when he assaulted the young girl in his bedroom. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in 2003 and was sentenced to five years in prison, with the last two suspended. Seventeen years after she was raped, Amy decided to waive her right to anonymity after her attacker sought to be removed from the Sex Offenders Register. Gardai didn't inform Amy about Cox's application and she only found out through word of mouth in her hometown. She never knew that convicted sex offenders could seek removal from the register and was shocked to learn that victims don't have to be notified when they do. Expand Close Amy Gilligan, who was raped when she was 11, has bravely waived her right to anonymity Picture: Arthur Carron / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amy Gilligan, who was raped when she was 11, has bravely waived her right to anonymity Picture: Arthur Carron In May this year, she wrote to the Department of Justice to request a meeting with Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan. She received no response for seven months and only last week, after the department was contacted by Independent.ie, did she get a personal reply. She was informed that the minister "regrets he is not in a position to meet you". Amy has been campaigning for the Sex Offenders Act, 2001 to be amended so it's compulsory for victims to be notified and also given the chance to object to their attackers being removed from the register. "It's a bit disheartening to put yourself out there like that, by waiving your right to anonymity, and for the Justice Minister to not even acknowledge it," she told Independent.ie. "The first email I sent to the minister pleading my case, I attached a letter that I had wrote to the judge who heard my attacker's application to be removed from the register. It was a very personal letter and I wrote about my experience in a lot of detail. "What happened to me might be a minor thing for the government, but it's a major thing for people like me who have gone through a sexual assault," she added. After learning about Cox's application, Amy contacted Athlone Garda Station to ask about the process and decided to attend his hearing on May 30, 2017. More than a year after the court ruled that Andrew Cox's name was to remain on the register, Amy spoke to Independent.ie to have her voice heard. "I dont feel like what Im asking for is unreasonable, its more so to add in something small to the legislation to ensure victims are notified," she said. "For a lot of victims, the register is their safety net as they know that person is being monitored. I know the Department of Justice has a lot going on and a lot of people contact them about different things, but they need to know how detrimental it is for victims. "It feels like I'm being fobbed off as it's not a big enough issue, but there are a lot of people in this country who have been the victim of sexual assault. It's easy to overlook an email, but when someone is sitting in front of you telling their story, it's a lot harder to ignore, and that's why I wanted to meet with the minister." A spokesperson for the department responded to Amy on December 19, saying the "minister is sorry to hear of your experience. He wishes to apologise that you have not received a response sooner. "...The minister would like to thank you for your courage in sharing your story. The minister regrets that he is not in a position to meet with you." In a statement to Independent.ie, a spokesperson said: "A response was issued to Ms Gilligan, outlining that the Minister is fully conscious of the vulnerable position of victims of crime, particularly victims of sexual violence, and the need to have regard to this at all stages of the criminal justice process. In that regard, the Minister has asked that the issue raised be considered by the working group examining protections for vulnerable witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences. "There are a number of ongoing legislative initiatives in this area. The Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill is currently being drafted. It proposes a number of provisions - including electronic monitoring of sex offenders as well as court powers to prohibit a sex offender from working with children. As well as this, the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 was enacted last year. "Although that Act does not include a specific right to be informed where an offender applies to be removed from the register, it has greatly increased the rights of victims to be kept informed during the process." Under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, a convicted sex offender may apply to the courts 10 years after their release from prison to no longer be required to report a change of address to gardai or notify them when they're leaving the country for more than seven days. As of April 30, 2018, there were 1661 people subject to these requirements, compared to 1537 in 2017. While the term 'sex offenders register' is used in Ireland, the register does not exist here as in other countries, and is not explicitly referenced in the 2001 act. Instead, a 'live' database of sex offenders to whom the Sex Offenders Act, 2001 applies is maintained by An Garda Siochana only and is not available to the public. However, earlier this year, it was revealed how personal information of sex offenders, such as their name and address, could be disclosed to "necessary people" under a proposed new law which got Cabinet approval. "This isn't just about me any more, it's about the safety of others, and people have a right to know if someone has previously attacked someone like I was attacked," Amy said. "Our right to contest should be legislated, and as survivors of sexual or violent crimes our voices will always matter," she added. New Years Festival in Dublin. The Custom House, Dublins iconic landmark, is thecentre for NYF Dublins countdown and New Years Day celebrations. Photo: Allen Kiely / Failte Ireland A major tourism initiative aimed at enticing the Irish diaspora to return home to visit is set to be expanded next year, Failte Ireland has confirmed. The Global Irish Festival Series, which was piloted along the Wild Atlantic Way in October, will be doubled in size in 2019 with the aim of expanding it to every county in the next four years. A joint initiative between the tourism body and the Department of Foreign Affairs, it aims to encourage the diaspora to reconnect with Ireland by attending festivals in their home counties. Product development director Orla Carroll said the series offers the perfect reason for the diaspora to come home and visit. The idea, in a way, is building on from The Gathering, Ms Carroll said. The Gathering was a 2013 tourism-led drive to get members of the diaspora to return home. More than 5,000 events took place across the country. Were such a lucky country to have such a diaspora who connect to Ireland. 70 million people..its about recognising what we have and looking at how we can keep that motivation going. The first Global Irish festivals were held in October in Limerick and Donegal to help drive tourism in the off-peak season. They were funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the tune of 210,000 euro. Next year, funding will be provided to festivals in four counties. They will be a different flavour in every county, she said. Expand Close Failte Ireland Corporate Portrait.Orla Carroll.Photo Chris Bellew / Copyright Fennell Photography 2016 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Failte Ireland Corporate Portrait.Orla Carroll.Photo Chris Bellew / Copyright Fennell Photography 2016 It is part of a drive by Failte Irelands to boost the numbers attending festivals across the country over the coming years. In 2017, more than 200,000 overseas visitors attended festivals in Ireland generating 108 million to the economy. I would estimate thats probably 220,000 in 2018 although we havent got those figures yet, she said. By 2022, Failte Ireland wants to grow that figure to 300,000 visitors. If they manage it, it would be worth 170 million euro to the economy. Expand Close Colourful perfomers pass OConnell Street in the St. Patricks Festival parade / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Colourful perfomers pass OConnell Street in the St. Patricks Festival parade What people love about festivals, is you meet like minded people, Ms Carroll said. People are there for a similar reason to you. That is really motivating to travel for. She said they are a great means of not only extending the summer trading season but of spreading tourism benefits across the country. Although the St Patricks Festival in Dublin draws the largest number of overseas festival goers, Ms Carroll said new research by the tourism body showed the majority of overseas visitors attending festivals did so outside the capital. When Irish people think Electric Picnic, international visitors dont come for that, she said. What they do travel for is the celebration of a specific interest, tradition or culture. Galway Arts Festival, Tradfest, Rose of Tralee, Listowel Writers Week, Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival, Cork Jazz Festival and Dingle Food Festival are among some of the most popular. Next autumn, a new Halloween festival is being launched. Ms Carroll said even though people had started dressing up for Halloween in locations across the world, its origins lay in Irish Celtic traditions of Samhain, which comes from the old Irish for summers end. She said Failte Ireland wants to harness that in a festival next autumn. It will be in addition to the Bram Stoker festival, which is held in Dublin every October Bank Holiday weekend. Expand Close The Macnas parade on Henry Street, closing the Bram Stoker Fersitval, a Dublin City Council and Failte Ireland event. Photo: Allen Kiely / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Macnas parade on Henry Street, closing the Bram Stoker Fersitval, a Dublin City Council and Failte Ireland event. Photo: Allen Kiely Its about making it uniquely Irish that doesnt mean greenifying it, but that our culture is filtered through it, she said. She added: Kind of like the Burning Man festival but with an Irish twist we dont want to replicate but were looking at how we can bring in fire without just having a boring old bonfire. Feeding high numbers of calves can be a real pain but a new mobile unit that can feed up to 30 calves at once should help. German company Patura has introduced its mobile milk express unit developed especially for large herds wanting to feed a lot of calves. It was on display at EuroTier 2018, classed as the world's leading trade fair for animal production, held every second year and organised by the German Agricultural Society, DLG. This unit can be transported all around the farm and placed either indoors in pens or outdoors in the fields. The tank holds 500 litres of milk that is mixed within three to five minutes with the onboard Honda four-stroke pump. The unit on display had 30 teats therefore could feed 30 calves, but this can be increased to 50 if the farmer requires it. There is also a five-metre dispensing nozzle at the rear of the feeder should the operator prefer to feed calves in single pens, dispensing the milk from the large tank. A float level indicates the quantity of milk remaining inside the tank. A self-cleaning programme is used to completely clean the unit with clean water inside three minutes. This complete unit with 30 teats costs in the region of 7,000. Call The Midwife star Helen George admitted she finds it difficult to watch herself on television (Ian West/PA) Call The Midwife star Helen George has admitted she finds it difficult to watch herself on television. The popular BBC period drama is returning for a Christmas special which George who plays Nurse Trixie Franklin warned will be a cry-fest. Series eight will arrive next year, bringing new cast members including Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes, who will debut in the festive episode. Expand Close Call The Midwife star Helen George might not be watching the Christmas special of the BBC period drama (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Call The Midwife star Helen George might not be watching the Christmas special of the BBC period drama (Ian West/PA) While millions of viewers are expected to tune in to Call The Midwife when it airs on Christmas Day, George, who has starred in the show since it began in 2012, revealed she tries to avoid watching herself on TV. She said: Im not good at watching myself; I tend to try and do washing up and come back in for other peoples scenes I like watching everybody elses work. But my own stuff I find it stressful, because its six months of our lives and its stressful seeing it on screen and thinking God I shouldnt have done that or Why is my fringe doing that?. George, 34, took a break from filming to give birth to daughter Wren Ivy in September 2017. Expand Close Jack Ashton and Helen George have a baby daughter (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jack Ashton and Helen George have a baby daughter (Ian West/PA) She said she missed her cast-mates while she was away and that when she returned to the set to play a midwife she felt a bit more motherly. Video of the Day Wren Ivy, Georges daughter with her Call The Midwife co-star Jack Ashton, has already been on set but George would prefer her to become a lawyer or doctor rather than pursue a career in acting. And George said she was lucky to be able to juggle raising a child with working. She said: Its definitely hard watching that on a big screen and realising how big my bags are this year. Its hard being a working mum, but its good at the same time. Im lucky to be able to do it. Expand Close Call The Midwife star Jennifer Kirby revealed she still cries at childbirth scenes (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Call The Midwife star Jennifer Kirby revealed she still cries at childbirth scenes (Ian West/PA) Jennifer Kirby plays Nurse Valerie Dyer in Call The Midwife, which features nurse midwives working in Londons East End in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Kirby said she still gets emotional watching birth scenes. She said: I always find no matter how many times Ive seen it I know all the stuff that goes into a birth scene but every time a baby is born on screen, I cry. Every time. I dont know what it is, its something about the lifting up I dont know, it is really moving. The show will return for its eighth series in the new year, when the nurses at Nonnatus House will be grappling with the issues of the 1960s. Call The Midwife is on Christmas Day at 7.45pm on BBC One. Actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with sexual assault in the US (Matt Crossick/PA) Actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with sexual assault in the US. The 59-year-old Academy Award winner is alleged to have assaulted a teenager at a bar in Boston, Massachusetts, in July 2016. According to the Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael OKeefe, Spacey is due to be arraigned on a charge of indecent assault and battery at Nantucket District Court on January 7. The alleged victim is the son of former US news anchor Heather Unruh, who first made the allegation during a press conference in November 2017. Expand Close Kevin Spacey is alleged to have sexually assaulted a teenager in the US (Ian West/PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin Spacey is alleged to have sexually assaulted a teenager in the US (Ian West/PA Wire) Unruh said the actor bought her son drink after drink at a restaurant in Massachusetts before allegedly sticking his hand down the 18-year-olds pants and grabbing his genitals. As reports of the charge emerged, a video was posted to Spaceys official Twitter account, his first social media post since he was initially engulfed in scandal in October last year. In the clip, Spacey appears to be in the character of Frank Underwood from House Of Cards. The character was killed off by Netflix after the actor Anthony Rapp said he was 14 when Spacey, then 26, made a sexual advance to him in 1986. The sixth and final season of the political drama started streaming on Netflix in November. Let Me Be Frank https://t.co/OzVGsX6Xbz Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) December 24, 2018 Video of the Day The video begins with Spacey in a kitchen, before he starts speaking directly to the camera. He said: I know what you want, and sure, they may have tried to separate us but what we have is too strong, is too powerful. I mean after all, we shared everything, you and I. I told you my deepest, darkest secrets. I showed you exactly what people are capable of. I shocked you with my honesty, but mostly I challenged you and made you think. And you trusted me, even though you knew you shouldnt. So were not done, no matter what anyone says. And besides, I know what you want you want me back. Expand Close Kevin Spaceys downfall began when the actor Anthony Rapp alleged he had behaved inappropriately towards him (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin Spaceys downfall began when the actor Anthony Rapp alleged he had behaved inappropriately towards him (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) Of course, some believed everything and have just been waiting with bated breath to hear me confess it all, theyre just dying to have me declare that everything said is true, and that I got what I deserved. Wouldnt that be easy, if it was all so simple. Spacey added: You wouldnt believe the worst without evidence would you? You wouldnt rush to judgments without facts would you? Did you? No, not you, you are smarter than that. I can promise you this; if I didnt pay the price for the things we both know I did do Im certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didnt do. He concluded: Now that I think of it, you never actually saw me die, did you? Conclusions can be so deceiving. Missed me? It is not known whether Netflix is involved with the video and the streaming giant has been contacted for comment. A lawyer for Spacey has also been approached. Scotland Yard has six open sexual assault investigations into Spacey, alleged to have taken place in London and Gloucester. Spacey, who was artistic director at Londons The Old Vic theatre between 2004 and 2015, was one of the first Hollywood stars to face allegations in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. His downfall started when Rapp made his allegations in 2017. Spacey said he did not remember the encounter but apologised for any inappropriate drunken behaviour. He was sacked by Netflixs House Of Cards and Sir Ridley Scott erased him from his completed film All The Money In The World in re-shoots costing millions. The team at Beaumont Neurosurgery shared a group photo and wrote; "Merry Christmas from 'The Nutcracker Suite' at Beaumont Neurosurgery!" (Photo: Twitter/DrJohnDuddy) Hundreds of healthcare workers used social media on Christmas Day to remind Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris that they're working non-stop over the festive period. The Taoiseach caused controversy last month when he suggested that healthcare workers should not take holidays during the first two weeks of January in a bid to solve A&E overcrowding. Mr Varadkar was challenged at the time to publicly apologise to hospital workers for saying emergency department problems are caused because they dont "turn up" for work over the Christmas period. Mr Varadkar faced a wall of criticism from all political parties for his remarks about the causes of over-crowding, queues, and reliance on trolleys, at hospital emergency departments. The Taoiseach told the Dail it was time the hospitals operated "at full whack" over the upcoming Christmas holiday period, December 22 to January 3 next. He also warned that consultants and nurses must not take holidays in the first fortnight in January. Bringing some festive cheer to the X-ray department. Contrary to popular belief, we are open 24/7, 365 days a year!! #ImAtWorkLeo #WeAreWorking @campaignforleo @SimonHarrisTD pic.twitter.com/T5tBO0wmEf Jenny Doyle (@JennyPennnyy) December 24, 2018 So here's my wife Catherine -a local GP who is working today as well as most of the Christmas and New Year. We have 4 young children, the smallest just 1-year-old who won't see much of her. But she gets on with it, working hard and doing her best like so many others. #ImAtWorkLeo pic.twitter.com/blMXGSzFgj Graham Clifford (@GrahamJClifford) December 24, 2018 Its Christmas Eve babe, in the hospital, a young womans blood pressure, sure Ill take another one, and then I ran along, To the lab with bloods a few, I turned my face away, And thought of all the work still to do#ImAtWorkLeo polly molotov (@NursepollyRgn) December 24, 2018 Merry Christmas from 'The Nutcracker Suite' at Beaumont Neurosurgery! We'll be taking emergency calls from all over the country 24/7 over the Christmas period, just like the rest of the year. Make sure a new helmet comes with the new bike tomorrow! #WeAreWorking #ImAtWorkLeo pic.twitter.com/FfnGm7jzoU John Duddy (@DrJohnDuddy) December 24, 2018 Fianna Fail frontbench spokesperson Billy Kelleher described the Taoiseachs comments as "flippant and insensitive" to health service workers "who go above and beyond the call of duty every Christmas". "If I was cynical, Id wonder whether the Taoiseach actually made these flippant remarks in an effort to distract from his admission that he and his government have no ideas on how to deal with ED overcrowding. "Instead of trying to scapegoat our health workers, the Taoiseach, his Minister for Health and HSE senior management need to look at themselves and what they have, and have not delivered," Mr Kelleher said. Earlier, Mr Varadkar directly called on the HSE not to sanction additional holidays for doctors and nurses over Christmas. As hundreds of thousands enjoy their Christmas holidays, healthcare professionals have taken to Twitter to vent their frustration using the hashtags #WeAreWorking and #ImAtWorkLeo. Journalist Graham Clifford posted an image of his wife, writing; "So here's my wife Catherine -a local GP who is working today as well as most of the Christmas and New Year. "We have 4 young children, the smallest just 1-year-old who won't see much of her. But she gets on with it, working hard and doing her best like so many others." One healthcare worker wrote; "Three 24 hour shifts in 6 days and 2 in the last three. It cool if I take a day or two off to celebrate Christmas with my fam @campaignforleo?" Another penned a poem to the tune of 'Fairytale of New York'; "Its Christmas Eve babe, in the hospital, a young womans blood pressure, sure Ill take another one, and then I ran along... "To the lab with bloods a few, I turned my face away, And thought of all the work still to do." The team at Beaumont Neurosurgery shared a group photo and wrote; "Merry Christmas from 'The Nutcracker Suite' at Beaumont Neurosurgery! "We'll be taking emergency calls from all over the country 24/7 over the Christmas period, just like the rest of the year." They also warned; "Make sure a new helmet comes with the new bike!" In the west, healthcare workers wrote; "Greetings from Sligo radiology department. Wishing all my colleague working here in Sligo and across the HSE a peaceful Christmas and New year." However, there was some support for Mr Varadkar on social media - from a physician, and his fellow colleagues, attending Cork University Hospital. Dr Adrian Murphy thanked the Taoiseach for visiting the hospital's emergency department on Christmas Day "and acknowledging the sacrifices of all frontline [HSE staff] during the Christmas holidays." Leo Varadkar reflected the CervicalCheck scandal was a low point for both him and the government (Tom Honan/PA) TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has described the CervicalCheck scandal as his low point of 2018. The scandal which dominated the headlines throughout the year could have been handled better, he has admitted. In an end of year interview with journalists, Mr Varadkar was asked what he topped his list of regrets after his first full year in office. "I don't know of any one particular day but definitely trying to understanding and manage and respond to the Cervical Check scandal was extremely difficult," he said. Expand Close Leo Varadkar (Tom Honan/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar (Tom Honan/PA) While adding that the situation was "much more difficult for the women and families affected than for any politician", Mr Varadkar said trying to get "basic facts" was problematic. The scandal broke in April when Limerick woman Vicky Phelan refused to sign a confidentiality clause as part of her court settlement against a US laboratory. She was told a smear test in 2011 showed no abnormalities but was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014. A subsequent audit of Ms Phelans 2011 test showed that it was not read accurately but this information was withheld from her. By going public, Ms Phelan lifted the lid on a scandal that proved her case was not an isolated one. Some 221 with cervical cancer were not informed about audits. One of these was Kerry mother Emma Mhic Mhathuna who frequently campaigned in public for answers before passing away from her cancer in October. Mr Varadkar said when the scandal broke his government was forced to operate on facts that moving fast and had to make decisions "in a very frenzied period with a lot of misinformation and the extreme difficulty that was then compounded by the emotion of very sick women and very distraught families". "I don't know if that's a regret, I regret we didn't know it was coming, or know more about it in advance, and might have been able to handle it a bit better and might have made some better decisions," he said. The Taoiseach said his high point of the year was public decision to reform Irelands abortion laws. "I felt very privileged to be there in Dublin Castle when the votes were counted on the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment. It was one of those days when you're reminded why you're in politics it's about being a part of making things happen," he said. Baby Emma born at 12.38am 3.5kg pictured with mum Kitti Tengur amd dad Arunesh Tengur this morning as The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital Pic Stephen Collins/ Collins Photos To welcome a baby into the world is one thing, but having two members of the same family born on Christmas Day is nothing short of miraculous. In a bizarre coincidence, Justyna Zeilonkas new baby boy Leon now shares his birthday with his dad Robert, who was also born on Christmas day. The couples new son was the third baby born at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin. Leon, who was born at 9.05 am weighing 3.75kg, will join his brother Franciszek (3) at home in Saggart, Dublin. Other parents around the country also received the ultimate gift this Christmas as they welcomed their newborn babies into the world. The very first baby to arrive in Dublin was little Emma Tengur, who was born at 12.38am in the Coombe. Weighing in at 3.5kg, her parents from Swords, Dublin were beaming with joy as she slept soundly in her mums arms. Speaking to the Irish Independent, dad Arunesh said they could not receive a better Christmas present. I cant even describe how happy we are. We have another two-year-old daughter at home who cant wait to see her baby sister for the first time. Shes been looking forward to this day for so long. Mt Tengur, originally from Mauritius added that he has big dreams for his new daughter. I have a feeling she will achieve great things and well always try and give her the very best. Were now looking forward to going back home and spending Christmas as one big family. The Coombe had a total of four babies born between midnight and 7am this morning. At 2.37am, a baby boy was born to mum, Denise and Joe Dolan from Sallins, Co Kildare. The baby boy weighed in at 3kg and is their first child. Were actually shocked its a boy, said Denise. We were convinced it was going to be a girl and had even had several names in mind. Now, were currently at a loss what to call him, but were over the moon nonetheless. Its our first child and we already love him to bits. New dad Joe added that the issue around what team his baby will support may lead to some family disputes down the line. Im from Cavan and Denise is from Dublin, but I definitely cant have him wearing a blue jersey, he laughed. Who know, maybe hell play for the county one day. It feels amazing to be a dad for the fist time. Im really looking forward to it though and Im sure well have plenty of new experiences together. Meanwhile, the boys in blue gave up their Christmas morning to pay a visit to their young fans at Crumlin and Temple Street Childrens Hospital. Dub GAA stars Jack McCaffrey, Michael Fitzsimons, Stephen Cluxton, Bernard Brogan and Michael Darragh McAuley brought the Sam Maguire Cup full of toys to the sick children. G'wan, it's Christmas - open up the After Eights. Slide out that tasty festive treat from its open wrapper. Start the rapid nibbling around the dark chocolate fondant square, throw another briquette on the fire and let me take you back to Christmas Eve, AKA the eve of my birth, over *coughs loudly over the number* years ago. My wonderful mother Noeleen, just 25 years young and pregnant with her second baby, sits heavy under the tinsel-decorated, twinkling Christmas tree, wrapping her last gift. Indeed, quite possibly the actual last of the 'Cheeky Charlies.' She adds it to the spilling pile of wrapped presents that sprawl across the floor, then with a belly full of crisps and dry, fat-basted turkey stuffing sambos on white batch bread, she sits back and watches, what to this day, is still my favourite film of all time, It's A Wonderful Life. When it ends, sobbing with inner festive glee and hormonal angst, she makes her way to bed early, already six days overdue with little old me. "Whatever you do, don't go on Christmas Day!" her gynaecologist only half-joked with her the day before, puffing on a giant cigar in his rooms on Charlemont Street. "As if!" Noeleen had hauled herself and myself up off the examination couch and bid him a very Happy Christmas telling him: "We have all Robert's relations from England home for Christmas dinner in ours tomorrow. All the plans have been made." You know what they say about best laid plans. While tucked up in bed on that bitterly cold, frosty Christmas Eve she began to feel the force of her contractions. My dad, the aforementioned Robert, 'merrily' returned from The Falcon Inn on Camden Street, with all his English relatives in tow, for a late-night turkey sambo, another glass of Guinness and a little Christmas sing-song. As men did in those days. Ahem. My granny Maggie, my maternal grandmother, was staying over that night and was on stand-by to mind my older sister Samantha, should the unwanted occur. Granny looked after the English rellies with great Irish pride, carving more turkey, heating mince pies, opening tins of Quality Street, Jacob's biscuits and even slicing some of her famous homemade Christmas pudding while making hot whiskeys all round. When they left in the early hours, granny and dad went up to bed. At six o'clock in the morning I decided within the womb to see if Santa had arrived. After all, that's what's kids do, right? Wake up early on Christmas Day - no kid in their right mind sleeps through the greatest day of the year! I gave my mother-to-be a swift kick in the ribs and she woke fully. "Robert, wake up, this is it." She groaned, as only a heavily pregnant woman can groan; a low guttural sound, not dissimilar to a man who has been kicked in the you-know-where. (Go on, have another one. That's the thing with After Eights, they are nibbled in seconds.) However, Dad, who had - bless - overindulged in the festivities the night before lept up and ran straight for the en-suite bathroom. "Robert!" my mother called for him. "What's wrong with him?" my granny, now up, hopping on the landing with one leg in her thick industrial tights, asked. "I'm in labour, Mam," my mother said in a series of pants. "How are you going to get Mass?" my granny gasped in horror as my mother stared her down. "What's wrong with Robert?" Granny asked again. "He has a hangover, Mam - he's throwing up!" my mother, doubled over, told her mother. "Oh, the poor fella! Robert? What's wrong?" My granny dashed to the bathroom, both legs now safely ensconced in the thick industrial tights. There, she lovingly tended to the man of the house, as my mother puffed and panted in the background. Granny ran for a cold wet towel for his head. Fetched paracetamol for his head. She made him hot tea and, believe it or not, he managed a few little bites of some dry toast. The trooper! "There, there Robert. I know. Just try another little bite, you have a long day ahead of you, pet." Granny minded him well as my mammy-in-waiting continued to moo. Eventually Dad was feeling well enough to tackle the hard day ahead, and off they went to Mount Carmel hospital where I was born a short four hours later - at 10 o'clock on Christmas morning. "Without so much as an aspirin," as my mother would later explain. From that very hour on, the following conversations have followed me whenever I'm asked my date of birth. Them: "The 25th of December? You were born on Christmas Day? Hate that!" Me: "Oh, well I don't . . . " Them: "But Christmas Day? What a nightmare for you and your poor mother!" Me: "Actually it was very special for us both." Them: "Christmas Day - but you miss out on birthday presents!" Me: "To be honest, it's quite the opposite, I've always had two birthdays." Them: "Don't believe you." So, what's it really like sharing a birthday with Jesus Christ, as well as other double-uppers like Shane McGowan, Humphrey Bogart, Kenny Everett and Justin Trudeau to name but a few? What is it really like to have the two biggest days of the year morphed into one? Let me tell you I love it! It's incredibly special. Please don't say you don't believe me, or that I couldn't possibly, because I do. And here's why: Because I milk it for every damn thing that's it's worth! I play that birthday/Christmas card like a sweet-sounding fiddle. My parents had always ensured I had my birthday a week before. Never a set date every year, sometimes December 16, sometimes December 19, sometimes December 20, and it added to the excitement. How many people can wonder what date their birthday will be on every year? Only me and the leap year babies. And then, even after I have celebrated the other birthday and got all my presents, Christmas Day is still my birthday so there is always an extra birthday present that Santa brings too! Does Santa bring you a birthday present? Didn't think so. Win. Win. Ching! Ching! Then, its gets juicier because a lot of the time people forget, then feel guilty they forgot and overcompensate. Them: "Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I forgot with all the merriment that it's also your birthday!" Me: (Self-deprecating face and dismissing hand movement) "Ahh don't be silly, it's fine" Them: "It's isn't! Happy Birthday Caroline! Hey everyone, listen up, it's Caroline's birthday! Another chorus of Happy Birthday rings out and people fuss over me. "Me: "Ahh you don't have to really... oh, well thank you!" (You haven't eaten the whole box, have you? You could try my old trick of putting the empty wrappers back in? Really annoys people!) Also, you know the way, if you are like me anyway, you see lots of things you'd like for Christmas but don't want to be greedy? Those Christmas ads make everything look so good. But Christmas is not a time for greed, right? Well, another big plus to my DOB is, I can be 'Covetous Christmas Caroline'. I can saunter around shops pointing and saying nonchalantly, "Hmm, that's lovely, isn't it?" Or, "I really like that and that and that but do not get me two presents, one is fine. I mean it this year!" Yeah right! I know that my poor husband, mother, father, sister, brother, or pals are clocking them all. One of the absolute best things about a Christmas Day birthday is you don't really think about the new number. You are too full of joy and turkey and ham and Brussels sprouts and the alluring, engaging, captivating, magic that I find is Christmas Day. Who cares if I'm another year older? Look! - another selection box! It's the one day of the year that the simple things matter. Family trumps ageing. In saying that, when I do roll myself into bed a year older, the facts are, I've loads of great face creams - the really good ones, the make-your-eyes-water-with-the-price-of-them ones that I nonchalantly pointed out in the stores - to lash on. All in all, it's like a 'soft' birthday, that other year older never really registers quite as harshly as any other day of the year. But in all seriousness, now that I'm older, having a Christmas birthday is beginning to become a lot more meaningful to me. It's sort of magical when I think back to that quiet morning when, on those deserted Dublin roads to Mount Carmel Hospital, when my incredible parents and me in utero, drove through the most exciting wakening of the year. To be born on Christmas Day finally means something more than double presents to me. And the fact that all these year later I still celebrate the birthday a week before, when I go for dinner with my family and they still make a huge fuss over me, just makes it more and more special every year. I couldn't in good conscience discuss my Christmas birthday without saying that there was one person who didn't forget ever, and that was granny Maggie. As soon as she would walk into our house on Christmas morning forever after my birth, it was never 'Merry Christmas', it was always: "Happy Birthday love!" So, I'll leave you with this: I love my Christmas Day Birthday. Love, love, love it. Everything about it. Christmas is deep in my soul, the tradition and the sentiment. Yes, I'm fond of an alcoholic beverage and a turkey stuffing sandwich, which, as my story proves, are all genetically linked! And no, I never got off homework on my birthday in school or got the bumps in the school yard nor did I ever see people outside my immediate family on my birthday, but that was more than OK. That was all part of the special charm that is having your birthday on Christmas Day. 'Bride Squad Runaway', written by Caroline Grace-Cassidy and Lisa C Carey, will be published by Black & White Publishing in Spring 2019 A tsunami survivor sits on a pice of debris as she salvages items from the location of her house in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) Sombre prayers were being said for tsunami victims in an area devastated by waves that hit without warning, killing more than 420 people and leaving thousands homeless in disaster-prone Indonesia. Pastor Markus Taekz said his Rahmat Pentecostal Church in the hard-hit area of Carita did not celebrate Christmas with joyous songs. Instead, he said only about 100 people showed up for the Christmas Eve service, usually attended by double that number. Many congregation members had already left the area for the capital, Jakarta, or other locations away from the disaster zone. "This is an unusual situation because we have a very bad disaster that killed hundreds of our sisters and brothers in Banten," he said, referring to the Javanese province. "So our celebration is full of grief." Church leaders called on Christians across Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, to pray for victims of the tsunami. The death toll had climbed to 429 on Tuesday with more than 1,400 people injured and at least 128 missing after the tsunami slammed into parts of western Java and southern Sumatra islands, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia Disaster Mitigation Agency. Military troops, government personnel and volunteers were searching along debris-strewn beaches. Where victims were found, yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out, and weeping relatives identified the dead. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Residents search for victims among the ruins of collapsed houses after the area was hit by a tsunami at Carita beach in Padeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, Decemnber 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Asep Fathulrahman/ via REUTERS Residents injured by a tsunami are treated outside a health center in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Basarnas/ via REUTERS A resident searches for items among the ruins of a villa after the area was hit by a tsunami, at Carita beach in Padeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, Decemnber 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Asep Fathulrahman/ via REUTERS Residents inspect body bags as they search for family members outside a local health center following a tsunami at Panimbang district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Adi Kurniawan A resident injured by a tsunami is treated at a health center in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Basarnas/ via REUTERS Residents collect debris from their collapsed house after it was hit by a tsunami at Panimbang district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas/ via REUTERS Residents collect debris from their collapsed house after it was hit by a tsunami at Panimbang district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas/ via REUTERS Residents walk past a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Dian Triyuli Handoko) A man inspects his house which was damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Dian Triyuli Handoko) Cars are covered by debris at an area ravaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018.(AP Photo/Dian Triyuli Handoko) A house is seen damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Dian Triyuli Handoko) A soldier examines as he takes care of a local resident who was injured following a tsunami which hit at Tanjung Lesung district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas/ via REUTERS A local walks near her damaged house hit by tsunami at Tanjung Lesung district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas/ via REUTERS A house and a small shop is seen after hit by tsunami at Tanjung Lesung district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas/ via REUTERS A soldier examines as he takes care of a local resident who was injured following a tsunami which hit at Tanjung Lesung district in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas/ via REUTERS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Residents search for victims among the ruins of collapsed houses after the area was hit by a tsunami at Carita beach in Padeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, Decemnber 23, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Asep Fathulrahman/ via REUTERS Chunks of broken concrete and splintered wood littered the coast where hundreds of homes and hotels had stood. The waves followed an eruption and apparent landslide on Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatoa, a volcanic island that formed in the early part of the 20th century near the site of the cataclysmic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who faces what promises to be a tough re-election campaign next year, vowed to have all tsunami-detection equipment replaced or repaired. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Indonesian soldiers load the body of a tsunami victim into an ambulance at Tanjung Lesung beach resort, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) A view of Tanjung Lesung beach resort after Saturday's tsunami in Tanjung Lesung, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) A police officer carries his K9 unit search dog as they continue to search for victims following a tsunami around a beach hotel in Tanjung Lesung, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) Indonesian soldiers search the bodies of tsunami victims at Tanjung Lesung beach resort, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Indonesian soldiers carry the bodies of tsunami victims at Tanjung Lesung beach, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Indonesian soldiers and rescuers search the bodies of tsunami victims at Tanjung Lesung beach, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) People inspect the damage at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) An aerial view of an affected area after a tsunami hit the coast of Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia, December 24, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/HO-Susi Air/via REUTERS. A man makes his way past a house badly damaged by a tsunami in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) People inspect the damage at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) Photo: REUTERS/Jorge Silva A tsunami survivor sits on a pice of debris as she salvages items from the location of her house in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) A man sits on a piece of debris at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) A woman and her children inspect the damage at a tsunami-ravaged village in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) A tsunami survivor sits on a pice of debris as she salvages items from the location of her house in Sumur, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fauzy Chaniago) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Indonesian soldiers load the body of a tsunami victim into an ambulance at Tanjung Lesung beach resort, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Nugroho acknowledged on Twitter that the country's network of detection buoys had been out of order since 2012 because of vandalism and budget shortfalls. But the head of Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Dwikorita Karnawati, said the tsunami was caused by Krakatau's volcanic activity and so could not have been picked up by the agency's sensors, which monitor conventional earthquakes responsible for more than 90% of Indonesia's tsunamis. Karnawati said the tsunami was probably caused by the collapse of a big section of the volcano's slope. Anak Krakatau had been erupting since June and did so again 24 minutes before the tsunami, the geophysics agency said. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people, lies along the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The massive eruption of Krakatoa killed more than 30,000 people and hurled so much ash that it turned day to night in the area and reduced global temperatures. Thousands were believed killed by a quake and tsunami that hit Sulawesi island in September, and an earlier quake on the island of Lombok killed 505 people in August. Border patrol officers stand at the beach on the US side of the fence between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico (Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP) An eight-year-old boy from Guatemala died in US government custody in New Mexico early Tuesday, US immigration authorities have said. It marked the second death of an immigrant child in detention this month. US Customs and Border Protection said in a news release that the boy died shortly after midnight. The death came during an ongoing dispute over border security and with a partial government shutdown underway over President Donald Trumps request for border wall funding. Expand Close Neighbours carry the coffin that contain the remains of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin (Oliver de Ros/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Neighbours carry the coffin that contain the remains of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin (Oliver de Ros/AP) The White House referred questions to the US Department of Homeland Security, CBPs parent agency. CBP officers and the Border Patrol remain on the job despite the shutdown. The agency said the boy showed signs of potential illness on Monday and was taken with his father to a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he was diagnosed with a cold and a fever. The boy was prescribed amoxicillin and Ibuprofen and released on Monday afternoon after being held 90 minutes for observation, the agency said. The boy was returned to the hospital on Monday evening with nausea and vomiting and died there just hours later, US Customs and Border Protection said. The agency said the cause of the boys death has not been determined and that it has notified the Department of Homeland Securitys inspector general and the Guatemalan government. Expand Close Claudia Maquin grieves as she attends a memorial service for her seven-year-old daughter Jakelin Caal Maquin (Oliver de Ros/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Claudia Maquin grieves as she attends a memorial service for her seven-year-old daughter Jakelin Caal Maquin (Oliver de Ros/AP) The hospital, the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Centre, declined to comment, citing privacy regulations. CBP promised an independent and thorough review of the circumstances. The agency has not yet said when or where the father and son entered the United States or how long they were detained, saying only in its statement that the boy had been previously apprehended by its agents. CBP typically detains immigrants when they cross the border for short periods of time before releasing them or turning them over to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Alamogordo is about 90 miles from the US-Mexico border at El Paso, Texas. Expand Close A heart constructed out of wood and wrapped in plastic announces the death of seven-year-old Jakelin (Oliver de Ros/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A heart constructed out of wood and wrapped in plastic announces the death of seven-year-old Jakelin (Oliver de Ros/AP) Ruben Garcia, director of El Pasos Annunciation House, said Tuesday that he had no reason to believe his shelter had served the family, but was waiting for further details about what happened. A CBP spokesman declined to elaborate on Tuesday, but said more details would be released shortly. A seven-year-old Guatemalan girl died earlier this month after being apprehended by border agents, also in New Mexico. The body of the girl, Jakelin Caal, was returned to her familys remote village on Monday for burial on Tuesday. Large numbers of Guatemalan families have been arriving in recent weeks in New Mexico, often in remote and dangerous parts of the desert. Jakelin and her father were with 161 other people when they were apprehended in Antelope Wells, about 230 miles south west of Alamogordo. CBP announced new notification procedures in response to Jakelins death, which was not revealed until several days later. Emergency rescue personnel arrive to the scene of the helicopter crash (Pablo Spencer/AP) A husband-and-wife political power couple who were the current and ex-governors of Puebla in Mexico have died in a helicopter crash on Christmas Eve, officials said. Mexicos political class was stunned by the deaths of governor Martha Erika Alonso and ex-governor Rafael Moreno Valle, a prominent figure in the opposition National Action Party who had vied unsuccessfully for the partys presidential nomination and its internal leadership. Two pilots and a third passenger also died. Expand Close Rafael Moreno Valle, husband of Martha Erika Alonso, the governor of Puebla (Joel Merino/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rafael Moreno Valle, husband of Martha Erika Alonso, the governor of Puebla (Joel Merino/AP) The Agusta 109 helicopter fell about 10 minutes after taking off from a heliport within the city of Puebla on a flight to Mexico City. It crashed in the municipality of Santa Maria Coronango, which is about 3.5 miles north of the citys main airport on the western outskirts, federal Public Security Secretary Alfonso Durazo told a news conference. Images of the crash showed a shattered, still smouldering aircraft on the edge of a scorched patch of cornfield. Both federal and state officials said they had opened investigations into the cause. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors Morena party had challenged the validity of Ms Alonsos election in July. She was sworn in 10 days ago after independent electoral authorities dismissed the challenge. State spokesman Maximiliano Cortazar demanded a transparent, impartial and independent investigation. Marko Cortes, president of the couples National Action Party, tweeted his condolences after the fatal accident. Ms Alonso took office as governor less than two weeks ago. Mr Obrador expressed his deepest condolences via Twitter to the family on Monday evening. Mr Moreno Valle governed the central state from 2011 to 2017 and was currently a federal senator. Government agencies and scores of officials, including former President Enrique Pena Nieto, also expressed condolences via statements and social media. Weve all had to do the whole walk to shame thing. Theres no avoiding that. You meet an interesting person but you dont want to be in a relationship? Just go for a hookup. Thats how most millennials go through relationships. It keeps them away from commitment but it also comes with benefits. However, at times the hookup experiences are something you cant forget not because theyre good but because the weirdest things happened. We asked people to tell us about their most awkward hookup experiences and their answers will make you glad you didnt have to go through something like this: 1. I met a really cute guy through a mutual friend and we decided to go for a date. I had a good time with him and we decided to come back to my place. We had just started making out when I noticed that his pants already had a wet spot. We had to stop just then. unsplash 2. Everything was going well and we were both enjoying ourselves when in the middle of the act he said, bhaiya paas aaja. I mea, yes, we were both drunk but its the weirdest thing to say. unsplash 3. It was a friends birthday and the whole college group went to her place. Her whole family was at home but we all still managed to drink sitting in her room. The birthday girl wanted to hook up with me and took me to the bathroom in the hall area where we indulged in a makeout session only to have her brother knock on the door. We literally had to pay him to keep his mouth shut and let us continue. unsplash 4. I met a guy at a house party and after a couple of drinks, we went to a room to hookup. It was all going well but the moment he opened my bra, he ended up puking on my back because of too much drinking. unsplash 5. I met a pretty girl at a club and we ended up coming back to my place. We continued drinking at my place as well to get into the mood but she ended up sleeping. Even creepier was the part where she woke up in the middle of the night and told me that she is sleepy but I am free to feel myself up. unsplash 6. My hooking up session was interrupted by the guys addiction to listening to songs during his intimate time. Everything was going well but then the song that was playing ended and the guy stopped whatever we were doing to change the song. It was pretty weird. unsplash 7. I really wanted to hook up with a guy from college because wed been exchanging steamy texts for a while. He asked one of his friends to let us use his flat. The friend agreed and we went to his house on the decided day. He left us to do our business and five-minutes into it, his friend knocked on the door. He had forgotten his phone in the room. I dont know why but the boy I was hooking up with just told him to get it from inside without realizing Im half naked! The moment the other guy entered the room, I jumped behind the bed. He was so shocked that he started screaming, closed his eyes and proceeded to locate his phone with closed eyes. It was embarrassing back then but now, it makes me laugh. unsplash What's your weird hookup story like? In order to reduce the risk of accidents or fatalities while trucks and buses reverse, the road transport ministry has mandated the inclusion of reverse parking alert system in all trucks and buses manufactured from April 2020. Apart from trucks and buses, the mandate will stand for all four-wheelers starting July 2019. In a notification issued by the road transport ministry recently, the alert system which has to be in place should be able to sound a warning if an object is in proximity of the vehicle. This could be done using sensors or even rear view cameras for visual aid to the driver. Reuters The mandate is aimed to tackle the rising incidents of trucks and buses involved in accidents while reverse parking. That is where rear view cameras will be mighty helpful, eliminating any blind spots in the process. In case the visual aid is not in place, an alert system should be present to let the driver know of any object in the path. Same applies to cars too. Though many new models of cars come with either of the two features, the mandate will make sure that all the models post July 2019 will be having these features. The systems will also make sure that pedestrians are alerted of a vehicle reversing and will hence minimise the chances of a collision. It's Christmas and quite obviously people working at the US embassy weren't going to keep calm. Twitter ALSO READ: How You Can Track Santa's Journey Across The World In Real Time This Christmas Eve The staff at the embassy made an adorable video of everyone at the office joining in the Christmas cheer and you have to watch it. American diplomats love being in #IncredibleIndia. So much so that they sometimes express it in surprising ways. #HappyHolidays from all of us at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi! Watch and dance along! #HolidayCheer #Happy2019 pic.twitter.com/tstNw5qHqU U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) 21 December 2018 The tweet was captioned, American diplomats love being in #IncredibleIndia. So much so that they sometimes express it in surprising ways. #HappyHolidays from all of us at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi! Watch and dance along! #HolidayCheer #Happy2019. This has to be the sweetest thing I saw this morning. You almost make me feel like dropping in and joining in the celebration Roshan Abbas (@roshanabbas) 22 December 2018 Very good Dan's & Very. Very. Happy New year 2019 pic.twitter.com/n6s5BDzGMB Mohan Singh (@MohanSi07633321) 23 December 2018 The diplomats, some of them with their families are seen shaking a leg in different parts of the head office located in New Delhi. Merry Christmas it is! We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Freshman U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., was named the Most Valuable House Member by the progressive publication, The Nation. The Indian American congressman has emerged as the chambers most ardent and courageous advocate for a new approach to foreign policy, wrote the publication. On Dec. 21, Khanna backed President Trumps call for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. (Twitter photo) A campaign of silence by corporate media with their meat ad profiteering and by federal agencies which historically protect the meat industry have criminally neglected informing the public of Mad Deer, Mad Cow, Mad Caribou, Mad Elk etc. In 2018 at least 25 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces and Norway have reported cases of Mad Deer, Mad Elk, Mad Moose, Mad Bear, Mad Caribou, Mad Mule Deer, Mad Reindeer. Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming are some of the states reporting incidents.CBS, MSNBC, NPR, CSpan (through cable industry) all profiteer from meat industry ads. and have censored the news. The 200 million $ NPR has invested in burger chain stock has bought silence. The CDC has done minimal warning. The USDA, FDA have protectedhunter tourism industries and have criminally neglected the public health attempting to hide the disease with the term Chronic Wasting Disease rather than spongiform encephalopathy, a disease of many species. The Japanese government tests all American meat, because of the USDA's refusal to test. Ann Veneman, former USDA Secretary, mentored by the American Meat Institute's Richard Lyng, began the history of USDA censorship before becoming a head of UNICEF.Many slaughterhouses have failed to keep the brain tissue and spinal cords from mixing with the rest of the murdered animals' cadavers and have spread Mad Cow. Mother Jones wrote that Hormel workers were being paralyzed from working in the brain roomin which they inhale a blood mist.Amarillo cattlemen twice attempted to suppress news of Mad Cow (which was in a Purina herd in Sutherland Springs, Texas andelsewhere) by suing Oprah Winfrey and Howard Lyman, who publicized the censorship of Mad Cow in the US. The 5th Circuit ruledtwice against the cattlemen. The decision stated that the truth is not libel.Hunters who murder deer and eat the deer meat are spreading the disease by bringing deer urine with them to many states. The urine is used to entrap innocent animals prior to murdering them. The Alaskan government is trying to keep imported deer urine out of the state. Hunters eating venison (deceptive term for deer flesh) can contract cervine spongiform encephalopathy, Mad Hunters' Disease. Mad Deer, Mad Elk have a history in Colorado (where Colorado State University furthered Mad Elk incidence by infecting animals at a research station. Vivisectors often spread diseases by recreating them in captive tortured animals.)Hundreds of articles about Mad CowThe CDC map of cervine spongiform encephalopathy (Mad Deer Disease) is out of date showing 23 states. Ohio and Tennessee and perhaps others should be included He has come and gone, and children across the country are waking up to see what Santa left them for Christmas. His journey around the world is continuing this morning, and he was last seen in San Diego in California. Christmas cooks are being reminded not to wash the turkey before roasting it. Safefood Ireland says it can potentially spread bacteria. Guest Column Why the Military Has Declared a Unilateral Ceasefire Soldiers participate in Myanmar's annual military parade in Naypyitaw in March 2017. / The Irrawaddy In a surprise move on Friday, the Myanmar military declared a unilateral four-month ceasefire, its first ever. This after it failed to heed an order from then-President Thein Sein to stop its offensive against the Kachin Independence Army in December 2011. Materializing as it has in the midst of a stalemate in the peace process, the ceasefire has come about for a number of reasons. First, the military, or Tatmadaw, wants to rebuild the diminishing trust of the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), in particular those that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), namely the Kayin National Union (KNU) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). The KNU decided to temporarily withdraw from the peace process in October. The following month, the RCSS said recent high-level meetings with the government and military had failed to achieve a breakthrough on key obstacles to a peace process. The Karenni National Progressive Party, meanwhile, is in a sit and wait posture on the NCA, which it has not signed, while the Tatmadaw has shown a willingness to negotiate with it. So the Tatmadaw wants to rebuild trust with NCA signatories and non-signatories alike in hopes of reviving the peace process. Second, the Tatmadaw wants to forge good relations with the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which comprises the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Shan State Army (SSA), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA). The AA, MNDAA and TNLA recently expressed interest in joining the peace process. The Tatmadaw wants to grab the opportunity to build a rapport with the FPNCC non of whom have signed the NCA via these three groups. The two largest and strongest FPNCC members, the UWSA and KIO, issued statements welcoming the Tatmadaws announcement. Third, the unilateral ceasefire may be a tactic of the Tatmadaw to convince EAOs outside of the NCA to sign on. Non-signatories regularly clash with the Tatmadaw, and those in Shan State urged the Tatmadaw to declare a unilateral ceasefire after the armed groups met in early December. The Tatmadaw wants non-signatories to sign the NCA by the end of April. The tactic is similar to the governments handling of the Land Law enacted on Sept. 11. The law requires everyone occupying land classified as vacant, fallow or virgin to apply for a land-use permit within six months of its enactment and reiterates the penalties for trespassing. Similarly, the Tatmadaw is pushing non-signatories to join the NCA within four months. After that, the Tatmadaw can criticize any group that hasnt. Last but not least, the Tatmadaw wants to repair its damaged image both at home and abroad. At home, the Tatmadaws image appears to have been eroded by its land confiscations, lawsuits and arrests of political activists and other human rights abuses. Abroad, it faces pressure over its treatment of the countrys Rohingya minority. Achieving peace is the only way for the Tatmadaw to end the pressure and restore its image. Coincidentally, the Tatmadaw will soon transfer the military-controlled General Administration Department to the Ministry of the Office of the Union Government, which is under the control of the civilian government, though the minister is a retired colonel. It is also worth keeping in mind that the new ceasefire explicitly excludes Rakhine State, where the Tatmadaw and AA have been fighting since October, though the Tatmadaw claims it is because of an ongoing threat in the area from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. In a nutshell, the Tatmadaws ceasefire was welcomed by EAOs and is a positive step toward stability. In the best-case scenario, 2019 will be a year of peace, something not seen in the past two years despite promises from the government that a year of peace was coming in 2017. In the worst-case scenario, those living in areas not under government control can celebrate Christmas Day without the sound of bullets and bombs. Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of an analyst based in Kachin State. Elections in Democratic Republic of Congo will ostensibly bring the curtain down on the era of President Joseph Kabila, in charge of the vast resource-rich nation for nearly 18 turbulent years. If elections successfully take place on Sunday, it would mark the first peaceful transition of power in the DRCs post-colonial history. But many analysts strongly doubt that Kabila will quit politics. Instead, they predict he will simply wield influence behind the scenes a tactic likely to be emulated by two rivals, ex-rebel Jean-Pierre Bemba and Moise Katumbi, exiled former governor of Katanga province. Kabila comeback? Kabila took power at the age of 29 after his president father, Laurent-Desire, was assassinated in 2001 by a bodyguard. If Sundays thrice-postponed vote goes according to plan, Kabila will step down, taking up the senator-for-life position offered to former presidents. Kabila has been vague about his future but, aged only 47, seems to have no plans to shuffle off into retirement. In life, as in politics, I do not rule anything out, he told foreign media ahead of the polls. He said his political future might be clearer in 2023 the year the country is set to hold its next presidential polls. Critics say Kabila plans to have the seat kept warm for him by his hand-picked successor, hardline former interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, one of the front-runners wins the election. After nearly 18 years in power, Kabila has also built up a web of supporters in the military and security apparatus, as well as a loyal political vehicle, the Common Front for Congo (FCC), which earlier this year declared him to be its moral authority. Kabila also reputedly has major stakes in the economy, which would also extend his potential influence. A Bloomberg investigation two years ago found the Kabila family had built up a huge business network with interests across the DRC. Bemba: Former warlord Former militia leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, 56, has been a fixture in DRCs political landscape, and a rival to the Kabila clan, for years. He was once an assistant to Mobutu Sese Seko, but left the country after Kabilas father overthrew the dictator in 1997. In 1998 he formed his Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC) militia in armed opposition to Kabila senior. He became vice president in an interim government in 2003, but in 2006 was defeated by Kabila junior in an election bid. He was elected to the Senate the following year. In 2008, Bemba was arrested in Brussels on charges of war crimes in the International Criminal Court over atrocities committed by his militia in the neighbouring Central African Republic. In 2016, the ICC found him guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity but this year overturned the decision on appeal. But another ICC charge of witness bribery meant he was legally banned from an election bid. Bemba has a major power base, especially in the northwestern DRC, and tens of thousands of cheering supporters turned out for his return in August. Like Katumbi, he has backed Martin Fulyani, a little-known legislator and former oil executive, as a rival candidate to the pro-Kabila Shadary. Katumbi: exile-in-waiting? Millionaire businessman Moise Katumbi has also been barred from contesting Sundays election. But the 53-year-old can still count on wielding influence on the DRCs future through his backing for Fulyani. His stronghold is the mineral-rich southeastern province of Katanga where he was once governor. After falling out with Kabila, Katumbi has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium, the former colonial power, since May 2016. He was handed a three-year sentence for property fraud a charge that he denies. In January, he declared he would run in the presidential election but was then accused of hiring mercenaries and charged with offences against state security. In August, he was blocked from entering the DRC as he tried to meet a deadline for filing his election bid. In October, the case was sent to the constitutional court a procedure likely to take months. 39 Shares Share Doctors are notoriously bad with money. Part of this has to do with the fact that the schools that prepare our future doctors are ill equipped to teach them about money. When I was a fourth-year medical student, my school had a financial group come and talk to us about money. Not only was their advice conflicted, but the lawyer who owned the financial group would later end up going to jail for fraud. We doctors have a giant target painted on our back. Why are doctors so often the targets of financial debauchery? Todays post hopes to answer this question by pointing out five ways that doctors have a target painted on their back. Hopefully, through this discussion, you will be more aware of how and why people aim to steal a part of the pie that is rightly yours. Target number 1: High income earners The most obvious reason that doctors have a target on our back is because we are high-income earners. Even the lowest earning specialties in medicine earn more than $100,000 per year. The highest earning specialists earn north of $500,000. With the median income in our country resting around $55-60,000, this places a target squarely on our back. For this reason, when the financial industry sees doctors, they see an opportunity to convince you to let go of a little bit of that money. You obviously dont need all of that money. Their goal quickly becomes to earn a piece of the pie that you worked so hard to obtain. Any work that they put in will likely be worth the effort given your income earning capacity. Target number 2: Low financial acumen Becoming a board-certified physician requires at the very least four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and three years of residency training. For many, it involves much more. During this time, we work 60-100 hours per week learning our craft. Who in this situation has time to learn about financial topics? Particularly given that our medical education system has failed to make this a priority despite being perfectly fine with allowing the government to hand us hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Because of the limited time that is put towards personal finance topics, doctors often fall prey to the most common financial schemes. We purchase whole-life insurance, actively managed hedge funds, and individual securities pitched at us by financial advisors who have special access for high-income earners. This is why it is so important to get non-conflicted advice. Do your due diligence and learn enough about this stuff to avoid being hoodwinked by some would-be salesperson or assets under management (AUM) financial advisor that does not have your best interests in mind. Target number 3: We are too busy doing our job You know why a lot of doctors have a target painted on their back? Because we are too busy taking care of other people. We are not very good at taking care of ourselves. This extends from wealth to health. Every month a large sum of money is placed into our accounts, just to see it vanish into the abyss of an inflated lifestyle and poor financial decisions. Given that the system never taught us any better, our financial futures were left to chance that we might figure this stuff out on our own along the way. Unfortunately, we have neglected our financial situation. For this reason, there are certain people who are more than happy to take advantage of this. Hey doc, we both know that you are too busy to worry about this stuff. Just let me take care of everything so that you can do what you do best: taking care of patients. That all sounds well and good until twenty years later when you realize youve been taken to the woodshed and beaten, without realizing it. Target number 4: Personal finance is too complicated to DIY This one is pretty simple given what has already been mentioned. We are busy. And we dont know a lot about finances. So, it becomes very easy for others to convince us that it is all too complicated. The truth is that it can be complicated, if we make it. But it certainly doesnt have to be complicated. You can get to financial independence without knowing everything. You simply need to know enough. Its not too complicated for you to do this stuff yourself. Want to know the 20% on investing you need to know? Read this post. Want to be a DIY investor, click here. It can be complicated, but it doesnt have to be. Make it simple. Target number 5: Overly trusting Listen, you dont need to learn about all of this stuff, doc. Thats why there are professionals. We can help set you up. Well take care of you. Just trust us. Call me a pessimist, but the specialty of anesthesiology exists because we Trust, but verify what others tell us. Many patients I take care of have benefited from me double checking what others tell me. In the personal finance space, I was screwed over enough times to realize that many people did not have my best interests at heart. Thats why I started this site. To teach medical students, residents, early career attendings, and other medical professionals about this stuff. Take home The purpose of this post is to help doctors realize that they have a target painted on their back. People in the financial space do not always have your best interests at heart. It is your responsibility to trust, but verify. In the end, it is also your responsibility to realize that this isnt so complicated that you cannot do it yourself. There are plenty of people who are looking out for you and are willing to help. The Physician Philosopher is an anesthesiologist who blogs at his self-titled site, The Physician Philosopher. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Take care of you so that you can make a difference for others 944 Shares Share A few years ago, after doing the work and mom thing for five-plus years, I noticed I was becoming increasingly cynical. I was, more often than not, in a bad mood and I felt exhausted. One day I sat down and asked myself: What the hell is going on with you? I realized that I was working all day, only to come home (when I wasnt working nights) to work some more: cook dinner, clean the house, help with homework, get stuff ready for the following day, crawl into bed and then do it all over again the next day. I felt frustrated with work and was tired of dealing with the business of medicine. I found myself navigating a sea of clicks and typewritten notes in our electronic medical record system on a daily basis, juggling more demands as the hospital tried to squeeze out more from us. I went through mindless computer courses so that the administration could say its staff was trained on cultural competence, gender sensitivity, sexual harassment, and the latest EMR update. I felt used and abused, unappreciated and stuck. I was feeling burned out. How do you approach it? Once I realized I had a problem and needed to tackle it, I started looking for solutions. For me, leaving medicine was not an option. I still enjoyed caring for patients. So, what could I do? I learned how to say no. At work, I was offered a more administrative position to do, in addition to my regular workload. I knew it would look nice on my CV, but it was not something that I would enjoy. As women, we tend to feel like we must say yes to whatever is asked from us. I, however, was feeling fed up. I listened to everything, mulled it over and came back the following week. I asked two questions, point blank: Will you give me protected time to be able to carry out this new responsibility and will there be additional compensation? It was interesting to see the discomfort in the room when I asked this. Clearly, this was not the expected answer. When the answer to both was no, then, I decidedly said, Oh, OK, Im not interested, but thanks for considering me. I stepped out before anyone had a chance to argue. Something interesting happens as you get older and more experienced. You become less afraid to speak up; you feel more comfortable in you and, if you happen to be burned out on top of that, you could care less about others perception. So, it came to be that I passed up on an opportunity, which may have been great career-wise, to put myself first. I learned to delegate the household duties. Cleaning went to others, if I was coming home late, cooking went out the window, organizing the house during the week was put on hold for the weekend. I opened up time to just be there for homework duties and family bonding. This took a burden away. I learned to look up at the ceiling when I walked in the house because to me a messy home is not compatible with everyday life. It was also a great exercise on letting go, for the person that needs to get things done yesterday. I took on more. I know this may make no sense, but hear me out. When I took away all those things that were not fulfilling and just adding stress, I was able to open up space to do the things that I did find motivating. I loved writing, health, wellness, and evidence-based medicine and I saw a way to help others by putting these together. I began blogging and eventually started putting writing out in my own blog. It gave me a creative outlet that I really enjoyed. I also joined the leadership, as editorial director, of a female-led non-profit organization helping out in another area that I was passionate about: my post-hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. It was ideal for me because I was vehement about female empowerment. Also, I could actually help make an impact on the recovery and well-being of the kids back home and I could write. All things that I found meaningful. By taking on the things that moved, fulfilled and motivated me, I found new meaning in daily things and slowly started squashing burnouts ugly head. I rejoined my tribe. Its hard to move forward or get anything done without the support and encouragement. My oldest friends were all over the globe and hard to talk to on a regular basis. Then, we started a group chat, where we could talk about whatever was on our mind or bothering us in real time. I could be in the middle of a meeting, going through something, and I could quietly send out a message and get real-time support! For me, that was huge. Just hearing from them every day made me feel connected to a larger purpose. I also joined groups of like-minded female physician moms who were juggling all of the same life demands that I was. Reading their battles made me realize that I was not alone. Their daily stories inspired and motivated me. It kept me marching forward. In the end, as I have read more about burnout in the last few years, I realized that I had unknowingly done what most psychology resources recommend for dealing with burnout: Reframe your work by finding balance and value in what you do Reevaluate your priorities by setting boundaries and nourishing your creative side Make time for self-care by making time to exercise, eat well and spend time with friends and family Take care of you so that you can make a difference for others. Michelle Ramirez is a pediatric intensive care physician. Image credit: Shutterstock.com ROCHESTER, Minn.-Christmas is just hours away. While we're all excited to open gifts, the Rochester Fire Department tell KIMT this is a time to be safety conscious. Your real Christmas tree is a potential fire hazard. One firefighter tells us that people often forget to water their tree. He says when you cut your tree, theres a countdown to when it should be thrown out. The typical life cycle is 30 to 45 days so we're kind of getting near the end of that cycle for people that just got their trees after thanksgiving and we're getting kind of near the time when it comes to dispose of a tree, said firefighter K.C. Clark. He tells us that even if you keep the tree past 45 days, you should keep it away from flames like candles and electrical outlets. If your tree starts a fire call 911. ROCHESTER, Minn.- Today marks a somber anniversary, 65 years ago two firefighters, Ambrose Riley and Stanley OBrien, lost their lives trying to rescue a boy who fell through the ice on silver lake. Each year, a ceremony is held to remember the lives lost. The two firefighters and a little boy died, the memorial is there to honor their memory.Today, Silver Lake Park was packed with first responders and community members who all came out to honor the three lives lost. Rochester Fire Captain Holly Mulholland says this serves as a grim but important reminder about the dangers of the job. It's not necessarily a fear that we have at times but it is a reality of our job as first responders that, that is a risk of some of the things that we're asked to do, said the Captain. Dibrugarh, December 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Indias longest Bogibeel Bridge in Assam. While speaking at the event, PM Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said, About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed. PM Modi blamed the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for delaying infrastructural projects in the country. Taking a Jibe at the UPA government, he said, Things have changed after May 2014 when the topmost priority is being accorded to key projects. Delayed infra projects were adversely impacting India's development trajectory. When we assumed office, we added speed to these projects & worked towards their quick completion. Here's All You Need to Know about Bogibeel Bridge: The Prime Minister also lauded his government for bringing AgustaWestland Chopper scam middleman Christian Michel to India. PM Modi said, Four years ago nobody would have imagined that a man who was involved in a Helicopter scam would be brought to India. Our govt managed to do it. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated Indias longest and Asias second longest railroad bridge Bogibeel Bridge in Dibrugarh of Assam. The bridge was inaugurated on the 94th birth anniversary of former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee. PM Modi also walked on the bridge and waved hands at the express train which stood beside the bridge. He also inspected the bridge. The 4.94-kilometre long bridge has been constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 5,900 crore. Though former PM HD Deve Gowda laid the foundation stone of the double-decker bridge on January 22, 1997, the work commenced on April 21, 2002, under the previous NDA government. The bridge is the first one in the country which has adhered to the European welding standards and has a serviceable period of 120 years. The bridge consists of 39 girders of 125 metre and two girders of the 33-metre span. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2018 04:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Pune, December 25: Koregaon Police on Monday booked Dhanraj Morarji, son of textile tycoon Arvind Morarji and half-brother of politician Nagma, for allegedly harassing an Irani national and keeping her in strict captivity. The survivor, Parvin Ghelichi, told police that Dhanraj kept her confined in his apartment in the posh locale of Koregaon Park and would assault and beat her up on minor issues. Ghelichi, 30, was rescued by police on Monday night, reported Mumbai Mirror. Around 50 Million Google Searches for Sexual Harassment Since #MeToo: Study. According to the reports, Ghelichi came to India for pursuing a course in Computer Technology. She met Dhanraj through a common friend in the first week of November. After a few meeting, they both began to date each other and soon Ghelichi, who is from Tehran, moved into Dhanraj's apartment. Indian Woman in 2018: The Year of Rise of #MeToo And Hope For Women in Supreme Court. Ghelichi told police that initially, he was a nice guy, who kept showering his love and affection to her. But thereafter, the thing went downhill, Dhanraj began to beat her even for minor issues. Later, things became worse as He would assault me for no rhyme or reason at least a couple of times a week" she said, reported Mumbai Mirror. After the repeated assaults, Ghelichi managed to text a friend on Instagram. Her friend got in touch with Mirror, who later informed police and got her rescued from the upscale MIT Olympus Society. Police have also managed to recover Ghelichi's passport and other documents. Dhanraj has been booked under the Indian Penal Code Sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and Section 506 for criminal intimidation. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2018 05:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Islamabad, December 24: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court on Monday sentenced former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif to 7 years in jail, after convicting him in the Al-Azizia corruption reference case. The ex-premier would be shortly sent to the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where his prison-term would begin from today. The bench headed by Accountability Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik had on December 19 reserved its verdict in two corruption cases involving Sharif - the Al-Azizia Still Mills corruption reference and the Flagship Investments reference. While he was convicted in the former, the court acquitted him in the latter on grounds of insufficient evidence. Pakistan Witnesses Nawaz Sharif's Fall, Imran Khan's Rise in 2018; Hopes to Improve Ties with India in 2019. The judgement was earlier scheduled to be delivered between 9am to 10am today. Amid vociferous protests by PML-N cadres outside the court complex, the bench decided to delay the verdict till 3pm. Apart from awarding a 7-year prison term to Sharif, the court also slapped a fine of $2.5 million on the former PM. He has been asked to deposit the same before the NAB within a 30-day period. In July this year, Sharif, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt Safdar, were convicted in the Avenfield reference case. The sentence against the trio, however, was scrapped by a higher court in September. Thye corruption cases against Sharif surfaced in 2016, when he, along with his family members, was named in the Panama Papers -- an investigative report published by the International Consortium of Journalists (ICJ). The embattled former premier was forced to vacate Office in July last year, after an NAB court charged him with hiding his source of incomes in the election affidavit. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2018 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). - VP Yemi Osinbajo will represent Nigeria at the Africa-Europe High Level Forum holding in Vienna, Austria from December 17 to 18 - The forum would promote innovation and digitalisation as important enablers of future development - Osinbajo would also hold a town-hall meeting with the Nigerian community in Austria and attend several bilateral meetings with European government leaders Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will participate in the Africa-Europe High Level Forum with other African and European heads of states and government in Vienna, Austria. The vice presidents spokesman Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday, December 17, in Abuja, said the forum was hosted by the Austrian government on behalf of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), NAN reports. READ ALSO: 2019: Don't campaign with presidential jet - Atiku's spokesman tells Buhari Legit.ng gathers that Osinbajo would be speaking on the theme of the forum, Taking Cooperation to the Digital Age. The forum will take place from December 17 to 18. According to the organisers in the EU and AU, the forum would promote innovation and digitalisation as important enablers of future development, so that everyone can benefit from the ongoing digital transformation. It would assess how the partnerships between Africa and Europe contribute to this goal and complement the ongoing implementation of the joint declaration of the 2017 Abidjan Summit between the AU and the EU. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to The declaration, among other things, highlighted the importance of unlocking the potential of the digital economy for Africa and Europe. It also aimed at contributing to the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs. In Vienna, Osinbajo would hold a town-hall meeting with the Nigerian community in Austria and also attend several bilateral meetings with European government leaders. Some of the European government leaders are the prime minister of Czech Republic, Andrej Babis; the prime minister of Finland, Juha Sipila; the federal chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz; and the UK minister for Africa, Harriet Baldwin. Osinbajo would also meet with top officials of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo emphasised that his roles as the nation's number two citizen are outlined in the constitution and that he is not a spare tyre to President Muhammadu Buhari. Osinbajo made the comment on Friday, December 14, during the vice-presidential debate organised by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). The vice president stated that Nigeria's constitution differs from that of other countries, in that it specifies the role of the vice president. Is Osinbajo a better president than Buhari? - on Legit TV: Source: Legit - Over N3bn has been spent on 2,953 Nigerian students studying abroad under three scholarship arrangements - The scholarship arrangements are the federal government scholarship, the Bilateral Education Agreement and the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme - Nigeria has 20 students studying in Commonwealth countries across the world under the Commonwealth Scholarship The federal government has spent over N3 billion on 2,953 Nigerian students studying abroad under three scholarship arrangements, namely federal government scholarship, the Bilateral Education Agreement and the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme. The disclosure was made in Abuja by the minister of education, Adamu Adamu. The minister, who made the disclosure during a press conference noted that the government had so far spent N800 million in the current 2018/2019 academic year, Punch reports. Legit.ng gathers that federal government scholarship is still open to Nigerians in all tertiary institutions. January 2, 2019, is the deadline for application. According to Adamu Adamu, a total of 2000 students are presently on the federal government scholarship in various higher institutions in the country. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He said: There are efforts being made by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the area of scholarship dividends. Under the Commonwealth Scholarship, Nigeria has 20 students studying in Commonwealth countries across the world. "Under the federal government scholarship, the Bilateral Education Agreement and the Commonwealth, Nigeria has 2,953 students studying abroad." The education minister said since the inception of the Buhari-led administration, the federal government has committed N3bn under these scholarships, which includes N800 million spent so far in the current 2018/2019 academic year. "The balance of the 2018 appropriation has also been released and preparations are on to pay these scholars. Under the Sustainable Development Goals Scholarship, only females studying in tertiary institutions can apply. "Lastly for the Commonwealth Scholarship, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is expected to conduct the qualifying examinations for applicants in designated centres across the six geo-political zones," he added. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the United States embassy in Abuja said over 110 Nigerian students were awarded scholarships worth 5.3 million dollars (about N2 billion) by more than 15 leading US universities, starting in fall 2018 academic calendar. The embassy on Thursday, July 19, in Abuja explained that the scholarship, which would afford both rich and poor students to study in various universities of their choices in US was facilitated through Education USA Abuja. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Education USA centres in Nigeria provide accurate, comprehensive and current guidance on accredited US colleges and universities to highly qualified students from both rich and poor families. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Parents advice government over ASUU strike | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng The United Kingdom has issued a strict warning to its citizens concerning Nigeria and its north eastern part as it declares that most parts of the African country are taken over by threats of insecurity, majorly kidnappings. The UK said in the new warning that the north eastern part of Nigeria has witnessed a deteriorating security situation since 2018. The country warned its nationals from travelling to Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Kano states, except where such journeys are very crucial in the advisory of December 24, 2018. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda It warned its 117,000 citizens of whom visit Nigeria every year to avoid worship centres, shopping malls, hotels, camps for displaced people, and such other areas. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria continues to protest in central Abuja, which have been held daily since January 7, 2018. While protests are usually peaceful, they have the potential to turn violent. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria. Most attacks occur in the North-East, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states. Theres a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnap can be motivated by criminality or terrorism, and could be carried out for financial or political gain. The security environment in the north-east has deteriorated in 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap. Kidnaps in the north-east have included humanitarian and private sector workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa (a faction of the sect) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners, the UK said. The UK added: "If you travel to areas to which the FCO advise against travel, you are particularly at risk and will need a high level of security. "If youre working in northern Nigeria you should make sure your employers provide an adequate level of security where you live and where you work, make sure they regularly review security arrangements and familiarise yourself with those plans." The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to: 1. Borno state 2. Yobe state 3. Adamawa state 4. Gombe state 5. Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states 6. Within 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State The FCO advise against all but essential travel to: 1. Bauchi state 2. Zamfara state 3. Kano state PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates 4. Kaduna state 5. Jigawa state 6. Katsina state 7. Kogi state 8. Within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi states 9. Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers state 10. Abia state Legit.ng earlier reported that the presidency recently said that the federal government will take critical action after analysing allegations made by Amnesty International. The group had raised concern about alleged right abuse by the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. How do you plan to spend your Christmas? | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng News Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, December 24, called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas to pray for the countrys leaders, peace, progress and socio-economic development. The party said this in a Christmas message to Nigerians as the country joins others across the world to celebrate the 2018 Christmas. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, party's national publicity secretary, said it in Abuja while felicitating with Christians. As we gather with families and friends for the Christmas festivities which are characterised by gift-giving, social gatherings and feasting, we should remember to extend love and generosity to the less-privileged around us. We should also emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ exemplified by self-sacrifice," the APC spokesman said. Legit.ng earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari urged all Nigerian Christians to reflect on the imagery of the humble, symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago in Bethlehem. The president in a letter to all Christians on Monday, December 24, said the birth of Jesus symbolises the message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Christ embodies and conveys. Also, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said though there are things upon which Nigerians can disagree and differ, but they must rise over these differences and treat one another with kindness and decency. Tinubu said this in a Christmas message to Nigerians Monday, December 24, in Lagos. In the message he personally signed and made available to Legit.ng, Tinubu, a former Lagos governor said: There will always be things upon which we will disagree and differ. Such is the way of life. But we must always transcend these inevitable differences to treat one another with fundamental kindness and decency. This is the real spirit of Christmas and this must be the spirit of the Nigeria we seek to build. "May each and every Nigerian enjoy a Merry Christmas. May you share good tidings with family and friends on this day of peace and joy." Source: Legit - Nigerian OAP, Daddy Freeze, has taken to social media to condemn the celebration of Christmas - According to him, Christmas is a pagan celebration and has nothing to do with Christ - He went on to liken the celebration of Christmas to idolatry and prostitution Popular Nigerian OAP, Daddy Freezer, continues to stir up more controversial topics bothering on Christianity. Currently trending on social media is his stand on Christmas celebration which he describes as a pagan fest. According to the OAP who has made lots of enemies in religious leaders, the celebration of Christ has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. He went on to state that putting Christ in Christmas is like using bible verses for pornographic movies. He wrote: "Saying Christmas is about Christ is like using bible verses as the subtitles for a porn movie.The word pornea in Greek meant prostitution and is the origin of the word pornography. In many instances, God himself likened idolatry and paganism to prostitution. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (former NAIJ.com) Hosea 4:12 New International Version. My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviners rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God. Ezekiel 23:20 New International VersionThere she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses. Ezekiel 23:49 New Living Translation You will be fully repaid for all your prostitutionyour worship of idols. Yes, you will suffer the full penalty. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. This revelation is coming a few days after he took to his Instagram account to state that Christmas was once banned by Christians. According to him, the holiday has its origin rooted in pagan worship. Well, just like the issue of tithing, Daddy Freeze may have just started another movement and that is, one against the celebration of the festive season which many people believe is about love and giving. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App Get the hottest gist on Africa Love Aid HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better Who is the Nigerian Bobby Brown? | Legit TV Source: Legit - Controversial journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, recently called out music star, Davido, for abandoning his alleged first daughter - According to Kemi, he has a five year old daughter named Anuoluwapo - The journalist has taken to her Twitter page to claim that the musician has reached out to Anus mother Popular Nigerian online blogger, Kemi Olunloyo, has been known to hound some celebrities especially if they have gotten on her bad side. The latest celebrity on her list seems to be DMW music star, Davido, who she claims sired a daughter with one Miss Grace Ayotomide Labinjo. She further explained that the star has refused to accept that the child is his and that the DNA test proving the paternity of the child was doctored. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria However, on December 24, 2018, the online blogger took to her Twitter handle to claim that Davido had actually reached out to the babymama after about four years as she also implored him to send something to her during this festive season because their little girl deserves something for Christmas. Despite all of Kemi's claims, Davido hasn't confirmed the report. After the blogger accused the musician of abandoning his alleged first daughter, several Nigerians took to social media to react. A few believed that the young girl actually has a striking resemblance with the star, while others felt there was no resemblance and that the story was made up to tarnish his reputation. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (formerly NAIJ.com) HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Nigeria News Davido & Chioma: All You Want To Know About Their Latest Photoshoot | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Some appreciative Nigerians said the federal government and the NNPC has made their the Christmas holiday worth the while by ensuring adequate fuel supply - By this time last year, there was fuel scarcity and people were sleeping at filling stations - Nigerians across all walks of life are happy Buhari and the NNPC did not allow the country did not have a repeat of last years situation Nigerians have applauded the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), led by its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, for ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products this festive season. According to Nigerians, the Christmas holiday has been made worthwhile. The NNPC GMD undertook an on-the-spot assessment of products supply and distribution situation across some fuel stations in Abuja and its environs. During the visitation to several filling stations, he was commended by motorists and petroleum products marketers. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Addressing the press during the tour, Baru said much of the success could be attributed to the support NNPC received from President Muhammadu Buhari. The appreciative Nigerians said the FG and NNPC had made their joyous occasion worth the while. Photo source: Twitter @NNPCgroup Source: Twitter A customer at one of the independent service stations along Kubwa Road, Abiodun Oluwole, expressed joy over the fuel supply situation. He said many motorists were pleased to see the nation escape the annual ritual of products scarcity at the year end. Oluwole said: We are very happy at the fuel supply situation; we never thought it would come to this again, thank you very much, Sir. By this time last year, we were sleeping at filling stations. But thank God you and your team have saved the situation. Another dealer with a major marketer, Lami Ahmed, said: All we have to say is to express our gratitude for this Christmas period, the station is wet, you can see that we have a lot of trucks to be discharged all through the holiday period, we are grateful to the government, the President and NNPC for ensuring that this Christmas is spent in this beautiful manner. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Recall that the Senate on Thursday, December 6, gave the federal government a period of two weeks to pay fuel subsidy to oil marketers in order to avoid fuel scarcity. Legit.ng reported that Senator Kabir Marafa said that there is an urgent need by the presidency to avert the crisis that seems around the corner. Oil marketers in Nigeria on Sunday, December 2, in Lagos issued the federal government a seven-day ultimatum to settle outstanding debts totalling N800 billion, failing which depots would cease operation across the country. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Merry Crisis: Nigerias fuel saga on Legit TV Source: Legit - President Buhari has been urged to ensure the fundamental human rights of Deji Adeyanju are not continuously abused by the police - Adeyanju was arrested by the police in Abuja in November on allegations of criminal defamation and breach of public peace - Saraki asked Buhari not to allow the excesses and over-zealousness of some security agents to give his government a bad name The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the release Deji Adeyanju and ensure that his fundamental human rights are not continuously abused by the police. Adeyanju was rearrested by the police on Monday, December 4 after he was earlier released and has been in detention since then. In a series of tweets, Saraki said the president needs to intervene to find out whether the current travails of Adeyanju have anything to do with his frequently expressed viewpoints against the federal government. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Read his tweets below: The Senate president also called on all human rights protection groups to wade into the matter to ensure the rights of a citizen is not being trampled upon. Legit.ng had previously reported that the police arrested Deji Adeyanju, convener of the Concerned Nigerians, for leading a protest tagged Police Are Not Politicians, Save Our Democracy in Abuja. The protest was reportedly to demand for the neutrality of the police in the forthcoming general election. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, had in a statement on Wednesday, November 28, confirmed that Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams were arrested in Abuja on allegations of criminal defamation and breach of public peace, inciting public disturbance, derogatory conduct, among others. Moshood claimed that the arrest of the three citizens did not violate either the Nigerian Constitution or the police establishment powers. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Saraki is key to Atiku winning in 2019 - Primate Ayodele On Legit TV Source: Legit - The Nigerian Army said its troops had repelled attack coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents - The insurgents had attacked a Military Forward Operational Base, in Kukareta community of Yobe state on Monday, December 24 - The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said a soldier was wounded in the attack The Nigerian Army on Tuesday, December 25, said its troops had repelled attack coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents at a military formation in Kukareta, Damaturu local government area of Yobe state. In a statement, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said the insurgents had on Monday, December 24, at about 6: 30 pm, attacked a Military Forward Operational Base, in Kukareta community of Yobe. Nwachukwu said that the gallant troops engaged the insurgents in fierce battle and repelled the attack, killing many of them, adding that a soldier was wounded in the attack. READ ALSO: Killings: Buhari should visit Zamfara before campaigning in Akwa Ibom - Shehu Sani He disclosed that 13 soldiers and two police personnel also lost their lives when they run into an ambush by the insurgents on Damaturu-Maiduguri Road. In another encounter; troops of 1 Division on escort duty along Damaturu Maiduguri Road, yesterday fought through an ambush staged by Boko Haram terrorists. The gallant troops engaged the terrorists in a fire fight, courageously wading through the ambush. Sadly, thirteen military and a police personnel including an officer, paid the supreme price while extricating themselves from the ambush. A clearance operation to pursue and eliminate the Boko Haram terrorists ambush party is still ongoing, he said. According to him, bodies of the gallant soldiers and the wounded were evacuated, adding that the wounded soldier was currently receiving treatment. PAY ATTENTION: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Legit.ng previously reported that a report by The Punch indicates that Nigerian soldiers have begun intense lobbying to escape deployments into the northeast, following the escalating wave of Boko Haram attacks on military formations in the region. According to the report, as part of the fallout of the Boko Haram attacks on military formations in some areas of Borno and Yobe states in November, more soldiers were now lobbying to avoid postings to the volatile northeast region. Also, It was learnt that a significant number of the soldiers presently stationed in the northeast were lobbying for redeployment. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Leadership of Nigeria is not meant for our forefathers| Legit TV Source: Legit A Slate Belt township that has never had public sewers is considering installing them in sections of its commercial and industrial zoning districts. Upper Mount Bethel Township's elected officials are looking at a proposal to install the municipality's first public sewer system. Currently, township residents and businesses use septic systems or other private sewage systems. Over the last 18 months, Carroll Engineering Corp. has been updating the township's Act 537 sewage facilities plan. The review has cost the township about $120,000. Money has been budgeted in the last three years for the review. The update includes plans to install sewer lines down the Route 611 corridor from neighboring Portland Borough south to the Air Liquide Advanced Materials plant at 1379 North Delaware Dr. The plan also includes sewer lines for sections of River Road and Marshfield Drive. The included areas are located within the township's Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program, which provides tax exemptions for industrial and commercial development. Township officials have been speaking with Portland officials about connecting to the Portland Sewage Treatment Facility. Options include either tapping into Portland's existing facility, expanding Portland's facility or building an Upper Mount Bethel Township plant. The various options come with a cost of $5 million to $10 million or more. The township's board of supervisors is scheduled to discuss the plan and possibly vote on it at the supervisors' Jan. 14 meeting. Supervisors' Chairman John Bermingham said, while a vote is possible, he expects the Jan. 14 meeting to be a launching point for discussion. He also plans to schedule several public information meetings about the plan, Bermingham said. If approved by the township, the plan would also need to be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The department will accept public comments about the plan for 30 days after supervisors approve it. If the planning document is approved by all parties, supervisors would still need to decide on timelines, priorities and source funding, which may include seeking county and state grants. Township Manager Rick Fisher said supervisors may wish to create a municipal authority, which could issue bonds to pay for portions of any approved projects. The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, known as Act 537, requires all municipalities in the Commonwealth to develop and maintain an up-to-date sewage facilities plan. The act requires municipalities to occasionally update the plan. The township's current plan was adopted in 1992. Fisher said the 1992 plan noted several "areas of concern" regarding septic systems and wells in the area, which have continued to degrade over the years. Bermingham said the proposed plan would deal with health and safety issues in and around the Route 611 area. Several supervisors have said in the past that a public sewer system would encourage commercial and industrial development in the township, which would increase tax revenues. Bermingham said he has asked the township engineer to develop a plan for the northern section of Route 611, known as Middle Village, which would encourage businesses and restaurants to come to the area. Plans might include adding sidewalks along Route 611. Not everybody in the township agrees with installing the sewers and providing other infrastructure for development. Township resident and former township Environmental Advisory Council member Charles Cole said he has spoken to many residents who are not in favor of the plan. "People do not want to see rampant development in our township," Cole said. A copy of the plan, which is several hundred pages long, is available for public review at the township municipal building at 387 Ye Olde Highway. "I encourage the public to come down and take a look," Bermingham said. John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. What is community? Who knows? Sure, we hardly even know our neighbours anymore. Does anyone even say hello to anyone on the street??? We live in strange times. Change happens so quickly now, it can feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath us. Were on shakier ground by the day. Our identity is being challenged. Our sense of place is distorted from what we remember when we were young. We retreat to our trenches. Lock our doors. Would ya look at the news? Lets not look at the news. Lets look closer to home. To somewhere close to our hearts. In the last 18 months weve seen the Scoil Mhuire and Sacred Heart sites vacated and St. Pauls and Scoil Bhride demolished. That represents 90% of the people of Portlaoise towns childhood schools. Gone. MORE BELOW PICTURE At the Dunamaise Arts Centre for the premiere of Walking Back to my Heart were Cathy, Irene, Cernie, Denis and Ray Brown. Photo: Denis Byrne Three years ago, myself and my wife Ann Marie thought wed finished a project to mark the closure of the primary schools on Church Avenue in Portlaoise. In truth, we only beginning. Something about the move didnt sit right with us. It wasnt the traffic congestion it was going to cause, or even the eventual delay of that closure by a whole year. It was the sense that the little community we had built up was being eroded and nothing was going to be there to take its place. People congregating, chatting, walking up town for a cuppa or even to work. Its gone. Its something the whole town felt and it affected the Polish community as much as it affected 6th generation townies. School grounds are a level playing field that way. At the end of 2015, we approached Enda Hickey who was, at the time, principal of Sacred Heart school with the idea that the town was going to witness a huge change in the coming years and that we wanted to record that change from within the schools. To his eternal credit, he spotted the possibilities in our ramblings and offered his support. Ann Marie brought in her camera and we captured the teachers and children celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising with a march from the Ridge Road to Church Avenue, the sights and sounds of the old Hapenny Babies classroom, and Anne Buggies last days as principal of Scoil Mhuire. MORE BELOW PICTURE Pictured are Stewart Quinn, Annmarie Kelly and Anne Keating at the launch of Walking Back at the Dunamaise Arts Centre. Photo: Denis Byrne Pat Boran came on board to offer his musings as a foil to our vision for the project. And when we merged the story of the new Portlaoise with the old Town, Pat became a teacher to a group of 12 children from different ethnic backgrounds over Fort Festival Weekend. We had found the spine of our film Walking Back To My Heart. While learning the history of the Fort, we get to see what the town looks like through the eyes of our children. On their journey, Pat and the 12 kids meet an unlikely pairing in the shape of Dick Sides and Sister Finbarr who led the original Presentation Band. The re-enactment of a march led to one of the most magical days of the project when we reunited the surviving members of the band 50 years and more after their first outing. In that scene, we see the reward for investing in the future. All of those children came back as adults to pay tribute to the 2 people who gave so much of themselves to their childhoods. It is a wonderful piece of film blurring the past with the present. The film looks to the past for inspiration and hopes that the future will be safe in the hands of the children. In the middle, they say, there is nothing. Only faith. And thats where we are in Portlaoise at the moment. The middle. But, wait. More than faith, there is a plan. And movement. More below picture: At the premiere of Walking Back to my Heart at the Dunamaise Arts Centre were Bernie Conroy, Gerry Browne and Kieran Daly. Picture: Denis Byrne Scoil Mhuire has been purchased for Music education and Sacred Heart will see a new community move in to take the place of the Presentation Sisters 20 years later than hoped for. Work has begun at Fitzmaurice Plaza/Church Avenue, pulling up the past and revealing Mill Races and possibility. Ground Zero for the foundation of our town. The experiment that would grow to become the British Empire. It started there. To look at it now, its a building site and we have to put our faith in the people charged with moving us from the past into the future, but more than that. We should be active, involved and engaged with the process. Be part of the change. Thats where youll find your community. Youll start to recognise it when you take part. Its the trad session in Bergins of a Wednesday night. Its the NLN marching up Main Street to get their lunch in OLoughlins. More below picture Pictured: Ann Marie Kelly, director, enjoying the premiere with Paula and Sharon Grant. Picture: Denis Byrne Its Post 27, Tidy Towns, the Hospital Action Committee, the Rotary Club Christmas Tree, St. Joseph's Accordion Band, the window in the old Shaws sponsored by Hughes Pharmacy. And, its the little piece of the Orient in the Turkish Barbers, the spices and scents of Asia in Zaf Continental Store where Murt Sullivans Wimpy Bar used to be, the Polski Sklep, the Mosque, the African choirs and everything else that makes up the new Portlaoise. We shouldnt be afraid of it. We should be part of it. Jump in. Embrace it. Start with your neighbour this Christmas. A tragic story of a Kildare sailor who never came home from the sea continues to engage more than 75 years after his death. William Simms whose address was given as Donadea, Co Kildare died when his merchant ship was torpedoed off the cost of Portugal in February 1943. The vessel of which he was the first engineer was the steam ship Kyleclare one of a handful of brave vessels bringing supplies to Ireland during the austere days of the second world war. Ireland was all but starved of supplies of coal, petrol and grain during the war years. The British naturally diverted all their merchant fleet to bring supplies to their ports as the German U-boat blockade began to take a merciless toll on cargo ships in the Atlantic. The Irish Government belatedly acquired a couple of outdated vessels which were to form the core of Irish Shipping Ltd. and these, together with the a number of existing small shipping companies, attempted to sustain the country with fuel and other essentials. The Kyleclare was owned by one such small company the Limerick Steamship Company. Although Ireland, being a rural economy, was reasonably well provided for with meat, dairy and root crops, other supplies which had to be imported were heavily rationed. Were it not for the heroics of the men who crewed the handful of cargo ships, the country would have been deprived of coal and oil and other essential provisions. The Irish ships sometimes sailed in convoys protected by Royal Navy vessels, but very often they had to ply the shipping lanes alone. One of the few countries that Ireland could trade with at the time was Portugal, a fellow neutral on the Atlantic seaboard. This meant that the Irish crews had to sail from the waters of Lisbon across the full length of the Bay of Biscay and to the west of the English channel before making landfall at the ports of Dublin or Cork. This was prime hunting ground for the German U-boats who were adept at picking off lone cargo ships unprotected by naval escorts. And so, on the day in February 1943, William Simms and his crewmates must have felt a tinge of anxiety as they sailed from the shelter of Portugals Tagus estuary and out onto the grey Atlantic. They had already seen what the destruction of war could bring as in July 1940 they had rescued crew from a British ship which had been sunk off Loop Head on the County Clare coastline. Simms, aged 61, was one of the oldest on board, and one of the few from an inland county.His seventeen crewmates largely hailed from traditional sea-faring communities in Wexford, Galway, Clogherhead, and Dublins Ringsend. The Kyleclare was a reasonably modern vessel, having built by the Caledonian Shipyards in Dundee, Scotland in 1932. However, she was a small ship intended for short sailings between the ports on the west coast of Ireland and Britain. Now, because of the war, she was forced to take on longer passages stretching her capacity and that of her crew to its limits. And she was a freighter not equipped with any defensive armament to ward off preying U-boats. Like other Irish merchant ships, she displayed the letters EIRE in big white paintwork on her hull in an effort to signal to belligerent parties that she was sailing for neutral Ireland. However, in the fog of the oceans or the fog of war, such niceties meant little. Two days after leaving Portugal, and making good progress she was sighted by captain Max Teichert, captain of U boat 456. The ship was a sitting duck for Teichert. She was alone, far from any naval help, and the weather was calm. Teichert lined her up in his periscope and ordered his torpedo chief to fire three torpedoes at the Kyleclare. Apparently, as the torpedoes left the tubes, the submarine rose higher in the water and he caught sight of the EIRE markings on the ships hull. But it was too late the torpedoes were now streaming towards their target. At least two of the projectiles hit the Kyleclare and she disintegrated in a catastrophic double explosion. What remained of the hull sank almost immediately. William Simms, aged 61, died immediately along with his 17 colleagues on the crew. He would never return to his home in Donadea far from the salty oceans on which he had plied his trade. He and the other seamen who lost their lives bringing sustenance to Ireland during those desperate years are remembered each November at the memorial for merchant seamen at City Quay in Dublin. The news of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem reaches through the centuries and speaks directly to our modern age. A baby born in poverty, soon to be a refugee in Egypt, yet who grew up into someone who changed human history and opened the way to God for all humanity. The mysterious stories around his birth only make sense when we see the person he grew up to be; when we hear his teaching, see his death, celebrate his resurrection. We have much to celebrate humanity transformed, and a message of hope and peace for us all. This Christmas we as bishops will attend and offer a greeting at each others Mass and Eucharist on Christmas Eve in the cathedrals in simple witness to the reconciling and uniting power of the Christ-child. In doing we want to share the message of angels and shepherds of peace and goodwill to all humankind, made real in the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. Yes, because the news about the Child Jesus isnt a myth or a story we read about in a museum. He came two thousand years ago to bring about a new world, to make of our world one family. And he continues to come, to be at our side helping us to build a new world of transformed relationships. At Christmas time, we focus especially on our families. The word peace is synonymous with Christmas and that begins in many ways in our own families and homes. It is good for us to slow down, spend more time with our loved ones. Perhaps give back what we dont give across the rest of the year. Its also a time for setting aside difficulties or differences we might have had with loved ones during the year. Those hugs and gestures of Happy Christmas fall easy. Of course, its also a time for us to reach out to those for whom Christmas is not an easy time; perhaps they are on their own, have lost a loved one, are down on their luck. We can lend a listening ear, feel the pain or simply offer a smile to express our love and support. And as we greet and wish one another well this Christmas, lets remember in gratitude those working in hospitals, nursing homes, garda stations and other public service roles. They are away from their families in service of the rest of us. We wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas. - Bishop Brendan Leahy and Bishop Kenneth Kearon FIANNA Fail is throwing the kitchen sink at the Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district as they are running four in next years local elections. The convention, chaired by Cork TD Kevin OKeeffe, took place in Herbertstown Community Hall on Thursday evening. The party has a four-pronged approach as sitting councillors, Eddie Ryan, cathaoirleach, Mike Donegan, former councillor Joe Meagher and new candidate Martin Ryan have all put their names forward. It was officially announced that Cllr Noel Gleeson will step down next May. The Cappamore man won his first election in 1985 and would have been a permanent fixture in the council apart from losing one election by three votes. He is the second longest serving councillor in the chamber after Kevin Sheahan. Deputy Niall Collins described Cllr Gleeson at the meeting as an outstanding public representative. He will be a huge loss to his local community and to Fianna Fail, said Deputy Collins, who wished Cllr Gleeson well on his retirement from politics. The TD welcomed and wished Martin Ryan, of Martin Ryan & Sons Transport, based in Cappamore, the very best of luck. Noel has endorsed the candidacy of Martin and will be his campaign manager, said Deputy Collins. Cllr Bill ODonnell has already announced that he wont be putting his name forward which means that two of the current seven, at least, wont be going again. The Fine Gael convention is due to take place in January. Cllr Gerald Mitchell is running again and former councillor John Egan has said he would like to take back his seat. A number of other names have been bandied about including Noreen Stokes, Pallasgreen. Poll topper in 2014, Cllr Brigid Teefy will be going again but her fellow Independent, Cllr Lisa Marie Sheehy, has yet to make a formal announcement on her plans. Deputy Collins said Fianna Fail is mounting a strong challenge with Eddie Ryan, Galbally, Mike Donegan, Kilmallock, Martin Ryan, Cappamore, and Joe Meagher, Oola. Were out to retain our three seats that we presently have and we are going to mount a very strong challenge for a fourth seat. We feel it is an area we can make a gain in, said Deputy Collins. Fianna Fails National Constituencies Committee took the view that as all four had the required nominations to let them all stand. There was no need for a vote at the convention in Herbertstown. Deputy Collins expressed his condolences to Cllr Donegan who couldnt attend due to a family bereavement. A COUPLE who went Dutch on a calf in 2017 have now seen the Friesian heifer go on to win a prestigious title in Holland. Tadhg Bourke, a renowned breeder from Kilfinny, Adare, gave his then girlfriend and now wife, Veronica, a half share in a calf that was born out of one of his cows in March 2017. The family all have their names starting with P so Veronica picked the name Prosecco as shes a fan! joked Tadhg. They subsequently sold Prosecco to a purchaser in Holland and corks were popped when they heard she was named junior champion of the Dutch National Show in Zwolle this month. Tadhg, a veterinary surgeon, said it was obvious right from the start that the calf was a special one. Her family line goes back to an American farm in Pennsylvania and there are generations of winners in there. Her dam Leagh Mascalese Pledge is classified vg88 in her second lactation and is due with her third calf in March to Doorman. She was acquired privately from Tim Fitzmaurice's Leagh herd in Kerry. Her granddam also owned by Tim is the UK and Ireland's highest star brood cow ALH Polly Ex92 30. Behind this are a line of internationally known cows such as Pledge Ex95, Promis Ex95 and Pala Ex94, said Tadhg. This year the couple managed to rent a small yard to keep a few of their own calves down with them in Cork. Tadhg is a partner in Glenbower Veterinary, Killeagh, County Cork, while Veronica works in St Marys Secondary School in Midleton. Prosecco was the main driver for renting the yard as it was obvious she had potential - it just needed to be realised. Quite a bit of work went into getting her right, so much so that before heading to our wedding in June she even got a wash that morning! smiled Tadhg. Prosecco sparkled when winning the local Limerick club calf show. It was at this stage she started getting some attention from abroad as a result of some Facebook marketing. In the end it was a tough decision but we sold her to a Dutch farmer, said Tadhg. While the price struck remains undisclosed the fact the new owner sent over a lorry especially to collect her in October tell its own story. The question is did Veronica get half of the sale price, which would certainly buy a lot of cases of Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Thats not the first time Ive been asked that! Were currently on the look out for some land to start our own farm and to build a house so thats what the money is destined for at the moment. Having gotten married this year and become a partner in the vet practice it was certainly nice to get the money into the account. Being honest it really was with a view to buying some land and settling down that we sold her - it was a very tough decision, said Tadhg. However, they were delighted to hear about Proseccos success in Holland. We have been lucky to have had some success in Ireland including overall Millstreet national champion in 2015 but to win on a European stage is something very special for us. We even gave Proseccos mum some extra feeding over the weekend as a little thank you. Were just hoping shell have a girl for us when she gives birth again in March, said Tadhg. Now that would be worth a toast. HEAD of the Redemptorist Community in Limerick Fr Seamus Enright revealed at Mass this Christmas Day that the food appeal to help the poor of Limerick had been a great success. He said that thanks to the generosity of the people of Limerick they were able to distribute 6,000 food hampers to needy families with the help of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. And at the 12 noon Mass which was packed to capacity, he also revealed that they were able to deliver toys to 3,000 children around Limerick. Fr Enright also revealed that all the money taken from the crib at the Church at Mount St Alphonsus will go to buy medical kits to help women in the Congo have safe births, as the mortality rate among women giving birth in the Congo was extremely high. "This money will help save lives by ensuring safe births," he told the congregation which was made up mainly of families and young children who were invited onto the Altar during Mass to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and tell their stories about what Christmas meant to them. Anyone in the Bay Area dreaming of a white Christmas might have missed their window to get to the Sierra, weather forecasters said Monday. Widespread rain showers and up to 2 feet of snow are predicted Tuesday for higher peaks, while up to a foot and a half of snow will fall on some mountain passes as a cold front sweeps through the region. Snow and icy roads were reported Monday at Donner Summit. Forecasters predicted that snow would fall above 3,500 feet Tuesday morning in the Sierra. Chains are required for drivers on Interstate 80 between Kingvale and Donner Lake, but travelers should avoid the region if they can, according to the National Weather Service. The Sierra may see scattered snow showers into Thursday, said Idamis Del Valle, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Overall, the main system is moving today, and were not expecting any strong systems for the rest of this week, she said Monday. In the Bay Area, Mondays storm was expected to drop up to a third of an inch of rain on San Francisco and nearly half an inch in the North Bay, with the bulk of the rain passing through in the afternoon and evening, said Cynthia Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Gusts up to 40 mph and isolated thunderstorms were predicted after the cold front moved through. The thunderstorms could produce quick bursts of heavy rain or even small hail in some areas. Isolated light showers will continue to be possible this evening with widespread rain and snow moving in by late tomorrow morning and afternoon. Travel over the Sierra will be difficult tomorrow afternoon and evening. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/0fepG2EnWQ The rain caused half-hour delays at San Francisco International Airport on Monday morning, and forecasters expected the delays to grow. Light showers and gusty conditions were expected to linger into Tuesday morning. Temperatures in the mid- to upper 50s should extend through the rest of the week, according to the weather service. Weve got quite a bit of cold air coming in behind this system, so I do believe were going to see drier and cooler conditions, Palmer said. San Francisco is still 1.75 inches short of the average water total for the water year, which began Oct. 1, Palmer said. Any rain we can get is definitely beneficial at this point in time, she said. But thats not necessarily the case farther north. Storms could pose a problem for the Mendocino Complex Fire burn scar, and a flash flood advisory was issued for the area. Residents should watch for possible evacuation warnings if the wet weather triggers debris flows, according to the National Weather Service. Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu Whether you're looking to get into the holiday spirit by spiking your eggnog or toasting to the New Year with a glass of champagne, you'll want to run to the nearest liquor store now before state law requires them to close their doors on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day. A sobering stat, the no liquor sales on Christmas Day ban was added to the original Texas Liquor Control Act of 1935 in 1967, while New Year's Day was added in 1979. In addition, liquor stores are never open on Sundays in Texas, thanks to "blue laws." Bhutan PMs visit to India is during the Golden Jubilee year of establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan. Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs and other senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan. (Photo: Facebook) New Delhi: Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering will visit India from December 27 to December 29 at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation. Tshering will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs and other senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan, stated a press release from Indian Ministry of External Affairs. His state visit to India is happening during the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan. During the visit, Prime Minister of Bhutan will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other ministers will call on the Prime Minister of Bhutan. India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels. The upcoming visit of the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in our multifaceted partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples. Madoff's ex-secretary seeks prison release NEW YORK A lawyer for the former secretary for imprisoned financier Bernard Madoff is asking that she be released from prison in March. Attorney Roland Riopelle says 70-year-old Annette Bongiorno will have served two thirds of her six-year prison term by March 19 and should be released then. He cited a law signed by President Donald Trump last week permitting judges to order some prisoners released to home confinement after serving two-thirds of a sentence. He says her advanced age makes her eligible. Bongiorno was among five Madoff employees convicted for their roles in a scheme that cost thousands of investors about $20 billion. She was sentenced in 2014. Bongiorno maintained she was unaware of history's biggest Ponzi scheme. Associated Press Thousands raised for families of fire victims BUFFALO Thousands of dollars have been raised for the families of a 26-year-old woman and two children who died when a fire tore through a Buffalo home last week. Brianna Ross and 4-year-old Cianna Jones were killed in Friday's fire at a home on the city's east side. The girl's brother, 8-year-old G'Shawn McGhee, suffered burns over most of his body and died the next day. The children's parents escaped the blaze, but the mother suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized. Ross was the aunt of the two children. GoFundMe fundraisers have raised more than $16,000 as of Monday. Thousands more was collected during Sunday church services. Associated Press NORTH GREENBUSH At a March 2017 meeting, town board members voted to grant their colleague and town supervisor Louis Desso a sewer extension to his home. At the same meeting, Desso and the board voted to allow a road change inside a large townhouse development off Route 4 and Glenwood Road. The development was being built by Tech Valley Development, a limited liability company run by Desso's childhood friend and the same person installing Desso's new sewer line. The supervisor did not mention the possible conflict of interest, according to minutes from that meeting. And now Desso's sewer project is part of a probe by the state Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit, which subpoenaed Rensselaer County last week for records related to the supervisor's sewer extension. The AG is also looking at records concerning other sewer hookups that were not reported to the county for billing. In June, Rensselaer County realized that the Desso sewer extension was not reported to its sewer district after the supervisor's neighbor, who was the only other resident hooked up to the line, sold their house and an attorney inquired about any outstanding sewer bills at closing. Desso's personal connection to the developer, Charles "JR" Casale, is just one of the questions that have arisen surrounding the Republican supervisor's sewer extension, which was run about a quarter-mile from Main Avenue to near his Stephen Drive home. Desso also did not pay the town fee for his sewer extension application until August almost a year and a half after the town board approved the supervisor's application. On Sunday, Desso answered questions posed by the Times Union concerning the sewer line that has attracted the attention of the state attorney general's office. In August, the State Police also interviewed two frequent Desso critics, Democrats Charles Smith and Ron Sinico, after the Times Union published a story a month earlier about the questionable ethical practices of the two-term supervisor including that he accepted free fill in June from another prominent developer and friend, David Mulinio. Desso says his sewer extension was done legally, and that he paid Casale $10,000 his share of the extension. The supervisor provided the Times Union with a picture of what he said is an April bill from Casale. The bill was devoid of any details concerning project costs, like labor or materials charges only a single $10,000 total charge for "install(ing) sewer main and service to home." Desso also provided a copy of a check presumably written from his bank account to Casale Construction for $10,000 that is dated from late July a few weeks after the Times Union's initial story highlighting the case. When asked about the timing of the payment and when the sewer line was finished, Desso said he couldn't remember if the sewer extension was done in 2017 or 2018. "I don't pay attention to this stuff," he said. "I don't know exactly when that went in." He also said his deal with Casale was that he would pay him when the project was complete. Desso has maintained that while the sewer line was brought down the street, he has not yet had it hooked up to his home. Desso also provided other new information Sunday, including the fact that his son, Jonathan, still owes Casale $10,000 since the sewer line will extend to property next door that the younger Desso has subdivided and plans to build a house on. The supervisor says his neighbor also paid Casale $10,000 for the extension. Asked why his son hasn't paid his portion yet, Desso said, "(Casale) doesn't need the whole $30,000 now," he said. "This is a deal between a citizen and a contractor, and it's all legit and it's all fair." Jonathan Desso worked as Rensselaer County District Attorney Republican Joel Abelove's spokesman until he was fired last month six weeks before the entire office will likely turn over once incoming new district attorney, Democrat Mary Pat Donnelly, takes up the post. Desso also did not pay $1,850 to the town for his sewer application until this past August; the payment, however, was required at the time of the board's approval in March 2017. Town building inspector Mike Miner has told the Times Union that neither he nor the town's comptroller realized Desso hadn't paid until they received a Freedom of Information Request for records of the payment. Desso, however, says Miner is wrong and that the missed payment was a billing error discovered when the county began inquiring about unreported sewer connections. As far as questions about any conflict of interest between Desso's sewer line and Casale's townhouse development off Route 4, Desso said he had nothing to do with approvals related to the Tech Valley project. When told by the Times Union that as a town board member he voted for items concerning that development, Desso said, "I believe the town board voted on that unanimously." Casale could not be reached for comment Sunday about the Attorney General's probe and Desso's sewer extension. Last summer, he told the Times Union he was going to bill the supervisor for the work. "You can help people out, but you can't do stuff for free," Casale said at the time. " ... Everyone's looking at it like Louie did a favor for me, but no." Desso expressed dismay Sunday that people are still focused on his sewer extension, and urged the Times Union to wait for the attorney general's findings before delving into the topic further. "You guys are coming for me so hard, and I don't understand why," the supervisor said. "It just feels unfair." The following editorial appeared in Tuesday's Japan News-Yomiuri: China's extraordinary development has been accomplished by shifting from its socialist planned economy to a market economy while also opening the country to the rest of the world. The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping should return to the basic principles behind that drive. Forty years have passed since the Chinese Communist Party announced a reform and open-door policy. The policy was advocated by Deng Xiaoping, who later became China's paramount leader, with a view to rebuilding the country's economy after it was devastated by the Cultural Revolution. China eased controls exercised by the party and attached importance to market principles, thereby rapidly expanding its private sector. The development of the country's coastal areas preceded that of its inland regions, as foreign-capital companies found it easier to expand their operations into the coastal districts. This means the gap between the rich and the poor was, in effect, accepted. China's gross domestic product has expanded 220-fold over the past 40 years. It is now the world's second-largest economy. Confronted by the so-called Lehman shock in 2008, China prevented the world economy from sinking even further through a large-scale business stimulus package, which made its presence felt worldwide. There is no doubt that China has built its own growth model. In a commemorative ceremony in Beijing, Xi said he would maintain the open-door policy, saying, "China cannot develop itself in isolation from the world, and the world needs China for global prosperity." The problem is that, despite advocating a plan to continue reforms, Xi is stepping up efforts that run counter to that move, such as thorough measures to ensure the party takes the lead in "all activities." These steps include providing preferential treatment for state-owned enterprises and corporations receiving government subsidies and oppressing private-sector companies. There seems to be no end to cases in which foreign-owned corporations are coerced into transferring their technology to China as well as those involving the theft of intellectual property. Among various nations, there has been growing distrust in and criticism against China. Xi seems to be changing the reform and open-door policy, which aimed at transforming his country into a market economy and seeking coexistence and shared prosperity. What has supported China's growth is aid from the international community, including Japan's official development assistance. Although it had yet to fully shift to a market economy, China joined the World Trade Organization with the backing of such nations as Japan and the United States in 2001. It should not be forgotten that China's great strides were based on the benefits of the free trade system. The United States regards China's industry-promotion program, called "Made in China 2025," as a problem. This is because the United States believes China is aiming to override U.S. predominance in the field of cutting-edge technology by making technological innovations under the initiative of the state. Concerns also persist that China may divert private-sector technology to military uses. Conflict between the United States and China has extended from trade to the high-tech field, and the situation shows signs of being long-lasting. There are growing moves among the United States and its allies to exclude products by such firms as Huawei Technologies Co., a leading telecommunications equipment company that serves as the mainstay of the "Made in China 2025" initiative, citing security risks as the reason for these moves. Xi must rectify his authoritarian handling of the administration while also obeying international rules to fulfill China's responsibility as a major power. President Donald Trump, a reality-show host in his past life, is an attention-generating machine. Exhibit 394,627, by unofficial counts: the phone call he had with a 7-year-old named Collman who had called in to a government program that purports to track Santa and is run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command. (Yes, the military has a program that helps children look for Santa.) The president and first lady had invited members of the media into the White House State Dining Room around 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve as they fielded calls to NORAD that had been patched through to them. A fire roared behind them, and Christmas trees flanked the hearth. It was the kind of scene favored by Trump: a grand setting, spiked by a dash of controversy. So when Collman called, perhaps the president was trying to push the envelope a bit. "Hello, is this Collman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" Trump asked the girl. Reporters could not hear the child's responses. "Are you still a believer in Santa Claus? 'Cause at 7, it's marginal, right?" A short video of the exchange was published by the Daily Beast on Twitter around 8:30 p.m. and quickly began circulating, its way paved by Twitter's algorithm. The video was a small illustration of the way in which Trump is the ultimate figure for the social media age, a showman with an uncanny ability to keep people watching, clicking, engaging. Was Trump trying to dissuade the child from his innocent belief in Santa? Was he too blunt and cynical? Was he being refreshingly realistic? Maybe it was just a joke? The video is yours to debate, tweet, rebuke, endorse, share, should you choose to spend your holiday thinking about the president. And many did: By Christmas morning, the video had registered well over 8 million views, becoming the subject of jokes, wisecracks and mockery on social media. Parents have debated for years about how much information to give or withhold from their children about figures such as the tooth fairy and Santa. Data from a study by University of Texas psychologist Jacqueline Woolley cited by the Atlantic in 2014 showed that 5 is the peak age for nurturing this kind of innocent belief: Eighty-two percent of 5-year-olds believe in Santa, she found. By 7, that number is about 60 percent. By 9, it's down to about 30. Trump played it more straight with the other children who called in. "What's Santa going to get you for Christmas? Who's with you?" he asked one child. "Have a great Christmas, and I'll talk to you again, okay?" More than 1,500 volunteers staff a call center in Colorado Springs to help answer children's queries about Santa. The program dates to an error in 1955, when a Sears ad for children hoping to talk to Santa directed them to call a number that went straight to a secretive red phone at an Air Force colonel's desk. This is Mr Tsherings first visit to the country since taking charge last month. New Delhi: The latest in a series of high-level engagements between India and Bhutan following the Sino-Indian military face-off at Doklam in Bhutanese territory last year continues with Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tsherings scheduled to visit India from December 27 to 29. This is Mr Tsherings first visit to the country since taking charge last month. During the December 27-29 visit, Mr Tshering will deliberate on ways to step up ties between the two neighbours and also call on President Ram Nath Kovind and vice-president Venkaiah Naidu. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and other ministers will call on the Bhutanese Prime Minister, the statement said. The minister of foreign affairs, minister of economic affairs and other senior officials from the royal government of Bhutan will be accompanying the Prime Minister of Bhutan, the statement added. The two sides are likely to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges, people-to-people ties, and economic, development and hydropower cooperation, it said. Firefighters continued Monday to battle a grass fire southeast of Houston near Texas City, according to multiple media reports. The fire started Sunday near Tiki Island and the Galveston Causeway and was still burning Monday afternoon, though there were no reports of injuries or damage to buildings. Some railroad lines were impacted by the fire, KHOU reported. Officials from the Texas City Fire Department could not be reached for comment Monday evening. Some outlets reported that the fire was spread across several miles, and at one point firefighters were attempting to protect a home that may be in the fire's path. The Customs Insights course, which is being rolled out by the Government through Enterprise Ireland, was launched today, Monday, December 24. This is a new online training support to help all businesses understand how customs works including the documentation and processes required to operate and succeed post Brexit. Also read: Longford hotels concerned over Brexit as business sentiment drops In the event of a hard Brexit, goods moving into and out of the UK would be under customs controls and would require customs documentations. For Irish companies selling into the UK, or importing from the UK, they may for the first time be required to deal with the various systems associated with customs. The Customs Insights course explains in clear and simple terms the main customs rules and includes the key actions companies can take to prepare for customs after Brexit and the options from Revenue that are available to make the customs process more efficient. Open to all businesses on www.prepareforbrexit.ie, the free online Customs Insights course takes 45 minutes to complete and covers both importing and exporting procedures. Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation said: The Government is focused on preparing SMEs for Brexit, building on the many measures we have already introduced, and responding to the evolving needs of business. We started this Strategy in 2017 with the introduction of a suite of measures and built on this with additional supports throughout 2018. I am once again stepping up our response to Brexit with free online customs training for all businesses delivered by Enterprise Ireland. The UK is our largest trading partner with 12,000 businesses exporting to the UK and 60,000 businesses importing from the UK annually. Businesses must prepare themselves in the event of a hard Brexit as full customs procedures will come into place whereby the UK will be recognised as a third country. Pat Breen TD, Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, stated that, The Governments commitment to preparing the business community for Brexit is clear. Companies must prepare for all eventualities and we are making sure that we provide appropriate supports. Trade diversification is a vital strategy for any exporting firm seeking to minimise risks and to grow their business. While the Single Market will remain a major destination for Irish exporters, many firms will broaden their footprint to various third countries following Brexit. The Customs Insights course will assist those companies and small businesses to continue trading with Britain, while also preparing them for selling to other third country markets, such as the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, particularly as the EU expands its portfolio of Free Trade Agreements. Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said Customs is a primary concern for Enterprise Ireland client companies with nearly two thirds (62%)* citing customs as having the biggest impact on their business. The Customs Insights course has been developed for Irish SMEs and is an integrated part of Enterprise Irelands Prepare for Brexit campaign to encourage SMEs to be fully prepared for all eventualities. From the outset, we have been advising companies to prepare for a hard Brexit and have put supports in place to equip companies meet the challenges and opportunities arising from Brexit head on. The Customs Insights course can be accessed on prepareforbrexit.ie and is another highly practical tool to help companies break down the complexities around customs issues and pinpoint the areas that require immediate prioritisation and action. The Enterprise Ireland Customs Insights course is available now on www.prepareforbrexit.ie ISPCA Animal Care Assistant Mary Daly started volunteering her time at the National Animal Centre in Longford to help rescued animals and shortly after she accepted a permanent role caring for Irelands most cruelly, neglected and abused animals. Mary will be spending her Christmas Day with her colleagues Hugh, Aisling and Nicole caring for the many animals at the ISPCA Centre that sadly wont get to wake up on Christmas morning and be greeted by families to call their own. Also read: Longford animal welfare organisations to receive 525,000 in funding Mary said: There is always lots of mouths to feed but we will be giving special treats and toys on Christmas Day making it special for all the animals in our care. Animals have so much love to give in spite of the horrible conditions they were rescued from by our Inspectors. To me, giving them the extra time, love and attention they deserve really captures what Christmas is all about. Also read: Longford native Margaret Brown will be coordinating 32nd annual Dun Laoghaire Christmas Day Lunch As the New Year is slowly approaching, and with the holiday season already upon us, its the perfect opportunity to prepare a list of important lifestyle changes you want to make, like supporting your favourite charity. o Become an ISPCA volunteer and give some spare time to a worthy cause caring for Irelands most neglected animals https://www.ispca.ie/ volunteer/ o Take on a charity challenge https://www.ispca.ie/charity_ challenges to support the animals in the ISPCAs care. o Adopt an animal from the ISPCA https://www.ispca.ie/rehoming/ dogs_rehoming/ o Make a donation https://www.ispca.ie/donate/ once_off or purchase a gift from the online shop https://shop.ispca.ie/ o Organise your own fundraising event https://www.ispca.ie/ fundraising_events/ o Follow the ISPCA on social media and support their ongoing campaigns o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ irish.spca o Twitter: https://twitter.com/ISPCA1 o Instagram: ispca_official If you can, please support the ISPCA in their work rescuing, rehabilitating and responsibly rehoming animals from all over Ireland. Up to 88 per cent of funding is received from kind donations from members of the public and gifts in Wills and your support is needed more than ever. The ISPCA National Animal Centre is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 to 4pm (closed to the public Christmas Day and New Years Day). Tel 043 33 25035 (0) or email info@ispca.ie Also read: Healthy eating advice for the festive season Opening of bridge coincides with birth anniversary of ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee under whose govt work started in 2002. Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday opened the Bogibeel bridge, countrys longest rail-road bridge in Assams Dibrugarh. The opening of the bridge coincides with the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee under whose government the work started in 2002. The Prime Minister, who reached Dibrugarh in the afternoon from New Delhi, flew directly to Bogibeel in a chopper and dedicated the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge to the nation from the south bank of the river. After greeting people, standing on the foothold of his vehicle, PM Modi deboarded the car and walked a few metres on the bridge along with Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Constructed for Double Line Broad Gauge Track and three-lane road, this bridge will be the lifeline of the north eastern part of the country and will facilitate connectivity between south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assams Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The biggest advantage of the bridge will be easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank. This means travelling to the farthest most point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometres. Pointing out that the Centre gave utmost importance to this Bridge Project by declaring it a national project in the year 2007 thereby assuring availability of fund for speedy construction, sources in the Northeast Frontier Railway said. Bogibeel Bridge Project was also the part of Assam Accord and was sanctioned in the year 1997-98. The foundation stone of the Project was laid by the then prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997. However, work on the project commenced during Atal Bihari Vajpayees regime on April 21, 2002. The bridge has a total length of 4.94 km (revised from earlier 4.31 km). The sanctioned estimated cost of the project was Rs 3,230.02 crore. Revised estimate of the project amounts to Rs 4,857 crore which has been approved and sanctioned by the Railway Board to cover escalation and increased bridge length, the spokesperson of the NF railway said. The remote districts of Anjaw, Changlang, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Dibang Valley and Tirap of Arunachal Pradesh will be greatly benefited by this bridge. The bridge will reduce the road distance from Dibrugarh, in Assam to Itanagar by 150 km and the railway travel distance between these two points will be reduced by 705 km. Despite another year of growth in 2018, business sentiment among hotels in Longford and across the country has dropped significantly according to the latest hotel barometer from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). Less than half of hotels (49%) nationally now report a positive outlook for the next 12 months compared with the 82% who had a positive outlook this time last year. Key concerns for the sector include the escalating risk and uncertainty around Brexit, reduced visitors numbers from the UK and the increasing costs of doing business. While 73% of hotels have seen some increase in overall business levels this year, growth from North America and Europe has masked the poor performance of the UK market with visitors still down 5% on 2016. This is having a direct impact on hotels with 52% reporting a drop in business from Great Britain this year while 40% have seen a drop in business from Northern Ireland. The vast majority of hotels (91%) now express concern about the impact of Brexit on their business over the next 12 months. A disruptive Brexit would have enormous economic repercussions which would be felt directly by tourism businesses, said Matt OConnor, Chair of the IHFs Midlands branch. CHICOPEE -- A 20-year-old man accused of breaking into two homes and trying to break into a third house was arrested after a victim saw the man walking through her living room. Shane Murphy, 20, was charged with four counts of breaking and entering into a building in the nighttime for a felony and two counts of larceny from a building, said Michael Wilk, police public information officer. A woman reported at 6:34 a.m., Saturday, she had an intruder in her home on Jennings Street. The homeowner told police she heard noise from her living room and was able to see the man from her bedroom. He then walked into the basement, Wilk said. Police began searching the neighborhood and located Murphy, who fit the description the woman gave, on Boileau Terrace, he said. Murrphy, who is homeless, was booked at the police department and held over the weekend at the Hampden County Jail in Ludlow. During the booking process, police found property that belonged to the owners of the homes, Wilk said. HOLYOKE Deep sadness mixed with anger as former members of the long-closed Mater Dolorosa Church, now little more than a skeletal steeple, gathered there for a final Christmas Eve prayer service. About 65 people met in front of the former church, which is being demolished, to remember those who have died over the past year and listen to recorded music, as performed by former members of the Mater Dolorosa Church Choir decades ago. The glass front doors of the church, still intact, offered a surreal view of rubble, open sky and the buildings along St. Kolbe Drive at the far end of what is rapidly becoming an empty lot. Wreaths, flowers, bells and a Christmas tree decorated the chain-link fence that that separated the former parishioners from all remained of their former spiritual home. The gathering was convened by John Fydenkevez, president of the Mater Dolorosa Church Preservation Society of Holyoke, which tried to purchase the church from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. I just thought it would be really nice to get everybody together on Christmas to show that Mater Dolorosa may be in the process of being taken down but Mater Dolorosa will never be forgotten, Fydenkevez said at the start of the prayer service. The Friends of Mater Dolorosa has traditionally held a Christmas Day or Christmas Eve prayer service outside the church every year since Mater Dolorosa closed in 2011. Former members of the parish had been fighting to try to save and preserve the church since the day the diocese merged the parish with members of the former Holy Cross Church on Appleton Street, creating a new parish named Our Lady of the Cross. When the church closed, members formed the Friends of Mater Dolorosa and occupied the building for a year. They also filed multiple unsuccessful appeals to the Vatican. Fydenkevez thanked all those who worked to save the church, which was built by Polish immigrants 117 years ago. We did try our best, but in the end everything we tried just wasnt good enough, Fydenkevez said. I think all of us can say they are disappointed in the Diocese of Springfield for what they did. They had a chance to make this right and they did not. Fydenkevez then played Polish Christmas carols as sung by the choir and recorded inside the church long ago. I guess there is nothing more to say than that, Fydenkevez said as the music faded out. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and never forgets. Those who gathered, however, were reluctant to leave. And many of them had things to say. We are never going to forget, an older man said in a booming voice. We are Polacks. Nobody can put us down. I remember when the KGB closed the church in Poland. Wes Laskowski said she and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 8-years-old. This was my great source of assimilation into Polish-American society, Laskowski said. I have a lot of memories here. Frank Chmura, 86, said he immigrated here in 1962 and got married in Mater Dolorosa Church two years later. His son was baptized there. This is very sad, Chmura said. The pain is never going to go away never. Chmura and other former parishioners said they believed Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski could have saved the building. How did he get the nerve to destroy Gods house like this? Chmura asked. My heart is very sad, said 84-year-old Zofia Zyla, another Polish immigrant. I have nice memories, but now a broken heart. Its terrible what they did. The diocese cited concerns over the structural integrity and safety of Mater Dolorosas steeple in its decision to close the church. When demolition began earlier this month, a spokesman for the diocese said although the timing was difficult, the work was necessary due to the deteriorated state of the building and the cold weather ahead. We understand how painful this will be for many, especially this time of year, however safety had to be our priority and no matter when we had to undertake this demolition it would have been difficult for former parishioners, spokesman Mark E. Dupont said in a statement. Pamela Chirgwin, who attended the parish school and is a member of the Mater Dolorosa Church Preservation Society, said she and others worked hard to save the church. Its very unfortunate that this happened, she said. There is no excuse for it. We worked hard to get the diocese to see the Polish-American perspective. Its really heartbreaking. Its like we lost a relative. Said Fydenkevez as the group slowly disbanded: Everybody says its just a building, but its not. Its home. This story updates one posted at 3:55 p.m. HATFIELD - A man accused of robbing a bank branch with a stick was captured after he fell out of a tree. Michael V. Taylor, 30, was arrested Monday after a four-hour search by police from five different departments. He was charged with armed robbery, resisting arrest, and failure to stop for police, said David Procopio, Massachusetts State Police spokesman. Taylor allegedly demanded money from a teller at the People's United Bank on West Street at about 9:30 a.m. His weapon in the Christmas Eve robbery was a stick, Procopio said. He then fled the bank in a red Jeep. Soon after, a State Police lieutenant spotted a red Jeep Liberty driving southbound on Interstate-91, in Northampton, and tried to pull over the driver who refused to stop, Procopio said. Taylor, whose official address is in Mattapan but is believed to be living in Springfield, allegedly stopped the jeep in Holyoke and ran across the highway into the woods on the northbound side of I-91, he said. That set off an intensive search of the area between I-91 and the Connecticut riverbank by multiple state troopers and police from Holyoke, Northampton, Easthampton and Hatfield. State Police and Easthampton K9 officers assisted with their dogs, Procopio said. Taylor was able to elude police for hours until his hiding place gave way, Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper said. The tree branch that the suspect was standing on broke, sending him to the ground, sack of stolen cash in hand, Kasper said. Taylor again tried to run away from police, but he was apprehended. Trooper Shawn LeBlanc apprehended Taylor at about 1:53 p.m. behind the Holyoke Canoe Club on the edge of the Connecticut River. A canvas bag with the money allegedly stolen from the bank was located nearby, Procopio said. Police did not say how much money Taylor is accused of stealing. The State Police detective unit attached the Northwestern District Attorneys Office with and its Crime Scene Services Section with other state police units and local departments are continuing to investigate the crime, he said. ORANGE Police and firefighters worked together Christmas Eve morning to rescue an owl that somehow got stranded in the middle of New Athol Road. Police Officer J.P. Seo, first on scene for the errant owl, called for backup from the fire department. Fire Chief James Young and firefighter Tim Matthews were among those who responded, according to a post on the police departments Facebook page. Photos posted on the page include one of the bird, seemingly a barred owl, illuminated by a ray of sunlight, as it sat to the right of the yellow double-lines running down the middle of the road. The owl was taken to Conway resident and raptor rehabilitator Thomas Ricardi. Police commemorated the rescue on Facebook with the following poem: Twas the morn before Christmas, and an owl got a flat. He sat on the yellow line and thought "well, that is that. The weather was chilly, the snow was starting to blow when out of the mist came Officer Seo. He sheltered the owl and called in Orange fire. They worked together to get him out of the mire. He is now at bird rehab and snuggled in tight. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. A Tufts Medical Center doctor died Sunday after being struck by falling ice while hiking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The Boston Globe identified the victim as Dr. Judith Pinsker, a 57-year-old Wellesley woman who was hiking the trail with her husband, her sons and several friends. Pinsker and her party were hiking on the Frankenstein Cliff Trail around noon on Sunday when falling ice struck her, causing a serious head injury, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. First responders from multiple agencies attempted to rescue her, including the Mountain Rescue Service, Bartlett Jackson Ambulance, the Carroll County Sheriffs Office and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team. Pinsker was carried to a nearby parking lot, where she was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in North Conway. Unfortunately, her injury was severe and despite the best efforts of her family, friends, and volunteers she did not survive, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a statement. Pinsker was an internist and primary care physician at Tufts Medical Center. She trained at Harvard Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard School of Public Health, according to the Tufts Medical Center website. For the last six years, the Hilltown Community Development Corporation has been the agency responsible for providing services and housing to people who are homeless in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties, but that will change in the next fiscal year. The transfer of those functions to Community Action Pioneer Valley will come with a new look toward prevention and expanding housing opportunities at a time when low-cost housing is hard to find. Hilltown CDC Executive Director David Christopolis said the agency took on the Three County Continuum of Care contract six years ago because no one else was willing. "We're a small, rural agency ... it's a complicated grant, a hugely important grant," he said. The Department of Housing and Urban Development grant holder contracts with providers to offer the housing services. Christopolis said there are 13 distinct funding programs the agency is overseeing. The city of Northampton had supervised the grant previously. At that time, the service area also included Holyoke, Chicopee and Westfield. But those communities became part of the Hampden County Continuum of Care when Hilltown took over. Community Action Pioneer Valley Executive Director Clare Higgins was Northampton mayor when the city first took over providing those services. Higgins said her agency sees the challenges of homelessness "every day with the clients we work with, the calls that come in." The agency, which has offices in Greenfield, Northampton and Orange, provides all kinds of services from Head Start to heating assistance help to youth programs. Higgins said when Hilltown CDC made the announcement this fall that it would no longer administer the program, her agency began considering undertaking the administration of the grant. "We decided we should take this on as a challenge for us," she said. "It's needed for the region. We're seeing the challenges (of homelessness) every day with clients we work with, the calls that come in." As part of the Western Massachusetts Coalition to End Homelessness, adding the Three County Continuum of Care "was the next logical thing for us to think about," Higgins said. "It's a big grant," she said. But her agency is larger than the Hilltown CDC. "We have a little more capacity," Higgins said, noting Community Action Pioneer Valley already is involved with administering federal grants. The grant in the past has been worth more than $1.5 million, according to HUD. Higgins said Community Action Pioneer Valley will use data to help make decisions on programs. "(We will be) focusing on shelter providers and will be thinking about prevention with the possibility of creating more housing," she said. She said it's imperative to have local leaders as part of the housing discussion. She hopes Greenfield officials join in. A homeless encampment on the town common there this summer focused attention on the issue. At the time, the town did not have a representative working on the Continuum of Care board, said M.J. Adams, of the town's economic development office. "There are many demands put on municipal staff," Adams said. At the time, Mayor William Martin considered the problem for the social service world, but Adams said that changed this summer. When asked whether Greenfield would participate when Community Action takes over the Three County Continuum of Care, she said Martin will make the determination. The transition from Hilltown CDC to Community Action will begin in January and be completed by the end of June, when the current contract expires. Congress chief said 'BJP-vetted' questions is a superb idea, but party should also 'consider vetted answers'. Rahul Gandhi was apparently referring to incident that took place last week during PM Modi's interaction with 'booth workers' of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. (Photo: File | ANI) New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly ignoring a BJP worker's question on the middle class' struggle with the taxation policy, saying forget a press meet, he cannot even hold a poll booth workers conference. Gandhi was apparently referring to an incident that took place last week during PM Modi's interaction with "booth workers" from northern districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He also said "BJP-vetted" questions is a superb idea, but the party should also "consider vetted answers". The Congress chief cited a media report that claimed Prime Minister faced embarrassing moments during his interaction with BJP workers from Tamil Nadu when a worker sought to know why his administration was busy collecting taxes from the middle class but not interested in taking care of them. The report claimed that the PM Modi during his video interaction chose not to answer the question raised by the worker and continued with his interaction by switching to Puducherry. Taking a jibe at the prime minister, Gandhi tweeted: "Vanakam Puducherry! That's NoMo's answer to the struggling middle class. Forget a press conference he can't even string together a polling booth worker's conference." On reports that the BJP will filter questions from workers to Prime Minister Modi following the incident, Gandhi said, "BJP-vetted questions is a superb idea. Consider vetted answers as well." The Congress president has been criticising PM Modi for not holding a press conference during his tenure. Earlier this month, Gandhi had posted pictures from a press conference he held and tweeted saying the Prime Minister should try one someday as it is fun to be asked questions. WESTFIELD -- A Westfield woman charged with setting fire to her home has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Jordyn Brown, 28, was scheduled for arraignment Monday in Westfield District Court on a charge of arson of a dwelling. The arraignment was postponed after Judge William O'Grady ordered the defendant committed to the Worcester Recovery Center for an evaluation to determine if she is competent to face criminal charges and stand trial. Brown is due back in court on Jan. 11, when she will also face a dangerousness hearing. Assistant District Attorney Thomas McLeod requested the hearing in a motion stating that Brown posed too great a danger to the public to be granted pretrial release. Brown's court appearance came 10 days after the Westfield Fire Department responded to a fire at her home at 57 Bristol St. Brown fled the scene, but was located nearby and taken to Baystate Noble Medical Center. Wearing a hospital gown, leggings and socks, she disappeared from the hospital the next day, prompting an intensive search by Westfield police and emergency personnel. Westfield detectives, in a post on their Facebook page, said last Friday Brown had been located and was safe. Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal's office, said Monday morning that a state trooper attached to that office arrested Brown on Friday in New Salem. Brown suffered minor injuries in the fire, which was extinguished quickly and caused only limited property damage; her mother and father were visiting when the fire started, authorities said. Todays Republicans, by and large, have thrown many of their once-inviolate convictions overboard as President Donald Trump has become the face of the party. In place of what they once believed -- Russia is an adversary, profligate deficit spending reckless, adherence to the rule of law paramount -- so many just go along with whatever it is that The Donald is tweeting about at the moment. But what if lots of what they feel is being dictated not by our nation's president, but instead by the Kremlin? Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted Trump to defeat Hillary Clinton in our nation's 2016 presidential election. And he got what he wanted. Kremlin-connected troll farms worked on social media sites to muddy up the waters, building support for Trump (and Green Party nominee Jill Stein) and tearing down Clinton. Though Trump has tried to deny it, that's a fact. Now, though, comes news that after Trump was in the White House, Russian political operatives were at work trying to discredit special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who was appointed to investigate Russian interference in our nation's 2016 presidential election. Consider this for even a moment: The same folks who endeavored to install Trump in the White House later tried to discredit the man who is probing their earlier efforts. If that doesn't make your head swim, then you need a refresher class in the basics of American democracy. According to two recent reports delivered to the Senate, Russian disinformation campaigns ramped up their efforts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and beyond soon after Mueller's appointment. The Russians didn't take a scattershot approach, but instead targeted their posts after dividing American users by race, political ideology, religion. For example, specific messages were delivered to African-Americans, a group generally tending to favor Democrats over Republicans. One of the reports was produced by researchers from Oxford University and social media analytics company Graphika, the other by social media research firm New Knowledge, Columbia University and Canfield Research. Both not only paint devastating portraits of Russia's influence over our citizens' thinking, but also of the near total lack of preparedness for stopping such campaigns going forward. Social media were supposed to bring us together. Though that's happened, at least to a degree, they've also let outside, hostile actors that influence many people's thinking. Those who oppose Bob Mueller's probe may be parroting Trump's foolishness, his never-ending effort to make the special counsel seem to be the worst kind of Democratic partisan. Mueller, of course, is a Republican. He's also a decorated Marine Corps officer and former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There was a time when that sort of resume would have put a man in pretty good standing in the minds of most conservatives. Today, though, not so much. Though the special counsels probe still has significant support from the citizenry, a good number of Republicans arent exactly bullish about Muellers doings. If you find yourself in that camp, having heard that the office of the special counsel has perhaps been up to no good, you may wish to question your source. Because what you heard may well have been exactly what Vladimir Putin wanted you to hear. What matters most, it seems all too clear, is the presidents ego. Our nations alliances, the safety of our citizens, our standing in the world -- all of these, and so much more, take a back seat. When Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned last week after President Donald Trump decided, suddenly and from out of the blue, to pull our nation's troops out of Syria, the retired general issued a letter explaining his reasoning. Written on Department of Defense letterhead, Mattis' missive cut to the chase. He was leaving, he said plainly, because he didn't agree with the president's thinking on so many matters of fundamental importance. Wrote Mattis: "My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances. "Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position." News reports, not surprisingly, took note of Mattis' directness. The general was broadly praised, often quoted. And at the same time, Trump's impetuous decision was derided, even by some who generally back him. Mattis, seeking to allow for a smooth transition, said in his letter that he'd be on the job until the end of February. But that was too much for Trump, who decided, suddenly and from out of the blue again -- sensing a trend here? -- to push up the defense secretary's departure date by fully two months to the end of this year. The reason, anyone can see plainly, is because Trump simply couldnt stand the thought of living for fully 10 weeks in Mattis' shadow, with news reports constantly reminding the citizenry that one of the few adults on the scene would soon be taking his leave, and that once he was gone, the president would be without real supervision. So Trump kicked Mattis to the curb, installing the department's No. 2 in his stead. With the president creating new problems at nearly every turn, it can be easy to see each day's difficulties as little more than the next episode in an ongoing series of madcap made-for-TV melodramas. One can tune in, focusing on Trump's daily Twitter rantings, or choose instead to tune out, ignoring the tweeter in chief as much as is humanly possible. It's up to each individual, of course. But some days, and decisions, stand out. Trump's abandonment of Syria is one. It was the last straw for Mattis. Thankfully, he was willing to stick around for a couple of months to see that all went as smoothly as possible. Until Trump's ego got the better of him, as it always does. The roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria are there for a clear reason: to keep ISIS fighters at bay. Pulling out of Syria willy-nilly, without even having first consulted with our allies, will provide breathing room to those who seek to do us great harm. The idea is quite simple: Contain them there, and they'll have less of a chance to strike us here. Mattis understood this. And now hes headed for the door. Youth Akali Dal leader Gurdip Singh Gosha was arrested while another, Meet Pal Singh Dugri, will be nabbed soon, police claimed. Ludhiana/Chandigarh: Miscreants, allegedly belonging to Youth Akali Dal, on Tuesday sprayed red and black paint on the statue of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Salem Tabri area of Ludhiana in full public glare, seemingly to give vent to their anger over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. Youth Akali Dal leader Gurdip Singh Gosha was arrested while another, Meet Pal Singh Dugri, will be nabbed soon, police claimed, adding six to seven people were with the two accused when they vandalised the statue of the former Prime Minister. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh strongly condemned the incident and asked Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop indulging in such petty politics. Lashing out at the Akalis, the chief minister said that in their desperation to win public support, which the party had completely lost due to its criminal acts of omission and commission in the 10 years of SAD-BJP rule, the Badals and their supporters were stooping to abominable levels. A video purportedly showing the entire episode has also gone viral on social media, triggering strong protests by Congress supporters at various places in the state. The protesters threw black paint on posters of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. The SAD has stepped up attack on the Gandhi family after the recent conviction of Sajjan Kumar by the Delhi high court. On Saturday, the party had demanded that a special sitting of the Punjab Assembly be convened to pass a resolution for revocation of Rajivs Bharat Ratna. The woman alleged that no action was being taken on her complaint despite raising it at different levels. Alleging that it was a pressure tactic by the woman, SSP Rajesh Kumar asserted that action will be taken against the woman for trying to attempt suicide. (Photo: ANI) Meerut: An alleged gang-rape victim tried to immolate herself in the office of Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) in Meerut on Monday. The woman had filed a complaint of gang rape. Alleging inaction in the case on the part of the police, she attempted self-immolation at the senior police official's office. Woman police personnel somehow managed to thwart her self-immolation attempt. The woman alleged that no action was being taken on her complaint despite raising it at different levels. However, the police have denied her charges and claim that her complaints were unsubstantiated. Rajesh Kumar, SP, Meerut Rural, said: "She poured kerosene oil on her and entered our office. She alleged that she had filed a complaint against three people for gang rape yet no action was taken. I have spoken with the concerned investigative officer and was informed that no strong evidence has been found yet." Alleging that it was a pressure tactic by the woman, Kumar asserted that action will be taken against the woman for trying to attempt suicide. KINDE -- Beth Fisher's class at North Huron Schools began the 40 Book Challenge this year to encourage reading. The program is based on "The Book Whisperer" by Donalyn Miller. The 40 Book Challenge is a personal challenge for each student, not a contest or competition between students or classes. Contributed photo OLD SAYBROOK Denny Laine and his band, the Moody Wing Band, are performing at The Kate in Old Saybrook on Jan. 10. Laine was inducted on April 14 into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as a co-founding member of the Moody Blues, and is included in the recent release of the Wings box set. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection State Parks and its partners will sponsor free, guided hikes in state parks on New Years Day as part of Americas State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states. Americas State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year and connecting with the outdoors by taking a hike on Jan. 1 at a state park. We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our state parks, said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee, in a statement. Whether you join a guided hike or venture out on your own, you will not be disappointed in the variety of hiking trails that our state has to offer. Connecticut has hundreds of miles of trails appropriate for all age levels to enjoy as we celebrate the first day of 2019. In Connecticut, hikes will be offered at the following locations and times: Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Rd., East Haddam. The hike will begin at 12 noon. Meet at the Visitors Center. Hike will follow the old rail bed, easy hike for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. After the first hike, a second hike of approximately of a mile will be offered; this hike will include river views. Sponsor: Friends of Gillette Castle. Websites: www.ct.gov/deep/GilletteCastle, www.facebook.com/FriendsofGillette Contact: Paul at 860-222-7850. James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd., Hampton, 12 noon, moderate, two hour hike, 3-4 miles; dogs on leash allowed. Websites: www.ct.gov/deep/Goodwin, www.FriendsofGoodwinForest.org Contact: Jasper Sha, Jasper.Sha@ct.gov Haddam Meadows State Park, Route 154, Haddam, 1 p.m., easy, 2 mile hike. Meet at the parking lot entrance. Walk along the Connecticut River, learn about the background geology, floodplain habitats, and human impact on landscape. Bring water, snack and snowshoes, if needed. Dogs on leash allowed. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Cancellation: If bad weather, hike will be canceled. Check weather conditions for Haddam. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/HaddamMeadows Contact: Cheryl Czuba cherylczuba@comcast.net Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, 1 p.m., easy walk, less than one mile. Meet at the Meigs Point Nature Center; hike will be led by Dr. Don Rankin and friends. Don is a dynamic speaker and will share his knowledge of Native Americans and geologic formations. Sponsor: Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/Hammonasset Cancellation: 203-245-8743. Contact: Don Rankin, Russ Miller, Russell.Miller@ct.gov Kettletown State Park, 1400 Georges Hill Rd., Southbury, 1 p.m., moderate, 2 mile hike. Meet at the trail head for Miller Trail. Drive into the park, take every right fork to the trail head. This hike will offer views of much of the tornado damage from May 2018. Bring water, snack, sturdy footwear. Dogs on leash allowed. Cancellation: 203-264-9028. Contact: Bob McGarry, bernieandbob@charter.net Mansfield Hollow State Park, Bassetts Bridge Rd., Mansfield, 11 a.m., arrive by 10:45 a.m., moderate, 2 hikes - 4.5 mile and 2.2 mile, meet in the Mansfield Hollow Recreation Area parking lot. Dogs on leash allowed. Sponsor: Friends of Mansfield Hollow. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/MansfieldHollow Peoples State Forest, Matthies Grove Picnic Area, 106 East River Road, Barkhamsted, 1 p.m., moderately strenuous, 2.5 miles. This hike will start on the Robert Ross Trail, turn onto King Road, and return on the Agnes Bowen Trail. Bring water. No dogs. Sponsor: The Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/Peoples Cancellation: www.facebook.com/ctfalps. Contact: Janet Bumstead, ctfalps@gmail.com or 860-882-9632. Rocky Neck State Park, 244 West Main St. (Rt. 156), East Lyme, 10 a.m., moderate, one hour hike. This hike will meet at beach parking west lot. Hike is child friendly with a parent or guardian. No dogs. Sponsor: Rocky Neck State Park. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/RockyNeck Contact: Chris Pimley, Chris0381@comcast.net Scantic River State Park, Melrose Road, East Windsor, 1 p.m., moderate, 2.5 mile hike, 2 hours, meet in parking area at end of Melrose Road off Broad Brook Road. Food pantry donations will be collected. Dogs on leash welcome. Sponsor: East Windsor American Heritage River Commission. Website: Contact: Debbie Talamini, ahriver@sbcglobal.net Sessions Woods #1, 341 Milford Street, Burlington, 10 a.m., moderate 5.5 mile loop hike. Meet by kiosk in the Sessions Woods parking lot. This hike is sponsored by the Friends of Sessions Woods. Cancelled in severe weather. Contact: Laura.Rogers-Castro@ct.gov 860-424-3011 Sessions Woods #2 Skys the Limit Hike, 341 Milford Street Burlington, 1 p.m. Hike will follow the Beaver Pond Trail and last 60 to 90 minutes. Join us for cocoa in the Conservation Education Center afterwards. The ceremony for the Skys the Limit winners will begin at 3 p.m. Brick Patio Fundraiser to begin DURHAM The Durham Agricultural Fair is holding a 100th Fair Everlasting Tribute Brick Patio Fundraiser. In commemoration of the 100th Durham Fair in 2019, an Everlasting Tribute patio area will be constructed on the fairgrounds. The tribute area will include a personal inscription brick patio with seating, and will incorporate three illuminated flagpoles to be visible throughout the fairgrounds. The bricks are being made available to all and cost $40/each. See www.durhamfair.com/100 for details. Parent-child classes offered in January OLD SAYBROOK The Childrens Tree Montessori School in Old Saybrook offers parent-child classes on Friday mornings, 9-11:30 a.m. In the class caregivers learn how to observe their childs development and choose activities that optimally support development of language and movement. The 14-week series will provide experiences that stimulate the senses, enrich childrens vocabulary and understanding of language. Classes start Jan. 25. The fee is two payments of $160 for the 14 weeks. For more information visit their website at www.childrenstree.org or call 860-388-3536. Police have registered a case of rioting and attempt to murder against unidentified persons. The attackers, it seems, had come from Belagavi (in Karnataka). Four teams have been sent to Karnataka to catch the accused. Pune: At least 12 people were injured after they were attacked by a group of people during a prayer meet in Kolhapur district on Sunday, police said. Around 20 to 25 people were attending the Sunday afternoon mass, when the incident happened. Police have registered a case of rioting and attempt to murder against unidentified persons. The victims are still unaware of why they were targeted but are sure that their assailants were shouting slogans of Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji. People had gathered at the house of pastor Bhimsen Chavan in Kovad, Chandvad taluka, Kolhapur, at 10.30 am Sunday. Around 10 to 12 people wearing masks thrashed many of them with sickles, iron rods, glass bottles and stones. The attackers, it seems, had come from Belagavi (in Karnataka). Four teams have been sent to Karnataka to catch the accused. S.M. Yadav, police inspector, Chandvad police station, said, We have sent four teams to Karnataka to trace the attackers. We have started checking CCTV footage of highways to trace them. As of now, we have no idea whether they were right-wing members but they did raise slogans of Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji as told by the victims. The police has invoked IPC sections: 147 for rioting, 148 for rioting with weapons, 149 for unlawful assembly to persecute crime, 452 for house trespass, 295 for defiling place of worship, and 307 for attempt to murder among others against unknown persons. Pastor Chavan said, I am not sure who attacked. But a few years ago, local residents had threatened me saying that I should st-op holding meet otherwise they would attack me. I had lodged a FIR immediately but that was four years ago. All of them are now associated with one of the prominent parties. The pastor further said, I was also threatened by a local zilla parishad (ZP) member in a land dispute. I own 10-gunta land in the village for a few years and have all the documents. The ZP member had started claiming that it was his land and has asked me to leave the claim else he would get even with me. Sachin Jadhav, who had to take 10 sutures on his head at KLE Hospital, Belgaum, said, People just began attacking us and ran away. Although I am a Hindu and have been attending prayers for many years, I am not sure why they attacked. Nearly 9,000 Marines Didn't Get Vaccinated By the Deadline. Many Risk Getting Kicked Out of the Corps. The Marine Corps reported that 5% of the force had not gotten even one shot before the deadline passed. With not much likely to happen in the way of U.S. baseball transactions today, well turn an eye to some locations overseas SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, MI -- Santa had a few last minute deliveries to make Christmas morning. Eight animals from the Humane Society of Huron Valley found new homes across Washtenaw County as volunteers delivered them to the doorsteps of seven families. Toby, and Precious, a calico kitten, were two of eight Humane Society animals delivered to their adopted homes on Tuesday morning. The Iverson family of Milan received Toby, a 6-year-old Shar-Pei-Boxer mix, with open arms. Stay here! Kim Iverson said as laughs erupted through the family room when their new friend began his search through the house. Well explore later." I actually got a wish-list from Toby this year and he wanted a new home, Santa said. So he got his wish and I know you guys did too. But Santa had one final stop before heading back to the North Pole. Just a few miles away in Ypsilanti Township, the Branham family was patiently awaiting the arrival of their final Christmas gift. Surprise filled young Izzy Branhams face as she opened the box to discover her new companion, Precious, a calico kitten. This is the best Christmas ever, she said. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo community members are gathering donations for an eight-person family displaced by a house fire on Kalamazoos northside yesterday. No one was hurt in the fire Sunday, Dec. 23, but six children and two adults are facing the Christmas season without a home. Those wishing to donate can bring money, clothing and toy donations to Mothers of Hope, 603 Ada Street until 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, Mothers of Hope spokesperson Dorphine Payne said. For those wishing to donate clothing, sizes are as follows: Sixteen-year-old boy; size 16, shoe size 7 Thirteen-year-old girl; size 16, shoe size 6.5 Eight-year-old boy; size 10, shoe size 2c Seven-year-old boy; size 8, shoe size 12c Six-year-old boy; size 7, shoe 11c Three-year-old boy; size 4 shoe 9 toddler FIRE ON SIMPSON ST. LEAVES FAMILY OF 8 HOMELESS! PLEASE HELP THIS MOM AND HER KIDS!!! Unfortunately there has been... Posted by Mothers Of Hope on Sunday, December 23, 2018 The American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan provided money for the family to stay in a hotel few days, Disaster Program Manager Raul Galvan said. The organization will continues to work with family through the recovery process. The Red Cross also provided immediate assistance to a family of six in Benton Harbor and an elderly woman in Martin after they were displaced by fires last night, Galvan said. That brings us to the tale of Sodom and Gomorrah, where divine vengeance wiped out these sinful cities in a rain of sulphur and fire. Christmas is around the corner, and while there are always regional and sectarian variations in how it is observed, some traditions and symbols, like the Christmas tree, are universal. No matter what part of the world you are in, the tree is almost always an evergreen, is always triangular and always has a star atop it. These details are meaningful, as the Christmas tree tradition dates from 16th-century Germany, and is thought to represent the tree of paradise, with the spherical decorations standing in for the forbidden fruit. The triangular shape is said to be symbolic of the Holy Trinity of Christian belief, and the star is, of course, meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem which guided the three Magi to the newborn Jesus Christ. While the origin of the other symbols is still much debated, the significance of the star is beyond dispute. Dissecting religious symbols and tales from a scientific point of view is a perilous undertaking, but over the years curious minds have sought to find secular explanations for such phenomena. Motives have varied: believers seek this knowledge in order to validate their beliefs, while sceptics seek to debunk. Others, of course, simply do it out of curiosity by analysing such hallowed tales as they would any other historical tradition. Astronomer David Hughes spent years studying the Biblical tales of the star from an astronomical perspective. Given that the Magi likely hailed from Babylon they were used to studying the skies for signs and portents and would only have taken note in case of a significant heavenly occurrence. Hughes argues that what they saw may have been a rare triple conjunction of Earth, Jupiter and Saturn. Another theory is that it was a very bright comet which, to the naked eye, would have looked much like an arrow pointing down to Earth. Interestingly, Chinese astronomers recorded one such comet in 5 BC and a year before that, recorded the birth of a new star in the heavens which was likely a nova. Could any of these be the star of myth? Then there is the legend of the Flood, one shared by all the Abrahamic religions and which is remarkably similar to the flood depicted in the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh. Here too, scientific evidence has been found. Using submersibles to search the bottom of the Black Sea, scientists found huts and other manmade structures proving that what is now submerged was once dry land centred around a freshwater lake. Looking further, they found remains of ancient ships and concluded that a dramatic rising of the Mediterranean Sea levels pushed a channel through what is now the Bosphorus, essentially filling the lake and its surrounding areas with seawater some 7,000 years ago. In all, the flood inundated close to 258,999 square kilometres with a speed that was truly apocalyptic. That brings us to the tale of Sodom and Gomorrah, where divine vengeance wiped out these sinful cities in a rain of sulphur and fire. Some speculate that this catastrophe was an earthquake, but a recent theory points us in an even more intriguing direction. Archaeologists excavating sites north of the Dead Sea found samples that indicate that about 3,700 years ago an extremely hot, explosive event devastated an area of 518 sq km in an instant, and likely also caused the area to be covered with a super-heated brine of Dead Sea anhydride salts. Given the Biblical tradition of Lots wife turning into a pillar of salt, that angle is particularly fascinating. Draconian word limits do not allow me to delve into the theories surrounding the parting of the Red Sea, but what I can tell you is that the food miraculously provided to the hungry Israelites Manna Salwa as we know it actually exists and is an edible sap extruded from certain plants and trees. Not only is it still harvested locally, it has also made it onto the menus of New York restaurants and can in fact be purchased online. But to the Israelites the sap which oozes at night and dries up in the morning was heaven-sent. Amazed at this find, they asked each other in Hebrew Man hu? or What is this? giving this lifesaving food its modern name. Today we may well ask ourselves what other miracles await our microscopes. By arrangement with Dawn The Telangana Rashtra Samithi waived agricultural loans and provided cash transfers. It won the Assembly election earlier this month by a landslide. Santa Claus is known globally for his yes, his is still a male preserve penchant for grunting his massive bulk through chimneys, including, miraculously, the narrow outlets of smokeless challahs, into homes to bestow gifts on sleeping children. He is the original behavioural economist, grading gifts by the quality of a childs behaviour over the past year as closely monitored by his elves and a microscopic drone hovering unseen wherever the children live. His mystique is enduring. Even young adults wait eagerly for this time of the year, including in godless and non-Christian countries, such as China. Back home, the Narendra Modi government celebrates Christmas Day as Good Governance Day because it is also the birth anniversary of the late Atal Behari Vajpayee. This is appropriately contextual. After all, Santa lives in Lapland, is white and makes his reindeer fly, though their contract with the maker is only for terrestrial transport. Also, who knows if he pays minimum wages to his elves though they do look ruddy and seem as happy as him. This year Santa is visiting India betwixt elections when good governance is generally put on ice. Globally, all democracies including the United States at present seem intent on showcasing their governance deficits even as Santa visits. Such is the global decline in democratic governance that even dodgy regimes, such as China and Russia, appear stable and mature in comparison. India swings between two discrete governance models. One is democratically-decimated Britain. In that country, actually, only 10 million immigrants (15 per cent of its population) identify with being British. The majority of citizens identify themselves as being English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish. The second governance model is of crazily centrist China where the Communist Party of China rules supreme as a refuge for the rich and a lifeline for ordinary folk. Most of our political parties are centrist entities with dominant leaders who govern top downwards. The preferred power centre is New Delhi. This has been the norm for long, except for a few diehard, de-centralisers the most prominent being a Fabian Socialist, south Indian Congress leader, who has travelled the world, except South India. But unlike China, we do not have an orderly line-up of party leaders to ensure policy stability. Our leaders face the people every five years with uncertain prospects. A few manage to evade even this minimum democratic hurdle by entering through the Rajya Sabha a backdoor for the unelectable, shoe-in party favourites. Santa doesnt care about political systems. Only children matter to him, and they are the same everywhere. His is a multinational corporation spreading good cheer, with parents as partners. But he would not have approved of our dysfunctional, first-past-the-post electoral methodology, which encourages vote splintering and works against small but significant segments of voters. Those committed by ideology (greens), profession (urban workers), religion (minorities like Parsis or Buddhists) or culture (Tamils in Mumbai; Bengalis in Assam; Malayalees in Delhi; Northeasterners in Kolkata) get effectively disfranchised and thereby disenchanted, with the greatest democratic mobilisation in the world. Elections in India rival Christmas for the generosity shown to strangers. Note, however, that unlike Santa, our political parties ignore past performance as the metric for reward. Instead, it is future behaviour, in the voting booth, which is sought to be influenced. Consider the agriculture loan waiver binge started by the BJP, during the February 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections, to win this crucial state, which they did. A copycat ploy was successfully used in the Karnataka elections in May 2018 by a loose alliance of the Congress, Janata (Secular) and the Bahujan Samaj Party. Punjabs Congress government was quick to follow suit even though the next election there is in 2022. Rajasthans BJP government, that was shaky while going into the 2018 elections, waived agricultural loans. But the party lost anyway. But advance gifts worked elsewhere. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi waived agricultural loans and provided cash transfers. It won the Assembly election earlier this month by a landslide. Congress president Rahul Gandhi went a step further by announcing that if voted to power in the 2019 general election, agricultural loans across the country a staggering Rs 11 trillion, around seven per cent of Indias GDP would be waived. The party had expected to win only in Rajasthan. Instead, it got a bonanza Rajasthan, plus a clean sweep in Chhattisgarh and muddling through in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP is unlikely to remain a sleeping partner in competitive populism for the 2019 general election. It is already busy reducing the incidence of prohibitive GST rates to appropriate the Congress agenda of lowering the GST rates to 18 per cent. Meanwhile, the GST tax collection is running well below target this fiscal year. Tax reductions and loan waivers may win elections. But it is a pyrrhic victory if pre-poll promises empty out the nations treasury. Santa would not have approved of loan waivers for farmers being justified as a blunt tool to level the field between big farmers and their big, bad industrialist friends, who siphon off bank loans for personal gain. In any case, the scale of capture is heavily weighted in favour of a few thousand industrial families who consume 40 per cent of bank credit versus several million farming families accessing just 15 per cent of bank credit. Santa would much rather have gone the way the government of Odisha proposes to avoiding loan waivers but enhancing rural incomes by providing a fixed, and thereby progressive, cash transfer to all small and marginal farmers, including landless share-croppers; free crop, life and personal accident insurance and cash support for the differently-abled and the elderly. Santa would also have used his elves and microscopic drones to ferret out honest small and micro-businessmen with a viable revenue model without evading tax but who were beggared by demonetisation or GST. To them he would have offered cash support and term loans at commercial rates and freedom from market restraining regulation. But then Santa doesnt need votes. Everyone loves him anyway just like Atalji who looms larger now than ever before. In Francis' Christmas message, Israelis and Palestinians, Koreans of the North and South, Syrians and Yemenis, Venezuelans, Ukrainians and Nicaraguans and those who are deprived of religious freedom. "The universal message of Christmas" brought by the Child is that "God is a good Father and we are all brothers". Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Rediscovering each other as all God's children, as different as happens in families, but no less united. Rediscovering this about Israelis and Palestinians, Koreans from the north and south, Syrians and Yemenis, Venezuelans, Ukrainians and Nicaraguans and all those living where there are conflicts. And to those Christians who experience opposition to their faith. Pope Francis Christmas message was a hope for greater fraternity, pronounced before the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, given from the central lodge of the Vatican Basilica. After his "Merry Christmas", Francis said that "that God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters.This truth is the basis of the Christian vision of humanity. Without the fraternity that Jesus Christ has bestowed on us, our efforts for a more just world fall short, and even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty. For this reason, my wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another. Fraternity among persons of different religions. Jesus came to reveal the face of God to all those who seek him." With his Incarnation, the Pope continued, God "tells us that salvation comes through love, acceptance, respect for this poor humanity of ours, which we all share in a great variety of races, languages, and cultures. Yet all of us are brothers and sisters in humanity!Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness. As when an artist is about to make a mosaic: it is better to have tiles of many colours available, rather than just a few!". May this Christmas help us to rediscover the bonds of fraternity linking us together as individuals and joining all peoples. May it enable Israelis and Palestinians to resume dialogue and undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over seventy years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love". "May the Child Jesus allow the beloved and beleaguered country of Syria once again to find fraternity after these long years of war. May the international community work decisively for a political solution that can put aside divisions and partisan interests, so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country". "My thoughts turn to Yemen, in the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine". "I think too of Africa, where millions of persons are refugees or displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance and food security. May the Holy Child, the King of Peace, silence the clash of arms and allow a new dawn of fraternity to rise over the entire continent, blessing the efforts of all those who work to promote paths of reconciliation in political and social life". "May Christmas consolidate the bonds of fraternity uniting the Korean peninsula and help the path of rapprochement recently undertaken to continue and to reach agreed solutions capable of ensuring the development and well-being of all". "May this blessed season allow Venezuela once more to recover social harmony and enable all the members of society to work fraternally for the countrys development and to aid the most vulnerable sectors of the population". "May the Newborn Lord bring relief to the beloved land of Ukraine, yearning to regain a lasting peace that is slow to come. Only with a peace respectful of the rights of every nation can the country recover from the sufferings it has endured and restore dignified living conditions for its citizens. I am close to the Christian communities of the region, and I pray that they may develop relationships of fraternity and friendship". "Before the Child Jesus, may the inhabitants of beloved Nicaragua see themselves once more as brothers and sisters, so that divisions and discord will not prevail, but all may work to promote reconciliation and to build together the future of the country". "I want to mention, too, all those peoples that experience ideological, cultural and economic forms of colonization and see their freedom and identity compromised, as well as those suffering from hunger and the lack of educational and health care services". "A particular thought goes to our brothers and sisters who celebrate the Birth of the Lord in difficult, if not hostile situations, especially where the Christian community is a minority, often vulnerable or not taken into account. May the Lord grant that they, and all minorities, may live in peace and see their rights recognized, especially the right to religious freedom". "May the little Child whom we contemplate today in the manger, in the cold of the night, watch over all the children of the world, and every frail, vulnerable and discarded person. May all of us receive peace and consolation from the birth of the Savior and, in the knowledge that we are loved by the one heavenly Father, realize anew that we are brothers and sisters and come to live as such!". The Castle Group, Inc. through its subsidiaries manages luxury and mid-range resort condominiums and hotels on all of the major islands within the state of Hawaii, and a premier property located in New Zealand. Its portfolio includes hotels and condominiums throughout Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island of Hawaii and in New Zealand on Auckland's North Shore. The company founded by Richard Stephen Wall and Christopher M. T. Thompson on August 21, 1981 and is headquartered in Honolulu, HI. Read More Paul Mueller Co. engages in the provision of equipment used in a variety of industries. It operates through the following segments: Dairy Farm Equipment, Industrial Equipment, Field Fabrication, Transportation, and Other and Corporate. The Dairy Farm Equipment segment includes standard products that are built to stock and are available for sale from inventory. The Industrial Equipment segment sells products directly to industrial customers such as food, beverage, chemical, and industrial processing equipment; biopharmaceutical equipment; and pure water equipment. The Field Fabrication segment offers a large field-fabricated tanks and vessels that cannot be built and shipped from the plant. The Transportation segment focuses on the delivery of products to customers, and backhauls of materials and components. The Other and Corporate segment represents s other revenues, unallocated corporate assets and expenses, and corporate other income. The company was founded by Paul J. Mueller and Gordon Mann in 1940 and is headquartered in Springfield, MO. Read More British luxury beauty and fragrance brand Molton Brown plans to foray into India's hospitality sector in the next fiscal and get into omni-channel retail here. The company, which plans to open 15 stores across India over the next five years, at present has one store in India. It entered India in June this year. "We plan to get into hotel business in India by the next financial year. We are already in talks with a few players. We expect hotel business to account for 20 percent of our business in five years," Mark Hermann, global vice president of sales at Molton Brown told PTI. Molton Brown also plans to start it's own e-commerce website in the next 12 months, he said. Globally, hotel segment accounts for 24 percent of the company's business. In a market like the US, where it has only three stores, the hotel segment accounts for 50 percent of its total business. "India is our most recent market and we are focusing on expanding here ... priority market for expansion for Molton Brown is Asia and Europe," Molton Brown Global President Mark Johnson said. When asked if the company is late in entering India's booming retail sector, Hermann said: "We think timing is perfect to enter India..while money was there..there were no luxury malls and retail channels..Now, luxury retail channels are coming up in big way". The company in India has partnered with Gaganmeet Singh's Berkeley Beauty. Singh also manages brands like Bang & Olufsen, Creed Perfumes, Berluti and Tod's in India. Molton Brown, headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a privately held company and has presence in 60 countries across the world. Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice," so said American journalist, essayist, satirist and cultural critic, H.L. Mencken. This year, some major judgments by the Supreme Court of India evoked reactions that veered between joy, despair, anger and incredulity. And the figureheads who played pivotal parts in issuing some landmark judgments made as much news as their verdicts. (That infamous press conference, anyone? The appointment of Justice KM Joseph, anyone?) We could talk about Dipak Misra who saw through some major judgments in his final weeks as a Chief Justice (in addition to all the flak he rightly received) and Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, who was often hailed as a champion of dissent and occasionally critiqued for not going all the way to break away from predictable patterns, but sadly, their trajectories are stories for another time. On this episode in our yearend roundup podcast series, we will focus simply on the waves that the powers that be at the Supreme Court made in 2018. My name is Rakesh, and you are listening to Digging Deeper with Moneycontrol. 1.Declaration of section 377, the penal provision which criminalised gay sex, as "Manifestly arbitrary" In a truly empowering judgment, on 6 September 2018, (put differently, on 6/9), the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality. This was a long walk to dignity for the LGBTQIA+ community in India and it ended triumphantly when the five-judge SC bench declared Section 377, the penal provision which criminalised gay sex, as manifestly arbitrary. The SC bench further declared that victimising homosexuals is unconstitutional, and henceforth, a criminal act. It even asked for better representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the media, and suggested that police be given sensitisation training. Wah! You will remember that the archaic, 158-year-old colonial law or Section 377 dating back to 1861, referred to gay sex as an 'unnatural offence' and stated that anyone who voluntarily has gay sex would be punished by up to ten years in jail. The law further dehumanised homosexuality by defining 'unnatural offences' as carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal. The law undermined not just the dignity of the LGBTQIA+ community but also facilitated its persecution and harassment. (Especially of the trans- community.) Hence Chief Justice Dipak Misra's statement that the LGBT community has the same rights as any ordinary citizen, that respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty, and that the LGBT community possesses equal rights under the Constitution, fulfilled the long cherished aspirations of a criminally marginalised community with poetic justice. Unapprehended felons no more! The process of hearing petitions against the ban had begun in the Supreme Court in July and was rooted in the ideas of individual freedom and the fundamental right to privacy. Apart from evoking uproarious approval nationwide, the judgment was also hailed by Amnesty International India as a ray of hope for everyone fighting for justice and equality. Asmita Basu, Programmes Director, Amnesty International India said that the judgment closed the door on a dark chapter of Indian history. And that it marked a new era of equality for millions of people in India. The judgment was also welcomed by The UNAIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS),LGBT activists, The United Nations, and organisations like the Human Rights Watch. The judgment has uplifting keynotes stating that sustenance of identity is the pyramid of life and that majoritarian views and popular morality cannot dictate constitutional rights. And finally that, to deny the LGBT community of their right to sexual orientation is a denial of their citizenship and a violation of their privacy. The SC bench also unequivocally stated that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and that autonomy of an individual is important and cannot be surrendered to anyone. The ban on gay sex had been challenged by five high-profile petitioners. Bharatnatyam dancer Navtej Singh Johar, journalist Sunil Mehra, restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, Neemrana hotel chain co-founder Aman Nath and businesswoman Ayesha Kapur. The march ahead marriage equality, property rights, etc is a long and arduous one. But the first step has now been taken, and heres hoping that the pace does not flag. 2. The Sabarimala verdict As we stated on a previous piece on Moneycontrol, Women's bodies have been treated as battlefields for as long as we can remember. Regardless of cultural and religious contexts, a woman is hardly, if ever, more than an interpreted idea of purity and impurity and is often summed up as goddess or mother or a destructive, dark force that must stay within boundaries so that she can be controlled. We said more: All religions exclude women from positions of power and when politics, faith and religion get mixed up, the results are explosive. In India, as the #Metoo upheaval rages across our news feed, and crimes against women spiral out of control, somehow, the headline of the day is whether women of menstrual age will be allowed into Sabrimala by the protesting devotees. On September 28, signalling an end to a centuries-old tradition, the Supreme Court ruled that women, irrespective of age, can enter Keralas Sabarimala temple. As reported by multiple news sources, the five-judge Constitution bench, headed by the then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, said that the provision in the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965, which authorised the restriction, violated the right of Hindu women to practice religion. It also said that patriarchy in religion cannot be allowed to overshadow the right to pray. Sporadic petitions over the years have challenged the ban, which was upheld by the Kerala High Court with the HC ruling that only the tantri (priest) was empowered to decide on traditions. Petitioners, including Indian Young Lawyers Association and Happy to Bleed, had argued in court that the tradition is discriminatory and stigmatised women and curtailed their fundamental right to pray at a place of their choice. But, as we have seen often, sometimes even the law cannot alter religious perceptions. In October, when the temple was scheduled to open for devotees post the SC judgement, tension remained rife in Kerala at Nilakkal, the main gateway to Sabarimala, after police personnel dispersed protestors opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the shrine. The verdict caused, as we have reported before, a few thousand detractors to protest across Kerala and call the verdict an affront to their traditional beliefs. As tensions mounted, the police reportedly removed a makeshift shelter erected by Sabarimala Achara Samrakshana Samiti that had organised a sit-in to chant Ayyappa mantra to protest against the Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to enter the shrine. The protestors also tried to block buses near the key entry point to the temple. We quote from our earlier report, We can read this conflict as a literal gender war but what complicates the issue is that even a large number of women are against women entering the shrine and this just goes to demonstrate once again how strong and almost intractable the grip of religion is upon our collective psyche that it even challenges constitutional notions of equality. As Firstpost pointed out, of the five honourable justices who delivered the Sabarimala verdict, the only dissenting voice was that of the lady on the bench. Her reason, said the piece, for doing so was more about religious freedom. She said courts must not interfere with issues concerning deep religious sentiments, except in cases like sati, which is clearly a social evil. As per reports, several devotees, a large number of them women, blocked buses, cars and pulled out women asking them to go back. Amid this ideological and literal battlefield, MP Subramanian Swamy took a vociferous stand by backing the SC decision and was cited in reports as saying, Supreme Court has made a decision, but now you are saying that it's our tradition. Triple Talaq was also a tradition in that way, everybody was applauding when it was abolished. The same Hindus have come to the streets now. It's a fight b/w Hindu Renaissance and obscurantism. Renaissance says all Hindus are equal and caste system should be abolished. Because no Brahman today is only intellectual, they're in cinema,business as well. Where is it written that caste is from birth?Shastras can be amended." The tribal voice which is usually unheard in political conflicts has been extensively quoted this time as tribals living in the hills around Sabarimala believe that the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board were trying to demolish centuries-old customs. Four review petitions have already been filed against the Sabarimala judgement. Political parties were not to be left behind in trying to milk the judgment for optimum benefit. Even as the Kerala government struggled to abide by the Supreme Court's decision, both BJP and Congress were busy stirring the pot of controversy. As Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, The Congress has joined the BJP in trying to drive a wedge between the devotees and the government and they are trying to break the secular tradition of our state. Malayalam actor Kollam Thulash helped the situation in his own unique manner by saying that Women in the restricted age group who visit the Lord Ayappa Temple should be ripped apart. (Daivame!) As Firstpost rightly pointed out, even the Supreme Court judgment cannot ease women into a stringently forbidding shrine where even unisex toilets and other supportive facilities are conspicuously inadequate. Just as the tide of gender crimes against women cannot be stemmed just by formulating laws that fall by the wayside when confronted by ground realities, a verdict, regardless of its progressive intent can only do so much to grant women their full humanity. The notions of purity and impurity in the meanwhile continue to dictate where women and their bodies can go and not go. 3.The Aadhaar judgment As we mentioned in an earlier podcast, 'Aadhaar' in Hindi literally means 'foundation' and your Aadhar card with its 12-digit unique identity number based on your biometric and demographic data, is meant to serve just that function to work as your ultimate calling card. However, somewhere along the way, banks and mobile companies invited themselves to the party and to your data. This is where the Supreme Court verdict about Aadhaar stepped in to change the narrative. On September 26, a five-member constitution bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra ruled that while the Aadhaar Act doesnt violate your right to privacy when you agree to share biometric data, private entities would be barred from using Aadhaar card for KYC authentication purposes. However, Aadhaar was still needed for various other purposes including PAN card and ITR filing. Banks and mobile companies are no longer allowed under any condition to continue to do Aadhaar e-KYC since the Supreme Court has clearly struck down parts of Section 57, and we repeat, categorically, barred the use of Aadhaar biometrics data by private entities. The SC also cut out the white noise that private entities created around the card by striking down many irrelevant things related to the Aadhaar card linkage. Even if a customer is willing and gives his or her consent to a private entity to use Aadhaar, the card can only be used as an ID or address proof like other documents in the manner of a voter's card, drivers license or a ration card. The key point here is that biometric verification or e-KYC is out of the question as it would impinge upon the Right to Privacy of such individuals. a) It can be used for establishing the identity of an individual for any purpose. We read down this provision to mean that such a purpose has to be backed by law. Further, whenever any such law is made, it would be subject to judicial scrutiny. b) Such a purpose is not limited pursuant to any law alone but can be done pursuant to any contract to this effect as well. This is clearly impermissible as a contractual provision is not backed by a law and, therefore, first requirement of proportionality test is not met. c) Apart from authorising the State, even any body corporate or person is authorised to avail authentication services, which can be on the basis of purported agreement between an individual and such body corporate or person. In the Aadhaar judgement, the apex court specified as reported by many media agencies that Section 57 in its original form was susceptible to misuse and we quote news sources: Even if we presume that legislature did not intend so, the impact of the aforesaid features would be to enable commercial exploitation of an individual biometric and demographic information by the private entities. Thus, this part of the provision, which enables body corporate and individuals also to seek authentication, that too on the basis of a contract between the individual and such body corporate or person, would impinge upon the right to privacy of such individuals. This part of the section, thus, is declared unconstitutional. Section 33(2) of the Act has been struck down, which allowed identity and authentication data to be disclosed in the interest of national security on the direction of an officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India. As Financial Express reported, on the other end of the spectrum is the stipulation that Aadhaar can only be demanded by government agencies for subsidies granted by the government . The first noticeable after-effect of the judgment was that on October 1, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) directed telecom companies to submit a plan to stop using the 12-digit unique ID number for customer authentication in 15 days. As PTI stated, a circular in this respect was issued to the telecom service providers (TSPs), including Bharati Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and others. As Kush Garg wrote in Times of India on September 30, the Supreme Court verdict and the subsequent directive by UIDAI came after more than half a billion bank accounts were linked with Aadhar post a massive advertising campaign to make India digital. And pensioners, individuals, retired army officials rushed to link their accounts when they were threatened that their accounts would be closed. A deadline was set and many bank accounts were closed due to not linking the Aadhaar card, recalls Kush. We have reported earlier that amid this panic, security breaches and irregularities became de rigueur and school admissions were denied! Starvation deaths were reported because unlettered consumers could not furnish an Aadhaar card. In August, according to the data released by the Right To Food (RTF) advocacy group, 14 people died of starvation in Jharkhand over a span of 10 months because in the absence of an Aadhaar card, they could not benefit from Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY), the food ration scheme meant for the poorest of poor in India. This was of course refuted by the Jharkhand government. Before the SC verdict, a new SIM card could be purchased with the help of Aadhaar, and many consumers discarded old SIM cards because they were not linked to Aadhar. Dire warnings from banking and telecom companies flooded inboxes. The verdict came as a relief but there were a few grey areas that confounded consumers. For instance, if Aadhaar is not mandatory for opening a bank account and a PAN card is mandatory for opening a bank account and Aadhaar is mandatory for the issuance of a PAN card than what exactly is being achieved in the process? Is this not an indirect way of forcing people to part with their sensitive private data? Adding to the confusion is also the directive that PAN and Aadhaar are mandatory for filing tax returns. Some twitter handles also pointed out the irony of negating the need for Aadhaar for a SIM card or a new bank account but making it mandatory for those who need something as basic as rice from the government to subsist on a daily basis . There was unmitigated approval of the fact that the verdict empowers people to seek removal of their personal information from the records of telecom, banking, mutual funds and insurance firms that had earlier demanded biometric authentication. Another concern that has been expressed repeatedly is just why is this level of surveillance needed for ordinary citizens when the financial dealings of all political parties remain locked in secrecy. This question too continues to exist unattended like the proverbial elephant in the room. As DNA reported, the lone dissenting voice here was that of Justice Chandrachud who raised concerns over the false fait accompli and has held the Aadhaar project to be unconstitutional. He strongly doubted the methodologies adopted by the UIDAI with respect to biometric data and its linkage to the distinct data base which has the potential to alter the power structure that upholds the relationship between citizens and the State. He has rightly cautioned against the risk of abuse of data and how it can be a blow to individual liberty and privacy. As the DNA piece asked, ...just how much privacy can be given up? How transparent do we want to be? How much do we want our government to watch us? How much risk, in terms of internal and external security, are we willing to accept as the price for our privacy? How do we measure that risk, and how do we know that by giving up a certain level of privacy, we are safer? Regardless of the merits of any project, as the DNA piece conveys, coercion by the state in any form is unhealthy and the social, political and economic motivations behind the project should have been subject to intense parliamentary scrutiny. The focus, says the piece, needs to shift from mere data-gathering to data protection and usage. Whether or not that transition will be made successfully in the future for the benefit of all citizens, is something that will only unfurl with time. 4.The decriminalisation of adultery On September 27, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court struck down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and decriminalised adultery in India which remains a civil offence, and can serve as a ground for divorce. As one Supreme Court advocate wrote in The Hindustan Times, The judgment is important not simply because it got rid of an archaic and patriarchal law, but also because of its consequences for the future. As HT points out, Section 497 of the IPC part of the British-enacted penal code of 1860 criminalised adultery, but did so asymmetrically: that is, only the man and not the woman who engaged in adultery could be punished. Moreover, only the husband could bring a prosecution for adultery; but he would have no case if he had consented or connived in the adulterous act. HT again: This set of bizarre conditions together constituted a near-perfect storm of patriarchy. The husband being authorised to bring a prosecution against the other man (but not if he consented to the relationship) smacked of the belief that, on marriage, ownership over a womans body passes from her father to her husband. The woman has no independent personality but is, instead, subsumed into the personality of her husband, for the purposes of law and for society. And exempting the adulterous wife from criminal proceedings although seemingly a benefit to her was nonetheless based on the idea that it is the man who is the seducer, and it is the woman who is sexually submissive, and lacking agency in a relationship (and hence, the asymmetry: you cannot punish someone for something they are not responsible for). Both these presumptions were staple features of Victorian law and morality, which was the basis of the Indian Penal Code of 1860. The Constitution Bench that unanimously struck down the section as unconstitutional consisted of the Chief Justice, RF Nariman, DY Chandrachud, and Indu Malhotra and they established that the gender stereotyping in prevailing laws violates Article 14 of the Constitution (equal protection of laws), and also Article 15(1) (non-discrimination on grounds of sex). The exemption of women from criminal liability, as the HT piece points out, was not a benefit, but rather, part of a broader set of presumptions that effectively caged and limited them. HT: But the court also went one step further: it also held that adultery could not be criminalised at all. The court held that subjecting interpersonal relationships (where there was no violence) to the rigours of criminal law would amount to an unwarranted intrusion into the right to privacy. Therefore, the legislature could not respond to the judgment by passing a fresh, gender-neutral adultery offence: that, too, would be unconstitutional, this time under Article 21 of the Constitution. This judgment, says the aforementioned advocate, could also pave the way for the reconsideration of other archaic laws like the restitution of conjugal rights (which allows a court to direct one spouse who has left the company of the other spouse to return, even against her will), and the marital rape exception (which states that rape within a marriage does not count as rape for the purposes of criminal law). 5. When SC said 'No' to an SC/ST quota for promotions On September 26, The Supreme Court ruled that there will be no reservation in promotion for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in government jobs. The court held that the presumption of backwardness of SC and ST employees vanishes once they join government service. However Faizan Mustafa, VC, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, stated in The Tribune, that the SC/ST reservation is fundamentally based not on backwardness but on untouchability and historic discrimination that have not yet been fully removed as is evident from cases of atrocities against SCs and STs and some 11,000 or so complaints of discrimination in just promotions with SC/ST commissions. He cited inadequacy of representation as one of the reasons why the SC/ST exclusion from the creamy layer in absence of reservation is not a good idea. We quote. Unfortunately, the court overlooked the fact that nowhere in the world reservation policies are linked to the economic status of beneficiaries. Even in India we have horizontal reservation for women and persons with disability but we do not exclude the creamy layer in these reservation categories. SC/ST reservation is fundamentally based not on backwardness but on untouchability. Unlike some castes included in OBC list, no SC/ST caste has political power, social domination and higher economic status. Since the creamy layer exclusion will not happen at the initial appointments but only for promotions, there is a contradiction as to why unequals be given any benefit even at the initial stage of recruitment. In several sectors, including banking which has five or more scales, the benefit of reservation cannot be given anymore beyond the probationary officer rank. He further says that the judiciary has not been a keen supporter of reservation and, therefore, in a number of cases, in the name of 'merit', it has tried to put restraints on the state's power to make reservations, i.e., excluding promotions from reservation, catch-up rule, creamy layer etc. We quote, Even the so-called sacrosanct 50 per cent upper limit of reservation rule invented by the Supreme Court overlooks the ground reality that more than 75 per cent of our population consists of SC/ST/OBC. Thus, in effect, 25 per cent general candidates have 50 per cent seats allotted to them. The latest order is no exception to the court's disapproval of reservation policies. As we said before, justice is a mixed bag and no law has a one size fits all appeal in a socially and economically diverse country like India. 6. The Bhima Koregaon verdict On September 28, the Supreme Court extended the house arrest of the five activists arrested by the Pune police in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence. It also refused to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a court-monitored inquiry. On October 29, the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court order refusing the Maharashtra police a 90-day extension to complete its investigation against activists who were accused of Maoist links in the aftermath of caste-related violence in Bhima Koregaon village, Pune district. The five eminent academics who had petitioned the Supreme Court seeking that the activists be released were historian Romila Thapar, economist Prabhat Patnaik, sociologist Satish Deshpande, former director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Maja Daruwala and economist Devaki Jain. As is common knowledge, on 28 August, the Pune police arrested five prominent activistsSudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and Varavara Rao. While the majority judgement, authored by Justice AM Khanwilkar for himself and Chief Justice Dipak Misra, held that it was not a case of arrest for dissent, Justice DY Chandrachud dissented from the majority to say that the arrests were without any basis. The court also said that the activists have the liberty to pursue other legal remedies. On 28 August, as we reported earlier, the news media was abuzz with the news of the Pune police conducting coordinated raids across the country on the homes of 10 activists, arresting five of them. The news was presented in the context of two suggestions: the first was that the arrests were made in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The second was that the raids were linked to investigations into violence that occurred at Bhima Koregaon near Pune on January 1. The crackdown on Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and Varavara Rao and raids on the residences of Father Stan Swamy, Susan Abraham, and Anand Teltumbde followed the 6 June arrests of advocate Surendra Gadling, English professor Shoma Sen, writer Sudhir Dhawale, forest rights activist Mahesh Raut, and prisoners rights activist Rona Wilson in Maharashtra. The Pune Police claims that the examination of those detained revealed their links to Maoists, which necessitated the recent raids and arrests. An assassination plot, as we said before, targetting the Prime Minister was also supposedly in the mix. Even before the arrests, phrases like urban naxals, half-Maoists, anti-nationals and tukde tukde gang had been repeated ad infinitum by certain news outlets (looking at you, ArGos) and had resulted in widespread mistrust of dissenters even though the basis on which such labels were issued has been refuted sometimes even by the court of law. As for the actual events at the Bhima Koregaon rally near Pune in January this year, they have almost been forgotten amid the noise of paranoia. Post the arrests on August 28, that were based on the claim that the arrested individuals had links to the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), the cops have defended their crackdown, claiming, as we told you before, that they had strong evidence against the arrested activists. At the base of all the press statements made by the Maharashtra Police is that Maoists and Maoist-sympathisers instigated Dalits to riot at Bhima Koregaon through their anti-State songs at Elgar Parishad, a programme organised by individuals and organisations in Pune on 31 December, 2017. At the crux of the whole conspiracy theory is the Elgar Parishad programme organised by 250 individuals and organisations that gathered under the umbrella of what was termed as an anti-fascist front. Among the participants were the likes of Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, Radhika Vemula, the mother of the late Rohith Vemula , Prakash Ambedkar and JNU student Umar Khalid. Over 5,000 people attended and this was the event that attracted much speculation even though the Elgar Parishad was given permission by the police and nothing objectionable had been reported at the event nor was any police report filed against any of the speakers immediately. In his dissenting opinion, Justice Chandrachud criticised the Maharashtra Police for holding a press conference to air conspiracy theories even when the case was in the apex court, adding that the press briefing created a doubt about the impartiality of the police. Justice Chandrachud has held that a Special Investigation Team must be set up to probe the Bhima-Koregaon violence. India Economy India is Afghanistan's most reliable regional partner, the Pentagon has said as it praised New Delhi's contributions to the peaceful development of the war-torn country. Pentagon, in its semi-annual Afghan report to the US Congress that covers the period of June to November 2018, said India interpreted the new US South Asia policy as an opportunity to increase its economic involvement with Afghanistan. The South Asia Strategy, which was announced by President Donald Trump in August 2017, has focused on pressuring Pakistan to limit support and safe-haven for proxy terrorist and militant groups and to play a constructive role in facilitating Afghan reconciliation, the Pentagon said in the report. Noting that the US strategy calls for a regional approach to enhance stability in South Asia, the report said this includes building a broad consensus for a stable Afghanistan, emphasising regional economic integration and cooperation, stressing cooperation for an Afghan-led peace process, and holding countries accountable for their use of proxies or other means to undermine stability and regional confidence. "India is Afghanistan's most reliable regional partner and the largest contributor of development assistance in the region," said the Pentagon. Since late 2015, India has pledged USD 1 billion in development assistance in addition to the approximate USD 2 billion already spent on Afghan infrastructure. India continues to invest in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline, it said. "India provides significant training opportunities for Afghan officers and enlisted personnel and has frequently offered to increase its burden-sharing for Afghanistan. Approximately 130 Afghans travel to India each year to attend various military academy and commissioning programs," the Pentagon said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on December 25 the Bogibeel Bridge, India's longest rail-road bridge, connecting the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra, falling in the eastern part of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, a senior railway official said. The bridge is 4.94 km long. "The PM will inaugurate the bridge on December 25 which is also marked by the government as Good Governance Day," the official told. While former prime minister H D Deve Gowda laid the foundation stone for the Bogibeel bridge in January 1997, the work started only in April 2002 when former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the construction. With several deadlines having been missed over the past 16 years, the first freight train ran on it on December 3. Bogibeel is part of infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. This includes the construction of a trans-Arunachal highway on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, and new road and rail links over the mighty river and its major tributaries such as the Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri and Kameng. The Uttar Pradesh police has issued a notice to companies that prohibits any form of religious gathering in public spaces such as parks, making special mention of the Friday prayers offered by Muslims. The notice, issued by the Sector 58 police station, further said companies of those employees found offering namaz will be held responsible. The notice also says that employees may offer their prayers only in mosques, idgahs or within the premises of the company. Sector 58 is predominantly an IT sector, and according to an Indian Express report, a few executives of companies in the area have been served notices. The paper said the executives are also concerned that the jurisdiction of the directive could potentially spread to the other regions in the state. Some companies have sought a meeting with the Noida police officials, seeking clarifications on the implementation of the directive, particularly concerning that which holds them liable for violations of the order by employees. The police, according to the paper, has said that the order has been put in place to ensure that communal harmony is not disturbed ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray The Shiv Sena asked the BJP on December 24 to clear its stand on the Ram temple issue and demanded a discussion in Parliament even as it mounted an attack on senior ally-the BJP over a range of issues, including the Rafale jet deal. Targeting the BJP, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party will not allow any 'jumlas' (rhetoric) in the name of Lord Ram or any other Hindu god and asserted those who were voted to power on the temple issue are now sleeping like Kumbhakarn. Addressing a rally in this temple town in Solapur district, Thackeray, who visited Ayodhya last month, asked BJP allies to clear their stand on the Ram temple issue. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should discuss the matter in Parliament. "I want to tell BJP one thing, we can forgive you on 'ache din' jumla and the promise of Rs 15 lakh to each person. But we will not forgive you if you come up with one more jumla on our faith or in the same of god. We will beat you up. "We will not allow you to make any more false promises in the name of Ram or any other Hindu god," he said. The Shiv Sena will expose such 'jumlas' in Maharashtra, Thackeray said. The Sena chief demanded a discussion on the Ram temple and Hindutva issue in Parliament, saying this will reveal the stand of NDA partners and opposition parties. Referring to recent seat-sharing pact finalised between the BJP, the JD (U) and the LJP in Bihar for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Thackeray said, "I congratulate BJP for joining hands with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had given a slogan of RSS-free Bharat." "The way Shiv Sena has backed the Ram temple and Hindutva issue, I want Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP chief) to show similar political will," Thackeray said. He said his party has been "aggressively" taken up the issue of the Ram temple and Hindutva. "I have taken up the issue with a purpose just before the general elections and I am not afraid of any consequences," he said. The Sena chief said it has been 30 years since the Babri Masjid was razed, but the Ayodhya matter is still in court. Thackeray also referred to court's verdict in the Soharabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case in which all 22 accused, most of them policemen from Gujarat and Rajasthan, were acquitted. "The accused people in the Soharabuddin fake encounter case were acquitted but the Ayodhya court case is still going on. You are getting verdicts in cases of your convenience while others are left hanging," Thackeray said. He said, "You just not only demolished the structure, but the violence that erupted in the aftermath helped you get into power. Now, you are sleeping like Kumbhakarn". Speaking about the Centre's proposal of allowing agencies to intercept information from computers, he said some people are saying it dates back to the UPA regime. "If it is so, then why it is being discussed at all. Congress did it hence it lost the election. Congress was dethroned from power because it tried to do something like this. If you are also going to do it, then you will also impose emergency," he said. Thackeray also raised the issues related to farmers and drought situation in Maharashtra. "If farmers' get angry, I am not going to waste my time in negotiating seats with the BJP. I want farmers to get debt-free, I want the Ram temple to be built and beneficiaries should get due benefits of crop insurance scheme," he said. He said he will personally visit arid regions of Maharashtra and talk to people affected by water scarcity. Thackeray indicated his unwillingness to enter into an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming polls. "Why should I join hands in the name of Hindutva with someone (a reference to BJP) facing so many allegations of corruption, be it Rafale jet fighter deal or crop insurance scheme. "What happened with the Rafale deal is happening in the crop insurance scheme also. In both the cases, companies having no experience were given the task to implement the programmes," Thackeray claimed. Akhilesh Yadav Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has failed to create job opportunities for the youth and ensure remunerative prices for crops to farmers. He claimed that people belonging to all sections of society were facing problems. "Debt-ridden farmers are committing suicide. The future of the youth is in dark. BJP is out to crush the dreams of the young generation," Yadav said at a programme in Lucknow on Monday. He said employment opportunities have dried up as the present government in the state has not been able to provide jobs to the young. Referring to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Yadav said, "The chief minister does not like even a little bit of opposition." He said students who raises their issues "are sent jail" and even girl students are subjected to police action. Last year, a group of students, including two girls, associated with the student wing of the Samajwadi Party had blocked the convoy of Adityanath in Lucknow and showed him black flags. They were detained and sent to jail. A court granted them bail after 20 days. Atal Bihari Vajpayee A 25-feet high statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed in Lok Bhawan, the Uttar Pradesh government secretariat here, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday. Adityanath made the announcement at a ceremony held to celebrate Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also the local MP, and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik also attended the function. "Atalji had strong ties with Uttar Pradesh. He started his public life from Balrampur in the state and represented Lucknow as an MP for five terms," the chief minister said, adding that a number of schemes are being launched in the name of the former prime minister. "Atalji was the foundation of 'sushasan' (good governance). He learnt the nuances of politics from Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and became a symbol of trust in politics," Adityanath said. He said Vajpayee remained a soldier of democracy for a long time and set an example for all people's representatives. Vajpayee passed away in Delhi on August 16 after a prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honours the next day. Singh stressed that people could learn from Vajpayee how to behave and work in public life. "He was very affectionate even when angry...he was victorious not only in the field of diplomacy but also in war...the barriers of political parties got demolished merely by his presence," the Union minister said. Naik said it was a pleasant coincidence that Vajpayee shared his birthday with Jesus Christ and Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya. He paid homage to all on behalf of the people of the state. "Vajpayeeji was the 'mahanayak' (superhero) of politics and the accepted leader of the country...not only people of his party speak highly about him but leaders of opposition parties also praised him," he said. "Atalji had the quality of taking everyone along and he took the country to new heights...despite being an MP from Lucknow he did not get a house constructed for himself," Naik said. He described Vajpayee as a rare talent. Recalling the BJP's Mumbai convention in 1980, when Vajpayee was the party's national president, Naik said M C Chagla, an eminent jurist, diplomat and former Union minister had said in his address that the country's future prime minister was sitting beside him and those words came true in 1996. Yogi, Singh and Naik also offered floral tributes to Vajpayee. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Chinese counterpart Tuesday and discussed the situation arising out of the US decision to pull nearly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan and resurgence of the Taliban in the war-torn country. Qureshi, who is on a three-day four-nation tour, arrived here Tuesday morning following his visit to Afghanistan and Iran on Monday. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here that Qureshi met Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan. Both sides reiterated their determination to adopt a joint course of action for regional peace and stability, to promote connectivity and work for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. In a sudden move, President Donald Trump last week announced his decision to pull around half of the 14,000 US troops stationed in Afghanistan. The move has stunned and dismayed allies, diplomats and officials in Kabul. The announcement comes during a renewed push for talks with the Taliban to end the 17-year war. "They both believed that the military means cannot resolve the problem. The political reconciliation is the only viable way out. "Various parties are willing to maintain close communication and strategic coordination in this regard. The two sides will also advance our all-weather partnership and improve our all dimensional partnership and cooperation," Hua said. Trump's decision to drastically reduce the troops was welcomed by the Taliban. Both the US and Afghanistan have been sharply criticising Pakistan for allegedly backing the Taliban whose leadership is reported to have been entrenched in the tribal areas in Pakistan. China which shares borders with Afghanistan has established a trilateral foreign ministers' mechanism for reconciliation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has conducted separate meetings with Taliban officials. Asked how China viewed the US' decision to reduce its troops strength, Hua said "the action to pull-out should be decided by the US itself." "China always believes that military means cannot resolve the Afghanistan issue. The political reconciliation process that is owned and led by Afghanistan is the only viable way-out. "This is what China has been working for constructively and we also hope we can join other parties to help accelerate such a peace and reconciliation process so that Afghanistan people can enjoy peace and development at an early date," she said. China also believe that security, stability and development in Afghanistan is also a "good thing" for the region and hoped that it can join efforts to advance the process of reconciliation. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Turkey in 2019, a White House spokesman said on Monday. "While nothing definite is being planned, the President is open to a potential meeting in the future," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement. The conflict in Syria following Trump's announcement of a U.S. pullout, the fallout from the murder of a U.S.-based Saudi journalist in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and Turkey's demand for the extradition of a Muslim cleric from the United States are among the main issues occupying the two NATO allies. The Turkish presidency said Trump and Erdogan agreed during a phone call on Sunday to coordinate to prevent an authority vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws from Syria. Erdogan welcomed Trump's abrupt decision last week to withdraw American troops from Syria, which has upended U.S. policy in the region and would remove a source of friction between the two countries. Washington has backed Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters while Turkey brands the group a terrorist organization. A senior U.S. official said Trump had not discussed the pullout decision with Erdogan in advance. U.S. military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the Syria pullout with their counterparts, an Erdogan spokesman said on Monday. Trump and Erdogan have taken different tacks in their response to the Oct. 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump has said he wants Washington to stand by the Saudi government and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite a CIA assessment it was likely the prince had ordered the killing. Erdogan has pushed to keep international attention on Khashoggi's killing and put the spotlight on the prince. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Trump said last month he was not considering extraditing Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for a failed 2016 coup, as part of efforts to ease Turkish pressure on Saudi Arabia over the killing of Khashoggi. Turkey's foreign minister said last week that during a meeting with Erdogan in Buenos Aires several weeks ago, Trump said he was working on extraditing Gulen. A senior White House official later said that during the Argentina meeting, Trump did not commit to handing over Gulen to Turkey. White House A US court on Monday ordered Pyongyang to pay $501 million in damages for the torture and death of US college student Otto Warmbier, who died in 2017 shortly after being released from a North Korea prison. Warmbier's parents sued North Korea in April over their son's death. The 22-year-old student died days after he was returned to the United States in a coma, and an Ohio coroner said the cause of death was lack of oxygen and blood to the brain. "North Korea is liable for the torture, hostage taking, and extrajudicial killing of Otto Warmbier, and the injuries to his mother and father, Fred and Cindy Warmbier," Judge Beryl Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia said in her ruling. Pyongyang has blamed botulism and ingestion of a sleeping pill for Warmbier's death and dismissed torture claims. Fred and Cindy Warmbier said in a statement they had promised their son justice. "We are thankful that the United States has a fair and open judicial system so that the world can see that the Kim regime is legally and morally responsible for Otto's death," the Warmbiers said. "We put ourselves and our family through the ordeal of a lawsuit and public trial because we promised Otto that we will never rest until we have justice for him," they said. "Today's thoughtful opinion by Chief Judge Howell is a significant step on our journey." Howell's ruling was a default judgement, a type of decision entered against a party that does not appear in court. Default judgments against foreign defendants are often difficult to collect. US courts can compensate default judgement holders by ordering the seizure of funds or other assets located within the country, but that is unlikely in this case because sanctions prohibit North Korea from accessing the US financial system. The ruling comes at a sensitive time in US-North Korea diplomatic relations, as the two countries negotiate the dismantling of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. President Donald Trump has said Warmbier did not die in vain and his death helped initiate a process that led to a historic meeting this year between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump said in a Twitter message on Monday: "Christmas Eve briefing with my team working on North Korea a Progress being made. Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim!" He gave no other details. US officials have said a second meeting between Trump and Kim is likely in the new year. A student at the University of Virginia, Warmbier was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months starting in January 2016. He had been visiting the country as a tourist. North Korea state media said he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for trying to steal an item bearing a propaganda slogan from his hotel. Imtiyaz Ali Palsaniya became the fifth petitioner to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the 26 September 2018 judgement of the constitution bench. In his review petition, Mr Palsaniya has challenged the controversial Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, which made mandatory linking of Aadhaar with permanent account number (PAN). Earlier four petitioners, Jairam Ramesh, Beghar Foundation, MG Devasahayam and Bengaluru-based Col (Retd) Mathew Thomas of Citizens' Action Forum, have filed review petitions against the Supreme Court judgement on Aadhaar. Upholding Section 139AA of Income-Tax Act, the Bench said, it is mandatory quoting of Aadhaar or enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form, for filing of I-T returns and for making an application for allotment of a PAN number. (Read: Supreme Court Upholds Aadhaar; Says Private Entities, Including Banks, Mobile Operators Cannot Demand Aadhaar https://www.moneylife.in/article/supreme-court-upholds-aadhaar-says-private-entities-including-banks-mobile-operators-cannot-demand-aadhaar/55398.html In his review petition made available by TheLeafLet,in , Mr Palsaniya had contended that various grounds urged in interim petitions for directions were not considered by the bench while passing the judgement. "The judgment sought to be reviewed has also not considered a crucial aspect of PAN - Aadhaar linkage, since it fails to satisfy the test laid down by the same Court in the very same judgment. The test laid down was that the thing for which Aadhaar sought by the State had to necessarily fall within the meaning of either a 'benefit', 'subsidy' or 'service'. Thus, anything for which Aadhaar had to be required, had to first pass the muster of qualifying within the meaning of a 'benefit', 'subsidy' or 'service'. Filing of income tax returns (ITR) under Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 does not fall within either of the three descriptions, since filing of income tax is a statutory mandate, the violation of which could result in serious penalty. It is neither a benefit, subsidy or service," he stated. The review petition also talks about lack of explicit directions from the apex court for deletion of Aadhaar data by private and other entities that are not allowed to use the UID. It says, "The judgment prayed to be reviewed has not considered another consequential direction, which ought to have been issued pursuant to reading down of Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. If private entities were prohibited from storing or collecting or otherwise using sensitive personal data, then a necessary sequitur would have to be a consequential direction for the deletion of every such Aadhaar data, which already is in possession of the private companies, entities, schools, colleges, work places, banks, post offices, telecommunication service providers etc. The impugned judgment has not given any such direction to these various private players or corporate bodies to delete such a data. A consequence of this omission is that all these private players continue to retain the sensitive personal data of the citizens of this country." Mr Palsaniya also contended that in the judgement the apex court has not considered the crucial distinction between a 'citizen' and a 'resident' since UIDAI enrols any resident for Aadhaar. After enactment of the Aadhaar Act, UIDAI had admitted that 1 billion individuals enrolled in the Aadhaar programme. "There is no way to identify the citizens from residents who are not citizens, as Aadhaar has been the singular tool to dilute the said distinction. Needless to say, all the benefits, subsidies or services that are solely the rights of the citizen, are being given away to residents, who are not citizens. The impugned judgement only dismisses this pertinent claim by holding that this may arise in some probable future, and appropriate steps may be taken by UIDAI as and when the situation arises. "However, there is clear and convincing evidence to suggest to the contrary that as on 26 March 2016, 1 billion individuals had already been enrolled into the Aadhaar programme and there is no way to ascertain how many of these individuals are citizens, and how many are residents," he contended. According to Mr Palsaniya, the apex court's 26th September judgement has not considered that the objective and purpose of the Aadhaar programme is not to provide benefits, subsidy or services, but to 'create one national identity for every resident', which makes the grant of benefits, subsidies or services, contingent upon this unique identity. He says, "The judgment under review does not carve out a distinction between these two conflicting objectives, rather accords primacy to only the former." Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had filed a writ petition challenging Aadhaar Bill as a money Bill. He had said, "It is important because declaring the Aadhaar bill as money bill violates Article 110 of the Constitution and has grave implications for the future of the Rajya Sabha itself." However, the five-judge Bench of Supreme Court, in a majority decision, upheld the passing of Aadhaar Bill as money Bill. It is every persons dream to own a vehicle. These days, easy availability of credit makes the fulfilment of this dream fairly easy. But a car is a depreciating asset and every user may want to trade up to a better car, or to simply replace a well-used vehicle, after a period. The process of selling a car involves finding a buyer, either online or through an intermediary, and... Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 25) Most people take a break on Christmas Day to bond with family or friends. It is a big deal especially for Filipinos, who mostly observe reunions or take that out-of-town trip. And celebrities are ready to take that time off-cam to ring in the holidays. Take a look at how some of them celebrated Christmas: Celebrity kids indulge in baking sessions Two of the country's most-followed celebrity children - Scarlet Snow Belo and Olivia Reyes - spent the yuletide season learning a new craft: baking. Scarlet Snow, daughter of doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho Jr., was captured preparing gingerbread cookies for their Christmas celebration. Olivia, daughter of DJ-host Andi Manzano and businessman GP Reyes, also stayed at home to do arts-and-crafts. Pajama party Actress and host Anne Curtis took a different route with her family and in-laws as they opted for a Noche Buena pajama party. White Christmas dream It was a serene white Christmas for actress Kathryn Bernardo, who flew to Japan with her family for a vacation. Kathryn on her Instagram page shared a snippet of her enjoying the scenic prefecture of Hokkaido, calling the moment "priceless." She wasn't the only one to dream of a white Christmas. Actor Alden Richards also visited the Land of the Rising Sun for a snow-filled holiday with loved ones. Alden and his family enjoyed the sights of Osaka, and joined in the fun at the Universal Studios theme park. Working for Christmas The other half of the AlDub love team, Maine Mendoza, meanwhile stayed at home for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Maine playfully shared a selfie and captioned it with, "What it feels like working on Christmas Day." What it feels like working on Christmas Day pic.twitter.com/KgmcYd9tTD Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) December 25, 2018 Mendoza topbills the action-comedy film Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles, an MMFF entry. WATCH: 'Merry mix' of indie, commercial films in MMFF 2018 lineup Intimate family celebrations Pinoy Big Brother winner Maymay Entrata stayed with family and loved ones. The actress shared on her Twitter page a clip of her intimate Christmas get-together. Saab Magalona-Bacarro also let her Instagram followers in on a family secret. "We usually spend Christmas with my side of the family and ring in the New Year with Jims. This year is the first time were switching it up! Because its the first time that Im missing our annual noche buena, we had lunch at my moms house," she wrote on Instagram Monday. Of course, her social media followers' Christmas wouldn't be complete without their dose of #DailyPancho. BARRY This Pike County town of about 1,300 people will host one of 16 cannabis cultivation facilities in the state after the signing of a long-term lease agreement by Boston-based cannabis company Ascend Wellness. The company has centers in Massachusetts and Michigan, but this is Ascend Wellness first entry into Illinois. Its new off-shoot, Ascend Illinois, plans to have a 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art cultivation and processing facility in Barry. The announcement follows an agreement reached Friday on a long-term lease with Innovative Industrial Properties. The deal is expected to close in early 2019. Innovative Industrial Properties is a real estate company focused on the regulated cannabis industry. It said the property in Barry covers about 10 acres. The purchase price for the property was $19 million, excluding transaction costs. Along with the lease agreement, Ascend Wellness has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase HCI Alternatives. HCI Alternatives operates retail facilities in Springfield and Collinsville. It has about 10 percent of the states customer base, according to a company report. Illinois legalized medical use of cannabis in 2013 and first made it available to patients in 2015. At the start of December, there were about 50,000 approved applications in Illinois and 55 licensed medical-use cannabis dispensaries. The number of those seeking medical marijuana is expected to rise in 2019, largely a result of legislation signed in August that streamlines the process for acceptance removing requirements for criminal background checks and fingerprinting and also expands its use to those taking opioids for pain. The temporary expansion is seen as a way to fight a significant increase in deaths resulting from opioids the state saw a 13 percent jump from 2016 to 2017, according to Illinois Department of Public Health. It will allow anyone with a prescription for opioid medication to substitute marijuana for the painkillers. Opioids can be highly addictive in a very short period of time. Because the number of opioid deaths continues to rise in Illinois, although at a much slower pace, we understand a persons hesitancy in filling an opioid prescription, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav Shah said prior to the legislations passage. The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program will offer people another option in managing pain. Thousands of new users are expected to take advantage of the expansion. The passing of the opioid bill will lead to significant growth in the Illinois market next year, Ascend Wellness founder Abner Kurtin said. Ascend is excited to bring a wide variety of branded product to enhance the experience of the Illinois consumer. Ascend Wellness earlier this month completed its equity fundraising round, raising $40 million from investors. Proceeds from the capital raised will be used to build out locations and acquire future assets, according to the company. EAST ALTON A judge has sentenced a Godfrey man to five years in prison on aggravated domestic battery and driving under the influence charges after a prosecutor argued that probation would not be effective. Christopher Rulo, 41, pleaded guilty earlier to the charges, but Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli said that, in a statement Friday in his own behalf, Rulo declined to apologize to his victim. Assistant States Attorney Phil Voss argued that Rulo has been placed on probation 23 times over a 13-year period, ending with his last conviction in 2014. It is obvious probation will not work. Given all the opportunities hes had, I believe prison is the only option, the prosecutor said. Tognarelli said he was inclined to give a lighter sentence, but when given a chance to speak on his own behalf, Rulo used the opportunity to deny or excuse many of the claims his victim made in her impact statement. Rulos attorney, Steve Griffin of East Alton, argued that his client has a job and is contributing to his childrens expenses. He said Rulo has been sober and regularly attends treatment for alcoholism. Rulo said he takes responsibility for his actions. The judge ordered him to continue alcohol treatment in prison. After the judge handed down the sentence, he asked Rulo if he understood the ruling. Rulo responded by saying he has apologized to his victim several times. The judge repeated his ruling. Rulo was charged with aggravated battery and driving under the influence. He was sentenced to four years for domestic battery and one year for driving under the influence. He has a record dating to 1999 when he was convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer. He also has convictions for battery, driving under the influence, property damage, resisting a police officer and 15 misdemeanors. Illinois had one of the largest population declines in the nation in 2018, the continuation of a yearslong retreat from the state, according to new U.S. Census Bureau figures. Census numbers show 114,154 people moved out of Illinois in the 12 months ending in July. In total, Illinois population shrank to 12.74 million, a total population loss of 45,116 from last year. This marks the fifth consecutive year of total population loss for the state and the largest drop in population in more than a decade. Only New York saw a larger population decline of 48,510. The Empire State has about 7 million more people than Illinois. With an out-migration of more than 114,000 in 2017, Illinois was relegated to Americas sixth-largest state, falling behind Pennsylvania. The new data begins in July 2017, the same time that Illinois lawmakers voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauners veto to pass a historic income tax hike, raising the income tax rate to 5 percent, up from 3.75 percent. In the months before July 2017 dating back to the recession, Illinois saw job growth at 1.7 percent, in line with the rest of the nation. Data from the next twelve months that coincide to the day with census data, Illinois saw jobs growth slow to 0.97 percent, 44th in the nation. The reason why people continue to leave is not clear, but its likely the result of many factors, including broad migration patterns. Some point to the states weather, cost of living, high taxes, crime in areas like Chicagos South Side, and greater opportunity in other states. Illinois has seen the lowest wage growth since the Great Recession of nearly any state. Our economic recovery has been a lot more sluggish, said Brian Harger, research associate with Northern Illinois Universitys Center for Governmental Studies. Credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings said in a report earlier this month that, while Illinois population losses have accelerated since the recession, there has been a pattern of out-migration thats been virtually uninterrupted since the mid-1920s. Its only in the last handful of years that the states birthrate and immigration rates have failed to make up for the growing outflow of residents. The factors that have buffered this loss in the past, the birthrate and the level of foreign migration, have cooled off, Harger said. While population loss is troubling, Harger said the bigger issue is who is deciding to leave. The biggest concern isnt just the loss of people, but its the aging population and that most of those leaving are of working age, he said. The most recent IRS data shows Illinois lost more than $720 million in adjusted gross income on net to neighboring states in 2016. As a result of the population loss, Illinois is on track to lose at least one member of Congress after the apportionment process in 2021. This, accompanied with fewer electoral votes in presidential elections, leaves Illinois with a diminished voice in federal matters. Government to reduce E-levy from 1.75% to 1.5% ... U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer delivered the Democrats Weekly Address. Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: The events of the past week should concern every American. This may have been the most chaotic week of whats undoubtedly the most chaotic presidency ever in the history of the United States. The stock market is in a tumult and in decline. The Secretary of Defense, one of the only pairs of steady hands in our government, is resigning from the administration in protest. And the United States is pulling out of Syria and likely Afghanistan, abandoning our coalitions, allies, and the Kurds; and surrendering the field to Putin, Iran, Hezbollah, ISIS, the Taliban, and Bashar Al-Assad. The position of Defense Secretary, of Attorney General, of Ambassador to the United Nations, of Interior Secretary, and even Chief of Staff to the president are all in flux. The institutions of our government lack steady and experienced leadership. With all of these departures, it is about to get even more unsteady. The president is making decisions without counsel, without preparation, and even without communication between relevant departments and relevant agencies. All of this turmoil is causing chaos in the markets, chaos abroad, and its making the United States less prosperous and less secure. And to top it all off, President Trump has thrown a temper tantrum and now has us careening towards a Trump shutdown over Christmas. In a short time the Senate will take part in a pointless exercise to demonstrate to our House colleagues and the president what everyone here already knows: there are not the votes in the Senate for an expensive, taxpayer-funded border wall. So, President Trump: you will not get your wall. Abandon your shutdown strategy. Youre not getting the wall today, next week, or on January 3rd when Democrats take control of the House. Just two days ago, the Senate came together to support a proposal by Leader McConnell unanimously, every Democrat, every Republican to extend government funding through February, without partisan demands. What it would accomplish would be that the government would not shut down, and the fights we are having would be postponed to a later day and millions of Americans would not be hurt this Christmas week. So, let me repeat that: the Senate every Democrats, every Republican has already unanimously supported a clean extension of government funding. Democrats supported that measure because we do not want to see the government shut down. We have no demands other than that. We had every indication that the president would sign that legislation, as did our friends, Republicans on the other side of the aisle in the Senate. But yesterday, President Trump, hounded by the radical voices of the hard right, threw another temper tantrum and here we are, once again, on the brink of what the president has spent months saying he wanted: a Trump shutdown. The president will do his best to blame Democrats, but its flatly absurd. President Trump called for a shutdown no less than 25 times. In our meeting in the Oval Office, President Trump said: if we dont get what we want, I [President Trump] will shut down the government. I am proud to shut it down, said President Trump. Im not going to blame you [meaning Democrats]I will take the mantle of shutting it down. Those are President Trumps words and nothing he says or does today can undo that. No Democrat has called for shutting the government down. We are all working to avoid it. The president seems to relish it. He seems to feel it will throw a bone to his base the problem being his base is less than one-quarter of America. President Trump: you cannot erase months of video of you saying that you wanted a shutdown and that you wanted the responsibility and blame for one. President Trump: you own the shutdown. You said so in your own words. And, President Trump may get his wish, unfortunately. But it doesnt have to be this way. Democrats have offered two alternatives and Republicans, Leader McConnell have offered one. Democrats have offered to pass the six bipartisan appropriations bills plus a one-year continuing resolution for Homeland Security. We have also offered a one-year continuing resolution for all the remaining bills. Republicans have offered to pass a short-term continuing resolution through early February. Each one of those proposals would pass the House and pass the Senate. Each one of those proposals contains $1.3 billion of real border security, not a wall. There is no wall in those proposals. Democrats support real border security, not a wall. And by the way, thats in addition to the $1.3 billion in border security Congress allocated last year, the vast majority of which the Trump Administration has not yet spent. Theyre asking for loads of new money, they havent yet spent last years money. It is clearly a political gambit by President Trump to appease his never-happy base. On the other hand, a Trump shutdown would result in zero dollars for the Department of Homeland Security over the Christmas holiday. So there are several ways for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to avoid a shutdown over Christmas, I mentioned three. But there is only one way that we will have a Trump shutdown: if President Trump clings to his position for an unnecessary, ineffective, taxpayer-funded border wall that he promised Mexico would pay for. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. San Antonians can break open the champagne and 2019 without breaking the bank this New Year's Eve. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Once Santa leaves town and presents are unwrapped, San Antonians looking to let loose on Christmas Day can unwind at a few local bars and restaurants. RELATED: Sorry, San Antonio, no white Christmas in the weather forecast While most places are closed for the majority of Christmas Day, some businesses in town will open later in the day with drink specials and live music performances. Click through the slideshow to see what bars are open on Christmas Day. Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5 A 19-year-old San Antonio man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting another teen to death in September, police said. SWAT officers arrested Alonzo Cantu at his South Side home Monday and charged him with homicide in the Sept. 22 killing of 15-year-old Sonny Vidales, according to San Antonio Police Sgt. Michelle Ramos. Cantu did not say anything as officers escorted him to a police car at Public Safety Headquarters on Monday. He was arrested without incident. Detectives believe Cantu arranged to buy an undisclosed item from Vidales at the victims home on the Southwest Sides Adolph Street, according to Ramos. After Cantu received that item around 2 a.m., he allegedly shot Vidales through his bedroom window, killing him. Ramos said police dont want to identify the item, but it was worth a couple hundred dollars. Ramos said the investigation is ongoing, though there arent any other suspects at this time. The day after Vidales was killed, his family told the Express-News he came out of his room with the gunshot wound and collapsed in front of his 3-year-old sister. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Related: Family of slain 15-year-old gives details of his shooting death Evidence collected from Vidales cell phone, which was retrieved from his bedroom, helped police trace the suspect, according to Ramos. This was awesome detective work by our homicide detectives, Ramos said. Detectives dont think the teens knew each other before the arrangements were made and they do not think gangs were involved, Ramos said. Vidales family described him as a gregarious and funny teen with an appetite befitting his 6-foot-2-inch stature. My son, he had a big heart, his mom, Christine Vidales, said in September. He loved his siblings. Sonny had a 5-year-old brother who his mother said spent a lot of time in his room. She said at the time that she was grateful the brother wasnt in Sonnys bedroom at the time of the shooting. Its very unfortunate, Ramos said. Were happy that this suspect was taken off the streets, that way hes not able to hurt anyone else. Our hearts go out to the family. Dylan McGuinness covers local politics and the Bexar County government for the Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness A Leon Valley couple filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging their civil rights were violated after three Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and eight Bexar County Sheriff's deputies mistakenly raided and heavily damaged their home in November after receiving a tip that it was a drug stash house. Filed on behalf of plaintiffs Lucil and Raymond Basco, the lawsuit alleges illegal searches during a traffic stop and subsequent search of their home without probable cause. The couple is seeking a jury trial. Attorney Solomon M. Radner declined to discuss a monetary amount sought. Asked about the allegations, the Sheriffs Office responded with a statement via email: We have not been served with any legal process. We will defer to the District Attorneys Office regarding any ongoing legal matters. Leon Valley police werent involved in the raid. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox According to the lawsuit, Lucil Basco, a registered nurse, was driving to pick up her 5-year-old son from school around 3 p.m. Nov. 14 on Bandera Road when three DPS troopers and other members of law enforcement pulled her over because she did not use her blinker, her license plate was obstructed, and she did not pull over immediately, the suit states. She said one of the troopers asked her to step out of the car, and she complied. They wrote her a warning, she picked up her son and went home. About 4:15 p.m., she said she and her son were watching TV when she heard a loud bang that broke the front door and forced it open, the suit states. Acting on a tip from a confidential DEA informant, several defendant officers wearing masks with lights on their heads ran into the home in the 5300 block of Brisa Estates, yelling, and with guns drawn, according to the lawsuit. I have had nightmares ever since the police broke down my door with their guns pointed at my head, pointed at us, handcuffed me and traumatized my son and myself, Lucil Basco said Monday while holding back tears. This is unfair to my son and this is unfair also to me. I was shocked, how could this happen to my family? She also said she was handcuffed in front of her son, who cried out for his mother. READ ALSO: SAPD: Man accidentally fatally shot mother while doing drugs with friends According to the document, the defendant officers searched the home for drugs, opened every door and broke a bedroom door and a closet door. When the search concluded, officers took the handcuffs off Lucil Basco, handed her the warrant and left her home. The next day, she spoke to one of the officers, who apologized to her, said the raid was a mistake, and gave her information on payment for the damage, the suit states. But Rander said the Bascos have yet to hear from anyone about the property damage. What happened to this family is an absolute travesty. It never should have happened, it never should happen again, he said. The police have proven time and time again that they are absolutely 100 percent incapable of policing themselves. Leon Valley Police Chief Joseph Salvaggio issued a statement to emphasize that his department was not involved. The lawsuit is against other law enforcement agencies who prepared and conducted the search warrant on a house in Leon Valley, the chief said. The Leon Valley Police Department was not present during the execution of the search warrant, and has no knowledge concerning it or the lawsuit that was filed. Calls and emails sent to DPS and the DEAs Houston office, which handles San Antonio, were not returned. ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 Elizabeth Zavala is a courts and crime reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 Images of today's Texas-Mexico border are filled with reinforced walls, national guard troops and guard towers, images that look more military than an open zone for trade and immigration. But it wasn't always like that. Images of the area in 1938-39 from the Library of Congress archives show a border that is loosely guarded and relatively free, with only small swinging gates and few border officers present. RELATED: This is what the U.S.-Mexican border really looks like This was near the end of the Great Depression, when white migrant workers living in tents were striving to provide for their families along with Mexican workers and their families in ramshackle huts. Click through the slideshow above to get a look a what life was like along the border back in the 1930s. These surreal images tell an incredible story. The event that brought the American economy to its knees and left families all over the country struggling for the 10-year span of the Great Depression was the stock market crash of 1929. That catastrophe began 86 years ago this week, on Thursday, October 24, 1929, when a record number of stocks were traded, according to History.com. Black Tuesday, October 29, came soon after, when the market collapsed completely. Images from this period in American history are readily available in an interactive tool created by Yale University called Photogrammer. ceudaily@mysa.com @chrisudaily American Legion Hall is available for rentals if you need a Southeast location for family or class reunions, baby showers or other celebrations. American Legion Post 375 is at 9608 S. Presa. Air and heat, kitchen, ample parking in back of building. For information, contact Richard Holloway, post commander, 210-260-7317. Mixed martial arts classes 6-8 p.m. Mondays, St. Michael Catholic Church hall, 418 Indiana St. Taught by Mike Ortiz, a mixed martial arts champion. Contact: 210-264-5291. Bilingual Baby Time/La Hora del bebe bilingue 10:15-10:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Blvd. Rhythm, rhyme and repetition of songs and stories. El ritmo, la rima y la repeticion de las canciones y los cuentos. For babies up to 18 months with their caregivers. Para bebes recien nacido hasta 18 meses con sus cuidadores. 12-step recovery group for compulsive overeaters Noon-1 p.m. Thursdays, Cresholme Presbyterian Church, 1602 Goliad Road (inside small building behind church). Free. Contact: 210-977-8379. City Base Cancer Support Group 7 p.m. Thursdays, Brookhill Baptist Church, 631 Utopia Lane. Contact: Brenda Fox, 210-415-2830. Cortez Chess Club 3:30-5:30 p.m. Fridays, Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Blvd. For beginners and experts. Chess sets provided or bring your own. Free. Contact: 210-207-9130. Celebrate Recovery Fridays, Mayfield Park Church, 700 W. Hutchins Place. Free 12-step program for people struggling with hurts, hang-ups and habits. Meetings with meal 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Large group time 7:15 p.m.; smaller groups 8:15 p.m. Child care available. Contact: 210-923-2241. Monthly Adult Computer Classes 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of month, Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Blvd. Classes cover computer and internet basics. Contact: Contact: 210-207-9130. Friday, Dec. 28 Live Smart/Learn Well: Qigong 11 a.m.-noon Pan American Library, 1122 W. Pyron Ave. All experience levels are welcomed. Qigong is a holistic system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for health and spirituality. Due to the nature of the class, participants arriving late will not be admitted. Contact: 210-207-9150. Sunday, Dec. 30 All branches of the San Antonio Public Library will be closed Dec. 30-Jan. 1 in observance of the New Year holiday. Regular business hours will resume Jan. 2. Upcoming Free clothes closet 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 5, Brookhill Baptist Church, 631 Utopia Lane. Free clothing distributed. Contact: 210-333-4947. Trunk of Treasures 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 5, St. Benedict Catholic Church, 4535 Lord Road. Cars with trunks open to sell garage-sale-type items line parking lot. $10 for parking slot to sell items; free admission to shop. Migration Mass is set for Jan. 6 at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway. The Migration Mass marks the Feast of the Epiphany. It will be followed by a talk on migrants and refugees for National Migration Week. Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes Magos 1 p.m. Jan. 6, San Fernando Cathedral Hall, 231 W. Commerce St. The Puerto Rican Heritage Society celebrates the Epiphany with its annual Three Kings Day. The childrens event features a visit by Melchoir, Gaspar and Balthasar. Free. Friends of McCreless Library will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at the library, 1023 Ada St., just north of the HEB Plus. The meeting is free and open to the public. Plans for 2019, including fundraising, will be discussed. The all-volunteer group was organized in 1993 by 16 community members with the purpose of supporting the librarys programs. The group has raised over $22,000 in 25 years. Volunteers and new members are welcome; membership forms are available at the library. For more information, call 210-207-9170. Harlandale High School Class of 1969 plans its 50th reunion on Oct. 19, 2019, at Embassy Suites, Brooks City Base. Organizers are updating their address books. Contact: Frank Garza, figarza@satx.rr.com, or Ann Franz (Fisher), cdcfranz@yahoo.com with your information. Burbank High School Class of 1969 is planning its 50th class reunion for Oct. 19, 2019. Contact: Pearl (Reyes) Montez, 210-422-0761 (cell) or Helen (Martinez) Aguirre, 210-885-7302 (cell). Harlandale High School class of 1970 plans its 50th class reunion for October 2020. Details being finalized. Organizers seek classmates. Contact: Robert Ramirez, 210-496-7687; Jesus C. Vega (or Yolanda Vasquez-Vega), 210-383-0613. Compiled by Melissa Renteria Send details and a phone number to mrenteria@express-news.net. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday before publication. From the improvement across an individuals creative and critical thinking to the ability to revitalize a wider community, the value of participating in and appreciating the arts has proven to be immeasurable, and we dont need to look any further than our own city of San Antonio to know this is true. Since its establishment in the 1700s, San Antonios vibrant arts culture has been crucial in highlighting and preserving its rich and diverse history, seen most recently in exhibits like the McNay Art Museums Manuel Carrillo: Mi Querido Mexico and the San Antonio Museum of Arts Spain: 500 Years of Spanish Painting from the Museums of Madrid. These exhibits exemplify the art communitys work to immerse the community in engaging and educational cultural experiences and serve as an enriching resource for all San Antonians. As art director of McNay Art Museum, I, Richard Aste, can say that by building our programs on the spirit of inclusivity and belonging, we further our mission to engage a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. With each exhibition we see the diversity of our visitors increase, further establishing the McNay as a community center that is a source of inspiration, empowerment and reflection for every member of our community. To make the arts accessible to all, corporate contributions have become an invaluable partner to the arts community, with Americans for the Arts finding that 92 percent of surveyed companies in its latest Business Contributions to the Arts report contributed to the arts in some capacity. This year alone, Bank of America has donated more than $300,000 to the art community in San Antonio. In addition, Bank of America has its Museum on Us program, where people have access to five museums in San Antonio, as well as being the title sponsor of Arts for All during the Tricentennial week celebrations. This sponsorship helped provide public access to dozens of museums, theaters, performance venues and art installations throughout San Antonio. With this crucial funding, art institutions are able to dream bigger and scale bigger than ever before. The community doesnt need to look any further than the San Antonio Museum of Arts Spain: 500 Years of Spanish Painting from the Museums of Madrid exhibit, which received funding from Bank of Americas own San Antonio market and was visited by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. Corporate partners like Bank of America have moved past exclusively providing funding and now aim to support the cultural community even more directly. Bank of America has its own art collections available to lend to select museums and nonprofit galleries at no cost, including the works for the McNays recent Manuel Carrillo: Mi Querido Mexico exhibit, with the goal of generating vital revenue for the institution and providing increased access to the arts. The arts serve as a powerful tool to help economies thrive, to connect individuals across cultures, and to educate and enrich societies. San Antonios investment in its arts scene points to the continued enrichment and accessibility for the entire community. Vince Fertitta is the Bank of America San Antonio Market president, and Richard Aste is the McNay Art Museums director. If the U.S. is to avoid a Space Pearl Harbor, it needs to take seriously the possibility of an attack on U.S. space systems. This was the dramatic warning issued just before the inauguration of a Republican administration, but not the current one. The Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization issued its call nearly 18 years ago, in January 2001. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld led the commission, which warned the nations leaders that the American military was heavily dependent on satellites and other space assets, that this dependence was growing, and that it was a serious vulnerability. While we were battling low-tech insurgents and terrorists, Russia, China and others actively developed systems aimed at disabling or destroying the space capabilities that are so critical to U.S. military superiority. This Achilles heel has been glaringly obvious for a long time. What have we done about it? Not enough. The Trump administration and some in Congress deserve credit for recognizing this and seeking solutions. The president first directed the Department of Defense to establish a new unified combatant command for space. This makes sense. Then it was reported that the administration will also submit a proposal to Congress to create a new military service the Space Force. This makes less sense. A better approach would be to give the new multiservice command special authorities. And while organizational change can help, fully addressing the problem will require a comprehensive approach. Some point out that the Air Force has not given space enough attention and effort. It may be due to lack of sufficient funding, or maybe it was the excessive focus on the wars in the greater Middle East, or maybe it was because the space mission does not fit the Air Forces culture and image. Poetically enough, the Air Force itself began inside the Army, and its independence resulted from a sense that its mission could not be left to ground-pounding soldiers who did not prioritize the air mission. We have learned a few things since then. In the 1980s, many worried that the military services did not give sufficient attention to special operations forces. Then, as now, analysts mooted the idea of a new military service. But instead, the Nunn-Cohen Act of 1987 directed the Defense Department to establish a unified combatant command for special operations, much like the space command the administration has just announced. But Special Operations Command, known as SOCOM, was unique: The law gave it budget and acquisition authority. Normally, the military services recruit, train and equip forces, and the unified commanders employ them. But SOCOMs authorities allowed it to do both. Although a new Space Force will face opposition in Congress, requesting SOCOM-like authorities for the new space command might be more palatable. It might also cost less in new bureaucratic structures and is less likely to provoke unproductive competition for resources among the military services. The SOCOM example suggests that this formula can work. Of course, both of these options assume that organizational change is the answer. But enhancing the nations military space capabilities will require a variety of measures. The Trump administration will establish a Space Development Agency for rapid procurement of new capabilities, which could help. But we will have to address the full space eco-system to effect change, including promoting space innovation by funding educational initiatives and external research, reprioritizing the activities of internal research agencies, developing new operational concepts, devising ways to mitigate the loss of space assets, and recruiting new kinds of civilian and military personnel, among other things. Donald Trumps attention to the issue is a good first step. What seems clear is that we cannot afford to dither for another two decades. The nations adversaries are moving quickly to blunt American military superiority, and our space assets are tempting targets. Rumsfeld could be forgiven for saying he told us so or, in his words, this a known known! Celeste Ward Gventer is associate director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and a former deputy assistant secretary of defense. The public warning issued to Brewster County Judge Eleazar Cano by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for allowing a San Antonio candidate to use his photo and name on a mailer should serve as a stern reminder to all elected officials about the responsibilities that come with elected office. Cano, a Democrat from Alpine, was disciplined for allowing San Antonio Democrat Roland Gutierrez to use his photo and name in a political mailer sent to voters during Gutierrezs failed bid for the Texas Senate District 19 seat left open by Carlos Uresti. The commission found Canos endorsement of Gutierrezs candidacy was in violation of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, which forbids judges from using their office for political purposes. The code expressly bars a judge from authorizing the public use of his or her name endorsing another candidate for any public office, except that either may indicate support for a political party. In his response to the commissions inquiry into the matter, Cano explained his assistance with the Cinco De Mayo Fiesta held April 28 in Alpine was to contact a caterer and another local business owner to run the fest, and to introduce Gutierrez at the event. Cano should have known better. Ignorance of the rules is not a valid excuse Gutierrez, 48, a five-term state representative, came in third in a special election held July 31 and did not make it into the runoff. In September the seat went to Pete Flores, a Pleasanton-based former law enforcement director for the Texas Park & Wildlife Department, who became the first Republican in 139 years to represent the district. The public warning given in this case is nothing more than a slap on the wrist, but it should send a strong message to all newly elected judges about how they should conduct themselves in public once they assume their new role in a couple of weeks. Re: Majority rule lacks the science, Opinion, Sunday: Alan Preston cites two objections to state-approved marijuana availability: 1. Insufficient medical studies. Preston ignores the fact that the federal government prohibited and then impeded marijuana medical research. The government allows such research using only very limited material from the University of Mississippi. As for independently funded marijuana research, the federal government has cleared 16 projects since 1999, 13 at the University of California, San Diego. If testing cannot be conducted, then there will be no science-based evaluation. 2. Federal law should not be voided by state law (what he calls mob rule). While a long-standing Supreme Court ruling, this position ignores the frustration of states that disagree with a federal law, which is also not necessarily based on science. The 1970 act that made marijuana a Schedule I drug had little scientific support but plenty of political bias. The evidence from 1970 can and should be superseded by more current studies. If scientific research is needed, the people, in the form of state laws, have taken the issue into their own hands only because the federal government refuses to investigate. Dave Searcey USPS does it Re: Buyers count on Amazon to deliver, Business, Saturday: A shopper laments that because the U.S. Postal Service misdelivered her parcel she is over it. She is now buying from Amazon because I know for a fact it will be here when they say it will. Well, duh? Just who does she think delivers Amazons packages? In fact, smaller parcels initially shipped by vendors using UPS/FedEx are eventually delivered by the Postal Service. The article gives the impression that Amazon is responsible for its timely deliveries. Amazon Primes two-day shipping guarantee is only made possible with coordination with the USPS. Don Ripley, Floresville Define essential If only nonessential federal employees are to go without pay, why do the essentially nonworking senators, House members and executive branch personnel continue to be paid? C.H. Hood The Department of Immigration on Monday morning intercepted a man believed to be part of a racket that is using fake customs and immigration stamps to clear people between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Citizens of the two countries, most of them Zimbabweans illegally living in South Africa, occasionally give cross-border bus drivers or wheeler dealers their passports for endorsement at the border. It would then appear as if they would have returned to Zimbabwe at some point and this legalises their stay in that country and in most cases they use fake immigration stamps. The Assistant Regional Immigration officer in charge of Beitbridge Mr Nqobile Ncube said they intercepted one Munyaradzi Shope and recovered four fake immigrations stamps (three replicas of South Africas immigration and one of Zimbabwe Immigration). He said Shope was intercepted while operating his mobile immigration office in a Toyota Fun-Cargo within the border post. He said two other accomplices were still outstanding. The man was intercepted by our Regional Compliance and Enforcement team at around 2am. Team members observed that there was suspicious traffic of travellers at the vehicle and when he went to investigate, Shope and his two accomplices, who we are yet to identify drove off. The team then gave a chase and managed to intercept Shope whom we have since handed over to the police for further management. Let me warn the criminal syndicates that they will not be given breathing space. These abet criminal activities and cause loss of revenue to the State and help wanted criminals to move undetected, said Mr Ncube. He said they had adequately deployed to all key points to reduce incidents of irregular migration (border jumping) especially where child smuggling is concerned. He said since the start of the festive season cases of child smuggling where on the decline. We have recorded less than 10 cases. We are glad our efforts are paying dividends. At the same time parents should desist from putting their children at risk from criminals and other vices. This trend, where we continue to have parents or guardians who expose their children to illegal migration is disturbing, said Mr Ncube. Chronicle Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The 2019 National Budget sailed through the National Assembly on Thursday with legislators adopting the two percent intermediated tax which was one of the contentious issues in the Finance Bill. Parliament adjourned well after midnight after legislators debated the Budget. Zanu-PF members defended the tax but opposition MPs were opposed it saying it was punitive to ordinary Zimbabweans. Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said it was a revenue collecting measure. I move that this clause be adopted as is. I am actually quite surprised that we are still stuck on the same argument. We have just agreed to increase the parliamentary budget to $145 million, where do honourable members think that money is coming from? You are arguing for cars to be given to them, we have agreed and where do they think the monies are coming from? We are allocating $310 million to the constituencies of the honourable members, where do they think that money is coming from? It is coming from the two percent, said Prof Ncube. We have also increased the budget for education, health. We have budgeted these monies and I believe that the exemptions that we have proposed will go a long way in making sure there is a relief out there and we need this money to balance the Budget. He said the two percent tax was a modern tax which recognises that people are using more electronic means to make payments, including mobile telephones. We have to move with the times. We are actually ahead of the curve compared even to the First World; they are actually catching up with us in terms of modern means of taxation using electronic platforms. So, I urge Members of Parliament to recognise that we are raising the much needed revenue to support the work they do here in Parliament but also to add more resources to their constituencies through the devolution process and to the social services sector, said Prof Ncube. In his contribution to the debate, Kambuzuma MP Mr Willias Madzimure (MDC) had said the two percent tax must be reduced. Going on to the real issue Honourable Chair, I think the best that the minister can do is give a relief to our people and reduce the two percent, it is punitive, 0,5 percent will be reasonable even though it is not the best way of doing it, he said. Former Finance Minister and Harare East legislator Mr Tendai Biti said he was against the manner in which the tax was introduced by Prof Ncube in terms of the law. My submission is concerned around the manner in which the Hon. Minister has introduced this tax. You recall that the minister first announced this tax in his maiden press statement on the 1st of October, 2018. On Friday, 12th October, 2018, he then passed a Statutory Instrument that introduced this tax. The problem with the Statutory Instrument Honourable Chair is that it sought to amend a substantive provision of the Income Tax Act. The intermediated transaction tax is legislated; it has been in our law since 2002 where it was US$0,5cents per transaction. So, Section 22 (g) of the Income Tax Act provided that there will be a transaction tax of US$0,5 cents per transaction. What the minister did through a Statutory Instrument that he enacted on the 12th October, 2018 was to repeal and override a defined provision in an Act of Parliament, he argued Leader of the House and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi dismissed Mr Bitis argument saying it was him who introduced the provision. When he was Finance Minister, he made provision for what the minister did. He amended Section 3 of the Finance Act to authorise that, subject to confirmation by Parliament. Now, he is standing here to say what he authorised when he was minister is now wrong! However, I put a point to the effect that Parliament has procedures of rejecting or accepting Statutory Instruments, said Minister Ziyambi. Buhera South Cde Joseph Chinotimba said legislators must not be double faced as they wanted allowances at the expense of the taxpayers. We cannot defend our own Budget as Parliament but we want to defend that for the people. The people who are paying taxes are the ones that we are telling that we want our money increased as Parliament. We are stealing from the people. Are we not? It is the same money that you would want this Budget increased. They should not be double-faced. It is unfair even if the taxes were to be reduced, he said. Cde Chinotimba then called for the House to be divided and vote on the two percent tax. A total of 80 legislators voted for the adoption of the intermediated two percent tax against 26, leading to its adoption into the Finance Bill. Chronicle Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A HWANGE-BASED junior police officer, who was recently rearrested while attempting to skip the border into South Africa, has been slapped with a 15-year jail sentence. Three years of the sentence were conditionally suspended. Maxwell Musariri (28), a constable from Hwange, who was facing 12 counts of theft and unlawful entry, escaped from Hwange prison three weeks ago together with a traditional healer who was facing a rape charge, only to be caught by police officers at Beitbridge Border Post while attempting to escape into South Africa. This followed his failed bid for freedom after he was denied bail by a Hwange magistrate two days prior to his escape after the State successfully opposed his bail application, saying he was a flight risk. Musariri was last Wednesday convicted on his own plea of guilty and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, when he appeared before Hwange provincial magistrate Ailenne Munamati. According to the State, between September 19 and October 24 this year, Musariri broke into properties belonging to workmates and stole various items, including cellphones and laptops, car batteries, television sets, DStv decoders, among other electronic gadgets. Affected were Tongofara Shiri, Tawanda Mvute, Mbonisi Ndlangisa, Callisto Ndou, Tinashe Chamakwara, Witness Lunga and Kenias Nyadima. The total value of stolen property is believed to be $4 231. Investigations showed that some of the stolen properties were sold in Gweru, Masvingo and his rural home of Chirumanzu in the Midlands province. Vumizulu Mangena appeared for the State. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Its a bittersweet Christmas Eve for Haywards California Highway Patrol office as officers remember a colleague killed exactly one year ago in the line of duty. Every available CHP officer is working Monday and Tuesday to catch distracted or impaired drivers and many in the East Bay have Officer Andrew Camilleri on their minds. Last Christmas Eve, Camilleri was with his partner on the 880 shoulder trying to spot drunk drivers when he was hit and killed by a driver allegedly under the influence. "We're going out there in strong remembrance of what happened to Andrew and how he lost his life and we're trying to prevent the loss of any citizens lives as well as any more police officers," said Lieutenant Gregory Saulman from CHP Hawyard. They also honor Camilleri inside the station, keeping his memory alive with pictures and his mailbox is full of the citations he wrote. Just last Friday, they delivered Christmas gifts to his family. "For the family to make it more of a special event than as opposed to an event of sorrow," said Saulman. Officers say that driver who killed Camilleri was high on marijuana and he is due back in court in March. Meanwhile, officials are pushing for a mainstream test to assist them in making drugged driving arrests on scene like a breathalyzer. "Whether it be an over the counter test like a diabetic check, a pin prick. Where it could give them an immediate reading saying 'hey, you've got stuff in your system,'" said Saulman. Officials remind everyone that there are other way to arrest and convict high drivers. California Gov. Jerry Brown has pardoned five refugees from Cambodia and another immigrant from Honduras who faced the possibility of deportation because of their criminal convictions. The five Cambodians entered the country when they were 5 or younger, according to Brown's office. They were among more than 250 clemency decisions announced by the governor on Christmas Eve. The pardons don't automatically stop deportation proceedings, but they eliminate the state convictions on which federal authorities might base deportation decisions. That gives the men's lawyers strong legal arguments before immigration judges to try to prevent their removal from the country. People receiving pardons Monday include Louis Honig, a former state superintendent of public instruction convicted in the 1990s on conflict of interest charges, and two people from Paradise who lost their homes in the recent wildfire. The outgoing governor has a tradition of granting clemency requests on or near Christian holidays. Brown has now issued 283 commutations and 1,332 pardons since 2011. That's far more pardons than any California governor since at least the 1940s. He issued 404 pardons and one commutation during his first two terms as governor from 1975-1983. This is expected to be Brown's last round of clemency action as governor. But he has until he leaves office Jan. 7 to act. What to Know At least 300 RVs in San Francisco are home to individuals, couples or families, according to the city Most inhabited RVs are south of Market Street, on blocks without parking restrictions City leaders are considering new ways to offer housing assistance to those living in vehicles Though the official count is in the hundreds, it's been estimated that well over a thousand people in San Francisco go to sleep in their vehicles every night, parked on city streets. The most visible of these people are the ones now at the center of a fiery debate: the residents of an estimated 313 RVs, many of them decades old and barely functioning, that bounce from block to block, dodging parking restrictions, and sometimes leaving a trail of garbage and angry neighbors in their wake. "Those are not proper homes. They do not belong in residential neighborhoods," District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen said at a tense community meeting. Getty Images But much like the angry renters and homeowners in Ronen's district, the RV dwellers say they're just trying to live a drama-free life in what's become the most expensive city in the world. We visited three of them to learn what their daily existence is like. 1. Joey Martinez It started out as a dream that Joey Martinez now admits was horribly misguided. "I came up with the bright idea to purchase an RV," Martinez said. "The rent was getting expensive, and I was just planning on seeing the world, seeing the country and just driving around." Joey Martinez gutted this water-damaged RV and did much of the new woodwork himself. Though it's now a suitable shelter, it still lacks plumbing for water and propane. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA Joey Martinez gutted this water-damaged RV and did much of the new woodwork himself. Though it's now a suitable shelter, it still lacks plumbing for water and propane. Martinez thought he was getting a bargain, but he got more than he bargained for: A tall, modern-looking motorhome that turned out to be riddled with water damage and mold. As he tore into it, trying to make it habitable, he discovered another problem: without a catalytic converter or oxygen sensor, the engine couldn't pass a California smog test, which is required to register a vehicle. "Literally, I'm stuck," he said. "I can't go anywhere because I have no plates and I have no registration." By agreement with city officials, Martinez now parks his half-working RV on a corner that was once a garbage dumping ground, and helps keep the area clean. He said he misses the simple things in life. "The luxury of the sound of a toilet flushing is just if you don't have that, or power you have to look for your own power and water source it's so stressful," he said. "Every day is a survival situation." 2. Rudolph Fisher Mayor London Breed often talks about growing up in San Francisco's housing projects, but she rarely talks about her downstairs neighbor, Rudolph Fisher, who says he lived below her at the corner of Turk and Laguna years ago. Fisher, now 65 years old, said he lost his housing after a conviction for receiving stolen property made him ineligible for housing assistance. Private landlords weren't eager to rent to him either, and he's been homeless in one form or another since 2002. Rudolph Fisher lives in this 1978 Chevy RV, where he occasionally gets visits from family and friends. The vehicle runs and has valid license plates, and Fisher says he'd happily sell it if he had someplace else to go. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA Rudolph Fisher lives in this 1978 Chevy RV, where he occasionally gets visits from family and friends. The vehicle runs and has valid license plates, and Fisher says he'd happily sell it if he had someplace else to go. "I sleep at family's sometimes, I slept on the bus once or twice, I slept in cars, slept in trucks," he said. Now, Fisher lives in a 40-year-old Chevy Itasca RV parked on a mostly-industrial block in the Bayview District where street sweepers and parking enforcement won't bother him. "It's a daily ritual," he said. "I have to supply it with water, I have to supply it with gas, oil, and then I have to do the food." Fisher, who suffers from COPD and diabetes, said that like the RV itself, life on the streets is getting old. "I'm done with living like this," he said. "This is not a good way to live. There's no room. I'd like to come back to Earth and get a nice little apartment, a studio apartment." 3. Couper Orona In early 2018, when San Francisco began cracking down on tent encampments, Couper Orona knew she had to find a different kind of shelter. Homelessness was a new and unexpected turn of events for her, after she became disabled and then went through a messy divorce. "I lived in Diamond Heights," she said. "Drove an Audi. Had a good life, you know. And just overnight, like that, everything's gone." Couper Orona bought this aging RV from a friend after city officials swept the tent encampment where she had been living. With shelter from the rain, a tiny kitchen and a private bathroom, she said it feels a like a castle. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA Couper Orona bought this aging RV from a friend after city officials swept the tent encampment where she had been living. With shelter from the rain, a tiny kitchen and a private bathroom, she said it feels like a castle. Orona said she bought an RV from a friend who couldn't take care of it anymore, and now parks it with a group of other inhabited vehicles at the edge of a parking lot in the Mission District. Most days, she's just grateful to have a (sometimes leaky) roof over her head, and a place she can cook and use the bathroom, she said. "It's huge, this is like a castle to me," she said. "I appreciate every bit that I have, and I don't take it for granted anymore." As a single woman living on the street, Orona said she learned to make friends with those who would watch her back. Now, she said, crime is no longer her primary worry: she's far more concerned about new city enforcement efforts. "This almost got towed one day," she said. "I could care less if there's a guy down the street with a gun I'm more scared of them breaking into my house and taking my RV and putting my cat at the pound." The Struggle for a Solution Though vehicle dwellers have quietly subsisted in San Francisco for many years, tightening parking restrictions have forced them into denser and more visible clusters on the few streets where they're still allowed to park. District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai said these clusters are what have aroused the ire of neighbors. When the Board of Supervisors adjourned for the winter holidays, there were two competing efforts to curb complaints over RV living in the city. The first, backed by Safai, Mayor Breed and District 5 Supervisor Vallie Brown, would explore locations for an "RV triage center" where those living on wheels could come to store their vehicles while getting registered for housing assistance. In some cases, the city would offer to "buy back" RVs from their owners for cash. Brown said the likelihood of finding suitable housing will depend a lot on who's asking: Families with children, veterans and seniors would be among the first to get help, while young and healthy individuals might wind up on the city's lengthy shelter wait list. Jonathan Bloom/NBC Bay Area Safai said as part of that plan, the supervisors would seek tighter citywide restrictions on the parking of oversized vehicles in residential neighborhoods. RV dwellers who register before a certain date will be eligible for a degree of leniency and assistance, while those who come into the city after that date would be subject to fines and towing, he said. The second proposal comes from District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who said she'd initially planned to get on board with Brown and Safai, but became impatient under pressure from her constituents. The fiery meeting at which she spoke packed a gymnasium full of angry renters and homeowners in the hilly, mostly-residential Portola neighborhood, where RVs can roam free of street sweeping and permit parking restrictions. Ronen said she would start by banning tall vehicles from parking overnight in the Portola neighborhood, then introduce legislation setting a 6-month deadline for the city to open a triage or navigation center for RVs. Included in her plan would be the option for a "safe parking" program, allowing RV residents to continue living in their vehicles in a designated spot, away from neighborhoods, with garbage and bathroom facilities on site. FILE - Getty Images Advocates from the Coalition on Homelessness say they studied a safe parking program in San Diego, and found it could be a good fit for San Francisco, if used as a temporary step on the way to stable housing. "A lot of what is needed is time," said Kelley Cutler, a human rights organizer for the Coalition. "Time to actually get into housing because it's not going to be quick." Cutler said the Coalition found RV dwellers in San Diego were able to get into more permanent housing within 4 to 6 months of enrolling in the city's safe parking program. A program like it in San Francisco would also eliminate another threat: the worry of having RVs towed away and impounded by the city after they accumulate too many parking tickets. On December 18, the Coalition filed a lawsuit against the city aiming to stop authorities from impounding vehicles with unpaid tickets when those vehicles serve as the owner's only home or shelter. In a statement, the City Attorney's spokesperson, John Cote, responded, "We're sympathetic to those who are homeless, including those who have nowhere to sleep other than in their cars." Cote added that the SFMTA recently reduced towing fees for low-income people, and has long offered the option to perform community service in lieu of payment for those who can't afford their parking tickets. "The bottom line is there is a way to take care of a parking ticket even if you can't pay for it. Letting parking tickets just pile up is not an acceptable choice," Cote's statement said. In spite of the constant cat-and-mouse game with parking authorities, the San Francisco RV dwellers we spoke to said an offer of housing from the city wouldn't necessarily be a done deal. In many cases, the first permanent housing option offered to homeless individuals is an SRO: a Single Room Occupancy hotel. Orona and Fisher both said they'd rather continue living in their vehicles than accept the restrictions that come along with SRO living. "Why would I get rid of this to go into an SRO where I can't have visitors, I can't cook on the stove, I don't have my own bathroom?" Orona said. Looking around the cluttered living room of her RV, she added, "I mean, it's not much, but this is mine." The incoming Democratic governor of Wisconsin said Wednesday that he plans to make a personal appeal to his defeated rival, Gov. Scott Walker, to veto far-reaching GOP legislation that would strip the new administration of some powers. If that doesn't work, he might sue. Wisconsin Republicans pushed through protests, internal disagreement and Democratic opposition to pass the bills after an all-night session. The measures would shift power to the GOP-controlled Legislature and weaken the authority of the office Republicans will lose in January. "The will of the people has officially been ignored by the Legislature," Gov. Tony Evers said, adding that the lawmakers' actions "take us back to Nov. 6," before the election was finalized. "Wisconsin should be embarrassed by this," Evers said. He said he will talk to Walker as soon as the bills reach his desk and that if he cannot persuade the governor to veto the proposals, he will consider lawsuits and any other option "to make sure that this legislation does not get into practice." The early morning votes were the height of a rare lame-duck legislative session. Walker has signaled his support for the bills. He has six days to sign the package after it's delivered to his office. The session unfolded a month after Republicans were battered in the midterm election. They lost all statewide races amid strong Democratic turnout. But they retained legislative majorities thanks to what Democrats say are gerrymandered districts that tilt the map. A Walker spokeswoman said the governor, who was in Washington for former President George H.W. Bush's funeral, would not have any public comment Wednesday. The new legislation tries to protect some of the GOP's achievements in recent years, including a work requirement for some people receiving state health care and the state's role in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act. The bills could also make it harder for Evers to renegotiate a $3 billion subsidy for a Foxconn electronics manufacturing facility, a deal spearheaded by Walker. In neighboring Michigan, Republicans who control the Legislature voted to advance a measure that strips campaign-finance oversight power from the next secretary of state, a Democrat. They also moved to give lawmakers authority to stand up for GOP-backed laws if they think the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general are not adequately defending the state's interests. The Wisconsin legislation passed in a session marked by stops and starts as GOP leaders tried to muster enough votes in the Senate. That chamber ultimately approved the package 17-16, with just one Republican voting against it, around sunrise. The Assembly approved it on a 56-27 vote about two hours later, with a single Republican defecting. In one concession, Republicans backed away from giving the Legislature the power to sidestep the attorney general and appoint their own attorney when state laws are challenged in court. "This is a heck of a way to run a railroad," Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling said as the Senate debate resumed at 5 a.m. after a seven-hour impasse. "This is embarrassing we're even here." Walker is in his final five weeks as governor. Faced with a Democratic governor for the first time in eight years, Republicans came up with a package of lame-duck bills to preserve their priorities and make it harder for Evers to enact his. "You're here because you don't want to give up power," Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said as debate concluded in that chamber. "You're sore losers. Does anybody think this is the right way to do business? If you vote for this, shame on you. You will go down in history as a disgrace." Assembly Speaker Robin Vos countered that the bills would ensure a balance of power between the Legislature and the executive branch. "We have allowed far too much authority to flow to the executive," Vos said. "To you, this is all about politics. To me, it's about the institution." Vos last month cited the desire to protect key Republican achievements from being undone by Evers. Among them: a massive $3 billion subsidy to bring Foxconn, a key Apple Inc. supplier, to Wisconsin, along with thousands of jobs. Evers has said he would like to renegotiate the deal. The legislation passed Wednesday would shield the state jobs agency from his control and allow the board to choose its leader until September, likely at least delaying Evers' ability to maneuver on the Foxconn subsidy. The changes would also weaken the governor's ability to put in place rules that enact laws. And they would limit early voting to no more than two weeks before an election, a restriction similar to what a federal judge ruled was unconstitutional. The attorney general's office could also be weakened by a proposal to require a legislative committee, rather than the attorney general, to sign off on withdrawing from federal lawsuits. That would stop Evers and Democratic Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul from fulfilling promises to withdraw Wisconsin from a multi-state lawsuit seeking repeal of the Affordable Care Act. They made opposition to that lawsuit a central part of both of their campaigns. Judges could block the proposals if they become law by issuing temporary injunctions. Democrats would likely need a permanent injunction to stop the changes for good, but Republicans would almost certainly pursue appeals all the way to the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservative justices. The Legislature passed another measure to enact Medicaid work requirement rules that Walker recently won a federal waiver to establish. That bill would also give the Legislature oversight over the governor seeking future waivers for health care, a change Democrats said would handcuff the new administration. Rep. Todd Novak of Dodgeville, the only Republican in the Assembly to vote against the bills, said he did so after hearing from "an overwhelming number of voters" in his district who opposed the legislation. "It is my job," Novak said, "to cast my vote in the interest of those whom I represent." CORRECTION (Dec. 7, 2018, 12:15 p.m. ET): A previous version of this story reported erroneously that Gov. Scott Walker would have 10 days from the date the bills reach his desk to sign or veto them. Walker would have six days to act. During the Christmas season, the aromas of hot chocolate and tamales would mingle with the sounds of mariachis and hymns praising Our Lady of Guadalupe within the walls of the nearly 80-year-old St. Stephen Catholic Church near downtown Houston. But since May 2016, the church has stood silent, surrounded by a chain-link fence after the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston ordered the building closed as St. Stephen parish was combined with a neighboring church. A group of parishioners appealed the decision, taking their case to Rome and the Vatican's highest court, which in April ruled in their favor. Legal experts said such a ruling by the Vatican to reverse a decision to close or merge a parish is rare. However, the wish of parishioners to be back inside their church in time to host Christmas celebrations and Mass won't be granted as the archdiocese has said it won't be reopened until a review is done on the building's condition. "We need our church," said Mary Carmen Gallegos, a congregant who has helped lead the reopening effort. "We feel like a fish out of a water tank." Plans to merge St. Stephen with the nearby St. Joseph church were first announced in 2014 by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. It was prompted by a planned real estate development around St. Stephen that could have resulted in the church's sale. The archdiocese said St. Stephen couldn't grow in its current location. In a statement, the archdiocese said DiNardo has accepted the ruling by the Vatican's high court, which found the merger of the two churches was flawed because it was tied to the possible sale of St. Stephen. The archdiocese said that most parishioners from the combined churches "are happy with the new community" and the ruling to dissolve the merger "has led to a struggle in the hearts of parishioners." But some St. Stephen parishioners worry that the archdiocese, which didn't immediately say anything publicly about the ruling against it, is looking for a reason to keep the church closed. They say their parish had room to grow and was financially stable before the closure, with more than $200,000 in a church fund. The Catholic Church in recent years has closed parishes across the country due to dwindling attendance, a shortage of priests and budget issues. Nearly every Sunday since the closure, many of the more than 800 families that comprise St. Stephen's congregation of mostly Latin American immigrants have continued to meet in front of their old church to pray the rosary and share a meal before going to Mass at their new parish about a half mile away. One recent Sunday, over 70 people sat in folding chairs or stood in front of the chain-link fence that was decorated with flowers, photos and brightly colored plastic banners of "papel picado," elaborately cut sheets with designs and words. Esperanza Fitch, who has been a member of the church for the last nine years, said that when the parish was shuttered, she felt she had been exiled. She compared it to when she had to flee her native Venezuela. "It was like they took my home again," said Fitch, 69. Parishioners don't believe the church would need major repairs to reopen, but if it does, they are ready to offer any kind of help. "If they tell me I have to sell my house to repair this church, I would do it," said Elmer Garcia, a Honduran immigrant who has worshipped at the church for 26 years. A lower court of the Catholic Church initially upheld the order to close St. Stephen. Congregants appealed to the Apostolic Signatura, the equivalent of the Supreme Court. While more of these appeals have been successful in recent years, it has historically been rare for the Vatican to reverse a decision to close or merge a parish, said Patrick Brennan, a law professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania who has studied Catholic Church law. "We hope that (DiNardo) recognizes the Christian and Catholic virtue of reopening a place of worship," said Brody Hale, who runs the Catholic Church Preservation Society, a Massachusetts-based group that has been advising St. Stephen parishioners in their appeal. The Vatican high court's decision comes as DiNardo, who is leading the American response to the ongoing clergy abuse crisis as the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has been criticized over his handling of two reports of sexual abuse that recently became public. "Now he's seen as unjustly closing a parish that ... was serving a lower income, ethnically concentrated parish. Those are really bad optics," Brennan said. Gallegos said parishioners will continue doing whatever is needed to reopen their church. "We're not gonna give up," she said. It's been four years and thousands of miles, since Petty Officer First Class Jeremy Alexander could spend a Christmas with his two daughters. "Being with our dad this morning on Christmas. That was our best present," 8-year-old Annika said. "It is great and it is really fun because Daddy is here," added 5-year-old Sierra. Alexander is deployed on a ship in Guam. Last week, he drove home to Cleburne from San Diego, where his submarine is currently docked "I got off of work at 8 in the morning on Thursday, and I started driving by about 11:30 that day. So I arrived in actual Texas at about 8:40 in the morning the next day and then got to their school at around 9 o'clock," Alexander said. His kids were thrilled. "Whenever we saw him in the cafeteria at school it just made my heart melt, because it was amazing," Annika said. And Alexander, who has been in the Navy for 15 years, was able to stay to watch the kids open their gifts. "I love giving gifts and I like seeing their surprise," Alexander said. "I just want to tell the service members out there that are out there fighting, and serving, and on deployments, thank you for being out there so I can see my kids." All lanes were closed on a major route from Southern California to Las Vegas early Christmas Day after a pileup in the Cajon Pass. The northbound 15 Freeway was closed in the Hesperia area due to a crash involving at least 15 vehicles on the icy road. The crash was reported at about 6:30 a.m., just south of Oak Hill Road. Ten people were injured, but details regarding their conditions were not immediately available. Drivers described a chaotic scene on the freeway about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. "As soon as I hit the top of the hill, it was ice, black ice," Brian Bolik told the Victor Valley News Group. "I crashed and everyone else around me was crashing too. A car behind us went over the embankment and rolled." Traffic was being diverted to Highway 138. The road reopened at about 11 a.m. What to Know Christmas at an NJ church will look like it did almost a century ago this year because it will celebrate the holiday with a special statue In the special nativity scene that will be on display at Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph in Hoboken, baby Jesus will not be in a crib Baby Jesus will be displayed in the same box it was returned to the church 90 years after it was allegedly stolen Christmas at a church in New Jersey will look like it did almost a century ago this year, all because the house of worship will celebrate the holiday with a special baby Jesus statue a statue that was long ago stolen and returned just this past March. In the special nativity scene that will be on display at Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph in Hoboken, baby Jesus will not be in a crib, but in a card board box as a reminder of where it came and the mystery surrounding it. The story of the long-ago stolen baby Jesus took a turn in March when the church came across the returned statue after an unknown package was delivered to its doors. The statue was found inside, crudely wrapped and with no return address. Rev. Alexander Santora, the church priest, said he was initially apprehensive to open the package since it had no return address and decided to call the Hoboken Police Department to report the suspicious package. With a heat detecting device, the police department's Emergency Service Unit determined that there was nothing incendiary inside and that the package was safe to open, Santora told NBC 4 New York when the statue was first returned. According to Santora, it "was a surprise" when a note and statue were found inside the package that had a tracking number which was ultimately traced back to Crystal Springs, Florida. A copy of the note dated Jan. 2, which was originally provided to NBC 4 New York by Santora, said that the baby Jesus statue was stolen from the churchs Nativity display in the early 1930s. According to the sender, the statue somehow came into their grandfathers possession, and the man never returned it. Instead, he gave it to my mother after she was married, and she too kept it until her passing when it came to me. Knowing the story, I felt it should be returned to the rightful owner, and you will find it enclosed, the note read. Santora took the note on good faith and welcomed the Baby Jesus back into the church. Though the parish has been in existence since the 19th century, there is no record of the statue being stolen, according to Santora. However, the plaster statue is made of materials that were commonly used in the area. Santora says that whoever had the statue is forgiven. They owned up to the fact that it wasnt theirs and even though it was 90 years later, they returned it, Santora said. This Christmas, the church will open its doors after a five-year restoration and parishioners will be reminded, when they see baby Jesus in the box where it was returned, that it is never too late to do the right thing. It is the first time that we can celebrate, not only restoring [the church], but restoring Jesus as well, Santora said. Authorities in New Jersey say an 18-year-old man has been arrested in a violent home invasion in which the homeowner was slashed and pistol-whipped. Julian Mangal, 18, of Richland Town, Pennsylvania has been arrested in the Ridgefield Park robbery on Dec. 18, prosecutors said Monday. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney. The homeowner, Frank Veritas, told News 4 New York he was startled awake in his Ridgefield Park home around 2:30 a.m. that Tuesday when he heard his wife screaming by his side. "I woke up and see a man with a pistol, aiming it right at me," he said. The gunman, who Veritas recognized from a recent party at his home, was threatening to kill the 49-year-old Veritas. The intruder was later identified as Mangal, who ran off with Veritas' wallet containing about $400 and a cellphone. Mangal was arrested at a South Hackensack motel. Another man who was apparently with him was arrested while trying to flee through a crawl space in one of the motel rooms, prosecutors said, and a third person was arrested for allegedly providing the gun to Mangal. Veritas now has a staple in his skull and knife wounds to the chest. What to Know Citymeals on Wheels volunteers did not take a break Christmas Day from delivering hot meals to the homebound elderly Across New York City, 22,000 meals have been prepared and are getting delivered Tuesday Hundreds of these meals were prepared at Trevor Day School on the UWS, which donated its kitchen and cafeteria space to Citymeals on Wheels Citymeals on Wheels volunteers did not take a break Christmas Day from delivering hot meals to the homebound elderly. Across New York City, 22,000 meals have been prepared and are getting delivered Tuesday. Hundreds of these meals were prepared at Trevor Day School on the Upper East Side, which donated its kitchen and cafeteria space to Citymeals on Wheels allowing for more than 400 meals to be cooked. Three hundred of those meals will be cooked for the homebound while the rest will be served as part of a holiday party. Head chef Jeffrey Stewart whipped up Cornish hen, potatoes, mac and cheese and so many other dishes, to be packaged and delivered to the homebound elderly. Stewart, who has been with Citymeals for 30 years, has a personal connection. I was raised with my grandmother, so the level I have for cooking and having a great time with the seniors is so wonderful to me, Stewart said. Meanwhile, for assistant chef Jaeson Europe, who helped prepare the meals, the program also touches his heart. His grandmother was a Citymeals on Wheels recipient. Its a good thing knowing that you cant get out but at least you have a home cooked meal coming to you, he said. Rachel Sherrow, from Citymeals of Wheels, also stresses the importance of the program. Over 40 percent of our neighbors are alone, many rarely leave their homes, Sherrow said. So this is really, really important for us to be able to say hello and give them a hug. For these volunteers, who are going from one apartment to another, theyre delivering a meal and sharing time with someone who may be craving conversation. They like to share with you what their lives were, whatever their profession was. You see the values that they have. Its beautiful, volunteer Melissa ODell said, adding that it is the volunteers who get much more out of the experience. Some of the volunteers had an early start Christmas morning, arriving at the school around 4 a.m. with some staying late into the afternoon. Its may be a long day, but they say theyre happy to do it. At first glance, it may look like any other scene you'd see at the mall around Christmas time: Kids sit on Santa's lap; elves help guide them along; parents snap pictures. This is no ordinary event, however. This is part of an extraordinary program for extraordinary kids whose parents made an extraordinary sacrifice. The scene is taking place in a terminal at LAX as part of Snowball Express, a program that offers special experiences to children who have had parents die in military service. Snowball Express is sending these children and their surviving parents on a five-day, all-expense paid trip to Disney World. "They're giving this opportunity to kids who felt like they lost everything," said Camilla Gutierrez, whose stepfather died in military service. The children meet as strangers, but they learn they're connected by the extreme test of losing a parent. Actor Gary Sinise, known for playing a disabled veteran in "Forrest Gump," began supporting Snowball Express more than a decade ago. He was so impressed with the program that he made it part of his personal charitable foundation. "We want to give them as much joy, love and light as possible," he said. When Sinise spoke with NBC4, Snowball Express was sending more than 1,000 kids from all over the country to Orlando. He is quick to give credit for the program's success to volunteers, many of whom are connected with the children through their own military experiences. John Baca received a Medal of Honor for saving his colleagues from a grenade. He said he loves participating in Snowball Express. "It's one of the most beautiful events in my life," he said. The program meant so much to Chelsea Briggs when she was younger, she has now become a volunteer. "After Snowball Express came into my life, we learned we can have fun again and enjoy the holidays, so I'm very grateful," she said. The excitement builds as boarding begins. Faces light up. Smiles flash across the faces of children who have known so much pain. Snowball Express serves as a means of offering a measure of gratitude for the sacrifice they and their parents have made. Farouk Baakar was on duty as a medic at al-Rashid hospital the day a bleeding man was brought into the emergency room with gunshot wounds and signs of torture. He'd been whipped across the back and hung by his wrists for days. The patient, Baakar learned, had been left for dead by the side of a highway after being held captive in a prison run by the Houthi rebels who control northern Yemen. Baakar spent hours removing bullets and repairing ruptured intestine. He tended to the patient's recovery for 80 days and, at the end, agreed to pose for a selfie with him. Weeks later, Houthi security officials grabbed the man again. They searched his phone and found the photo. Then they came for Baakar. Militiamen stormed the hospital, blindfolded Baakar and hustled him away in a pickup truck. Because he'd given medical help to an enemy of the Houthis, they told him, he was now their enemy too. He spent 18 months in prisons within the expanse of Yemen controlled by the Houthis. He says they burned him, beat him and chained him to the ceiling by his wrists for 50 days until they thought he was dead. Baakar and his patient are among thousands of people who have been imprisoned by the Houthi militia during the four years of Yemen's grinding civil war. Many of them, an Associated Press investigation has found, have suffered extreme torture being smashed in their faces with batons, hung from chains by their wrists or genitals for weeks at a time, and scorched with acid. The AP spoke with 23 people who said they survived or witnessed torture in Houthi detention sites, as well as with eight relatives of detainees, five lawyers and rights activists, and three security officers involved in prisoner swaps who said they saw marks of torture on inmates. These accounts underscore the significance of a prisoner-swap agreement reached Thursday at the start of United Nations-sponsored peace talks in Sweden between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia and the United States. As a confidence-building measure, the two sides agreed to release thousands of prisoners, though details must still be hammered out. But while the coalition side would release captured Houthi fighters, the rebels would largely free civilians who, like Baakar, were imprisoned in brutal sweeps aimed at suppressing opposition and obtaining captives who could be traded for ransom or exchanged for Houthi fighters held by the other side. The Abductees' Mothers Union, an association of female relatives of detainees jailed by the Houthis, has documented more than 18,000 detainees in the last four years, including 1,000 cases of torture in a network of secret prisons, according to Sabah Mohammed, a representative of the group in the city of Marib. The mothers' group says at least 126 prisoners have died from torture since the Houthis took over the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. Mosques, ancient castles, colleges, clubs and other civilian structures have served as first-stop facilities for thousands of detainees before they are moved into official prisons, according to testimonies of victims and human rights agencies. The mother's group counted 30 so-called black sites in Sanaa alone. Houthi leaders previously have denied that they engage in torture, though they did not respond to repeated AP requests for comment in recent weeks. The Houthis' Human Rights Ministry said in a statement in late 2016 that "there is no policy or systematic use of torture on prisoners." It added that the ministry and prosecutors are working to "ensure the rights of prisoners and provide all legal guarantees to achieve justice and fair trials." Amnesty International says that "horrific human rights abuses, as well as war crimes, are being committed throughout the country by all parties to the conflict." But international outrage over the bloodshed in Yemen has largely focused on abuses carried out by the U.S.-backed and Saudi-led military coalition fighting on the side of the Yemeni government. The AP has exposed torture at secret prisons run by the UAE and their Yemeni allies and has documented the deaths of civilians from strikes by drones in the United States' campaign against al-Qaida's branch in Yemen. Abuses by the Houthis have been less visible to the outside world as the rebels worked to eliminate dissent and silence journalists. From the capital, Sanaa, the Houthis rule over around 70 percent of Yemen's 29 million people. The Houthis believe they are the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and, as such, have a divine right to rule Yemen. Those who oppose them are "God's enemies," worthy of punishment. One of the former prisoners of the Houthis who spoke to the AP was a school teacher from the northern city of Dhamar who, after his release, fled to Marib, which is under control of the Houthis' opponents. He asked that he be identified only by his first name, Hussein, because he fears for the safety of family members still in rebel territory. He was held for four months and 22 days in an underground cell. He was blindfolded the entire time, he said, but kept count of the days by following the Muslim calls to prayer. Throughout his confinement, he said, his jailers beat him with iron rods and told him he was going to die. "Prepare your will," he said they told him. ___ 'CRY TEARS OF BLOOD' The Houthis began in the 1990s as a Shiite revivalist religious movement. The group turned into an armed militia in 2004, when the military under then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh killed their founder, the brother of the current leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi. Saleh fought the Houthi insurgency for six years, with thousands killed on both sides before reaching a cease-fire just months ahead of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that put an end to his rule. Less than three years later, the Houthis joined ranks with Saleh in an alliance of convenience the former autocrat saw a possible route back to power, while the rebels gained backing from the army units still loyal to him. Together, they occupied most of northern and western Yemen, driving out Saleh's successor, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. In response, the U.S.-backed coalition launched its campaign to restore Hadi's internationally recognized government and thwart what Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates claim is an attempt by Iran, the Houthis' ally, to take over. The Houthis have sought to entrench their rule by cracking down on a wide range of perceived enemies young activists, religious minorities, socialists and others who might oppose Houthi rule. But there are divisions within the movement. Internally, a moderate faction of Houthi leaders acknowledged abuses and sought to put an end to them. The leader's brother, Yahia al-Houthi, set up a committee in 2016 to investigate reports of torture and indefinite detentions, and helped free 13,500 prisoners in its first three months. The committee sent a video report to the leader, Abdel-Malek, showing scenes of overcrowded prison wards and prisoners with bruises, along with testimony from senior Houthi figures. Abdel-Malek never responded. Instead, hard-line security officials shut down the committee and briefly detained two of its members. The video was not made public, but the AP obtained a copy, and it contains startling admissions from prominent Houthi figures about abuses. "What we saw would make you cry tears of blood," one committee member says. ___ 'HELP ME' The first few months in Houthi detention sites are usually the worst, ex-inmates say, as the militants improvise and inflict their torture. Anas al-Sarrari recalls slowly regaining consciousness in a dark corridor in the Sanaa's Political Security prison. The 26-year-old critic of Houthi brutality held his head between his swollen hands and bruised wrists, as flashes of two months of torture raced through his mind. He was eating grilled corn when masked militiamen snatched him from a main street in Sanaa one morning in September 2015. He remembered hanging for 23 hours by his handcuffed wrists from the ceiling of a stuffy interrogation room as numbness claimed his fingers, arms and much of his body. The cuffs began to slit his wrists and he tried to rest on his toes. "Death must be less painful than this nonstop torture," he recalled thinking at the time. "One more hour like this and I will die." His jailers unchained him from the ceiling for a couple hours each day, when he was given hard bread and a plate of vegetables and dirty rice crawling with cockroaches. When they gave him yogurt, he was able to see the date written on the container and mark the passage of time. "My mother doesn't even know if I am alive or dead," he thought. He remembered seeing a torturer with a stun gun staring at his head before dealing a blow with all his might. Al-Sarrari collapsed. He doesn't know how long it took for the Houthi militiamen to untie him from the ceiling and then dump him in the corridor. He tried to stand but couldn't pull his body together. "Maybe I am in heaven?" he remembers thinking. "Maybe it's a bad dream?" At daylight, he tried again to move, but failed. "Help me," he screamed. Militiamen dragged him into a cell. Only then did he realize he was paralyzed. He had no one to talk to, no one to take him to the bathroom. He urinated and defecated like a newborn baby. Guards sometimes took him out to wash and returned him to the filthy cell, where he banged his head on the wall in desperation. After four months, they cleaned him up and released him. Al-Sarrari showed AP copies of his medical records. He now uses a wheelchair and believes that the purpose of his torture and release was to send a message to others who might want to criticize the Houthis. "To see people with disabilities, coming out of prison after excessive torture will terrify everyone: Look, this will happen to you if you speak up," he said. ___ 'PRESSURE ROOM' The selfie of Baakar with an escaped prisoner was all the evidence seven Houthi militiamen needed of the medic's disloyalty when they came for him at al-Rashid hospital. "How much money did they give you to treat the enemies?" one militiaman screamed in his face. Baakar says they slapped and kicked him, beat him with batons on his face, teeth and body, and taunted him: "You will be killed because you are a traitor." The militiamen took him to a location he couldn't identify, stood him on a wooden box, chained his wrists to the ceiling and then kicked the box out from under his feet. He says they stripped him and whipped his naked body, then pulled out his nails and tore out his hair. He fainted. "It was so painful, especially when they come the next days and press on the bruises with their fingers," he said. The Houthis became more and more creative, Baakar said. They once brought plastic bottles and with a lighter melted the plastic over his head, back, and between his thighs. Eventually, Baakar was taken to Hodeida castle, the 500-year-old Ottoman-era fortress on the Red Sea coast. He says guards pushed him into a filthy basement known as the "Pressure Room" and hung him by his wrists. In a dark corner, he could see shapes of dead cats and even torn fingers. When he grew thirsty, he said, torturers splashed water on his face and he licked off the drops. At times, they would let other prisoners enter his cell and give him water from a bottle. On the day guards thought Baakar had died, then realized he was still alive, they untied him and allowed two prisoners to feed and clean him. As Baakar began to recover from his wounds, other detainees who had been tortured began asking for his help. He tried to heal the injured. He carried out simple surgeries, without anesthesia, using electric wires, the only tool he had in prison. Sometimes the guards allowed him to go about his medical work. Other times, he says, they turned on him and punished him for helping his fellow prisoners. Baakar recalled helping a man who'd been hung by his penis and testes and was unable to urinate. Another man with a white beard and white hair had been badly burned when the Houthis poured acid on his back, melting his skin and nearly sealing his buttocks. Baakar used wires to make an opening and, with his fingers, removed the stool. "When I asked Houthi guards for help, saying the man is dying, their only answer was: 'Let him die'," Baakar said. The Houthis released Baakar on Dec. 3, 2017 after his family paid 5.5 million rials, about $8,000 at the time. Soon after he fled to Marib, the anti-Houthi stronghold. He lives in a tent with other refugees, where he continues to treat the sick and wounded. ___ The AP's reporting on the war in Yemen is supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Maine's Republican governor is casting doubts on election results while a GOP congressman continues a federal lawsuit over Maine's new voting system. Gov. Paul LePage called Maine's ranked voting system "repugnant" to constitutional rights in Wednesday filings. Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin is fighting to undo Democratic opponent Jared Golden's election under ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates. Poliquin asked courts Tuesday to prevent Maine from certifying an election winner. LePage declined to sign an election certificate Maine sent to the House showing Golden won. State law discusses whether governors can issue such certificates when elections face litigation. But Democratic Secretary of State Matt Dunlap's brief says such law only applies when state courts resolve recounts. Dunlap says it's up to the House whether to seat Golden Jan. 3. A man was charged with the armed robbery of a Massachusetts bank after police chased him through the woods Monday. Massachusetts State Police responded around 9:30 a.m. to a robbery at People's Union Bank in Hatfield, in which they say the suspect was "reportedly armed with a stick." The suspect allegedly fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. About 10 minutes later, a state police lieutenant tried to stop a Jeep Liberty on Interstate 91 southbound in Northampton. Police say the driver refused to stop, then bailed out on I-91 in Holyoke and ran across the highway into the woods. State police and police from Holyoke, Easthampton, Northampton and Hatfield took part in a search aided by K-9 units. Shortly before 2 p.m., 30-year-old Michael Taylor was found behind the Holyoke Canoe Club and arrested, police said. Authorities say a backpack filled with money stolen from the bank was found near the suspect. Taylor, whose address is listed in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood but who police believe is living in Springfield, was charged with armed robbery, resisting arrest and failure to stop for police. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. What to Know Twelve-year-old Marisa was given a $100 gift card during the Boston Police Department's Shop with a Cop event. Rather than spend the gift card on herself, she used it to purchase presents for her family. The gesture left an impact on Officer Dias. Dias was joined by Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore to wish the tween and her family a happy holiday at their Jamaica Plain home. A 12-year-old girls generous Christmas spirit left such an impact on one Boston Police Department Officer that he enlisted the help of Patriots cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, to wish her a happy holiday. Officer Jorge Dias participated in the departments 10th annual Shop with a Cop event when he encountered Jamaica Plain resident, Marisa. The tween was given a $100 gift card during the event to purchase whatever she desired but instead of doing so, she selflessly used the card to get gifts for her family. The girl selected clothes for her parents, her two younger brothers and her older sister. Marisa told the officer that her 13-year-old sister suffers from paralysis and spends the majority of her time in a wheelchair. As a result, the girl's sister is unable to hold many things. Marisa also purchased stuffed animals for her sister because she is able to hold them and enjoys how soft they are. "I couldn't get over how special this little girl was," Dias said in a statement. "Not a selfish bone in her body. I was so impressed that I wanted to celebrate her generosity in some way and then, out of the blue, I get a call from Stephon." The Pats player reached out to Dias in search of a family to buy Christmas presents for. Dias immediately told Gilmore of Marisas giving spirit and the two were joined by other officers to spread holiday cheer to the girl and her family. Gilmore and the officers visited Marisa and her family at their Bromley Heath Housing Complex home on Monday, where gifts were given and smiles were abundant. "It's a moment Marisa and her family will never forget," Dias said. "And, the best part, she deserves every bit of it." Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon introduce a new Rs 20 currency note with additional features, according to a document of the central bank. The central bank has already issued new look currency notes in the denominations of Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 100, and Rs 500, besides introducing Rs 200 and Rs 2,000 bank notes. The new look notes are being introduced since November 2016 under Mahatma Gandhi (New) series. These are different in size and design compared to the notes issued previously. The currency notes, except for banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, issued under old series continue to remain legal tender. According to the RBI data bank, there were 4.92 billion pieces of Rs 20 note in circulation as on March 31, 2016. The number more than doubled to about 10 billion pieces by March 2018. The Rs 20 notes accounted for 9.8 per cent of the total number of currency notes in circulation at the end of March 2018. Meanwhile, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das is likely to meet representatives of private sector banks and cooperative banks next week to discuss issues and concerns. Das took over as 25th Governor of RBI last week following the abrupt exit of Urjit Patel ahead of schedule due to differences with the government. "Meetings with public sector banks completed. Shall meet representatives of private sector banks and cooperative banks next week," he had tweeted last week. As part of the consultative process, Das finished meeting with the public sector lender on Wednesday. It is believed that heads of state-owned bankers discuss the issues related to relaxing the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework, liquidity and credit flows to MSMEs. Of the 21 state-owned banks, as many as 11 are under the PCA framework, which imposes lending and other restrictions on weak lenders. These are Allahabad Bank, United Bank of India, Corporation Bank, IDBI Bank, Uco Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Dena Bank and Bank of Maharashtra. In the first meeting last Wednesday, the bankers had sought some easing in the one-day default norms announced by the RBI through the February 12 circular, which nullified all other debt resolution mechanisms. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Delhi: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonasa wedding was one of the biggest celebrity weddings of this year. The wedding garnered a lot of attention across the world for its opulence and for the presence of whoas who of Indian and American film industries. And now, it seems that the couple has travelled to The Simpsons Universe. On the special occasion of Christmas, PeeCee has shared artwork of herself and Nick as characters in The Simpsons. The two have given a perfect Simpson look with protruding upper lips. Priyanka took to her Instagram handle to share two pictures a The first picture shows them in Christian wedding dresses as Homer presided over their wedding ceremony. The second picture shows them standing together as a married couple in the traditional Hindu wedding garb as Homer, his wife Marge and their kids Bart, Lisa and Maggie 'photobomba the newlyweds. Take a look at Priyanka Chopraas posts: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas got married in both Hindu and Christian ceremonies to respect each otheras culture. Both the ceremonies were held at Jodhpuras Umaid Bhawan Palace. After their wedding, Priyanka and Nick hosted a reception in New Delhi for her family and friends. In Mumbai, the couple hosted two receptions - one for their family members andA another for her Bollywood colleagues, which was attended by the likes of Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Katrina Kaif among others. As of now, the two are spending some quality time with their family in London. Priyanka and Nick were recently spotted dining at a restaurant inA London. While Nickas parents werenat spotted, his brotherA Joe JonasA and his fiancAA Sophie Turner, his younger brother Frankie Jonas and Priyankaas motherA Madhu Chopra were seen at the family dinner. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, political strategist-cum-JD(U) leader Prashant Kishore, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bahubali director S S Rajamouli among the top leaders to attend the annual Harvard India Conference next year. Students of the prestigious Harvard University have invited a host of eminent Indian personalities from various fields to brainstorm for two days on February 16 and 17, 2019, on issues weaved around the theme India at an Infliction Point, student organisers of the annual event said Monday. 2019 is an election year and it truly fits into the theme of the conference, India is indeed at an infliction point. In this years conference, we intend to move away from the traditional one-way communication we have become used to. We will focus on dialogues and debate which are critical in a democracy, said Rridhee Malhotra, one of the co-chairs of this years Harvard India Conference. As the worlds fastest growing large economy, India will soon join the coveted high middle-income country club. At the same time, India needs to continue making progress with its economic reform agenda to sustain growth, she said. In this context, 2019 edition of the conference will reflect on the opportunities presented by Indias rapid growth in the last decades and the challenges it must overcome in preserving its secular and tolerant social fabric, Rridhee said. Among other confirmed speakers for the two-day conference in Boston are Aruna Roy (Founder, MKSS), Jayaprakash Narayana (founder and president, Loksatta Party), Manu Jain (CEO, Xiaomi), Shraddha Sharma (CEO, Your Story Inc.), Pa Ranjith (director, Kaala and Kabali with Rajnikanth), and former chief economic advisor Arvind Subramanian among others. We will be showcasing four young leaders of India who have done exceptional work in their respective fields, she added. The conference, now into its 16th year, is jointly organised by students of Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School with active contribution by students from across the Harvard community. This years co-chairs are Rridhee Malhotra, Mahesh CR, Neetisha Besra and Kirtika Singh from, Harvard Kennedy School. Co-chairs from the Harvard Business School are Shruti, Nihal Sarwagi, Nidhi Shanbagh. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte says his film The Accidental Prime Minister, which hits the screens in January, will be available in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu languages as they want to reach a wider audience. The film, starring Anupam Kher in the role of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, is based on Sanjay Baru's book of the same name. The Accidental Prime MinisterA was originally shot in English and Hindi but the maker then decided to simultaneously release in Tamil and Telugu, Gutte said. "Since the film is a story of the prime minister's office and belongs to the whole country, we want it to reach as far as possible and not just restrict it to the Hindi audience," Gutte said in a statement. The film, which is produced by Bloom Arts, Sunil Bohra & Dhawal Gada, will be released in about 3000 screens.A For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In what could be hailed as a world record, pilots and technicians successfully recovered a helicopter which was stuck in snow at an altitude of 18,000 feet at Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. The entire operation took around six months after an ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv, on an air maintenance sortie at the 74-km-long Siachen Glacier, developed a glitch and had to be landed around a post called Khanda in January, news agency ANI. Although, the pilots managed to land safely on soft snow, they could not reach the helipad there. However, the overnight snow resulted in its falling sideways. Since then several attempts were made to bring ahe chopper back but due to the dense snow, the soldiers failed to do so. Finally in July, it was brought down to the Siachen Glacier base camp when the technicians and pilots of the Army ALH squadron 203 in Leh managed to put new parts on the chopper. I know the pilots and technicians who were involved in this operation. Knowing these people as I have headed this Army Aviation Corps for a couple of years, all I can say is that nothing is impossible for these men from Indian Army, former Army Aviation chief Lt Gen PK Bharali (retd) told ANI on Tuesday. The chopper was brought back safely to the Siachen base camp with the help of infantry troops deployed there. According to ANI, the chopper was stuck at 18,000 feet and recovering it from there is a world record of sorts because India is one of the very few countries in the world who operate choppers at such high altitudes. The Cheetah and Chetak choppers, which are French-origin machines in the Indian Army, fly at around 23,000 feet. The French military also doesnt use them for such extreme operations where the margin of error is very thin. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Days after a Haryana youth was given the death sentence for raping and killing an eight-year-old girl in Rewari, a special court in Bhopal on Monday awarded the same to a man for raping and killing his six-year-old daughter in 2017. The 42-year-old accused suspected that his wife of having an extramarital affair and believed the victim was not his biological child, the prosecution said. He engaged in unnatural sex with the girl and also raped her, the official added. He later hanged her with the help of a stole on the night of March 15, 2017, the official said. Terming the incident rarest of the rare, special judge for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Kumudini Patel awarded death sentence to the accused. Post-mortem report confirmed rape, unnatural sex and strangulation. The victims DNA report matched with the accused following which he was arrested, the official said. Read More | Haryana teen gets death penalty for raping, killing eight-year-old in Rohtak The prosecution proved the case on the basis of scientific evidence following which the court awarded capital punishment to him under section 302 of the IPC and life imprisonment under section 376, Director General, prosecution, Rajendra Kumar, said. Though main witnesses turned hostile, scientific evidence of post-mortem and DNA had helped us in proving our case, he said. With this, the total number of death sentences awarded so far in such matters (where victims were minors) has risen to 21 this year, Kumar added. In the Haryana case, as well additional sessions judge Naresh Kumar of a Rewari court termed the act a rarest of the rare and a lesser punishment than the death penalty cannot be given for the same. The judge likened the incident to the infamous Nirbhaya case of 2012 and said that it deserved a similar punishment. On June 9, the victim was alone in her house, when the convict, known to the family, entered the house and lured the girl into his room and committed the crime. The court found during the trial that the convict first showed porn to the eight-year-old girl and then forced himself on her. While announcing the quantum of punishment, the judge said, The court has to consider it as one of the rarest of rare case and lesser punishment than the death penalty cannot be given. Further, the pain and suffering of that particular innocent child are very material. The court cannot ignore it. This case cannot be considered as lesser to Nirbhaya because the victim who was innocent, having a bright future, was murdered for the purpose of the sexual act and in the daylight within the vicinity of the village. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After receiving widespread condemnations over his "kill mercilessly" comment from across India, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has offered many clarifications, adding that it was a sleep of tongue "in an emotional state of mind". On Monday, Kumaraswamy raked up a political storm after he was caught on tape instructing someone to kill mercilessly those who were behind the murder of a local Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader. "He (H Prakash) was a good man. I don't know who killed him in this way. Kill the miscreant mercilessly in a shootout. There would be no problem," Kumaraswamy was heard saying in the video clip, recorded by local journalists. As his words provoked sharp and extensive criticism, the Karnataka chief minister came out in his own defence, saying that "In an emotional state of mind, instead of saying smoke out, I said shoot out". "It was not my order, I was emotional at that moment. They (the killers) are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person...this is how they are misusing bail," the chief minister added. Read | Midwife Sulagitti Narasamma dies at 98 in Bengaluru, 5 lesser known facts about the late Padma Shri awardee In a veiled attack on his successor, former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on Tuesday demanded an apology for the contentious remark by Kumaraswamy. Taking to Twitter, the state BJP alleged that for Kumaraswamy, all that mattered was JD-S. "Farmers died - No emotions, Govt officials killed - Doesnt matter, Massive Corruption - Thats ok, no development programs - I dont print note, Dalits pushed to Slavery - hmmm, JDS Karyakartha murdered - Orders cops to immediately shoot, For Kumaraswamy all that matters is JDS," the Karnataka BJP tweeted this morning. On Saturday, H Prakash, the 40-year-old JD-S leader was stabbed to death at Benamana Halli near Kala Muddana Doddi in South Karnataka. Kumar, who ran a cable TV business, was attacked by a group of bike-borne assailants, who forced him to stop his SUV and attacked him with machetes. The killers left him slumped inside the car, soaked in his blood. Read | Bogibeel Bridge would have been ready by 2008-09 if Vajpayee had second term, says PM Modi Though Kumar was rushed to a nearby government hospital in Halagur, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, according to police. Prima facie, police suspect that financial or business disputes have resulted in the murder. However, the actual reason behind Kumar's killing is yet to be ascertained. Following the incident, the Chief Minister's office issued a statement asking the district police to launch an investigation in connection to the same. "Prakash was a loyal party worker. The district police have been directed to take steps to arrest the accused," the statement read. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : India on Monday took over operations of strategic Chabahar Port in Iran to reach war-torn Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan. The major strategic boost came after US exempted the Chabahar Port, developed by India, from CAATSA sanctions last month. The Chabahar Port will give access to India to directly ship supplies to Afghanistan without crossing Pakistan. According to a report published in The Hindustan Times, the Chabahar Port was formally handed over to India during the first follow-up committee for the implementation of the Chabahar Agreement between Iran, Afghanistan, and India in Tehran on Monday. The meeting was attended by Indias joint secretary (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) Deepak Mittal and Irans Mohammad Ali Hassanzadeh, the deputy head of the Ports and Maritime Organisation. Positive and constructive discussions were held between the three sides on full operationalisation of the Trilateral Transit Agreement for international transit and transport through the Chabahar Port. They agreed on the routes for the trade and transit corridors between the three countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Also Read | Why US-China battle for one-upmanship is a blessing for India India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) has officially started to run Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar, Behrouz Aqaei, director general of Sistan-Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Organisation was quoted as saying by Iran news agency. Aqaei further added that the primary task of the IPGL would include loading and unloading operations besides procurement and marketing. In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations. The port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast, is easily accessible from India's western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment and is located at distance of around 80 km from Chabahar. Also Read | Iran offers Pakistan, China participation in Indias strategic Chabahar port project The Chabahar Port is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries after Pakistan denied transit access to India. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : A massive controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was caught on tape instructing someone to kill mercilessly the man behind the murder of a local Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader. A video clip, recorded by local journalists, shows the angry Chief Minister openly issuing a diktat to kill an accused without trial, guaranteed under the Constitution. "He (Prakash) was a good man. I don't know who killed him in this way. Kill the miscreant mercilessly. There would be no issue," Kumaraswamy heard saying in the video clip. News Nation could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video. However, Kumaraswamy later defended himself saying that it was an emotional outburst over the killing of a ruling party worker and not a killing order. Also Read | People suffering, Karnataka government busy with Cabinet expansion: Amit Shah "It was not an order passed by me as the chief minister. It was due to anger. The suspects are wanted in two other murder cases. They were in jail and now they have killed one more person," he explained. On Saturday, the 40-year-old JD-S leader was stabbed to death at Benamana Halli near Kala Muddana Doddi. Kumar, who ran a cable TV business, was attacked by three bike-borne armed assailants on Saturday morning. He was stabbed multiple times by the assailants and succumbed to injuries during treatment at the Government Hospital in Halagur, police said. The police suspect that it was not a political killing but financial or business disputes could have been one of the reasons. The locals, however, claimed that cable Kumar, what people used to call him, was killed in a planned way. The said that the killers followed him on a motorcycle and attacked him knives and iron rods. The local police said that they have registered a case of murder against known assailants and a team has been formed to nab them. Reacting to Kumaraswamys shocking remark, the BJO said that the Karnataka Chief Minister has set the stage for goonda raj (hooliganism). Also Read | Karnataka: HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition Cabinet expanded, eight Congress ministers inducted CM HD Kumaraswamy sets the stage for goonda raj in the state by ordering to kill over the death of JDS Karyakartha. The culprits should be punished but a CM giving orders for his party workers to go on killing spree shows how cold-blooded Kumaraswamy and his secular party, BJP Karnataka General secretary Arvind Limbavali tweeted. The tweet was also shared by BJP leader and former state chief minister BS Yeddyurappa. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Police sparked a row by issuing a controversial order where offices and establishments were asked to direct their Muslim employees to stop offering Friday prayers in open areas such as parks. According to a notice issued last week by police stations in Noida, including at the Sector 58 industrial hub, companies will be held liable if their employees are found violating the directive. The companies in the Sector 58 industrial hub have sought a meeting with the top Noida Police officers for a better understanding of the order, particularly on the clause that threatens to hold them liable for violations of the order by employees, the Indian Express reported. As published by the daily, the police notice stated: aWe want to inform you that there is no permission from the administration to conduct any kind of religious activity including Namaz offered on Friday in the Authority park in Sector 58. It has been often seen that the Muslim workers of your company assemble in the park to offer Namaz and I, the SHO, have told the group to not hold prayers in the park. Also, their plea to the city magistrate has not received any permission to do so.a aThus, it is expected from you that you at your level inform your Muslim employees to not come to the park to offer Namaz. If employees of your company come to the park, it will be assumed that you have not informed your employees and your company will be held liable.a aYes, we have sent notices to many companies in our area after several complaints regarding a large number of people offering Namaz in the afternoon especially on Fridays. Since most people offering prayers are employees in companies nearby, we have sent notices to those companies to ask their employees to either offer Namaz in a Masjid, Eidgah or within the office compound on the roof etc,a said Pankaj Rai, SHO of the Sector 58 police station, from where the initial round of notices were issued. Defending the move, the Noida Police said that communal harmony could be disturbed, especially in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and on Tuesday issued a clarification on the matter and said that the order is not specific to any religion. Senior Superintendent of Police, Noida Ajay Pal said that a few people had asked for permission for religious prayers in a park in Sector 58, but were denied permission from the city magistrateas office. But they still congregated and the companies in the area were informed about the same. Ajay Pal,SSP,Noida: Few people had asked for permission for religious prayers in a park in Sec 58. In spite of no permission granted from city magistrate office people congregated.The companies in the area were informed about it.The info is not specific to any particular religion pic.twitter.com/qxv2ryoyqs a ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 25, 2018 Sector 58 is predominantly an IT and services hub. The companies that have office include Alstom Systems, HCL Technologies, TCS, Samsung, Polaris, Xansa, Interra, R Systems, RMSI, Cadence, Adobe international, ST Microelectronics and Minda Huf. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel bridge is a combined road and rail bridge over the Brahmaputra between Dhemaji district and Dibrugarh district. The Bogibeel Bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, is likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister HD Deve Gouda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. December 25 happens to be Vajpayees birth anniversary. The 4.9 km-long Bogibeel Bridge on the Bramhaputra river is India's only fully welded bridge for which European codes and welding standards were adhered to for the first time in the country, said chief engineer Mohinder Singh. The bridge has a two-line railway track on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the top deck. For the first time in Indian Railways, the girder has a steel floor system for railway tracks and concrete for road. Read More | Longest rail-cum-road bridge: 'Santa' Modi's Christmas gift to nation "Early flood in the river Brahmaputra restricted the working season to a very short period of approximately five months (from November to March) and demanded huge mobilization of construction equipment," said Singh. Transportation of concrete across river channels of 600 metre to 900 metre width from both the north and south banks was the biggest challenge, he said. To overcome this, concrete was pumped through pipeline laid over buoys. "Eighty-thousand tonnes of steel plates was delivered for the project via a combination of rail and road transport, while a 1,000-tonne hydraulic jack and strand jacks linked with the substructures were used for moving steel truss over the pillars," he said. Because of the inordinate delay in implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 per cent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 km from the earlier 4.31 km. Know more about the Bogibeel bridge: At 4.94 km, it is India's longest rail-road bridge. India's only fully welded bridge for which European codes and welding standards were adhered to for the first time in the country. It will connect the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The bridge has a two-line railway track on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the top deck. For the first time in Indian Railways, the girder has steel floor system for railway tracks and concrete for road. Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda laid the foundation stone for the bridge in January 1997. Work started only in April 2002 when former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the construction. The first freight train ran on it on December 3. Bogibeel is part of infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. It has a serviceable period of around 120 years. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: As people around the globe celebrate Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and extended his wishes for the pious occasion. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We remember the noble teachings of Jesus Christ and recall his efforts towards creating a compassionate and equal society, PM Modi tweeted on Tuesday morning. Yesterday, President Ram Nath Kovind greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and called for promoting brotherhood and humaneness in the country, according to an official statement. "Jesus Christ symbolised peace, harmony and hope. Christmas is a celebration of human values that nurture mutual caring and sharing and transform life itself into a festival," Kovind was quoted as having said in the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He said, "May this Christmas inspire us to promote fraternity and humaneness in our nation and across our planet." Meanwhile, in his special Christmas message, Pope Francis assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide. Thousands attended mass on Monday night at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, offered his Christmas homily. Also Read | Christmas 2018: The legend and the celebrations "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive," the 82-year-old pope said. Pope Francis will deliver his sixth "Urbi et Orbi" address on Tuesday, Christmas Day -- when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ -- to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Visitors from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve ahead of midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. In the "little town" in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians say Mary gave birth to Jesus. Crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, looked on at the square decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a manger as carols in Arabic played through speakers. "It's a great opportunity to be in such a symbolic location for Christmas," said Lea Gudel, a 21-year-old French student studying in Jerusalem, who was in Manger Square on Monday morning. Later in the day, musical groups took the stage at Manger Square in front of the Christmas tree, illuminated as night fell, to sing Christmas carols. Also Read | Xmas 2018: Millions flock to Bethlehem for largest celebration in years This year, visitors were also able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. The first church was built on the site in the fourth century, though it was replaced after a fire in the sixth century. A newer and more spacious church, St. Catherine, is located next door to the basilica and is where midnight mass is held. Hundreds of worshippers crowded into the stone church for the mass led by the Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was among dignitaries in attendance. Pizzaballa in his homily spoke of a "responsibility of caring for the city and the land where we live." "Not to own or occupy it, but to transform it from a simple urban area of private services and personal interests, to an area and place that provides the experience of communion, peace, relationship and sharing." Bethlehem, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were beginning to mark Christmas after a year in which leaders warned over violence against fellow worshippers. On Friday, Pope Francis said "new extremist groups spring up and target churches, places of worship, ministers and members of the faithful." This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of which has come from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. The US National Park Service said that it would remain unlit and closed to the public "until further notice," with checks being made for damage following an attempt by an intruder on Friday to climb the tree. The tree, whose spectacular lights were switched on at a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, became a forlorn symbol of the dysfunction gripping Washington two years into his presidency. In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with the country badly divided over its impending exit from the EU. Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack in Spain's second-largest city during the Christmas holidays. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday lauded Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, her son and party president Rahul Gandhi, saying people should feel "proud of them" as they continue to serve the poor despite the assassination of late prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Pawar also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accusing the Gandhi family of ruining the country and charged him with doing nothing "when innocents were being killed in Gujarat" during his tenure as chief minister of that state. The former Union minister did not mention any specific incident in his speech, but he was apparently referring to the 2002 riots in Gujarat. Launching a broadside at the ruling BJP, Pawar alleged the saffron outfit was pitting communities against each other as it did nothing on the development front as was promised to the people. The NCP leader was speaking at an event in Satara district, around 300km from Mumbai. He said some lawyers have raised doubts if the 16 per cent quota granted to Marathas in jobs and education in Maharashtra will stand scrutiny of the law and said the government should ensure the reservation sustains. Attacking Modi for targeting the Gandhis, the Maratha strongman said the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru spent years in jail during the British rule, while Indira Gandhi protected interests of the poor when in power. "Such sacrifice by a family. Indira Gandhi was killed. Rajiv Gandhi was killed. We should feel proud if Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi are continuing to serve the poor notwithstanding these two killings. "But the prime minister only talks about one family ruining (the country)," the former Maharashtra chief minister told the gathering. "You (Modi) were in power in Gujarat. Innocents were killed there. What you did there? People were burnt but (you) did nothing," added Pawar, who quit the Congress and formed the NCP in June 1999. He also raised questions over the recent acquittal of 22 accused, most of them policemen, in the alleged fake encounter killings of gangster Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his wife and an aide in Gujarat in 2005-06. "What kind of state it is? Is it a state of the law? Is it a state that protects interest of the common people? The power is in the hands of such people," he said. On the issue of Maratha reservation, Pawar said some lawyers have told him that they had doubts whether the quota law would stand legally. "I am not a lawyer. I spoke to some lawyers I will definitely speak to experts after going back to Mumbai and try to understand it (the issue)," he added. On senior Congress leader D Y Patil joining the NCP, Pawar said the former had evinced interest in working with him. "Patil has been expressing interest in working with me for the past six months. He said he did not want any post and joined (the NCP)," the 78-year-old veteran parliamentarian added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 24) The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is asking the Supreme Court to protect lawyers from killings, following the fatal shooting of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe last Saturday. "We respectfully urge the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines, through the Honorable Chief Justice, to take immediate action to protect lawyers in the Philippines as they perform their function to protect their clients' rights and uphold the rule of law," IBP President Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo said Monday in a statement. Around 80 lawyers so far have signed an online petition for the SC to take steps for a "thorough, prompt, impartial, and independent investigation into all the killings of lawyers" since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016. They are also asking the High Court to convene a dialogue between it, the IBP, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government agencies, civil society organizations and other lawyers' groups for a discussion on ensuring the safety and security of lawyers. The IBP also condemned the assassination of Batocabe, who is the latest lawyer slain under the Duterte administration. The National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) have recorded more than 30 slain lawyers, excluding felled judges and prosecutors. "We join other sectors in condemning his daylight assassination, even as we remain shocked by the audacity of the concerted action that can only find success in an environment that fosters impunity," Fajardo said. Police and Batocabe's family suspect that politics is behind the slay of the congressman, who was on his third term and was running for Daraga, Albay mayor in the May 2019 polls. The IBP noted that just a day after Batocabe's killing, a lawyer in Negros Occidental was ambushed in Talisay town, but survived. Others, like NUPL founding member Benjamin Ramos, were not as lucky. Ramos, who was lawyering for farmers, was killed by two unidentified men in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. Batocabe and his security aide were killed in a shooting during a gift-giving program to senior citizens in his hometown of Daraga, Albay. The lawmaker sustained four gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, along with his aide. CNN Philippines Justice Correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load New Delhi: Days after stepping down as the Madhya Pradesh chief minister, BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given Z-Plus security yet again on Tuesday, according to sources. With the change of guard following the recently concluded Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, an uncertainty was prevailing over Chouhan's security cover for the last few days. However, this is the first time that both the chief minister and his predecessor will be granted 'Z-Plus' security together in a state. Chouhan, the former chief minister, changed his Twitter bio to 'common man of Madhya Pradesh' after the BJP, on December 11, in a nerve-wracking see-saw battle with the Congress, had been relegated to the second spot with 109 seats in the 199-member state Assembly. Post that, Kamal Nath, the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh was provided with Z-Plus security by the Home Ministry while any clear directives were awaited on the security status of Chouhan. Briefing the media about Chouhan and Nath's security status, officials at the police headquarters said, "SSC will take a call on Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Kamal Naths security. Additional security cover around Chouhan was withdrawn immediately after he demitted office". Read | Rahul Gandhi picks Kamal Nath as new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh The Union Home Ministry had in 2017 decided to provide Z-Plus security to then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in view of the threat from terrorist organisation SIMI. On October 31, 2016, eight terrorists from the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) were shot dead on the outskirts of Bhopal, hours after the undertrials slit the throat of a guard and escaped from a highly fortified city prison in a daring jailbreak. Following the state police's controversial encounter with SIMI operatives in Bhopal, All-India Anti-Terrorist Front chairman Maninderjit Singh Bitta warned of a possible assassination plot of Chouhan, the then chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. Read | Shivraj Singh Chouhan resigns as CM, says will provide constructive criticism as Opposition Days after the encounter, Muslims also huddled in a mosque and claimed that the killing was stage-managed. After initial resistance, the Shivraj-led BJP government agreed to a judicial probe into the encounter, amid a widespread backlash by media and public. Security arrangements of a chief minister/ministers are decided as per the guidelines mentioned in the 'Yellow Book'. After careful assessment of threat perception by the SSC, security is provided in Z+, Z, Y+, Y and X categories. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Sulagitti Narasamma (98), a traditional midwife, who was bestowed with Padma Shri award in 2018, on Tuesday passed away at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals in Kengeri, Bengaluru. Last month, Narasamma was admitted to the Siddaganga Hospital and Research Centre in Bengaluru and was later referred to BGS Hospitals on November 29 following the complaint of chronic lung decease. She had been on the ventilator for the last five days and left for her eternal abode on Tuesday at about 3 pm in Bengaluru. "Padma Shri awardee Sulagitti Narasamma passes away at the age of 98 years in Bengaluru. She had helped deliver more than 15,000 babies in Krishnapura, a remote village in Pavagada taluk in Karnataka," the news agency ANI reported. Padma Shri awardee Sulagitti Narasamma passes away at the age of 98 years in Bengaluru. She had helped deliver more than 15,000 babies in Krishnapura, a remote village in Pavagada taluk in Karnataka. pic.twitter.com/QYvPHazyH2 ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 Soon after the news broke on the internet, several politicians, including former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa visited the hospital and mourned the sudden demise of Narasamma. Grieving over the loss of well-known midwife, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Narasamma will be always remembered for her significant efforts in midwifery services in Karnataka. Read | RIP Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Glimpses of those little rippling moments that made the nation smile Taking to Twitter, Modi wrote, "Saddened by the demise of Padma Shri Sulagitti Narasamma Ji. Her efforts of providing midwifery services in Karnataka will always be remembered. Her kindness endeared her to the poorer sections of society. My thoughts are with her family and vast number of admirers". Saddened by the demise of Padma Shri Sulagitti Narasamma Ji. Her efforts of providing midwifery services in Karnataka will always be remembered. Her kindness endeared her to the poorer sections of society. My thoughts are with her family and vast number of admirers. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2018 As people across India alike are shell shock by the sudden death of the midwife, here we bring you 5 lesser known facts about late Padma Shri awardee Sulagitti Narasamma: 1. Apart from Padma Shri, Narasamma had been honoured with the National Citizen's award of India and the countrys fourth highest civilian award for performing more than 15,000 traditional deliveries free of cost over a 70-year period of service in deprived regions of Karnataka with no medical facilities. 2. Born in Krishnapura, Pavagada taluk of Tumkur district, Narasamma belonged to a nomadic race and had no educational qualifications. 3. Besides midwifery skills, Narasamma learned the process of preparing natural medicines for pregnant women and became an expert in checking the health and condition of the baby. 4. She married her husband, Anjinappa, at the age of 12 in 1932. 5. The midwife is survived by four sons including activist Pavagada Sriram, three daughters and as many as 36 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Though Narasamma had 12 children, five of them had died at a young age. Read | 5 things to know about Swaroop Raj, Assistant Vice President of Genpact India Meanwhile, speaking to The New Indian Express, her son and social activist Sriram said that Narasamma will be accorded state honour and the district administration will take the final call on her last rites. The administration will also finalise the burial site and may convert it into a memorial soon. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Los Angeles: Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have created new threats to the privacy of health data, a study has found. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, suggests current laws and regulations are nowhere near sufficient to keep an individual's health status private in the face of AI development. The research led by professor Anil Aswani from the University of California - Berkeley in the US, shows that by using AI, it is possible to identify individuals by learning daily patterns in step data like that collected by activity trackers, smartwatches and smartphones, and correlating it to demographic data. ALSO READ | Bill Anders thinks human missions to Mars is a 'stupid' plan The mining of two years' worth of data covering over 15,000 Americans led to the conclusion that the privacy standards associated with 1996's HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) legislation need to be revisited and reworked. "We wanted to use NHANES (the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) to look at privacy questions because this data is representative of the diverse population in the US," Aswani said. "The results point out a major problem. If you strip all the identifying information, it does not protect you as much as you would think. Someone else can come back and put it all back together if they have the right kind of information," Aswani said. "In principle, you could imagine Facebook gathering step data from the app on your smartphone, then buying health care data from another company and matching the two," he said. "Now they would have health care data that is matched to names, and they could either start selling advertising based on that or they could sell the data to others," said Aswani. The problem is not with the devices, but with how the information the devices capture can be misused and potentially sold on the open market. "I'm not saying we should abandon these devices," he said. ALSO READ | Elon Musks SpaceX launches Falcon 9 GPS satellite for US Air Force "But we need to be very careful about how we are using this data. We need to protect the information. If we can do that, it is a net positive," Aswani said. Though the study specifically looked at step data, Aswani said the results suggest a broader threat to the privacy of health data. "HIPAA regulations make your health care private, but they don't cover as much as you think," he said. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Dubai: The UAE released on Monday the first photos of a runaway princess since her attempted escape from the emirate months ago, as it sought to confirm she is at home with family. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum has not been seen publicly since she was allegedly captured at sea in March as she attempted to flee the United Arab Emirates. Months after rights groups urged Dubai to reveal Sheikha Latifa's whereabouts, the UAE released pictures appearing to show her at home with former Irish president Mary Robinson. ALSO READ | Mt Etna erupts, prompts closure of Catania airspace in Sicily "At the request of the family, on 15th December 2018, Mary Robinson... met with Her Highness Sheikha Latifa in Dubai," the foreign ministry said in a statement published by the state-run WAM news agency. "During her visit to Dubai, Mary Robinson was reassured that H H Sheikha Latifa is receiving the necessary care and support she requires." It was not immediately possible to confirm details of the meeting with a spokesperson for Robinson, who served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002. Sheikha Latifa, a daughter of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, appeared in a YouTube video in March in which she announced she was about to flee. The video, in which she said she was leaving because of restrictions imposed on her family, was distributed after it became clear that her attempt to get away had failed. Accounts by people involved in the escape attempt said that Sheikha Latifa fled first to Oman, before boarding a yacht which was surrounded by the Indian navy and then towed back to the UAE. ALSO READ | National Christmas Tree goes dark, Trump fumes in Washington chaos A source close to the Dubai government told AFP in April the princess had been "brought back" to Dubai. The UAE said Monday its announcement "rebuts false allegations and provided evidence that Her Highness Sheikha Latifa was at home and living with her family in Dubai." The foreign ministry said the statement was initially delivered on Friday to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Following Sheikha Latifa's disappearance, the UK-based advocacy group Detained in Dubai took up her case and alerted the UN human rights commission. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least 43 people were killed and 20 were injured in a suicide and gun attack on a Kabul government compound where the Ministry of Public Works and other offices are located on Monday, an official said. This came after a major security shake-up in Kabul and US President Donald Trump's plan to slash troop numbers which many fear could harm efforts to end the 17-year war with the Taliban. However, no group has claimed the responsibility for the attack. Most of the victims were civilians. Afghan forces killed three of the attackers and freed more than 350 people trapped inside the compound, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. A fourth attacker died in a car bomb explosion that launched the attack, he said. ALSO READ | 'Highly coordinated' Syria withdrawal with Tayyip Erdogan, says Trump One of the wounded civilians broke several bones after jumping from the third floor of a building to escape the attackers, an AFP correspondent at a hospital said. Plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the compound, with at least two military helicopters circling above. Journalists near the scene reported hearing numerous explosions in the hours after the attack began mid-afternoon. Ashraf, a witness who works at the Ministry of Public Works and who goes by one name, said earlier he had heard militants inside the compound exchanging gunfire with security forces. "They are also firing at the NDS facility nearby," he told AFP after escaping the compound, referring to the Afghan spy agency, the National Directorate of Security. Public works ministry spokesman Mehdi Rohani spoke to AFP as he and his colleagues were fleeing to a safe room shortly after the gunmen stormed the area. "A car bomb detonated at the entrance of the ministry's parking lot," he told AFP by mobile phone as he ran from the scene. "I can hear some gunfire outside the building. We are fine." The attack came after an American official told last week that Trump had decided to pull out "roughly half" of the 14,000 US forces in the country. The unexpected move stunned and dismayed foreign diplomats and Afghan officials in Kabul who are intensifying a push to end the conflict with the Taliban. The assault also comes a day after President Ashraf Ghani appointed Amrullah Saleh and Assadullah Khaled, both former spymasters known for their anti-Taliban and Pakistan stance, to head the interior and defence ministries, respectively. Militants have previously attacked government ministries and departments because they are often poorly defended and seen as soft targets. ALSO READ | Order signed for US military's controversial Syria exit Monday's attack was the biggest in Kabul since November 28 when the Taliban detonated a vehicle bomb outside the compound of British security firm G4S, killing at least 10 people and leaving a massive crater in the road. General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, said Sunday he had not received orders to pull forces out of the country. Trump's decision apparently came Tuesday as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the Taliban in Abu Dhabi, part of efforts to bring the militants to the negotiating table with Kabul. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced seven years imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments case on Monday. The court also fined Nawaz Rs1.5 billion in the Al-Azizia reference. The anti-corruption court said in its ruling that the three-time prime minister was unable to prove the source of income that led to his ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the high-profile Panama Papers case in July last year. ALSO READ | India takes over operations of strategic Chabahar Port in Iran Sharif, who was present in the court, was immediately taken into custody. His lawyer requested the judge that the PML-N quaid (supreme) be shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore instead of Adiala Jail. The request was granted. Commenting on the verdict, Sharif said that his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. His daughter Maryam broke months-long silence and took to twitter to criticize the judgment as "vengeance". "Punishment to the same man for the fourth time. (This was) blind revenge's last hiccup but victory is Nawaz Sharif's, thank God," she tweeted in Urdu. Meanwhile, legal expert Shah Khawar said that acquittal of Sharif in one case and conviction in the other will go in his favour. "The two cases are connected as in both cases money trail was required. So Sharif's lawyer will use it at appeal level," he said. Sharif was sentenced in July to 10 years in prison by the same court, on charges related to the purchase of upmarket apartments in London, after the Supreme Court removed him from power. He was released in September pending an appeal. ALSO READ | Afghanistan: 29 killed in militant attack on Kabul government compound In July, 2018 Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd.) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is being criticised for his recent remarks on intolerance in India, on Tuesday again tried to compare the treatment of minorities in his country and India. Khan said the minorities would be treated as equal citizens in Naya Pakistan, unlike what is happening in India. Addressing an event to highlight the 100-day achievements of the Punjab government in Lahore, Khan on Sunday asserted that his government is taking steps to ensure that religious minorities in Pakistan get their due rights, which was also a vision of the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Pakistani prime minister had added thaa his government will make it sure that the minorities feel safe, protected and have equal rights in 'New Pakistan'. "We will show the Modi government how to treat minorities...Even in India, people are saying that minorities are not being treated as equal citizens," he said. Khans latest comments came on the occasion of Muhammad Ali Jinnahs birthday. Naya Pakistan is Quaids Pakistan and will ensure that our minorities are treated as equal citizens, unlike what is happening in India, he tweeted. His struggle for a separate nation for Muslims only started when he realised that Muslims would not be treated as equal citizens by the Hindu majority. Naya Pak is Quaid's Pak & we will ensure that our minorities are treated as equal citizens, unlike what is happening in India. https://t.co/xFPo8ahJnp Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 25, 2018 He added that Jinnah had envisaged Pakistan as a democratic, just and compassionate nation. Targeting India in another tweet, Khan said: His (Jinnahs) struggle for a separate nation for Muslims only started when he realised that Muslims would not be treated as equal citizens by the Hindu majority. Khan also claimed that Muslims in Pakistan were treated as equal citizens. Also Read | Mohammad Kaif lashes out at Pak PM Imran Khan over minority comment The entire controversy started after veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shahs comment on the killing of a policeman in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr district on December 3. In a video interview with Karwan-e-Mohabbat India, the veteran actor said the death of a cow was being given importance over killing of a policeman in India. He said the "poison has already spread" and it will be now difficult to contain it. "It will be very difficult to capture this djinn back into the bottle again. There is complete impunity for those who take law into their own hands...I feel anxious for my children because tomorrow if a mob surrounds them and asks, 'Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?' they will have no answer. It worries me that I don't see the situation improving anytime soon," Shah said. Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a student, Sumit Kumar, were killed in the mob violence after cow carcasses were found strewn around. The main accused in the case is a local Bajrang Dal leader, Yogesh Raj, who is still absconding. Several Indian politicians and other personalities panned at Pakistan PM over his remarks. On Tuesday, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif lashed out at Khan for his comments. Also Read | Imran Khan says will 'show Modi government how to treat minorities' He took to twitter and wrote: There were around 20% minorities at the time of Partition in Pakistan, less than 2% remain now. On the other hand, minority population has grown significantly in India since Independence. Pakistan is the last country that should be lecturing any country on how to treat minorities. Earlier, actor Shah told The Sunday Express: I think Mr Khan should be walking the talk in his own country instead of commenting on issues that dont concern him. We have been a democracy for 70 years and we know how to look after ourselves. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces a long-time enemy of Turkey ahead of an imminent US withdrawal. Turkey has said an offensive targeting the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia and the Islamic State (IS) group will be launched in the coming months. US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 US troops from northern Syria has dismayed many of Washington's allies. A Turkish military convoy with howitzers and artillery batteries as well as different units of the armed forces were deployed to the border district of Elbeyli in Kilis province, state news agency Anadolu reported. ALSO READ | Order signed for US military's controversial Syria exit Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told reporters on Monday that a US military delegation would arrive this week to "discuss how to coordinate (the withdrawal) with their counterparts". Kalin also said a Turkish foreign ministry delegation would go to Washington for talks on the pull-out on January 8. Earlier, Donald Trump had said, that he discussed the pull out of US troops from Syria in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "We discussed ISIS, our mutual involvement in Syria, and the slow and highly coordinated pullout of US troops from the area," Trump said in a tweet on Sunday, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. "After many years they are coming home." he wrote. Trump's sudden decision sparked turmoil in his administration, prompting the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, as well as of Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition. ALSO READ | Trump says Mattis to leave two months before planned departure Brett McGurk, the US envoy to the global coalition fighting the Islamic State group, resigned in protest over President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, a US official said, joining Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in an administration exodus of experienced national security figures. McGurk had said it would be "reckless" to consider IS defeated and therefore would be unwise to bring American forces home. McGurk decided to speed up his original plan to leave his post in mid-February. Appointed to the post by President Barack Obama in 2015 and retained by Trump, McGurk said in his resignation letter that the militants were on the run, but not yet defeated, and that the premature pullout of American forces from Syria would create the conditions that gave rise to IS. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. NEWTOWN Its hard to image a better-timed endorsement than a White House seal of approval on the eve of a product launch. But thats what happened for a Sandy Hook mother who was rolling out a home version of a kindness curriculum she developed for schools to honor her sons death. It all came together on Dec. 18, when President Donald Trump released his school safety report, and at the table with him to highlight the reports recommendations was Scarlett Lewis, whose son Jesse was among the 26 first-graders and educators slain in the 2012 Sandy Hook School shootings. Lewis, who founded the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement to promote kindness in schools, was singled out in the 180-page report for her campaign to bring emotional and mental health awareness training into classrooms. Her 18-year-old son, JT Lewis, was also at the White House meeting, explaining the murder of his little brother was preventable. At the same time as the White House meeting, Scarlett Lewis was launching a home version of her nonprofits classroom curriculum, to help families learn the practice of choosing love in challenging moments. So it was good timing that the Trump administrations endorsement of Lewis school curriculum as a best practice for reducing bullying and violence made national headlines. We know that social and emotional learning is statistically effective in preventing violence, bullying, suicide, incarceration, substance abuse and mental health issues, Lewis said during an interview after the White House meeting last week. We are so used to thinking reactively, but as the report pointed out, social and emotional learning is proactive and can prevent school violence. Lewis hope is that the national publicity about the school curriculum will not only encourage more districts to adopt the program, but will encourage families to download the free at-home video course. For details about the at-home program, visit https://www.jesselewischooselove.org/choose-love-home. The idea to expand the nonprofits curriculum to homes came from parents, who wanted more information about what their children were learning in school, Lewis said. The goal of the video course is to unify the messages at home and at school that by embracing courage, forgiveness, gratitude and compassion, anyone can overcome obstacles. We try to provide aha moments that you hear once and that stay with you for a lifetime, but the main focus is to be able to understand that what moves us and shapes us is not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens to us, Lewis said. When we choose to respond with love, we are taking our personal power back, and it takes us to a better place. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 HAMDEN For the sisters of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this is Mother Clelia Merlonis time. The sisters, whose U.S. Provincial House is on Benham Street and who run Sacred Heart Academy, believe the Italian sister whom they call their foundress, is a model for a hurting world and a shaken Roman Catholic Church. Merloni, who died 112 years ago at age 69, was beatified on Nov. 3 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, which is the seat of Pope Francis, with 12 of the sisters from Hamden present. Now, the orders 1,000 sisters around the world, and especially in Italy, the United States and Brazil, where they have their largest presence, are praying for a second miracle that would enable the pope to consecrate her as a saint. A relic of Merloni a piece of bone or cartilage taken from her foot was brought back from the beatification and is displayed in the Mount Sacred Heart Chapel at the Provincial House at 295 Benham St. To the Apostles of the Sacred Heart, including the 45 in Hamden, Merloni is already a model of a saintly life, and they follow her example of love and reparations to help those in need in a variety of ways, through education, running orphanages, health care, parish ministries and work with immigrants and those in prison. Clelia always went where the need was and she had a particular love for those who were underserved, the marginalized, said Sister Colleen Therese Smith, director of mission advancement. The sisters, who serve in 15 countries, established a U.S. province in 1902 and moved from Boston to New Haven in 1906. They have served in numerous parishes in the state as well as at diocesan offices, and now serve at St. Rita School in Hamden, the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport and at St. Patrick Parish in East Hampton, as well as Sacred Heart Academy. But following the example of Mother Clelias life seems to be spreading beyond the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She no longer belongs just to us, Smith said. She belongs to the world and the world loves her. That feeling could be seen at a fundraiser for Irish mission work held at the Lucky Ewe Irish gift shop, where Sacred Heart Academy alumnae, these women of all ages from all different classes, were all talking about getting up at the crack of dawn to watch the beatification Mass and swapping Mother Clelia stories, Smith said. One woman described how she attributed her aunts cancer remission to the foundress. People are coming to understand her, Smith said. I truly believe the Holy Spirit is raising her now because she has something to teach us now. Merloni was not so well loved during her life, even by some members of her order. She herself was really a victim of scandal, slander, jealousy, Smith said. Her father had left her an inheritance, with which she opened an orphanage and schools for women and cared for the elderly. She didnt found her order until 1894, when she was 33, but since women were not considered capable of managing money, she had her funds overseen by a priest, Smith said. He took all of it and left the country. We did not know that until last year when a biography was published. Merloni did not expose the thief and took the blame for the lost funds. Her sisters, priests and bishops didnt believe that her intentions were right [and] pure and that she was capable of carrying those intentions forward, said Sister Mariette Moan, provincial councilor. She bore the blame for the financial disaster She did not reveal the name of this priest who had absconded [with] the funds and so no one trusted her and it snowballed into lawsuits, Smith said. Finally, the Holy See sent an apostolic visitor to try to find out what was happening, and she was removed as superior general. Imagine how humiliating, she said. She bore that blame and then, as her reputation was ruined and even among her own sisters she was treated so poorly, she didnt engage in revenge, she forgave, Smith said. We made her the saint that she is, Moan said. All of our congregation around the world is coming to the close of what has been a Clelian Year of Reparation [to] reflect upon and ask forgiveness for the sins against the foundress. Forgiveness is sorely needed today, when its all about one-upping, about the insults and tweets and whatever it is, Smith said. Hers is a spirit of forgiveness and nonretaliation and I think its a message. Its captivating the image of people throughout the world, because ultimately the only way to stop the cycle is forgiveness, and she models that for us. People fall in love with something they can relate to, Moan said. The sisters also have been praying to her to please intercede for the church in our own country which has been besieged by increased reports of sexual abuse of minors by priests, Moan said. Our church has been lacerated by what has happened. Since September, the sisters have spent a holy hour in reparation at 7 p.m. on the first Friday of the month in the chapel. It is open to the public. We pray for the victims. We pray for healing. We pray for our bishops to do the right thing and for our brothers and sisters too. Our whole body is wounded, Smith said. While the cause of sanctifying Merloni began in 1988, the process has accelerated this year, since the bishops and cardinals of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted unanimously Jan. 9 to affirm a miracle attributed to her, beginning the path to her beatification. That miracle was attributed to the recovery of a Brazilian doctor, who in 1951 was stricken with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which restricted his ability to swallow and breathe to the point where his doctors discontinued treatments because they believed he was terminally ill. He was given a cup of water in which a sister had placed a relic of Merloni, a bit of her veil. He was able to drink the water and ultimately was cured, according to the apostles website. Since January, the Vatican prepared for the beatification surprisingly quickly. In order to prepare Merlonis body, which the sisters said was incorrupt, for its new glass tomb in the chapel at the Generalate of the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome, a doctor kept watch for six months to make sure humidity levels were not having a negative effect on her body, Moan said. A wax mask was made, based on her facial bone structure, so that she appears to be a younger woman than she was when she died. Im still amazed because the church moves at a different pace. Theyre not at a New York minute, Smith said. Merlonis feast day was set as Nov. 20 (a day before her birthday, because Nov. 21 is celebrated as the Presentation of Mary) and by September we had the Mass and propers [prayers], Smith said. Thats lightning speed for the church and I dont believe that was happenstance. I believe that the time was right for this to happen in Gods plan. I think we have just become accustomed to this being in the works, but in the last two years things started to move along at a different pace, said Moan, who participated in the beatification Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu. It gave testimony to the fact of how widespread not just knowledge of Clelia has become but the spreading of her charism that has really spread through all the world and continues to spread through all the world. That was very impressive to me, she said. Moan prepared the 45-minute prelude of prayers, readings and music with sisters from Rome and Brazil and played the organ. It was a humbling experience for me to be part of that, she said. We value community in the Catholic Church so that translates to a din of noise whenever we have a celebration. The prelude served to prepare ourselves to enter into a real spirit of prayer. But all of the sisters felt like they were there because all of the events leading up to the beatification ceremony, and the Mass itself, were livestreamed, with English commentary on EWTN by Sister Elizabeth Doyle. It can still be watched on Facebook from the sisters webpage, www.ascjus.org. (The English commentary begins about 45 minutes into the video and the Mass starts shortly thereafter.) We experienced everything here in real time, just at some more unusual hours because of the six-hour time difference, Smith said. It was just absolutely amazing. We didnt feel left out at all because we were a part of everything. The day began at 5:15 a.m. and we had a whole day of celebrating that continued through to the evening, including Mass at Sacred Heart Manor, where retired sisters live, she said. The sisters also appreciated that every member of the order was given what is known as a first-class relic a part of Merlonis body. There were also 30,000 second-class relics, bits of her habit, that were embedded in cards and which the sisters are handing out to those who ask. They include the students and staff at Sacred Heart Academy, who relate to Merlonis troubled life, according to Sister Sheila ONeill, president of the high school. We always had a great spirit in our school, but I think theres something very calming, very transforming in our faculty, she said. She said the girls enjoy hearing quotes from Merloni at the end of Mass. Teenagers can relate to someone badmouthing her, ONeill said. Kind of like the MeToo movement. She was a very strong, vibrant woman who wasnt controlled by the powers that be so shes a great role model for the young women. While not every Catholic appreciates relics, for the sisters the relics are precious. When someone we love has gone home to God and that person is no longer tangibly there, we cherish something that belonged to them, Smith said. Theres something about being able to tangibly touch something, representative of another whole level of connection. Merlonis beatification will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Patricks Cathedral in New York and at 2 p.m. April 7 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford. edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382. One Florence Township familys Christmas was ruined when their car --- loaded with about $200 worth of Christmas gifts --- was stolen on Saturday, Dec. 22. Then the Florence Township Police Department saved the day. The familys car, a black 2008 Mercury Mariner, had been parked in front of the QuickStop on Broad St. Surveillance footage and witness statements identified the thieves and charges have been filed, though the suspects are still being sought. But the police officers decided to take an extra step, according to a post by Chief Brian Boldizar on the police departments Facebook page. Boldizar told NJ Advance Media that five officers --- Cpl. Daniel Scully, Ofc. Brian Panaro, Ofc. Sal Spart, Sgt. Brian Young and Sgt. TJ Sadar --- pooled their own money to get new gifts for the family. The officers money was supplemented by a $200 donation from the Florence Fraternal Order of Police lodge. and a $100 donation from Kate & Als Pizza. Camera supply company B&H Photo donated an iPad. Even one officers young daughters pitched in, each giving away one of their own gifts. In the end, the Boldizar said that the officers raised about $1,200 and purchased about 30 gifts for the affected family. The gifts included the iPad, clothes, drawing supplies and a gift card for groceries. The gifts were delivered on Christmas Eve by uniformed police officers and, and local postal worker James Belair dressed as Santa Claus, as a firetruck flashed its blue and red lights in the background. Once again, I feel privileged to be the Chief of Police of such a great organization and community, Boldizar wrote in the Facebook post. Everyone from the command staff, to the officers, to the administrative staff put 100% into their job and it shows. A call to the Florence Fraternal Order of Police went unanswered. A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE I wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know how proud and honored I am to... Posted by Florence Township Police Department on Monday, December 24, 2018 This story was updated at 6:15 p.m. with more details from Boldizar. Michael Sol Warren may be reached at mwarren@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MSolDub. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Rowan College at Gloucester County English as a Second Language students promoted understanding and communication through the language of food and sharing on Thursday, Dec. 6, during a campus international culture celebration. Forty-five students representing 20 countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United States, Venezuela and Vietnam, dressed in their native costumes and shared artifacts, pictures and music while enjoying the cuisine of different countries. Passports with maps and common phrases were handed out containing information about each of the countries. The annual International Culture and Food Event is coordinated by the Colleges ESL instructors to recognize the cultures and countries participating in the program. When I lived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, I was asked to create an event to benefit the international community of the American School of Dubai," said ESL Instructor Nancy Nolan. "It was a hit. The sharing of food is truly a way to make friends and meet each other on common ground. "I wanted to continue that tradition here in the United States, Nolan added. This event is the best day of the year. It promotes a happy feeling and a sense of belonging for many students who are separated from all things familiar to them. Finding friendship and good will is something that I want to help my students find here in the United States. Fellow ESL instructor, Marisa Satterfield, agreed. This is a way for the students to be able to embrace their culture and experience the cultures of other students that they wouldnt otherwise have the opportunity to know. Rowan College at Gloucester Countys 250-acre campus is located on Tanyard Road in Deptford, just off Exit 56 off of Route 55. For more information about the colleges ESL program, visit RCGC.edu/Workforce/AdultEducation. On Christmas morning, volunteer firefighter Natalie N. Dempsey was headed to the firehouse to suit up and hop into a firetruck, as she had done so many times before. She never made it. The 21-year-old woman from Mays Landing was headed out on a fire call around 6:20 a.m. when authorities said she lost control of her car and went off the roadway, striking a guardrail. Dempsey was the only one in the 2001 Honda Accord and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Hamilton Township police. Dempsey was the vice president of her volunteer squad in South Jersey. Fire officials initially did not realize they had lost someone in the line of duty. As Chief Jay Davenport and a few other Mizpah volunteer firefighters returned from the fire they were called out on, they stopped to help police with the wreck on Landis Avenue. Davenport said it was then when he recognized Dempseys car and he realized the victim was one of their own. It smashed my heart out, Davenport said. Dempsey had been a volunteer with the company for the past three years and was an active firefighter, he said. She had just passed her Firefighter 1 certification and her goal was to become a police officer. According to Davenport, she attended the police academy over the summer. She was one of the most beautiful-souled people you could imagine, Davenport said. The world was lollypops and rainbows for that girl. Her smile can light up the room. The fire company plans to host a funeral with full honors. At this time the Mizpah Fire Company has to announce the passing of Firefighter/Vice President Natalie Dempsey. Please... Posted by Mizpah Volunteer Fire Company 18-2 on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Cassidy Grom may be reached at cgrom@njadvancemedia.com Follow her at @cassidygrom. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips GoFundMe says it has refunded more that $400,000 to the 14,000 donors who gave money to what prosecutors called a good Samaritan scam set up by a former New Jersey couple who are now facing criminal charges. The viral fundraiser put together by Kate McClure and Mark DAmico, then living in Florence, was ostensibly to raise money for Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless military veteran, after Bobbit supposedly gave McClure his last $20. But the scheme quickly unraveled as money poured in, and the three began fighting over it. Prosecutors say trio made up the whole story, and conspired to split the proceeds. All of the donated money raised has now been refunded, including processing and administration fees, GoFundMe spokesperson Bobby Whithorne, said in an email on Christmas. Whithore said all of the donors received their refunds last month. While this type of behavior by an individual is extremely rare, it's unacceptable and clearly it has consequences. Committing fraud, whether it takes place on or offline is against the law. We are fully cooperating and assisting law enforcement officials to recover every dollar withdrawn by Ms. McClure and Mr. D'Amico, Whithore said. The three met in a chance encounter outside of a Philadelphia casino, allegedly creating story that prosecutors later called too good to be true. McClure and DAmico set up a GoFundMe campaign, Paying it Forward, because they said they wanted to reward Bobbitt for his generosity in giving McClure his last $20 bill so she could buy gas. She started the campaign with a goal to raise around $10,000, hopefully McClure claimed enough to get Bobbitt a used truck and a few months rent in an apartment while he got back on his feet. But the story garnered national attention and the account quickly passed the initial $10,000 goal. Donors fueled by the holiday spirit ended up contributing just over $400,000. Cracks in the tale then began to emerge, as the proceeds skyrocketed. Bobbitt claimed that he had been unable to access most of the money, and had to ask McClure and DAmico for cash. He also accused the couple of spending it on lavish vacations and a BMW. After an investigation, Burlington County prosecutors revealed he was no innocent victim. The entire story was fabricated. According to court documents, McClure texted a friend less than an hour after the GoFundMe campaign launched, saying the story was completely made up. All three were charged with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception. They could face up to ten years of jail time if convicted. McClure and DAmico were scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. As if we needed any more scares from this pandemic, the latest from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is inspectors have found the COVID virus in whitetail deer in four states Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. An ugly fight over an audit that found the city of Zachary paid two vendors $3.5 million without having contracts in place has died down some, but the city councilman most upset about the matter has made clear he is not giving up on his quest for One UI succeeds Samsung Experience, which replaced TouchWiz in 2016. The redesign includes a new Night Mode and has less bloatware than previous Samsung versions of Android. Moreover, Samsung has stressed that One UI will help people "focus on what really matters", primarily by making the OS easier to navigate with one-hand. You can check whether One UI is available on your Galaxy S9 or S9+ by heading to Settings, Software update and pressing Download updates manually. SamMobile has confirmed that Samsung has rolled out One UI to devices in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the UAE via an OTA update. However, we have also seen users on Reddit state that Samsung has pushed the update out to some devices in Austria, Hungary and Romania. We suspect that Samsung will roll out One UI for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in the coming days and weeks for other regions, but there is currently no indication of when the company will release One UI for its other devices like the Galaxy Note 9. Moreover, the stable build of One UI does not contain the Bright Sight mode on which we reported a few days ago. Let us know in the comments about your experiences with the One UI roll-out and whether it has reached any other regions yet. The more online shame cycles you observe, Andrews writes, the more obvious the pattern becomes: Everyone comes up with a principled-sounding pretext that serves as a barrier against admitting to themselves that, in fact, all they have really done is joined a mob. Once that barrier is erected, all rules of decency go out the window. Most of us have certain stereotypes about the European far right that its just a bunch of blood-and-soil racists. But in an essay in The New York Review of Books, Two Roads for the New French Right, Mark Lilla shows that theres a lot more going on. He found a group of Catholic conservative intellectuals who argue that social conservatism is the only viable alternative to neoliberal cosmopolitanism and who are all fans of Bernie Sanders. They believe that both the European superstate and global capitalism undermine the cultural-religious foundations of European civilization. They are strongly environmentalist, feel that economic growth should be subordinated to social needs, believe in strong social support for the poor and limited immigration. As Lilla notes, they have a very coherent, communitarian worldview. I found the essay uplifting because it shows that in times of political transition, ideas get shuffled and reassembled in new and impressive ways. In a post called How This All Happened for the Collaborative Fund blog, Morgan Housel walks us through 73 years of American economic history. He shows us how many economic phases there have been. And how each phase led to something unexpected. If you fell asleep in 1945 and woke up in 2018 you would not recognize the world around you. The amount of growth that took place during that period is virtually unprecedented. If you learned that there have been no nuclear attacks since 1945, youd be shocked. If you saw the level of wealth in New York and San Francisco, youd be shocked. If you compared it to the poverty of Detroit, youd be shocked. If you saw the price of homes, college tuition, and health care, youd be shocked. Our politics would blow your mind. And if you tried to think of a reasonable narrative of how it all happened, my guess is youd be totally wrong. For MacLeish, these images of Earth from space would help usher in a new era, overturning the old notion of humanity as the center of the universe and the modern view of us humans as little more than helpless victims of a senseless farce. Beyond these two extremes, MacLeish suggested, was an image of the planet as a kind of lifeboat, that tiny raft in the enormous, empty night. Commander Borman himself compared Earth to an aggie, no doubt recalling playing marbles as a boy, drawing circles in the dirt. The famous Blue Marble image one of the most reproduced photographs in human history came four years later, from Apollo 17. But for Commander Borman and MacLeish alike, what Earthrise revealed wasnt a marble made vast but a planet made small. A little blue sphere, a childs precious aggie, floating alone in the abyss. Much later, Carl Sagan would pick up this line of thought in his 1994 book, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space, in which the Earth, as photographed in 1990 from the Voyager 1 from 3.7 billion miles away, became a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam. For Sagan, this new image challenged the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, and at the same time underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home weve ever known. Since then, weve learned a great deal more. When Voyager 1 took that picture, we werent yet sure whether there were any planets at all outside our solar system. But today, largely thanks to space telescopes peering out from Earths orbit, we know we look up at night into a galaxy with more planets than stars. We may now perceive, as never before, the Earths exquisite rarity and value. We live on a marvel to behold. We also know how our own DNA links us to one another and to life on our planet in general. We need not imagine ourselves as brothers and sisters, because science tells us that we are one family of life that includes plants, animals, birds, insects, fungi, even bacteria. All of life rides on Earth together. Hey, dont take that, its not scheduled, Frank Borman said, joking to his fellow Apollo 8 astronauts, Bill Anders and James Lovell, on Dec. 24, 1968. They were orbiting the moon, farther from Earth than any humans had ever been. On the fourth pass, they were confronted by an extraordinary sight that jolted them out of their regimented procedures. There, seen through a small window, was Earth itself, rising out of the void. For a split second, the astronauts were dazzled by the luminescent blue sphere, whorled by a white cloud cover. Then, as they were trained to do, they went back to work. As it turned out, Mr. Anders was the one who snapped a color photo, just after his fellow astronauts, Frank Borman and James Lovell, called his attention to the greatest photo op in history. Two years ago, after the shock of Donald Trumps election, financial markets briefly freaked out, then quickly recovered. In effect, they decided that while Trump was manifestly unqualified for the job, temperamentally and intellectually, it wouldnt matter. He might talk the populist talk, but hed walk the plutocratic walk. He might be erratic and uninformed, but wiser heads would keep him from doing anything too stupid. In other words, investors convinced themselves that they had a deal: Trump might sound off, but he wouldnt really get to make policy. And, hey, taxes on corporations and the wealthy would go down. But now, just in time for Christmas, people are realizing that there was no such deal or at any rate, that there wasnt a sanity clause. (Sorry, couldnt help myself.) Put an unstable, ignorant, belligerent man in the Oval Office, and he will eventually do crazy things. To be clear, voters have been aware for some time that government by a bad man is bad government. Thats why Democrats won a historically spectacular majority of the popular vote in the midterms. Even the wealthy, who have been the prime beneficiaries of Trump policies, are unhappy: A CNBC survey finds that millionaires, even Republican millionaires, have turned sharply against the tweeter in chief. WASHINGTON As the third government shutdown of the Trump era dragged into Christmas, lawmakers from both parties said on Monday that the partial lapse in government funding was in large part the consequence of Congresss ceding of power to the executive branch, a longstanding trend that may have peaked in the Trump era. On Christmas Eve, Mr. Trump kept up his efforts to put his own spin on the shutdown, again floating the prospect of going around Congress to find funding for his promised wall on the southwestern border. Lawmakers had abandoned the Capitol and given up negotiating an end to the impasse until later this week. It was not clear whether that was a path toward signing legislation to reopen the government without additional wall money or a new provocation. The complete Wall will be built with the Shutdown money plus funds already in hand, wrote Mr. Trump, who later lamented that he had been left alone at the White House, away from his Florida estate and forced to confront opposition to his demands for wall funding. WASHINGTON When it was first announced last spring, President Trumps proposal for a new Space Force was resisted by the Pentagon and ridiculed by late-night comics who envisioned Luke Skywalker in the military. But it found a champion in Patrick M. Shanahan, the deputy secretary of defense who will soon become the Pentagons acting chief. We are not the Department of No, Mr. Shanahan told Pentagon officials after Space Force was announced, arguing that it was a presidential priority and could help develop new military capabilities more quickly. There is a vision, and it makes sense. Now, Mr. Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, has been thrust into the Pentagons top job at one of the departments most tumultuous times in years. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who during his tenure pushed back on a number of White House requests, resigned last week in the wake of Mr. Trumps decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Mr. Mattis originally said he would step down at the end of February. But angered by the criticism in Mr. Mattiss resignation letter, Mr. Trump announced over the weekend that he was shoving Mr. Mattis out early and elevating Mr. Shanahan at least temporarily. One of Mr. Mattiss final acts was to sign the order beginning the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, a Defense Department official said on Monday. The governor of the Mexican state of Puebla and her husband, a lawmaker who was the former governor of the same state, were killed in a helicopter crash on Monday, according to Mexican officials and news media reports. The governor, Martha Erika Alonso, took office just 10 days ago. She was the first female governor of her state. Her husband, Rafael Moreno Valle, was once considered a rising political star of the center-right National Action Party. He governed Puebla, in central Mexico, from 2011 to 2017, and at one point was mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. More recently, he was a federal senator. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, whose election in July upended the nations political establishment, offered his deepest condolences to their families on Monday and ordered the government to look into what happened. A persistent question for those of us who write young adult literature is, What are we not allowed to do or say when writing for teenagers? I usually answer with an anecdote about a near-crisis at my publisher nine years ago, regarding a single use of the F-word in my second novel (the F-word remained). Now, I say, we are long past that worry. A writer can go as dark and violent as it gets (see The Hunger Games). Sex is more than fine (see all of B. T. Gottfreds giddy, explicit novels). Graphic, instructive, erotic, romantic, disappointing: Bring it all on! Even better, current Y.A. novels now have many L.G.B.T.Q. protagonists (see Meredith Russos If I Was Your Girl), which was not the case even 10 years ago. Now, I say, the sky is the limit. But reader, I lie. Religion. Religion is the last taboo. Yes, there exist Y.A. novels that contend with religion or spirituality in some way not a lot, but some. Francisco X. Storks Marcelo in the Real World has one of the best conversations about sex and religion Ive ever encountered. Marcelo is deeply curious about God, and regularly talks to a rabbi about his religious questions. I think Alex Sanchezs beautiful, smart The God Box, about a gay teenager who comes out at a high school in a conservative Christian community, should be required reading for young people (my college students agree). Deborah Heiligmans Intentions focuses on sex abuse in a Jewish community, and Brendan Kielys moving The Gospel of Winter does the same in the Catholic tradition. And weve come a long way from 2007, when Does My Head Look Big in This, by Randa Abdel-Fattah, a wonderful book, introduced the rare Muslim teenage character to American readers. On her first day as editor in chief of Glamour, Samantha Barry was asked to select clothes to feature on the cover of a coming issue of the 79-year-old magazine. That was nearly a year ago, in January, and Ms. Barry, an exuberant Irishwoman who had suddenly been elevated to one of the most powerful perches in publishing, was in unfamiliar territory. I had to wing it, said Ms. Barry, 37. She was no fashionista. Before the Conde Nast artistic director and Vogue editor Anna Wintour brought her in to run Glamour, Ms. Barrys most senior role had been running social media for CNN. Soon enough, though, she put her own sensible stamp on the fashion featured in Glamour. We are size-inclusive, we are diverse and we are conscious not only of what is fashionable, but what fashion stands for, she said. But Ms. Barry, who was recruited for her digital chops, had bigger changes in mind. Last month, Glamour announced it would cease publishing a regular print magazine and essentially become an online publication with occasional print specials. And a week later, facing unrelenting difficulties in the magazine business, Conde Nasts chief executive, Robert A. Sauerberg Jr., said he was stepping down. Normally a firm of McKinseys size would swat away a gadflys attacks. But in this case, which involves the bankruptcy of Colorados Westmoreland Coal, Mr. Alix has a powerful ally: the United States Justice Department. On Dec. 14, the department said in a court filing that McKinsey was fraught with pervasive disclosure deficiencies and should be dismissed from the Westmoreland case immediately and stripped of the fees it had earned so far. If that were to happen, it would deal a severe blow to McKinseys reputation, as well as its argument that the firm is free of conflicts of interest. The judge overseeing the Westmoreland bankruptcy case, David R. Jones, warned both sides in a hearing this month about the rising stakes. The way this has been teed up, I dont see an out for both sides, said Judge Jones, the chief judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of Texas. The harder you push all this, the more you ensure that someone doesnt survive. Westmoreland had been sprinting through a bankruptcy process that started in October and was on track to be wrapped up in February. But then Mr. Alix filed a 163-page objection, accusing the prestigious consulting firm not just of hidden conflicts of interest, but of crimes including fraud all sorts of heinous acts, as Judge Jones put it. Westmoreland asked Judge Jones to overrule Mr. Alixs objection, but he said he couldnt do that. I dont like someone to stand up in my court and accuse someone of committing a crime, he said. There has to be an airing of this issue, given whats been done. MOSCOW Elena Y. Kotovas one-room apartment on the outskirts of Moscow had started to feel cramped. Her son was almost 4 years old. She and her husband had solid jobs, she as an economist and he as a manager of a construction company. It was time to buy a new home. We just need the space, she said. They found a two-bedroom apartment and secured a mortgage as well as a buyer for their former home. As closing day approached, the couple had one task to complete. Each would need a certificate of sanity from a psychologist. They will look at our psychological state, she explained. If everything is normal, they will give us the document. Ms. Kotova, and tens of thousands of other Russians who are required to produce such a document to sell property, have no history of mental illness. The certificate, which must be signed and stamped by a doctor, is a legal defense against a pervasive problem in Moscow real estate deals: rampant fraud and weak courts. Greg Kelly, a United States citizen and a former director of Nissan Motor of Japan, was released from a Tokyo jail on Tuesday. A Japanese judge, reviewing requests from Mr. Kellys family and the United States government, ruled that Mr. Kelly could be freed on bail of 70 million yen, or about $640,000. Prosecutors immediately appealed the decision but the court denied the appeal Tuesday night. Under terms of his bail, he must remain in Japan. Mr. Kelly, who has been having health problems, was shown walking from the detention center in live coverage Tuesday night from NHK, Japans public broadcaster. NHK reported that Mr. Kelly was with a lawyer and both men left in a black taxi. The court said the bail was paid earlier in the day. Later, television footage showed Mr. Kelly entering a local hospital. The court decision came more than a month after Mr. Kelly and the carmakers chairman, Carlos Ghosn, were arrested on allegations that they had underreported Mr. Ghosns compensation to regulators for years. The court set the conditions for the bail, including a requirement that Mr. Kelly not talk to Mr. Ghosn or Nissan executives, and that he not travel abroad. In this version of the story, written and directed by Etan Cohen (who directed the much-worse Get Hard), Holmes (Ferrell) and Watson (Reilly) are said to have met as schoolboys after a young Holmes used his powers of deduction to get their bullying classmates expelled. The relationship has grown so close that Holmes can predict Watsons moves at rock, paper, scissors and Battleship without a game being played. They bond over the dubious wisdom of sending drunk-telegrams and the difficulty of finding Holmes the proper hat. A Make England Great Again fez is among the rejects. [Read an interview with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.] Anachronisms give the movie its most obvious yet most effective targets targets hit more palpably by the Brit playing an American than the Americans playing Brits. Rebecca Hall turns up as Grace Hart, a doctor visiting from Boston who throughout the movie rattles off signs of progress in the United States, from the gender pay gap (not terrible for the time!) to the right to a trial by a jury of white property-owning men. One of the better bits brings her and a smitten Watson together to perform an autopsy, which turns into a re-enactment of a famous scene from Ghost with a cake-covered corpse instead of pottery. Lauren Lapkus, as Graces mute assistant, who is said to have been reared by cats, raises a few smiles as well, mostly without saying a word. Comparably, the mens sparring, to say nothing of the Weekend at Bernies routine they pull with the queen (Pam Ferris), looks more tired than usual, and the filmmakers havent remotely figured out how to use Ralph Fiennes as either Holmess nemesis Moriarty or a look-alike patsy who appears so infrequently that he could just as well have been left on the cutting-room floor. In this context, its not really a case worth cracking. When Lora Safir was 5, her father abruptly returned to their home in Odessa from the Ukrainian battleground of World War II. He had been fighting as a soldier in the Red Army and heard that the Romanian army would occupy Odessa on Hitlers command later that day. He told us that we had 10 minutes to get out, Mrs. Safir, 82, recalled in an interview this month. We barely managed to get our passports, a blanket and a pillow. Image A 1956 photograph of Mrs. Safir, who now has cancer. Credit... Sasha Maslov for The New York Times Mrs. Safir, her mother, father and two brothers climbed on top of a cargo truck, but some of their aunts, uncles and young cousins chose to stay. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Apartments lose heat in the winter. Buildings are bedeviled with leaks, mold and lead paint. Entire housing developments are overrun with rats. Conditions for the more than 400,000 low and moderate-income New Yorkers living in buildings managed by the New York City Housing Authority have worsened to the point that the federal government is considering taking control. Now, two men from opposite ends of the political spectrum, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Ben Carson, are trying to hammer out a deal to save the housing authority, also known as Nycha. Mayor de Blasio and Mr. Carson, the secretary of housing and urban development, met last week to continue negotiating what sort of oversight would be imposed on the citys housing authority, which is under scrutiny for years of mismanagement and a dilapidated housing stock in need of $32 billion in repairs. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Twenty-seven shots almost two full magazines. That is how many times Officer Juan Gomez fired his pistol on Dec. 5 as he sprinted down a crowded Bronx street, chasing an armed man who had shot at him. The bullets struck the sidewalk. They struck parked cars. They gouged holes in the brick walls of the apartment buildings on Loring Place North, in the University Heights neighborhood. Fragments from one bullet tore into the leg of a 12-year-old girl. Another bullet hit Irene Urena Perez, 46, in the belly as she walked a small child home. I was leaving the building and heard the shots, tan tan tan tan tan! said Ms. Perez, who was released from the hospital last week after three operations but remains on bed rest and will probably need more surgery. I came to this country to work, and now Im disabled. Officer Gomez managed to wound the fleeing gunman in the neck and one foot, stopping him. It was only luck the wild shootout did not lead to the death of bystanders. Ricardo Barber, a stage actor who left Cuba after spending time in a forced-labor camp during Fidel Castros rule and became a core member of the Spanish-language troupe Repertorio Espanol in New York, died on Dec. 17 in Manhattan. He was 81. The company announced his death. No cause was given. Mr. Barber was establishing himself as an actor in Havana when Castro came to power in 1959 in a Communist revolution that was hostile to many things, including homosexuality. Mr. Barber was gay, and in the late 1960s he was placed in one of Castros military units to aid production, the agricultural labor camps known by the Spanish acronym UMAP, which were, as The New York Times put it in 1974, for petty criminals, homosexuals, pre-delinquents and other potential dissenters people who were not guilty of any wrongdoing, but had been sent to the camps because of their attitude. The camps were abolished after a few years, but the experience changed Mr. Barbers feelings toward his country. I wasnt the same, he told The Times in 1998, when he and other Repertorio actors made an emotional return trip to Cuba. I no longer believed in the revolution, and I began to see the bad in everything. As most Americans know: Chinese restaurants almost never close on Christmas. Early Chinese immigrants were not Christian, and losing an entire day of sales for a holiday they didnt understand did not make economic sense, especially when Chinese restaurants occupied a tenuous position in America. Its hard to imagine now, when there are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the United States (McDonalds, for scale, has just over 14,000 restaurants), but before Americans were crowding into Chinese restaurants for Christmas dinner, they were more interested in crowding these restaurants out. In Eating History: 30 Turning Points in the Making of American Cuisine, Andrew F. Smith explains that Chinese restaurants proliferated during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, catering to Chinese miners and railroad workers. After the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed as a result of worries that Chinese immigrants were stealing jobs from white men, labor unions set their targets on Chinese restaurants. Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, published a pamphlet in 1902 subtitled Meat vs. Rice: American Manhood against Asiatic Coolieism. Labor unions even organized boycotts against Chinese restaurants, according to research by Gabriel J. Chin and John Ormonde. These boycotts rarely succeeded in their aim of driving the restaurants out of business. As one union organizer lamented, A lot of union men seem to have, I am sorry to say, a fancy for chop suey. The unions next attempted to get a law passed barring white women from Chinese restaurants, exploiting public fears that the Chinese were a kind of moral contagion. White women were flocking to these so-called dens of iniquity in part because they were a way to escape rigid racial and gender expectations. Chinese restaurants may have allowed white women to smoke opium, but they also employed them in a time when only around 15 percent of women had jobs outside the home. Jewish people and African-Americans also patronized those early Chinese restaurants in noticeable numbers. As one newspaper from 1892 put it so delicately, Whites, blacks and Mongolians mingled without sign of prejudice. To the Editor: Re Trump Parkland Inquiry Attacks Protections for Minority Students (front page, Dec. 18): Yes, we have seen mass casualty shootings, but over all, violence in schools is down, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It reports that the percentage of students threatened or injured with a weapon at school went from 7.8 percent in 2007 to 6 percent in 2017 . This is good, and the Trump administration should wonder why. One factor is a shift away from zero-tolerance disciplinary practices toward restorative-justice interventions. These practices focus on preventing and healing harm. In contrast, suspensions often push students to drop out and do little to address causes of violence. The Obama administration recommended such practices because they work. They build community and trust, essential to learning. They help interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. This is especially important for our countrys black and brown children. And restorative practice works for white children, too. If only our current president truly cared about any of them. An Early Goodbye to My Family She said she understood why we couldnt spend Christmas together. I sent her so many I miss you texts. Your parents will come around someday, she replied. She spent the day alone in our apartment, not texting me much so I wouldnt sense her sadness. I sensed it anyway. So I said an early goodbye to my family in Kentucky and drove seven and a half hours back to Iowa, arriving in time to sleep next to her under our string lights. That is when I learned what really matters on a day like Christmas: being around the person you love most. Amanda Hancock Travel is unpredictable, and sometimes thats a good thing. You spot a humpback whale during your boat tour, for example. Other times, those unpredictable travel moments are utterly aggravating, like when bad weather cancels your flight or the hotel youve booked cant seem to find your reservation. Obviously you want to minimize the frustrating experiences as much as you can. This is especially important if its your first time traveling outside of the country and you might not know what to expect. From passports to jet lag, here are a few tips for a smooth first trip abroad. Apply for a passport early Passports can take up to six weeks to process, and as a first-timer, youll have to book an appointment to apply for one in person at a passport acceptance facility, so make sure to apply early. If you need a passport sooner, you can have it expedited in two to three weeks, but it will cost you an extra $60. Before your appointment, make sure you have the required documents ready (proof of citizenship, a valid form of ID, photocopies of both, and form DS11). Make sure to include the application fee in your travel budget too your first passport will cost you around $150. Not all facilities will take your passport photo on-site, so you might need to bring one with you. For passport photos, the post office is a common first option, said Elise Fitzsimmons, publisher and co-founder of the travel magazine Unearth Women, but the lines are often long, and you may need to schedule an appointment. She added, I live in a rural area and getting passport and visa photos taken at FedEx has been a lifesaver. The turnaround time is about fifteen minutes. You can also get a quick passport photo at most drugstore photo departments, like CVS or Walgreens. Austin consistently ranks high on the lists of cities with the worst traffic in America. And a recent housing market analysis found a shortage of 48,000 rental units affordable to households earning less than $25,000 per year. Supplies for middle-income families are also increasingly strained. I think in the last 10 years, its been a real struggle for Austin to keep its identity and keep its soul, as downtown is being razed and converted into condos and high-rises, and you have people like Google and Facebook and Apple taking over the town with these buildings, said Omar Gallaga, who covered the citys tech culture for The Austin American-Statesman for more than 20 years. If you have all the artists and the creative people that make it interesting move away because they cant afford to live there, then it becomes a different place. Few dispute that tech has turned Austin into one of the most vibrant and distinctive capital cities in America. Its other varied cultures music, military, higher-ed, food, politics, journalism, real estate are inseparable from its tech culture. Joseph Kopser, an Austinite who founded and sold a start-up called RideScout, made an unsuccessful but attention-grabbing run this year for a seat in Congress. A longtime venture capitalist, John Thornton, was the founder of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, Austin-based digital news organization that has helped transform Texas journalism. The nonprofit Austin Tech Alliance has launched get-out-the-vote efforts and helped city government shift to paperless permitting. One of the citys biggest annual cultural attractions, the South By Southwest festival, is now as much a celebration of tech as it is music and film. On any given day, some of the states far-right lawmakers may be rubbing elbows downtown with 20-something entrepreneurs headed to work on motorized scooters or perhaps, not long ago, passing by Professor Dumpster, otherwise known as Jeff Wilson, the co-founder of the start-up Kasita, who lived in a 33-square-foot dumpster for a year as part of an experiment in minimalist living. Austin is still weird. Its just more wired now, too. We dont want to become Silicon Valley we want to be Austin, said Joshua Baer, the founder and chief executive of the Capital Factory, launched in 2009 to mentor, finance and support start-ups and entrepreneurs. What makes Austin really different, to me, is the culture clash. But its not a clash. Its the culture collaboration. The United States Navy has come a long way, from its first wooden frigates to todays nuclear carriers. But in all that time, one thing remained almost as fixed as the North Star: A skippers power to throw troublesome sailors in the brig with nothing to eat but bread and water. Though it sounds like something from an old pirate movie, the antique penalty is not only still on the Navys books, it is still actually imposed, despite a century of abolition efforts. On New Years Day, it will finally go by the boards. A sweeping update of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, passed by Congress in 2016, will take effect on Jan. 1, bringing dozens of changes that are intended to make the system fairer and more efficient. Most are the kind of procedural tweaks that concern lawyers, not sailors. But the bread-and-water part will be felt on all decks. Commanders throughout the armed services will still have the authority to punish minor misconduct in various ways without a trial. But the new law deletes the regulation that authorized ship commanders to confine low-ranking sailors on diminished rations bread and water for up to three days at a time. Other overtures were made in private. Mr. ORourke has held calls with the Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights leader, and made repeated contact with senior members of the N.A.A.C.P. In recent months, Mr. Merkley and Texas Democrat Julian Castro have reached out to Rashad Robinson, the president of Color of Change, the progressive civil rights advocacy group that has positioned itself as a go-to sounding board for prospective candidates. Ms. Warren has stood out in her aggressive wooing of black leaders, according to several people who have spoken with members of her team. During a trip to New York City, she arranged a sit-down meeting with Mr. Robinson to discuss issues popular with social justice activists, including the elimination of cash bail and sweeping criminal justice reform. The person that is able to beat Trump wont be running against Trump per se, theyll be running for a vision of America thats bigger than him. And that vision of America will have to speak to black voters, explicitly, Mr. Mckesson said in a statement. Several prospective candidates reached out to Mr. Mckesson in order to appear on his podcast, including Mr. ORourke and lesser known presidential candidates such as Representative John Delaney of Maryland. Mr. Robinson, the head of Color of Change, said candidates seeking to run in 2020 are not asking for endorsements or statements of support at this time. He said his meeting with Ms. Warren and others was more about discussing policy issues, rather than campaign strategy. The meetings come as several possible presidential campaigns, including that of Mr. Sanders, have made hiring more diverse campaign staffers a top priority. I think some of the candidates dont get that theyre going to have to actually come with a bold agenda, Mr. Robinson said. If candidates think that this is just about who can beat Trump, theyre going to have a rude awakening. People can hate Trump and not love the opposition. It actually has to be about putting out something that allows people to feel like they are connected and their communitys issues are being addressed. The behind-the-scenes activity signals just how different this upcoming primary stands to be for Democrats. Not only are multiple black candidates expected to run, including Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, but several white candidates are confident they can successfully compete for minority votes. Mr. Trump said there may be the case of an Olympic champion who can get over the wall, but for the most part you are not able to do it. He said the wall would be as high as 30 feet, roughly the equivalent of a three-story building. In the same discussion with reporters, Mr. Trump both insisted, without evidence, that the wall was being built and could be either renovated or brand-new by Election Day, and reiterated his demand that Congress allocate billions of dollars for it. Mr. Trump again said that he was pushing ahead with a stretch of wall construction in Texas, claiming that he had signed a contract to build a large portion at a great price, but he declined to give additional details. Yesterday I gave out 115 miles worth of wall 115 miles in Texas, the president said. And its going to be built hopefully rapidly. Im going there at the end of January for the start of construction. Describing that section of the wall as a big stretch, Mr. Trump added that we gave it out at a great price. So were going to have great wall there, and we have other sections to give out. Asked who had received the contract, Mr. Trump did not offer specifics. Different people, different people, he responded. Highly bid. Officials with the White House and Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment on specifics about the contract. No legislative action to resolve the shutdown is expected before Thursday, when the Senate and the House reconvene. Members of Congress have noted the increased possibility that the impasse will last at least until Jan. 3, when Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, is expected to reclaim the speakership. President Trump and Melania Trump on the phone with children on Christmas Eve at the White House. Credit... Al Drago for The New York Times CAIRO The police used tear gas and fired in the air Tuesday to disperse thousands of protesters trying to march on the presidential palace to demand that Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sudans president of 29 years, step down, according to activists and video clips posted online. The clips purported to show crowds of several hundred each gathering on side roads and headed toward the palace on the bank of the Blue Nile. They sang patriotic songs and chanted freedom, peaceful, peaceful against the thieves and the people want to bring down the regime. One clip showed the lifeless body of a protester in Khartoum being carried away and placed inside a car that drove away. The protesters head showed a gaping wound, and the voice of another protester could be heard saying he was deliberately shot by a sniper. Earlier images circulated by activists showed police snipers on rooftops near the palace ahead of the march. CHENGDU, China For months, Gu Baoluo had been looking forward to a boisterous Christmas celebration at one of Chinas best-known Protestant churches. He loved decorating trees, singing songs like Silent Night and watching the annual Christmas pageant recounting the birth of Jesus. But in early December, the police shut down Mr. Gus usual place of worship, the Early Rain Covenant Church in the southwest city of Chengdu, as part of what activists say is the most severe crackdown on Christianity in more than a decade. The police confiscated Bibles, shuttered a school and seminary run by the well-known church and detained Early Rains outspoken pastor on charges of inciting subversion, punishable in serious cases by at least five years in prison. On Christmas Eve, Mr. Gu, 31, a rice seller, went to the only safe place to worship that he knew: a friends home, where he recited hymns and prayed for the two dozen Early Rain members that are in detention. Fearing that he and his friends might be arrested, Mr. Gu used encrypted chat apps to share information about surveillance and harassment by the police. We will not forfeit our faith because of suppression by the authorities, Mr. Gu said. As millions around the world gathered to celebrate Christmas, China is capping a year in which the government of President Xi Jinping has led an unrelenting campaign against unofficial churches in China, which by some estimates serve as many as 30 million people. When they returned to their home near the beach, there was nothing left. It wiped out my house and all the things in it, he said. At least 429 people died and nearly 1,500 were injured in the Sunda Strait tsunami, which struck western Java and southern Sumatra. The number of casualties was high in part because many people were at the beach enjoying a long holiday weekend. But officials acknowledge that many lives could have been saved if the country had an adequate tsunami warning system. Even with its flaws, the existing system can detect tsunamis caused by seismic activity. But the system is not set up to detect tsunamis caused by volcanic activity, even though the threat is well understood by scientists and the technology for detecting them exists. The disaster early warning system in Indonesia is still far from satisfactory, Mr. Sutopo said. Officials initially said the Sunda Strait tsunami was three feet high, an estimate they later raised to 10 feet. Mr. Sutopo said Tuesday it was even higher, reaching more than 16 feet in some areas. One of those places was Sumur, the area that includes Mr. Damins fishing village of Sumber Jaya. Nearly all of the houses in the village were damaged or destroyed. Members of the public were warned Monday to stay away from the coast of the Sunda Strait for at least two days for fear that Anak Krakatau the Child of Krakatau could set off another tsunami. BUDAPEST When the Hungarian government coerced the Central European University, a leading college in Budapest, into shutting some of its operations in December, it did not do so by threat of physical force. Viktor Orban, the far-right prime minister of Hungary, never jailed a C.E.U. professor or ordered the university to close by government decree. Instead, the Orban government quietly changed the rules by which all foreign universities like C.E.U. can operate, allowing Mr. Orban to frame its treatment as a merely technical decision, rather than an attack on academic freedom. It is a recurrent paradox of Mr. Orbans rule: Despite all the steps he has taken to erode the Hungarian democratic process, Mr. Orban has rarely allowed his government to get its way by blatant force. And it is this paradox that explains why analysts struggle to judge whether Hungary is still a democracy, and why Mr. Orbans friends and foes alike ascribe increasing importance to the inner workings of this small and previously marginal country. ROME As nationalist forces rise globally and populist leaders emphasize the primacy of their own people, Pope Francis used his annual Christmas Day address on Tuesday to voice his conviction that all humans are part of an extended holy family that has lost its sense of fraternity. My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity, Francis, 82, said during his Urbi et Orbi (To the City and to the World) benediction from a balcony above St. Peters Square in Vatican City. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another. Fraternity among persons of different religions. He added, Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness. The pope, who has been an ardent defender of migrants in a period when speaking in their defense has largely fallen out of fashion, specifically addressed the scars of war in Africa, where millions of persons are refugees or displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance and food security. LONDON A prominent British-Iranian scholar detained in Iran since April has returned to Britain, according to an advocacy organization he helped found. The scholar, Abbas Edalat, a professor of computer science and mathematics at Imperial College London, was taken into custody by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on April 15 while in Tehran to visit family and attend an academic workshop. He is a founder of the Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran. The group said in a statement on Saturday that Mr. Edalat had come home earlier in the week. It did not specify the reasons for his detention or release but suggested that the Iranian authorities had concluded they may have erred in holding him. It increasingly appears, as we had suspected, that his detention in spring in Iran was a case of misinformation and misunderstanding by the Iranian security apparatus, the group said. In the end, we concluded that they were just not willing to listen, said Tom Malinowski, a former assistant secretary of state and an incoming member of Congress from New Jersey. They were given specific coordinates of targets that should not be struck and they continued to strike them. That struck me as a willful disregard of advice they were getting. Yet American military support for the airstrikes continued. While American officials often protested civilian deaths in public, two presidents ultimately stood by the Saudis. President Obama gave the war his qualified approval to assuage Saudi anger over his Iran nuclear deal. President Trump embraced Prince Mohammed and bragged of multibillion-dollar arms deals with the Saudis. As bombs fell on Yemen, the United States continued to train the Royal Saudi Air Force. In 2017, the United States military announced a $750 million program focused on how to carry out airstrikes, including avoiding civilian casualties. The same year, Congress authorized the sale of more than $510 million in precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia, which had been suspended by the Obama administration in protest of civilian casualties. Nearly 100 American military personnel are advising or assisting the coalition war effort, although fewer than 35 are based in Saudi Arabia. American support for the war met stiff headwinds this fall, when congressional fury over the murder of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi combined with worries over civilian deaths in Yemen. In response, the Trump administration ended American air-to-air refueling of coalition warplanes over Yemen in November but has otherwise continued to support the war. This month, the Senate voted to end American military assistance to the war altogether, a sharp rebuke to the Trump administration, but the bill died when the House refused to consider it. The civilian toll is still rising. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, November was the most violent month in Yemen since the group began tracking casualties in January 2016. There were 3,058 war-related fatalities in November, it said, including 80 civilians killed in airstrikes. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 24) As Christmas draws near, President Rodrigo Duterte paid a visit to cancer-stricken children in Davao City. The President on Sunday went to the House of Hope, a center for children with cancer at the Southern Philippines Medical Center. Photos from the Presidential Photographers Division showed the President doing his signature fist bump with the kids, and giving them presents. He also did the finger-heart sign with the children, doctors, and staff. Duterte was accompanied by his former aide, Christopher "Bong" Go. Gir lion deaths In September, wildlife lovers were shocked when around 30 lions died in Gujarat's Gir sanctuary after getting infected by the Canine Distemper Virus. Another 30 lions were kept under observation for the deadly virus, which wiped out 30 per cent population of the big cats in Serengeti jungles of Africa in 1994. According to the 2015 census, Gujarat had 523 lions, which draw tourists and animal enthusiasts to the state. The state government is now planning to shift some lions to places like Bardo Dungar forest area in Porbandar, but has refused to relocate them to neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. There is impending danger of epidemic, or natural calamity, forest fire, disease outbreak, genetic depression through inbreeding. Five years since the SC order, at least 23 lions have died - and the unofficial count, as per sources, is closer to 50 dead lions. Many of them have died because of disease - and the deadly Canine Distemper Virus (CDV, a disease which pet dogs are vaccinated against) is identified as one of the causes. Some have also died due to poisoning or infighting. Lions have meant a great deal for India. They adorn Ashoka's pillar, and every single Indian banknote. Four of them are part of India's National Emblem, and they were the National Animal till 1972. These imperious symbols aside, the lion is still known as Jungle ka raja'(King of the Jungle) in folklore, also people retain a fascination for lions. Avni murdered? The drama unfolding around Avni, a tigress with two cubs hit the headlines for bad news. Avni, the six-year-old tigress and mother of two 11-month-old cubs, who allegedly killed 13 persons since June 2016, was shot in a controversial manner by sharpshooter Asgar Ali, son of famous sharpshooter Nawab Shafat Ali on November 2 this year. The killing of the tigress triggered a full blown war of words between the forest minister in Maharashtra and union minister Maneka Gandhi, both belonging to the BJP. The controversy started when the government decided to bring in Shafat Ali, a self-styled hunter. Ali has put down many man-eaters in India, but his swagger is a mixture of trophy hunting and apparently, eugenics. He claims tigers can be terrorists; that he is a good shooter because of his "blood", and boasts his grandfather "shot tigers like dogs". A group of wildlife vets in Maharashtra have objected to Khan being allowed to tranquilise the tigress. Tranquilisation of animals is a difficult and precise process, animals can also die if it is wrongly done. The government had spent almost Rs 60-70 lakhs on the search operations. Forest department had hired elephants, thermal drones, perfumes, sniffer dogs, paraglider, more than hundred trap cameras. More than 200 people including private & forest department shooters were involved in the search operations. Though every time, Avni somehow managed to elude to capture in camera. But on Friday, shooters sighted her in 149 Borati and killed her. The news of Avni's death created a huge storm on social media. India's first tiger translocation hits roadblock India's first interstate translocation exercise for tigers hit a roadblock with Odisha government decided to shift Royal Bengal tigress 'Sundari', who had allegedly killed two persons, from Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary to an enclosure at any place including in Nandankanan Zoological Park. The relocation approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) kicked off earlier this year with two big cats: a male (T1) from Kanha Tiger Reserve, followed by a female (T2) from Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. Both tigers were brought to the 963 square km Satkosia Tiger Reserve in June, to shore up the existing tiger population of two in the reserve and thereby in the state.The number of big cats in the state ranges from 28 to 40. A major reason behind this whole operation is the space crunch. With the steady increase in tiger population in many reserves, there is a need to expand the tiger habitat or to relocate them in a better and safe place. Gruesome death of Elephants India's escalating man-animal conflict is leaving its elephants with no safe home. A recent heart-wrenching incident inside Karnataka's Nagarhole National Park in southern India captures the gravity of the situation. On Dec. 15, a 42-year-old elephant suffocated to death after getting stuck in a seven feet high iron fence. Ironically, the fence was set up by forest authorities to protect the creatures by preventing them from straying into human settlements. The 42-year-old was chased by a mob. Instead of stopping once he had moved away from their farms, they continued to pursue him. He ran towards the safety of his home, the Nagarhole National Park, but was unable to find his way around a fence. In desperation, he tried to leap or climb over it and died in what was most likely a very painful accident that lasted several hours as his own 5-ton body weight slowly crushed his chest. Also, Karnataka lost its most loved elephant, Rowdy' Ranga, in a road accident. According to reports, the 48-year-old wild elephant was killed after it was hit by a speeding bus around 2am on Monday, near Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Thithimathi on Mysuru-Gonikoppal Road. The death of Ranga, the second such incident in recent times has reignited the call for a complete night traffic ban in Nagarhole and Bandipur forest ranges. Between April and mid-December, 65 elephants were killed in Odisha alone, most of them due to human interventions such as power lines, oncoming trains, and the construction of wells, tanks, and drains, which elephants have fallen into. Bandipur flyover put on hold Well, there has been a splash of news and hot debate with regard to lifting of the ban on night traffic through Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. This row started as a result of the Central government asking Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to withdraw the ban so that an elevated corridor or road and other infrastructure could be started and the Central ministry suggested that the chief minister had agreed to lift the ban. The PWD Minister Mr H.D. Revanna also hurriedly announced that a flyover could come up every 2.50 km inside Bandipur. When the news triggered opposition from environmentalists and other sections of the society, the chief minister gathered himself quickly expressed his opinion and perhaps has stayed put with this decision. There is traffic up to 9 pm every day and this is good for Kerala to maintain its economy, traffic and the environment. Actually the deadline advanced from 9 pm to 7 pm. Leopards chased There have been instances where the leopards were chased and killed by the frenzy mob. In 2018, India recorded its highest leopard mortality in the last four years. While almost 34 per cent of the big cats were poached for purposes of trafficking, the remaining 74 per cent died either due to train or road accidents. Data from previous years asserts that 460 leopards died this past year as compared to 431 in 2017, 440 in 2016, 399 in 2015 and 331 in 2014. TRS and BJP may reach some kind of understanding in state Assembly polls An eventful 2018 for Indias youngest state Telangana India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Hyderabad, Dec 25: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) juggernaut rolled on in 2018 with the party storming to power with a two-thirds majority in the assembly elections to form its second straight government in the state. During the year, the state witnessed one of the worst road tragedies in the country when 60 people were killed in a bus accident in September. Verdicts in key terror cases saw Hindutva preacher Swami Aseemanand being acquitted by an NIA court in the 11-year old Mecca Masjid blast case and two terrorists awarded capital punishment in another blast case. Federal Front: KCR meets Patnaik, calls for unification of regional parties against BJP, Cong TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, who scripted the stunning victory in the December 7 polls, swiftly elevated his son K T Rama Rao as the working president of the party and announced plans to push his initiative for a non-BJP and non-Congress front at the national level. The outcome of the first ever polls after Telangana came into being in 2014 proved right Rao's gamble of going to the people months ahead of the assembly's term was to end in April next year. The presumption that there was a positive mood among the people in TRS favour came true as Rao, who spearheaded the statehood movement since 2001, further cemented his position in the state. TRS won 88 of the 119 assembly seats, riding the popularity of a slew of its government's welfare projects, including the farmer-centric schemes, quelling challenges from the Congress-led front and BJP. Telangana: Richest MLA worth Rs 314 crore, poorest, Rs 19 lakh The Rao government's populist 'Rythu Bandhu' crop investment support scheme and the 'Rythu Beema' life insurance scheme launched during the year paid rich dividends to the ruling party at the hustings. Any hopes the Congress had of staging a comeback in the state, carved out of Andhra Pradesh during the UPA rule headed by it were dashed as it ended up with just 19 seats. Keen to halt the TRS' return to power, the Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) buried their decades-old rivalry and forged the Praja Kutami (Peoples Alliance) along with Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and Communist Party of India (CPI). Even before the party could recover from the ignominious poll defeat, four of its six MLCs defected to the TRS and were promptly recognised by the Legislative Council chairman as members of the TRS on December 21. For BJP, which was looking at strengthening its position in Telangana, it was a disappointing outcome as the party ended up with just one seat, having contested the polls on its own. The party had five MLAs in the previous assembly. Common man needs infrastructure, mandir, surgical strikes not the only narrative says KTR Soon after his resounding victory, the 64-year old Rao, who rose to become the mascot of Telangana pride after successfully realising the statehood goal in 2014, announced plans to play a pro-active role in national politics. He vowed to work for installing a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre after the 2019 elections. Moving quickly, Rao appointed his son K T Rama Rao as TRS working president, a move seen by many as the latter's anointment as heir apparent. Prior to the assembly dissolution, Rao had set out on a mission to form a third alternative to BJP and Congress and had met regional satraps, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK President M K Stalin. Left leaning poet and writer Varavara Rao, accused of having Maoist links, was taken into custody in November by the Pune police from Hyderabad in a case related to Elgar Parishad conclave which has set off violence in Maharashtra. The arrest, along with those of four rights activists, for alleged Maoist links, triggered outrage, with opposition leaders, lawyers and authors condemning it. In March, ten Maoists, including six women and a constable of the Greyhound commando force of Telangana Police, were killed in an encounter in the forest area of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district bordering Telangana. In a major road tragedy, 60 people were killed when a state-run Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus fell into a gorge at Kondagattu in Jagtial district on September 12. On April 16, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Hyderabad acquitted Hindutva preacher Swami Aseemanand and four others in the May 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case. Telangana election result: Should Congress rethink power equation with Chandrababu Naidu's TDP? A powerful remote controlled blast had ripped through the over four centuries-old mosque here during an assembly of devotees on May 18, 2007 when they had gathered for Friday prayers, killing nine people and wounding 58. A Hyderabad metropolitan court on September 10 sentenced to death two terrorists, convicted of killing 44 people and wounding 68 others in two coordinated blasts here in 2007. The court also convicted another person of harbouring the perpetrators in the national capital and other places, and awarded him life imprisonment. Former Rajya Sabha member Nandamuri Harikrishna, son of TDP founder N T Rama Rao and brother-in-law of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, died in a road accident in Telangana's Nalgonda district on August 29. The TRS government's efforts to woo investors saw Swedish furniture giant Ikea making its foray into the Indian market by opening its first outlet here in August at an investment of over Rs 800 crore. The state capital continued to be one of the favoured destinations for IT companies with Qualcomm announcing plans to set up its largest campus outside the US here at an investment outlay of USD 400 million (Rs 3,000 crore). Despite being called BJP's unofficial ally, how TRS swung Muslim votes in its favour Smartphone brands OnePlus and Oppo and superbike maker Benelli also announced plans to invest in Telangana. Tech majors Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple already have offices in Hyderabad. Telangana stood second in the ease of doing annual business ranking of states and Union Territories by the World Bank and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for 2017-18. (With agency inputs) BJP and BJP-ruled states celebrating former PM Vajpayees birthday as Good Governance Day India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 25: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre and at the states are celebrating birthday as the 'Good Governance Day' to pay homage to one of the best politicians and statesman that the country has ever produced. December 25 is the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died this year. But the capital city of Uttar Pradesh - Lucknow -- which was his karmbhoomi, the day is being celebrated in a very special fashion. The Uttar Pradesh government has planned a series of events from December 24 to 27 by social organisations, literary organisations, government departments, individuals and fan clubs in memory of former PM. 'Some become restless on being out of power': Modi at release of Rs 100 coin in memory of Vajpayee Deputy chief minister of the state Dinesh Sharma, who was once mayor of Lucknow, said that Vajpayee ji was the tallest leader of the country in the post-Gandhi and Nehru era. Every one in the capital city wants to pay tribute to the most beloved leader of the country by celebrating his birthday. He loved poetry and that's why the celebrations began with a kavi sammelan at the Scientific Convention Centre in Chowk. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Union home minister Rajnath Singh, deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma have been witnessed to the Kavi Sammelan and listen to poetry recited by Waseem Barelvi, Surendra Sharma, Sunil Jogi, Sarvesh Asthana, Alok Srivastava. A few literary functions in Vajpayee's memory have also been scheduled. Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who was very close to the former Prime Minister, will lay foundation stones and dedicate projects worth more than Rs 200 crore for Lucknow at Kudia Ghat on his birthday. The projects involve construction of roads, drains and pipelines. Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, cabinet ministers Ashutosh Tandon, Brajesh Pathak and Rita Bahuguna Joshi will also be present on the occasion. A shelter home at King George's Medical College (KGMU) for the stay of 180 patient attendants would be dedicated to the public by Rajnath Singh as well. It is constructed at a cost of Rs 9.60 crore donated by the Power Corporation of India from its CSR fund. The shelter home will have 180 beds along with arrangement of food for them. Around 750 solar streetlights will be switched on in the city, the foundation stone for installation of 258 submersibles in different areas of the city for water supply would also be laid down. After that, 570 projects worth Rs 158 crore would either be launched or dedicated to public on the occasion. These would be financed from the MP fund and 14th Finance Commission. Union home minister is the MP from Lucknow, which was represented by Vajpayee as PM. The foundation stone for a flyover from Kursi road to Tehripulia and a service lane from Kursi road to Faizabad road would be laid. Sanction for three more flyovers is also expected on December 25. Sources said that celebrations would continue till December 31. Also Read | Vajpayee's portrait to be installed in central hall of Parliament All the state capital the BJP-ruled state will have some or the other programme in the memory of the former Prime Minister. A BJP source said that the party does not want anything left to be done to pay the respect to its one of the tallest leader. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 10:23 [IST] Winter Session 2021: BJP issues whip for its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in House on day 1 Be present in Lok Sabha, RS says BJP in 3 line whip to its MPs BJP issues whip: Be in Lok Sabha for Thursday's Triple Talaq Bill India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Dec 25: Three line whip has been issued to BJP Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House throughout the day on 27 December. The whip has been issued just before the debate on Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Lok Sabha on Thursday agreed to take up for consideration and passage the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, better known as the triple talaq bill, on December 27. The fresh bill, meant to replace an ordinance, was introduced earlier in the day. The NDA-dominated Lok Sabha had passed the earlier triple talaq bill, but it stayed pending in the opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha. Chhattisgarh: CM Bhupesh Baghels's cabinet sworn in, 9 MLAs take oath Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar sought an assurance from the Opposition that it would allow discussion on the bill without disruption on that day. RSP MP NK Premachandran is slated to move a resolution at the beginning of the debate. The fresh Bill to make the practice of triple talaq among Muslims a penal offence was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 18 to replace an ordinance issued in September. Under the proposed law, giving instant triple talaq will be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband. The fresh bill will supercede an earlier bill passed in the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha. (With PTI inputs) Direct flights between Bangkok and Varanasi: Netizens call it prayaschit-paap route India oi-Shubham Ghosh Bengaluru, Dec 25: Both are known to be major tourism destinations but there is some difference in the ways they are perceived, especially by the Indian mind, and this has resulted into a serious laughter after domestic carrier Indigo introduced a non-stop service between them. The two destinations are Varanasi and Bangkok - referred to as the destinations of 'prayaschit' and 'paap', respectively. A cut-out of the advertisement announcing the new flight service went viral recently, thanks to WhatsApp and people did not wait to turn their sense of humour on. They started sharing the picture calling it a 'Paap-Prayaschit' (sin to atonement) route. Mumbai-Lucknow IndiGo flight grounded after woman warns of bomb threat While Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is seen as a destination which is more known for its pilgrimage and spiritual appeal, Bangkok is known for its sex tourism and nightlife and the two contrasting characters were perhaps made it hard for the people to equate them just as two tourist spots. 'Prayaschit' more expensive than 'paap'? The other factor that caught the eyes of the netizens was the price. While a Varanasi to Bangkok flight ticket costs, as per the advertisement, Rs 7,499, a return journey is Rs 500 more at Rs 7,999. The Twittearti kept wondering how 'prayaschit' was more expensive thab 'paap'. Here are some of the reactions that the Twitterati came up with: from Self. Gratification to salvation.... Madhumalti (@Madhumalti5) December 21, 2018 Prayaschit is expensive than paap Himanshu Singh (@himanshu13singh) December 21, 2018 Stairway to heaven? Depends on which angle you take ;) https://t.co/qCPJvx1vYH Nikhil (@Nikhil1286) December 21, 2018 Indigo starting flights between Varanasi & Bangkok, means now one can wash their sins & be ready to make some more sins. Nikhil (@nerdycappuccino) December 21, 2018 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 11:22 [IST] UPSC to resume the interview process for Civil Services 2020 from August 2 Govt to not alter upper age limit for civil services exam India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Dec 25: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said that the Central government has no plan to alter the age criteria for the civil services examinations. NITI Aayog had earlier suggested reducing the upper age limit for the aspirants to 27 years. The present upper age limit for the general category candidates is 32 years "There is no move by Government to alter the age criteria of eligibility to appear in civil service examinations. Reports and speculations should be put to rest," Singh told ANI. Arvind Saxena appointed Chairman of UPSC NITI Aayog had suggested that maximum age limit be brought down to 27 years from the present 32 years for general category candidates in a phased manner by 2022-23. In the 'Strategy for New India @75' document released, the government think-tank also pitched for an integrated exam for all civil services. "Recruits should be placed in a central talent pool, which would then allocate candidates by matching their competencies and the job description of the post," it also said. The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages - preliminary, main and interview - to select officers for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had earlier suggested that the existing pen and paper based exams should be replaced by online mode. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 11:38 [IST] Guided by ex-Pak army officials, operating in buddy pairs: Why the Poonch encounter has dragged so much India will have whole of Kashmir someday, says Western Air Command chief After SC warns of contempt, Army to grant permanent commission to 11 women officers in 10 days An eye on Ladakh sector, Indian Army gets new Israeli Heron drones Indian Army Day: Competitions for general public being organised, last day to enrol Jan 9 India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Dec 25: Every year, January 15th is observed as the Army Day. On this day, the Indian Army showcases its strength and valour. It is a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country. The Army observes this day to honour the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army KC Cariappa, who took over the reins of the Indian Army, 15 January 1949. Field Marshal Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India. The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital as well as in all headquarters. This year on the Army Day, the Indian Army is organising several competitions in which any Indian citizen can take part. "On 15 January 2019 #IndianArmy celebrates Army Day. It is celebration of commitment to idea of Nation First. This #ArmyDay participate in online Painting, Photography,Slogan & Video competitions. Competitions are open from 4 Dec 2018 to 9 Jan 2019," the tweet on Indian Army's official handle said. Online video making, painting, photography and slogan writing competition are some of the competitions that are being organised. Find out more about the competition by clicking here. Last day to enrol for these competitions is January 9.More information can also be found on Facebook page @indianarmy.adgpi For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 15:15 [IST] India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft program: What happened to Kaveri engine? India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Dec 25: Indigenously developed Kaveri engine developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), was supposed to power LCA-Tejas. With the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s depleting squadron size, the pressure mounted on the HAL to deliver LCA Tejas early. So the Tejas' which have been inducted into the service are fitted with the US manufactured General Electric F404-GE-F2J3 afterburning turbofan engine. Many back then had questioned the viability of having a workable Kaveri engine in a such a short period of time even though it was officially known at that time that Safran, a French company which manufactures engines for Rafale combat jets had become the technical consultant for the GTRE to help fix issues with the Kaveri engine, said a report in IDRW.org. K-5 missile will strengthen India's secondary strike capabilities; Can be launched from submarines Last update on the program was that the Safran which carried out the technical audit of the program has cleared the Kaveri engine for integration into LCA-Tejas aircraft to carry out limited flight envelope trials before that GTRE is required to clear Kaveri Engine in High-Altitude Trials for that it will be heading to overseas High-Altitude Test Facilities and in 2017, Kaveri engine was tested for 155 hours in endurance mode. Kaveri Engine and expectations from it: The GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri, is an afterburning turbofan project developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under the DRDO in Bangalore. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) decided to wind up the Kaveri engine (GTX-35VS ) programme in November 2014 due to its shortcomings, a decision that will be finalized by the DAC. The GTRE is now running two separate successor engine programmes, the K9+ programme and the K10 programme. France has offered to help India revive the unsuccessful Kaveri engine project. An upgraded Kaveri engine with 90 kN thrust compared to the existing 72 kN can be developed with French cooperation which can eventually be used for Tejas which currently uses an American engine. In theory the AMCA will be powered by a domestically manufactured Kaveri K9 or K10 engine, currently undergoing development by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment. But making powerful and reliable jet engines from scratch is hard. Only after the Kaveri engines are ready, supposedly in 2019, can the serious work on the airframe really begin. Proposed upgraded Kaveri engine will be a 90kN thrust class engine which will be marginally more powerful than GE supplied F404-GE-IN20 engine which is currently generating 84kN thrust. Ageing Cheetah, Chetak choppers to be replaced: All you need to know about new LUH Ideally for Kaveri engine should be able to deliver 95 Kn thrust. Finally, the ADA and HAL will need to produce sufficiently powerful turbofan engines to meet performance specifications. This is further complicated by the need for an S-shaped air intake that will shield the reflective turbofan blades from showing up on the radar, as well as specially designed nozzles to reduce the heat signature of the engines from infrared sensors. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 9:26 [IST] Its not a tough call for BJP to drop five sitting Lok Sabha MPs in Bihar after alliance India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 25: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) agreeing to contest five seats less than its 22 sitting Lok Sabha members in Bihar does not seem to be a big challenge for the party to decide whom to deny ticket. The BJP leadership is saying that accommodating JD (U) with as much seats that much they were necessary for the alliance. The BJP has the concept of denying ticket to around 30-40 per cent sitting legislators. So it won't be difficult for the party to set aside five names who won't be contesting 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Party sources said, "There are two very obvious choices who would be denied ticket for sure. They are Patna Sahib and Darbhanga MPs Shatrughan Sinha and Kirti Azad respectively as both the leaders are at the loggerheads with the leadership." After Bihar, BJP's focus now on Maharashtra and its alliance with Shiv Sena Shatrughan Sinha has gone to the extent of saying that he would be denied ticket or he won't accept the BJP ticket. Three more names that are expected to be denied tickets included Poorvi Champaran MP and Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh as the leadership is not happy with his performance. Madhubani MP and senior leader Hukum Dev Narayan Singh Yadav too will not be contesting Lok Sabha elections. He is like Union external affairs minister and another Union minister Uma Bharati who don't not want to contest Lok Sabha elections. Begusarai Lok Sabha seat is already vacant with the demise of Bhola Singh. But these are names of BJP MPs that won't be contesting on their seats. But the BJP will be contesting Begusarai and some other seats. Rajya Sabha member Rakesh Sinha is eying the Begusarai seat. But seats like Seohar and Buxar might go to Janata Dal (United). Buxar MP Ashwini Kumar Choubey might be shifted to Bhagalpur from where he always wanted to contest which was represented by former Union minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. What happened to 56-inch chest? Kushwaha mocks BJP over Bihar seat sharing Some other names which can be denied ticket is Janardan Singh Sigriwal from Mahrajganj and Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Saran Lok Sabha seats. The BJP will have to vacate such seats that it can give be given to the JD (U) to contest on. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 9:50 [IST] Gujarat: Woman forces 11-year-old girl to dip her hand in boiling oil to prove she was not lying After SC warns of contempt, Army to grant permanent commission to 11 women officers in 10 days Major General recommended for dismissal for misbehaving with woman India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Dec 25: A serving Major General has been recommended for dismissal from service by a General Court Martial (GCM) for allegedly misbehaving with a woman officer, PTI reported. The GCM, presided over by a LT General Giriraj Singh, found the Major General guilty under Section 354 A (attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman) and Section 54 of the Army Act (conduct unbecoming of an officer), prosecution counsel D S Ahluwalia said on Monday. The verdict is subject to confirmation by the Chief of Army Staff, the prosecution counsel said, adding the officer had the right to appeal before the Army Chief against the verdict. 4 passengers of Air India flight detained at Jodhpur airport for using objectionable language The case dates back to 2016 when the Major General was posted as Inspector General, Assam Rifles. A woman officer accused him of calling her to his room and misbehaving. Following the woman officer's allegation, the Army ordered a court of Inquiry and attached him for facing the probe at HQs 17 Corps in Ranchi. The Major General had refuted the allegation levelled against him. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 6:03 [IST] TS Inter 1st year result 2021 to be declared soon: List of websites to check CBSE Term 1 exam for major papers today: Set of guidelines to be followed Man who raped, had unnatural sex and killed his own daughter sent to gallows India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Dec 25: A Delhi Court has awarded death sentence to a 42-year-old man who raped, had unnatural sex and killed his six-year-old daughter last year, terming the heinous crime as " rarest of the rare". A special court sent the man to gallows on Monday. Special judge for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Kumudini Patel awarded death sentence to the accused. Two Army jawans rape deaf and mute woman for 4 years The 42-year-old accused suspected his wife's character and believed the victim was not his biological child, the prosecution said. He engaged in unnatural sex with the girl and also raped her, a prosecution official said. He later hanged her with the help of a stole on the night of March 15, 2017, the official said. Post-mortem report confirmed rape, unnatural sex and strangulation. The victim's DNA report matched with the accused following which he was arrested, the official said. The prosecution proved the case on the basis of scientific evidence following which the court awarded capital punishment to him under section 302 of the IPC and life imprisonment under section 376, Director General, prosecution, Rajendra Kumar, said. "Though main witnesses turned hostile, scientific evidence of post-mortem and DNA had helped us in proving our case," he said. With this, the total number of death sentences awarded so far in such matters (where victims were minors) has risen to 21 this year, Kumar added. The figure is highest in the country and a record in the history of state's prosecution department, he said. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 13:19 [IST] Amit Shah on two-day trip to Meghalaya; All set to meet all northeast CMs Rescue ops for trapped Meghalaya miners enters 13th day India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Shillong, Dec 26: NDRF operation to rescue 15 miners trapped in a 370 feet illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's Lumthari village has been temporarily halted due to lack of submersible water pumps. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sought for submersible water pumps but government yet to get it. Family members of trapped miners are losing hope as rescue operation has entered the 13th day. Seven of the 15 trapped victims hail from two villages in Aman's constituency in West Garo Hills district. Tribals migrated to other states due to Salwa Judoom and policy may come back to Chhattisgarh Nearly 100 personnel of the NDRF along with the police, are waiting for the water to recede about 30 feet as divers can do their job once the water level subsides up to that level. NDRF Assistant Commandant S.K. Singh told PTI that the current water level in the mine shaft is about 70 feet. About 100 personnel of the NDRF are waiting for the water to recede to 30 feet for divers to do their job. 9 Pm tonight: 12 days after miners trapped in Meghalaya, rescue attempts abandoned for now because pumps are ineffective, need more powerful pumps to get water out of mines! Would this happen in any other part of country or do some lives matter less than others? Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 25, 2018 (With PTI inputs) Squeezed out of Chhattisgarh, the naxal menace takes shape in Kerala India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Dec 25: The crackdown on naxalites in their strongholds of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha has forced the Maoists to take refuge in other states. Back in the month of May 2018, a report was put out by the Southern Range police which spoke about the rise of the naxalite movement in South India. There has been no specific act of violence, but there has been movement of naxalites in the Western Ghats, Dakshin Kannada, Shimoga, Kodak, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Arrested Central Govt employee confirms the presence of urban naxalites Kerala in particular has been on the radar of the naxalites for long. There were several intelligence reports about how arms were being smuggled in from Sri Lanka through Tamil Nadu and then being dropped off at Kerala. In addition to this, naxal related literature had been found on various occasions in Kerala. In addition to this the naxalites declared their support to the plantation workers in Nilambur, Kerala. A four member group of the naxalites visited the Plantation Corporation Kerala Limited and distributed notices and posters extending their support to the plantation workers. An Intelligence Bureau which deals with the rise of naxal movement in south says that the most sightings of the Maoists has been at Kannur, Wayannad, Mallapuram, Palakkad and Kozhikode. There are constantly in the lookout for unexplored jungles and are even getting in touch with the locals to help set up their base, the report also stated. The jungles of Wayannad have been used extensively by the naxalites who undertake their arms training programme over there. There has been a constant movement of naxalites in the southern states. They were spotted in large numbers in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. However due to enhanced activity by the security machinery, they have moved to the jungles of Kerala. The IB report states that naxals would move in between these three states using the jungle routes. It becomes very difficult for the security machinery to coordinate owing to jurisdiction issues. As a result of this, it becomes necessary for the central forces to undertake operations in these areas in a bid to overcome the jurisdiction issues. 2018: How forces took the battle to the naxalites, but the fight is far from over In a bid to increase their presence in Kerala, the naxalites are raking up labour related issues. As mentioned above in this article, the naxalites extended support to the plantation workers in Nilambur. In the notices, the naxals demanded that the daily wage be increased to Rs 800 from the existing Rs 391. The Kerala police however say that they have not yet been able to gain the traction they have been looking for. This is a tactic to increase their local support, without which no operation by them would be possible. We are keeping a close watch on their activity and will ensure that they do not succeed, the police also say. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 15:55 [IST] Tribals migrated to other states due to Salwa Judoom and policy may come back to Chhattisgarh India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 25: The Chhattisgarh government is apparently planning to change the Naxal policy of the government as newly appointed chief minister Bhupesh Baghel had said immediately after taking over as the chief minister of the state that his government will reach out to tribals. The chief minister's statement has given hope to thousands of tribals to come back to their own villages who were living a life of migrant in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. Tribals in other states are getting ready to come back home with the government planning to change its Naxal policy. If sources are to be believed then around 15 families living in Telengana expressed their willingness to come back to Chhattisgarh immediately. These families have sought help from a Social workers working in the Bastar district of the state. The new Chhattisgarh government likely to frame a new Naxal policy to help tribals Sources are saying that the government is making a policy to bring back tribals migrated to other states in view of Salwa Judoom. Several villages were set on fire during Salwa Judoom movement. Allegation of rape and murder were also made. So tribals from Sukma and Bijapur districts have fled to neighbouring states. The government does not have any data as such that how many tribals are there in the other states. Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) tell the number to 20-30 thousands but some other call it to one lakh. Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma said that around 1.5 lakh tribals are living close to the border. Anti-Naxal movement Salwa Judoom was started in 2005. Around 600 villages were vacated due to the campaign run by police and the public. Migrated people were given space close to police station and police camps. There were around 47 Salwa Judoom camps. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel waives farm loans, orders SIT probe into Bastar massacre There were allegations of the police and supporters of Salwa Judoom's atrocities against terrorists. The matter reached the court and the Supreme Court ruled against Salwa Judoom. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 10:00 [IST] China remembers individuals who helped it reach the heights; honours 10 foreigners International oi-Shubham Ghosh Beijing, Dec 25: Even though China is seen with suspicion for being a closed system often, the country doesn't hesitate to reward those who have helped it undergo reforms and opening up. Last week, the Chinese authorities held an event in the national capital to observe the 40th anniversary of "reform and opening up" which took the country from the clasp of the Cultural Revolution to becoming the world's second largest economy. And on the occasion, the Chinese honoured 10 foreign nationals (some living, some posthumous) with China Reform Friendship Medals for having aided the nation to progress on the path of economic reform over the past four decades. The 10 individuals are: French medical entrepreneur Alain Merieux who helped China to build its first top biological lab German engineer and technical consultant Werner Gerich who became the first foreign factory director in China Singapore's iconic prime minister Lee Kuan Yew who was often termed as an "old friend of the Chinese people". Lee had travelled to China over 30 times and met with the country's top leaders. Founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab who promoted China's economic cooperation with the rest of the world Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita who former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping wanted to meet in 1978 in Japan and the former later set up cutting-edge factories in China Public intellectual Robert Kuhn who wrote several books and articles on China, including a biography of Jiang Zemin. Kuhn is often credited for telling China's stories to the world. Former International Olympic Committee head Juan Antonio Samaranch who saw China making a return to the Olympics in 1980 and also the country getting awarded the right to host the mega event in Beijing (2008 edition) in 2001. Former Japanese prime minister Masayoshi Ohira who promoted normalisation of relations between China and Japan and wanted his country to help China's opening up Stephen Perry who promoted China-British trade relations Former chairman of American International Group and chairman of CV Starr & Companies Maurice R Greenberg who was known for bolstering US-China friendship. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 10:28 [IST] UP B.Ed JEE Exam to be held on July 30 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to reach Lucknow on July 16; Key meetings scheduled in Delhi before visit UP Board Class 10th, 12th Result 2021 Declared: How to check Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah UP: Man arrested for raping 15-year-old girl at gunpoint Lucknow oi-Vikas SV Muzaffarnagar, Dec 25: A man who allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar has been arrested after a court order. Suhail, who allegedly raped the girl in June, has been arrested under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police arrested Suhail on Monday for raping the girl in Rarkali village under Bhopa police station area in Muzaffarnagar district on gunpoint in June, according to the complaint filed by the girl. Man who raped, had unnatural sex and killed his own daughter sent to gallows A case under IPC Section 376 (punishment for rape) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act has been registered against him, police said. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 13:54 [IST] TS Inter 1st year result 2021 to be declared soon: List of websites to check CBSE Term 1 exam for major papers today: Set of guidelines to be followed Delhi: Taxi driver shot dead in Sagarpur New Delhi oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Dec 25: The Delhi Police have said that a 25-year-old taxi driver was allegedly shot dead by unidentified men in southwest Delhi's Sagarpur area. The incident occurred past Saturday midnight. The driver, Joginder Singh, a native of Sonipat in Haryana, was found lying in a pool of blood near a car by some passers by following which police were informed, they said. A pistol magazine and five live rounds were seized from the spot, a senior police official said, adding the body has been sent for post-mortem and his family has been informed about it. [BJP youth wing leader shot dead in Lucknow] Police said the man was shot thrice. A case has been registered and the matter is being probed. CCTV footage are being scanned to ascertain the sequence of event, the officer said. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 8:39 [IST] Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Learn more SEATTLE Passengers who were aboard a Delta Air Lines flight that made an emergency landing on a remote Alaskan island have arrived safely at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Delta spokesman Drake Castaneda said in an email Tuesday that the customers took off on an alternative aircraft from Shemya and arrived in Seattle at about 10 p.m. Monday Pacific time. The original flight from Beijing to Seattle carrying 194 passengers was diverted to a military base on the island in Alaska's Aleutians chain due to a potential engine issue. Delta sent another aircraft with maintenance technicians, airport customer service agents and a new crew to operate the flight to Seattle to pick up the stranded passengers. Castaneda did not respond to questions Tuesday seeking details about the engine problems. Our Lady of Lavangs Christmas Eve Mass went on as scheduled with more than 500 families crowding into the large sanctuary, hours after a driver plowed through the entrance, damaging the doors and wooden pews. We have a very strong community and support here, said Henry Tran, as more than a dozen young musicians from the Lavang Youth Chamber Orchestra took to the stage, playing a jolly rendition of Sleigh Ride. Tran said he was shocked when he heard that a man plowed his Acura MDX through the church doors around 12:15 a.m. Monday. Stunning for us at this Christmas season, Tran said. Yet as soon as the pastor alerted parishioners, at least a hundred members showed up to help mop up the mess, bring in folding chairs to replace the pews and place plywood over the entrances. Jessica Nguyen said that by the time she came to help earlier Monday morning there already were many people present working. One message from our priest, she said, and everyone responded. Monday night, the 23-year-old posed for photos with relatives beside the lit-up Nativity Scene, thankful the service could be held. Some of the congregants said they recognized the man accused of ramming his car through the church, Hieu John Phung, 35. Kiet To, a member who also provides security at the church, said Phungs children learn Vietnamese at the church school. Phung was booked into the downtown Portland jail at 4:05 a.m., but later released on his own recognizance. Hes due to be arraigned on a first-degree criminal mischief allegation on Wednesday. Dieu Nguyen said she was very discouraged to hear what had happened to her church Monday morning. Yet by Monday night, she beamed with pride as she videotaped the childrens choir performance, buoyed by how the parish overcame the vandalism and remained a tight-knit, supportive community. More than 4,000 people belong to Our Lady of Lavang, drawing Portlands Vietnamese Catholic community that began to take root in 1975 as refugees arrived following the war in their home country. Churchgoers paid little attention to the folding chairs, the plywood doors or yellow caution tape. They were caught up in the jubilant dance and musical performances, and parishioners dressed up to act out the birth of Jesus. This community is strong, said To, who enjoyed the 5 p.m. mass with his family, and then planned to work security at the church for its later 9 p.m. Christmas Eve service. This place is strong. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian WASHINGTON - A man from Germany was arrested Sunday after an officer with the Secret Service saw him pull down his pants and expose himself as he posed for a picture in front of the White House, according to D.C. police. Sebastian Hares, 34, of Heidelberg, Germany, was charged with indecent exposure. He was issued a citation that orders him to appear in court at a later date to answer the charge. He was then released. Police said in a report that the incident occurred about 1:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, the pedestrian area in front of the White House. The report says a uniformed Secret Service officer saw four people getting their picture taken by another person. "One individual . . . turned his back to the cameraman and was then facing the south toward the White House," the reports says. The suspect "proceeded to lower his pants and undergarment." Efforts to reach Hares on Monday were unsuccessful. -- The Washington Post Inside the Portland Chinatown Museum, Carey Wongs life has come full circle. Hes standing at the entrance to the museums freshly installed exhibit, Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portlands Historic Chinatowns. Wong, a scenic designer whos done work for numerous theater and opera companies, designed the exhibit for its 2016 debut at the Oregon Historical Society. Now hes reworked it for its permanent home at the museum, trimming it from 3,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet while incorporating new displays and features. Hes also standing just a block from the site where Norman and Mabel Wong, his grandparents, started the New China Laundry and Dry Cleaners, which they passed down to his father, Gordon Wong. As a child, Carey Wong not only spent time at the laundry but also was a member of a local Chinese American youth group. Then he went off to Jesuit High School and Yale University. I completely lost touch with it, he says of Chinatown. Now hes re-established childhood acquaintances and gained a new understanding and appreciation of Chinatowns history. Jackie Peterson-Loomis, executive director of the museum, which celebrated its official opening Dec. 15, hopes all of its visitors will leave with a similar understanding and appreciation. A retired historian, she is quick to point out that at the turn of the 20th century, Portland had the second largest Chinese American population in the country, with 10,000 of the citys 95,000 residents claiming Chinese heritage. Chinese-owned businesses stretched for nearly a mile along Second and Third Avenues from West Burnside Street to Southwest Mill Street. They made up Portlands first Chinatown; the museum sits at the edge of Portlands second Chinatown. Those who step through the exhibits entrance gate will learn these facts and more. Heres a sampling. Historical context: Its important to Peterson-Loomis that visitors appreciate the sophistication of the society and culture that Portlands Chinese immigrants left behind. To that end, the exhibit includes a video installation by Rose Bond, an animator and media artist on the faculty of the Pacific Northwest College of Art, that animates drawings from Chinas 300-year Ming Dynasty, celebrated for its literature and arts. Elsewhere, the exhibit explores 19th- and 20th-century U.S. and Oregon laws that excluded and discriminated against Chinese immigrants and residents, spurring the downfall of the first Chinatown. Businesses: The exhibit includes one of the first photographs of Portland, taken in the 1850s, which Peterson-Loomis gleefully points out includes a Chinese laundry. Chinese entrepreneurs were here from the beginning, following the gold rush north from California in search of new opportunities, she says. Also in the exhibit is a re-creation of a Chinatown store, Bow Yuen & Co., with the inventory that was on its shelves when it closed in 1929. Food: The exhibit pays tribute to Hung Far Low, the longtime Chinatown restaurant, which Peterson-Loomis credits with helping establish early Portland as Chop Suey USA. She also says the original Chinatown restaurants helped launch the concept of takeout service in Portland: The food would come in a basket, with dishes. One display shows an illustration of a Chinese restaurant from the West Shore, a 19th-century Portland literary magazine. Culture: Displays and features include the Yat Sing Music Club visitors can push buttons to hear Chinese opera and another Rose Bond animation, this one of the Portland Chinese Language School. Also on view: several outfits and the recipe book of the Benson Hotels pastry chef, who Peterson-Loomis said was a paper son who skirted Chinese exclusion laws with fraudulent immigration documents. Oral histories: In the latter part of the exhibit, visitors arrive at a sound dome that will project oral histories. We are trying this time to do a better job of incorporating people who grew up here, from the 1920s through 1960s, Peterson-Loomis says. Shes hoping visitors with family or personal ties to Portlands Chinatowns will bring in photos to add to a montage wall. Chinatown today: The exhibit ends with photographs from Dean Wongs summer show at the museum, "Made in Chinatown USA: Portland," which documents Chinatowns remaining businesses and residents. All told, visitors can get closer than in the previous incarnation of the exhibit to more than 200 historical objects, chosen as part of a mission to really challenge and complicate perceptions of Chinatown, in Peterson-Loomis words. Its an ambitious mission, seeing as the museum itself is opening at a challenging and complicated time for Chinatown. Peterson-Loomis notes that when the Chinatown gate was installed at West Burnside Street and Northwest Fourth Avenue in 1986, it was supposed to be a new beginning. So, too, is this museum. *** Portland Chinatown Museum When: Noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday Where: 127 N.W. Third Ave. Admission: $5-$8, free for children under 12, portlandchinatownmuseum.org or 503-224-0008. There are three things Levi Wheeler loves in life: his parents, the Midland County Fair and all things Disney. So imagine his surprise when his parents told him that, for the first time in his life, he wouldn't just be able to go to Walt Disney World in Florida, but be able to meet one of his favorite characters -- Goofy. "I had so many tearjerker moments while (on the trip). Even thinking about it now, I almost cry," said mother Danika Wheeler. "For (Levi), there's so much he can't do and there's so many things he doesn't get to enjoy like other children do. So to see him, not just be the center of attention but to be doted on and unconditionally loved by his favorite characters and the (Disney) cast members, it was like a dream." And while the family returned home a little over two months ago, the trip is still all Levi talks about, his mother said. Danika and husband, Tim Wheeler, were able to take their son to Disney World through the help of the Midland area Make-A-Wish program on Oct. 16. The family stayed six days at Give Kids the World, a resort that caters to children who have special needs. While the opportunity provided memories the family will never forget, Danika said at first they weren't even sure if Levi would qualify. She said she was under the impression children had to be in end-of-life care to qualify for Make-A-Wish. So she was surprised when she found out it's not that way at all. "For Levi, to do this, it was magical," Danika said. "We couldn't have asked for anything more. For everything that he's gone through, we're just blessed he was even able to get this opportunity." When Levi was born he "came out blue," Danika said. He was taken via Life Flight to Ann Arbor for further care and would spend the next 64 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. It was there he was diagnosed with bilateral vocal chord paralysis, Danika said, along with chronic lung disease, epilepsy and cerebral palsy in his left leg. Because of the vocal chord paralysis, Levi couldn't breath through his mouth or nose on his own. It was only through a tracheostomy performed on him at 14 days old could he finally start to take in air through the tube installed in his throat. Now, through the use of therapy and the installation of a speaking valve, Levi is able to make noises, speak in fragmented sentences and use some American Sign Language to communicate with his parents. Originally being told by doctors Levi would never talk, for him to repeat back phrases he hears on TV or answer questions is a blessing, his father said. "Once he started being able to make noise, it just took off from there," Tim said. "We're so happy that he's talking, but now it's non-stop. There's no quiet button on him." Levi's condition, while difficult to manage, isn't fatal however. This is the main reason why the Wheelers thought they couldn't qualify for Make-A-Wish. It wasn't until Tim's mother told them that the program catered to children with critical illnesses, not necessarily life-threatening ones, that they looked further into the program. It was around the end of March when they inquired about Levi's eligibility. Two weeks later, after submitting their paperwork and verified Levi's illnesses, they were told to pick their destination. It was a no-brainer that it would be Disney. But there was much more that came along with it through Make-A-Wish and Give Kids the World. Sea World, indoor skydiving, Universal Studios, and the various parks at Disney World were all included with their package. Suddenly it wasn't an issue of what they were going to do with their three days, but how they were going to fit it all in. It was that level of inclusivity, giving Levi the opportunity to do things he otherwise might not have the option to partake in, was what his parents said made the stay that much more magical. Levi's favorite, his parents said, was Animal Kingdom where the family spent almost six hours enthralled by the animals and attractions there. "It was something that for everything the program did, we would never, ever be able to do it again at that level," Tim said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I remember when we got there it was like 'OK we have six days of this' and then when it was getting closer and closer to leave, we realized we didn't want to go. We're beyond grateful we could even be a part of this (experience)." Since coming home, Levi has talked solely about the trip -- in his own way. He talks about riding on the "Toon Plane," using the vernacular from the show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to describe the airplane ride to Florida, and going to "the carnival" -- his way of trying to explain the vibrancy of Disney World and Universal Studios. Even afterwards, Make-A-Wish arranged a welcome-home gathering for the Wheelers. The family was able to bring friends and relatives to Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Saginaw on Nov. 17 for a pizza party. Levi still talks about that, too. And like everything else Levi had experienced during that short period of time, it's something Danika and Tim think their son won't forget for a long, long time. "When he was there, Levi was treated like he was normal," Tim said. "We'll go through places sometimes and people will stare or people will look at Levi, and I know people are curious, but that's your kid. So to go to a place where no one stared, where he was just accepted -- it was amazing." For many, Christmas is a time of giving. But for the residents of Washington Woods, it's not just about being charitable, it's about saying thank you. "It's amazing to receive these donations, it's very appreciated," said Bob Arnold, a lieutenant with the Midland Fire Department. "We get thanked all the time for what we do, but it's just what we do. So it's refreshing to be able to thank someone else for a change." All three Midland fire departments, the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department were the recipients of ready-made food donations from Washington Woods residents during the day on Christmas Eve. The meals were bought and paid for by the residents, who fundraised money by soliciting those who lived in the complex. Cyndi Sanderson, and fellow residents Carl Burgess and Dolores Davis, devised the idea to feed the three fire departments and officers at the Law Enforcement Center around Thanksgiving. Originally the plan was to feed Fire Station 1 as a way to say thank you for the work the firefighters there did for the residents. When they found out the station had Thanksgiving meals covered, the plan then changed to providing an early Christmas dinner. The three reached out to their fellow residents at Washington Woods to see if they would help with monetary donations. The response they received, Davis said, was way more than they bargained for. In a few short weeks, instead of just feeding one fire station and the LEC, they would be feeding all three stations with the money they raised. The donation coordination was completely arranged by the residents of Washington Woods. Lori Jung, assistant manager of senior housing, said in her four-year tenure with Washington Woods she can't remember a donation effort of this caliber. "It warms my heart to have this as a resident thought of project. (The staff) had no part in this," Jung said in an interview Thursday with the Daily News. "(The residents) thought, developed, fundraised and will prepare the food -- it's just amazing to see how the residents want to say thank you to the people who have helped them." Meals for the service folks included ham, scalloped and au gratin potatoes, stuffing, coleslaw, baked beans, cheese and cracker trays with sausages, rolls, vegetable and dip trays, macaroni and cheese, corn, cheesecakes and pies. The amount of food they ended up buying needed roughly seven fridges and freezers to be stored in, one of which was a deep freezer. Davis joked that while the original plan was for a simple turkey, ham, mashed potato and stuffing spread, they "got sidetracked" when at the grocery store. The spread will be used to feed roughly 40 people, with leftovers, Sanderson said. Food for the fire department was dropped off at Fire Station No. 1 on Haley Street. The other two departments had the ability to make the trek over during downtime to grab themselves some dinner, desert and take-home trays as well. As for future plans to make donations a seasonal regularity, Davis and Sanderson said they hope the donation drive for a holiday dinner becomes a tradition at Washington Woods, even if they may not be the ones spearheading the efforts. "Lots of people drive past (Washington Woods) and see it's a senior living place, and we feel that people need to know we're not just sitting around with our walkers and a couple times a month yelling bingo," Sanderson said. "We want to be active in our community and give back to our community. We want people to know that we care and that we're thankful we're able to do this." A merry Christmas to those who celebrate! Jordan Peele and Universal Pictures have a gift for us all: the first trailer for Us, the Oscar-winning writer-directors most-anticipated sophomore effort, following his breakthrough debut feature Get Out. The trailer, of course, peels away a bit of the mystery surrounding Peeles new social thriller, so youll want to avoid it if you prefer to go in fresh. Its YouTube description offers the following detailed synopsis: Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, Us, from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyongo as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panthers Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway. Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers (Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Cali Sheldon, Noelle Sheldon), Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. Us pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgangers of themselves. Set to Lunizs I Got 5 on It, the trailer reveals the thrust of Us: The Wilson family are terrorized by themselves. In addition to the actors credited above, Us stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Anna Diop and Madison Curry. Peele teased the release of todays trailer on Christmas Eve night, first promising a 6am est debut before later replacing that tweet with another saying 6am pst, much to the chagrin of tired pop culture writers everywhere who had already set that early alarm and drifted off. But considering all the excitement swirling around Us, we can hardly complain. Peele wrote and directed Us, and produces for his own Monkeypaw Productions with Sean McKittrick and Jason Blum, as well as Monkeypaws Ian Cooper. Tickets are on sale now, if you need a last-last-minute Christmas gift. Universal Pictures brings Us to theaters on March 15, 2019. Watch the trailer below and catch up on everything we know about the film so far here. LG Electronics has joined the Korean (FTC) Fair Trade Commission's US$915 million (1.03 trillion won) lawsuit against U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm. The FTC imposed a fine of 1.03 trillion won on Qualcomm in 2016 for abusing its patents. However, Qualcomm did not accept it and filed an administrative suit. Samsung Electronics, Apple, Intel, MediaTek and Huawei joined the FTC as its ancillary participants. Industry watchers say LG Electronics has decided to participate in the legal battle against Qualcomm as its negotiations with the U.S. chipmaker are not going well. So far, the FTC and Qualcomm have had 11 hearings and interrogations since October of last year. It will take several more years for the court to come up with the final verdict. Samsung Electronics who was originally a part of the lawsuit buckled and dropped out as a condition to win a cross-licensing patent agreement with Qualcomm early this year. While Samsung's withdrawal weakened the Korean FTC lawsuit, the addition and participation of LG Electronics in the commission's alliance is now expected to bolster its stance in the lawsuit. President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday that the government shutdown would continue until the country has a wall along the Mexican border. I cant tell you when the government is going to be open, Trump said, during a live Christmas photo op at the White House. I can tell you its not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they like to call it. The shutdown, now in its fourth day following Trumps demand for $5 billion to fulfill his campaign promise of a border wall paid for by Mexico, affects an estimated 800,000 of roughly 2.1 million federal workers. TRUMP on when govt shutdown will end: "I can't tell you when the govt is going to be open. I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they would like to call it. I'll call it whatever they want...we have illegal ppl pouring into our country." pic.twitter.com/cIXlMW1Cy8 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 25, 2018 Congressional leaders had agreed to allocate $1.6 billion for the wall in 2019, about a third of the amount Trump requested. On Tuesday, Trump said the project is needed to serve as a barrier for drugs and people coming into the country. The United States shares a 1,933 mile-long border with Mexico. Existing barriers, including fences and walls, are in place along roughly 700 miles of the border. Natural barriers, including the Rio Grande River, separate the two countries along long stretches of the border. In addition to freezing government services and the wages of about a third of all federal employees, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which would have been extended in House and Senate spending proposals, expired at midnight on Friday. That will impact funding for domestic violence programs nationwide. Gov. Tom Wolf, in a letter supporting reauthorization of VAWA, said the $4.8 million in funding the law made available to Pennsylvania helped 17,500 residents by providing crisis counseling, assistance with protection orders, legal advocacy and assistance, hospital and court accompaniment, safety planning, and emergency housing. Wallace McKelvey may be reached at wmckelvey@pennlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @wjmckelvey. Find PennLive on Facebook. Read the TAPPED OUT special investigation of drinking water. Long-time radio host Bob Durgin has died, his former station WHP580 announced Monday. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time WHP580 host Bob Durgin. His career spanned nearly... Posted by WHP 580 on Monday, December 24, 2018 Durgin worked in radio for nearly 50 years. He went to work at WHP580 in 1989, and retired in 2013. He is a radio pioneer and dear friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time, WHP580s posted. As Durgin retired in 2013 at 70 years old, he reflected on a career spanning a half-century. I feel as though, not only am I giving up a career, which is a lot, but Im giving up a way of life, Durgin, 70, said on his show, with morning host R.J. Harris joining him. Its a poignant time for me and I just hope I can deal with it. One of Durgins biggest career moments in 2005, when he went after state lawmakers for approving hefty pay raises and then beginning their summer recess. Durgin rallied the public in protest. Under heavy public pressure, lawmakers eventually rescinded the raises a few months later. Harris credited Durgins key role in making lawmakers pay attention to the public outcry over the raises. I know you dont want total credit for this, but you changed history with the pay raise thing, Harris told Durgin on air in 2013. Ill never forget that day when we rolled the petitions out with 130,000 signatures. Youre the man who championed this and it changed history. The Bob Durgin Show, which aired from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, became a staple of daily life for many in the midstate. Matt Brouillette, former president of the conservative think-tank Commonwealth Foundation, worked with Durgin for about a decade. In a 2013 PennLive story, Brouillette praised Durgins level of understanding. I think Bob gave a voice to a lot of the people in the midstate and how they viewed the state of politics and public affairs, Brouillette said. Bob was your everyday guy that just had a talent in front of the microphone. That was his attraction, listeners were able to connect with him on a personal level. G. Terry Madonna, the pollster and political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College, was a frequent guest on Durgins show. He said he was always impressed by Durgins fair nature. The real positive side was that Bob was not afraid to have people on his show who didnt agree with him, Madonna said. Durgin was born in Boston and moved later to the King of Prussia area where he graduated from Upper Merion High School. He started his radio career when he was 16, working for a radio station in Norristown. After touring Europe with the U.S. Air Force in the 1960s, Durgin moved to Texas and spent time at a Top 40 station there. After that, Durgin worked for 20 years in Oklahoma City as the news director for KTOK before settling in central Pennsylvania in 1989. Durgin became known for some memorable phrases such as shut up and pay your taxes and give me a physical break. Editors note: This story was updated to correct the length of time Durgin worked at WHP580. As people across central Pennsylvania race to finish their Christmas shopping, they are scrambling with a little more cash in their pocket as gas prices continue to fall. Gas prices fell another 6.3 cents over the last week in the Harrisburg area, according to GasBuddys survey of 241 stations around the region. The average price fell to $2.48 in the region Sunday, GasBuddy reported. The lowest prices in the area appears to be $2.35 at the Costco on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township, according to GasBuddy. Several stations are under $2.40, GasBuddy reports. Midstate gas prices remain higher than the national average: $2.31. Nationwide, gas prices have dropped to their lowest point in two years, according to AAA. Overall, gas prices have fallen 23.9 cents over the last month in the Harrisburg area. Heres a look at gas prices around the region: Lancaster: $2.47, down 6.6 cents per gallon from last week Reading: $2.52, down 4.4 cents per gallon from last week York: $2.41, down 2.7 cents per gallon from last week Prices are falling across most of the country. Gas prices broadly continue to move lower across much of the country as oil prices continue to melt away, Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a statement. 31 states now are seeing at least one price under $2 per gallon while the most common price seen across the land has dropped to $1.99 per gallon, with over a quarter of stations in the U.S. under that psychologically important level." The falling prices leave more money for consumers, DeHaan noted. "Americans are spending $225 million less every day on gasoline than they did some 75 days ago, DeHaan said. Lower gas prices may be driving an uptick in holiday traffic. A record 112 Americans are expected to travel over the Christmas holiday, AAA projects. Christmas Eve was special to Bob Durgin, and he used his show to make sure it was also special for others. But this year, Durgins friends and loved ones mourned. WHP 580 announced Durgins death on Monday. WHP morning show host RJ Harris and producer Dan Steele remembered how he worked hard to make Christmas Eve special. Before the days of cellphones and internet, when long distance calls cost more than an average call, Durgin would invite military families on the show on Christmas Eve, and the station would make the call to their deployed loved one. Harris said the station paid for the call, and they would air as a part of a special Christmas Eve show. I also played Santa for him every year, Steele said. During an hour of the show, Steele would call in as Santa, and listeners could call in to talk to Santa Steele. Harris said in 2017, Durgin called in and narrated The Night Before Christmas. Durgin was much more than someone with Christmas spirit. Harris credits Durgin with Pennsylvania lawmakers rescinding the pay raise they gave themselves in 2005. The pay raise issue was probably the biggest feather in his cap, Harris said. I really believe, and many other people believe, that the pay raise would have gone through had Bob Durgin not gone in on it. Harris said Durgin was relentless and got nearly 130,000 signatures in protest that he rolled out on the steps of the Capitol. Shortly after, lawmakers voted to nix the pay hikes, which ranged from 11 percent to 54 percent. Steele said Durgin was the kind of person to say when he thought someone was trying to hide something. Politicians knew what to expect from Durgin if he called, because hed be holding them accountable. He was truly one of a kind, Steele said. He loved to pound on the desk and hold people accountable for some of the things they did in the state capital. Steele said if theres a Harrisburg Radio Hall of Fame, Durgin should be in it. He was a bigger than life character that had a tremendous sense of humor and a tremendous sense of civic pride and all of that came through on the radio, Harris said. He wasnt always right, but he was convinced he was, Steele said. And he was truly one of a kind. Since hearing about Durgins passing, Harris said his phone was going off with texts and calls from people who loved Durgin. His entire radio family is deeply saddened, Harris said. I think we kept each other on our toes, Steele said. He challenged me the first day that I produced his show and I challenged him right back, and I think he respected that. He was a true radio talent, the likes of which the Harrisburg area has not seen before or since. Condolences from other colleagues, friends It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time WHP580 host Bob Durgin. His career spanned nearly... Posted by WHP 580 on Monday, December 24, 2018 Some of you may have heard already but it is with deep sadness we find out today that Bob Durgin has passed. Most of... Posted by Holly Love on Monday, December 24, 2018 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time WHP 580 host Bob Durgin. His career spanned nearly... Posted by Brock Kerchner on Monday, December 24, 2018 State police are looking for a bobtail truck they said was seen near site of a fatal pedestrian crash on Sunday. Martese Davenport, 30, from Hampstead, New York was walking north on Interstate 81 northbound near mile marker 54.7 in Silver Spring Township around 2 a.m. Sunday when he was hit by a passing vehicle, police said. Police said Monday that Davenport was walking with the flow of traffic along the berm when he was hit. They also said Davenport was wearing dark clothing and they do not know if the driver of the striking vehicle knew Davenport was hit. Police learned that a bobtail truck, or a truck with no trailer, was seen in the area of the crash at 2 a.m., parked along the shoulder. Police said the truck in question may have minor damage to the right front of the truck, likely to the mirror and may be leaking oil. Police ask that any passing motorists that saw the vehicle contact Tpr. John Boardman at the Carlisle Barracks by calling 717-249-2121. They are looking for any information about the vehicle and/or the driver and any occupants. By William Lambers Before his first Christmas as President, Dwight Eisenhower teamed up with Santa Claus to change the world. That holiday season in 1953 the United States sent food packages abroad to feed the hungry. Operation Reindeer (or Operation Santa Claus) were the code names for this mission. Germany, Austria, Italy and many others received the food. These nations were still recovering from the destruction of World War II. The U.S. Army took part in the Christmas food package plan. A news report at the time exclaimed, Hats off to the generosity of the American soldier who dug deep into his own pocket to give the children of Austria a happy Christmas. Eisenhower was exploring ways to use food to build peace. The U.S. had plenty of food so it made perfect sense to feed the hungry overseas instead of it going to waste. There could be no peace or stability if people are starving. That previous summer Eisenhower had sent food to Soviet dominated East Germany when there were shortages. This was a key moment in the Cold War. The East Germans remembered who fed them when they starved and remain grateful to this daythe whole world can thank Dwight Eisenhower for reaching out to feed the hungry Germans," White House advisor Harold Stassen wrote: Operation Santa Claus went on for two holidays before the United States Food for Peace program took effect. This initiative has been our main tool for fighting world hunger ever since. Food for Peace has saved millions of lives and helped countries through the most difficult of times. Food for Peace essentially made the Santa Claus food packages a year round event. Eisenhower at the United Nations in 1960 even proposed an international food for peace effort, with numerous countries donating. This would become reality during the Kennedy administration with the creation of the UN World Food Program (WFP). Food for Peace is the single largest donor to WFP. We need to fight hunger more than never now. Wars in Yemen, Syria, the Sahel of Africa, Ukraine, South Sudan and many other areas has left record numbers of hungry and displaced people. Yemen is on the brink of famine with 20 million people in hunger. A huge amount of resources will be needed to feed Yemen. That means Congress should increase our funding for Food for Peace. Currently Food for Peace gets around 1.5 billion a year, a relatively tiny part of the federal budget. We can increase to keep pace with the ever increasing needs abroad. We should also increase our school lunches overseas through the McGovern-Dole program. The school meals fight hunger in needy countries while also keeping the children in class learning. Santa Claus brings happiness for children every year at Christmas time. With Food for Peace we can make that happiness year round for every person in the world by ending hunger. William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program and Catholic Relief Services on the book Ending World Hunger. His previous work has been published by the New York Times, History News Network, The Hill, Newsweek and many other media outlets. 3.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trump is so mentally unstable that he is screaming about conspiracies at his television. The AP has a very disturbing account of Trumps behavior,Trump advisers and confidants describe the president as increasingly angry over the investigation, yelling at television sets in the White House carrying coverage and insisting he is the target of a conspiracy to discredit and potentially end his presidency. Some of his ire is aimed at Rosenstein and investigative special counsel Robert Mueller, both of whom the president believes are biased against him, associates say. Trump is out of control rage tweeting, and now he is yelling at his television about imaginary conspiracies that are out to get him. After the use of a cabinet meeting to try to boost Trump out of his depression, it is clear that this administration will never remove Trump from office no matter how crazy he gets. The stories about Trumps unstable behavior are virtually a daily occurrence, which makes one curious about the behavior that the American people dont hear about. Donald Trump never demonstrated stable characteristics as a private citizen, so it is no shock that he would crack up under the stress of the most important job in the world. A belief that there are conspiracies that are out to get you is a symptom of paranoia. Trump appears to be mentally unwell, and his hold on reality is slipping away more by the day. 3.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The Republican Party is being held hostage by a madman. GOP voters (especially those who vote in primaries) love Donald Trump. Yet GOP members of Congress know the truth: he is nuts. Republican elected officials who know the truth about our unhinged president cant speak that truth in public. If they do, the Trump-loving party faithful will rise in protest and boot them out of office in their next primary election. Some may even issue threats of physical harm for daring to criticize their beloved leader, who they believe can do no wrong. And now Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, who lost her race for re-election this year, has thrown some gasoline on the fire. In an interview with CNN, she said that her GOP colleagues in Congress believe Trump is nuts but they will only say that in private. They will never express their true feelings in public for fear of retribution from members of their own party. While criticizing the president, McCaskill also had some harsh words for for the Republican Party. She warned that history will judge some of my Republican colleagues harshly that they didnt stand up to this President at some of the moments where he has been unhinged about particularly the rule of law. The retiring senator also expressed her opinion that GOP senators have privately conceded they cant speak out publicly against Trump because of backlash theyd receive from their base. She said: Now theyll tell you, if its just the two of you, The guy is nuts, he doesnt have a grasp of the issues, hes making rash decisions, hes not listening to people who know the subject matter. But in public if they go after him they know they get a primary, and they know thats tough. McCaskill did not name individual Republicans, but CNN did ask her about GOP Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. She said: Its kind of weird to me, Grahams alliance with Trump. I dont know what happened with Lindsey. But, she added, Make no mistake about it. This is Donald Trumps Republican Party. And speaking of the president, she said Hes the master of, Im going to do so much stuff thats crazy that nobody notices crazy anymore. David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter. His work has been honored nationally by Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Scripps foundation and others. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com Jerrel Floyd is an Alabama raised reporter who covers Summerville and Dorchester County for The Post and Courier. A kit boat launched by St. Andrews School of Math and Science students in 2015 hoping to see it circle the Atlantic has washed up in the Azores off Portugal. Students on the remote island might help rebuild and send it on its way. Provided by Andre Vitorino 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. The Post and Courier provides a forum for our readers to share their opinions, and to hold up a mirror to our community. Publication does not imply endorsement by the newspaper; the editorial staff attempts to select a representative sample of letters because we believe its important to let our readers see the range of opinions their neighbors submit for publication. Finally! A stock market I can like! I hate stock markets that are at record highs. I love stock markets that are battered and bruised. One of the great things about being a conservative is that the essential contrarian nature of a conservative can and should extend to the stock market, too. When the Wall Street touts and CNBC shills say Its different this time, a conservative will immediately be reminded that thats the slogan of every newfound socialist. The bull market of the last decade was fueled in large part by easy money. Why did anyone think that market wouldnt take a hit when the Federal Reserve started raising short rates and reducing its balance sheet? The indicators of a market top (and an economy that could be slowing down) have been evident for months now. Which is why I have been moving to cash for most of this year, looking like a fool (but better to be early than late!) for most of the year. And now with everyone panicking, I look around and think, Woweverythings 20 percent off? Time to start buying again. It may well go lowermaybe a lot lower yet (and then even better bargains!)but keep in mind always the wisdom of that neglected conservative philosopher Benjamin Graham: In the short run, the market is a voting machine; in the long run, the market is a weighing machine. I have found the most mind-numbing stupid Tweet of the year: That mean, mean Trump Administration. Oh, wait: Deportations Under Trump Still Lag Far Behind Those Carried Out by the Obama Administration Although President Donald Trump may often tout his strong stance against illegal migrants and is regularly blasted by critics for his hardline immigration policies, deportations since he took office have remained well below the levels carried out in the peak years of his predecessor Barack Obama. In 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has so far removed just over 256,000 individuals from the country. Last year, the number was lower, with 226,119 total deportations, according to official ICE statistics. But under Obama, annual deportations remained well above300,000 per year from when he took office in 2008 until 2014. They reached a peak in 2012, with a total of 409,849. During 2015 and 2016, Obamas last two years in office, deportations dropped to less than 250,000, but were still higher than Trumps first year as president. . . The Obama administration regularly defended its high level of deportations, arguing that the majority were convicted criminals. . . Trumps predecessor was regularly referred to as deporter in chief by pro-immigration groups, due to the high number of removals year after year under his leadership. Oh please God no: Dominic West calls for new Bond to be transgender Dominic West has called for the next James Bond to be transgender. . . They should have a transgender Bond because there are a lot of transgender people in the army, he added. Theyd be ideal because they can do everything. Thats a great idea! A transgender Bond. I think he should volunteer himself, except instead of simply re-identifying himself and putting on a skirt, he should go all the way and switch teams the old-fashioned way. This whole self-identification thing reminds me of the difference expressed in the old joke about the role of the chicken and the pig in your bacon-and-eggs breakfast: The chicken is involved, but the pig is committed. Cmon West, show your true commitment to diversity! And Ill say it again: Merry Christmas everybody! On Christmas, Thomas Friedman delivers a column better suited for April Fools Day. He recommends that Republicans threaten to fire President Trump. Friedman writes: I believe that the only responsible choice for the Republican Party today is an intervention with the president that makes clear that if there is not a radical change in how he conducts himself and I think that is unlikely the partys leadership will have no choice but to press for his resignation or join calls for his impeachment. Why does Tom Friedman, a liberal Democrat, think he has standing to advise Republicans on their approach to President Trump? Because Friedman, though bereft of insight and objectivity, is long on nerve. Its his defining attribute. His column is just a cleverly-packaged rehash of standard anti-Trump talking points. Clever packaging is Friedmans defining skill. Friedman argues that Trump was elected because voters saw him as a disrupter. Friedman claims to be on board with some disruption, but he objects to Trumps disruption of sacred cows like the EU and NATO. But Friedman never explains why the EU is sacred or why its in Americas interest to assist in its preservation. Friedman touts the web of global institutions and alliances built after World War II which, with all their imperfections, have provided the connective tissues that have created this unprecedented era of peace and prosperity. But the EU was constructed many decades after World War II, at a time when peace and prosperity had already been established. Today, its doubtful that the EU, with its suffocating bureaucracy, is promoting prosperity. NATO is a valuable institution, even post-Cold War. But that doesnt mean its members should be allowed to avoid meeting minimum financial commitments to it, as Trump has insisted they do. The broader response to Friedman is that disruption, bad manners, and advisers Friedman doesnt rate arent grounds for impeachment. Neither is disagreeing with Friedmans policy preferences. Under the Constitution, there must be high crimes and misdemeanors. Friedman doesnt even argue that Trump has committed any. Finally, as a political matter, it would be suicidal for Republican Senators to try to remove Trump now. He remains popular with a large number of Republicans and is lionized by a portion of the partys base. As things stand now, few GOP Senators could be reelected without the support of Trumps base. Republicans may have nominated Trump because hes a disrupter, but Trump was elected primarily because he was the alternative to Hillary Clinton and four more years of Democratic rule. As long as Trump remains a viable candidate in 2020, Republicans are well-advised to stick with him, rather than starting a civil war that would likely lead to the presidency of, say, Kamala Harris or Beto ORourke. If Trump ceases to be viable, the remedy is for Republicans to defeat him in the primaries, not to join with Democrats in forcing him out before his term expires. Absent a sound case that Trump has committed an impeachable offense and that does not include firing James Comey or committing a technical campaign finance law violation removal via congressional action should remain a Tom Friedman/Democrat fantasy. PR-Inside.com: 2018-12-25 11:02:27 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada T: +1-631-721-4201 Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com Web Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.com Phone - (+91) 7875758555 email Published by Ethan Taylor +44-631-787-4201 e-mail https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com # 608 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, Ontario, CanadaT: +1-631-721-4201Email: sales@researchreportinsights.comWeb Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.comPhone - (+91) 7875758555Ethan Taylor+44-631-787-4201 The pallet industry in India is soaring at a brisk pace. A pallet is designed to endure heavy load, serving as a rigid base for goods during their transportation and are usually handled by pallet jacks and forklifts. Indias rising economy coupled with higher production volumes of goods is potentially generating business opportunities for pallet manufacturers in the country. In order to manage large scale imports and shipments of consumer goods, industries avail smart logistic services. Hence, the demand for pallets from shipping and logistic industry has significantly increased in the country. Due to the lumpy transport infrastructure in Indian sub-continent, usage of pallet during goods delivery and storage becomes more important.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114704/India-Pallet-Market Boom in manufacturing sector of the country is fuelling the demand for pallets in the Indian market. Relentless support from the government and a blossoming business environment in the country is unveiling further market opportunities for the manufacturing sector. In addition, implementation of government policies such as Make in India is expected to ensure sustainability of the economic growth in the long run.These economic reforms are expected to bring some good news to the industrial sectors of the country, especially the manufacturing sector. Thus, the thrust to the manufacturing sector has also led to progression of the allied sectors such as hardware, logistics and transport. Off late, the country has witnessed establishment of large warehouses spreading in acres of land, these warehouses need several operational tools, pallets being a primary one. As production volumes in the country rise higher, it will have a direct impact on the demand for pallets. Moreover, stakeholders and manufacturers are strongly emphasizing on safer modules of transportation of materials and consumer goods, which is translating into the growth of the pallets market in India. The aforementioned factors are likely to drive the pallets market in India in the following years to come.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114704/India-Pallet-Market Emergence of Logistics and Warehouse Business in India Responsible for the Bulk of Demand for PalletsNoticeably, several new startups are going into logistics, transportation and delivery service. Though the competition in the market is moderate, companies look forward to improve service offerings. Companies are focusing on developing advanced warehouse facilities with features such as auto temperature control and robotics. For instance, Gati Ltd a supply chain solution provider recently developed its first temperature controlled warehouse infrastructure in New Delhi. The warehouse facility is designed to meet the industry standards and will cater to various industry sectors such as pharmaceutical and food and beverage including dairy.The latest warehouse infrastructures have extended capabilities and robust network ensuring enhanced supply chain solutions. This, in turn, is essentially helping businesses to expand significant levels and likewise supporting the growth of logistics industry in India.Warehouses provide storage services to a wide range of industries, operational tools such as pallet are important in managing goods and create sections and division between them. In additional, use of pallets allows stress-free movement of goods in bulk amount.TrendsProliferation of large retail or departmental stores in the country has led to a healthy demand for pallet from such outlets. Changing culture of retail business and an evolving market structure is expected to influence the market for pallets in India.ConclusionThe pallet market in India is anticipated to register a healthy growth rate in the coming years. By 2016 end, the pallet market in the country is expected to surpass INR 6,223 Cr, which is close to (US$ 971. Million) by 2024.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114704/India-Pallet-Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-12-25 10:19:05 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada T: +1-631-721-4201 Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com Web Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.com Phone - (+91) 7875758555 email Published by Ethan Taylor +44-631-787-4201 e-mail https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com # 635 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, Ontario, CanadaT: +1-631-721-4201Email: sales@researchreportinsights.comWeb Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.comPhone - (+91) 7875758555Ethan Taylor+44-631-787-4201 Today, there is an unprecedented economic pressure on clinical device manufacturers, payors as well as healthcare providers due to rapid radical change in the healthcare industry. Actually medical technology is experiencing a major shift from expensive healthcare innovation to enhanced productivity solutions, improved outcomes and cost reduction. Remote monitoring is the major element in this shift. The merging of pervasive cloud technology, noninvasive biosensors, wireless networks, and miniaturization is promptly introducing the patients monitoring concept. This kind of convergence proffers major price competences to the system. As per the Research Report Insights (RRI), the global remote patient monitoring devices market is anticipated to see a strong growth between 2017 and 2024. By 2024 end, the global remote patient monitoring devices market is estimated to reach US$ 1,502.9 Million revenue.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114693/Remote-Patient-Monitoring-Device-Market From the bang of wellness applications to chronic illness management, industry leaders to start-ups and remote monitoring to innovative software solutions, healthcare innovation in healthcare industry is rushing to support a trade that is facing challenges related to rising tension among increasing demand and tightening capacity as well as growing care cost and new models of reimbursement aiming towards controlling costs.Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is an ambulatory healthcare allowing patient to perform his routine test and then send that data to healthcare professional by using mobile medical device. It is also known as homecare tele-health. It uses the base of digital technology for gathering medical and several other health data from people at different locations and communicating through electronic medical mobile device.Market DriversFactors that are boosting the revenue growth of the global market of remote patient monitoring device include rising availability of solutions that effective in treatment and growing expenditure on healthcare. Increase in the geriatric population who have chronic diseases are propelling the demand of RPM devices which in turn driving the market growth. Moreover, growing awareness among patients as well as doctors regarding RPM devices and chronic diseases diagnosis in rural areas based on opinions due to shortage of standard diagnostic tests is further fueling the revenue growth of the global RPM device market in the coming years.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114693/Remote-Patient-Monitoring-Device-Market However, shortage of skilled professionals to help with RPM devices is hindering the market growth of remote patient monitoring device globally. Lack of awareness regarding RPM devices as well as insufficiency while maintaining the security and privacy of stored data and lack of regularity in functionality of device are the major factors hampering the global market of remote patient monitoring device.Globally, the segmentation of RPM device market is based on product, application, end user and regions. Based on product, the global market of remote patient monitoring device is segmented as Respiratory Monitors, Cardiac Monitors and Hematological Monitors. On the basis of application, the global market of remote patient monitoring device is segmented as Diabetes, Chronic respiratory diseases, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Sleep apnea, Ischemic diseases, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia. While based on end use, the global market of remote patient monitoring device is segmented as Long-term Care Centers, Hospitals and Homecare Settings.Regionally, the global market of remote patient monitoring device is segmented as APEJ, North America, Europe, Latin America and MEA. North America will dominate the global market of RPM device in terms of value and will exhibit revenue share of 31.4% by the end of 2016. While the Europe market is estimated to exhibit 22.8% revenue share of the global market of RPM device by the end of 2016.Major PlayersThe leading companies operating in the global remote patient monitoring device market are Medtronic, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Boston Scientific Corporation, St. Jude Medical, LifeWatch AG, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Nihon Kohden Corporation, and Abbott Laboratories.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114693/Remote-Patient-Monitoring-Device-Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-12-25 01:30:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 924 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 24, 2018 / EVIANA HEALTHCORPORATION (CSE: EHC) (the "Company") announces that on December 14,2018 it held its previously announced annual and special meeting of itsshareholders (the "Meeting"). At theMeeting, shareholders considered and those present in person and voting byproxy voted in favour of and passed the following:1.Appointmentof AuditorsBDO Canada LLP wereappointed as the Company's auditors.2.Numberof DirectorsThe number of theCompany's board of directors was set at four directors.3.Electionof DirectorsThe followingindividuals were elected to the Company's board of directors:i) Dr. AvramAdizesii) Sydney Auiii) Prof. Dr. LjiljanaVujoticiv) Paolo De LucaDetailedinformation regarding the Company's newly elected board of directors can befound at the Company's management information circular dated November 14, 2018(the "Circular") distributed toshareholders of record with respect to the Meeting and also posted on theCompany's profile at www.SEDAR.com . Biographies of the elected directors areincluded below.4.Ratificationof Past ActsPast acts andproceedings of the directors and officers of the Company, as described in theCircular, for the year ending June 30, 2017 were approved, ratified, andconfirmed.Director BiographiesDr. Avram Adizes - Dr. Adizes has over 35 years' experience inthe fields of research and development with international knowledge in creatingand implementing top technology solutions. Dr. Adizes previously worked asa Professional Engineer in the 1980s, andwas a pioneer in the development of computer science. Dr. Adizes has substantial experience in the computer and informationtechnologies marketplace and has the ability to implement new technologies in awide variety of settings. Dr. Adizes established growth leading projects infields of public health systems, medical digital image technology fordiagnostic purposes, directed development of security infrastructure accordingto international standards, allowing governments and businesses to communicateelectronically with the general public and internally. Dr. Adizes holds a Ph.D.in Computer Science from the joint program at Stanford University and a P. Eng.in electrical engineering from the University of Belgrade.Sydney Au - Mr.Au has experience as a director and officer of public companies in a wide rangeof industries since 2006. He has been involved in restructuring publiccompanies and in various corporate transactions. Prior to that, he worked inthe wealth management division of a major chartered bank in Canada where Mr. Augained extensive experience managing portfolios for high net worth clients.Prof. Dr. LjiljanaVujotic - Prof. Dr. Vujotic has more than 30 years' experience as aclinician and specialist in the field of neurosurgery, currently as head of thePediatric Neurosurgery Department, Clinical Center of the Serbia NeurosurgeryDivision in Belgrade, Serbia, in addition to serving as President of the NTCommittee of Quality Improvement of Health Care in Serbia since 2004. Prof.Vujotic is also deputy director of post-graduate studies and an experiencedprofessor of Neurosurgery at the medical school at the University of Belgrade.Paolo De Luca Mr. De Luca is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Organigram HoldingsInc. and has more than 20 years of diversified financial business experience,holding senior financial, investor relations, and accounting leadership rolesat companies including West Face Capital, one of Canada's leading alternativeasset management firms; Meridian LNG; Potash Ridge; C.A. Bancorp; and TDSecurities. Mr. De Luca is a graduate of York University's Schulich School ofBusiness.Update on Operations andPrevious DisclosureOn November 1st, 2018, Eviana Health Corporationannounced that the Company began a comprehensive review of production processesto ensure alignment to safety, quality, and profitability objectives. TheCompany has since concluded its review and is now developing a plan to improveits initial v 1.0 extraction facility, and is examining an expansion plan for anew v 2.0 extraction facility, to meet the increasing demand of the CBD market.The Company endeavours to provide further updates as they become available. Inthe interim, the Company has identified a need to update prior disclosures tothe current state of operations.On September 7, 2018, Eviana Health Corporation announcedthe Serbian operating company (since acquired by the Company) had beguncommercial production of cannabidiol ("CBD").Due to power and ventilation issues at the extraction facility, commercialproduction was not sustainable. In the interest of the safety of its employeesand other stakeholders, the Company has shut down commercial production to makethe necessary improvements to the existing extraction facility.On November 1, 2018, Eviana Health Corporation announced ithas acquired a 100% interest in Eviana Inc., a private Ontario corporation thatowns 100% of Intiva Plus doo and Eviana doo, two Serbian companies that holdlicenses authorizing the growing of industrial hemp and extraction of CBD in Serbia. The Company further announcedat that time "two types of extraction processes, CO2 and ethanol, are bothoperational".As stated above, the Company is in the process of enhancingthe v 1.0 extraction facility. The extraction license for producing CBD will onlybe effective and available to the Company after the enhancements on the currentfacility are complete and inspected by the local government ministry.The Company expects that the improvements tothe existing facility will be completed and the facility operational within 3-6months."We are fortunate to have the best talent available in theregion, in addition to a strong strategic partner in Organigram, to help us improvethe current extraction facility, while charting a course for expandedproduction" said Eviana Health Corporation President, Alexander Kotyck. "Actingwith integrity, a firm commitment to quality, while ensuring an ability toexecute our plans, is the only way forward for Eviana" he said.Contact:Alexander Kotyck, PresidentEviana Health CorporationSheraton Centre100 Richmond Street West,Unit 414Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3K6info@ eviana.com Neither theCanadian Securities Exchange (CSE or CNSX Markets Inc), nor its RegulationServices Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) acceptsresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This releaseincludes certain statements that m PR-Inside.com: 2018-12-25 10:04:54 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada T: +1-631-721-4201 Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com Web Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.com Phone - (+91) 7875758555 email Published by Ethan Taylor +44-631-787-4201 e-mail https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com # 668 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, Ontario, CanadaT: +1-631-721-4201Email: sales@researchreportinsights.comWeb Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.comPhone - (+91) 7875758555Ethan Taylor+44-631-787-4201 Technical textiles are class of specialized textiles, application of which is governed primarily by their functionality criteria as against aesthetics. Technical textiles differ from conventional textiles in terms of performance and functionality. For instance, technical textiles tend to exhibit relatively higher tensile strength and modulus, high resistance to heat, flame and to chemical agents. This versatility has been increasing adoption of technical textiles by various end-user industries such as construction, automobile and chemical. The global technical textiles market was pegged at around US$ 155.5 Bn in 2016 and is expected to witness a steady growth, registering a CAGR of 4.6% over the forecast period 2017-2027.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114696/Technical-Textiles-Market Factors influencing the global technical textiles marketThe large number of infrastructure projects being implemented in the Asia Pacific region along with the rising demand from the automotive, healthcare and aerospace industries has been driving the growth of the technical textiles market. Technical textiles manufacturers have recently has been receiving significant support from the various governments across geographical regions to manufacture high end, high value-added products in the technical textiles segment. This has been driving the growth of the technical textile industry.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114696/Technical-Textiles-Market For instance, the Chinese government has been keen to start programs which are intended to enable the growth of the technical textiles industry. The Indian government has recently been endorsing the growth of its technical textiles industry. For instance, the government has been channelizing efforts towards implementation of tax benefits, special economic packages and permitting 100% foreign direct investment, among other things. However, relatively higher prices and manufacturing costs therein are expected to restrain the growth of global technical textiles market, especially in developing regions. Moreover, it has also been observed that there is a lack of awareness about the use of technical textiles among potential consumers, especially in the agriculture sector, in developing countries such as India and China.Global technical textiles market segmentation and forecastThe global technical textiles market is segmented on the basis of application, process type and region. On the basis of application, the global technical textiles market is segmented into Agrotech, Buildtech, Hometech, Indutech, Sportech, Packtech, Mobiltech, Meditech, Clothtech, Geotech, Protech and Oekotech. Based on process type, the global technical textiles is segmented into: nonwoven, composites and others. Key regions covered in the report include: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.Global technical textiles market analysis, by applicationOn the basis of application, Mobiltech segment of the technical textiles market is expected to account for a share of over 20% in the global technical textiles market value by 2026 end, thus expanding at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. This growth is attributed, primarily to the growth in demand from the automotive sector. The global automotive production is expected to witness a steady growth, registering a CAGR of around 2.6% in terms of volume during the forecast period.Increasing adoption in automotive light-weighting applications in order to adhere to stringent regulatory standards is expected to further drive growth of this segment during the forecast period. Oekotech segment is expected to register relatively faster growth owing to increasing efforts towards tackling environmental concerns. It is expected to register CAGR of 5.1% in terms of value during the forecast period. Besides the aforementioned segments, sportech, and Buildtech, among other segments are expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period.Key players dominating the global technical textiles marketSome of the players reported in this study on global technical textiles market include Low and Bonar PLC, Ahlstrom Corporation, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 3M Company, Avintiv, Milliken and Company, Arville, Dickson-Constant, Baltex and Freudenberg & Co. KG. Globally, manufacturers have been focusing on offering customized product offerings in order to meet the customers specific requirements in order to sustain and grow in ever-increasing competition in technical textiles market space.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114696/Technical-Textiles-Market Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 25) The New Peoples Army (NPA) on Tuesday denied any involvement in the killing of AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe. The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, belied the Philippine National Police (PNP)s speculation that Batocabe was killed for refusing to give money to members of the NPA extorting from him. Walang katotohanan ang mga pahayag ng PNP na nag-uugnay sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa insidente. Walang kinalaman ang anumang yunit ng NPA sa Kabikulan sa naturang pamamaslang, the rebels said in a statement released by the National Democratic Front (NDF)-Bicol, which represents rebels in peace talks with the government. [Translation: There is no truth to the PNPs statement linking the revolutionary movement to the incident. Any unit of the NPA in the Bicol region has no involvement in the killing.] Batocabe was shot by unknown gunmen during a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Daraga, Albay on December 22. His security aide, Orlando Diaz, was also shot dead. The PNP said the murder could also be politically-motivated since Batocabe was running for Daraga mayor in the 2019 elections. NDF-Bicol condemned the killing and expressed its condolences to the families of Batocabe and Diaz. It further explained that the armed rebels have no reason to kill Batocabe because he is not considered as a persona non grata of the revolutionary movement. The group said it was supposed to meet with Batocabe regarding his candidacy after Christmas, saying it was willing to talk to the lawmaker because of his vote against President Rodrigo Dutertes request to extend martial law in July 2017. This was the first of three requests which were all granted by Congress. Martial law stays in Mindanao until December 31, 2019, despite allegations of human rights violations committed by the military which the Duterte administration has denied. NDF-Bicol alleged that Batocabes slay is part of a series of "high-profile killings" planned by the Duterte government to justify the declaration of martial law nationwide. Malacanang has repeatedly said Duterte has no plans of placing the entire country under military rule. Meanwhile, the PNP has relieved the provincial police chief of Albay and the regional director of the Police Security and Protection Group while authorities are investigating the Batocabe case. Lawmakers had put up at least 30 million as a reward for information leading to the capture of the Batocabe's killers. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday announced it has reached an amicable resolution with MTN Communications Limited (MTN) over the alleged irregular repatriation of profits from Nigeria, valued at $8.1 billion between 2007 and 2015. The CBN spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, said the bank has reversed its earlier decision made in August to demand the reversal of the repatriation of the funds by MTN Nigeria. Mr Okorafor did not, however, say what the CBN found to warrant the resolution after reviewing the various Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) it complained were irregularly issued by four banks based on MTN Nigerias request. In August, four banks Standard Chartered, Citi, Stanbic-IBTC, and Diamond, were sanctioned by the CBN for allegedly violating the countrys foreign exchange regulations and facilitating the repatriation of the MTN profits. According to the CBN, its banking supervision department had in March 2018 opened investigations into allegations that the four banks facilitated a string of illicit transfers on behalf of some MTN offshore shareholders between 2007 and 2015. Standard Chartered was accused of facilitating the repatriation of about $3.45bn; Stanbic-IBTC ($2.63bn); Citibank ($1.77bn) and Diamond ($348.9mn) over the period. But, the CBN said there were irregular transactions that involved some MTN shareholders who claimed to have brought into Nigeria about $402.59mn of new investments Then CBN said MTN Nigeria violated regulations by refusing to wait for a final approval before ordering the conversion of the shareholders loan to preference shares. After MTN Nigeria failed to respond to several requests for the relevant documents that gave legal backing for the transaction, CBN sought a reversal of the transactions and return of the funds. In September, MTN filed an application before a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to restrain the CBN from enforcing its sanctions. Hearing in the case was fixed for December 4, 2018. However, at the resumed sitting, lawyers for MTN, the CBN and a representative of Nigerias Attorney General told the court that all parties were engaging each other in out-of-court settlement talks. Initially, the hearing was adjourned until last Wednesday, December 12, for the presentation of a joint settlement report. But, at the resumed sitting, the case was again adjourned to January 22, 2019. But, Mr Okorafor said on Monday, following the keen interest shown by various groups interested in the matter after to the regulatory action, the CBN resolved to engage MTN Nigeria with a view to reaching an equitable resolution. MTN Nigeria office Consequent upon the above, MTN, led by its Nigerian shareholders, held intensive engagements with the CBN in the course of which it supplied additional material information, not previously offered to the Bank, satisfactorily clarifying its remittances. Having now reviewed the additional documentation provided by the company, the CBN has concluded that MTNN is no longer required to reverse the historical dividend payments made to MTN Nigeria shareholders, Mr Okorafor said. However, he said the CBN identified that the proceeds from the preference shares in MTN Nigerias private placement remittances of 2008 were irregular, having been based on CCIs that were issued without the final approval of CBN. The CBN and MTNN have mutually agreed that the aforementioned transaction be reversed notionally to bring it into full compliance with foreign exchange laws and regulations. The parties have resolved that execution of the terms of the agreement will lead to amicable disposal of the pending legal suit between the parties and final resolution of the matter, he said. When PREMIUM TIMES called Mr Okorafor to seek further clarification on what he meant by transaction be reversed notionally, he did not answer calls to his telephone. He equally did not respond to text messages sent to him on the issue. It was not clear whether the terms of resolution with MTN Nigeria also covered a reversal of the sanctions imposed on the four banks, which acted on the instructions of MTN Nigeria. Those familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES the resolution between CBN and MTN Nigeria will raise serious questions if the South African telecoms firm is let go while the sanctions against the banks stay. However, Mr Okorafor said the CBN assures foreign investors that the integrity of the CCIs issued by authorised dealers remains sacrosanct. Potential investors are encouraged to take advantage of the enormous investment opportunities that abound within Nigeria. MTN Nigeria has a history of violating Nigerias laws. In 2001, MTN refused to carry out regulatory directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to adopt per second billing. Again, in 2013, MTN Nigeria ignored NCC directives to all telecoms operators to disconnect all unregistered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards from their networks on or before July 1 of that year, or risk N200,000 fine per SIM card. In October 2015, the NCC imposed N1.04 trillion (about $5.2 billion) fine on MTN Nigeria for refusing to disconnect over 5.1 million unregistered subscribers SIM cards from its network. Following protests, the fine was cut to N780 billion initially, and later by almost 70 per cent to just N330 billion. Yet, MTN failed to keep its part of the bargain to list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and settle the fine. The fine is still not paid. In 2015, a PREMIUM TIMES investigations uncovered how MTN was funnelling abroad, billions of its profits from Nigeria. The social network, which has the online community as one of its subdivisions, has become a crucial part of our daily lives as technology advances. With the dawn of online networking, people getting in touch with each other has been made easy. You can connect in seconds with a large number of people friends, families, and strangers individually or as a group. According to Forbes, as of January this year, there were 4.02 billion internet users around the globe that is 53 per cent of the worlds total population. Active social media users make up 3.2 billion, or 42 per cent of the population. These numbers alone prove that social media is here to stay, if not to flourish further. Significantly, in the marketing world, social media cannot be disregarded especially as it gives much penetration. According to recent research by the Global System of Mobile Communication Association (GSMA), the mobile market is significantly contributing to Nigerias economic growth. In 2017, it contributed $21 billion to the GDP, representing 5.5 per cent of the countrys total GDP. This has resulted in the creation of nearly 500,000 direct and indirect jobs. Transacting business online is no longer a new thing to online active Nigerians as some prefer it to other modes of transaction. It is arguably more comfortable, as many of the online vendors have a means of delivering the goods to the buyer at little or no extra cost. Premium Times interviewed some entrepreneurs breaking borders on the social media. When Taiwo Hassan graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2014, he was bent on creating his own job so he enrolled in an event planning class. The graduate of Political Science and the brain behind @AHT_events said he had to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission in order to get an edge over others in the business. When he started two years ago, his main challenge as a newbie was customers asking for his previous works. But he said his boss came to his aid at that time. He said he attracts customers on Instagram by paying a few social media influencers who help him to gain followers who later became his customers. Also, he gives his followers what he calls the referral package. This package, he explained, attracts a percentage of the profit from a deal to any follower who refers him to the client with whom he makes the deal. The main challenge I have right now is how clients price the services that they want to be rendered, Hassan said. You have to take cognizance of the fact that you will pay for equipment rentals, so if you are not careful you will end up not getting anything from the work. Asked why he still rents equipment, he said, It is not economically wise to keep buying them as new ones keep coming out. But he is looking into opening an equipment rental outlet of his own to generate additional cash flow. Hassan said he gets his customers more on Instagram and also through referrals. The social media has helped all businesses a great deal. Lately, it has narrowed down some sorts of extra movement into just pictures and chats, said Kema Abuede of @cakepriest. A cake maker who has been in the business for 14 years, Kema stressed how the social media has helped make business easy for him in recent times as his clients no longer have to travel from other cities to see his work and what he is capable of doing. All they need to do is get your page ID, check your previous works, discuss and make payment and they, in turn, deliver. This, he said, saves time and helps people to keep their works online for a lifetime as against the archaic tradition of snapping and going about with hard copies. The Mass Communication graduate of Auchi Polytechnic is also a teacher. He said the social media helps him publicise not just his work but his training, unlike in the past when he had to wait for a gathering, such as an exhibition, to share his fliers to publicise his training. All you need to do now is post it on Instagram, Facebook or twitter. Your followers see it, broadcast it and it goes viral, he said. Kema said he registered since 2014 and by 2019, he hopes to be taking his chain of businesses to a different level. I am taking different studies in movie making, and I have my instruments already. Hopefully soon, I will start by next year. Asked if he would consider an offer of a white-collar job, and how good he was doing with his business, he said, To a great extent, it has been good. You know in the country we are now if you can feed your family and you are okay to a large extent, it is a big deal. Eighteen years old Precious Adelagun of @preciousbugatti_wears started her clothing business online two years ago because she was just not used to depending on people for money. I just want to be independent, she said. That was the reason she decided to start selling wears, mostly ladies wear. The ND 2 student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan said so far, her customers are more of people she met online and the business has really helped her in paying for her education. By next year, I will be launching my eyelash line. Everyone has been paid, the photographer, the model and also my supplier, she replied coyly when this reporter asked her how profitable the business has been. Aisha Afolabi and Ada Ezeh are students of the National Open University in Lagos and run @kaisha_skincareand @adahairline respectively. They said the social media has been a blessing for them as it allows them to operate their respective businesses without demanding much from them. Aisha said the business is helping her fund her education and also gave birth to a new business of skin care, which she sees as the trending business presently. My hair business was doing well but later on, a lot of people started selling it, so I had to look for another biz that will move traffic for me. She explained that the process is not stressful for her as all she needs to get the cream prepared are there in Lagos. She has her customers and she had a medium of delivering to them without stress, so her schooling is not disturbed and she is making enough for herself. Ada Ezeh, who is married, said she started her hair business recently and the worth now is more than triple her startup capital. She said her only challenge initially was getting authentic followers who were willing to buy. According to Ada, the first few months of the business was challenging as her goods were just in the house staring at me. But now, she is making sales and also able to look after her toddler at home. Mrs Ellah Umeh runs @veronicasdaughter, a fabric page on Instagram. She started selling her fabrics from the trunk of her car until she opened business pages both on Facebook and Instagram. Now she delivers to customers nationwide. The doctoral student of the University of Port Harcourt said I sell more online, all I need to do is snap a very good picture of the fabric and advertise on my business pages. Customers call and ask for price and for delivery too. Billionaire oil magnate and chairman of Forte Oil Plc, Femi Otedola, has announced the sale of his 75 per cent direct and indirect shareholdings in the oil company. A disclosure notice sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday said that the Forte Oil boss has reached an agreement with another energy firm, Prudent Energy, which is investing through Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited. The disclosure notice, signed by the general counsel of Forte Oil Plc, Akinleye Olagbende, said Mr Otedolas decision came amidst plans to invest in petrochemicals and refining. Forte Oil Plc hereby notifies the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), shareholders and the investing community that its majority shareholder, Mr. Femi Otedola, has reached an agreement with the Prudent Energy team, investing through Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited, to divest of his full 75 per cent direct and indirect shareholding in the companys downstream business, the disclosure read. Otedolas divestment from the downstream business is pursuant to his decision to explore and maximise business opportunities in refining and petrochemicals. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter (Q l ) of 2019 subject to the satisfaction of various conditions and receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. The firm disclosed further that Standard Chartered Bank, Corporate Finance & Advisory, Dubai, and Olaniwun Ajayi LP served as financial and legal advisers respectively to Mr Otedola, while PricewaterhouseCoopers and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited served as joint financial advisors and Sefton Fross served as legal advisor to Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited. There will be no sale of the ordinary shares or any other securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer solicitation or sale is not permitted, the disclosure added. Formerly known as African Petroleum Plc, Forte Oil operates mostly in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry. Earlier in the year, the company had announced plans to restructure its business by divesting its upstream services, power generating businesses in Nigeria and downstream business in Ghana. In May, the restructuring plans were approved by shareholders of the company at its annual general meeting (AGM). Following the divestment disclosures on Monday, the companys shares rose by 9.8 per cent to N31.25 per share, the highest since June. The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said 13 of its soldiers and two police personnel died in a Boko Haram ambush on Monday. It said troops successfully repelled the insurgents in another attack at a military formation in Kukareta, Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe on Monday. A statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, the deputy director, Army Public Relations, said the insurgents on Monday at about 6: 30 pm attacked a military forward operational base in Kukareta community of Yobe. Mr Nwachukwu said the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle and repelled the attack, killing many of them, adding that a soldier was wounded in the attack. He said that 13 soldiers and two police personnel also lost their lives when they ran into an ambush by the insurgents on Damaturu-Maiduguri Road. In another encounter; troops of 1 Division on escort duty along Damaturu Maiduguri Road, yesterday fought through an ambush staged by Boko Haram terrorists. The gallant troops engaged the terrorists in a fire fight, courageously wading through the ambush. Sadly, thirteen military and a police personnel including an officer, paid the supreme price while extricating themselves from the ambush. A clearance operation to pursue and eliminate the Boko Haram terrorists ambush party is still ongoing, he said. According to him, bodies of the soldiers and the wounded were evacuated, adding that the wounded soldier was currently receiving treatment. (NAN) A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed concern about the worsening insecurity in the country, including during the Christmas season. Mr Obasanjo stated this at the 2018 Christmas Carol Service of Six Lessons of the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King (CCKG) of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). The situation is getting worrisome by the day. I was in Kaduna and I thought that the story would be different. The people there said insecurity, kidnapping and killings are happening. If peace eludes us, it is not an act of God, but, our making. He called for peace across the country. Also, Nigerias former vice president and the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated Christians and all Nigerians as they celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivals. In his Christmas message, Mr Abubakar said it is important for Nigerians to inject the healing and unifying serum of love for our neighbour into the nations consciousness, this season. Mr Abubakar urged all Nigerians to spare a thought for the military and security forces, who are on the frontlines in the war on terror. Nigeria owes so much to the gallant officers and the men and women of our armed forces, he said. In a similar message, the national chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, congratulated Christians while charging Nigerians to use the occasion to offer special prayers for good leaders with love of the people to emerge. In a statement from his special adviser on media and publicity, Ike Abonyi, Mr Secondus said the 2019 general election provides the people with the opportunity to rescue democracy and the country. The indignation in our faces across board shows it all that the people are sad and disappointed, let us, therefore, pray for a peaceful election to usher in joy in the land. Former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel. [Photo credit: Daily Post Nigeria] The deputy chairman, PDP Presidential Campaign Council (South), Gbenga Daniel, rejoiced with Christians on the lessons taught by the life and times of Jesus Christ, urging them to reflect on the basic tenets of Christianity which harkened on perseverance, faithfulness, determination and peace. Irrespective of our religious affiliations, we can draw immense strength and inspiration from the enduring legacies of the life of Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for the redemption of our souls, he said. Senate President, Bukola Saraki In his message, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in a statement by his special adviser, media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in the face of the challenges facing the nation. He urged them to pray for improvement in the social, political and economic condition of the country, in the New Year. He urged Nigerians to make it part of their New Year resolution that they will play their constitutional roles to ensure that the country has a peaceful, credible, free and transparent election in February and March 2019. I wish all Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I want to call on Christians, in particular, and Nigerians, in general, to emulate the virtues of Christ, who through self-sacrifice brought salvation to humanity. While praying for journey mercies for as many Nigerians that would have to travel during the period, he urged the police and other security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities and ensure that the lives and property of Nigerians are fully secured at all times. In a goodwill message, the All Progressives Congress (APC) also rejoiced with Christians and Nigerians on the joyous occasion of Christmas which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party urged Nigerians to use the joyous occasion to pray for our leaders and the peace, progress and socio-economic development of our dear country. Former Senate President, David Mark Also, former senate president, David Mark, congratulated Nigerians on this years Christmas celebration while stressing the need for peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or religious leanings. He said there is the need for authorities to review the nations security arrangement for an improved performance saying that the unabating security situation in the country unarguably calls for self-examination. In a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Paul Mumeh, he urged citizens to be guided by the lessons of the Christmas season, which is anchored on love, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence. Security operatives need to do more to restore hope and confidence amongst the citizens that they can be protected in any part of the country. We have no other country to call our home, other than Nigeria. Also, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, felicitates with the Christian compatriots on the occasion of 2018 Christmas. In a statement by its Deputy Secretary-General, Salisu Shehu, the council said it wishes Christians Gods guidance and abundant blessings embedded in the festive season as they celebrate an important milestone of high spiritual import. As you pray and celebrate, we join you in prayers as we beseech the Almighty God to make Nigeria overcome her current challenges and grant us peaceful, successful, fair and credible elections in the coming months. Prophet Isa (PBUH) or Jesus is one of the top-ranking Prophets of God that all Muslims venerate. In fact, the Quran mentions his name more than 25 times. Though his personality or divinity may be viewed differently by the teeming adherents of Christianity and Islam, the fact remains that in Jesus Christ, all of us, Christians and Muslims alike, have a role model, an exemplar and a symbol of our commonality as a people of faith. The NSCIA urged Nigerians to emulate him and other true Prophets of God. Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun In his message, Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State, admonished Christians to imbibe the spirit of love, peace and perseverance and to also exhibit the virtues of faithfulness, honesty and kindness, which Jesus Christ manifest. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ today, there is no conceivable alternative for our Christian brothers and sisters, other than renew their minds towards living the life Jesus Christ lived, while on earth. The governor said as the 2019 general election is fast approaching, all Christians must continue to pray for peaceful polls and the emergence of God-fearing leaders. Details have emerged as to why the Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly, Sanusi Rikiji, is acting as governor of the state in the absence of Abdulaziz Yari, the state governor, despite the presence of the deputy governor, Ibrahim Wakkala. Mr Rikiji has continued to play the role of acting governor amidst the worsening security situation that has led to the death of dozens of people in the past few days. On Saturday, at least 18 people were killed in Birane village in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state. On Sunday, armed bandits attacked Sauna village in Tsafe Local Government Area killing many residents and displacing hundreds of others. The latest killings led to a violent protest by some residents of Tsafe local government on Monday. Eyewitnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the protesters chanted derogatory terms against the defence minister, Mansur Dan-Ali, and the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari. The defence minister is also from Zamfara State. As the killings persisted, only Mr Rikiji is seen either attending funerals or dishing out instructions, often, under the title of acting governor. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Yari, the state governor, who has always been accused of being absent from a state badly needing his attention, is currently in Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. We also gathered that he handed over the reins of power to the speaker before he jetted out of the country. We asked the state commissioner of Information, Sanda Danjari, why the governor overlooked his deputy and handed over to the Speaker. The reason is simple, the deputy governor belongs to G8, a group of governorship aspirants opposing the governor. There is a wide political difference between the governor and deputy and it is only sensible that in his absence, the governor will naturally handover to the most senior after the deputy governor, which is the speaker of the state assembly, Mr Danjati said. He also said even if the speaker was not available, power would have been handed over to the SSG. It is not a big issue. The G8 Mr Danjari refers to is a collection of eight governorship aspirants under the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), who teamed up against the preferred candidate of Mr Yari, finance commissioner, Mukhtar Idris. The eight aspirants include Mr Wakala, who has been Mr Yaris deputy, since 2011, as well as a serving senator, Kabiru Marafa, former governor, Mahmuda Shinkafi, and defence minister, Mansur Dan-Ali. Others in the group are a former executive director of First Bank, who is also currently on trial by the EFCC, Dauda Lawal; a member of the House of Representatives, Aminu Jaji; a retired federal permanent secretary, Abubakar Magaji; and Maji Hamidu. Efforts to get Mr Wakalas comments were unsuccessful as his phone lines failed to connect. His media aide, Yusuf Ibrahim, did not answer or return our calls. Hundreds of people have been killed by bandits in the North-west state in 2018. Many others have been kidnapped for ransom. Owed over 12 months allowances, hundreds of Nigerian students on federal government scholarship in Morocco have cried out for help. They say many of them now go cap in hand, begging to survive. Some of the students, who are ashamed of begging on the streets, have taken to social media to beg their host communities for assistance. The students, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES from Morocco, said they were sent to study abroad under the Bilateral Education Agreement of the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) programme, a parastatal of the federal ministry of education. The scholarship is awarded to different cadres of students (undergraduate and postgraduate) who are sent to countries which Nigeria has such bilateral agreement with. Under the bilateral agreement, the host countries take care of the students tuitions and accommodation, while the government of the mother country (in this case Nigeria) takes full charge of the students living allowances, which is to be paid monthly. The countries involved in such educational understanding with Nigeria include Russia, Morocco, Algeria, Serbia, Hungary, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Cuba, Romania, Ukraine, Japan, Macedonia; Mexico, and South Korea. The candidates tuition is fully subsidised to study in various fields like Engineering, Geology, Agriculture, Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Environmental Sciences, Sports, Law, Social Sciences, Biotechnology, Architecture, Pharmacy, Medicine among others. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the minimum monthly allowance for an undergraduate is $500; which also goes with an annual bursary of $450, to take care of their medical, clothing for warming and winter period. Those studying medicine get an extra $500 annually. But despite this clear arrangement, the students say the Nigerian government has not only defaulted on its part of the agreement but also made their lives very difficult. Unfortunately the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed to keep its own part of the agreement and this is affecting both our wellbeing and our academics, said one of the students who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on condition of anonymity, for fear of victimisation. Today as it stands, we are owed $6,450, which is for the 12 months of unpaid allowances plus other allowances from 2018; and another $3,000, which is for six months of allowances owed us from 2017 stipends; and $1,500 which represents the three months allowances government owed us in 2016. The aggrieved students in Morocco said the Nigerian government is currently owing each student a total of $10,950 for undergraduates; $11,950 for Ph.D Students, who get an additional entitled $1000 yearly as research grants; $11,450 for each Medical and Masters students, who are also entitled to an additional $500 as research grants. The students said for the past three years, the FSB has not been very transparent in how it handles the payment of their allowances, especially when they would open payment for a fresh year without offsetting backlogs of owed stipends from previous years. The students informed PREMIUM TIMES that the amount owed them would have been more than what is accrued now, had some Nigerian students enjoying similar scholarship in another country not taken a protest to the Nigerian embassy when Senate President Bukola Saraki visited Moscow last year. Thanks to the Senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who, after the protest from the (students in Russia last year, summoned the FSB director to ensure the payment of part of the stipends last year, in November, the student said. Since then, we are yet to receive any dime from the scholarship board. That has rendered most of us homeless, starving and living on excessive debts, to survive. We want the federal government to know that our parents cant afford to send us money from home all the time, especially with the current exchange rate and been that living abroad demands a lot of support. This situation is really affecting our academic activities and even our well-being as many who are sick or having one problem or the other especially the women looking at their vulnerability, have no means of taking care of their problems. The students said they had made several entreaties to the FSB recently but were only given verbal assurances that the board will try to pay only three (3) months of all that is owed them this year (2018), without any further word on when the remaining months of 2018 and other backlogs of 2016 and 2017 would be paid. The three months they promised to pay out of 2018 will not help or solve our problems as we will have to settle the debt we took from one source or the other to survive the whole year circle of no pay by the board, the students lament. The students say the high cost of living in Morocco, compared to Nigeria, makes things more difficult for them. The students have to go outside the campuses to search for alternative accommodations because the partner countries, in the bilateral agreement, who are supposed to take care of tuition and accommodation, only provide a space for 10 to 15 persons per room; and only during the first year, which is called the language year. After that, students are left on their own to sort out their accommodation needs. To rent a single room in an apartment will cost you nothing less than a $120 a month and this goes without the water and light bill, a student said. As it is now, some of our colleagues have been issued notice by their landlord to leave their house due to lack of payment and they have nowhere to go. Some are being threatened that they will be taken to the police station or even to court because they have not paid the landlords for 12 months. How about our transportation, feeding, clothing, buying of hand-outs in school and other school materials needed by, especially of medicine, dentistry and architecture students? FSB blames the budget The students said the FSBs constant narrative for the excuse of not paying their allowances is non-passage or implementation of budgets. We dont even know what the problem is. We were told that our money is in the budget and that we will get our money immediately the budget is passed but its always not the case since the budget was passed since June and till date we are yet to receive a kobo, a student said. Last year the Senate president asked the former director of the board (in a meeting they held together with the Senate committee on education) to capture all the outstanding debts or the students and give a total sum of the money needed to settle the students, so it can be captured in the budget, as well as to find an everlasting solution to this problem. But as it is now, nothing is released to us and all we hear is there is no money. With the lack of money, we receive more students every year, (coming to join) the chain of sufferings and begging to survive. The present director, on her visit to Morocco, following the incident with the Senate president in November, also made mention of the fact that scholarship board is placed under capital budget and as such, our money is to be released quarterly and that is why we are having difficulty in receiving our money as at when due. According to the student, the director said there is no way they can get their owed money paid in full, that the three months they are to get now is for the first quarter of 2018 (Jan, Feb and March). We want to appeal to the federal government to please look into that and move us to recurrent budget with a one way money release, as the money is meant for feeding, not for capital projects, so as to ensure an everlasting solution to this problem. We are pleading with all the prominent officials who have a say in this matter to act promptly on this and ensure the release of our money, the suffering is too much and also there is need to review the whole system because we go through this every year. Let the Media Pay the Complaining Students The Federal Ministry of Education told PREMIUM TIMES that neither the students nor journalists have the right to complain or ask questions concerning the plight of Nigerians on government scholarship abroad. A spokesperson of the ministry, Bem Goong, chose to use profane language, in response to PREMIUM TIMES inquiry. He said the students should be grateful for being done a favour to study abroad for free, and not complain about their unpaid allowances. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Goong, via a text message, to give clarifications on the issue of the foreign scholarship, his SMS response was Are you also paying them? Im at a loss as to why our students will contact U (you) about payment, instead of the federal ministry of education. Talk to me. Before our reporter could reply to his text message, Mr Goong called and began to rain abuses unbecoming of his office and expected status. You said that some students who are on scholarship abroad have approached you with complaints; are you also paying them? If they approach your office pay them! How can you be talking to me like that? I believe that if they have issues over payment, they should come to the scholarship board, the organisation paying them. But if they chose to go to the press; you pay them! I have no apology for saying that! I am not the PR manager that is afraid of the press. I have been in this job for 28 years. So, if some students, who are being helped to study for free choose to go to the press instead of the ministry, you pay them. Even when PREMIUM TIMES kindly told Mr Goong that his confrontational stance was unnecessary, given the issue brought before his office, and all that was needed was an explanation, the information officer, who bragged off with his 28 years experience in public relations, retorted that, I dont care, I will shout ten times non-stop. Let me tell you, I started this profession before you got into your mothers womb. Dont ever send me that kind of text message. And that is my response to you that I am not scared of a journalist. Go and do what you want to do with it, you animal, (you) idiot. While the education ministry declined to respond officially, an official of the ministry told PREMIUM TIMES that there were no fund releases from the finance ministry to pay the students. The official said the students were, like many other capital projects of the government, suffering from lack of funds. Buharis Adviser Reacts While the education ministry, directly responsible for the students plight, was confrontational in its approach, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari promised to look into the situation. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Credit: Opinion Nigeria Mr Buharis adviser on Diaspora matters, Abike Dabiri, on Sunday expressed concerns about the recurring incident. She urged the National Assembly and the Federal Scholarships Board (FSB) to look into it. This matter, which has been a recurring issue for years, needs to be tacked once and for all by NASS and the Scholarship board. We will be engaging them continuously on this, she wrote on her verified Twitter handle in response to the complaints by some of the students. My suggestion to the scholarship board is to verify and pay, urgently .However if not adequately captured inthe new budget, we will be back to square one . We need to put a stop to the embarrassment permanently . Been on for years https://t.co/PViu9jYmhV Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) December 23, 2018 According to her, Immediate steps must be taken while provision must be made in the 2019 budget to ensure payment. My suggestion to the scholarship board is to verify and pay, urgently. However if not adequately captured in the new budget, we will be back to square one. We need to put a stop to the embarrassment permanently. Been on for years, she said The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a two weeks ultimatum to the federal government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the lecturers strike or be ready for confrontation. This was contained in a statement signed by the associations president, Danielson Akpan, on Sunday. The ASUU strike commenced on November 4 after the lecturers accused the federal government of not implementing previous agreements. ASUU has had several meetings with the federal government but both parties have been unable to reach a consensus. The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), after a holistic critique of the lingering industrial actions embarked upon by the academic staff of our tertiary institution has issued a TWO WEEKS ULTIMATUM to both the FG and ASUU to call off the lingering strike or face the full wrath of angry Nigerian students, Mr Akpan said. The association also kicked against not being allowed to be part of the negotiation between federal government and ASUU. To our greatest consternation, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has resisted vehemently, the idea of having students representatives during these meetings and rather, called for closed door meetings between the Federal Ministry of Education and the leaders of the Union. And the FG has agreed that we observe the negotiations, hence, were at the receiving end. We are worried and (are asking) what is ASUU hiding? The union leader said the strike has affected students academics, the accumulating cost of accommodation and could disenfranchise students from participating in the 2019 general elections. He threatened a mass protest across the country and the mobilisation of 100,000 students for a protest in Abuja. They must be ready to pay back monetary compensations to Nigerian students from their salaries that continue to count even when they are not working at all, at our detriment, he added We are determined to carry out these actions to the fullest, if our campuses are not reopened at the expiration of this ultimatum. We therefore urge the FG and ASUU not to test our resolve as Nigerian students have been patient and (have been) taken for granted for far too long, Mr Akpan said. The Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, is in the news again for his controversial tweet on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. On his Twitter handle on Tuesday, Mr Melaye claimed the police chief is planning to arrest him and inject him to death. There is a plan by the IG to arrest me today and inject me to death. Men deployed already. CP kogi and others removed. Nigerians watch out, he tweeted. There is a plan by the IG to arrest me today and inject me to death. Men deployed already. CP kogi and others removed. Nigerians watch out. Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@dino_melaye) December 25, 2018 The lawmaker did not provide any evidence beyond his Twitter post. Mr Melaye and the police chief have had a running battle since the senator was named by suspects in a murder case. Mr Melaye was then accused of evading police arrest. In March, the senator wrote the IGP informing him that he was ready to submit himself to the police on the condition that he is investigated by police officers from Abuja, and not Kogi. The Senate thrice invited Mr Idris to appear before its plenary to explain circumstances surrounding an attempted forceful arrest of Mr Melaye. Mr Idris failed to honour the invitation the three times. As at the time of filing this report, no arrest has been reported of Mr Melaye. The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has said the call by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for Yorubas to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 so as to have a shot at the presidency in 2023 is a wake-up call for the Igbos. He made the statement while addressing a press conference in Enugu, Daily Trust reports. Mr Okechukwu, who commended the vice president for the statement, said the call was constitutional and valid, but should also be seen as a wake-up call for the Igbo. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Osinbajo on Saturday said the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election would guarantee the South-west a shot at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2023. The 2019 general elections is our own. We are not looking at the 2019 but 2023. If we get it in 2019, Yoruba will get it in 2023. Because if we dont get it in 2019, we may not get it in 2023 and it may take a very long time to get it. We need to look at tomorrow and not because of today. What we are doing now is for tomorrow and not for today, the law professor said in Oyo. Mr Okechukwu, however, noted that the South-east was the only geopolitical zone in the South that had not presided over Nigeria since 1999. He explained that a Nigerian President of Igbo origin in 2023 is a win-win-scenario and a golden opportunity for Ndigbo to end the vexatious issue of marginalisation and create a sense of belonging in the Nigerian family. We appeal to Ndigbo to hearken to this clarion call as all we need is to vote for President Buhari, so as to reinforce the equity, natural justice and good conscience which is on our side. Our vote for Buhari will engender the support of his mass followers in the northern belt, for Buhari has a vote-bank of 10-12 million voters, which is a big arsenal. Our support for Buhari is also predicated on the foundation he is laying on critical infrastructure development the 2nd Niger Bridge, 5,000 kilometres federal roads, 5,000 kilometre standard gauge railways, additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity and self-sufficiency in food production, he said. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Speaking on the chances of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, he said President Buharis remaining four years post-2019 was cast in constitutional stone, while Mr Abubakars promises were at best a pledge. Atikus manifesto is a six-year plan, therefore Buharis option is the quickest and surest route to Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, he said. President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged his wife, Aisha, to prove the existence of a cabal that she claimed is in control of his administration. The presidents wife had in an interview with the BBC in 2016 threatened to withdraw support for her husband if he chose to seek re-election unless he shakes up his cabinet and includes more people who worked for his success in 2015. Mrs Buhari said although the victory of the APC in 2015 was a collective effort of millions of people she said only for us to find out that the government is being operated by a few people. While addressing a gathering of APC women in Abuja recently, Mrs Buhari accused Nigerians of allowing two or three unnamed persons to cage her husband, thereby limiting his ability to perform. Mrs Buhari, known for her intermittent fiery public rebuke of her husband, said although over 15 million Nigerians voted for Mr Buhari in 2015, only two or three persons have since taken control of the government. She did not name the individuals or elaborate on her claims. The president responded to his wife in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America shared on Tuesday. Reminded that his wife and others have consistently claimed the existence of a cabal running his government, Mr Buhari simply said: that is her business. He went ahead to say the fact that people including his wife make such claims proves his democratic credentials. It means everyone is free to say whatever they like. Irrespective of whatever they say they should come out with proof of what the cabal has forced me to do. The short video released by the VOA is a teaser. The whole interview is expected to be aired soon. The police in Niger State said they arrested two suspects for allegedly killing a superintendent of police during robbery operation at Storm Star Hotel Madalla in Suleja Local Government Area of the state. The commands Public Relations Officer, Mohammadu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Minna. Mr Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), alleged that the suspects belonged to an eight-man gang responsible for armed robbery operation and the killing of the police officer on November 15 in his hotel room. The deceased was serving under the Borno State Police Command. The assailants took away items including six Plasma televisions, one Infinix Hot 4 1 phone, a wristwatch and 1,600 dollars as well as N31,000 cash. The suspects confessed to the crime while the case is still under investigation, the police said. We are doing everything humanly possible to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the robbery operation, the spokesperson said. Similarly, on December 21, operatives from F-SARS, Minna, arrested one suspect of Gwada village in Shiroro Local Government Area in possession of illicit drugs after executing a search warrant in his medicine store at Gwada. Thirty-four cartons of the illicit drugs were recovered valued at N4.2 million. The suspect confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court after investigation. Also based on a tip-off, police detectives attached to F-SARS Minna, arrested one suspect at Angwan Daji, Chanchaga Local Government Area with a full sack of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp inside tricycle. During the police investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime and mentioned five other suspects at large, he said. He said efforts were being made to arrest the fleeing suspects. Mr Mohammad solicited the support of residents to offer credible information that could assist in apprehending criminals in the state. (NAN) The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described the re-arrest and detention of an activist, Deji Adeyanju, as political rather than judicial in nature. Mr Saraki called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct his immediate release. His call for Mr Adeyanjus release is to ensure that his fundamental human rights are not continuously abused by the police. Mr Sarakis call comes six days after the Senate gave its committees on judiciary and police affairs one week to investigate circumstances surrounding the arrest of the activist. Mr Adeyanju was first arrested on November 28 while leading a protest against alleged bias by security chiefs in the build up to the general elections. Even though he was arraigned and granted bail same day, Mr Adeyanju could not meet his conditions until December 6 when he finally gained freedom. Barely a week later, Mr Adeyanju was re-arrested for his alleged connection to a 2005 murder involving him. He has remained in detention since then. However, PREMIUM TIMES findings show Mr Adeyanju was discharged and acquitted then by the court. The lawyer who represented him then, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed this despite now being a spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buharis re-election team. Mr Adeyanju was later taken to a magistrate court in Kano where he has been remanded in prison until February 2019. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Mr Saraki noted that the case is presenting the present administration in bad light as a government that is intolerant of criticism and suppressing views of the opposition He also said the onslaught on Mr Adeyanju, government critic, indicated a deliberate attempt to get him out of circulation ahead of 2019. The way the matter has been handled and the last decision of the Magistrate Court to remand the young man in prison till after the conclusion of the 2019 polls has presented our democracy in bad light. We are now looking like a country that has receded to the period of military rule. Deji Adeyanju (Photo Credit: Politics Nigeria) The president needs to intervene to find out whether the current travail of Deji Adeyanju has anything to do with his frequently expressed viewpoints against the Federal Government and why his arrest after leading a protest has now ignited all the various charges being filed against him and if it was true that the charges for which he has been remanded in prison till February had actually being adjudicated upon by the High Court. It should be noted that prior to the coming to office of this government, those of us in opposition, the APC, freely criticized the Goodluck Jonathan government and flayed their actions and statements without any attempt by the administration to stifle opposing views. This administration which benefitted from such open market place of ideas, which is a key tenet of a democratic regime, cannot offer anything less to our people. At this point, President Buhari should not allow the excesses and over-zealousness of some security agents to give his government a bad name and that is why I think he should interfere and let the world know the truth about this case. It is obvious that this case is purely political and not about any judicial action. I also call on all human rights protection groups to wade into this matter and ensure we do not watch helplessly as the rights of a citizen is being trampled upon, he said. NEW YORK, Dec. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret within the small and medium business world it can be very difficult to find a transparent, reliable, and low-fee merchant services company to work with to accept credit card payments. Something that a business absolutely needs to be able to do to perform optimally or even stay in business. The good news is there are some companies that are exceptions to the rule. Leading the way is Argus Merchant Services, who recently announced their good work has been recognized for the second in year in a row by the non-biased Entrepreneur 360, who placed Argus Merchant Services on their "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America" list, which is held in very high regards in the business world nationwide. "This is really exciting for us and a great way to move into the New Year," commented Eugene Gold of Argus Merchant Services. "We do our absolute best to deliver superior services and want to see our clients be as successful as possible, and it's energizing to be recognized for it from a publication like Entrepreneur 360. Expect to see us on the 2019 list too!" Argus Merchant Services pride themselves on offering very competitive rates to small and medium-sized businesses nationwide. They are proud to accept businesses from nearly every industry, unlike many merchant service companies who are very selective of what industries they work with. The company's customer support team is extremely well trained and attentive, doing their best to resolve any issues quickly and painlessly. Positive reviews of Argus Merchant Services continue to pour in on a regular basis. Kevin S., from Austin, recently said in a five-star review, "Argus Merchant Services really rescued us. We worked with two companies previously and they both were trying to overcharge and not deliver what they promised. Since being with Argus, everything has been going super smooth. Fully recommended." For more information be sure to visit http://argusinvision.com. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Argus Merchant Services Related Links http://argusinvision.com BAODING, China, Dec. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (OTC Pink: YGEHY) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), one of the world's leading solar panel manufacturers, today announced that all shareholder resolutions proposed at the Company's 2017 annual general meeting held on December 14, 2018 were duly passed. The shareholders passed the following resolutions by the Company: 1. To re-elect Mr. Jingfeng Xiong and Mr. Zheng Xue as directors of the Company; 2. To ratify and approve the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the Company's independent auditor; About Yingli Green Energy Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, known as "Yingli Solar," is one of the world's leading solar module manufacturers. Yingli Green Energy's manufacturing covers the photovoltaic value chain from ingot casting and wafering through solar cell production and solar PV module assembly. Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli Green Energy has more than 20 regional subsidiaries and branch offices and has distributed more than 20 GW solar PV modules to customers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.yinglisolar.com and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Yingli Green Energy's control, which may cause Yingli Green Energy's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in Yingli Green Energy's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Yingli Green Energy does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. SOURCE Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited Related Links http://www.yinglisolar.com Kabul, Dec 25 : The number of people killed in the attack on an Afghan government complex housing the Vice Ministry for Martyrs and the Disabled in Kabul climbed to 48 on Tuesday as the security forces retook and inspected the building, room by room. Afghan Public Health Ministry spokesperson Wahidullah Majroh confirmed the toll in a press conference in Kabul and said that almost all the victims, 11 of them women, were civilians while five attackers were also killed. Among the 27 people wounded in the attack, including two children and seven women, some were discharged after being given first aid, Efe news reported. A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb at the entrance of the building, thus clearing the way for four other armed insurgents to get inside the facility. During the next almost seven hours that the attack lasted, three of them took positions in the nearby building of the ministry of public works, Interior Ministry spokesperson Najib Danish said in the same press conference. "Darkness of the night and location of the attacked buildings among residential area prolonged the operation. The security forces could rescue 357 employees of the attacked organs," Danish said. "We still don't know who or which group has been behind the attack," he added. The Taliban denied being behind the attack in a message posted on spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid's Twitter account on Tuesday. Kabul has been the scene of many such attacks this year. In late November, Taliban attackers killed 15 people and wounded about 30 in a 10-hour battle with security forces after assaulting a facility of Britain's G4S security firm. The deadliest attack this year came in January, when the Taliban blew up an ambulance bomb near the old Interior Ministry, which still houses government offices, killing more than 100. Tripoli, Dec 25 : At least three people were killed and 10 others including a paramedic, were injured in a terror attack on the Libyan Foreign Ministry's headquarters in the capital on Tuesday, officials said. The incident took place in the morning when a car bomb exploded right behind the Ministry's building, a government official told Xinhua news agency. Afterwards, a group of gunmen entered the building from the front and back entrances and exchanged heavy fire with the security forces, the official added. One of the killed was an employee of the Ministry. There was also a huge explosion in the main building, triggering a fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike. The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and called on the international community to support Libya against terrorism. In September, the Islamic state militants attacked the headquarters of the National Oil Corporation in the centre of Tripoli, killing two and injuring several others. Dharamsala, Dec 25 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday said the Buddhists should learn from the Christians how to serve the humanity. Presiding over the second day of his discourse in Bihar's historical city Bodh Gaya, the Dalai Lama urged followers of all religions to form closer contact and learn from each other's traditions. "The major world religions -- Christianity, Judaism, Islam, different Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Jainism, Daoism, Confucianism, and so on -- each of these has its own unique knowledge that benefits people," he said. "Therefore, through an exchange of knowledge, we can learn new things from each other." Emphasising its vital role in the spiritual and inner development, the elderly Buddhist monk said religion has the potential in bringing together people and that "a meaningful exchange could widen and deepen our own spiritual experience". "Particularly from Christian brothers and sisters, we as Buddhists could learn how to serve the community and engage in social work. I really feel that we should emulate their exemplary social service." The Dalai Lama has been living in India in self-imposed exile since 1959 when he fled his homeland after Chinese Communist troops took over Tibet. The spiritual guru's teachings are free and open to the public. Even board and lodging is free for the participants, says the Dalai Lama's office here. The teaching sessions are held at the request of followers and devotees, mostly Westerners and Asians. The Dalai Lama teaches in Tibetan and there are simultaneous translations in English, Hindi and Chinese for the participants. The government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala and has never won formal recognition from any country though contacts are maintained at various levels. Beijing, Dec 25 : Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here on Tuesday over the situation in war-torn Afghanistan and said that his country and China strongly support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. Qureshi was in China on the third leg of his four-nation visit as part of the government's policy of outreach in the neighbourhood. He visited Afghanistan and Iran on Monday and was scheduled to visit Russia before returning to Pakistan on December 26. Qureshi and Wang had an in-depth discussion on the recent changes concerning the situation in Afghanistan and reached a broad consensus, Xinhua news agency reported. The two sides said they believed that the Afghanistan issue could not be solved through military solutions and political reconciliation was the only viable way, the report said. They welcomed all efforts made by relevant parties and expressed willingness to keep close communication and strategic coordination over the issue. Qureshi also appreciated China's important role in furtherance of peace and development in Afghanistan, particularly through China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral mechanism, according to Geo News. Both the Foreign Ministers also pledged to further strengthen China-Pakistan's all-weather strategic cooperative partnership so as to elevate the level of all-round cooperation. Qureshi called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) an undertaking of extensive importance for Pakistan and the region. He visited Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday on the first leg of his trip, where he held -- what he described as -- "productive meetings" with Afghan leadership. Later, he travelled to Tehran where he met Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. It was his first official visit to Iran. According to Dawn newspaper, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Monday over the Afghan peace process. Qatar had been hosting the Taliban's political office since 2013, but Pakistan-backed talks between the US and Taliban were held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital. This apparently was done to accommodate Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the process, the daily said. But according to diplomatic observers, the move did not go well with the Qatari leadership. Mumbai, Dec 25 : Marking the 94th birth anniversary celebrations of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the 'Bharat Ratna Atal Bihar Vajpayee International Schools' for students in mofussil areas, here on Tuesday. The school is affiliated to the Maharashtra International Education Board (MIEB), in which 13 Zilla Parishad Schools will join initially with the curriculum in the students' mother tongue. The MIEB has been set up by the state government to achieve higher education standards of global standards in the state. "With this, students in the rural areas will get education of international standards as part of the state government's continuous efforts towards value education," Fadnavis said. He said improvisations have been made with the same government machinery, teachers, infrastructure, but with innovative solutions. "There is a reverse migration, with many students from English-medium schools returning to ZP schools, with this international board giving it a boost," he said. Fadnavis made it clear that the curriculum is not a copy-paste variety, but drafted by a team of experts such as Vijay Bhatkar, Anil Kakodkar, Swaroop Sampat, Achuyt Palav and many others, with the government intervening just for capacity building, framing strategies and other necessary assistance. Present on the occasion were Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, Maharashtra ministers Vinod Tawde, Pankaja Munde, Sadabhau Khot and other dignitaries. One of the tallest leaders in the country, Vajpayee served as the 10th Prime Minister for three terms, between 1998-2004. He passed away on August 16 this year. Chandigarh, Dec 25 : Punjab's ruling Congress and opposition Shiromani Akali Dal were on Tuesday involved in a bitter war of words after the statute of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was vandalized in the industrial city of Ludhiana. The statute was vandalized allegedly by workers of the SAD's youth wing following which Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered strict action by the district police against the perpetrators. Following this, the police registered a case in this matter. The incident, carried out by Youth Akali Dal activists Meetpal Dugri and Gurdeep Singh Gosha in Salem Tibri area of Ludhiana, around 120 km from here, led to a war of words between Congress and SAD leaders. Congress MP Ravneet Sing Bittu later cleaned the statute with milk. Blaming Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress for the killing of hundreds of Sikhs in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Youth Akali Dal activists used spray paint to blacken the face of Rajiv Gandhi and painted his hands in red colour. The activists then announced that they were doing this (vandalism) to show their anger against the role of Rajiv Gandhi, father of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi in 1984 in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her two bodyguards. Strongly condemning the vandalism, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop indulging in petty politics. Warning him that "such acts would backfire on his party in the coming Lok Sabha elections", the Chief Minister asked Badal to immediately "apologize for the obnoxious act of his party workers". "Indulgence in such petty and condemnable actions will not absolve you or your family of the many sins of omission and commission against the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh community," Amarinder said in a statement. "They are well aware of the fact that the Gandhis were never named or implicated in the 1984 riots, yet they continued to drag the family into the case to further their own political agenda," said the Chief Minister. SAD president Sukhbir Badal reacted strongly to Amarinder's statement. "You @capt_amarinder should apologise to the Sikh sangat for failing them as CM and standing with hated Gandhi family. The community has shown what it thinks of Rajiv Gandhi in Ludhiana. Don't disrespect the sentiments of Sikhs," Badal tweeted. If you @capt_amarinder have any 'dard' for the Sikh 'qaum' you would resign as CM and stand with the community to expose Gandhi family for authoring and engineering genocide of Sikhs in 1984. But it seems you are made of stone. No amount of suffering of the community moves you," Badal said. "It would have been better if you @capt_amarinder as a true Sikh & Punjab CM had condemned the Gandhi family and demanded expulsion of #1984SikhGenocide culprits Sajjan Kumar & Kamal Nath from Congress party. But you are too busy in sycophancy of Gandhi family to save your chair," Badal added. Congress Sewa Dal activists later blackened the faces of SAD president Sukhbir Badal and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on posters in Ludhiana in retaliation against the statute vandalization. They burnt posters of both Akali Dal leaders. Amarinder reiterated that only a few Congress, BJP and RSS workers were involved in the violence against the Sikh community in 1984 and the judiciary was proceeding to act against them. "Sajjan Kumar had already been sentenced to life and others involved in the perpetration of the riots would also face legal action," he added. "Had the Gandhis been involved in any way, they would have been named by at least some of the victims in the wake of the riots," he observed, adding that while he had personally visited the refugee camps to meet the victims, Sukhbir had packed his bags and left for the United States and was totally unaware of the developments at that time." "The Akalis, in their frustration to seize political mileage, are taking law into their hands, which his government would not allow at any cost," the Chief Minister warned, adding he would not let the state's hard-earned peace be disturbed by anyone. Punjab has a Congress government since March 2017, headed by Amarinder Singh. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Amid 'severe' air pollution quality in Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the city government will implement the odd-even scheme "whenever required". Speaking to the media, he said the Delhi government was doing its part, but everyone should contribute to reducing the air pollution. "People should also think about their role in controlling the pollution level," he said. "We will implement the odd-even scheme whenever it will be required," the Chief Minister said. Under the odd-even scheme, vehicles with licence plates ending in an odd number and even number are allowed to ply on alternate days. Implemented first time in 2016, the scheme got into controversies over exemptions granted to various categories of vehicles. Kejriwal also said the Central government should take initiatives in controlling the air pollution. "I have met the Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan several times in the last one year. The air does not have a boundary. The Centre should take initiative and invite all neighbouring states for consultation for checking air pollution," he said. "In October and November, there are around 20-25 days when pollution level increases in Delhi due to stubble burning in neighbouring states. Until the Centre takes steps, nothing cannot be done," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal said that the Delhi government is taking several steps. "We have carried out a large-scale tree plantation drive. The government will procure 3,000 buses soon. Also, we sanctioned a large phase of Metro... We are making all efforts on our part," he said. The air quality in Delhi-NCR remained 'severe' for the fourth consecutive day as high humidity, low wind speed and a drop in mercury prevented the dispersal of particulate matters. Kolkata, Dec 25 : Bengal Warriors continued their hot streak in their home leg as their beat Telugu Titans 39-34 in Pro Kabaddi Season 6 match here on Tuesday. Maninder Singh scored 12 raid points for Bengal Warriors to lead his team's charge. Maninder also became the fastest man to reach 500 points in Pro Kabaddi League as he achieved the feat in 56 matches. For Telugu Titans it was the youngster Armaan who stood out and scored 11 points. Bengal Warriors have already qualified for the playoffs while Telugu Titans ended their campaign with a defeat. Bengal Warriors got off to a flying start with Jang Kun Lee getting a super raid in the second minute.ATelugu Titans fought back to level the match at 7-7 after five minutes. Maninder Singh continued to pick the points for Bengal Warriors in the first half. At the end of the first half, Bengal Warriors 23-15 with Jang Kun Lee getting a raid in the 20th minute. Bengal Warriors inflicted an all out in the 26th minute to lead 30-18. For Telugu Titans the performance of Anand was a revelation as he picked up raid points at will. After 30 minutes, Bengal Warriors led 32-22 and were in full control of the match. The Titans did try to mount a comeback but the deficit proved too much in the end as they crashed out of the league. Los Angeles, Dec 26 : Authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of spray-painting swastikas on US President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, media reported. Jose Ortega of Los Angeles was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of felony vandalism, said a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The star is located on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland Avenue in Los Angeles, Xinhua news agency reported late on Tuesday. A witness saw Ortega tag the star late Sunday afternoon and called the police, authorities said. He is being held in lieu of more than $20,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County jail records. The graffiti had since been cleaned off from Trump's star. Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and The Rockefeller University have discovered a new use for a long-standing computational concept known as blacklisting, which is commonly employed as a form of access or spam control, blocking unwanted files and messages. Using blacklisting as a filter to single out genetic variations in patient genomes and exomes that do not cause illness, researchers have successfully streamlined the identification of genetic drivers of disease. This method is described in the December 2018 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America. In whole-exome sequencingthe process of identifying variations in protein-coding genes to determine the genetic underpinnings of any given illnesstens of thousands of genetic variants are identified, but only a few are deemed pathogenic, meaning disease-causing. Traditionally, in order to identify pathogenic mutations, scientists must sift through considerable amounts of data and remove genetic variants that are unlikely to cause disease, slowing down the process of genetic analysis and, subsequently, clinical treatment. To address this cumbersome process, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine and The Rockefeller University investigated and subsequently identified a large portion of the non-pathogenic genetic variants, from which the blacklist was generated. Following this, they developed a program, known as ReFiNE, and a corresponding webserver that other researchers can use to automate the creation of their own blacklists. Until now, there has been no viable published method for filtering out non-pathogenic variants that are common in human genomes and absent from current genomic databases, said Yuval Itan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine and senior author of the publication. Using the blacklist, researchers will now be able to remove genetic noise and focus on true disease-causing mutations. Noting the data-centric society we live in, Dr. Yuval says efficiency is key. His hope is that this contemporary tool can be used by clinicians, researchers, and scientists across the globe to conduct genetic analysis more quickly and accurately, helping to accelerate the pace of genomic medicine. This work was partially supported by NIH grants: P01AI061093, U24AI086037, R18AI048693, T32GM007280, R01AI088364, R01AI095983, R01AI127564, and the Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Paper Cited: Title: Blacklisting variants common in private cohorts but not in public databases optimizes human exome analysis Journal: PNAS About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system encompassing (with the addition of South Nassau Communities Hospital) eight hospital campuses, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Neurology/Neurosurgery, and in the top 50 in six other specialties in the 2018-2019 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology and 44th for Ear, Nose, and Throat. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and South Nassau Communities Hospital are ranked regionally. For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. With free shipping on most watches, a 30-day return policy on all unworn items, frequent discounts and an excellent reputation for quantity and quality, Overstock takes first place among online retailers of watches in 2018. TopConsumerReviews.com recently gave a best-in-class 5 star rating to Overstock, a leader among online Watch retailers. A watch is far more than a timepiece. Today, people use watches for many reasons, from tracking steps in pursuit of greater physical fitness to expressing ones personal style. Luxury brands like F.P. Journe and Patek Philippe can also convey status and personal achievement. Across all ends of the spectrum, watches can only be found in limited supply at most jewelers and big-box retailers. To access the worlds best selection of watches, most shoppers turn to the internet. Shopping for watches from reputable online merchants gives shoppers the ability to find the brand, material, band width and size, and every other feature they want - without having to drive from one jewelry store to another, hoping the right watch will be in stock. Overstock may not be the first name that comes to mind when shopping for a watch, but you should make their online store your first stop, affirmed Brian Dolezal of TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC. Youll be hard pressed to find another retailer - online or local - that carries the selection that Overstock has on hand every day. They offer over 21,000 watches, ranging from inexpensive starter watches for kids to top brands like Invicta and Rolex. And, despite having such an overwhelming inventory, Overstock makes it simple and even fun to sort through the options using their intuitively-structured website. With free shipping on most watches, a 30-day return policy on all unworn items, frequent discounts and an excellent reputation for quantity and quality, Overstock takes first place among online retailers of watches in 2018. To find out more about Overstock and other online Watch retailers, including reviews and comparison rankings, please visit the Watch Stores category of TopConsumerReviews.com at https://www.topconsumerreviews.com/watches/. About Overstock Overstock is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that sells a broad range of products at low prices, including furniture, decor, rugs, bedding, and home improvement. In addition to home goods, Overstock offers a variety of products including jewelry, electronics, apparel, and more, as well as a marketplace providing customers access to hundreds of thousands of products from third-party sellers. About TopConsumerReviews.com TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC is a leading provider of reviews and rankings for thousands of consumer products and services. Watches to Flowers and Jewelry Stores, TopConsumerReviews.com delivers in-depth product evaluations in order to make purchasing decisions easier. Azerbaijan: ZOS Zvolen has completed work on the first two of five CKD-built CME3 Co-Co diesel-electric locos which are being refurbished for ADY with the complete renewal of all equipment except bodyshells to extend their service life by 15 years. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available It could be argued there has never been a better time to be an avid consumer of music. Today 'For the likes of Zomato or Swiggy or Foodpanda or similar others, the customer has been sensitised for all times to the perils of the food pack being pilfered.' 'An important matter of trust has been exposed. And that really has been the biggest downer of this entire episode,' points out marketing guru Sandeep Goyal. It must have been the biggest nightmare to have a live video of one of your delivery boys actually opening up a food pack, partaking of its contents, re-arranging them, and closing the food pack again for delivery to an unsuspecting customer. Zomato took the hit right on the chin -- with an explosive impact. Within minutes, social media was ablaze. So enormous was the inferno of disgust and hate that Zomato was forced to put out a statement on its blog against food tampering saying: 'Last night, we came across a video of a delivery executive in a Zomato t-shirt, carrying a Zomato deliverybag, eating food out of boxed orders and replacing each one after resealing them, back into the delivery bag.' 'The video suggests that he consumed some of the food meant for delivery to users, on his way to the drop points.' 'We want our users, restaurant partners and all stakeholders to know that...' '1. We take these kinds of reports extremely seriously and upon thorough investigation, we've found that the video was shot in Madurai. The person in the video happened to be a delivery partner on our fleet. We have spoken to him at length -- and while we understand that this was a human error in judgement, we have taken him off our platform.' '2. We would like to iterate that given our multiple communication channels with users, who expect the highest standards from Zomato and highlight the smallest of deviations to us as soon as they receive their orders, this is highly unusual and a rare case.' '3. Unfortunately, this also highlights a real possibility for tampering with the food on the way to delivery from a restaurant. We take this very seriously and will soon introduce tamper-proof tapes, and other precautionary measures to ensure we add an extra layer of safeguard against such behaviour.' 'Additionally, we will educate our delivery fleet of over 150,000 partners to highlight or escalate any such deviations to us, while also encouraging our users -- the custodians of our platform -- to highlight the smallest of anomalies to us.' '4. And finally, our delivery partners are the face of our brand, and the heart of our success in growing to become the largest food delivery platform in the country.' 'Our food delivery business has grown immensely over the last year on the back of our large delivery partner fleet that work very hard to ensure that Zomato translates to a high quality food experience. We thank them and the strong support and trust from our restaurant partners, consumers and investors.' 'Zomato maintains a zero tolerance policy for tampering of food. This particular incident, while unfortunate, only makes our commitment to fleet training, scheduling and process even stronger.' 'We stand behind our extensive fleet who do the right thing across many hours of the day.' The reason I have reproduced above the entire Zomato perspective is because it raises a number of pertinent issues for debate. 1. The Zomato statement starts with a very ambiguous description of 'a delivery executive in a Zomato t-shirt, carrying a Zomato delivery bag', but does not acknowledge straight upfront that the video is filmed on a Zomato delivery person. Wonder why? The statement does go on later to confirm that 'the video was shot in Madurai. The person in the video happened to be a delivery partner on our fleet.' Why the dilly-dallying? Happened to be? Why the circumventing? 2. The act of opening up food packets meant for delivery, and the delivery boy partaking of its contents has been termed as 'a human error in judgement' (sic). Is that description too polite? Too politically correct? Was this not just pure cheating? Unethical behaviour? Well, social media has been abuzz both in protesting the tampering, and then in supporting the delivery boy because he was so very hungry. Even at the cost of being politically incorrect, hunger or no hunger, the behaviour of the delivery boy is inexcusable as far as I am concerned. For a large part of this country, the food had been made jootha, which has both connotations of bad hygiene and elements of wronged religious beliefs. 3. Zomato says, 'users ... expect the highest standards from Zomato and highlight the smallest of deviations to us as soon as they receive their orders'. Well, the user cannot be expected to know that the food packet has been pilfered unless a video like the present one surfaces and creates doubts. So, the onus of keeping up standards is on Zomato, and not the customer. 4. The proactive positive part of the Zomato statement is the promise that they 'will soon introduce tamper-proof tapes' and 'educate our delivery fleet of over 150,000 partners to highlight or escalate any such deviations'. This is really the action part of the statement and could have been stated with even more sincerity, and heart-and-soul, to assure customers that prompt remedial action has been taken, and Zomato is alive to the issue. But stating that there are 150,000 partners also focuses on the magnitude of the education that will be required in terms of training, and values/ethics sensitisation, to a group of individuals who have perhaps no other visible skills apart from the ability to drive a two-wheeler at break-neck speed. 5. It is the bit in the statement about, 'Our food delivery business has grown immensely over the last year on the back of our large delivery partner fleet that work very hard' that has actually boomeranged on Zomato. While Zomato was flooded with brickbats when the tampering video first went live on social media, the news of the sacking of the delivery boy was soon met with a lot of derision and denouncement in the very same forums as it was felt by many that the delivery boys live a life in hell, with no time (perhaps no money) to eat despite delivering food to customers 24x7. The 'work very hard' bit actually came back to bite Zomato. The temptation to fork out a bit of the contents from delivery boxes was seen as nothing but normal human behaviour when faced with acute hunger after long, long hours of work. Somehow, after the initial revulsion, social media started to support the delivery boy, sympathising with the long and ceaseless hours that these companies drive their so-called 'delivery partners', so much so that there are repeated references to slave-driving on social media. That, of course, is debatable but the tsunami of support for the delivery boy has surprised everyone, and I am sure Zomato, too. Coincidently, Zomato's rival Swiggy has been running a new campaign over the past few weeks. After its very successful IPL campaign with the old man eating the gulab-jamun, Swiggy for some reason decided to focus its new communication on its delivery partners and how they need recognition. This was, of course, well before the Zomato controversy. The latest effort from Swiggy centres around how hundreds of thousands of Indians interact with Swiggy's delivery 'partners' each day. These 'partners' (delivery boys) take unknown turns to reach unknown lanes to meet strangers with a smile on their face but remain unknown to consumers who just refer to them as 'Swiggy'. Through the #WhatsInAName video, Swiggy endeavours to change consumer behaviour and bring more dignity to the job of its 'hunger saviours' by urging consumers to call the boys by their names. As I said before all of this was conceived, ideated and aired much before the Zomato episode. I had my reservations about Swiggy's new communication even when it first aired. I had written in a recent piece for The New Indian Express that I didn't quite agree with Swiggy trying to use the 'naming' of the delivery boys as an advertising idea. Companies spend infinite amounts of monies to bring about standardisation in their product offering and their brand. The Swiggy delivery boy is part of that standardisation, in looks, in feel, in service. Getting to know him is really not important for the customer, unless, of course, Swiggy converts each delivery boy into a relationship manager wherein only that delivery boy will service that specific customer time and over again. Since every Swiggy delivery is randomly executed by a different delivery boy, just knowing that the Swiggy guy represents everything the company or brand stands for -- infinite choice, timely delivery, and polite 24/7 service -- is all that matters to the customer. Whether the boy is called Umesh or Umaid should not come into the equation. Doing that is actually calling for trouble. There have been past reports on how Uber and Ola customers have for example objected to drivers from another religion and/or community driving them around. Similarly, memory is still fresh on how an Airtel customer refused service from a Muslim representative demanding instead to be catered by a Hindu. To me the name of the Swiggy boy is an irrelevant detail. In fact, if you were to go by the experience of customer service centres and call centres of various brands globally, the service executives rarely, if ever, use their real names. They instead put out anglicised names like Peter or Tom or Jane to customers who ask. The brand they represent is all that matters in the conversation, not the identity of the agent. The Zomato controversy has many lessons. First and foremost, with the explosive growth that the digital food service industry has had in the past few years, there are no standards, no guidelines on how the industry must train, certify and handle its workforce, especially the delivery boys. In fact, 99% of delivery boys across food service brands do not wear helmets and, through their rash driving, are actually responsible for a number of road accidents. We won't even go so far as the education for ethical behaviour; I think classes in driving/bike riding and road safety are an even higher priority for these 'delivery partners'. Second, there have to be proper norms and proper tracking and proper auditing of the work hours and work conditions of these hunger saviours. Social media is full of stories of food delivered at 1:45 am to a customer with the delivery boy yet to make another couple of delivery stops before he can go home and have his dinner. Three, while a lot of love and concern has been voiced by many on social media for these delivery boys, the fact is not very many customers actually leave a tip for the same delivery boy while booking an order online, or physically hand him a few rupees while receiving their package. In the US, tipping is an intrinsic part of the service process and the service provider looks forward to that crucial income from his endeavours. In fact, working at a restaurant or bar is very, very common for students, purely because the tips are good and help pay their way through college. So, in India, all the social media noise-makers need to put their money where their mouth is -- literally so. Last, has the Zomato brand taken a hit? Well, yes and no. This controversy will be forgotten in the next few days. That we all know. Some customers may remember the Zomato promise of tamper-proof packing, some may not. But for the likes of Zomato or Swiggy or Foodpanda or similar others, the customer has been sensitised for all times to the perils of the food pack being pilfered. An important matter of trust has been exposed. And that really has been the biggest downer of this entire episode. Trust lost at infinite brand cost. Sandeep Goyal writes on a wide variety of marketing subjects. 'In Chhattisgarh, MP and Rajasthan, he is far more popular than the defeated chief ministers,' notes Karan Thapar. What do the election results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan tell us about the possible outcome in the same states in next year's national elections? And how much confidence can the Congress draw from these pointers? There are two ways of analysing how the recent state elections could affect next year's national election. The first is to project the state outcome in terms of assembly constituencies on to the Lok Sabha constituency picture. NDTV has done this. It concludes that the Bharatiya Janata Party will lose 10 seats in Chhattisgarh, 17 in Rajasthan and 17 in Madhya Pradesh. Most, if not all, will be Congress gains. So in these three states alone, the Congress could double its 2014 tally of 44. Conversely, the BJP's total of 282 could come down to 238. Incidentally, in 2014, the BJP won 62 out of 65 Lok Sabha seats in these states. So the state election results point towards a very sharp drop. The other way of analysing how the election results could influence the Lok Sabha outcome is to look at the historical trend that is, the 2003-2004 elections, the 2008-2009 elections and the 2013-2014 elections. There's a clear and striking similarity in the picture that emerges. First, the vote percentage of the party that won at the state level in 2003, 2008 and 2013 sharply increased at the Lok Sabha level the following year. So, clearly, in each of these three states, the momentum gained by a state level winner sizeably increased its prospects at the national level. As a result, the party that won at the state level in 2003, 2008 and 2013 went on to win the preponderant majority of Lok Sabha seats the next year. The only exception was Madhya Pradesh in 2008-2009, where the Congress's Lok Sabha tally was just four seats below that of the BJP. But even in Rajasthan in 2008, when the Congress only won 97 assembly constituencies, it went on to win 20 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats in 2009. This historical analysis suggests the Congress could gain up to 10 seats in Chhattisgarh (out of 11), perhaps 20 in Rajasthan (out of 25) and possibly as many as 24 or 25 (out of 29) in Madhya Pradesh. If that happens, it would be a gain of 55. Of course, Lok Sabha elections are very different to state assembly elections and just because a historical trend has manifested itself three times previously doesn't mean it will recur a fourth consecutive time. Perhaps the greatest challenge the Congress faces at the Lok Sabha level is Mr Modi's personal popularity. In each of these states, he is far more popular than the defeated chief ministers. A tracking poll done in September shows that in Rajasthan 35 per cent wanted Vasundhara Raje to continue as chief minister whilst 57 want Narendra Damodardas Modi given a second opportunity as prime minister. In Madhya Pradesh, the chief minister's popularity came in at 46 per cent, Mr Modi's at 56. In Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh scored 41 per cent whilst the prime minister touched 59. Clearly the gap between Mr Modi's popularity and that of the three defeated chief ministers is both large and significant. At its minimum it's 10 per cent, at its maximum 22. This clearly suggests that the prime minister's image and performance will help the BJP at the Lok Sabha level and far more than it did at the assembly level. So how much confidence can the Congress derive from the recent outcome in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan? In a nutshell, it depends significantly on how Mr Modi campaigns in next year's national elections. With 25 other states demanding his time, he will have to spread himself far more thinly than in a state election. However, the outcome in the three state elections could also suggest a sharper fight between the Congress and BJP in other states where it is a virtual bipolar contest -- that is, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Karnataka, Assam and, possibly, Goa. A revived Congress with increasing self-confidence will not only put up a stronger fight but also win more seats. Clearly, therefore, the loss in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan could lead to considerable problems for the BJP in next year's national elections. Assam on Tuesday got India's longest rail-cum-road bridge, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the 4.94-km-long strategically important project over the mighty Brahmaputra at Bogibeel. The Bogibeel bridge, which was a part of the Assam Accord and sanctioned in 1997-98, is likely to play a crucial role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on January 22, 1997, while work commenced on April 21, 2002 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. December 25 happens to be Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Because of the inordinate delay in implementation, the cost of the project escalated by 85 per cent to Rs 5,960 crore from the sanctioned estimated cost of Rs 3,230.02 crore. The total length of the bridge was also revised to 4.94 km from the earlier 4.31 km. Realising its strategic importance, the central government had declared the construction of the bridge as a National Project in 2007, thereby assuring availability of fund for speedy construction. Here are some of the highlights of the bridge: IMAGE: A view of India's longest rail-road bridge, Bogibeel in Dibrugarh. Photograph: PTI Photo 1. The 4.9 km-long Bogibeel bridge on the Bramhaputra river is India's only fully welded bridge for which European codes and welding standards were adhered to for the first time in the country, said chief engineer Mohinder Singh. 2. The bridge reduces travel time from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh to four hours and will cut out the detour of over 170 km via Tinsukia. 3. It will also reduce Delhi to Dibrugarh train-travel time by about three hours to 34 hours as against 37 hours presently. 4. The bridge has a two-line railway track on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the top deck. For the first time in Indian Railways, the girder has steel floor system for railway tracks and concrete for road. 5. The bridge, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,900 crore, has a "serviceable period of around 120 years. 6.The bridge is likely to play an important role in defence movement along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The three road lanes of the bridge can act as three landing strips for the Air Force. 7. The country's largest steel maker SAIL said it has supplied 35,400 tonne of steel for the construction of the bridge. 8. The bridge is part of infrastructure projects planned by India to improve logistics along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. This includes the construction of a trans-Arunachal highway on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, and new road and rail links over the mighty river and its major tributaries such as the Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri and Kameng. 9. The project took 30 lakh bags of cement -- enough to fill more than 41 Olympic swimming pools and 19,250 metres of reinforcement steel -- well over twice the height of Mount Everest. 10. "Early flood in the river Brahmaputra restricted the working season to a very short period of approximately five months - from November to March - and demanded huge mobilization of construction equipment," chief engineer Mohinder Singh told news agency PTI, explaining the delay in the project. With inputs from PTI 'Before the elections, fake news can create law and order hassles and that is the reason they want social media firms to follow the amended IT Act.' Karan Choudhury reports. Days after enabling 10 security agencies to intercept, monitor, and decrypt information from computers across the country, the government is moving to rein in social media platforms. From providing the source of any information deemed a threat to national security, removing objectionable content within 24 hours to having permanent offices in India if the user base is above 5 million, the government is planning amendments to the Information Technology Act and has sought public feedback by January 15 before taking a final call. If the plan materialises, it would be mandatory for social media giants such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter to trace the originator of information if needed. The platforms would also need to remove such content within 24 hours of being notified. On their part, social media firms said they would follow all regulations but privacy of its users would be of utmost concern. "These are preliminary steps. We have to see what rules and regulations are finally formulated," said a source close to Faceboook. According to sources in the IT ministry, the government plans to bring in changes in the IT Act before the 2019 polls. "The government wants to plug the root causes of fake news that have led to incidents like rioting and lynching. Before the elections, fake news can create law and order hassles and that is the reason they want social media firms to follow the amended IT Act," said a senior official in the ministry. IT ministry officials held a meeting last week with senior executives of Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and other companies to discuss the proposed changes. A few months ago the government had asked chat messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to provide details of the providers of fake news. The company had then said there were privacy issues and such details can't be shared. Since then, however, WhatsApp has taken a middle path and paid heed to the government's other demands, including having a local team, an India head as well as having an office in the country. According to the draft, which was uploaded on the IT ministry's Web site on Monday, automated tools would have to be deployed by social media platforms to identify and disable 'unlawful content'. Users would be asked to guard against hosting or sharing information that violates any law, deceives or misleads receivers about the origin of messages that are grossly offensive or menacing in nature, or those which threaten national security. These Internet companies will also have to preserve relevant records for 180 days for investigation purposes or longer periods, if required. It has also been proposed that the platforms should inform users at least once a month that if rules are violated, access and user rights would be terminated. The Congress said if these amendments were cleared, there would be a tremendous expansion in the power of the 'big brother' government on ordinary citizens, 'reminiscent of eerie dictatorships'. When the government allowed the 10 agencies to snoop on computers across India, the Congress accusing the Centre of trying to create a "surveillance State'. Experts also warned that amendments, which would allow traceability of 'unlawful content', invade personal privacy and free speech. Cyberlaw expert Pavan Duggal said some of the changes planned are akin to India's own anti-encryption law. The proposed changes in rules will place social media platforms -- even those like WhatsApp which promise users privacy and encryption -- firmly under the government lens. Nikhil Pahwa, a digital rights activist, said the changes mooted to the IT Act are "harmful" for democracy and free speech. The requirement for platforms to proactively take down content will lead to censorship of speech, Pahwa said. "The amendments are also contrary to the spirit of section 79 of the IT Act, which was created to provide safe harbour to intermediaries, which are enablers of speech and commerce. Also, any government order for traceability must be backed by a judicial order, else it will enable unrestricted surveillance of citizens," he said. Govt order giving agencies vast snooping powers challenged in Supreme Court The petition says the government's order could be used to 'fix innocent citizens of India'. Aashish Aryan reports. The central government's December 21 notification giving 10 agencies wide-ranging powers to decrypt information stored on any computer in the country in the interest of national security has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The matter, however, has been denied an urgent hearing and will be listed according to the usual roster when the apex court reopens on January 2. The said notification has been challenged by advocate M L Sharma who said in his petition that the said notification should be set aside as it violated Section 21 of the Constitution and ran contra to the nine-judge Constitution Bench which had declared Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right. The petition also says the government's new order could be used to 'fix innocent citizens of India' and the incumbent government could use it for their political benefits since the general election is approaching. On December 21, the ministry of home affairs's cyber and information security division had allowed agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and the commissioner of police, Delhi, among others, powers to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in 'any computer'. Relying upon Section 69 (1) of the Information Technology Act, the government had also said that any subscriber or service provider in charge of any computer resource is bound to extend all facilities and technical assistance to these agencies, failing which they would have to face a seven-year jail term and be fined. Legal experts have, however, said the powers given to agencies under Section 69 of the IT Act need to be looked at afresh in view of the top court declaring the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. "It runs contra to the Supreme Court judgment in Puttaswamy vs Union of India. The apex court will have to look afresh at Section 69 and the wide-ranging powers under it. The chances of such powers being abused are very high," cyber law expert Pavan Duggal said. In 2015, the top court had, while striking down Section 66 A of the IT Act, upheld the government's powers under Section 69 of the same Act, but with reasonable restrictions. Later in 2018, a nine-judge Constitution Bench had, while hearing the Puttaswamy vs Union of India case, declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. The petition also seeks that the top court should prohibit the government from initiating any criminal cases or investigation against individuals under Section 66 and 67 of the IT Act of 2000. Section 66 of the IT Act recommends fine of up to Rs 500,000 and jail term of up to three years for hacking, receiving a stolen computer, using the digital identity of others, cheating, cyber terrorism, and denying computer access to any authorised personnel. Section 67, on the other hand, recommends a stricter jail term of up to seven years and fine of up to Rs 1 million for crimes such as publishing images containing a sexually explicit act or conduct, child pornography, and failure on part of service providers to maintain records. 'If the BJP comes back to power, Sterlite will open in one week.' 'If the Congress comes to power, it will open in one month.' A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com reports on the faceoff between the Sterlite factory and protesters in Tamil Nadu. IMAGE: A protest against the Tamil Nadu government after 15 people were killed in police firing at protesters calling for the closure of the Vedanta Resources-controlled Sterlite Copper smelter in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. Photograph: P Ravikumar/Reuters Sterlite Copper, which has been operating in Thoothukudi for over 20 years, has not had an easy journey in Tamil Nadu. When it announced last year that it was doubling its capacity, all hell broke loose. Nineteen villages sat in protest for 99 days and, on the 100th day, they promised to come out on the streets to petition the district collector. They could not keep their promise. The police cordoned off the villages and no villager could reach the collectorate. But it did not end their protest. Their cause was taken up by local traders and fishermen who marched to the collectorate. Fifteen people died in the police firing that ensued. The Tamil Nadu government then issued an order to close the unit. Sterlite challenged the order at the National Green Tribunal which set the Tamil Nadu government order aside. Sterlite then approached the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for permission to start its plant. Meanwhile, protesting groups petitioned the district collector against allowing Sterlite to reopen its plant. On December 24, some affected families, including children, met the collector and told him their lives was in danger from the unit. Two groups of protestors moved the Madurai bench of the Madras high court against the NGT order. IMAGE: A protest after 15 people were killed in the police firing. Photograph: P Ravikumar/Reuters "We have been meeting the collector regularly and have explained to him the havoc Sterlite has caused in the past. We are planning other protests too," Kittu Krishnamurthy, a local businessman who has been participating in the anti-Sterlite movement for more than a decade now, told Rediff.com. "Sterlite is a willful defaulter. If they were not polluting the environment, why did they pay a fine of Rs 100 crores in the past?" Krishnamurthy asks, adding, "The state government order was set aside because it did not have any teeth." "The state government could have easily passed a resolution against it (the Sterlite factory) in the assembly before issuing an order. They could have passed another law against it. They did not do so," Krishnamurthy adds. "Instead, they issued a lame order they knew Sterlite will appeal against it and get it canceled. The NGT set aside an order by a weak government which did not apply its mind before passing the order," he says. "We have planned our own action to stop Sterlite. We are meeting to chalk out our plans. You have to understand that various groups are protesting against Sterlite, but there is no understanding between the groups," Krishnamurthy points out. "The Madras high court has stayed the NGT order favoring Sterlite. Now Sterlite will appeal against the stay. This drama will continue till the parliamentary elections," S P Udaykumar, who spearheaded the agitation against the Koodangulam nuclear power project, tells Rediff.com. "If the BJP comes back to power, Sterlite will open in one week," Udaykumar predicts. "If the Congress comes to power, it will open in one month." TORRINGTON Arthritis & Allergy Associates of Torrington is now part of the Hartford HealthCare (HHC) Bone & Joint Institute specializing in Allergy and Rheumatology. The office is located in the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Medical Office Building at 538 Litchfield Street, Suite 101, Torrington. Rheumatologists from the practice are now part of the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, including John Magaldi, MD, FACR, FACP, and Jeffrey Miller, MD, FAAAAI, who will continue to see patients in Torrington. They have also been joined by two new rheumatologists, Lia Jamian, MD and Kateryna Bertuch, MD, who are seeing patients in Torrington and in Hartford at the HHC Bone & Joint Institute Center for Rheumatology & Bone Health, Ambulatory Building, at 31 Seymour Street, Suite 206, Harford. Our practice has served Litchfield County for over 25 years. We are excited about how this affiliation will provide the ability to improve patient access and serve the communities well into the future. Dr. Miller and I are pleased to welcome Drs. Jamian and Bertuch. We look forward to working with our entire team of dedicated providers and office staff to serve patients in our Hartford and Torrington locations, said Dr. Magaldi. The practice offers a wide range of services including joint injections, infusion/biologic therapies, ultrasound injections and diagnostics, as well as allergy/immunology evaluation and treatment. The practice is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and accepts most major insurances. For information and appointments at the Torrington office, call 860-496-1790. The Hartford office can be reached at 860- 524-2610. A rheumatologist is an internist with further training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions commonly referred to as rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases can affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. They can also affect the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs. Rheumatologists treat joint disease similar to orthopedists but do not perform surgeries. Common diseases treated by rheumatologists include osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, and lupus. An allergist is an internist with further training in the treatment of inhalant and food allergies, asthma and immune disorders. Common allergic diseases include hives, eczema, angioedema, and seasonal rhinitis. Dr. Lia Jamian attended medical school at Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Weston, FL, and completed a Fellowship in Rheumatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Dr. Kateryna Bertuch attended medical school in Vinnica Medical Pirogova University, Vinnica Ukraine and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, OH. She also completed a Fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT. Dr. Jeffrey Miller is an allergy and rheumatology specialist who attended Medical School at East Carolina School of Medicine, where he also completed his Residency and Internship. He completed a Fellowship in Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Medical College of Virginia. He was Partner and President of Arthritis and Allergy Associates prior to joining Hartford HealthCares Medical Group. Dr. John Magaldi attended Medical School at St. Georges University in the West Indies, Grenada, and completed his residency and Fellowship at Yale University, New Haven. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCONN Medical Center, Farmington. Dr. Magaldi has also been recently appointed Chief of Rheumatology Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute. In this role, he is developing and leading a comprehensive physician-led state-wide rheumatology group integrated through the Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. Dr. Magaldi will share office hours in Torrington and in Hartford at the Ambulatory Building at 31 Seymour St., Hartford. BRIDGEPORT A teenager in custody in connection with an earlier assault at Central High School was charged Monday with the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Clinton Howell. Tajay Chambers, 18, was charged with murder with special circumstances, carrying a pistol without a permit, second-degree larceny and risk of injury to a child. Chambers is expected to be arraigned in Superior Court on Wednesday. Police Chief Armando Perez confirmed the arrest and said that three juveniles were also charged in connection with the case. The three juveniles, ages 12, 14 and 16 have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit and larceny in the second degree. I feel so bad for the (Howell) family, but I am glad that we have been able to bring them justice. Our guys did a great job in the investigation, Perez said. Police said Howell was shot once in the chest around 9 p.m. outside his familys light green duplex in the 200 block of Willow Street. His family said he had just walked home after buying some snacks at a nearby store. Capt. Brian Fitzgerald said the boy was rushed to Bridgeport Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time after, becoming the citys 11th homicide of 2018. Police said the boy was a bystander, and the target of the drive-by shooting had been his older cousin who was also standing outside the house. Police sources said Chambers had been involved in an ongoing dispute with Howells cousin, who was not identified. On the evening of Dec. 18, the sources said, Chambers drove slowly by the Willow Street home. They said the cousin fired a pellet gun at Chambers car. Chambers drove off, returning a short time later and fired at the cousin, hitting Howell, police sources said. Chambers was arrested the night of Dec. 19 on an outstanding warrant charging him with second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. The following day, Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton, aware that police were moving to arrest Chambers in the murder, ordered him held in lieu of a $500,000 bond. To ensure that Chambers wasnt going anywhere, ICE agreed to put a detainer on Chambers, who they said is an undocumented immigrant from Jamaica. Police said Chambers is accused with two other young men of assaulting a 16-year-old boy in the stairwell of Central High School on Oct. 12. Police said Chambers struck the victim in the head and then kicked the victim down the flight of stairs. The victim advised the boys that he was not into gang stuff, so he did not understand why they were confronting him. The incident was caught on the schools video surveillance system. The fiscal crisis might be Connecticuts biggest concern heading into the new year, but its unlikely to be the topic of speeches at the inauguration of Governor-elect Ned Lamont on Jan. 9 in Hartford. Instead, as Lamont tends to do, his comments will likely take on a positive approach to governing and highlight bipartisanship. Events are open to the public. Heres what you need to know if youre intested in attending: Lamont will take the oath of office at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9 during a ceremony at the William A. ONeill State Armory at Broad Street and Capitol Avenue. Tickets are not required to attend, but seats are first come, first served. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. The organizers are asking attendees to RSVP here. As of Monday, Capitol Police did not yet have details on security or parking for the general public, but parking in the area is limited and attendees are advised to arrive early. Expect road closures around the Capitol and pack light to speed up security. Lamont will make a brief statement about his vision for Connecticut, but its unlikely hell give details on his proposed budget, which isnt due out for several weeks after the inauguration. A parade will leave the armory following Lamonts swearing in, circle the Capitol and end at the intersection of Trinity and Elm Streets at the corner of Bushnell Park. Once the parade concludes, Lamont will deliver his first State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly at the Capitol. There will be very limited public seating inside the Capitol. Details about live broadcasts are not yet available. The inaugural ball, at 7 p.m. that night at the Connecticut Convention Center in downtown Hartford, is also open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are $200 for general admission. People ages 21 to 28 can purchase tickets for $99 a sign of Lamonts desire to involve a younger demographic in the festivities. Details about how to purchase tickets and other information about the day and nights events are here. The ball will feature more than 40 restaurants, artisanal cheese makers, bread makers, microbreweries and Connecticut wineries, according to the invitation. Joe Scarborough a former Republican and co-host of MSNBCs Morning Joe will perform with his band. Christopher Meloni, a family friend of the Lamonts best known for his role as NYPD Detective Elliot Stabler on the NBC legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will co-emcee the event alongside journalist Jane Whitney. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks and its partners will sponsor free, guided hikes in many state parks on New Years Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative taking place in all 50 states. Americas State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2019 at a state park close to home. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our state parks, said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee, in a statement. Whether you join a guided hike or venture out on your own, you will not be disappointed in the variety of hiking trails that our state has to offer. Connecticut has hundreds of miles of trails appropriate for all age levels to enjoy as we celebrate the first day of 2019. In Connecticut, hikes will be offered at the following locations and times: Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Rd., East Haddam. The hike will begin at 12 noon. Meet at the Visitors Center. Hike will follow the old rail bed, easy hike for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. After the first hike, a second hike of approximately of a mile will be offered; this hike will include river views. Sponsor: Friends of Gillette Castle. Websites: www.ct.gov/deep/GilletteCastle, www.facebook.com/FriendsofGillette Contact: Paul at 860-222-7850 James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd., Hampton, 12 noon, moderate, two hour hike, 3-4 miles; dogs on leash allowed. Websites: www.ct.gov/deep/Goodwin, www.FriendsofGoodwinForest.org Contact: Jasper Sha, Jasper.Sha@ct.gov Haddam Meadows State Park, Route 154, Haddam, 1 p.m., easy, 2 mile hike. Meet at the parking lot entrance. Walk along the Connecticut River, learn about the background geology, floodplain habitats, and human impact on landscape. Bring water, snack and snowshoes, if needed. Dogs on leash allowed. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Cancellation: If bad weather, hike will be canceled. Check weather conditions for Haddam. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/HaddamMeadows Contact: Cheryl Czuba cherylczuba@comcast.net Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, 1 p.m., easy walk, less than one mile. Meet at the Meigs Point Nature Center; hike will be led by Dr. Don Rankin and friends. Don is a dynamic speaker and will share his knowledge of Native Americans and geologic formations. Sponsor: Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/Hammonasset Cancellation: 203-245-8743. Contact: Don Rankin, Russ Miller, Russell.Miller@ct.gov Kettletown State Park, 1400 Georges Hill Rd., Southbury, 1 p.m., moderate, 2 mile hike. Meet at the trail head for Miller Trail. Drive into the park, take every right fork to the trail head. This hike will offer views of much of the tornado damage from May 2018. Bring water, snack, sturdy footwear, and a sense of adventure. Dogs on leash allowed. Cancellation: 203-264-9028. Contact: Bob McGarry, bernieandbob@charter.net Mansfield Hollow State Park, Bassetts Bridge Rd., Mansfield, 11 a.m., arrive by 10:45 a.m., moderate, 2 hikes - 4.5 mile and 2.2 mile, meet in the Mansfield Hollow Recreation Area parking lot. Dogs on leash allowed. Sponsor: Friends of Mansfield Hollow. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/MansfieldHollow Peoples State Forest, Matthies Grove Picnic Area, 106 East River Road, Barkhamsted, 1 p.m., moderately strenuous, 2.5 miles. This loop hike will start on the Robert Ross Trail, turn onto King Road, and return on the Agnes Bowen Trail. Bring water. No dogs, please. Sponsor: The Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests (FALPS). Website: www.ct.gov/deep/Peoples Cancellation: www.facebook.com/ctfalps. Contact: Janet Bumstead, ctfalps@gmail.com or 860-882-9632. Rocky Neck State Park, 244 West Main St. (Rt. 156), East Lyme, 10 a.m., moderate, one hour hike. This hike will meet at beach parking - west lot. Hike is child friendly with a parent or guardian. No dogs. Sponsor: Rocky Neck State Park. Website: www.ct.gov/deep/RockyNeck Contact: Chris Pimley, Chris0381@comcast.net Scantic River State Park, Melrose Road, East Windsor, 1 p.m., moderate, 2.5 mile hike, 2 hours, meet in parking area at end of Melrose Road off Broad Brook Road. Donations will be collected for the local food pantry (human and pet items). Dogs on leash welcome. Sponsor: East Windsor American Heritage River Commission. Website: Contact: Debbie Talamini, ahriver@sbcglobal.net Sessions Woods #1, 341 Milford Street, Burlington, 10 a.m., moderate 5.5 mile loop hike. Meet by kiosk in the Sessions Woods parking lot. This hike is sponsored by the Friends of Sessions Woods. Cancelled if theres severe weather. Contact: Laura.Rogers-Castro@ct.gov 860-424-3011 Sessions Woods #2 - Skys the Limit Hike, 341 Milford Street, Burlington, 1 p.m., .hike will follow the Beaver Pond Trail and last between 60 and 90 minutes. Join us for cocoa in the Conservation Education Center afterwards. The awards ceremony for the Skys the Limit winners will begin at approximately 3 p.m. TORRINGTON The Torrington Library is seeking teen artists (ages 11-17) for a new mural project. Local artist, Marc Stolfi, is painting a graphic novel style mural in the new Teen Room and he needs your help. If you are interested in working with a muralist, learning the ins and outs of becoming a professional artist, and you want to contribute to a piece of public art, this is your chance! Visit us on the web at Www.torringtonlibrary.org to submit your name. Work began this month. The Torrington Library Teen Room Mural Project will use the talent of local teens, under the creative direction and guidance of professional artist Marc Stolfi, to create a graphic-novel style mural that incorporates classic and current elements of the teen experience. The mural will be permanently located on the West wall of the Torrington Library Teen Room. To realize this project, Mr. Stolfi will partner with the Head of Children and Teen Services, Jillian Veras, and members of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB), which involves 35-40 students ages 11-17. Members of TAB will provide input into the content, design and scope of the mural, and will have hands-on painting opportunities under the guidance of the Artist during the painting of the final product. The outcome of this project will be a prominent work of art that has engaged local teens in a hands-on arts experience, supported the work of a local artist, and made the Teen Room a more inviting, inspiring and comfortable place for teens to study, learn, and grow. In addition, Torrington is an up-and-coming arts community that encourages young artists. This project embraces a community spirit of artistry and creativity, further prompting students to become more actively involved in their towns cultural identity. Their contribution to public art will be a small, but lasting reminder of a landmark city transformation. The mural project is made possible with support from the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information, go to www.torringtonlibrary.org or call 860-489-6684. Library to host improv comedy workshop KENT The staff of community television CTV-192 will visit the Kent Memorial Library to help guestslearn about community television with an Improv Comedy Workshop. Improvisational comedy is a fun and often hilarious group activity where - much like community access - no experience is necessary. The program will be held Saturday, Jan. 12, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Reading Room. The CTV192 team will guide participants through five improv exercises, beginning very simply and increasing in challenge. CTV-192 has been providing custom and advanced free training classes in video production for over 20 years. Programs on music, art, politics, news, weather and more can all be found on your local channel and are being produced by members of the local community. Call to find out more! Our next class begins in February: 203 304 4050. Space is limited and registration is required. Sign up at the front desk or visit the Librarys online calendar. This event is free and open to anyone over the age of 15. Teens age 15-17 must be accompanied by an adult. For more detailed information, call CTV-192 at 203-304-4050. Charter Communications Spectrum CTV-192 can be seen in the following Western Connecticut towns: Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Kent, Monroe, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Roxbury, Sherman, Southbury, Trumbull, Washington, and Woodbury. They also stream the channel Live at www.goctv192.com. Visit kentmemoriallibrary.org for more information. Gunn library announces January movie matinees Gunn Memorial Library in Washington announces its January Monday Movie Matinees, free of charge, held on Mondays at 1 p.m. Jan. 7: Lizzie: The Legend of Lizzie Borden. Academy Award (R) nominee Chloe Sevigny stars as Lizzie Borden, the notorious woman at the heart of one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. After a lifetime of loneliness, Lizzie finds a kindred spirit in housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Kristen Stewart) and their secret intimacy sparks an unthinkable act. Director Craig William Macneill explores the days leading up to the savage crimes in a dark tale of repression, exploitation and thwarted dreams. R. Jan. 14: A Simple Favor. A stylish post-modern film noir directed by Paul Feig, centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy blogger who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily's (Blake Lively) sudden disappearance from their small town. Stephanie is joined by Emily's husband Sean (Henry Golding) in this thriller filled with twists and betrayals, secrets and revelations, love and loyalty, murder and revenge. R. Jan. 21: The library is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Jan. 28: Old Man & The Gun. Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest's commitment to his craft, and a woman (Sissy Spacek), who loves him in spite of his chosen profession. PG13. Free and open to the public. Registration is requested; visit www.gunnlibrary.org The Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at Route 47 on the Green, in Washington. Morris library welcomes author for discussion, signing MORRIS Author David Fisher will give a discussion and signing of his new books Food Zoo and The Story Less Traveled, Jan 17, 6:30 p.m., at the Morris Public Library, 4 North St. The snow date is Jan. 24. Fishers passion for rhyming in his stories, poems and lyrics helps him create his whimsical poems and short stories that are amazingly entertaining yet true to life. The authors newest book Food Zoo is a story about a little boy helping his mother at the grocery store that leads to a shopping misadventure, and his The Story Less Traveled presents an anthology of eclectic poems, playful rhymes, and tongue twisted writings to explore by both young and old. Fishers works have been published in the Best of the Litchfield Community Writers Group anthologies and local newspapers. The author lives and works in the northwest hills of Connecticut. Registration is required; call 860-567-7440 Police in the ethnic-Serb entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina have detained a man whose search for the truth about the death of his son has sparked several months of protests after he failed to respond to a summons for questioning. Police detained Davor Dragicevic on December 25 in Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska. Several other people, including Dragicevic's ex-wife were also detained. A lawyer for the Dragicevic family said Davor Dragicevic was hurt during his detention, but police have denied that allegation. Videos posted on social media show police officers scuffling with civilians on the central square of Banja Luka. The European Union delegation to Bosnia issued a statement saying they were following the developments. "Today's turn of events in Banja Luka sends a negative and alarming signal about the state of the rule of law," the EU delegation's statement said. Dragicevic founded the Justice For David movement after the death in March of his 21-year-old son, David Dragicevic. David was found dead in a local creek a week after going missing. His father says he was abducted, tortured, and murdered. Police say they found alcohol and drugs in his system and that he drowned. Protests around the case have tapped into local discontent over widespread corruption and Bosnia's weak economy. At a rally on October 5, Davor Dragicevic said "the Interior Ministry organized the murder of David Dragicevic." "This is a criminal state, criminal police," he added. Authorities in Sarajevo and Banja Luka have denied the allegations. After the December 25 arrests, police cleared away a makeshift memorial for David Dragicevic where locals have been placing candles and flowers for months. Dozens of people, many in tears, looked on. Bosnia-Herzegovina was divided into two separately governed regions -- Serbian and Muslim-Croat -- under a peace agreement that ended the 1992-95 war between the country's Serbs, Muslim Bosniaks, and Croats. Its central government is ruled jointly. Critics say the system has entrenched in power ethnic-based political parties, which have grown corrupt. Moreover, tensions among the former war foes persist more than two decades after the conflict that killed 100,000 people. With reporting by AP and Reuters A British-Iranian academic who was detained in Tehran on security charges, has returned to London, Britains Foreign Office said on December 25. Abbas Edalat, a professor of computer science and mathematics at Imperial College London, was detained in Iran in April for his alleged role in an "infiltration network." The Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) charity that Edalat founded said he was released last week. At the time of Edalat's arrest, an Iranian news agency reported that he was part of a "network" of British spies whose members had been identified and arrested. The antiwar protest group CASMII wrote on his website that Edalats detention was "a case of misinformation and misunderstanding by the Iranian security apparatus." The U.K. Foreign Office did not disclose details of the academic's release. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We continue to take action on all our consular cases in Iran in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases." Among several dual-nationals jailed in Iran is British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was arrested in Tehran in April 2016. Zaghari-Ratcliffe is serving a five-year jail sentence for sedition -- a charge she has denied. Based on reporting by AFP and BBC India has formally taken over operations at Iran's strategic Chabahar Port, a move that could have significant geopolitical ramifications in the region. The port on the Indian Ocean, inaugurated last year, is being built largely by India and is expected to provide a key supply route for Afghanistan while allowing India to bypass rival Pakistan to trade with Central Asia. Representatives from India, Iran, and Afghanistan met in Tehran to formally hand over control to state-owned India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). An Iranian official was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying that IPGL had been granted the lease for "a temporary period of 18 months and a ten-year period afterwards." The official added that IPGLs management would include "loading and unloading, supplying equipment and marketing." The U.S. State Department in November exempted the Chabahar Port project from sanctions in recognition of its importance to landlocked Afghanistan. The effort to build up Afghanistan's economy is also aimed at reducing Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and putting a major dent in the illicit opium trade that has been a major source of revenue for the Taliban insurgency. New Delhi has poured $2 billion into development in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban's government. Based on reporting by Hindustan Times and IRNA The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for a car bombing in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar that left two people dead. The December 25 blast near a cafe in the center of the city also injured 11 people. Officials said the blast was caused by a booby-trapped pick-up truck. IS claimed responsibility in a message on the Telegram messaging app. The incident was the first such attack in the city of some 200,000 since it was liberated from IS by Iraqi security forces in August 2017. IS captured the city and much of northern Iraq in 2014. Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that focused on energy pricing, trade, and other bilateral issues. The two men met for about four hours on December 25 and then adjourned for a private dinner together, Russian state media reported. Lukashenka told journalists at a joint press conference before the talks that he thought the two presidents would be able to reach an agreement on an energy-pricing dispute that has bedeviled relations for months. Earlier this year, Russia announced changes to its tax system that, when implemented next year, will leave Belarus paying significantly more for Russian oil and gas. Belarus has criticized the change, but Moscow maintained that Minsk would still be paying less than other countries. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Anton Siluanov said the two leaders agreed to set up a working group to "prepare proposals on our further integration and the solution of pressing issues giving rise to concerns of our countries." On the eve of the summit, Lukashenka said that relations between the two countries were no longer "fraternal," saying it would be more accurate to refer to Belarus and Russia as "partners." Lukashenka's press spokeswoman, Natalya Eismont, told journalists that the two presidents had agreed to meet again before the end of this year "in order to make urgent decisions." Based on reporting by AP, TASS and Interfax Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for an attack on Libyas Foreign Ministry in Tripoli that killed three and injured around 20. The December 25 attack on the ministry compound started with a car bomb exploding out front, followed by three gunmen opening fire as they tried to storm the building. Two managed to enter the premises and blow themselves up, while the third was killed in a hail of gunfire with security guards. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE intelligence Group, which tracks the online activity of jihadist organizations. Among the dead was Abdul-Rahman Mazoughi, a prominent leader of the Revolutionary Brigade militia group. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the attack and stressed the need to "prevent terrorist groups from turning Libya into a haven or an arena for their crimes." Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muammar Qaddafi. The country is split between rival governments, each supported by various militia groups. Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa Pope Francis used his Christmas message on December 25 to urge the world to put aside "partisan interests" to find a political solution to conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and other flash points. Francis delivered the traditional papal "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. "My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas... Fraternity among persons of different religions," he said. Francis went on to call for peace in Syria, Yemen, Africa, the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. He also hoped for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. The pontiff said he hoped a truce in Yemen would end a devastating war which has killed around 10,000 people since 2015 and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. "My thoughts turn to Yemen in the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine," Francis said. He also called for a peaceful solution to the war in Syria that has killed some 400,000 people and displaced millions since it began in 2011. "May the international community work decisively for a political solution... so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country," the pontiff said. The Urbi et Orbi speech is often an occasion for the pope to speak about the globe's trouble spots and other violence. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has expanded Russia's targeted sanctions against Ukrainian individuals and legal entities. Medvedev posted on Twitter on December 25 that he had signed the decree expanding the list of sanctions targets to "defend the interests of the Russian state, companies, and citizens of Russia." Some 200 individuals and legal entities were added to the list. On November 1, Russia imposed "special economic measures" against 322 Ukrainian individuals and 68 companies. The sanctions included freezing non-cash accounts and other assets in Russia and a ban on capital transfers from Russia. Among the individuals on the original list were Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, Security Service chief Vasyl Hrytsak, former prime ministers Yulia Tymoshenko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, and former Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh. The list is based on an October 22 decree by President Vladimir Putin. Putin said at the time that the punitive measures could be canceled if Ukraine lifts all restrictions it has imposed against Russian citizens and companies. Kyiv took measures against Russian citizens and companies following Moscow's 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea and in response to Moscow military, political, and economic support of separatist formations in eastern Ukraine. Some 10,300 people have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine since early 2014. Although Moscow denies interfering in Ukraine's domestic affairs, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2016 ruled that the fighting in eastern Ukraine is "an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation." The European Union and the United States have also imposed sanctions against Moscow over its involvement in Ukraine. With reporting by UNIAN and TASS Turkey is determined to cross to the east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria as soon as possible, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on December 25, a day after Ankara sent reinforcements to the border with Syria. "If Turkey says that it will enter Syria, it will be so," Cavusoglu told reporters. We plan to enter areas east of the Euphrates River as soon as possible. Turkey said earlier this month that it would launch a new military operation in the area. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, prompting Turkey to delay the campaign until the withdrawal is completed. Trump has said the withdrawal from Syria will be slow and coordinated with Turkey, without providing a timetable. Turkey said the two countries are coordinating to ensure there is no "authority vacuum" once the U.S. troops leave. On December 24, Turkish media reported that Ankara sent reinforcements, including troops and trucks carrying tanks and howitzers, to the border with Syria. Hurriyet daily said, the deployment began over the weekend with around 100 vehicles, which had crossed into the Al-Bab region of northern Syria. Meanwhile, inside Syria, Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters were deployed to areas near the Kurdish-held town of Manbij, the Anadolu news agency said. Manbij, in northern Syria, is held by a U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG militia viewed by Ankara as "terrorists" linked to Kurdish insurgents inside Turkey. During the December 25 news briefing, Cavusoglu warned France that it would not gain in any way by retaining forces to protect a Kurdish militia in Syria, after Paris announced it would maintain a presence despite the U.S. withdrawal. "If France is staying to contribute to Syria's future, great, but if they are doing this to protect the [militia], this will bring no benefit to anyone," Cavusoglu said. A Kurdish-led force captured much of northern and eastern Syria from the Islamic State (IS) group with the help of a U.S.-led coalition. The Kurdish militia has expressed shock at Trumps decision, and now faces a triple threat from Turkey, the Syrian government, and IS. U.S. partners have warned that a premature American withdrawal will allow IS to storm back. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, AP Photo: Contributed Thank you, Santa Trudeau, for the road safety Christmas gift. Police can finally do the work weve been asking them to do: pulling those over the legal alcohol limit off the road! Though its the hard-working elves we should probably thank. Particularly those who fought to maintain the controversial and dramatic change that means so much for road safety. I am a bit of a news junkie, with a particular interest in road safety. Im embarrassed to say that I had not clued in to the change until seeing a news report on Dec. 11, of its imminent implementation on Dec.18. The law had been passed in June, 2018, along with cannabis legalization. I posted the news report on Facebook with the comment: This is beyond incredible. How could it have taken this long!? Nice!!!!! My enthusiasm wasnt widely shared. Responding comments included: Just burn the Charter RIP freedom, hello police state. This is so against our Charter of Rights its pathetic! One step closer to losing more of our rights! Here comes the Nazi regime. I promised to address those concerns in my Christmas column. Bill C-46 includes a wide swath of changes. The one I am excited about pertains to when police can make a roadside breath demand. In hindsight, we had been expecting police to enforce our impaired driving laws while blindfolded. Before Dec. 18, when conducting a CounterAttack roadblock, police were handcuffed from making a roadside breath demand unless they had reasonable grounds to suspect that you had alcohol in your body. We expected them to conduct a roadside investigation based on the smell of your breath, what you chose to disclose about your alcohol consumption and gross indicators of intoxication (fumbling with your licence and registration, slurring words, glassy eyes, etc.). British Columbia law prohibits driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.05 per cent. An adult man can reach that level with as little as two alcoholic drinks in one hour. Who slurs their words, has glassy eyes or smells of alcohol after two drinks? Chronic alcoholics can hide their use from co-workers, friends and even spouses. What ridiculous expectations we had of our police! One news report, noted: Research also shows that up to 50 per cent of drivers who would blow over the legal limit arent caught during roadside check stops. Though Id like to see the research because I would have expected a much wider hole in the net. That hole has been sewn up. Police blindfolds have been removed. They are finally able to investigate drivers for exceeding legal blood alcohol levels in an effective way, using a roadside screening device. No more pussy-footing around, blindfolded. They can require every driver to blow. Now, about that Charter, which can be found at this link. Section 8 says: Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. Is a breath screening during an otherwise lawful roadside stop an unreasonable search or seizure, marching down a Nazi path toward a police state? I am already at 500 words, which is the rule of thumb my editors give me. I apologize, but I must once again (second week in a row) make this one to be continued. Those of you vibrating in your seats, keen as heck to understand the interplay between this change in the law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, I invite you to read the section on Searches or Seizures (section 8) within this link where the Federal Government explains Charter implications of Bill C-46: Charter Implications. But for a front row seat to how the courts actually apply the Charter, give a shot at reading this case from the Supreme Court of Canada, the top of the judicial food chain for when British Columbias new automatic roadside prohibition laws were initially challenged: Goodwin v. British Columbia (Superintendent of Motor Vehicles), 2015 SCC 46. Wishing all of you a safe and happy holiday season and New Year. Photo: CTV News A man arrested after a standoff with Nunavut RCMP has been charged with four counts of attempted murder. Mounties say Jerry Issuqangituq also faces charges of discharging a firearm and assault with a weapon. Officers were dispatched Saturday to investigate a report of a man brandishing knives in a home in Iqaluit. Police say a 25-year-old man had barricaded himself inside the house and, during a three-hour standoff, opened fire on police and passing vehicles. No one was injured, but investigators say property was damaged. A second man was also arrested and charged with discharging a firearm and breach of an undertaking. In a press release, police said it's the second critical incident in Iqaluit in a week and urged gun owners to secure their firearms and ammunition. On Wednesday, RCMP said a 34-year-old Iqaluit man barricaded himself in a home for 12 hours while police negotiated with him. After the incident was peacefully resolved, police said three young children were placed in the custody of Child and Family Services. That man faces charges of forcible confinement, assault, uttering threats and breach of conditions. Police say alcohol was a contributing factor in both standoffs. Anglo American threatens to fire unvaccinated workers report Anglo American, which has an 85% stake in De Beers, is allegedly planning to fire workers not willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to media reports. Hong Kongs retail revenue from jewellery, watches jumps 23% in October According to the Hong Kong municipality Census and Statistics Departments data, the retail revenues from jewellery, watches, clocks and other valuable gifts increased 23% y-o-y to $452 mn in October 2021. Sales across all product categories rose... IDI launches Rock enRoll Campaign to spur Israeli diamond sales The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) launched a campaign on 1st December that offers discounts of up to $200 to buyers of Israeli diamonds from qualified sellers. Titled Rock enRoll, the campaign is intended to boost the already robust Israeli... Macaus Gem and Diamond Summit scheduled for December 10 The International Gemstone and Diamond Trade Summit scheduled for December 10 in Macau is the first industry-wide global gemstone and diamond conference jointly organised by the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) and the Macau China Diamond and... The knife-wielding man attacked the driver. Police officer believed to be among the dead. The bus came to a stop in front of Longyan Peoples Hospital. Another 21 people were injured in the afternoon attack. Footage posted on social media shows scenes of carnage, as badly-injured or deceased victims lay in the street next to a trail of debris. A number of destroyed motorcycles or scooters were scattered on the floor. The victims have received treatment. The announcement gave no details of the attackers identity or a motive. The attacker was detained by police. No information about terrorism supposition yet. Fujian, a province on the southeast coast of mainland China, is a defined cultural region. Fujian Tulou is listed by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Site in 2008. Nanshan Temple, South Putuo Temple and Yongquan Temple are tourist attractions in the area. Longyan is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Fujian province. Unlike many Chinese cities, the forest coverage of Longyan reaches an unusually high 77.9%. Longyan has a population of more than 2,500,000 inhabitants. On Saturday night, the tsunami blasted the shoreline without warning, sucking beachgoers into the raging sea with the overwhelming force of a giant magnet. Officials were warning residents and tourists continued volcanic eruptions from Mount Anak Krakatau could potentially trigger a second devastating tsunami. More than 600 housing units and at least nine hotels were destroyed or badly damaged in the tsunami. At the same time more than 16,000 people have been displaced, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, head of public relations for the Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency. The devastation may have been exacerbated by an inoperable tsunami early warning system which hasnt been operational since 2012 despite the inclusion to a dangerous region. The Ring of Fire stretches 25,000 miles from New Zealand up through Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, and then across the Aleutian Islands and down the coasts of Alaska, Canada, the West Coast of the United States and all the way down to the tip of South America. Unthinkable devastation from the tsunami disaster in Indonesia. More than two hundred dead and nearly a thousand injured or unaccounted for. We are praying for recovery and healing. America is with you! President Trump wrote on Twitter. Gal Gadot Los Angeles, Dec 24 (PTI) Gal Gadot has completed the shooting of "Wonder Woman 1984".The 33-year-old actor, who will reprise the title role in the follow-up to the 2017 DC superhero film, took to Instagram to share the news on Sunday. Gadot said the experience of filming the movie was as much amazing as they were working on the first 'Wonder Woman'. "... This time was even more unique and special... We shot in four very different locations in three countries, and I'm so so proud of the almost 1,000 crew members who came to set every day, giving everything they have into our movie," she wrote. The actor thanked director Patty Jenkins for her guidance and trust."She always has our backs, she gives us the wings to dare, and every day she helped us find the most creative version of ourselves... I am so grateful to call her my friend. And to our amazingly talented cast who made every day enjoyable and fun, thank you." Advertisement Gadot Gadot also shared three photos from the film sets and said she is proud of the film the team had worked so hard at putting together."I love this character. And thank you to all of you for being the best fans in the world. It was you that made me push myself every day..."I'm so happy and excited, can't wait to share it with you in 2020," she said. The sequel reunites Gadot with "Wonder Woman" co-star Chris Pine. Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig are joining the franchise. The film is slated to be released on June 5, 2020. Central Administrative Tribunal By Niel Bhalinder Singh, 25th Dec'18: Considering the fact that Union Territory, Chandigarh has not framed any policy so far for regularizing the services of its contractual employees in spirit of mandate of the judgment of Supreme Court of India rendered in Uma Devis case, the Central Administrative Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench comprising Mr. Sanjeev Kaushik, Member (J) and Ms.P.Gopinath Member (A) has issued notice to the Chandigarh Administration for February 1, 2019, All Teachers Working Since 2002 on Vacant Posts Advertisement while hearing an Original Application (OA) filed by a contractual mistress - Mrs. Gurinder Kaur working in Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector-32D, Chandigarh alongwith her eleven more colleagues seeking regularization of their services. The counsel for the applicants contented on their behalf that despite the fact that all the applicants were appointed on contractual basis in the Education Department way back in the year 2002 in a transparent selection process against vacant sanctioned posts and are working since then without any break to the satisfaction of the departmental authorities, UT Administration of Chandigarh their services are not being regularized by the administration by way of framing a secure policy in light of Uma Devis judgment rendered in 2006 which mandates all States/Union Territory are bound to consider the claim of regularization of its contractual employees as One Time Measure who are working since long without any break and that too on the posts which are of perennial nature. The Bench was apprised that till date the UT Administration of Chandigarh has not framed any such policy despite repeated representations by the contractual teachers/employees who would become overage for any future employment with the passage of time. Photo: The Canadian Press Endangered northern leopard frogs (shown), native to British Columbia, are at risk of being pushed out by voracious bullfrogs, an invasive species that experts say is one of many that puts native Canadian plants and animals at risk. For two decades experts have been carefully nursing a community of endangered northern leopard frogs in B.C.'s Kootenay region but invasive bullfrogs and fish threaten to muscle in, potentially swallowing years of work. Purnimia Govindarajulu, a small mammal and herpetofauna specialist at B.C.'s Ministry of Environment, said disease and invasive fish already mean the endangered frogs aren't thriving as they should be in a wetland in Creston. More concerning to her is that a mass of bullfrog eggs was recently missed in a lake just 15 kilometres away, and Govindarajulu said teams in Canada and the United States are preparing to do battle with the voracious bullfrog to prevent its spread. "We call it the American bullfrog action team," she said, lowering her voice with mock authority. "The defenders of the northern leopard frog," she added with a chuckle. Bullfrogs are native to parts of Central and Eastern Canada and are even on the decline in some areas, but they have overtaken parts of southern B.C. and are known to eat native fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds and turtles. Experts say the plight of the spotted frog is one of many examples of how invasive species can overtake an area, squeeze out existing plants or animals, create a lasting scar on the landscape and impose huge costs on the Canadian economy. A common thread to the threat to many of Canada's species at risk are invasive species, said Gail Wallin, executive director of the Canadian Council on Invasive Species. "So not only do invasive species take over our natural environment, they actually threaten species at risk. They have a major environmental impact." A 2008 report by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said there were at least 486 invasive alien plant species alone in Canada. The cost of battling or holding back invasive species is incalculable, Wallin said, pointing out that every level of government, homeowners, farmers, businesses and other groups spend money on the fight. The annual economic impacts on agriculture, crops and forestry is estimated at $7.5 billion, she said. The lesson is to take action. "Whether it's cleaning you gear after you go boating, or if you go hiking, cleaning your boots, cleaning your pets, getting all the seeds and plant material off, buying local firewood, buying native plants, just taking these sorts of actions to prevent the spread of invasive species further." (CNN) The disaster hit without warning. Many of the hundreds of people who died when a tsunami struck the Indonesian coast Saturday night were nowhere near shelter. Quite simply, they had no idea it was coming. That's because despite a history of tsunamis caused by volcanoes and earthquakes, Indonesia has not had an effective early warning system for years. Saturday's disaster isn't the first time Indonesia's disaster readiness has been criticized this year. In September, more than 2,000 people were killed after a tsunami and earthquake struck western Sulawesi, with many complaining they were caught unawares. Also, over July and August, a series of earthquakes hit the northern Lombok region, sparking landslides and collapsing buildings that left over 400 people dead. On Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered the country's Meteorology, Climatology and Geological Agency (BMKG) to purchase tsunami detectors "that can provide early warnings to community." Widodo claimed the tsunami which struck over the weekend was beyond Indonesia's currently ability to predict. "Usually it was preceded by earthquake. That's why the residents and visitors in Carita and Labuan beaches and Tanjung Lesung and Sumur beaches were not prepared to escape," he said. BMKG chief Dwikorita Karnawati said the agency would look to install tidal gates to detect waves near land, admitting the existing system was unable to warn of the tsunami ahead of time. "This (tsunami) is caused by several factors. Our censors did not sound early warning because they are for tectonic activity not volcanic activity. That's why we are in coordination with other agencies such as the maritime and geology agencies," Dwikorita said. Ring of Fire Saturday's tsunami was caused when molten rock pouring out of the Anak Krakatau volcano prompted a series of underwater landslides, pushing water up and causing a wave which grew as high as three meters (10 feet). Anak Krakatau sits on the Ring of Fire, an area of high tectonic activity which spans much of the Pacific. Volcanoes along the "ring" are formed when one plate is shoved under another into the mantle a solid body of rock between the Earth's crust and the molten iron core through a process called subduction. Large earthquakes which can trigger tsunamis also occur in subduction zones. Indonesia, the world's largest island nation, was formed in part by the Ring of Fire's volcanoes. It has more than 1,115 in total, more than 125 of which are still active, according to the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program. Most tsunami detection systems feature a pressure recorder anchored to the ocean floor and a buoy on the surface. When a tsunami passes over the recorder, the instruments detect and record changes in water pressure. That data is then transmitted to the surface buoys, which relay the message to the wider tsunami detection system. "In most cases, the first sign of a potential tsunami is an earthquake," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The group concedes that it is far more difficult to forecast non-seismic tsunamis, such as those caused by landslides, "which can arrive with little to no warning." Current system inadequate Writing on Twitter after Saturday's disaster, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management, called on the government to build a new system which could monitor for non-seismic tsunamis. "Indonesia does not yet have a tsunami early warning system for those caused by underwater landslides and volcanic eruptions. The current early warning system is for earthquake activity," he said. "Indonesia must build an early warning system for tsunamis that are generated by underwater landslides (and) volcanic eruptions ... (landslides) triggered the 1992 Maumere tsunami and the Palu 2018 tsunami." Sutopo also noted that the existing buoy network "has not been operational since 2012." "Vandalism, a limited budget, and technical damage mean there were no tsunami buoys at this time," he added. "They need to be rebuilt to strengthen the Indonesian tsunami early warning system." After the deadly Sulawesi tsunami in September, allegations were made that the detection system did not function correctly, with many pointing to the fact that a tsunami warning was lifted 36 minutes after it was first raised. A spokesman for the disaster agency said the warning was canceled after the waves made land. Unconfirmed reports also claimed that sirens did not sound in some areas because they were left without power due to the initial earthquake and did not have a secondary source of energy. After the devastating 2004 tsunami, multiple countries -- including the UK, Germany and Malaysia -- donated detection buoys and other equipment to Indonesia to help warn of future disasters. Since then, calls have been made to upgrade and replace that system. They were made in 2012, when the final buoys stopped working. The same calls were made in the wake of September's tsunami, and are being made again now. Until they are finally answered, Indonesians are left nervously watching the seas. This story was first published on CNN.com. "How Indonesia's tsunami warning system failed its citizens again." Photo: CTV News The mayor of Coquitlam says the cost of parking at Lower Mainland hospitals is a "tax on the sick." "There's some real economic hardship that can be caused by illness, and it shouldn't be caused by the hospital that they're being treated in," Richard Stewart told CTV News. Parking fees at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster are $4.25 an hour and Stewart says that's too much. "I really believe that the provincial government ... has to make the determination that healthcare will be free to the peoples using it and that includes the parking lot," he said. Regional health authorities set the parking rates at hospitals across the province. In the Okanagan, parking at Kelowna General Hospital is $1.50 an hour or $6 per day. At Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Penticton Regional Hospital, it's $1 an hour or $5 a day. Aside from the cost, the availability of parking at KGH has long been an issue. But in cases of hardship, health authorities do have the ability to waive fees, the Ministry of Health told CTV. with files from CTV Vancouver State workplace safety regulators are inspecting a San Leandro plumbing company whose workers touched off a brief scare at San Francisco International Airport last weekend. The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, said Monday it will be conducting interviews with employees of Gladiator Rooter & Plumbing while checking its safety records. On Saturday afternoon, two of its employees apparently became overwhelmed by exhaust from a gas-powered piece of equipment they were using while working in underground tunnels beneath the Gate Gourmet catering facility. One of the workers was unharmed and able to leave the tunnels on his own. But the second plumber moved away from the work site and wandered into the maze of tunnels, according to an SFO spokesman, prompting a roughly two-hour search-and-rescue operation. He was found conscious and breathing but was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution. The air in the tunnel was found to be breathable during the search for the worker, and the incident did not affect any flights at the airport. More for you Worker hospitalized after being overcome by gas in tunnel below SF airport SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said the men had been working with a gas-powered concrete cutter. In the confined space of the tunnels, the fumes from the cutter overcame them. Cal/OSHA spokesman Frank Polizzi said the agency would determine the incidents cause and check for any blind spots in the companys safety protocols. The agency will also review the companys workplace safety training procedures, inspect its equipment and interview employees to ensure workplace safety regulations are being followed. Polizzi added that this appeared to be the agencys first inspection of the plumbing company. Gladiators management could not be reached for comment. 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. Cal/OSHA has six months to determine whether citations are warranted. Fines range from a few hundred dollars for minor infractions to up to $25,000 for serious safety lapses that could cause serious injury. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa Mayor London Breeds plea for mercy for her brother, who is serving a 44-year prison sentence in the death of his girlfriend, was spurned Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown. Breeds brother, Napoleon Brown, has spent 18 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and armed robbery. Breed, a defense witness at his trial, asked the governor in October to commute her brothers sentence and release him, saying his punishment had been excessive and he had turned his life around in prison. But he was not among the names included in Gov. Browns last scheduled announcement of sentence commutations and pardons. The governor did not seek approval for a commutation from the state Supreme Court, whose permission would be required because Napoleon Brown has multiple felony convictions on his record. The governor, who had already granted clemency more often than any other governor in modern California history since returning to office in 2011, added hundreds of names to that list Monday, bringing his totals to 283 sentence commutations and 1,332 pardons, which remove convictions from peoples records. Although he did not seek to commute death sentences for any of the states 739 condemned prisoners, he granted Death Row inmate Kevin Coopers request for new DNA testing of evidence that Cooper claims would clear him of four Southern California murders committed 35 years ago. Brown did not state reasons for denying clemency to Napoleon Brown or any of the thousands of other inmates and ex-convicts who had submitted applications. They could renew their requests to his successor, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. Napoleon Brown, 46, is in prison for the death of 25-year-old Lenties White, who was hit by a drunken driver while lying on the deck of the Golden Gate Bridge in June 2000. Prosecutors said White was driving the getaway car after Brown and another man robbed a Johnny Rockets restaurant in the Marina district. As she was dying, she told a police officer that Brown had pushed her out of the car and onto the bridge after police pulled them over. Brown was initially convicted of murder, but a judge found that his trial lawyer had represented him incompetently. He then pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter, armed robbery and other charges and was sentenced to 42 years, with two years added later for possessing heroin in prison. Breed testified at her brothers trial in 2005, saying she recalled him being at home on the night of the crime. In her Oct. 23 letter to the governor, she acknowledged that her brothers decisions, his actions, led him to the place he finds himself now. But the mayor added, Prison is not the place for him to stay clean, for him to make meaningful amends for his crimes, for him to pursue restorative justice. Her brother also asked the governor for a sentence reduction, writing that he felt remorse for his crimes and had worked at battling my addiction and my bad behaviors in prison programs. He said he hoped to rejoin his family. A spokesman said Breed declined to comment on the governors rejection Monday. Breeds letter, written on personal stationery with her title in block letters, raised questions about whether she was trying to use the power and prominence of her office to tip the scales in her brothers favor. But multiple attorneys and government ethics experts agreed that Breed did not appear to violate any state or city laws in seeking leniency for a family member. Breeds letter was sent with similar messages of support from other family members as part of her brothers application to have his sentence commuted, according to documents reviewed by The Chronicle. In the past, Breed has been up-front about having a brother in prison, but rarely, if ever, publicly discussed the details of what landed him there. She has often used the narrative of her own difficult upbringing, in public housing in the citys Western Addition, and the divergent paths she and her brother took in life to illustrate that, with enough support, people can be lifted up out of poverty. In Mondays actions, Brown commuted 131 prison sentences, including some life-without-parole terms for convicted murderers who will be able to seek release from the state parole board if they can show they are no longer dangerous. He issued 143 pardons, which erase criminal convictions and make ex-convicts eligible to apply for some types of state licenses, and to possess firearms if their crimes did not involve the use of a dangerous weapon. A pardon also allows noncitizens who are legal U.S. residents to avoid deportation for a felony conviction. Lawyers said Browns actions Monday allowed six Cambodians to remain in the United States. One of them, Sear Un, whose family had fled the mass killings in Cambodia when he was 7, had faced deportation for a 1998 home burglary that netted him $120. Brown, who opposes capital punishment, did not respond to pleas from six fellow governors, in a recent New York Times column, to spare the lives of prisoners on the nations largest Death Row by commuting their sentences to life in prison. But he gave Cooper the opportunity he has sought to win his freedom if new DNA testing exonerates him. A jury convicted Cooper, now 60, of fatally slashing a couple and two children in a San Bernardino County home in June 1983, near a prison where he had escaped while serving a burglary sentence. A federal appeals court halted his scheduled execution in 2004 and ordered DNA testing of a bloody T-shirt found near the home, but Coopers DNA was found on the shirt, and his death sentence was reaffirmed. A group of dissenting judges, however, said there was evidence that officers had tampered with the test, and that Cooper was probably innocent. After years of disputes over the evidence, Brown ordered new DNA testing Monday of the T-shirt, a towel found nearby, and the handle and sheath of a hatchet that may have been the murder weapon. Brown named a retired judge, Daniel Pratt, to supervise the testing and said the case would be closed, with Coopers fate unchanged, unless the tests pointed to a specific person. 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. Were very excited, after so many years of waiting, to be able to show Kevin is innocent, said Norman Hile, a lawyer for Cooper. Another notable figure granted clemency was former state school Superintendent Bill Honig, whose 10 years in office ended in 1993 when he was convicted of four charges of criminal conflicts of interest for using funds from his department to benefit a school program run by his wife. He was given a suspended one-year jail sentence and ordered to pay restitution of $274,754. His trial judge later reduced the felony convictions to misdemeanors. Brown sought to appoint Honig to the state Board of Education in 2011, but Honig withdrew under pressure. Honig has devoted much of his life to education, continues to work with educational organizations, and has paid his debt to society, Brown said in granting a pardon. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Dominic Fracassa contributed to this report. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Elizabeth Ramos Young didnt have to stand in line so her daughter could see Santa this year they got a free Christmas Eve photo with him under the Westfield San Francisco Centres inverted crystal tree. And they loved it. Westfield eschewed the traditional Santa experience this year for a more social media-friendly version, sending Saint Nick out and about on a few select days this month and encouraging holiday shoppers like Ramos Young to come take pictures on their own phones or cameras. If the steady stream of families and young children who rushed up to Santa at the mall on Monday are any indication, Selfie Santa was a hit. Its much nicer, cheaper, because we dont have to wait in like a two-hour line thats too much hassle for us, said Ramos Young, a Minnesota resident who went to the mall while visiting family in the Bay Area. Numbers suggest many other families felt similarly. William Hackett, who portrayed Santa at Westfield on Monday through the Entire Productions firm, said on a previous weekend this month he took more than 500 photos in just four hours. It is adapting to the times, he said in between selfies by the inverted tree under the malls historic dome on Monday. Its a good use of technology. It brings people in. Its inclusive. Theres no cost associated with it. The selfie-focused experience also gave the mall Santa more flexibility. Hackett said he tried to target gathering places such as the rotunda under the dome, but sometimes individual retailers would call and ask Santa to stop by, too. When youre just seated, theres kind of a linear process, Hackett said. People love being able to put their images up on social media right away ... it kind of spreads the spirit of the holidays. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Patricia Valdes 3-year- old daughter, Alejandra, was another one of the eager children who took advantage of Selfie Santa. Valdes, who lives in Barcelona, Spain, said she prefers the new experience to the traditional version. This is much better, she said. Because you are with little kids, so if you dont have to wait in line, it makes them more relaxed about it. And then its more relaxed for you also. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris Tens of thousands of acres of private woodlands in California are being gobbled up by wildfires as the state gets warmer, winters get shorter and fuel gets drier and these dense stands of burned trees, crucial in the fight against global warming, are often lost forever. The fires, larger and more damaging each year, pose a major threat to the states 33 million acres of forested land, 40 percent of which is on private property. But they are especially problematic for the individuals and families who own a cumulative 9 million acres of heavily wooded property in the state. Many of these small property owners dont have the money or resources to clear out and replace trees when wildfires sweep over the landscape. It costs about $400 per acre to reforest land, said Bill Stewart, a forestry specialist at UC Berkeley who has studied forest restoration programs after fires. A lot of (small property owners) ... dont have the cash or professionals to do the job, he said. They take a big financial hit when their forests are caught in a wildfire. Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle More than 228,000 acres of private timber have been cut down since 2009, by owners using emergency timber harvest permits issued by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. The permits exempt landowners who have been subjected to catastrophic events, like fires, from the California Environmental Quality Acts rigorous timber harvest review process that commercial loggers face. They allow property owners to remove trees deemed by licensed foresters to be dead or dying, and to sell the timber. That is what happened with a 160-acre Girl Scout Camp called the Cove, which burned to the ground when the Nuns Fire raged over Mount Veeder in Napa County in fall 2017, destroying the forest and 110 homes. The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, which owns the property, took out an emergency harvest permit to clear the damaged trees and sold the timber for several hundred thousand dollars, said Chris Cahill, the districts deputy general manager. Cahill plans to reforest the hilltop with redwood saplings. That puts him in company with about a third of smaller landowners who do raise the money necessary to replant, meaning a great many of the tens of thousands of acres of trees that are cut down every year after fires are never replaced, Stewart said. There are state and federal cost-sharing programs to help offset the cost of fire recovery, but they are not well publicized and few people know about them. The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers at least two programs to help the owners of at least an acre of land recover from large fires. The federal Emergency Forest Restoration Program can also be used to help pay for the restoration of land damaged in a natural disaster. The California Forest Improvement Program, run by Cal Fire, provides long-term management help for people who own 20 to 5,000 acres. The state has other programs for land 10,000 acres or larger. But the applications for these programs can be complicated and time-consuming, and the amount of help can vary widely. The matches sometimes require hefty initial investments and, Stewart said, many landowners are unwilling or unable to go through the process. After the 2015 Valley Fire in Lake County and the Wine Country fires in 2017, nearly 14,000 acres of fire-damaged trees on small private plots of land in Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties were tagged for removal under emergency permits, according to Cal Fire statistics. This year, more than 20,000 acres of private forests in California were slated to be cut, a number that is likely to go up dramatically as landowners assess the damage from the Camp Fire. It is not just a problem on private land. Between 2000 and 2015, 823,730 acres of trees were killed by fire on U.S. Forest Service land in California. But, according to a Forest Service report, tree saplings were replanted on only 228,485 acres of the denuded federal land. The attrition, made worse by drought and bark beetle infestations, is threatening the future of the California tree canopy, which experts say not only provides habitat for wildlife but also helps combat climate change by sequestering carbon. Max Moritz, a wildfire specialist at the University of California Cooperative Extension, said wholesale clearing is not always necessary. The rush to clear the land, he said, can result in healthy trees being cut down. Many trees can survive pretty bad crown scorch, so theres generally no urgency to get them out, or there shouldnt be, anyway, said Moritz, an adjunct professor at UC Santa Barbara. This is especially true of species that resprout, like several of the oaks and also redwoods. But many private landowners dont have the luxury of being able to wait to see if their forests survive, especially if the charred trees are near structures or walkways. Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Ian Leggat, who lives on Mount Veeder, believes his neighbor acted too hastily last summer when he obtained an emergency harvest permit and hired loggers to chop down the fire-scarred redwoods on 41 acres that burned in the Nuns Fire next to his Napa County house. I think there were a lot of trees where the crowns were still alive, said Leggat. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California Now Playing: Residents on Mt. Veeder say too many redwoods were cut down using emergency timber harvest permits after the Nuns Fire Video: San Francisco Chronicle Kim Sone, a Cal Fire forester who conducts inspections in Northern California, said Leggats neighbor complied with the provisions in the emergency harvest permit, which does not require replanting because most of the trees were declared dead. More emergency permits were issued to private property owners in Northern California in 2018 than anywhere else in the state as a result of the monstrous infernos that raged through the area in the past two years. The top three counties for the emergency tree removal permits this year were Mendocino, with 4,373 acres; Shasta, with 4,055 acres; and Siskiyou, with 3,817 acres. In the Bay Area, private harvest permits hit what may be an all-time high as a result of the Wine Country fires. In Napa County, 21 of the 25 emergency timber harvest permits granted over the past 23 years were issued in 2018, according to Cal Fire statistics. Sonoma County, where 56 property owners were granted emergency harvest permits this year covering 2,621 acres, had the fourth-highest total among counties in the state. Thats out of 77 total permits issued since 1993, Sone said. Private forests in Lake County have also been chopped at an unprecedented rate since the Valley Fire, assuming the number of harvest permits is a representative measure. Sone said a total of 71 emergency notices were submitted in Lake County in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The bulk of them, 42 permits, were issued in 2016, she said. Thats out of 156 granted since 1990. In all, 9,990 acres of private forest in Lake County has been approved for logging under emergency harvest permits since 2015. The only counties in California that saw more trees burn on private property in that time were Siskiyou, with 19,791 acres, and El Dorado, with 10,343 acres. The loss of so many trees to wildfire is an issue in California, where Steward said too much of the damaged land is being left alone and converted into other uses. Reforestation is a way of assuring carbon sequestration and forest regrowth, he said. Mortality and reduced tree growth will definitely reduce the net carbon sequestration in the burned forest. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite WASHINGTON President Trump was meeting with his Homeland Security secretary and other officials Monday to discuss border security issues as a partial government shutdown over his U.S.-Mexico border wall entered Christmas without a clear resolution in sight. Though both sides have traded offers, they remain far apart on the wall. The White House insists Trump will reject any deal that does not include money for a wall or fence; Democrats were holding firm in their opposition to a wall or other physical barrier. In a joint statement Monday, the Democratic leaders, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, said as long as Trump keeps listening to the Freedom Caucus and others on the right flank, there is no easy resolution to the impasse. Its Christmas Eve and President Trump is plunging the country into chaos, the leaders said. They pointed to problems beyond the shutdown, including the plunging stock market and the presidents firing of the defense secretary. The president wanted the shutdown, but he seems not to know how to get himself out of it. White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said a counteroffer was presented over the weekend to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Mulvaney would only say the offer was between Trumps $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats have offered. A Democratic aide granted anonymity to discuss the private talks confirmed the White House offered $2.5 billion, an initial $2.1 billion plus $400 million Democrats called a slush fund for the presidents other immigration priorities. Trump chimed in from the White House, where he has been cooped up since the shutdown began after midnight Friday. I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security, Trump tweeted. At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy! Trump put off plans to head to his Florida estate for Christmas and remained in Washington. First lady Melania Trump was returning from Florida to spend the holiday with him at the White House. The president scheduled a border security meeting Monday afternoon at the White House with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and other department officials, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. Senate negotiators were continuing talks behind the scenes with Democrats and Republicans. The House and Senate briefly gaveled into session on Christmas Eve before closing again with no further action. In their statement, Pelosi and Schumer said different people from the same White House are saying different things about what the president would accept or not accept to end his Trump Shutdown, making it impossible to know where they stand at any given moment. Trump promised during the campaign to build a border wall. Progress toward funding the wall has been slow and Trump sees the final days of the GOPs complete control of Congress as his last chance to force the issue. Some Republicans also oppose building a wall. Darlene Superville and Lisa Mascaro are an Associated Press writers. Mayor London Breed has been broadly criticized for her recent letter urging Gov. Jerry Brown to commute the sentence of her brother, Napoleon Brown. Her brother has served nearly 20 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and robbery. The victims family supports clemency. The governor denied without comment the request of clemency on Monday. The condemnation of the mayor is misguided and unfair, regardless of the merits of Napoleon Browns clemency petition. I, too, have a loved one behind bars. Growing up, I had two. My mother served 22 years before her release in 2003. My father is 37 years into a 75-year-to-life sentence. Breed was a witness in her brothers trial. I was an infant with a babysitter at the time of my parents crime, and 23 years old when my mother was released. Neither I nor Breed played any role in the tragic decisions our loved ones made. Together, their crimes resulted in the irreparable loss of life to four human beings; lives that should not have been taken. Families were shattered irreparably. No punishment or apology could ever diminish the severity of the offenses. And yet, Breed and I also suffer consequences. We are not alone. Sadly, having a loved one behind bars is the norm in this country: Half of Americans have an immediate family member currently or formerly incarcerated. Many of the nearly 130,000 people in state prison, mostly black or brown men, have families asking Brown for clemency this holiday season. Brown has been criticized for exercising his clemency powers as he prepares to leave office. But it is his job to carefully consider every petition, and to grant commutations to worthy candidates. Breed has every right to support her brother, in her individual capacity, as anyone would for a loved one facing the prospect of dying in prison. When inmates engage with available prison programming and have a high prospect of success upon community re-entry, the governor should reward them with early release for three reasons. First, releasing people who demonstrate positive change while in custody is the single most powerful incentive for other prisoners to do the same. Nothing could be more effective at persuading people serving lengthy sentences to engage with programming and follow the rules. Second, allowing those who have served long sentences and pose little or no risk to society to come home to their families is the humane thing to do. The families and children of the incarcerated have done nothing wrong, and yet we suffer, too. Third, the financial cost to taxpayers of mass incarceration is crushing: $12 billion, or 9 percent of the annual state budget, for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which does not include county expenditures on jails and law enforcement. Early release for appropriate candidates provides much needed fiscal relief. Both crime and mass incarceration are terribly costly and destructive forces in our communities. Every year, countless people are victims of crimes in California, ranging from low-level property offenses to irreparable losses of life. Our system of mass incarceration fails to break the cycle of criminality and does far too little to repair the damage done to the lives of victims. Instead, we focus on punishment at a cost of approximately $78,000 per year per inmate, imposing sentences that span decades. For the billions of dollars we spend to lock people up, crime victims gain little. The general public gains even less, as the majority of prisoners end up in prison again. My dad, David Gilbert, has little hope of ever being released from the New York State maximum security prison unless a governor grants him clemency. If he were released now, at the age of 74, having been locked away for fully half of his life without a single disciplinary violation and having taught anti-violence programming to others prisoners, his likelihood of posing a danger to anyone is remote. The cost of his incarceration, meanwhile, will only increase as he ages. 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. My mother, Kathy Boudin, who has been out of prison for 15 years, has been a model citizen: earning her doctorate, developing programs for transitioning medical treatment for chronically ill people being released from prison, teaching in a school of social work, paying taxes, all while being a dedicated mother and grandmother to my brothers children. She is currently is co-director and co-founder of the Center for Justice at Columbia University. Continuing to lock her away would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars money better spent preventing new crimes and providing compensation to victims. Punishment and incarceration play a crucial role in our society, especially as a response to, and deterrent of, violent crime. We depend on police, prosecutors and judges to vigorously and wisely enforce criminal laws at the front end of the criminal justice system. But our law enforcement and political leaders must also recognize a fundamental truth: People can and do change. We are all more than our worst mistake. By supporting her brother in her personal capacity, Breed reminds all of us that she too is a person who loves and supports her family. By granting clemency to worthy candidates, Brown is fulfilling a critical executive leadership role in promoting sound policy for fiscal, public safety, and humanitarian reasons. What remains for the rest of us is to pursue fundamental reforms in our criminal justice system that will break the cycle of criminality and victimization for many, many more. Chesa Boudin is a deputy public defender in San Francisco. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is leaving President Trumps Cabinet under enough ethics investigations to constitute not so much a cloud as a full-fledged winter storm. Zinkes response: Let it snow. One of the reported conditions of Zinkes ignominious exit was that it not prevent him from hosting a Christmas party in his animal-carcass-adorned executive offices, where he was said to have posed with conservative activists and lobbyists next to a dead polar bear while sporting a Santa hat. Zinke has more in common than silly headgear with that other famous Christmas enthusiast. He is from the far north (Montana), closely associated with coal (as a fuel rather than a stocking stuffer), and given to transport by pack animal (having ridden into office on horseback). Unfortunately for the American people, however, the interior secretary differs from St. Nick in other respects, not the least of which is that Zinkes whirlwind journey through our collective consciousness, for all its improbability, was real. Josh Gohlke, editorial writer NEW YORK For Stephen Colbert and his Late Show staff, the best-selling spoof Whose Boat Is This Boat? essentially wrote itself. Because all of the words are by President Trump, who is billed as the author by accident. The picture books title and contents were inspired by Trumps disjointed response last September to Hurricane Florence, which struck North Carolina and South Carolina, where Colbert grew up. If you love Trump, youll love this book because every word in it is exactly what he said, Colbert, for whom the president has been prime comic material, said during a recent interview with the Associated Press. And if youre anti-Trump youll love this book because every word in it is exactly what he said. Whose Boat Is This Boat? Comments That Dont Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and raised more than $1.25 million for such charities as Foundation for the Carolinas and World Central Kitchen. The contributions come from author proceeds and from the publisher, Simon & Schuster. Books can take years from conception to publication, but Whose Boat Is This Boat? was essentially written in 24 hours and within six weeks was already on shelves, physical and virtual. It began after Trump visited New Bern, N.C., and was preoccupied with a yacht that had landed in a residents backyard. To see what were seeing this boat. I dont know what happened, but this boat just came here, he said. Other comments included At least you got a nice boat out of the deal and Have a good time! Late Show staff writer Emmy Blotnick heard Trumps remarks and said, That sounds like a childrens book. With illustrations by Andro Buneta and John Henry, Whose Boat Is This Boat? looks like a bedtime story, albeit one that ends with the message There is no moral. Defining it has proved challenging: On the New York Times best-seller charts, it appears under Advice, How-to & Miscellaneous. We should be on the nonfiction list, Colbert said. I smell a rat. According to a Times spokesperson, The book was placed on the advice, how-to and miscellaneous list where many books that defy easy categorization have ranked. Its a great achievement being on this highly competitive list for six weeks, including a week at No. 1, and we wish Stephen were happier about it. Whose Boat Is This Boat? isnt the first picture story to mock the Trump administration. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents a Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo is a best-selling parody of Marlon Bundos Day in the Life of a Vice President, a tribute to the familys pet bunny written by Mike Pences daughter, Charlotte Pence, and illustrated by his wife, Karen Pence. The vice president is known for his conservative social views; in Olivers book, Marlon Bundo has fallen for a fellow male bunny. Can you take a vacation from your cell phone? A growing number of hotels will help you find out. Some resorts are offering perks, like snorkeling tours and smores, to guests who manage to give up their phones for a few hours. Some have phone-free hours at their pools; others are banning distracting devices from public places altogether. Hotels that limit cell phone use risk losing valuable exposure on Instagram or Facebook. But they say the policies reflect their mission of promoting wellness and relaxation. And, of course, they hope that happily unplugged guests will return for future visits. Everyone wants to be able to disconnect. They just need a little courage, said Lisa Checchio, Wyndham Hotels chief marketing officer. Peoples inability to disconnect is an increasingly serious issue. Half of smartphone users spend between three and seven hours per day on their mobile devices, according to a 2017 global survey by Counterpoint Research, a technology consulting firm. In a separate study by the nonprofit Common Sense Media, 69 percent of parents and 78 percent of teens said they check their devices at least hourly. Wyndham knew it had a problem when hotel managers requested more beach chairs to accommodate all the people who would sit in them and stare at their phones. It discovered that the average resort guest was bringing three devices and checking them once every 12 minutes or roughly 80 times a day. On Oct. 1, Wyndham Grands five U.S. resorts began offering prime spots by the pool, free snacks and the chance to win return visits when guests put their phone in a soft, locked pouch. The phones stay with the guests, but only hotel staff can unlock the pouches. Wyndham says 250 people have used the pouches so far at resorts in Florida and Texas. The program will be found at more Wyndham hotels next year. Wyndham Grand resorts also give families a 5 percent discount on their stay if they put their phones in a timed lock box. The hotel provides supplies for a pillow fort, smores, a bedtime book and an instant camera for adults and kids who dont know what to do with all the newfound time on their hands. That appeals to Matthew Cannata, who heads public relations for the New Britain, Conn., schools. He worries about the impact of technology on his two young children, and he tries to keep devices out of sight during family meals. Any chance I can get to put the phone away is great. Sometimes, people need to be forced to do things to start a thought process and then create a habit, he said. At the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, a so-called Detox Concierge will cleanse your suite of all electronic devices and replace them with games like Jenga and chess. Guests at its sister resort, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya, trade in their phones for a bracelet that gives them free access to activities like snorkeling; they must do at least four activities to earn back their phones. A timer placed in the lobby shows how long each family has lasted without their devices. At Miraval, a Hyatt-owned resort in Arizona, the emphasis is less on family time than on mindfulness and tranquillity. Miraval, which will soon open two more resorts in Texas and Massachusetts, bans phone use in most public areas. Guests are encouraged to tuck their phones into soft cotton bags and leave them on small wooden beds in their rooms. Staff wears name tags with gentle reminders that guests should unplug and be present. Some resorts encourage a total ban. Wilderness Resorts, an African safari operator, intentionally provides no Wi-Fi at many camps. Adrere Amellal, a 40-room hotel at the Siwa Oasis in Egypt, lets guests have phones in their rooms, but theres no electricity or Wi-Fi. More for you A dark consensus about screens and kids begins to emerge in Silicon Valley Not all vacationers want to be weaned from their devices. Phones double as cameras, music players, travel guides and e-readers. They also might be critical in an emergency. David Bruns, a communications manager for AARP Florida, uses two phones. He tries not to check his work phone after hours, but he carries his personal phone everywhere. I dont think I would like being made to put the thing down, Bruns said. It feels like that is more about me being told what to do by people I am paying to do something for me. Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali, Indonesia, understands that, so it tries to meet guests halfway. Its winding River Pool bans phones between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. But it invites guests to take photos and post away to social media before and after those times. Dee-Ann Durbin is an Associated Press writer. After a yearlong string of news reports that have called Facebooks data-sharing practices into question, federal regulators are taking a hard look at how the social media company handles the personal information of its users. It is not the first time Facebook has drawn government scrutiny. About seven years ago, after charges were leveled by the Federal Trade Commission, the company made an agreement with the agency to overhaul its privacy practices. That agreement, called a consent decree, provides a road map for how the FTC is likely to scrutinize Facebook over the coming months. Why did the FTC accuse Facebook of deceptive practices in the first place? In 2007, Facebook introduced Facebook Beacon, a program that broadcast details on users online purchases to their friends, initially allowing users to opt out of sharing their purchases only on a case-by-case basis. CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized with what an article in the New York Times described as a symphony of contrition. In a Facebook post that year, Zuckerberg wrote: Im not proud of the way weve handled this situation and I know we can do better. At the end of 2009, a coalition of nonprofit consumer and privacy groups, led by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, petitioned the FTC to investigate Facebooks handling of user data. The groups filed a complaint saying Facebook had repeatedly disregarded users expectations and diminished their privacy. The complaint argued that the company had violated a federal law prohibiting unfair and deceptive business practices. In 2011, the FTC filed charges against Facebook that said the company had deceived consumers about their privacy. What were the FTCs charges? The FTCs complaint charged Facebook with a number of deceptive privacy practices. Among them: Facebook shared users personal details with advertisers even though the company had promised not to do so, the agency said. Facebook allowed third-party apps that users had installed to have access to nearly all their personal data even though Facebook had stated the apps could obtain only the personal information they needed to operate, the agency said. In 2009, the agency said, Facebook changed its information-handling practices, making certain personal details like users friends lists public, overriding the choices of people who wanted to keep that data private. The policy change, the FTCs complaint said, exposed users profile information, including potentially controversial political views or other sensitive information, to third parties. The agency said Facebook claimed it certified the security practices of apps participating in its Verified Apps program, but the company did not do so. What did the FTC require? In November 2011, Facebook agreed to settle charges that it had deceived consumers by telling them they could keep their information on Facebook private, and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public, the FTC said at the time. The agreement, which became final in 2012, prohibited Facebook from misleading consumers about their data privacy and security. The social network committed to getting the explicit consent of users before making changes that overrode their privacy preferences. The agency ordered Facebook to put a comprehensive privacy program in place to protect the privacy and confidentiality of users information and to manage the risks of existing and new products. It also required Facebook over the next 20 years to undergo biennial audits by an independent third party to certify the privacy program was properly protecting the information of the companys users. Why is the federal consent agreement relevant now? In March, the New York Times reported that a voter-profiling company, Cambridge Analytica, had harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their knowledge or permission. The voter-profiling company obtained the data from a researcher who had offered a personality survey app on Facebook. Although only about 270,000 Facebook users agreed to share their data to participate in the survey, the Facebook platform enabled the app to improperly harvest the personal details of millions of those users friends consumers who had not agreed to share their information with the survey app. Privacy experts, law professors and at least one former FTC official have argued that Facebooks failure to prevent the survey app from obtaining the data of users friends violated the federal consent agreement. So did Facebooks failure to prevent the app developer from sharing both users data and the data of users friends with Cambridge Analytica, these critics said. They said the Cambridge Analytica episode suggested that Facebook had failed to adequately conduct the risk assessments the agreement required it to do. It also failed to obtain required, explicit consent from users friends for the sharing of their data with third parties, the privacy experts said. They also argued that Facebook had failed to operate a comprehensive privacy protection program and take reasonable precautions steps the company was obligated to take under the consent decree. The consent decree requires Facebook to always be vigilant to possible privacy problems and try to solve them, said David C. Vladeck, a professor at Georgetown Law and a former director of consumer protection at the FTC who oversaw the investigation that led to the consent decree. Cambridge Analytica made clear that Facebook was not auditing third-party apps. On March 26, the FTC said it was conducting an investigation into Facebooks privacy practices. An agency spokeswoman declined to comment this month on the progress of the investigation. Since then, Facebook has made other admissions about privacy problems that experts said could potentially violate the consent agreement or trigger new federal charges of deceptive privacy practices. In June, the Menlo Park company said a software bug made public the posts of up to 14 million users who thought the posts were private. Also in June, the Times reported that Facebook had allowed device-makers like Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, Microsoft and Samsung access to the data of users friends without their explicit consent, even after the company said it would no longer share such information with outsiders. In September, the company said a security breach had exposed the personal data of nearly 50 million users. In October, Facebook said Russian firms had scraped user data, including matching photos from individuals personal social media accounts in order to identify them. In December, Facebook said a software bug had given apps access to a larger set of users photos than usual. Also in December, the Times reported that Facebook had shared user data with Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo and other companies without users knowledge or permission. In addition to the FTC, Facebook is under investigation by the Justice Department, the FBI, the Securities and Exchange Commission and several government agencies in Europe over Cambridge Analyticas harvesting of user data. What does Facebook say? Facebook said it had developed a privacy program as required by federal regulators and it had not violated the consent decree. We are transparent with people about how we use their information and respect peoples privacy settings, Sally Aldous, a Facebook spokeswoman, said in a statement. We have a privacy program, which ensures we protect peoples information, which we continuously evolve to address the privacy risks of our products and services. Aldous said the companys privacy program involved more than three dozen control mechanisms including a privacy governance team and security teams that ensure privacy risks for product launches and major changes are identified, discussed, and escalated for decisions when necessary. Facebook said it disagreed with the Times characterization of its sharing of user data with Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, Microsoft, Samsung, Yahoo and other companies. The social network said device-makers used information from Facebook to integrate certain Facebook features on their services and agreed not to use that information for their own purposes. The company also said Spotify and other third-party apps had access to users Facebook data only after users signed in with their Facebook account in those apps. None of these partnerships or features gave companies access to information without peoples permission, nor did they violate our 2012 settlement with the FTC, Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, director of developer platforms and programs at Facebook, wrote in a news release. Natasha Singer is a New York Times writer. Jacom Stephens/Getty Images San Jose officers shot and killed a woman who drove a suspected stolen car at them early Tuesday and rammed a patrol vehicle before officers opened fire, a Police Department spokesman said. After a report of shots fired from a car shortly after 2 a.m., police found two adults with gunshot wounds while the car was driving away, said Sgt. Enrique Garcia. Officers tried to stop the car, which had previously been reported stolen, but the woman driving it allegedly took off to lead a chase on city streets and the freeway, he said. She ended up hitting a chain-link fence at Leigh and Fruitdale avenues near Sherman Oaks Elementary School, police said. Even though paychecks stop going out to hundreds of thousands of workers, shutting down the federal government actually costs money and the longer it goes on, the more it will cost. Museums and parks cant collect entry fees or sell souvenirs, the Internal Revenue Service collects less in taxes, and it costs money for federal workers to mothball and restart operations. Plus hundreds of thousands of thousands of furloughed workers are likely, ultimately, to get back pay for not working. The amount of money we are going to spend on furloughed workers who arent going to do anything but will get paid is pure waste, said Gordon Gray, director of fiscal policy at American Action Forum, which describes itself as a center-right policy institute. After the 16-day shutdown in 2013, Congress authorized an estimated $2.5 billion in back pay and other compensation for as many as 850,000 furloughed workers, according to an Office of Management and Budget report. It also resulted in $7 million lost from entrance fees at national parks, and a halt to IRS enforcement collections that averaged $1 billion a week. Diminished staffing levels lead to diminished government services, Gray said. Museums are closed, so the government doesnt sell freeze-dried ice cream. In contrast to 2013, three-quarters of the government, including the Defense, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments, have already been funded and are not affected by the shutdown. About 400,000 employees deemed essential like border guards and airport screeners are continuing to work without pay. Some operations can continue with prior-year funding, such as the Smithsonian museums that will stay open through Jan. 1. A prolonged shutdown could impact the broader economy, experts say. A week or longer will mean that businesses that depend on these federal employees will start to lose sales, said Stan Collender, a longtime congressional budget aide who is editor of the Budget Guy blog. Everything from groceries to cars will be affected. Ari Natter is a Bloomberg writer. Email: anatter5@bloomberg.net Mayor London Breed has been broadly criticized for her recent letter urging Gov. Jerry Brown to commute the sentence of her brother, Napoleon Brown. Her brother has served nearly 20 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and robbery. The victims family supports clemency. The governor denied without comment the request of clemency on Monday. The condemnation of the mayor is misguided and unfair, regardless of the merits of Napoleon Browns clemency petition. I, too, have a loved one behind bars. Growing up, I had two. My mother served 22 years before her release in 2003. My father is 37 years into a 75-year-to-life sentence. Breed was a witness in her brothers trial. I was an infant with a babysitter at the time of my parents crime, and 23 years old when my mother was released. Neither I nor Breed played any role in the tragic decisions our loved ones made. Together, their crimes resulted in the irreparable loss of life to four human beings; lives that should not have been taken. Families were shattered irreparably. No punishment or apology could ever diminish the severity of the offenses. And yet, Breed and I also suffer consequences. We are not alone. Sadly, having a loved one behind bars is the norm in this country: Half of Americans have an immediate family member currently or formerly incarcerated. Many of the nearly 130,000 people in state prison, mostly black or brown men, have families asking Brown for clemency this holiday season. Brown has been criticized for exercising his clemency powers as he prepares to leave office. But it is his job to carefully consider every petition, and to grant commutations to worthy candidates. Breed has every right to support her brother, in her individual capacity, as anyone would for a loved one facing the prospect of dying in prison. When inmates engage with available prison programming and have a high prospect of success upon community re-entry, the governor should reward them with early release for three reasons. First, releasing people who demonstrate positive change while in custody is the single most powerful incentive for other prisoners to do the same. Nothing could be more effective at persuading people serving lengthy sentences to engage with programming and follow the rules. Second, allowing those who have served long sentences and pose little or no risk to society to come home to their families is the humane thing to do. The families and children of the incarcerated have done nothing wrong, and yet we suffer, too. Third, the financial cost to taxpayers of mass incarceration is crushing: $12 billion, or 9 percent of the annual state budget, for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which does not include county expenditures on jails and law enforcement. Early release for appropriate candidates provides much needed fiscal relief. Both crime and mass incarceration are terribly costly and destructive forces in our communities. Every year, countless people are victims of crimes in California, ranging from low-level property offenses to irreparable losses of life. Our system of mass incarceration fails to break the cycle of criminality and does far too little to repair the damage done to the lives of victims. Instead, we focus on punishment at a cost of approximately $78,000 per year per inmate, imposing sentences that span decades. For the billions of dollars we spend to lock people up, crime victims gain little. The general public gains even less, as the majority of prisoners end up in prison again. My dad, David Gilbert, has little hope of ever being released from the New York State maximum security prison unless a governor grants him clemency. If he were released now, at the age of 74, having been locked away for fully half of his life without a single disciplinary violation and having taught anti-violence programming to others prisoners, his likelihood of posing a danger to anyone is remote. The cost of his incarceration, meanwhile, will only increase as he ages. My mother, Kathy Boudin, who has been out of prison for 15 years, has been a model citizen: earning her doctorate, developing programs for transitioning medical treatment for chronically ill people being released from prison, teaching in a school of social work, paying taxes, all while being a dedicated mother and grandmother to my brothers children. She is currently is co-director and co-founder of the Center for Justice at Columbia University. Continuing to lock her away would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars money better spent preventing new crimes and providing compensation to victims. Punishment and incarceration play a crucial role in our society, especially as a response to, and deterrent of, violent crime. We depend on police, prosecutors and judges to vigorously and wisely enforce criminal laws at the front end of the criminal justice system. But our law enforcement and political leaders must also recognize a fundamental truth: People can and do change. We are all more than our worst mistake. By supporting her brother in her personal capacity, Breed reminds all of us that she too is a person who loves and supports her family. By granting clemency to worthy candidates, Brown is fulfilling a critical executive leadership role in promoting sound policy for fiscal, public safety, and humanitarian reasons. What remains for the rest of us is to pursue fundamental reforms in our criminal justice system that will break the cycle of criminality and victimization for many, many more. Chesa Boudin is a deputy public defender in San Francisco. One person was hit and killed by a Caltrain in Santa Clara this afternoon, the transit agency reported. Southbound train 426 struck a trespasser at 12:42 p.m. about 500 feet south of the Scott Boulevard Overpass, according to Caltrain. None of the 35 people onboard the train heading from San Francisco to San Jose were injured, according to Caltrain spokesman Haroon Malek. The incident train has since been released to Diridon station in San Jose and the southbound track has been reopened, Malek said. There are still residual delays in the system. The fatal crash was the 13th Caltrain-related death of the year, according to the transit agency. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A celebration of life of former KGO Radio talk show host Ray Taliaferro will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The event is open to the public and does not require reservations. Taliaferro, a former San Francisco Arts Commission president and Commonwealth Club board member, was found dead in a wooded area of Paducah, Kentucky, earlier this month after he went missing in November. Police do not suspect foul play in his death. Former KGO radio news anchor Rosie Allen will emcee the memorial. Those invited or confirmed to speak include fellow KGO talk show host Ronn Owens, former mayor Willie Brown, former mayor Frank Jordan, former supervisor Angela Alioto, former KPIX TV news anchor Barbara Rogers and former KGO general manager Mickey Luckoff. Taliaferro's sons also are scheduled to speak. The Commonwealth Club is located at 110 The Embarcadero. Taliaferro's family is requesting that donations in his memory be made to the Dementia Society of America at https://www.dementiasociety.org 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. Starting Jan. 1, repeat DUI offenders statewide will be required to install an ignition lock preventing them from driving if they aren't sober. For the past eight years, ignition interlock devices have been required in four counties - Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare -- for convicted drunken drivers under a pilot program. The program expands next year to all 58 California counties. For a first-time DUI conviction involving an injury, the ignition device will be required for one year. A second DUI also results in a one-year requirement. First-time DUI offenders who aren't involved in an injury collision have the option of installing the device in their cars for six months and retaining full driving privileges. If they forgo the device, they may opt for a restricted license that permits them only to drive to and from work, school and treatment programs. A third DUI results in a mandatory device installation for two years. Fourth and subsequent convictions result in a device installation for three years, according to a news release from State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo. The program was established by Senate Bill 1046, authored by Hill in 2016. Blood alcohol concentration is measured by the device after a driver blows into it. If the driver isn't sober, the car won't start. The locking devices cost about $60 to $80 per month for monitoring and calibration, and $70 to $150 to install, according to Hill. Low-income offenders will be assisted under a sliding scale. Hill and San Francisco Police Chief William Scott will appear at a press conference at noon Friday to announce rollout of the program. The announcement, at San Francisco Police Headquarters, will be attended by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Peninsula law enforcement representatives. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred in the Mid-Market District of San Francisco on Monday night, according to police. Officers responded to a report of a person lying on the ground near the intersection of Sixth and Jessie streets around 6:08 p.m. Monday, police said. Paramedics tried to render aid, but the victim was declared dead at the scene. Police didn't release any suspect information. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the police tip line at (415) 575-4444. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) The Salvation Army plans to package and deliver an estimated 4,300 meals on Christmas Day to thousands of seniors and shut-ins in San Francisco. More than 500 volunteers will deliver meals to San Francisco residents who cannot leave their homes due to age or illness. The effort takes hundreds of volunteers, Salvation Army officials said. On Christmas Day, volunteers and staff will finish preparing the meals from 5 to 7 a.m. at the Salvation Army Central Kitchen, 850 Harrison St. Delivery starts at 8 a.m. from the Salvation Army's South of Market Corps, 360 Fourth St. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The Salvation Army plans to package and deliver an estimated 4,300 meals starting this morning to thousands of seniors and shut-ins in San Francisco to celebrate Christmas Day. More than 500 volunteers will deliver meals to San Francisco residents who cannot leave their homes due to age or illness. The effort takes hundreds of volunteers, Salvation Army officials said. Early this morning, volunteers and staff will finish preparing the meals from 5 to 7 a.m. at the Salvation Army Central Kitchen, 850 Harrison St. Delivery starts at 8 a.m. from the Salvation Army's South of Market Corps, 360 Fourth St. Police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred in the Mid-Market District of San Francisco on Monday night, according to police. Officers responded to a report of a person lying on the ground near the intersection of Sixth and Jessie streets around 6:08 p.m. Monday, police said. Paramedics tried to render aid, but the victim was declared dead at the scene. Police didn't release any suspect information. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the police tip line at (415) 575-4444. A free Christmas meal of ham, turkey and all the fixings will be served to all who show up at San Francisco's Glide Memorial Church today to celebrate Christmas Day. The meal will be served between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the church, located at 330 Ellis Street at Taylor Street. More than 500 volunteers will help with preparation, serving and cleanup, Glide officials said. A Christmas celebration will take place at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. Guest pastor Marvin White will speak, as well as Glide co-founders Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani. The Glide Ensemble gospel choir and the Change Band will perform. Glide Memorial Church is affiliated with the Methodist Church and opened in the city decades ago. The church offers numerous social service programs. A pedestrian was struck and killed near the intersection of Main and East Beach streets in Watsonville on Monday afternoon, police said Monday evening. The collision was reported around 3:30 p.m. Monday, according to police officials. The area was closed for hours as officers investigated the collision, police said. Officers re-opened the area around 7:30 p.m. No further information was immediately available. A celebration of life of former KGO Radio talk show host Ray Taliaferro will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The event is open to the public and does not require reservations. Taliaferro, a former San Francisco Arts Commission president and Commonwealth Club board member, was found dead in a wooded area of Paducah, Kentucky, earlier this month after he went missing in November. Police do not suspect foul play in his death. Former KGO radio news anchor Rosie Allen will emcee the memorial. Those invited or confirmed to speak include fellow KGO talk show host Ronn Owens, former mayor Willie Brown, former mayor Frank Jordan, former supervisor Angela Alioto, former KPIX TV news anchor Barbara Rogers and former KGO general manager Mickey Luckoff. Taliaferro's sons also are scheduled to speak. The Commonwealth Club is located at 110 The Embarcadero. Taliaferro's family is requesting that donations in his memory be made to the Dementia Society of America at https://www.dementiasociety.org. 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. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Former Staten Islander Jeneen Ann Catanzaro was beloved by family and friends and was memorialized on social media after her tragic death Nov. 28 in Florida. Police allege she was killed by her husband, Joseph Traeger, 50, who has been charged in her death. The 1986 Tottenville High School graduate had friends like Melissa Sebastiano, who went to school with her and spoke about how frustrated she was that something like this happened. I went to school with Jeneen and her POS Husband. I hope they take care him in Prison and he rots in hell ! Prayers and... Posted by Melissa Sebastiano on Friday, December 21, 2018 My neighbor growing up has passed on,'' Jennifer Ruth, a close neighbor said in a Facebook post. "She was a few years older than me, always kind, and someone I admired. It being so difficult to write this makes me contemplate how unbearably hard this must be for her loved ones.'' Susy Wong-Cohen, another friend, commented on a picture of her posing with her bracelet: I Love this picture. I took it right before Thanksgiving. Jeneen will forever be loved and never forgotten. Help Needed!!! Please Share Post Im a friend of Jeneen Catanzaro. Like many, I am heart broken she is missing! I... Posted by Susy Wong-Cohen on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 Her cousin, Denise Giordano Finnerty, wrote: I love you, I miss you. You are in my heart always. Wanted to call you today to say I love you, but your old number is no longer in service. I tried the operator she said... Posted by Denise Giordano Finnerty on Saturday, December 22, 2018 Catanzaro was 50 when she died and will always be remembered for being a sweet person with a memorable smile, friends on Facebook said. (CNN) Pope Francis pleaded for fraternity "among individuals of every nation and culture" in his annual Christmas message at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. "My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another. Fraternity among persons of different religions," he said during the "Urbi et Orbi," or "to the city and the world" address Tuesday. The pontiff added that he hoped that Israelis and Palestinians would find common ground and renew peace talks. "May this Christmas help us to rediscover the bonds of fraternity linking us together as individuals and joining all peoples. May it enable Israelis and Palestinians to resume dialogue and undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over seventy years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love," he said. Pope Francis specifically prayed for Syria and Yemen, where long-standing conflicts have bred humanitarian disasters and devastated civilian life. "May the international community work decisively for a political solution that can put aside divisions and partisan interests, so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country," he said. As of April 2018, more than 5.6 million Syrians have fled the country, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and some 6.6 million people are displaced internally. Speaking on Yemen, Pope Francis said it was his hope "that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine." In November, Save the Children said that an estimated 85,000 children under the age of 5 may have died from extreme hunger or disease since the war in Yemen escalated more than three years ago. Yemen's war has pushed the nation to the brink of the world's worst famine in 100 years, leaving 14 million people at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations. Last week, a ceasefire between Yemen's warring parties went into effect after a round of UN-sponsored talks. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Pope pleads for mutual understanding in Christmas message." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It was a heartwarming reunion just in time for the holidays for one Staten Island family. Andrew Maldonado, an 18-year-old U.S. Marine, made a surprise trip home after realizing how important it is for him to spend time with his loved ones. Maldonado, a 2018 Tottenville High School alum, completed bootcamp on Oct. 19, at which point he was given a brief 10-day period to return home to his family. During those 10 days I really didnt appreciate them enough or spend enough time with my family. When I went back to training in North Carolina I felt like I should have spent more time with them, and thats when I realize how much my family meant to me, said Maldonado. MISSING HOME Shortly after returning to training, spending Thanksgiving without his family for the first time only compounded Maldonados homesickness. I went to my school training and this was the first year I ever spent Thanksgiving without my family and it actually really hurt knowing that I wasnt with them, said Maldonado. Thats when he decided to put in a request allowing him to return home for the holidays, a request that wasnt approved until Tuesday, Dec. 18. The only people I told that I was coming home were my friends because I wanted to sleep over their houses so I could surprise my family, Maldonado said. After his friend picked him from the airport, Maldonado made his way straight to his fathers job for the first in a long list of surprise visits. Watch the video above to see his Maldonados family react to his holiday surprise. FIRST SURPRISE I went to go surprise my dad, who was working, and he didnt know I was coming home because I told my family I was working and wasnt going to be able to, the Marine recalled. Then Maldonado and his father, Wilson, discussed the best way for him to surprise his sister, Brianna. Maldonado, with the help of his alma mater, arranged to visit Tottenville High School, where his sister is a student, on Friday. It felt amazing hugging my sister again, having her cry on my shoulder, and just knowing that shes there and actually seeing her after months, said Maldonado. With two family members now accounted for, Maldonado set his sights on one final surprise visit for his mother, Jenny, and brother, Jean Paul. Maldonado had asked his mother to send him photos of the family in front of the Christmas tree at the Staten Island Mall in New Springville so he could print them out and hang them up during the holiday season. Little did they know, Maldonado would soon be joining them for the photo. I had her and my brother pose at the Christmas tree at the Mall and I snuck up behind them and put my arm around them, said Maldonado. They were confused at first. They were like who is this?," recalled Maldonado. But then they turned around and saw it was me and my mom started crying and threw her arms around me. AMAZING EXPERIENCE' Maldonado described his surprise trip home as an amazing experience and says he will no longer take spending time with his family for granted. This time Im spending as much time as possible with my family because I would be in class just thinking about how I miss them so much and just want to hug them so bad, Maldonado said. He will return to North Carolina in early January to finish his training. I would love to be able to stay with my family forever, but obviously I cant because I have a country to protect and serve, said Maldonado. A flyer circulated by the Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, a coalition of small-scale Islamist groups operating in Gaza, warns the 1,300 Christians living in Gaza, as well as Muslims looking to take part in the holiday festivities, that celebration of the Christian holiday is forbidden by Islam. The leaflet includes quotes from the Koran alongside a burning Christmas tree. How is that for allowing freedom of practicing religion? Israel, however, has taken special measures to assist Palestinian Christians in observing the holiday. On Dec. 19, the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories met with various Palestinian leaders, including some residing in the Gaza Strip, presenting special measures, such as more flexibility in granting permits for Christian Gazans to visit family members, both in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and abroad via Ben Gurion Airport. (Murray Brand is a Meiers Corners resident.) 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! Tokyo: Nissan Motor's executive Greg Kelly was released from detention in Japan on Tuesday after being granted bail over the alleged underreporting of his boss Carlos Ghosn's pay. The late-night release of Kelly, who is American, followed the Tokyo District Court's approval earlier in the day of a bail request filed last week by his Japanese lawyer. Kelly was freed on 70 million yen ($900,000) bail, ending his detention after more than a month. Television footage captured the bespectacled Kelly, wearing a beige jacket, slowly walking out of the detention centre and getting into a black car. The vehicle carrying Kelly, who was seated next to his lawyer and looking straight ahead, drove past reporters as cameras flashed. He was expected to go straight to a hospital for treatment of his chronic neck problem. Stephen Oh and his XM2 crew built this drone for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. New technology will be used to thwart drone attacks at Australias major airports as the aviation industry beefs up its fight against the increasing possibility that remote-controlled aircraft could bring down passenger planes. Peter Gibson of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said drones that breach 5-kilometre exclusion zones around airports will from next month be electronically scanned for serial numbers and the owner's location, allowing the drone's operator to be tracked down within minutes. The mobile technology also opens the door for eradicating rogue drones from major fires, where water-bombing aircraft could be put at risk. The holiday season is a time for families to come together. It's also the time of year where children are most likely to be abducted by a parent. That's according to child recovery expert Colin Chapman, who said that parental abductions in Australia more than double every year as the festive season approaches. Child recovery expert Col Chapman. Credit:Michelle Smith Take Bill*, an Australian citizen who allegedly abducted his 2-year-old daughter and took her from Sydney to New Zealand on 19 December, 2016 the first day of the couple's shared care arrangement. From New Zealand, he took her to Lebanon. It took his ex-wife over two years to get their daughter back to Australia. It's a double blow for arachnophobes. The Australian Reptile Park has reported a big increase in the number of deadly funnel-web spiders it receives - and it says they are the largest specimens they have ever handled. The park has issued a warning to the public after a record number of male funnel-webs were handed in during the Christmas period, general manager Tim Faulkner said. "We have had four of the largest male funnel-webs ever handed in received this very week," Mr Faulkner said. Just in time for Christmas, the Australian Reptile Park has received a massive amount funnel-web spiders Credit:Australian Reptile Park The recent dry weather followed by storms are believed to have played a part in the rise in numbers. Teams of dedicated SES volunteers have spent Christmas Day continuing urgent repairs on roofs damaged by last week's disastrous hail storms. Almost 3500 homes in the Sydney metropolitan area have now received temporary repairs from the service with volunteers working around the clock since the calls started coming in as the giant hailstones hit on Thursday evening. Tarps cover damaged roofs at Chipping Norton. Most of those are in Hornsby and Liverpool, which were the two worst-hit areas of the state. Statewide, the number of homes that have required repairs has exceeded 5300, and is expected to grow as calls continue to come in. Sandringham: Queen Elizabeth II was cheered by onlookers when she and other senior royals arrived at a Christmas church service on the grounds of one of her country estates. Hundreds of royal fans braved the chilly conditions to catch a glimpse of members of the monarchy who traditionally spend part of the festive period with the Queen at Sandringham. Many had brought bouquets of flowers or had got in the Christmas spirit by wearing Santa hats. Britain's Royal family arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church. Credit:AP The Queen, 92, arrived by car Tuesday morning while younger royals walked from her grand country house in Sandringham to nearby St Mary Magdalene Church. The first hazard is the astronauts absolute dependence without any possibility of support or rescue on the spacecraft engine which they will fire as they approach the Moon to put themselves into orbit around it, and again, 10 orbits later, to put themselves on course back to Earth. Another entirely novel danger is the time it will take to get the crew back to Earth in an emergency. Orbiting Earth, astronauts are an hour or two from safety, orbiting the Moon, they are between two and three days away. A small defect in the cabin oxygen supply, or trouble with the temperature control which would have led to no more than an early landing from all previous flights could be fatal. Apollo 8 astronauts, from left, William Anders, James Lovell, Frank Borman in 2018. Credit:Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago via AP Finally, re-entry into the Earths atmosphere has to be achieved at a speed half as fast again as on return from Earth orbit. Apollo Eight will have to hit a corridor about 30 miles deep at 25,000 mph if it is to land safely. If it comes in too steeply it will burn up; if it comes in not steeply enough it will bounce out of the atmosphere; and since the crew will by then have jettisoned all their oxygen reserves they will die long before they can recover. Hair-raising as this maneuver sounds, NASA officials do not consider it particularly dangerous. The long journey back from the Moon will leave ample time for computing the spacecrafts course and making any necessary adjustments. Nevertheless the margin of error is effectively zero. Are all these wholly new risks justified at this stage? According to General Phillips the coming flight is a normal progression from the previous Apollo flight. But the fact that an entirely different mission testing the lunar landing module in Earth soil was originally scheduled, together with the recent Russian success with unmanned flights round the Moon, makes it look very like a desperate attempt to prevent the Russians chalking up yet another first. The Moon - Clipping from The Age, published 21/12/1968 Credit:The Age Archives In fact, the rearrangement of the programme makes a great deal of sense. The lunar module that was to have been tested is not ready and to have waited for it would have set everything back by several months. The risks of a round-the-Moon flight had to be accepted at some stage and another Earth orbital flight would have made very little difference to them. There has never been any question of flight testing the Apollo spacecraft and Saturn Five in the comprehensive way a civil airliner is tested. That would involve probably hundreds of firings which, at hundreds of millions of dollars a time, is out of the question. Instead, NASA is relying on designs with big margins of safety, very thorough ground testing, and missions planned so that they can be terminated prematurely if necessary. While nothing has been signed officially yet, NASA does plan to continue flying its astronauts on the Russian Soyuz vehicle even after U.S. commercial crew vehicles come online, according to an agency spokesperson. "Bill Gerstenmaier and senior NASA leadership have stated their intention to have U.S. crewmembers on Soyuz vehicles after 2019 and [to have] Russians on U.S. crew vehicles," Stephanie Schierholz, who works in public affairs at NASA Headquarters in Washington, told Space.com. Gerstenmaier is the associate administrator for human exploration and operations for NASA, a position he has held since 2005. That post gives him immense influence on the use of the International Space Station (ISS) and the development of future human space programs. [Soyuz Launch Photos: Expedition 58 Crew Lifts Off for Space Station] NASA has an agreement with Russia to fly crews on Soyuz through at least 2019, and some of those crewmembers are already announced. Rookie U.S. astronaut Anne McClain, who flew to the International Space Station on a Soyuz on Dec. 3, is slated to return to the station on a Soyuz in six months. The Expedition 58 crew and backup crew checked out a model of their Soyuz ride before launch at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Image credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov) And on Feb. 28, the Expedition 59 crew launching on a Soyuz will include two Americans: Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Hague was one of the astronauts who experienced an abort on Expedition 57 in October, returning quickly to Earth after the failure; since his launch passed the accepted boundary for space, Expedition 59 will officially count as his second trip to space, while it will be Koch's first. These new U.S. spaceflyers head for orbit at a time when NASA relies exclusively on Soyuz vehicles to send astronauts to space. NASA retired its space shuttle program in 2011 and has relied on Russian vehicles since then to go to the ISS. For the most part, that arrangement has gone off without a hitch, with October's launch being the only disruption in crew rotations since Russia became NASA's sole provider of human launch services. (In comparison, NASA experienced a three-year disruption for operational ISS flights after the space shuttle fleet was grounded in 2003, following the fatal Columbia accident.) NASA and two commercial crew providers, Boeing and SpaceX, are now close to bringing vehicles for crews online. SpaceX announced its first uncrewed test flight of the Dragon human spacecraft in 2019, and Boeing is expected to launch its own uncrewed flight sometime in the months following. Once these vehicles are certified for flight, astronauts will ride them to the ISS. In August, NASA revealed nine U.S. astronauts who will fly on the first certification flights for Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon. The post-certification flight crews have not been announced, but Schierholz said those flights will include crewmembers of from outside the U.S. an inclusion that NASA fully expects will extend to Russians. NASA said these post-certification flights will be fully operational and will be regular, long-duration rotation missions, just like the missions facilitated by Soyuz today. Schierholz added that having Russian and U.S. vehicles flying simultaneously will provide "redundancy in crew transportation" to the ISS. Additionally, flying both Americans and Russians on the two sets of vehicles makes sense given that the space station is made up of two distinct segments: a Russian side and a U.S. side, which includes several modules from other countries. Because these two segments are quite different, Schierholz said, operational requirements say that the best practice is to always have an American and a Russian working at the same time on the ISS. "The intent is there will continue to be mixed crews on all vehicles that go to the space station," she said. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Merry Christmas from the International Space Station! The crew of Expedition 58 beamed home their jolly holiday wishes today (Dec. 25) on the 50th anniversary of the first Christmas in space. "This holiday season, I find myself looking down at 'home' a lot," NASA astronaut Anne McClain wrote on Twitter just before the holiday Sunday (Dec. 23). She shared an amazing view of the Earth and moon from space with the message. "We really are all on this amazing, beautiful planet together it truly is a small world. And when I watched the moon set over the horizon today, I once again found myself without words." During the Apollo 8 moon mission on Dec. 25, 1968, NASA astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders finished up their historic first flight around the moon and began their journey back to Earth. That Christmas Eve, Anders snapped the iconic "Earthrise" photo showing planet Earth peeking over the lunar horizon. See more Today, another crew of three will be spending the holiday in space. Currently living and working aboard the International Space Station are McClain, David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko. [Holidays in Space: An Astronaut Photo Album] While McClain and Saint-Jacques get to enjoy the day off, Kononenko has "minimal duties" to carry out today, NASA spokesperson Dan Huot told Space.com in an email. "The only tasks on their schedule for Xmas besides meals and exercise are some blood and saliva sample draws for human research studies," Huot said. Happy holidays from space! NASA astronaut Anne McClain (right) and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency search for the Elf on the Shelf aboard the International Space Station in a Christmas 2018 video. (Image credit: NASA ) On the dinner menu is a traditional holiday feast with smoked turkey, candied yams, corn, green beans, mac and cheese and potatoes au gratin. For dessert, they'll have strawberries, bread pudding, butter cookies and shortbread cookies "with several different colored icing packs to decorate," Huot said. These holiday treats arrived at the space station Dec. 8 on the SpaceX Dragon CRS-16 cargo spacecraft. If the astronauts received any Christmas gifts from their families back on Earth, those items "may have flown in the crew flight kits on CRS-16," too, Huot said. "These are always private to the crewmembers." Although the crew haven't publicly revealed any Christmas gifts that may have been shipped to them on the Dragon, they did bring up some of their own holiday cheer when they launched to the space station on Dec. 3. Dangling inside their Soyuz crew capsule during the flight was an "Elf on the Shelf," which has since been keeping a watchful eye over the crew from various places around the space station and reporting any naughty or nice behavior back to Santa Claus. When the astronauts awaken from their slumber tomorrow (Dec. 26), they'll be going straight back to work, Huot said. And while astronauts have typically have New Year's Day off work, this year they have to work through the holiday. "As of now, they have a full work day scheduled on Jan. 1," Huot said, adding that the crew will be loading cargo into the Dragon CRS-16 spacecraft and conducting science operations. "Whenever the crew is asked to work a holiday, though, they get an extra day off in the future to make up for it." Kononenko will likely have the day off on Jan. 7 for Eastern Orthodox Christmas. Russians traditionally open their Christmas gifts on Dec. 31, so we'll have to wait a few more days to see if he received any goodies from his family and friends back on Earth. Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Portions of SpaceX's first "hopper" test article for its Starship vehicle being assembled at the company's South Texas launch site, seen here in a photo tweeted by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Dec. 24, 2018. SANTA FE, N.M. SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk says a redesigned test vehicle for the company's next-generation reusable launch system could be ready for initial flights early next year. In a tweet early Dec. 24, Musk posted a photo of two parts of that initial test article, a conical section next to a cylindrical unit with landing legs. "Stainless Steel Starship," he wrote. Stainless Steel Starship pic.twitter.com/rRoiEKKrYc Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 24, 2018 Starship is the new name, announced by Musk last month, of the upper or "spaceship" stage of the next-generation launch system previously officially known as Big Falcon Rocket, or BFR. The lower, booster stage is now called "Super Heavy." The company has been working on a Starship test article for low-altitude flight tests at the company's South Texas launch site under development. That test article, dubbed a "hopper," would have the same nine-meter diameter as the full-scale vehicle of the vehicle, but would not be as tall. The company filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission Nov. 19, seeking an experimental license to support communications with the hopper during upcoming flights. SpaceX said it planned a combination of low-altitude flights, going no higher than 500 meters, and high-altitude ones, going as high as 5,000 meters, from the Texas site. The company didn't disclose a schedule for the flights in the application but said it expected to need the license for two years. Musk and other company officials have said those hopper flights would begin in late 2019. However, Musk tweeted Dec. 22 that he expected those flights to begin as soon as early next year. "I will do a full technical presentation of Starship after the test vehicle we're building in Texas flies, so hopefully March/April," he wrote. The recent series of tweets from Musk also confirmed a change in materials that will be used to build the vehicle. Original plans, dating back to designs presented in 2016 and 2017, called for the use of carbon composite materials, which are lightweight but have high strength. Earlier this month, though, Musk said SpaceX had shifted to a "fairly heavy metal" for use in the vehicle. That metal, he said, is stainless steel, in particular a family of alloys called 300 Series known to maintain its strength at high temperatures. Despite being heavier than carbon composites, Musk said that stainless steel offered "slightly better" strength-to-weight performance at cryogenic temperatures, needed for the vehicles liquid oxygen propellant tanks, and was vastly better at high temperatures. He acknowledged that steel was worse than carbon composite at room temperatures. A stainless steel surface of the vehicle, he added, would require "much less" thermal protection but also would not be painted. "Skin will get too hot for paint," he tweeted. "Stainless mirror finish. Maximum reflectivity." The test hopper will be powered by three of the company's Raptor methane/liquid oxygen engines under developments. Those engines, which the company has been working on for several years with some financial support from the U.S. Air Force, has undergone design changes as well. "Radically redesigned Raptor ready to fire next month," he tweeted, not elaborating on those changes. He did note that SpaceX had developed a "superalloy" for Raptor, called SX500, designed to handle hot oxygen-rich gas at pressures of up to 12,000 pounds per square inch. "Almost any metal turns into a flare in those conditions," he wrote, adding that the companys foundry for producing that alloy is "almost fully operational." That foundry "allows rapid iteration on Raptor." This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. John Shishmanian / AP STAMFORD Barbara Izzarelli began smoking when she was 12 years old and claims the maker of Salem Kings cigarettes marketed to minors and manipulated nicotine levels to make them more addictive, according to her lawsuit against the tobacco company. An addiction that lasted 25 years caused the former Connecticut resident to suffer cancer of the larynx. Izzarelli, who has trouble breathing and speaks through a voice box, has had a dozen surgeries to her larynx and esophagus. The 58-year-old who now lives in Florida was so addicted to cigarettes that she even tried smoking through the tracheal tube in her throat. The Duchess of Cambridge has always been royally good when it comes to choosing glamorous ball gowns. From royal receptions to state dinners, and even the occasional red carpet, over the past eight years Kate has come alive through her choice of elegant evening dresses, which are often paired with the Lover's Knot tiara, that once belonged to Princess Diana. Her formal wardrobe is filled with her favourite designers, notably British-based brands Jenny Packham, Erdem and Alexander McQueen, the latter of whom also designed the duchess's wedding dress in 2011. Duchess of Cambridge wearing Alexander McQueen at official dinner at the Royal Palace in Oslo in 2018 / AFP/Getty Images Living up to her thrifty reputation, the duchess has no reservations about re-wearing her dresses; as demonstrated by the electric blue Jenny Packham gown she chose to wear to a charity event at Buckingham Palace last night. Kate had previously worn the dress, which featured long sleeves and an embroidered bodice, on a royal tour of India in 2016. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge hosts a Gala Dinner in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Place2Be at Buckingham Palace, March 9, 2020 / REUTERS Back then she styled it with her hair in an elegant updo and added a matching shawl and blue earrings, whereas last night she made the dress a little more casual, with her newly chopped locks worn down and wavy, and simple silvery earrings. The duchess's highest wear tally however comes via two Jenny Packham designs, each of which she has worn three times over her years as a royal. Kate Middleton wearing a black Jenny Packham dress in February 2014, December 2014 and October 2013 / Getty Images For Kate and William's fourth appearance at the BAFTA Awards, the mum-of-three again re-wore one of her favourite gowns by Alexander McQueen. Adhering to the BAFTA 2020 dress code which encouraged guests to re-wear something in their wardrobe, Kate opted for an embellished gold and white gown she had first worn to a state dinner in Malaysia in 2012. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall on February 02, 2020 / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Kate also wore her favourite formalwear brand back in December 2019, when she wore a navy long-sleeved velvet gown, paired with the Lover's Knot tiara. Duchess of Cambridge at an evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace (Getty Images ) / Getty Images F rom Rose Matafeo winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award to Flight of the Conchords storming the O2, 2018 gave us some real comedy gems. Still, its not like us to dwell on the past, so heres to even more fantastic comedy in the coming year. Plenty of shows are still to be announced, especially around Edinburgh Fringe, but heres what you can get your hands on right now. Lets get organised. Sara Pascoe: LadsLadsLads Matt Crockett While Sara Pascoe has been a firm favourite for years, LadsLadsLads got particular attention at 2017s Edinburgh Fringe as it detailed the aftermath of her breakup with comedian John Robins, who had also written a show about her. Now, after a sold out tour, she brings the show back to the West End. Shes also giving reduced rate tickets to NHS workers to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS. March 10, London Palladium, W1F 7LA, lwtheatres.co.uk Suzi Ruffell: Nocturnal There are a whole lot of things to be anxious about at the moment some big, some small. Suzi Ruffell is worrying about all of them and its keeping her awake. Her show will resonate with anyone who lies in bed at night thinking about that time they said youre welcome to the supermarket cashier instead of thank you. March 12-16, Soho Theatre, W1D 3NE, sohotheatre.com Jamali Maddix: Crowd Work in Progress Unplanned and unscripted seems to be becoming a theme (Mae Martin is also bringing back her improvised hour). Jamali Maddix isnt preparing anything for this run. Hell be tackling one topic each night with the help of the audience and a guest comedian, getting to the bottom of the issues we all need help sorting out. February 14-16, Soho Theatre, sohotheatre.com Patton Oswalt Having won a Grammy for his comedy show Talking for Clapping and enjoyed success with his Netflix smash special Annihilation, Patton Oswalt is back for more. Never one to mince his words, especially when it comes to Trump, hell be sure to deliver something as honest as it is hilarious. June 15, O2 Forum Kentish Town, academymusicgroup.com Zoe Lyons: Entry Level Human Does anyone really know what theyre doing in life? Zoe Lyons isnt sure that she does, but when it comes to comedy, we beg to differ. Her fast-paced, observational humour is second to none, combining quips that are simultaneously personal and universal. In other words, anything but entry level. February 4-7, Soho Theatre, sohotheatre.com Wanda Sykes In the midst of a mammoth tour, multi-award winning American comedian, writer and actor Wanda Sykes touches down in Islington. Adding to her long list of stand-up shows, she presents new material, sure to be more than a match for one of Londons best-loved venues. January 11, Union Chapel, unionchapel.org.uk Ellie Taylor: Dont Got This Youll most likely know Ellie Taylor as anchor of satirical news show The Daily Mash, which she presents alongside Nish Kumar and Rachel Parris. Shes just as much at home on stage as a stand-up and has recently put out her first Netflix special. In this new show, she talks love, life and how people should stop telling her you got this. October 19, Leicester Square Theatre, leicestersquaretheatre.com Tim Minchin: Back No one does musical comedy quite like Tim Minchin. Hes won a record number of Tonys and Oliviers for Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day. Now hes back on a UK tour for the first time in eight years, with old songs, new songs, f*** you songs. Expect genius lyrical inventions from a master composer. November 7-14, Eventim Apollo, eventim.co.uk Alison Thea-Skot: Thea-Skot Through the Heart and Youre to Blame The reigning queen of character comedy, Alison Thea-Skot, brings a helping of her trademark surreal and often ridiculous humour. Critically acclaimed at Edinburgh Fringe, this show has all the silliness and energy youd hope for from a woman dressed up as an Oyster card. Audience participation is always a possibility. March 11-12, Soho Theatre, sohotheatre.com Darren Harriott: Visceral Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd Gangs, grief and the government all get a look in during Darren Harriotts set. Its a true case of personal meeting political as he discusses toxic masculinity and the ways his life could have taken a very different turn, all injected with his trademark warm humour. April 30-May 4, Soho Theatre, sohotheatre.com Reginald D Hunter: Facing the Beast With his searing social commentary and ability to keep audiences in the palm of his hand, Reginald D Hunter is celebrating his 20th anniversary as a UK-based comic. Whats he doing to mark the occasion? A massive tour, of course, with two separate London dates doubling your chance to see one of the countrys most accomplished comics. May 16, Alexander Palace Theatre, alexandrapalace.com; June 22, Shepherds Bush Empire, academymusicgroup.com Myra Dubois: We Wish You A Myra Christmas Thought the Christmas festivities were over? You thought wrong. Drag character act Myra Dubois is keeping the magic going into the summer, with a spectacular yuletide show including sing-alongs and stories from years gone by. Its Christmas come early or late, were not really sure. May 28-Jun 1, Soho Theatre, sohotheatre.com Rachel Parris: Its Fun to Pretend Its been a great year for Rachel Parris, from The Mash Report to improv with Austentatious. Shes got a lot to report, combining stand-up, sketch and original songs for a new best of show celebrating and lampooning the rather ridiculous events of recent months. April 12 and 27, Bloomsbury Theatre, thebloomsbury.com Rosie Jones: Fifteen Minutes This wickedly funny comic has no limits, poking fun at everything and everyone, not least herself. The success of Fifteen Minutes at Edinburgh Fringe showed that shes definitely one to watch, so its a good thing shes bringing it back. Cerebral palsy certainly isnt slowing Jones down. February 14-16, Soho Theatre, sohotheatre.com Bianca Del Rio Heading up the biggest solo drag show the UK has ever seen, Clown in a Gown Bianca Del Rio swaps RuPauls Drag Race for Wembley. With towering hair and spiky jibes, she became beloved for her tell it like it is attitude on the show in 2014. Never fearful of rubbing anyone up the wrong way, Del Rio will be taking jabs at pretty much everything. September 21, Wembley Arena, ssearena.co.uk A few more picks from our comedy critic Bruce Dessau: James Acaster More chances to see one of the most exquisitely crafted comedy sets in recent years. January 14-19, Phoenix Theatre; February 25-March 2, Vaudeville Theatre, livenation.com Emily Atack The Inbetweeners star follows her Im A Celebrity stint with her debut live tour. May 23, Clapham Grand, claphamgrand.com Jerry Seinfeld The stand-up icon plays first UK theatre-sized show since 1998. July 12 & 13, Eventim Apollo, ticketmaster.co.uk T wo teenage boys have been charged with the murder following the death of 25-year-old Wilham Mendes. Mr Mendes was a Portuguese national who has lived in the UK since 2015 and a keen boxer, Scotland Yard said as they named him on Monday. He was found in Albert Place, Tottenham, at around 1.20am with multiple knife wounds. Police officers attended along with London Ambulance Service (LAS) and he was taken to an east London hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2.13am. Victim: Wilham Mendes / Met Police Mr Mendes' next of kin are aware and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course, police said. The pair of boys, aged 15, were arrested on December 23 and charged on Christmas Eve. P rince Philip has not attended this year's Christmas service at a Sandringham church with the rest of the Royal family. He would usually attend St Mary Magdalene Church, near to the Queen's Sandringham Estate, on Christmas Day. "The duke is in perfectly good health, he is just spending the day privately," a Royal source told Reuters, prior to him missing the event. The Queen and other prominent members of the Royal family have attended. Royal family's Christmas service 2018 1 /47 Royal family's Christmas service 2018 All smiles as the Cambridges and Sussexs arrive at St Mary Magdalene Church AP Photo/Frank Augstein The Queen leaving the church AP Meghan embraces one of the crowd AP Photo/Frank Augstein Kate speaking to the crowd AP Photo/Frank Augstein Harry and Meghan receiving gifts Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Jill Lee, 71, from Cambridge Joe Giddens/PA Wire Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Kate and Meghan chat as they arrive Stephen Pond/Getty Images Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at St Mary Magdalene Church AP The Queen smiles as she arrives Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images AP Photo/Frank Augstein Joe Giddens/PA Wire Meghan and Harry receiving gifts AP Photo/Frank Augstein Joe Giddens/PA Wire Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Joe Giddens/PA Wire Stephen Pond/Getty Images Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Stephen Pond/Getty Images Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Joe Giddens/PA Wire Kate waves to the crowd Joe Giddens/PA Wire Joe Giddens/PA Wire AP Photo/Frank Augstein Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images The Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, James Viscount Severn and the Earl of Wessex PA Zara and Mike Tindall Joe Giddens/PA Wire Autumn Phillips and Princess Beatrice, with Eugenie behind Joe Giddens/PA Wire The Queen enters the church Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Peter Phillips with his daughters Isla (left) and Savannah PA Joe Giddens/PA Wire Joe Giddens/PA Wire Joe Giddens/PA Wire Joe Giddens/PA Wire The Queen arriving AP Photo/Frank Augstein The royals share a joke AP Photo/Frank Augstein Harry and Meghan REUTERS/Hannah McKay Joe Giddens/PA Wire Joe Giddens/PA Wire Kate and Meghan in conversation Stephen Pond/Getty Images Stephen Pond/Getty Images Autumn Phillips and Princess Beatrice PA Wire Joe Giddens/PA Wire AP AP Photo/Frank Augstein Autumn and Peter Phillips PA Joe Giddens/PA Wire Hundreds of well-wishers turned out to see the royal family attend the Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham estate. As well as Philip missing the event, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also did not join the rest of the royals as they made the short walk from the Queen's Sandringham home to the nearby church of St Mary Magdalene. It is understood the duke is in good health and will spend the day relaxing privately with his family. Camilla missed an appearance at the Olympia Horse Show last week due to a heavy cold. She is believed to be still recovering from the bug. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Duke and Duchess of Sussex led the way with the Prince of Wales. The lead group was ahead of Peter Phillips, who was holding the hands of his daughters Savannah and Isla. That trio was followed closely by Princess Beatrice and Peter's wife Autumn Phillips. Just behind were Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, married earlier this year. T he death toll from the recent devastating tsunami which hit Indonesia has reached 429. This comes as there are still more than 1,400 people injured and at least 128 missing after the tsunami slammed into parts of western Java and southern Sumatra islands. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed these figures and said more than 16,000 people were displaced by the disaster. Some villages in certain areas have been cut off due to damaged roads and bridges, making it difficult to supply assistance to people who may be injured or trapped. Indonesia tsunami December 2018 1 /22 Indonesia tsunami December 2018 A resident searches for items among the ruins of a villa after the area was hit by a tsunami, at Carita beach in Padeglang, Banten province REUTERS Damaged cars are seen among collapsed houses after a tsunami hit Banten REUTERS A ruined vehicle sits in the water after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait in Anyer, Banten EPA A man stands among ruins after a tsunami hit at Carita beach in Pandeglang, Banten province REUTERS Relatives mourn at a health facility where the bodies of tsunami victims are collected EPA A man reacts after identifying his relative among the bodies of tsunami victims in Carita AP Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, after the area was hit by a tsunami following an eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano AP Rescuers search for tsunami victims in Carita, Indonesia AP Residents inspect damaged buidlings in Carita AFP/Getty Images Residents inspecting their damaged homes in Carita AFP/Getty Images Residents inspect the damage to their homes on Carita beach AFP/Getty Images A man looks for salvageable items from a damaged home on Carita beach AFP/Getty Images Debris is seen from a damaged home on Carita beach AFP/Getty Images A man inspects his house which was damaged by a tsunami in Carita AP Residents walk past a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita AP Cars are covered by debris at an area ravaged by a tsunami in Carita AP Indonesian police and army personnel searching for victims among the ruins buildings near Anyer Beach after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait in Anyer, Banten, Indonesia EPA An Indonesian man looks at ruined vehicles after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait EPA A soldier examines as he takes care of a local resident who was injured following a tsunami which hit at Tanjung Lesung district in Pandeglang, Banten province REUTERS The ruins of a house after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait in Banten, Indonesia EPA A ruined car that was rolled over after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait, in Anyer, Banten, Indonesia EPA Video still showing Anak Krakatau volcano erupting in Indonesia on Saturday, December 22 AP Usually joyous Christmas celebrations across Indonesia have been replaced with sombre prayer in the wake of the tragedy. Pastor Markus Taekz said his Rahmat Pentecostal Church in the hard-hit area of Carita did not celebrate with joyous songs this year. Instead, just 100 people attended the Christmas Eve service, usually attended by double that number. Saturday tsunami is thought to have been triggered by underwater landslides resulting from volcanic activity / AFP/Getty Images Many members of the congregation had already left the area for the capital, Jakarta, or other locations away from the impact zone. "This is an unusual situation because we have a very bad disaster that killed hundreds of our sisters and brothers in Banten," he said, referring to the province on Java island. "So our celebration is full of grief." AFP/Getty Images Military troops alongside government personnel and volunteers have continued searching along debris-strewn beaches. Yellow, orange and black body bags were laid out where victims were found while many searched for missing loved ones at hospital morgues. The waves followed an eruption and apparent landslide on Anak Krakatau, or "Child of Krakatoa," a volcanic island. This formed in the early part of the 20th century near the site of the cataclysmic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, following the disaster, vowed to have all tsunami-detection equipment replaced or repaired. Indonesia is comprised of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people and lies along the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. Saturday's disaster came ahead of the anniversary of the massive Asian tsunami that hit on December 26, 2004 after a magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra island spawned huge waves. I taly's Catania airport has resumed full operations a day after an ash cloud from Mount Etna's latest eruption in eastern Sicily forced it to shut down. Before dawn on Christmas Day, fiery red flaming lava shooting out from the volcano could be seen against the darkness of the night sky. At least 130 tremors have rattled villages on the slopes of the volcanic mountain earlier this week, with the most powerful quake registering a magnitude of 4.3 on Monday. The series of quakes appeared to be diminishing on Tuesday. The volcano's seismological observatory says a new fissure has opened on a stretch of uninhabited slope near Mount Etna's south east crater. On Monday, hikers on Etna were brought down from the higher elevations for their safety, however, officials did not order the evacuations of nearby villages. Volcanic ash was also seen on some cars and streets near the mountain. Etna, located on the Mediterranean island of Sicily, is one of three active volcanoes in Italy. It has been particularly active since July. P ope Francis encouraged people to turn away from materialism to focus on love, charity and simplicity in a Christmas Eve address. The message came in his address at Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. He lamented people finding their life's meaning in possessions - when the biblical story of Christ's birth emphasizes that God appeared to people who were poor when it came to earthly possessions but faithful. "Standing before the manger, we understand that the food of life is not material riches but love, not gluttony but charity, not ostentation but simplicity," Pope Francis said, dressed in simple white vestments. He stood before a manger to give the message / EPA/Claudio Peri "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when paradoxically a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive. The homily marked the start of a busy few days for the Pope over Christmas, with a Christmas day message and blessing expected Tuesday, a prayer the day after, New Years Eve vespers and a mass on January 1. During his five year papacy, Pope Francis has focused his attentions on the world's poor and downtrodden, its refugees and marginalized. The Catholic Church's first pope from Latin American instructed the Vatican to better care for the homeless around Rome. The move including opening a barber shop, shower and medical clinic for them in the embracing colonnade of St. Peter's Square. The Pope poses for selfies with supporters at the Sardinia Solidarity volunteering service center / AFP/Getty Images To extend his outreach over Christmas, Francis sent his trusted secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Iraq to celebrate with the country's long-suffering Christians. Catholics are among the religious minorities targeted for Islamic State-inspired violence which has driven tens of thousands from their homes. Cardinal Parolin met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi in Baghdad on Monday and is scheduled in the coming days to travel to northern Iraq to meet with Kurdish leaders in Irbil. He is set to celebrate Mass in Qaraqosh in the Nineveh plains, near Mosul, according to the Vatican. The Vatican has expressed concern in recent years about the exodus of Christians from communities that have existed since the time of Jesus. It has urged them to return when security conditions permit. G et ready to add some sparkle to your Christmas Day with the Strictly Come Dancing special. Six celebrities are heading back to the ballroom for the festive competition, including a former champion, for one spin on the dancefloor in front of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Dame Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli. Nestled nicely in the afternoon slot, the festive special promises to light up the room and bring the glamour to the Big Day with a heavy dose of glitter. Heres what you need to know about the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - In Pictures 1 /7 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - In Pictures Anne Widdecomb and Anton Du Beke who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Caroline Flack and Gorka Marquez who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Luba Mushtuk and Jake Wood who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Nadiya Bychkova and Michael Vaughan who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Neil Jones and Anita Rani who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Anne Widdecomb and Anton Du Beke who are taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. PA Who is taking part in the special? Love Island host Caroline Flack who won series 12 with Pasha Kovalev - will be dancing a Charleston with Gorka Marquez while series eight icon Ann Widdecombe will reunite with Anton Du Beke for an American Smooth. Countryfiles Anita Rani, who competed in series 13, is swapping Gleb Savchenko for resident bench pro Neil Jones and a Foxtrot. Fellow benched professional Luba Mushtuk also gets a celebrity partner in series 12s Jake Wood to dance a Cha Cha Cha. JLS frontman Aston Merrygold will be back for a Jive with partner Janette Manrara, having been eliminated, arguably very prematurely, in series 15 while Nadiya Bychkova, who left the current series surprisingly early on, will dance a Viennese Waltz with Michael Vaughan from series 10. Is there a theme? The theme for this years festive special is fairytale extravaganza. So expect dressing up, classic tales and lots of props. Can I vote? Nope. The show is always pre-recorded, usually sometime in early December, and hundreds of lucky fans get to go. Audience-goers, and them alone, get to chance to vote and decide the winner on the night. When is it on? Pepe ESCOBAR On top of the graceful Baltit Fort, overlooking the Hunza Valleys Shangri-La-style splendor, its impossible not to feel dizzy at the view: an overwhelming collision of millennia of geology and centuries of history. We are at the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan, in Pakistans Northern Areas, or as legend rules, the Roof of the World. This is an area about 70,000 square kilometers (27,000 square miles) crammed with spectacular mountain ranges and amidst them, secluded pristine valleys and the largest glaciers outside of the Polar region. The location feels like vertigo. To the north, beyond the Batura Glacier, is the tiny northeast arm of Afghanistan, the legendary Wakhan corridor. A crest of the Hindu Kush separates Wakhan from the regional capital Gilgit. Xinjiang starts on Wakhans uppermost tip. Via the upgraded Karakoram highway, its only 240 km from Gilgit to the Khunjerab Pass, 4,934 meters high on the official China-Pakistan border. What used to be called the Russian Pamir, now in Tajikistan, can be seen with naked eyes from one of the peaks of the Karakoram. To the east, past Skardu and an arduous trek that may last almost a month, lies K2, the second highest peak in the world, among a mighty group north of the Batura Glacier (also known as Baltoro), which is 63km long. The receding Hopper Glacier in northern Pakistan. Photo: Asia Times To the south lies Azad (Free) Kashmir and slightly to the southeast what locals define as Indian-occupied Kashmir. The former King of Kashmir agreed to be part of India after Partition in 1947 but troops were airlifted to the northern state and after a year of fighting, India went to the UN. A temporary ceasefire line was established in 1948 and runs down from the Karakoram towards the Nanga Parbat the killer mountain, dividing Kashmir into two virtually sealed halves. Massive mountain ranges Driving across the Karakoram Highway (see part 2 of this report) we were face to face with three massive mountain ranges running in different directions. The Karakoram roughly starts where the Hindu Kush ends and then sweeps eastward a watershed between Central Asian drainage and streams flowing into the Indian Ocean. The ancient Silk Road is seen above the Karakoram Highway. Photo: Asia Times The Himalayas start in Gilgit and then run southeast through a cluster of high peaks, including the Nanga Parbat, directly on the Islamabad-Gilgit air route (flights by turboprop only take off if weather around the Nanga Parbat allows). The Karakoram and the Himalayas are like an extension of each other, while the Hindu Kush starts in southern Afghanistan and ties up with the Karakoram north of the Hunza Valley. Within a radius of roughly 150 km from Gilgit and Skardu, there are no less than 90 peaks towering over 8,000m. Strategically, this is one of the top spots on the planet, a protagonist of the original Great Game between imperial Britain and Russia. So its more than appropriate that here is exactly where a protagonist of the New Great Game, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of the New Silk Roads, or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), actually starts, linking western Chinas Xinjiang to the Northern Areas across the Khunjerab Pass. Karakoram politics CPEC is the supreme jewel in the Belt and Road crown, the largest foreign development or investment program in modern Chinas history, loaded with way more funds than years of US military aid to Islamabad. And we are indeed in Ancient Silk Road territory. Looking at the millenary trail parallel to the Karakoram, lovingly restored by the Aga Khan Development Foundation, its easy to picture the great Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang traversing these heights in the 7th Century, and naming them Polo-le. The Tang dynasty called it Great Polu. When Marco Polo trekked in the 14th Century, he called it Bolor. Early last month, I was privileged to drive on the upgraded Karakoram Highway along CPEC all the way from Gilgit to the Khunjerab, and back, with multiple incursions to valleys such as lush, pine-forested Naltar, Shimshal (manufacturers of sublime yak wool shawls), Kutwal and receding glaciers, such as Hopper and Bualtar. The Karakoram Highway was originally conceived in the 1970s as an ambitious political-strategic project able to influence the geopolitical balance in the subcontinent, by expanding Islamabads reach into previously inaccessible frontiers. Now its at the heart of a trade and energy corridor from the China-Pak border all the way south to Gwadar, the port in Balochistan in the Arabian Sea a stones throw from the Persian Gulf. Gwadar looks likely to be a crucial springboard to China becoming a naval power active from the Indian Ocean to the Persian Gulf and on to the Mediterranean, while CPEC, slowly but surely, aims to change the social and economic structure of Pakistan. Previous Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the controversial Lion of the Punjab, was an avid CPEC supporter after he won the 2013 elections. At the time current Prime Minister Imran Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, winner of elections held in July, had already polled second nationwide and rose to power in the strategic Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province straddling the area between Islamabad and the tribal belt. Sharif, in June 2013, when he was about to enter negotiations with the Chinese, was lauding what would become CPEC as an infrastructure scheme that will change the fate of Pakistan. So far that has translated mostly into new hydroelectric dams, coal-fired power stations, and civil-nuclear power. The China National Nuclear Corporation is building two 1,100 MW reactors near Karachi for nearly $10 billion, 65% financed by Chinese loans. This is the first time that the Chinese nuclear industry has built something of this scale outside of their country. More than a dozen CPEC projects involve power generation Pakistan is no longer woefully energy-deprived. These projects may not be as sexy as high-speed rail and pipelines, which could arrive much later; after all CPEC in its planned entirety runs to 2030. Of course, monumental business decisions will have to be addressed; the staggering cost and state of the art engineering involved in building a railway parallel to the Karakoram; and the fact that oil pumped via a pipeline from Gwadar to Xinjiang might cost five times more than via the usual sea lanes all the way to Shanghai. A map shows the route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ Wanishahrukh What Imran wants Imran Khan is way more cautious than Sharif, who had a China cell inside his office and commanded the Pakistani Army to set up a 10,000-strong security force to protect Chinas CPEC investments. But Khan knows well about the firepower behind CPEC: the Silk Road Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), CITIC, Bank of China, EXIM, China Development Bank. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) projects that BRI could mobilize as much as $6 trillion in the next few years. What Khan wants is to negotiate better terms for Pakistan. Chinas ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, never tires to stress that Pakistans serious debt problem relates to the initial phase of CPEC, due to the massive import of heavy machinery, industrial raw materials and services. As I learned in Islamabad in various discussions with Pakistani analysts, Khan actually wants to expand CPEC and prevent it from leading Islamabad towards an unsustainable debt trap. That would mean tweaking CPECs focus away from too much infrastructure development to technology transfer and market access for Pakistani products. Financing for agriculture projects, for instance, could come via CPECs Long Term Plan, which unlike the so-called Early Harvest Plan does not come with a price tag attached and can be negotiated freely between Islamabad and Beijing. According to a 2016 IMF report, $28 billion in projects included in Early Harvest will be completed by 2020: $10 billion to develop road, rail and port infrastructure, and $18 billion in energy projects via Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with Chinese firms using commercial loans borrowing from Chinese banks. CPEC though is an extremely long-term endeavor. Other CPEC investments in energy and transportation infrastructure financed by China will be finished only by 2030. A new CPEC emphasis on industrialization via technology transfer would allow Pakistan to produce some of what China imports. That would imply renegotiating the Pakistan-China Free-Trade Agreement (FTA), getting to the level of preferential treatment that China offers to ASEAN. Essentially, this is what Imran Khan is aiming at. Hail the Ismailis Gilgit-Baltistan is the safest place in the whole of Pakistan. Here, theres no terror threat by the Pakistani Taliban or dodgy al-Qaeda or ISIS spin-offs. Major spoken languages are Shina and Burushaski, not Urdu. The population is overwhelmingly composed of Ismaili Shiites like Karim Shah, an encyclopedia of Central and South Asian history and culture reigning over a cave of wonders in Gilgit where anything from authentic heads of Gandhara Bodhisattvas to 18th Century silk Qom carpets from a Persian royal family can be found. Karim Shah and his cave of wonders in Gilgit. Photo: Asia Times We spent hours talking about Khorasan, the original Kipling-esque Great Game, Col. Durand (who drew the Durand Line separating Pashtuns on both sides of an artificial border), the Kashmir question, the astonishingly complex geo-eco-historical system of the Northern Areas, and of course, China. Shah imparted the impression confirmed by other traders that the local population may see some tangible CPEC-related benefits, but does not know exactly what Beijing wants. Chinese visitors engineers, bureaucrats are remote; tourism has not picked up yet, as in the case of the Japanese, who have been Northern Areas enthusiasts for decades. Thus, an improvement in Xi Jinpings people-to-people exchange, a key component of BRI, seems to be in order. Legend rules that Hunzakuts, the inhabitants of the glorious Hunza Valley, are descendants of three soldiers of Alexander the Great who married beautiful Persian women of high aristocracy. While Alexander campaigned along the Oxus, the three couples traveled across the Wakhan corridor, discovered the marvelous valley, and settled down. The tolerant Islam they came to practice centuries later is impervious to Gulf proselytizing. When I crossed an austere village by the Karakoram, visibly out of place, my Ismaili driver Akbar noted that these were Sunni Wahhabis. Finding Gandhara art in Gilgit made perfect sense. Gandhara historically formed a sort of fertile and irrigated triangle between the Iranian plateau, the Hindu Kush and the first peaks of the Himalayas. Between the 6th Century BC and the Islamic invasions, it was the crossroads of three cultures: India, China and Iran. And it was here that an extremely original Greco-Buddhist art and culture flourished, way after Greek power had waned. A Gandhara Bodhisattva head in Karims shop in Gilgit. Photo: Asia Times The Kashmir question As a new 21st Century crossroads, CPEC faces stern challenges from geology (constant landslides and floods in Gilgit-Baltistan) to wobbly security in Balochistan, threatened by a combination of separatist and religiously or politically manipulated movements. I was not able to visit Gwadar and the south of CPEC even though contacts in Islamabad supplied military sources with an application for a NOC (No Object Certificate, as it is known on Pakistan) weeks in advance. The military response: too sensitive, as in dangerous, for a lone Western journalist, especially in the aftermath of the Aasia Bibi case. China will need to find a way perhaps via negotiations inside the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to mollify India on CPECs route straddling Kashmir. In 1936 the British made a deal with the Maharaja of Kashmir, getting Gilgit on lease for 60 years. But then came Partition. At the time the Kuomintang in power in China, before Maos victory was engaged in secret negotiations to restore Hunzas fabled independence as a new state allied with China. But the Mir of Hunza finally decided to join the newborn Pakistani nation. Few may remember that, during the 1950s, way before the India-China border war in 1962, there was trouble on the China-Pakistan border, when Beijing seized 3,400 square miles of Kashmir, including parts of old Hunza, whose Mirs always recognized Chinese suzerainty. When the British had first seized Hunza in 1891, the Mir actually fled to China. This puts into perspective some fabulous documents preserved at Baltit Fort, like China-Baltistan trade agreements and a picture of Zhou EnLai visiting the fort in the early 1960s Its also fascinating to remember that at the time Zhou Enlai already thought about Karachi no Gwadar at that time connecting to an ancient trade route, lost to modern times, not only for trade but for strategic purposes as well. Xi Jinping has definitely read his Zhou EnLai thoroughly. Historic trade agreements between China and Baltistan. Photo: Asia Times Nowadays, the President of Azad (Free) Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, always stresses that unlike Indian propaganda, the Pakistani side is thriving politically and economically, and CPEC could also be beneficial for Indian Kashmir. As it stands, this remains a red line for New Delhi. Once in a lifetime chance At the National Defense University in Islamabad, I was shown a paper by Li Xiaolu, from the Institute of Strategic Studies at the National Defense University of the PLA detailing how Beijing hopes that by opening Chinas west to Central and South Asia, building better transportation infrastructure, and by encouraging trade with South and Central Asian countries, the development of manufacturing, processing and industrial capacities in Western China can be promoted. Now compare it with road and rail infrastructure improved across Pakistan being able to turn the whole nation into an actual trade corridor, while the Pakistani Navy improves its defense in deep-sea waters with Gwadar positioned as a third naval base and offering support for Chinese ships across sea lanes close to the Middle East and Northern Africa. No wonder Chinese analysts share a virtual consensus about traditional Chinese wisdom favoring unity for prosperity a key plank of CPEC and BRI and prevailing over containment and confrontation. For CPEC to work, Beijing needs three things: a political solution for Afghanistan, which is already being worked out inside the SCO, with China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran (as an observer) directly involved; stable relations between India and Pakistan; and certified security across Pakistan. Beijing is actively encouraging closer connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Quetta-Kandahar railway and the Kabul-Peshawar highway. CPEC is actually expanding from the Karakoram to the Khyber Pass, trespassing the artificial Durand line along the way. In contrast, multiple factions in Washington continue to twist all possible faultlines to thwart these projects, with a propaganda campaign designed to portray BRI as a swamp of corruption, incompetence, a debt trap and malign Chinese behavior. Yet among all BRI corridors, material progress across CPEC is more than self-evident. I saw every village in the Northern Areas with electricity and most of them linked by fiber optics, a stark contrast to when I traveled a severely dilapidated Karakoram, twice, two decades ago. Pakistan now has a once in a lifetime chance to harness its geographical location with borders intertwining centuries of history and culture with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Middle East to set itself up as a key bridge between the Middle East and both the Mediterranean and Western China. Rumors abounded in Islamabad that Imran Khan is aiming for an international standard university in the capital, positioned as a center of study and research tracking the new mosaic of an emerging multipolar world. Young people power will be more than available, like Jamila Shah, currently at the National Defense University, doing a masters in Peace and Conflict Studies, and working with an NGO, the International Rescue Committee. Jamila, from Hunza, in Gilgit-Baltistan, is the face of Pakistans future. Jamila Shah. Photo: Asia Times Still hostage to a corrupt oligarchy, cartelized industries, falling exports (60% of which are textiles), and with almost half of their youths aged from five to 16 out of school, Pakistan faces a Sisyphean task. Economist Ishrat Husain has correctly noted that Pakistans model of elitist growth must be replaced by shared growth. Enter a modified CPEC opening the path ahead, hopefully like those cargo trucks defying the slippery, snowy Khunjerab full blast. Trade on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Photo: Asia Times atimes.com Belarus, a small post-Soviet republic with a population of 9.5 million and a border with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania, is Russias biggest perennial military ally. This is one of the few reasons why it is on the radar of the Western media. On Dec. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint military doctrine between Russia and Belarus, reaffirming that in military matters Russia and Belarus remain allies. The same is not always true in economic and diplomatic matters. Just recently, several critical messages were directed toward Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko by two Russian officials, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russias ambassador to Belarus Mikhail Babich. The Western press immediately rushed in to try to drive a wedge between the two countries, repeating its headlines from a few years ago about Lukashenko no longer being Russias dependable ally and even claiming: Belarus preparing for a hybrid war with Russia (The Week). Experts warn against this simplified black-and-white Western approach, pointing out that a composite approach is possible, consisting of healthy alternatives to puppet state or hybrid war. I understand that the United States and the EU want a pro-NATO regime in Minsk, and they are eager to see a looser bond between Russia and Belarus as a first step in that direction, explains Vladimir Zharikhin, the chief expert on Eastern Slavic states at the Moscow-based Institute of the Community of Independent States (CIS). The truth is that there has not been a dramatic loosening. Due to the need to contend with the sanctions, Russia had to reform its economy and cut expenses. So, Russia expects Belarus to shoulder part of the burden and cooperate. Unfortunately, Mr. Lukashenko is not always very understanding about this. In their statements, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev and Ambassador Babich merely asked for more clarity from Lukashenko regarding his intentions about what is known as the Union State, an entity which Russia and Belarus agreed to create at a Yeltsin-Lukashenko summit back in 1999. In mid-December while Medvedev was at a working session of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Council of Ministers in Brest (a historic city on Belaruss border with Poland), he urged Lukashenko to choose between two options. Option one is to further integration at a conservative pace within the current framework. Medvedev, however, said he preferred the second option, which is to proceed with the Union State project. That project assumes that both Russia and Belarus will preserve their state sovereignty, but couples this sovereignty with far-reaching economic and legislative integration. Since 1999, many of the Union States projects have been tabled, such as the proposal to establish a single currency and a joint money emission center (both were to be finalized by 2005). Now Medvedev is suggesting the synchronization of taxation, customs, and tariffs policies. Lukashenko reacted to Medvedevs suggestions nervously, seeing in them some hint of a threat to the sovereignty of Belarus. What do we need this for? Why is this issue being raised now?.. If the idea is to divide Belarus into several regions and absorb these regions into Russia this will never happen, Lukashenko said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, attempting to assuage Lukashenkos fears, explained on December 17 that no merger between Russia and Belarus into one state is on the agenda. Peskov made it clear that what is being called the Union State is actually a format for cooperation. Belarus remains our biggest ally, Peskov told journalists. The Russian ambassador in Minsk, Mikhail Babich, however, complained that Belarus had accomplished only a tiny fraction of what had been planned in 1999. Babich also noted that Russia would like to improve its trade balance with Belarus. Right now, trade between Russia and Belarus amounts to $30 billion, which makes Belarus one of Russias primary trading partners, trailing only the EU and China, Babich explained. However, out of the $18 billion of goods exported to Belarus from Russia, almost $10 billion consists of Russian fuel exports. So, subtracting that, Russia is exporting less than $9 billion worth of finished products to Belarus. This is even less than Belaruss non-energy exports to us, which are worth $10 billion. So, the trade balance is not to our advantage. Bogdan Bezpalko, the head of the Center for Belarusian Studies at Moscow State University (MGU), notes that the Western media is so eager for Belarus to follow the sinister Ukrainian example of dramatic regime change that it is overlooking the real changes occurring in Belarus. Lukashenko is being presented as a pro-Russian dictator, which he simply isnt. The reality is that both in 2009 and now, in 2018, Lukashenko has been trying to make a breakthrough in his relations with the West. Between 2009 and 2010, Lukashenko was visited by the then-head of the EUs diplomatic service, Javier Solana, who was followed by the German and Polish foreign ministers, Guido Westerwelle and Radoslaw Sikorski. It looked like the end of Belaruss estrangement from the EU, recounts Bezpalko. However, the EU was trying to stage a local version of the Orange Revolution as early as December 19, 2010, the day of the presidential election in Belarus,. At the time, the Western media was supporting a violent attack on government buildings in Minsk by an angry mob of liberal protesters, who were unhappy about the election results. Glass was smashed and doors were damaged. Lukashenko arrested and punished the perpetrators. But he never quite forgot his dream of a breakthrough to the West. Between 2014 and 2018 Lukashenko mended his countrys ties with the Ukrainian regime of Petro Poroshenko and advertised the fact that Minsk had been chosen as a venue for negotiations about how to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Western sanctions were lifted, and in 2017 Lukashenko was invited to a summit of the EUs Eastern Partnership in Prague, an invitation he graciously refused, thus sparing the EU another round of internal discussions on this invitation to the last dictator in Europe. At a recent meeting with journalists, Lukashenko praised his own efforts at mediation between Putin and Poroshenko in a way that is unlikely to please the Russians: I told Vladimir Putin: in a few years we may be praying to God to have NATO on the border between Ukraine and Russia instead of the crazy Ukrainian nationalists with their guns. The Russian experts were unanimous in their criticism of such a view of the problem. The expansion of NATO into Ukraine is unacceptable for Russia, this is understood by both the elites and the people, explains the prominent Russian expert and head of the Moscow-based Council on Foreign and Defense Policies, Sergei Karaganov. The fact that some of the Ukrainian nationalists are indeed crazy does not make the presence of NATO in Ukraine any more acceptable for Russia. The question that remains is: does Lukashenko realize how dangerous it is to flirt with the West at the cost of trying Russias patience on integration projects? Or has the cunning Belarusian leader once again shown himself an expert at trying to have his cake and eat it too? In 2015 and 2016, Belarus profited economically on the mutually imposed sanctions between Russia and the EU, by refusing to join the fray and instead becoming a transit zone, but this period is reportedly coming to an end. In eastern Ukraine Russia is having a morale problem with the increasing number of Russian troops it has there, pretending to be Ukrainian rebels. There are about 50,000 armed rebels in Eastern Ukraine (Donbas) and over half of them are Russians. Most of these armed rebels are part-timers who signed up for the regular pay and other benefits. But a growing percentage of the armed rebels are Russian soldiers who have long formed the backbone of the rebel combat capability. Russia has gotten rid of the Russian volunteers from outside Donbas because they were too much trouble to control. Many of the locals (Ukrainians and ethnic Russians) are not much better but getting a government job from the Russians is about the only way to make a living in the rebel-controlled half of Donbas. Even then a job with the Donbas rebel forces is not attractive if that means there is a chance of getting killed or wounded. So most of the local Donbas rebels are used for security and support jobs. Most of those in the front lines are Russian professionals and local rebels who get paid a combat bonus to be there. Getting enough Russians to serve in Donbas has been a growing problem. Most Russian conscripts refuse to serve in Donbas and they have the law on their side. The Russian volunteer (or contract) soldiers are also unwilling to serve in Donbas and when forced to they are reluctant participants in the Donbas deception and often do not renew their contract. The only alternative to contract soldiers are the even more expensive former soldiers working for military contractors. The current solution, which may or may not work, is to provide better training for the contract soldiers sent to Donbas and to send them there in units for short tours of duty. Until now most of the Russian soldiers were sent in as individuals or small groups to replace those whose time was up. Now Russia has adopted the same time-tested methods employed by all-volunteer Western armies (and the Russian army during World War II). The replacements go in as units, often company size (at least a hundred troops) or larger. The units are all contract soldiers who have not only trained together for months but have received special training by Donbas combat veterans on what to expect and how to handle it. This is not only good for morale but reduces casualties. While Russian commanders prefer this the Russian government is having a hard time paying for it. The defense budget has been cut by over 40 percent since the sanctions and lower oil prices hit in 2014. The higher unemployment rate has not helped military recruitment much. The population is still shrinking, except for the Moslem minority, who comprise about 15 percent of the population and over a quarter of those eligible for conscription or to become contract soldiers. The government wants to keep the percentage of troops who are Moslem as low as possible. The soldier shortage is actually an old problem as it has become increasingly difficult to obtain soldiers since the 1980s. It got worse after 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. This inability to attract new recruits, even with conscription puts the government in an embarrassing situation because promises were made on this issue and not kept. Not once but multiple times. Some of the solutions make the problem worse. For example in 2012 the government assured the public that conscription would end by 2020 and be replaced with better paid and trained volunteers (contract soldiers). That did not happen because of a shortage of volunteers and money to pay them. To make matters worse the number of eligible conscripts continues (as expected) to shrink. This also puts at risk plans to also create a large reserve force. The decline in available conscripts could be seen in the official number of conscripts expected for the semi-annual draft. Russian conscription still operates like the original 19th century version when it was only practical if you took in the conscripts twice a year. The late 2017 draft expected to obtain 134,000 conscripts, compared 152,000 in late 2016. Only 147,000 were available for the early 2017 draft and in 2018 that fell to 128,000. At this rate conscription could not be eliminated until the mid-2020s at the earliest and even that is believed too optimistic because the military, under pressure to meet the quota is taking a larger number of young men who are unfit for service and leaving it to the units that receive these men to sort it out. That can be made to work in peacetime but if there is any combat it quickly leads to disaster. All industrialized nations (including China) now suffer from the problem of too many potential recruits being overweight, out of shape or illegal drug users. In 2015 the conscript problem became a major domestic scandal because the government violated the law by sending conscripts into combat. At first, the government insisted that the law allowed conscripts to go if they volunteered and signed a consent form. But families complained that a growing number of conscripts were sent in who had not volunteered and that they were sent to a combat zone (Donbas) that the government insists contained no Russian troops. Some commanders were found to be using deception to get conscripts to volunteer (and sign a document attesting to that) so they could be sent into Donbas, which is not a declared war but is certainly dangerous for Russian soldiers there. Apparently, some conscripts, caught up in the nationalist NATO is conspiring against us propaganda the government has been pumping out with increasing frequency and intensity, really did sign the document willingly. They were also encouraged by the much higher pay offered for those serving in a combat zone. But as often happens in the military, some volunteers were acting under duress or were deceived when told signing the contract was a formality to justify the extra money for some special training exercises inside Russia. Some of these volunteers later figured out where they really were and deserted inside Ukraine and have been sharing details of their experiences with Ukrainians and others outside Russia. Conscripts in general now know they cannot be ordered to go to Donbas and few volunteer. Fear of being sent to Donbas was hurting the effort to recruit more contract soldiers. This sort of thing is officially denied and denounced by the Russian government via the government controlled mass media. But the Internet is another thing and there are a growing number of Russians who call out their government for lying about what is going on in Ukraine and for forcing conscripts into combat zones. Some of those conscripts have been sent back to their families in sealed coffins with the explanation that it was because of a training accident. But soldiers who served with some of the dead soldiers, especially those who were also conscripts, are providing more accurate and embarrassing (to the Russian government) versions of what went on. Russia has been unable to stop troops in Donbas from posting on the Internet pictures and videos of themselves in Donbas. Even if the troops do not post these items they mail them home or take them with them when they return home and they get passed around via the Internet. The Russian government refuses to admit defeat and withdraw its military forces from Donbas so the only alternative is to pay more to get Russian troops who are willing to be there. That means more training, better treatment and higher pay. Nov 13, 2018 ALVUND BEACH, Norway - Marines and Sailors offload light armored vehicles from a landing craft air cushion on Alvund Beach, Norway during an amphibious landing in support of Trident Juncture 18, Oct. 30, 2018. Trident Juncture provides a unique environment for the Marines and Sailors to rehearse their amphibious capabilities. The LCACs originated from USS New York and showcased the ability of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to rapidly project combat power ashore. The vehicles and Marines are with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 24th MEU. Photo By: Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: Even though Islamic terrorism related deaths fell by 5,000 in 2017 (compared to 2016) and continued to decline in 2018, Iraq remains the nation with the largest Islamic terrorism problem (followed by Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Pakistan). Most of the deaths in Syria come from continued fighting between government forces and rebels. The largest source of Islamic terror deaths in Syria remains ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) although in the last year ISIL has been taking more casualties than it is inflicting. While the problems with Islamic terrorism in Iraq are declining the problems with neighbor Iran are increasing and causing more political disruption. The anti-Iran election results earlier in the year created some initial confusion among Iranian leaders but that is gone now and Iran is pushing Iraq hard to ignore the American sanctions and help Iran evade them. Iraq is cooperating as much as it can, but not out of sympathy for or fear of Iran but because there is money to be made helping Iran out. Even so, Iraq does not blatantly flaunt the American sanctions because in many respects Iraq needs the Americans more than they need Iran. Moreover, the United States can be more trouble, using legal means, than Iran. The Americans can respond by going after the Iraqi corruption in addition to invoking banking and other financial restrictions. At the moment most Iraqis see the Americans as the good guys and the Iranians as the bully next door, and often just down the street because pro-Iran PMF (Peoples Mobilization Forces) commanders are being more aggressive with the army and any Iraqis who openly oppose Iran. The growing number of murdered Iraqi politicians is attributed to Iranian death squads, Iran denies this but it is something the Iranians do everywhere. All this Iranian interference increases the risk of civil war in a country that has a minority of the Shia majority willing to use violence to support Iran. Pro-Iran PMF militias take orders from Iran and that is increasingly unpopular with most Iraqis. Iraqi leaders have been subjected to a lot of pressure from Iran to ignore the American sanctions. Iran pointed out that complying with the sanctions would hurt the Iraqi economy. That pressure caused Iraqi leaders to comply with the more immediate threat (Iran) even though they realized that most Iraqis preferred the Americans to the Iranians. After all, when Iraq asked the Americans to leave in 2011 they did. Iraq is seeking an exemption to some of the Iran sanctions because otherwise the Iraqi economy would suffer and the U.S. has been granting these requests. Iraqi economists and financial experts have made it clear that the Americans have a lot of options and many of them involve going after individual pro-Iran Iraqi leaders, especially those who are the most corrupt. Sanctions on individuals have proved very effective and Iraq has a lot of eligible targets. The Kurds had another advantage in that they were on good terms with the Americans who in turn had the ability to chase down leads via the international banking system. That turned up more leads and hiding places for ISIL money. Lastly, while the Americans are withdrawing their 2,000 troops from Syria they are apparently planning on stationing many of them in Iraq, along the Syrian border to protect Iraq from continued ISIL attack Criminal Cash Combat With ISIL having lost all its territorial control, and most of the billions in cash, gold and valuables they had stolen since 2013, they still have nearly half a billion in cash and portable valuables left and everyone wonder where it is. For more than a year ISIL has been trying to launder (turn the loot into legitimate assets) as much of this money as possible. That had made the ISIL stash easier to spot and track. At the same time, some of this wealth is buried in remote areas of western Iraq or eastern Syria. One of these stashes has been found so far (that is known of) but more valuable are the documents being found that contain data on how ISIL is laundering their cash. The Kurds in northern Iraq has been very active in doing this because ISIL (and Arabs from the south in general) have parked a lot of money in the Kurdish north because it is safer. While the Kurds were fighting ISIL there was little interest (or resources) in auditing local firms. In 2018 that changed because there was a lot less fighting and a lot more auditing. The ISIL cash reserve does not mean ISIL forces stop raising cash whenever they can. Local ISIL groups still use extortion, or voluntary contributions from supporters, to pay for operations. The men who collect the donations also collect information and impart ISIL warnings or instructions (like we need more money or a contact with someone). Because these fundraisers are regularly out in the open they are often captured and provide a good source of information. When possible the fundraisers are watched and followed for a while to identify more suspects. This provides evidence that ISIL still has a lot of supporters in Iraq, where the Sunni minority is still angry at losing economic and political power in 2003, power they had held for centuries (under Turkish rule and since the 1920s in an independent Iraq.) These Sunnis used to support al Qaeda and other less fanatic Islamic terror groups but now they favor ISIL because this group actually achieved some success from 2014 to 2016 and might do so again. Economic Growth Foreign economists, especially those from the credit rating agencies, believe Iraqi GDP will grow four percent in 2019 if oil prices remain high (averaging $75 a barrel) and Iraqi production continues as it has for the last two years. The Arab dominated OPEC oil cartel has had some success in cutting production to keep the oil price high but non-OPEC (especially the North American frackers) have been increasing production a lot. GDP growth for 2018 was 2.8 percent and more growth was expected as more of the country recovered from the three years of ISIL violence. But basically, the Iraqi economy is still based on oil and the ability to pump and ship it to foreign customers. Iraq has ten percent of the world's oil reserves and 2017 exploration efforts have that increased by 10 billion barrels. That makes 153 billion barrels, which more than a third larger than it was after the resumption of oil exploration a decade ago. Iran has reserves of 158 billion barrels, Saudi Arabia 266 billion and Venezuela 300 billion. These four nations have the largest reserves which are about 60 percent of the world total. What is keeping the world oil price low is fracking and related novel extraction methods. That new American technology is making much more oil and gas available and it is expected that the U.S. and Canada will soon have proven reserves equaling a third of the current world total. The fall in oil prices since 2013 (from over $100 a barrel to as low as $30) cut Iraqi foreign currency reserves to about $48 billion by the end of 2017, compared to $53 billion in mid-2016. That forced the government to adapt and the reserves were $60 billion by the end of 2018. By early 2018 the price of oil had climbed to $60 a barrel and later to over $80 mainly because OPEC members were not cheating on their quotas and several members were producing less than their quota because of internal security problems. Despite all that oil prices have been declining since October and are now under $60 a barrel. The ISIL crisis forced Iraq to be more prudent with its finances, and government operations in general. The Americans are no longer being blamed for all that goes wrong. Taking responsibility does indeed make it easier to deal with problems. But many Iraqi leaders and politicians still prefer to blame all the problems on America, Israel and so on. Turks Who Must Be Obeyed The Turks have long launched airstrikes on PKK (Turkish Kurdish separatists) camps or concentrations they have identified in northern Iraq. Until recently most of these attacks were near Mt Qandil, a remote area near the Turkish and Iranian borders that has long harbored PKK hideouts. This has forced the PKK to try and moved its Qandil headquarters west to Sinjar (in Nineveh Province, 120 kilometers west of Mosul). Turkey has succeeded in persuading the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Kurds to assist in preventing this. The move to Sinjar began in early 2018 when a large (over a thousand armed men) force of pro-PKK Yazidis (who are generally considered Kurds) sought to establish a PKK base near Sinjar. This is a largely Yazidi area west of Mosul that became the scene of a major battle between ISIL and Kurdish forces who came from Kurdish controlled Dohuk province to assist the Yazidis. The October 2017 Iraqi offensive against the Kurdish occupied areas outside the autonomous north pushed Kurdish forces back to Dohuk but local Yazidi forces remained and these contained many PKK supporters. Turkey considers all the Yazidis pro-PKK, something the Iraqi government and Iraqi Kurds disagree with. In response to the Turkish advances Iraq sent an army brigade to Sinjar and the PKK announced it was leaving Sinjar. The Turks were not convinced and insisted that Iraq ensure there are no PKK bases in the north. In early 2018, Turkish attacks (usually via airstrikes) in northern (Kurdish controlled) Iraq left 10-20 dead a month, at least until April. The Turks are usually pretty careful about hitting only PKK targets and the PKK do not try and use local Kurdish civilians as human shields. So it is rare for civilians to be hurt by these attacks although it has happened at least once so far in 2018. Until recently about 80 percent of the operations against the PKK (and their Syrian PYD associates) took place in eastern Turkey and northwest Syria. But when Turkish operations in northwest Syria were stalled (which was often) then Turkish operations, especially airstrikes, increased against PKK in northern Iraq and just across the border in southeast Turkey. That has led to more complaints from Iraqi Kurds living in the remote areas where the PKK operate that the increased Turkish airstrikes have hit targets close to Kurdish towns and villages and this has civilian casualties when here were increased airstrikes. Currently, Turkey has openly said that it will pursue PKK and PYD Kurds into Syria or Iraq without asking permission from the governments of either country. This annoys the Iraqi government but at the moment it is considered preferable not to oppose the Turks. In some cases, Iraqi borders are officially open for some groups and vice versa. Such is the case with Iraqi forces chasing ISIL forces into Jordan. That can work the other way around but there is a lot more ISIL action on the Iraqi side of the border and the two countries have agreed to share intel on ISIL activities in their territory and tolerate cross-border operations. It was not until late 2018 that there was some Assad government control on the Syrian side of the border. That degree of control is growing but currently independent factions (SDF in northern Syria, Iranian mercenaries further south) more or less control the Syrian side. The Assads can still grant permission to Iraqi forces to cross the border when it comes to dealing with mutual foes like ISIL. Compared to other neighboring countries the Turks continue to be the most difficult for Iraq to deal with. December 23, 2018: In the west (Anbar province), Iraqi EOD (Explosives Ordnance Disposal) teams and some foreign mine clearing personnel have, over the last three years, found and disposed of nearly 50,000 pieces of ISIL ammunition, including those used for mines and roadside bombs. It was in 2015 that ISIL was first driven from parts of Anbar and became clear that ISIL would always leave lots of explosive surprises behind. The U.S. has been training Iraqis for this EOD work since 2004 and after that Iraq had its own school that has been turning out a growing number of very effective EOD technicians. These men are essential if there is to be a rapid and sustained advance into ISIL held territory or urban areas ISIL has held for a while. Iraq declared ISIL defeated a year ago and yet the Islamic terror group continues to maintain a very visible presence in northern Iraq. In early 2018 nearly half of ISIL activity was in Iraq (and a few provinces at that) while nearly a third were in Syria (mainly in the east). At the end of 2018 ISIL is being crushed in Syria but seems to survive in Iraq. In part, this is because ISIL has succeeded in going guerrilla in Iraq by early 2018. Nearly all the ISIL attacks reported in Iraq can be classified as terrorism. This reflects a known trend that began in early 2018 as ISIL concentrated in maintaining a presence in the area north of Baghdad (Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salahuddin provinces). For 2018 ISIL carried out about 130 attacks a month and these attacks rarely involved bombings populated areas (to kill civilians). There were also more ISIL operations involving threats of violence to intimidate civilians or local security forces. There was less use of violence because ISIL has fewer bomb builders and suicide bombers (as well as the people who recruit, train and supervise suicide bombers carrying out their attack). Bombs are now used primarily against security forces. The guerilla tactics can be seen by the growing number of attacks, especial along the main roads north from Baghdad to Kirkuk and the border with the Kurdish controlled north. Attacks involving kidnapping and murder (mainly to terrorize the population into not interfering with or reporting on ISIL activity) are more frequent. In March there were seven of these attacks. That increased to 30 during May and 83 in June and, according to ISIL, about 200 in October. Most of these attacks did not involve violence but all involved threats. ISIL was counting kidnapping and extortion activities (which sometimes involved non-lethal violence). These operations are important because they raise money and keep locals in line. This increase in activity shows how effectively ISIL has established base areas to operate from. Most of the bases are in the Hemrin Mountains, which extend from Diyala province through northern Salahuddin province and into southern Kirkuk province. In early 2018, it was believed that there were 500-1,000 armed ISIL members operating in the Hemrins and about the same in desert areas near the Syrian border from west of Mosul south to include Anbar province. ISIL is also trying to reestablish itself in Mosul and that can be seen by the continued arrests of known ISIL members in Mosul and surrounding areas. The main point of this is that ISIL is defeated but not destroyed. The main reason for that is the nature of ISIL which, alone of all major religions, demands extreme measures for those who try to leave Islam (death), Moslems or non-Moslems who criticize Islam (death) and trying to convert a Moslem to another faith (death). The list is very long and Islamic scripture also preaches justice and honesty but it also justifies being violent when defending Islam against real or imagined threats. All this is a problem that many prominent Moslems are now openly recognizing and seeking a solution for. That in itself is a brave and unusual act. Yet it is deemed necessary because many of the worst aspects of Islam not only encourage terrorism but also limit academic, economic and social progress. Meanwhile, Islamic terrorism continues to mainly kill other Moslems. While Islamic terror groups preach the importance of killing non-Moslems it is also noticed that nations that are mainly non-Moslem tend to be better run, wealthier and more capable of halting of limiting Islamic terror activity. But in many Moslem nations, like Iraq, a large minority of the population continues to support Islamic terrorism as a cure for all problems real or imagined. So the Islamic terrorists tend to go where they are least unwelcome. December 21, 2018: The U.S. granted Iraq a 90-day extension on the original 45-day exemption on some Iranian sanctions. Iraq made a case that they needed an exemption to some of the Iran sanctions because otherwise, the Iraqi economy would suffer. This was especially true with Iraqi dependence on Iran for electricity and natural gas imports. In the south (Basra), for the second week in a row police used bullets as well as tear gas to try and disperse continued weekly demonstrations against the local government (which continues to be too corrupt and ineffective for most people living in the area). The demonstrations have been going on since July. December 19, 2018: The American president, in keeping with a campaign promise, announced the withdrawal of American forces (about 2,000 troops) from Syria and about half the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. No timetable was given but preparations are being made to establish new American bases in the south (Anbar province) and north (Kurdish controlled border area). This campaign promise arose from the fact most Americans have noticed that since the 1990s there have been a growing number of overseas military operations undertaken by different American governments and that these operations, initially described as short-term, never seem to end. For example, there are still U.S. troops stationed in Kosovo, an assignment which was to have ended within a year but somehow never did. Putting American troops into Syria was supposed to be temporary until ISIL was destroyed. That task has largely been accomplished and the remaining anti-ISIL forces in Syria can mop up. In the northwest (Duhok province) Turkish air and artillery strikes at suspected PKK positions has caused hundreds of civilians to flee their homes. December 18, 2018: Parliament agreed to approve three more government ministers but five are still pending. This is seven months after the elections and the main reason is the size and complexity of the party coalition used to form the current government. There are more political groups that can threaten to leave the coalition if their veto of a ministerial candidate is not acted on. The differences are particularly acute between Shia nationalists (led by the Sadr coalition) and the pro-Iran parties (particularly Badr). In the north (along the border between Diyala and Salahuddin province) local security forces began a major operation to drive ISIL forces from seven villages in this border area. December 16, 2018: Turkey carried out airstrikes against PKK targets in northern Iraq over the past few days. Targets were in the northeast as well as the northwest (Sinjar). December 13, 2018: In the north, the autonomous Kurdish government gave in to Turkish (and Iraqi government) pressure and shut down all political parties allied with the Turkish separatist PKK or not on the Iraqi government list of approved parties. The PKK finds itself in big trouble because of the renewed Iran sanctions. The Iraqi Kurds, in order to maintain good relations with the United States has to observe these sanctions. That means Turkey is the only way they can export their oil and maintain access to the outside world. The Turks are taking advantage of this. December 12, 2018: Iraq and Jordan agreed to establish several new border crossings in 2019 in order to revive trade and travel between the two countries. That had been disrupted since 2014 because of ISIL activity. December 11, 2018: In the west across the border in Syria (Deir Ezzor province), Iraqi F-16s attacked two ISIL targets killing an estimated 44 Islamic terrorists and destroying equipment and weapons stockpiles. These two ISIL bases are near the Iraqi border where a number of ISIL members are still maintaining a presence. ISIL targets in this area were hit by Iraqi F-16s on November 20 killing at least 40 Islamic terrorists. Syrian Kurd SDF militias are on the ground shutting down these ISIL base areas. December 9, 2018: In the west (Anbar province), local officials confirmed that the Americans appear to be establishing a third base along the Syrian border, 30 kilometers north of the Euphrates River near the Nineveh province border. Other two American bases in Anbar are at the Tanf crossing (near the Jordan border) and further north at the Qaim border crossings into Syria on the Euphrates River. December 8, 2018: The Iraqi Air Force received another six FA-50 jets from South Korea. Iraq had ordered 24 of the new South Korean FA-50 light fighters in 2013 for use as trainers and attack aircraft. Iraq is receiving a variant of basic T-50 jet trainer. The T-50 was designed to be capable of air combat and is actually quite formidable. South Korea also sold the Philippines and Indonesia T-50s. The Iraqi FA-50s were supposed to be delivered in 2015-16 but the ISIL uprising interrupted this plan. T-50 pilot and ground crew training was to have started in 2014 but was delayed by the war with ISIL. This delayed delivery of the FA-50s for two years. With this delivery, all of the 24 FA-50s have arrived. The Iraq sale was worth $1.1 billion dollars and was the largest single South Korean arms sale to date. November 29, 2018: In the United States (Washington DC) the Americans put a vast trove of Iranian weapons or fragments (of ballistic missiles, naval mines, remotely controlled bomb boats or UAVs) collected from countries throughout the Middle East (Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and so on) as evidence of illegal Iranian arms exports. Most of the items displayed have Farsi (the Iranian language) markings. Opening the display in Washington makes it accessible to many foreign embassy personnel and journalists. Two more interesting items (Iranian made rocket launchers) were recently found in Yemen. And Iranian weapons are so common in Iraq that it is no big deal unless it is components for landmines and roadside bombs. These are provided by Iran to be used against Iraqi security forces and American troops. November 28, 2018: For the first time an Iranian B-747 freighter aircraft delivered missile components directly to Lebanon. These components add GPS guidance to long-range unguided rockets. The transport flew over Iraq and Syria. November 26, 2018: In the east (Deir Ezzor province), SDF (Syrian Kurd rebels) forces repelled a complex and desperate attack by as many as 500 ISIL fighters seeking to protect their last stronghold near Hajin city and the Iraqi border. The attack began on the 23rd and involved numerous attack groups and dozens of suicide bombers advancing out of a widespread fog. The SDF lost 92 dead over three days, the most ever in a single battle. Since SDF began moving against this ISIL stronghold in early September the primarily Kurdish group has lost over 450 dead. The three day ISIL offensive was stopped by stubborn SDF defensive tactics, which had American artillery and airstrikes on call. ISIL lost over a hundred known dead but many of the ISIL bodies are in what is still ISIL territory where airstrikes hit any group seen moving during the battle. Because of that a lot of the ISIL attackers never reached SDF positions. Many of the attackers, especially suicide bombers, got close to SDF forces by claiming to be civilians fleeing ISIL. There are a lot of civilians in this ISIL controlled area. Many of them are wives and children of ISIL fighters but many are not and are discouraged from leaving the area. ISIL wives are often willing to participate in suicide attacks and take the kids with them. Now SDF forces will advance into this last ISIL stronghold and have to deal with landmines, explosive traps and suicide bombers that appear to be civilians. This is why ISIL is often described as a suicidal death cult. The hundreds of ISIL fighters surrounded near Hajin are all diehard and desperate Islamic terrorists who realize this is their last stand and the possibility of getting out is very low. After this most recent battle and the heavy losses SDF suffered there is even more resolve by the SDF to ensure that none of the ISIL personnel escape. Taking prisoners is unlikely because the trapped ISIL men know about the growing number of captured ISIL men and women being sentenced to long prison terms or execution. November 25, 2018: American commanders have told Iraqi officials that American forces would not automatically intervene if Iran controlled militias, especially PMF (Peoples Mobilization Forces) groups went to war with the Iraqi government. November 24, 2018: At the request of Iran, Iraqi banks banned the sale of dollars to anyone traveling to Iran. This is part of an Iranian program to ban the use of dollars by Iranians. Heavy rain has eased in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards The lastest statement issued from the MetService says heavy rain has eased in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards, and the Warning for these areas is now lifted. "Please note, scattered showers continue today (Christmas Day), some heavy during this afternoon and evening, but no broad-scale warning amounts of rain are expected. =========================== WARNINGS NO LONGER IN FORCE =========================== Heavy rain warning lifted for: Northland: Heavy rain has eased, and the warning is now lifted. Please note, showers continue today, some heavy this afternoon and early evening. Heavy rain warning lifted for: Coromandel Peninsula: Heavy rain has eased, and the warning is now lifted. Please note, scattered showers continue today, some heavy this afternoon and evening.Heavy rain warning lifted for: Bay Of Plenty, including Rotorua, also Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards: Heavy rain has eased, and the warning is now lifted. Please note, scattered showers continue today, some heavy this afternoon and evening with isolated thunderstorms possible. No further severe weather warnings will be issued Bay of Plenty We are looking for a storeman with an OSH forklift license. You will need to be physically for as the job is about 70% forklift... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz 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. A team of scientists explains Uranus' lopsided angle, its freezing temperatures, and irregular magnetic fields. Durham University researchers ran detailed computer simulations to explain Uranus' unique 90-degree side position. NASA chief scientist Jim Green further deepens the oddity by explaining that not only is its position lopsided but also its five largest moons and its magnetic field. It is also the only planet whose central heat doesn't emanate from the core. The Theory Of Missing Planet X "Uranus spins on its side, with its axis pointing almost at right angles to those of all the other planets in the solar system. This was almost certainly caused by a giant impact, but we know very little about how this actually happened and how else such a violent event affected the planet," says Jacob Kegerreis, PhD researcher in Durham University's Institute for Computational Cosmology. "We ran more than 50 different impact scenarios using a high-powered supercomputer to see if we could recreate the conditions that shaped the planet's evolution." Keggereis explained that according to the simulations, the crash and subsequent reshaping of the planet happened within a few hours. He even produced an animation video replicating the collision and its aftermath. Green rationalizes that the massive object responsible for knocking Uranus may still even be prowling in the solar system. This theory sheds light on the planet's orbits and also fits well with the notion that Planet X is rotating around the sun, far beyond Pluto. Green also believes that it is possible that a number of smaller rocks may have been responsible for Uranus' askew position. However, Kegerreis' research points out at a single huge space rock. He adds that single impact is the right thinking. Formation Of Rings And Moons The research also illuminates on the formation of rings and moons of the planet. Computer simulations indicate that the collision may have ejected the rock and ice into Uranus' orbit. This rock and ice may have grouped together to form its inner satellites and distorted its existing moons already orbiting around the planet. The simulations further shed light on its off-core magnetic field by explaining that the impact of the crash may have developed melted ice and pieces of rock inside the planet that caused it to tilt. Uranus is quite similar to exoplanets and the researchers hope that their study will help them gain a better understanding of these planets' chemical composition and their evolution. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Microsoft is set to release a new webcams next year that will work with the Xbox One, according to new rumors. The Redmond company hasn't released a new webcam in years, so suppose the rumor is true, it'll mark Microsoft's return to the webcam market. Several 4K-capable units are planned, apparently, and at least one of them would work with both Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One. It might not sound too big of a deal, especially since so many webcams are available in the market currently, and many of them, particularly a few in Logitech's lineup, offer high resolutions at modest prices. Windows Hello However, Microsoft's forthcoming webcams are poised to work natively with Widows Hello, the company's facial recognition system. If so, it'll mark the first time Microsoft has added this capability on a standalone camera. To date, Microsoft has only added Windows Hello capability to cameras already built into its Surface PCs. The Webcams Will Borrow A Feature From Kinect Apart from offering Windows Hello capability, the webcams will also apparently bring back a feature from Kinect that let users automatically sign in by moving in front of the camera. This would work with multiple accounts and family members. Microsoft officially shut down Kinect last year, its motion-based gaming camera system that was launched to combat the Nintendo Wii, which had originally popularized motion controls. Kinect differed from the Wii in that it had no peripherals required, just that a camera be mounted at some considerable distance to capture the players' motion. It didn't become popular as Microsoft hoped for it to be, however. They were some notable games for the platform released during its last time, to be fair, but not enough to keep it from languishing entirely. As such, a Kinect feature returning in the form of a webcam will definitely be a boon for users' who've gotten used to logging into their Xbox just by moving. Microsoft Webcams As everything mentioned above are mere rumors, it's important to take them with a grain of salt. However, there is some credence that make them likely true. This past October, for example, Microsoft's Surface chief, Panos Panay, hinted that the company might release Surface-branded webcams, as The Verge reports. "[T]he idea that we can bring a high fidelity camera to an experience, you can probably guess that's going to happen," said Panay. Details such as pricing and release date are unavailable at the moment. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Bill Anders, the lunar module pilot for Apollo 8 in 1968, does not think that sending men to the surface of Mars is a good idea. Apollo 8 Pilot Criticizes NASA's Plan To Land Humans On Mars The 85-year-old former astronaut said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live that he is a "big supporter" of unmanned missions mainly because they are cheaper. However, he thinks the idea of sending people to the red planet is "almost ridiculous," citing the lack of public support for what would be very expensive manned launches. "What's the imperative? What's pushing us to go to Mars?" He asked. "I don't think the public is that interested." NASA is currently planning to send humans back to the lunar surface 46 years after Apollo 17, the last manned mission to the moon. Eventually, the U.S. space agency hopes to send astronauts for the first time to the surface of the red planet. Anders is also critical of NASA, saying that it has turned into "a jobs program." He pointed out that the U.S. space agency could not get into the moon today because it is "so ossified." He added that the focus on near-Earth orbit was a mistake and the space shuttle program, which ended in 2011, did not live up to expectations. "I think the space shuttle was a serious error. It hardly did anything except have an exciting launch," he stated. "The space station is only there because you had a shuttle, and vice-versa. Nasa really mismanaged the manned programme since the late lunar landings." His colleague, Frank Borman, commander of the Apollo 8, was a lot more open to manned space exploration, but drew the line at supporting billionaires Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon). He said that a lot of hype about Mars, including the possibility of putting human colonies on the surface of the red planet, "nonsense." 50 Years Since Apollo 8 The interview comes a few days after the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8, the first manned spaceflight to leave Earth's orbit and fly around the moon. On the morning of Dec. 21, 1968, Anders and Borman, along with Jim Lovell, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center atop the Saturn V rocket. They completed 10 orbits around the moon, spending 20 hours in orbit. They returned safely to Earth on Dec. 27, 1968. From the mission, the astronauts captured one of the most iconic photographs of the space age: the Earthrise. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Earlier this month, two Russian cosmonauts conducted a spacewalk to investigate the mysterious hole in a capsule docked to the International Space Station. Mysterious Hole Drilled From Inside Soyuz Capsule On Monday, one of the cosmonauts, Sergei Prokopyev, said that the opening was drilled from inside the Soyuz capsule visiting the space station. He also said law enforcement agencies in Russia are now probing into what caused it. Prokopyev, who is now back on Earth, said investigators were looking at the samples that he and crewmate Oleg Kononenko collected during the nearly eight hours spacewalk on Dec. 12. Prokopyev said at a news conference that the cavity stemmed from the interior of the capsule. He said it will be up to the investigative organs to judge when the hole was made. Back From 197-Day Space Station Mission Prokopyev is now back on Earth. He and two other Expedition 57 crew members returned last week from a 197-day mission at the orbiting laboratory. The hole did not pose a danger to Prokopyev and crewmates Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency and Serena Aunon-Chancellor of NASA during their return trip to Earth because the section of the capsule where the hole was found was discarded before the spacecraft's re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Mysterious Hole The hole inside the habitation module of the Soyuz spacecraft was discovered on Aug. 30 after crew members experienced a slight drop in pressure. Crew members fixed the leak by plugging the hole with epoxy and gauze. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in September that the hole may have been made either during the manufacturing process or in orbit. The latter theory led to speculations of sabotage, which caused a friction between the Russian space agency and NASA. "What is this: a production defect or some premeditated actions?" Rogozin asked during a television interview. "We are checking the Earth version. But there is another version that we do not rule out: deliberate interference in space." Prokopyev scoffed at the idea a space station astronaut drilled the hole. "You shouldn't think so badly of our crew," he said. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A two-year-old boy bled to his death following a home circumcision at a migrant center in Italy this weekend. The boy is said to have died because of severe blood loss when the procedure went wrong. Botched Circumcision The boy's twin brother, who also underwent the same procedure, was also hospitalized. He was admitted to the Sant'Andrea hospital and was later moved to the pediatric intensive care unit of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Staff at Gemelli said he is now in stable condition. The twin brothers, who were not named, were born in Italy in January 2017 to a woman of Nigerian origin, who has five other children in Nigeria. The mother, who is believed to have sought asylum in the country, is a Catholic but asked for the operations in respect for the Islamic traditions of Nigeria. Doctor Who Carried Out Operation Arrested The police arrested the doctor who carried out the operation. The man, a Libyan-born U.S. citizen, called for emergency assistance when the child started to bleed profusely. Italian media described the 66-year-old as a self-proclaimed doctor. The operation took place in a migrant refuge provided by the nonprofit organization Arci. "The two children are hosted in a welcome centre that Arci has run with Monterotondo Council since 2009," Arci's Rome branch said in a statement. "It is a tragedy that leaves us speechless! We are anxiously awaiting a medical update on the second child." Circumcision In Italy Circumcision is not available in public health institutions in Italy and having the procedure at a private clinic can be costly. "As a result, those from poorer backgrounds can "end up in the hands of unscrupulous and unskilled people, who for 50 or 20 practise circumcision," said Foad Aodi, who founded the association of foreign doctors in Italy (AMSI) and Co-mai, an organization that supports the Arab community. Aodi said that up to 35 percent of circumcisions in Italy were performed at home in a clandestine manner. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A surgery center in Bergen County, New Jersey, has bad news for some of its patients this holiday. The facility may have exposed more than 3,000 people who had procedures there between January and September to potentially deadly blood-borne infections. Nearly 4,000 Patients Possibly Exposed To Blood-Borne Infections The HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook notified 3,778 patients that they may have been exposed to various infections, which include the life-threatening HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. No illness has been reported, but the letter, which was sent out to the patients this month, urged patients to get tested regardless if they do not remember feeling seek. It added that all medical costs associated with testing for various infections will be covered. Most of the patients who were possibly exposed to blood-borne pathogens are from New Jersey and New York. Lapses In Infection Control HealthPlus likewise acknowledged that the incident is due to lapses in infection control. The health department said that the exposure risk was identified as part of a probe into infection control breaches at the facility. On Sept. 7, the New Jersey Department of Health closed HealthPlus because the facility's staff were not following proper sterile processing procedures. They also failed to comply with some regulations on the dispensing and storage of medication, as well as infection control planning and procedures. HealthPlus reopened on Sept. 28 after taking steps to address these problems. The facility hired new staff, improved infection control and medicine dispensing procedures, hired new sterile processing staff, and cleaned and repaired all instruments. "We have taken this issue very seriously," HealthPlus Surgery Center Administrator Betty McCabe said in a statement. "The New Jersey Department of Health's move to close the facility provided an opportunity to focus more intently on quality, safety and a consistent adherence to sound policies and procedures. As a result, we have made significant improvements to ensure our patients' safety and good health." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After a Christmas Eve shooting left one person injured at the Acadiana Mall, the Lafayette police were able to locate a juvenile they describe New Orleans Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer talks with affordable housing advocates outside the New Orleans City Council chambers after council members refused to take comments on the proposed re-write of short term rental regulations in New Orleans, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. Palmer addressed the group, telling them that the council will address the matter January 10. The article in the Dec. 12 Advocate was headlined, "Here's why Louisiana wont get new voting machines in time for next year's big elections." This fact alone is concerning in light of the attacks, both domestic and foreign, on the integrity of our vote. But the most concerning paragraph in the story was this: "Ardoin was unavailable for media requests and "refused Tuesday to be interviewed about this or any other issue involving the Secretary of States office. His staff refused to answer specific questions about voting machines, but Brey acknowledged Tuesday the purchase was being delayed for the time being." Ardoin reneged on his promise to not run for office if appointed as the interim secretary of state, and now, after running and winning, he makes himself unavailable to the press. In the current era of arrogant voter access denial shenanigans, we should be very concerned by a newly elected secretary of state who is "unavailable to the press." Carl Eyman business owner New Orleans Great Russian Nutcracker Wed. Dec. 26 | The Moscow Ballet presents its version of the holiday classic featuring Tchaikovskys score, giant puppets, Russian nesting dolls and young dancers from Galloways Studio of Dance and Performing Arts in Slidell. At 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Saenger Theatre. Shen Yun Wed. Dec. 26 | Based in New York, Shen Yun presents traditional Chinese dance celebrating Chinese folk tales and imagery with a large cast in colorful costumes and a live orchestra. At 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Thu.-Fri. Dec. 27-28 | The P-Funk pilot and 2019 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient lands the Mothership in New Orleans one last time before his retirement from the road in 2019. At 8 p.m. at House of Blues. Maze feat. Frankie Beverly Fri.-Sat. Dec. 28-29 | The soul and R&B outfit returns to the venue where it recorded its seminal 1981 live album Live in New Orleans. Angela Winbush and Glenn Jones also perform and Sheryl Underwood hosts at 8 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre. Gucci Mane, Fetty Wap, Machine Gun Kelly, Desiigner and DJ Mannie Fresh Fri. Dec. 28 | Swisher Sweets Artist Project returns to New Orleans with another all-star lineup comeback king Gucci Mane appears following the release of Decembers Evil Genius alongside viral hitmakers Fetty Wap (Trap Queen) and Desiigner (Panda). At 9 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater. New Years Eve Mon. Dec. 31 | New Years Eve celebrations at the French Quarter riverfront include music by Florida Georgia Line and other entertainers from the Sugar Bowl Fan Fest, remote TV broadcasts as part of Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest, a fleur-de-lis drop at midnight and fireworks over the Mississippi River. When Dom Perignon supposedly said, Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!" after his first sip of champagne, little did the Benedictine monk know he had concocted something that would unite Sir Winston Churchill, Beyonce and Marilyn Monroe. However, if those three walked into a party or restaurant, they would order different cuvees (French for blends) for Churchill, Pol Roger; Beyonce, Armand de Brignac; and Monroe, Dom Perignon illustrating the diversity of taste and style of this famed sparkling sensation. Today, the bubbly fan can order Champagne or other sparkling wine in all its varieties, such cava and prosecco. But first, you need to know the basic terms. Champagne can be made only in the Champagne region of France in methode champenoise the way the second fermentation is completed, during which the bubbles are created. The grapes can be chardonnay (called blanc de blancs), or a combination of pinot noir or pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes (blanc de noir). The champagne color remains because these dark-skinned grapes are pressed gently to keep the skins from bleeding into the juice, then separated out quickly. Pink champagne happens when the skins are left in longer or some red wine is added in during the second fermentation. Generally, blanc de blancs are a bit lighter, dryer with a more mineral edge, while blanc de noirs have more body and a fruity fleshiness. Can't see video below? Click here. For champagne the scale from driest to sweetest is: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra-Dry (or Extra-Sec), Dry (or Sec), Demi-Sec and Doux. A champagne can be non-vintage (NV), with grapes blended from more than one harvest, or vintage, when grapes made from the harvest of a single year are used. There is a price difference, with vintage being more expensive. Sparkling wine applies to anything produced outside of the Champagne region, and can encompass cava (Spain), prosecco (Italy), sekt (Germany) and cremant (France). According to Marc Pelletier, wine and spirits consultant at Martin Wine Cellar, Cavas and proseccos have gained in popularity, but my take on their upward turn is based on a few factors: economics: cava and prosecco have always been more economical versions of sparklers; and sparkling wine cocktails: As these have gained in popularity more people are searching for less expensive sparkling to adulterate." Grand house vs. grower-producer You know the names: Moet et Chandon, Perrier-Jouet, Taittinger, Louis Roederer, with many of these champagne houses making sparkling wines (at a lower price point) in California as well. They're all good, and all generally have a consistent taste. But want to throw a little bit of individuality into your champagne? Try one from a grower-producer. Unlike the big names, which get grapes from growers throughout the Champagne region to create their style of champagne, the grower-producer is just as it sounds they grow and produce their own champagnes, which means there can be more of a difference year to year. Examples are champagnes by Jacquesson, Delamotte, Domaine F. Billiot & Fils, and Cedric Bouchard, a vineyard that uses organic grapes, with these types of champagnes becoming better known amongst aficionados. And then there are natural sparkling wines with only one fermentation (having petillant), but the risk is greater, and you may not be sure what you are going to get. Flute, coupe or tulip? What type of glass to serve champagne/sparkling wine can also be up for debate. Flutes preserve the bubbles longer and are best for dry champagnes or sparkling wines. Coupes gives a nostalgic feel, though the bubbles disperse faster so drink up! But, after reviewing a number of articles by wine experts, it seems the tulip glass is the preferred container to sip champagne and sparkling wine, with a white wine glass as a second choice. Ringing in the New Year or any party If you are hesitant to choose just one sparkling wine, take the pressure off by offering a variety, creating a tasting fete. Pelletier recommended a bottle each of prosecco, cava and rose sparkling wine, as well as a non-vintage and vintage champagne. A standard bottle serves between five to six glasses, so if you are having a dinner party for six, everyone would get at least one taste of each. Edouard Majoie, manager of the French Quarter champagne bar Effervescence, recommends Philipponnat Brut Royale Reserve, while owner Crystal Hinds says with a small dinner gathering she would start with a Gusborne Brut Reserve from Sussex, England, then the Murgo Metodo Classico sparkling rose, grown by Mount Etna in Sicily (she has even visited the vineyard), then move to a Champagne. I am loving the Sylvie Paulhiac-Delalot Explosion Extra Brut. Not sure what to get? A visit to a wine shop is a great place to start. Effervescence offers more than 160 Champagnes and sparkling wines and 32 by the glass. You can order flights of half glasses or full glasses grouped in various themes. It's a sparkling way to start to your new year. ********* Check out the video (link above) of Emerils sommelier, Taylor Terrebone, sabering a champagne bottle. Emerils, along with Commanders Palace, have received the Grand Award from The Wine Spectator for having the best wine cellars in the city. ********** Bottle service The standard bottle of champagne holds 75 centiliters. There are smaller and larger bottles than shown here, but for simplicity these are the best known. The large bottles of champagne are named after Biblical figures. Magnum: 1.5 liters, or 2 bottles Jeroboam: 3 liters or 4 bottles Methuselah: 6 liters or 8 bottles Salmanazar: 9 liters or 12 bottles Balthazar:12 liters, or 16 bottles Nebuchadnezzar: 15 liters, or 20 bottles Bernard Gomez was just a small boy when his cousin Charles Gomez Jr. enlisted in the Navy, but he remembers that the young man from Slidell was excited about his upcoming adventure. "He came by the house before he left," Bernard Gomez recalled. "He said he wanted to go to Hawaii he couldn't wait to go." "Buddy," as he was known, did go to Hawaii, but he never came home. The oldest of six children, Gomez was a Navy seaman 2nd class assigned to the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941. The ship, moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, was struck by multiple torpedoes in the Japanese air attack. The Oklahoma capsized and sank, killing 429 crewmen. Only 32 were rescued, and many of the remains couldn't be identified. "It was on a Sunday, and my mother and I were coming out of a meeting," Bernard Gomez recalled. "She belonged to the Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society, and Sister Helen, she told us the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor." Although he was only 5 years old, Gomez said he thought immediately of the fun-loving cousin who would wrestle with him and his brothers. "We all did," he said of the family. "A few days later, that's when my Uncle Charlie got the notice that his ship had been hit, and they couldn't find his body." In the decades since, Charles Gomez Jr., his identity unknown, was interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, along with other unidentified crew members killed on the USS Oklahoma. But now, 77 years later, the 19-year-old sailor's remains have been identified through DNA analysis. He'll be buried at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell on June 3, according to the Department of Defense. That would have been his 97th birthday. 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 Buddy Gomez was part of a large Slidell family who worked on oyster boats and at the Canulette Shipyard, Bernard Gomez said. Buddy had two younger brothers, Henry and Anthony, who joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor. He also had three sisters, one of whom named her son after her lost brother. None of his siblings are still living. "They were real upset that they couldn't find his body," Bernard Gomez recalled of his aunt and uncle. Katie Gomez "never said too much" about her son, he said. But on her deathbed at nearly 100 years of age, she said she saw Buddy. Efforts by the U.S. government to recover the dead began immediately after the attack and continued until June 1944, with the Navy burying the remains in Halawa and Nu'uana Cemeteries, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Members of the American Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains in 1947 in an effort to identify them, but they succeeded with only 35 men from the Oklahoma. The rest were buried in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, and in 1949, they were classified as nonrecoverable. But 66 years later, a new effort was launched to identify the unknowns, using mitochondrial DNA analysis, dental analysis and other tools not available in the 1940s. Gomez is the third sailor from the New Orleans metro area to be identified through that effort, which began in 2015. The others were Ralph Boudreaux, who was 20 when he died, and Cyril Dusset, who was 21. Both were on the USS Oklahoma. Of the more than 400,000 Americans who died in World War II, 72,771 are still unaccounted for, according to the POW/MIA Accounting Agency, but new technology could allow some 26,000 to be identified. Gomez's name, which is on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl, will now be marked with a rosette showing that, at long last, he has been found. Notoriously private TPG executive chairman David Teoh is under increased scrutiny over his upcoming mobile network after the competition watchdog's delay in deciding whether to block a planned merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia. In what has become one of the most discussed events in telecommunications this year, industry executives are quietly speculating whether a fourth Australian mobile network will be possible should the deal be blocked, with new headwinds facing the rollout first announced by Mr Teoh in 2017. TPG executive chairman and CEO David Teoh will become chair of the merged company if a deal with Vodafone goes ahead. Credit:Daniel Munoz TPG is building a "small cell" network, which uses lots of smaller base stations as opposed to large mobile towers, and is doing so on a budget of $600 million (for comparison, competitors spend billions of dollars on maintenance for their networks annually). Industry experts have long been sceptical about Mr Teoh's ability to launch a network at this price and to simultaneously offer low-cost $9.99 unlimited mobile plans, even as an introductory offer. In offshore markets with many more customers than Australia, four mobile operators have struggled to operate sustainably. Aerobic activities like jogging and interval training can make our cells biologically younger, according to a noteworthy new experiment. Weight training may not have the same effect, the study found, raising interesting questions about how various types of exercise affect us at a microscopic level and whether the differences should perhaps influence how we choose to move. There is mounting and rousing evidence that being physically active affects how we age, with older people who exercise typically being healthier, more fit, better muscled and less likely to develop a variety of diseases and disabilities than their sedentary peers. But precisely how, at an interior, molecular level, exercise might be keeping us youthful has not been altogether clear. Past studies have shown that exercise alters the workings of many genes, as well as the immune system, muscle-repair mechanisms and many other systems within the body. There is some evidence that aerobic exercise such as running can help cells remain younger for longer. Some researchers have speculated that the most pervasive anti-ageing effects of exercise may occur at the tips of our chromosomes, which are capped with tiny bits of matter known as telomeres. Telomeres seem to protect our DNA from damage during cell division but, unfortunately, shorten and fray as a cell ages. At some point, they no longer safeguard our DNA, and the cell becomes frail and inactive or dies. Many scientists believe that telomere length is a useful measure of a cell's functional age. "I didn't know anyone else in my situation, being a young adult. So I found peace in supporting others who were going through a grief experience, especially children. We realised there was nothing out there for kids to come together and learn how to deal with their grief. Camp Magic is looking for volunteer mentors and health professionals to give their time and expertise to the event in Canberra in April. "As a Western society, we believe that kids need to get over it and just move on. And we always put a time frame on grief, whereas there's no time frame on grief, you've got to learn to live with it." Mr Thomas, a former signwriter from Sydney, said the camps were usually held there but the operation had been extended to Canberra with the help of local families. "The camps are a lot of fun," he said. "Kids are given age-appropriate tools to deal with their grief, at different stages of their grief as well. There's confidence-building, team-building, resilience-building activities. The kids are all led by mental health professionals. And each child is matched with a mentor, and that mentor is with them every step of the way. "It's kind of a fun, collaborative weekend to deal with something so harsh and cruel, which is grief." Mr Thomas said the children's safety was assured at the camps. "That's our highest priority," he said. Feel the Magic founder and managing director James Thomas, with Canberra children. Rear from left: Madison Tanfara 8, Elijah Hickman 9, Audrey Hickman 11, and Sienna Tanfara 10. Front from left: Lottie Searle 5, Tom Searle 7, and Ava Tanfara, 5. Credit:Jamila Toderas "All our mentors are trained. And they get their working with children check and national criminal history check. And we have our head psychologist who has designed our program and oversees the intake of volunteers. "Not only do the kids get a lot out of the camps, but the volunteers do too, seeing how resilient and brave kids can be." Curtin dad Trevor Hickman sent his children Audrey, 11, and Elijah, nine, to a previous Camp Magic event in Sydney. His wife, their mother Amy, died in 2014 of breast cancer. Mr Hickman said the children thrived at the camp. "I just think the mentoring they provide is fabulous," he said. "They do a lot of work before the camp so the children are really well-matched with the mentors. And they're having fun as well. It's not just a kind of really heavy grief session. A mentor with a child on a previous Camp Magic for bereaved children. "I've just found throughout the whole journey that it's really advantageous [for them] to have contact with other kids in the same boat." Tina Tanfara, of Weston, also has experience with the camps. Her husband, Denis, died as a result of suicide in 2014. Mrs Tanfara is raising their three children, Sienna, 10; Madison, eight; and Ava, five. "The eldest has gone on camp a couple of times and it just helps them to understand grief and process their emotions and their feelings," she said. "It's an outlet with other children of similar ages, and it's a very safe environment for them to feel like they are part of a group that has encountered a similar situation. "My kids go into camp on the Friday a bit shy, and by Sunday they've just blossomed. It feels like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders, that they're not the only ones." Mr Thomas said it cost $1000 for each child to attend, which was covered by community donations, so that no child ever missed out. One of the previous Camp Magic events. Forty children are expected to attend the first Camp Magic in Canberra. "We need the support of the community to make that happen, not only from a financial position, but volunteers who are mental health professionals, educators and mentors," he said. It's a personal campaign for Mr Thomas, with he and his wife working full-time on the Camp Magic project. An only child, he lost his father to a two-year cancer battle at the age of 25. His mother died on his 31st birthday, unexpectedly, due to a brain aneurysm. "After Dad's death I set a goal of buying my dream home for myself, my girlfriend who's now my wife, and my mum," he said. "I started a signwriting business, worked my backside off, finally got the house six years later, and the day we're moving in, my birthday, my mum dropped dead and it was kind of like my purpose was ripped away from me. "Grief taught me a lot about myself. And it taught me all the things I was making a priority in my life, weren't my priority. For me, my life purpose now is just to help others heal." Wrapped in white blankets, Declan Woods delivered his besotted parents the best, and most unexpected, gift of all this Christmas. Baby Declan arrived at 1.16am on Christmas Day, weighing 3.16 kilograms. Cassie Woods, pictured above left, and Chris Woods, pictured above right, welcome their son Declan into the world on Christmas morning. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong "You couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift than a newborn, could you?" new mother Cassie Woods said, as she cradled her child for the first time alongside partner Chris Woods. "From now on we will have a permanent reminder of what a great time of year it is, not just because its Christmas but because of him." Canberrans have opened their wallets and punched in their pin codes at record levels in 2018, as retail spending in the capital soars beyond $5 billion. The ACT's growing and relatively high-wage-earning population is being credited for an increased buoyancy in the ACT's retail sector. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show more than $4.91 billion had been spent in the ACT's retail sector as of October this year, up from $4.62 million at the same time in 2017. Canberrans are expected to spend $940 million in the six weeks leading up to Christmas. Total retail turnover was expected to rocket past the $5 billion mark by the end of the year, with the Australian Retailers Association predicting Canberrans would spend $940 million in the six weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Tragedy has struck on Christmas Day after a man was found unconscious in the water at Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast. The man, understood to be a 46-year-old Korean national in Australia on a student visa, had been snorkelling at the eastern end of the lake when his family noticed he was missing and raised the alarm. Lake Conjola. Credit:Visit Shoalhaven After a frantic search by family and bystanders the man was located and pulled unconscious from the water, police said. Despite efforts to revive him from bystanders and NSW Ambulance paramedics, he was declared dead at the scene. The state government is scrambling to ensure the "structural integrity" of several high-rise buildings in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct after cracks in Opal Tower forced hundreds of residents to evacuate on Monday. The building fault, reported by residents who heard "cracking noises", caused the 36-storey tower to move up to 2 millimetres and left doors jammed shut. While most of Opal Tower's residents were eventually allowed to return home on Monday night, occupants of 51 apartments were forced to spend Christmas Eve elsewhere and have not been allowed to return. Planning Minister Anthony Roberts' department will urgently investigate "what steps were taken to ensure the structural integrity of that building and other buildings at Olympic Park", his spokesman said on Tuesday. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 25) In a season often associated with spending on things, Pope Francis shunned selfishness and materialism in his Christmas Eve Mass Thursday (Friday in the Philippines), calling for a return to simple living. In our day, for many people, lifes meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess of material objects. An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive, the Pope said in his homily. The Pope said people should reflect if they could live without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity. Standing before the manger, we understand that the food of life is not material riches but love, not gluttony but charity, not ostentation but simplicity, he said. He called on the Catholic faithful to share and give to all like what Jesus Christ did. The tiny body of the Child of Bethlehem speaks to us of a new way to live our lives: not by devouring and hoarding, but by sharing and giving, the Pope said. A report by digital payment group PayPal in June said Filipinos would spend 121.9 billion this year, up by 32 percent from last years 92.5 billion. Meanwhile, 12.2 million Filipinos consider themselves poor, according to an October survey by private pollster Social Weather Stations the highest since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016. A Sydney magistrate has strongly rebuked a 27-year-old Canberra man, who was caught carrying 14 MDMA tablets in a condom internally at a music festival at Sydney Olympic Park in December last year. Magistrate Brett Shields delivered the furious spray to Zachary Currall, 27, asking "how many more young people have to die, [or] end up on a slab at Glebe" morgue before young people "get the message" about the danger of drugs. Zachary Currall, 27, was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order after he was caught with 14 tablets of MDMA at a festival. Credit:Facebook The dressing down was delivered at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, when Currall was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, to be served in the ACT, and banned from using or associating with drugs. It followed his arrest on November 25 last year, when he was apprehended upon entering the Sensations music festival at Sydney Olympic Park. Major delays have cleared on the M1 after a high speed Christmas Day chase down the motorway. Police arrested a man after he allegedly smashed into another car and fled near Coomera. Major delays expected southbound on the M1 near Southport. Credit:Department Transport and Main Roads Police said the man, driving a Ford Territory, veered across four lanes of traffic at high speed before crashing into another car and fleeing. The man then allegedly weaved in and out of traffic and would not stop for police. On December 20, without fanfare or publicity, a prisoner was released from jail in Iran. After 10 years' imprisonment, Afif Naeimi stepped out a free man. Who is Afif Naeimi, and why did so many Australians call for his release? Afif Naeimi, centre, and his loved ones in Tehran shortly after his release. Credit:Bahai World News Service Afif and his six colleagues used to form the ad hoc leadership group for the Baha'i community, Iran's largest and most persecuted religious minority. Their arrests, in dawn raids on May 14, 2008, sent a chill through the Baha'i community worldwide. US President Donald Trump questioned a 7-year-old's belief in Santa Claus, telling the child it was "marginal" at that age to still think Father Christmas is real. "Are you still a believer in Santa?" Trump said to the child, Coleman, who called in to the federal government's official Santa Tracker, run by the North American Aerospace Defence Command. "Because at 7, it's marginal, right?" Trump said. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump speak to children about Santa's movements on Christmas Eve. Credit:AP Later, Trump and first lady Melania Trump made an unscheduled visit to the National Cathedral late on Monday for Christmas Eve services. The Trump family has attended Christmas Eve services near their Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, in the past. With the government partially shutdown amid a partisan spending standoff, the President and first lady were set to remain in Washington for Christmas. Continuing a tradition, the two fielded calls from kids across the country wanting to find out the latest on Santa's progress across the globe. Hyundai Introduces World's First Fingerprint Technology To Open and Start Vehicles The fingerprint technology offers maximum security available and is updated constantly with Dynamic Update feature World-first fingerprint technology to be applied first on 2019 Santa Fe SUV The technology allows drivers to unlock and start their vehicles without using car keys SEOUL, South Korea - December 24, 2018: Hyundai Motor Company announced the worlds first smart fingerprint technology that allows drivers to not only unlock doors but also start the vehicle. Hyundai plans to implement the technology initially in the Santa Fe SUV model that is to be released in select markets in the first quarter of 2019. To unlock the vehicle, the driver needs to place a finger on the sensor located on the door handle. The encrypted fingerprint information will be identified and delivered to the fingerprint controller inside the vehicle. The driver can also easily start the vehicle by touching the ignition that is also equipped with a fingerprint scanning sensor. The technology also provides a customized driving environment. Matching information of driver preference with fingerprint data, the vehicle automatically adjusts seating positions, connected car features, and side-view mirror angles according to the driver. In the future, Hyundai Motor plans to further expand the application of the technology to allow the adjustment of temperature, steering wheel position, and many other features which will be tailored to drivers preferences said Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research & Development Division of the Hyundai Motor Company. This will ultimately offer quality driving experience to each and every Hyundai customer. Hyundai also addressed the security issues on the smart fingerprint technology. With capacitance recognition, which detects differentials in the electricity level in various parts of the fingertip, the fingerprint technology efficiently prevents forgeries and faked fingerprints. The technologys chance of misrecognizing another persons finger print as the drivers is only 1 in 50,000 making it five times more effective than conventional vehicle keys, including smart keys. Moreover, through real-time learning of fingerprints supported by dynamic update system, the fingerprint system can continually improve its success rate. Hyundai will apply the fingerprint technology in select markets and gradually expand to other markets. Hyundai Motor also plans to continue to implement other customizable technologies to the vehicle lineup, to strengthen technological leadership in the future mobility market. Women from the Steinbach Mennonite Church and a number of other local churches have been hard at work as they hope to offer the gift of warmth and comfort to those who are living in refugee camps. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/12/2018 (1073 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Women from the Steinbach Mennonite Church and a number of other local churches have been hard at work as they hope to offer the gift of warmth and comfort to those who are living in refugee camps. Members of the Steinbach Mennonite congregation will get together three times over the next few months to sew comforters that will then be handed over to the Mennonite Central Committee. Mary Martens said once MCC gets their hands on those comforters they are put to good use, as they are shipped off to refugee camps all over the world. Martens said the church got involved with the program because they wanted to do what they could to keep families living in refugee camps warm during the winter. "Mennonite Central Committee does relief work all over the world," Martens said. "They are all over Canada and the U.S. doing all sorts of good things, and one of the big things they do is collect warm blankets that are sent to refugee camps for families and for children to use." Congregation members last got together on Nov. 13, and Martens said that on that day the group pieced together dozens of comforters that will now be delivered to refugee camps. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. She said the same group of women will get together again sometime in January and do another round of sewing. While Martens and the women that join her to make comforters enjoy each others company while they are hard at work, she said the reason they show up and do what they do is to help those in need. "Thats the biggest part of it, we are making these and they are helping people," Martens said. She added there are a number of local churches also making comforters for MCC and that a lot of the comforters are coming out of a number of churches and other organizations in this area. "There are a lot of churches and people in this area who deserve a lot of credit for what they are doing for this program including the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church and the Elim Mennonite Church in Grunthal," Martens said. In 2017, a total of 63,841 blankets were sent to refugee camps in countries like Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Korea, Ukraine, Iraq, Zambia, Syria, Somalia, Lebanon, and Haiti through MCC. 8-Year-Old Dies in Hospital After Illegally Crossing Border Into US An 8-year-old boy has died in the hospital after he and his father illegally crossed the border into the United States, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said in a statement. The boy from Guatemala died on Dec. 25 at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Officials said the boy, who was in CBP custody, started showing signs of a potential illness on Dec. 24. He was promptly transferred to the medical center where he was diagnosed with a common cold and a fever by hospital staff. The child was observed for an additional 90 minutes in the hospital and was given prescriptions for amoxicillin and Ibuprofen, before he was released from the hospital in the afternoon of Dec. 24. Later that day, the child started vomiting and showing signs of nausea. He was readmitted to the hospital and died there hours later. The CBP said the childs cause of death is not yet known. It added that the agency will be conducting a review of the incident and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the inspector general has been notified. Border Patrol has not released information on when the father and son entered the United States and how long theyve been in CBP custody. Alamogordo is about 90 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border at El Paso, Texas. DHS Asks Parents to Stop Putting Children at Risk In a similar case, a 7-year-old girl died after traveling through Mexico and crossing the border illegally with her father. Jakelin Caal Maquin and her father, Nery Caal, were apprehended by Border Patrol agents in the New Mexico desert on Dec. 6, as part of a larger group of 163 illegal aliens. Caal signed a government form saying his daughter was healthy during initial screening. The group was cared for at a facility at a nearby port of entry, Antelope Wells, that included access to restrooms, food, and water. Hours later, the pair were transported by bus to the nearest Border Patrol Station in Lordsburgwhich is approximately 90 minutes away. Before departing, Caal told agents his daughter was feeling sick and had begun vomiting. And according to him, his daughter had not been able to consume food and water for days. After arriving at the border patrol station, Caal told agents that his daughter had stopped breathing. She was twice revived by Border Patrol emergency medical technicians or EMTs and airlifted to a Texas hospital. While in the hospital, the girl was revived after going into cardiac arrest but she died less than 24 hours later. The hospital said the girl likely died from septic shock. The Department of Homeland Security said the loss of life shows the danger of entering the United States outside ports of entries, adding, We are begging parents not to put themselves or their children at risk attempting to enter illegally. Similarly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan stressed the dangers posed by traveling long distances, on crowded transportation, or in the natural elements in a statement on Dec. 14. No one should risk injury, or even death, by crossing our border unlawfully. This is why I asked Congress on Tuesday to change our laws so that the United States is not incentivizing families to take this dangerous path, McAleenan said. Border Patrol agents save thousands of people every year who are overcome by the elements, including people found suffering from dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia, drowning in the river, injuries, and left for dead by these smugglers in some of the most remote areas of our border as they enter the country illegally. Our agents have world-class rescue and medical training, and are committed to saving those put in distress by callous smugglers. African Swine Fever Outbreaks Spread Further South in China African swine fever has spread to several southern Chinese provinces, with severe and swift outbreaks that have led to the culling of scores of pigs in a country that is considered to be the worlds largest consumer and producer of pork. The disease was first detected in the northernmost regions of China in early August. The virus is extremely deadly to pigs, killing almost every animal that contracts it. However, there is no known health risk to humans from direct contact with diseased animals or from eating food made from infected animals. The virus has now spread to Guangzhou City in Guangdong Provincethe southernmost province on the mainland (China also lays claim to Hainan Island, which sits south of Guangdong Province). According to a Dec. 25 article by Hong Kong media Apple Daily, local authorities in Guangzhou culled more than 6,000 pigs at a farm in Huangpu District, after local authorities temporarily put the owner of the farm and her dozen employees under house arrest at an unknown hotel. They were presumably detained to prevent the case from being publicly revealed. Apple Daily journalists reported seeing workers with face masks operating manning excavators in Huangpu District, trying to bury the culled pigs. The intense stench of the dead pigs could be detected a few dozen meters away. The female farm owner, a retired soldier who wasnt identified, had recently purchased the 6,000 pigs from the nearby Guangxi region. It was determined that these pigs were infected with the virus because some of them had already died by the time they were shipped to her farm. According to Apple Daily, the latest case in Guangzhou places the number of Chinese provinces, municipalities, and regions with known cases of the African swine fever at 23, with a total of 101 reported cases. Guangzhou isnt the only city in Guangdong affected by the outbreak. According to Taiwanese media, 11 pigs died from the disease at a farm in Zhuhai City. And on Dec. 25, Chinas Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said that at a pig farm in Huizhou City, 11 pigs died from the disease, while 11 others had been infected. Chinese media also reported that a local food shipping company had been directed by the provincial government of Guangdong that all cross-city shipment of live pigs would be banned. In nearby Fujian Province, the cities of Nanping and Sanming have recently reported cases of the outbreak, according to Taiwans Central News Agency. At Sanming, 27 pigs reportedly died from the disease at a pig farm, with 27 others showing symptoms. China has culled more than 630,000 pigs across the country since the outbreak was first reported in early August, the provincial government in northern Chinas Hebei Province said during a press conference on Dec. 7. Lai Shiow-suey, emeritus professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Taiwans prestigious National Taiwan University, said China could be underreporting the number of outbreak cases, given that there are roughly 430 million pigs in China. According to his estimation, the possible number of pigs infected could be well over 100 million, he told the Liberty Times newspaper on Dec. 22. Lai added that China had made a mistake by buying pork imports from Russia instead of buying from the United Statesowing to self-imposed tariffs enacted amid the Sino-U.S. trade war. He explained that the genetic sequence of the virus found in infected pigs in Shenyang Citythe capital of northern Chinas Liaoning Province, where Chinas first case of African swine fever was reportedwas nearly identical to those found in Russia and Poland. In August, the scientific journal Science also reported the same genetic resemblance, which led the journal to conclude that the disease likely spread to China through meat imported from Russia. America Competes With Chinas Belt and Road Under the Trump administration, US response to China's OBOR is more coherent and comprehensive than in the past, expert says WASHINGTONChinas One Belt, One Road initiative is one of the worlds most ambitious and controversial development programs. Under the Trump administration, the United States is rolling out new infrastructure projects and other initiatives in the Asia-Pacific in an effort to counter Chinas growing footprint in the region. The Chinese Communist Party has made One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) the cornerstone of its plan to expand its geopolitical influence. The initiative aims to deliver trillions of dollars of infrastructure investment to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa. The plan spans almost 70 countries and covers more than two-thirds of the worlds population. In recent years, however, OBOR has come into question, as most of the projects are financed through Chinese state-controlled lenders, leaving borrowing nations distressed by massive debt burdens. While OBOR has been going for five years, Americas response to Chinas ambitious plan is much more recent, according to Daniel Kliman, a senior fellow in the Asia-Pacific security program at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based national security think tank. This reflects a failure of imagination, he said at a panel hosted by the Heritage Foundation on Dec. 17. Much like we saw in the case of Chinese land reclamation in the South China Sea, I think American policymakers initially had not fully appreciated the scope and speed of Belt and Road and how it would serve to advance Chinese interests in the world. The current administration, however, has taken a strategic view on the OBOR and identified it as part of Chinas ambitions to become a world superpower and challenge the U.S. position. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. response to OBOR has been more coherent and comprehensive than what weve seen certainly in the past and trending in a positive direction, Kliman argued, adding that there is a lot of opportunity for America to compete, since emerging nations are increasingly concerned about the negative implications of Chinese investment. US Response In recent months, the Trump administration has voiced a far harder line against China and its growing footprint. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit in Papua New Guinea on Nov. 16 Vice President Mike Pence criticized OBOR and said the United States offers a better option. We dont drown our partners in a sea of debt. We dont coerce or compromise your independence, he said. The United States deals openly [and] fairly. We do not offer a constricting belt or a one-way road. National security adviser John Bolton echoed the same concerns about OBOR. Speaking at an event this month, Bolton condemned Chinas strategic use of debt to hold African countries captive to its demands. He called the OBOR a plan to develop a series of trade routes leading to and from China, with the ultimate goal of advancing Chinese global dominance. In addition to the escalation of rhetoric, the administration has enacted a series of policies to tackle OBOR. For example, in October, Congress passed the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act, or Build Act, with bipartisan support. It was signed into law by Trump. The bill establishes the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) and doubles Americas development-finance capacity to $60 billion. The IDFC will facilitate the U.S. private sector investment in emerging markets in order to complement U.S. assistance and foreign policy objectives. According to Kliman, the bill is a potential game-changer in terms of U.S. resourcing. In addition, the House and Senate this month passed the bipartisan Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, or ARIA, which authorizes $1.5 billion annually for five years in national-defense spending in order to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific. Cooperation in Response The United States has also launched a coordinated response to Chinese-backed investments, cooperating with allies in the region, such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. For example, America and its Pacific allies announced last month that they would build a $1.7 billion electricity grid in Papua New Guinea. European Union recently also unveiled a new strategy for connecting Europe and Asia. Although Brussels claims that it isnt competing with OBOR, it is a very much an alternative, says Kliman. So there are opportunities today for the United States to engage with Europe on the joint infrastructure projects. According to Kliman, there are also efforts to constrain Chinese investment in developing countries. For example the United States, this summer, unveiled a new transaction advisory fund. Essentially, it would help countries evaluate potential Chinese deals and not be taken advantage of in the way that happened in Sri Lanka, he said. Sri Lanka, unable to repay its mounting debt to China, had to hand over its Hambantota Port to Beijing last year, in a controversial 99-year lease agreement. Kliman also said the United States would support investigative journalists in countries where China has invested, making it harder for Beijing to cut backroom deals that leave nations burdened with debt and put their sovereignty at risk. Ancient Chinese Stories: A Miracle After 100 Acts of Tolerance In the Tang Dynasty, there was a man named Zhang Gongyi. In his lifetime, he could bear anything that ordinary people found unbearable. He swore that he would endure 100 extraordinary acts of tolerance in his lifetime, and every day he made that his oath. Thus, people called him Zhang Bairen, meaning literally 100 Tolerances or 100 Acts of Tolerance. Zhang Bairen never argued with others when working with them. He disciplined himself strictly but was very generous toward others. Over many years, he had endured a total of 99 extraordinary acts of tolerance, and one more would realize his oath. One day, Zhang Bairens grandson was getting married, and he invited many friends to come to the wedding ceremony. They prepared a rich banquet for the guests. When it was close to noontime, a beggar came. Zhang Bairen said to others, Do not give him a hard time; give him some food. Just let him go after he finishes his meal. A servant said that the beggar wanted to come and sit with all the guests. Zhang Bairen felt that the request was rather strange, but he still accepted it. Wearing a dirty, smelly monks robe, the beggar came to the room, walked up to Zhang Bairen, and said, Thank you for your generosity. Today is your grandsons wedding day, and I have especially come to congratulate him. But, I have another request, which is to have a meal with your most honored guests. Zhang Bairen hesitated a little while and then agreed. He introduced the beggar to the host of the ceremony, and then said to all, Ladies and gentlemen, my grandson is getting married today. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for coming to the wedding. This old man has just arrived and would like to sit together with us. Please be gracious and make a seat available for him. At this moment, the beggar said, No. Not a seat with the common guests but with the guests of honor. Zhang Bairen said, Why do you persist in sitting in a seat of honor? The seat I arranged for you is for important people too. Upon hearing this, the beggar said, Are you a man with a big heart? How come you have such a strong desire to treat people differently? Fine dress does not represent fine character. Poor dress does not mean people are poor in character. Why dont you think it over before acting too hastily? What the beggar said indeed touched Zhang Bairens heart. He thought that the beggar was right. Since I swore that I would bear 100 unbearable things, why should such a small thing bother me? he thought. Thus, he immediately apologized to the beggar, and then he turned to all the guests and said, For my sake, please let the old man sit in a seat of honor and dont worry about anything improper he might say. Everyone at the wedding agreed to let the beggar sit in a seat of honor. After the banquet, all the guests left, but the beggar still sat there with no sign of leaving. Zhang Bairen walked over and asked him, Grandpa, now I think you must have had enough to eat, and it is getting late; how about sleeping here tonight? Just sleep with the cooks in the kitchen. Okay? The beggar said, No. Though I am a beggar, you should not let me sleep in the kitchen. You have to find a good place for me to sleep. Okay, sure, you may sleep in our guest room, Zhang Bairen replied. Then, the beggar said, No. I am not going to sleep in the guest room. I suspect the brides room would be the most comfortable place in your house, so I will sleep there. Ask your grandson to sleep somewhere else. The beggars statement shocked everyone, and Zhang Bairen was about to explode. He said, Grandpa, I respect you because you are aged, and I have tried my best to meet your requests, but I cannot understand why you would make such a rude request! Im just going to be sleeping in there and have no other motive. Why are you so defensive? I must say that you are not qualified to have the name Zhang Bairen. Just change your name to Zhang Cant-Bear-It Man, replied the beggar. Hearing what the beggar said, Zhang Bairen did not know what to do. After a little while, he said to the beggar, Thats fine. I will let you sleep in the brides room, but I have to ask permission from both the groom and bride. Zhang Bairen talked to the whole family. The grandson said, No. This is an insult! Absolutely not. Other family members all agreed that the beggar was asking for too much: What if the news got out? Our name would be ruined! Zhang Bairen quickly tried to persuade everyone: I can tell he is not like a normal beggar, and he is of such an old age. I dont think he would do anything improper to the bride. Besides, he already swore that as long as he can sleep in the brides room, he will not do anything but sleep. I will arrange some guards to stand outside the room. If there is any sound in the room, Granddaughter-in-law, you just shout and all of us will go inside to save you. Granddaughter-in-law heard this. She thought what he said was reasonable: Grandpa has been so magnanimous throughout his whole life that he is respected as one who has high character, and also he is very good at disciplining his family members. We, as grandchildren, should inherit these virtues. How about we agree to his request in order to fulfill his hundredth act of extraordinary tolerance? After a while, the whole family came to an agreement. Zhang Bairen went to the living room to ask the beggar to go to the brides room to rest. The beggar just gave a smile and followed Zhang Bairen to the brides room. As soon as he lay down, he fell asleep. It was very quiet the whole night. At daybreak, Zhang Bairen and others got together outside the brides room, waiting for him. The bride was already waiting for them inside the room. She opened the door and told them, I was so scared last night, I did not sleep at all and sat up in my bed for the whole night. Fortunately, the beggar did not even turn over in his sleep. All of them looked at the bed and saw that the beggar was still sound asleep. Zhang Bairen called him several times, but he did not respond. Zhang Bairen reached out and removed the quilt. To his surprise, there was no beggar at all! Instead, there was a shining golden statue as large as a person. When he took a closer look, he saw that it looked like Venus Taibai and resembled the statue being worshiped in the local temple. There was also a couplet engraved on its body, saying: Working diligently, youll have no troubles in this lifes existence. Theres always harmony in the Hall of 100 Acts of Tolerance. Finally, Zhang Bairen realized that the beggar was Venus Taibai, who had come to test him. Soon, news of the incident spread through the whole province and beyond. Everyone admired Zhang Bairen and at the same time felt the greatness of the Gods compassion. They understood that whatever people do in the world is recorded and certainly will be repaid in kind with good or evil. Zhang Bairen was even more respected by all, and his story reminded future generations that to bear anything that seems unbearable can bring them happiness forever. Translated by Dora Li into English, this story is reprinted with permission from the book Treasured Tales of China, Vol. 1, available on Amazon. Attack on Government Building in Afghan Capital Leaves 43 Dead: Official KABULAfghan authorities on Dec. 25, collected 43 bodies from a government compound in the capital Kabul that was targeted by a suicide bomber and extremists armed with assault rifles on Monday, officials said. The attack began when the suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car in front of a government building that houses a public welfare department in an eastern neighborhood of Kabul. Some of the attackers rampaged through the building of the Ministry for Martyrs and Disabled Persons taking workers hostage, and others fought a prolonged gun battle with local security forces. Health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said so far 43 bodies and 10 injured had been transported by ambulances from the attack site. One policeman was killed and three terrorists were gunned down during seven hours of fighting inside the government compound. Afghan forces evacuated over 350 civilians from the building before calling off the operation on Monday night. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the complex attack that was identical to previous attacks by Taliban insurgents on government offices, foreign buildings, and military bases. Abdullah Abdullah, the governments chief executive, blamed the Taliban for the attack. The Taliban crime syndicate must know that with every attack they carry out against our people our resolve is further strengthened to eliminate them. Their conduct is a disgrace to the very notion of peace, he said in a tweet. However, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the group was not involved in the attack on Monday. The latest assault came just days after President Donald Trump said he was considering pulling out at least 5,000 of the 14,000 U.S. troops currently deployed in Afghanistan. The possibility of thousands of U.S. troops leaving has triggered confusion and panic in the Kabul government and foreign missions who fear that sudden withdrawal would lead to the return of the Taliban regime, who are fighting to expel foreign forces, topple the Western-backed government and restore their version of hardline Islamic law in Afghanistan. But Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff who was in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, was quoted by local news channels as saying that the mission for troops in Afghanistan continues without any changes. There are all kinds of rumors swirling around, said Dunford while addressing hundreds of U.S. troops gathered Monday at a base in Afghanistan. The mission you have today is the same as the mission you had yesterday, he said. The Taliban controls nearly half of Afghanistan and are more powerful than at any time since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. They carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting security forces, government officials and civilians as human shields. Even as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified, fighting between the Taliban and Afghan forces backed by foreign troops has not subsided. In the north, Taliban fighters killed a district police chief and kept up the pressure to seize control over parts of Faryab province on Tuesday. Karim Youresh, a spokesman for the Faryab police said the police chief died in clashes in the Garziwan district that also killed 16 terrorists. In eastern Nangarhar province, the Taliban killed eight pro-government militia members and injured 12 during clashes in the Bati Kot district. Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the Nangarhar governor said the Taliban attacked several security checkpoints, with the battles continuing for hours. Ten Taliban were killed and dozens were wounded. Afghan forces also killed a Taliban field commander in western Herat province on Monday. Mullah Javed, a Taliban military commission chief, and three aides were killed in an air strike in the Zawul district, said a police official in Herat on Tuesday. Air and ground operations have surged in recent weeks as General Scott Miller, who took command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan in September, has pressed government forces to go on the attack to strengthen their hand in any talks. By Rupam Jain Shipping containers are seen at a port in Shanghai on July 10, 2018. (Aly Song/Reuters) China Trade Steps Seen as Good Start While Leaving Core US Demands Untouched WASHINGTONThe United States has welcomed Chinese concessions since the two nations declared a trade-war truce earlier this month, although trade experts and people familiar with the negotiations say Beijing needs to do far more to meet U.S. demands for long-term changes to how China does business. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed on Dec. 1 in Argentina to stop escalating tit-for-tat tariffs. Since then, Beijing has resumed buying U.S. soybeans, the single-largest agricultural export between the two countries. China has also cut tariffs on imports of cars from the United States and told its state refiners to buy more U.S. oil. Trump took those moves as signs that China wants to make a big and very comprehensive deal. But they only start to bring Beijing and Washington back to their pre-trade-war status quo, experts said, and do little to resolve core U.S. demands for structural changes in China, to end policies that subsidize large state-owned enterprises and effectively force the transfer of U.S. technology to Chinese firms. I think these are goodwill gestures, but they dont go beyond offers that were on the table before Trump launched his trade war, said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Much more will have to be offered by China to reach an interim agreement in March 2019, Hufbauer said, adding that structural changes would be far harder to agree on, much less achieve, by then. Trump and Xi also agreed on Dec. 1 to start new talks, while the United States delayed a planned Jan. 1 tariff increase until March 2. A spokeswoman for U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who is leading talks from the U.S. side, didnt respond to queries about the significance of Chinas trade steps. While no schedule for face-to-face talks between U.S. and Chinese officials has been announced since Trump and Xi met, a person familiar with the discussions said meetings would likely take place in early January and that the two sides were in frequent contact. No Tremendous Purchases Yet The first signal that China had resumed purchases of U.S. soybeans came in a Reuters interview last week with Trump, who said Beijing was buying tremendous amounts of soybeans. China had stopped importing the oilseed from the United States in July, when the two countries unleashed new tariffs on each others goods. But the initial purchases of 1.5 million tons disappointed traders and were only a fraction of the 30 million to 35 million tons that China buys from U.S. farmers in a typical year, with 2017 purchases at $12 billion. Were glad to have it, and we hope there is more, a person familiar with the U.S. negotiating strategy said of Chinas initial soybean purchases. Remember, even with the tariffs, the expectations were still for $7 billion worth of soybeans going to China. And we havent seen that. The concession that most captivated Trump was Chinas suspension of a punitive 25 percent tariff on U.S.-built vehicles, rolling back its tariff rate to the 15 percent global rate it put in place in May. Derek Scissors, a China scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a business-oriented think tank in Washington, said the move was a reasonable trade step, but was taken years too late. He added China wouldnt likely increase imports from the United States because of a slowing market and excess domestic production capacity. Trump is right to say its a positive move, but in a year, hes going to be angry because auto exports to China arent going to have budged, Scissors added. China also issued guidance to local governments about dropping references to its Made in China 2025 high-tech industrial development goals, aimed at rivaling U.S. dominance in industries such as aerospace, robotics, semiconductors, new energy vehicles, and artificial intelligence. But U.S.-China trade watchers expressed the most skepticism about that move, since state control of Chinas economy has increased and few see China agreeing to abandon its ambitions of developing national champions in future industries. One of the people familiar with the talks said Lighthizer would insist on commitments and evidence that China is changing laws on competition policy, joint ventures, intellectual-property rights, and market accessand enforcing those changes. Reporting by David Lawder and Chris Prentice. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Malawis President Arthur Peter Mutharika (2nd row R) along with other African leaders attend a group photo session during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2018. (How Hwee Young/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Companies in Africa Probed Over Alleged Abuse of Local Employees BLANTYRE, MalawiMalawis leading human-rights organization says it will continue a probe into allegations of abuse of Malawian workers at a construction site owned by a Chinese company. After an impromptu visit to the site two months ago, the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC)an independent body established by an act of parliamentbegan an investigation into China Lilongwe Grand Holding Corp. Ltd. following local media reports of multiple cases of abuse at the site. Harry Migochi, economics, social, and cultural director at the MHRC, said there have been claims of human-rights violations regarding workers at the construction site, including beatings carried out by the employer. From our investigation, we also discovered that people working at the site were not wearing protective gear, he said. But the mode of our investigation was to go back to the site and do a thorough investigation so that the actual victims could tell us what really happened. In addition to the recent visit to China Lilongwe Grand Holding, MHRC has previously carried out impromptu visits to other sites. For example, we also carried out an investigation at a company where Chinese are manufacturing fertilizer. We have since shared our concerns with the ministry of labor, Mingochi said, without specifying the commissions findings. He did, however, say the conditions at the Chinese-owned companies operating in the country are very poor and need to be improved, and called for a review of the countrys labor laws and conditions of service. Growing Tensions As China tightens its grip on African countries by offering loans and constructing roads, bridges, and railways, there has been growing criticism of the ill-treatment of workers at construction sites. In 2012, The Guardian reported about regular beatings and miserable conditions on sites where the Chinese were building a national defense college in Zimbabwe. The NGO Human Rights Watch, in its report Youll Be Fired If You Refuse: Labor Abuses in Zambias Chinese State-owned Copper Mines, detailed the persistent confrontations with employees over labor abuses in Chinese-run mines, including poor health and safety conditions. The Malawi ministry of labor asked for more time to respond to emailed questions from The Epoch Times about the abuse allegations and what they are doing about it. But MHRCs Migochi said that at the time of the visit to China Lilongwe Grand Holding, they noticed that things were changing, citing a prior visit by the ministry as a probable reason. Responding to the reports, an official from the company accused the human-rights organization and reporters of blowing the story out of proportion. I know that there were different things that happened here, but they were sorted out, so I dont know why youre interested to write this story. Things happened but they were sorted out, said the official in a phone interview, asking to be identified only by her first name, Chimwemwe. The official further said the story about the abuses shook the relationship between the two countries. Where there are people, there is likely to be misunderstandings. Maybe it could be the language, but at any construction site, there are issues. No one is 100 percent perfect, and what is needed is just to understand one another, she said. Migochi, however, said his organization isnt done with the investigation and it expects to collaborate with the ministry of labor to compare notes and see the way forward on the matter. Focus More on the Good Things According to the companys website, China Lilongwe Grand Holding aims to create the largest business park in southeast Africa. It cites Chinese citizens as the companys main shareholders. The president of the company, Ma Zhanjiang, established the business as part of Chinas One Belt, One Road initiativeBeijings ambitious investment initiative with countries around the world. According to an article published by Chinese state-run media Shanxi Evening News, the Grand Business Park in Lilongwe obtained assistance from agencies in the Shanxi provincial government. Its not clear what kind of assistance the government agencies provided. The company, however, invested 600 million yuan (about $87 million) into the park. Malawi has a wide range of infrastructure built from either donations or loans from China, ranging from a conference center, to a national stadium, to roads. During the signing of three major development agreements between Malawi and China, Goodall Gondwe, Malawis minister of finance, economic planning, and development, criticized Malawians for pointing out individual cases of abuses instead of looking at the developmental benefits. Malawians should focus more on the good things the Chinese are doing rather than focus on individual incidents. We are extremely happy with what the Chinese are doing to us, Gondwe is cited by the online newspaper Nyasa Times as saying. But Migochi said the ministers words were his opinion, and that individuals have the right to complain as long as they have sufficient need to. I am encouraging people to complain, because thats when we have an entry point, he said. Children eat their meal at a primary school in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, on Feb. 27, 2017. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Schools Track Students by Requiring Chip-Enhanced Uniforms In Chinas latest quest to build an all-seeing surveillance state, schools have become part of the states monitoring apparatus. Students at more than 10 schools in Guizhou Province, one of Chinas poorest provinces, and the neighboring Guangxi region are now required to wear intelligent uniforms, which are embedded with electronic chips that track their movements. The uniforms allow school officials, teachers, and parents to keep track of the exact times that students leave or enter the school, Lin Zongwu, principal of the No. 11 School of Renhuai in Guizhou Province, told the state-run newspaper Global Times on Dec. 20. If students skip school without permission, an alarm will be triggered. If students try to game the system by swapping uniforms, an alarm also will sound, as facial-recognition equipment stationed at the school entrance can match a students face with the chip embedded in the uniform. The two chips embedded in the intelligent uniforms are made by the Guizhou Guanyu Technology Co. They can withstand temperatures of up to 150 degrees Celsius (302 degrees Fahrenheit) and 500 wash cycles, according to Yuan Bichang, project manager at the firm. Lin said that student attendance has increased since the school introduced these uniforms. The uniforms come with additional functions, according to the companys official website. The chips can track the exact location of every student and can activate an alarm when the sensor detects that a student has fallen asleep in class. Coupled with facial and thumb-print recognition technologies, the uniforms also can be scanned to make cash-free purchases at school. Parents can monitor purchases by their children and even set purchasing limits through a mobile app developed by the company. The company prides itself as being part of the Chinese regimes tech ambitions. On its official website, Guizhou Guanyu explains that the firm was established to respond to the countrys and the Communist Partys call for implementing smart school campusesusing the Chinese term for smart devices. Through the companys uniforms, schools can achieve digitized management of their students, its website claims. The concept of smart campus and digitalization originated in March 2016, when Beijing unveiled its latest economic policy, the 13th Five Year Plan (20162020). Included in this five-year plan was Made in China 2025a blueprint for China to become a tech-manufacturing powerhouse, rivaling Western competitors by the year 2025. In June 2016, Chinas Ministry of Education, taking the initiative to follow Beijings plan, announced its own 13th Five Year Plan, which called for digitalization of education. One example was to transform schools into wireless campuses. In February, the concept of digitization of education was emphasized again in a directive issued by the Ministry of Education, this time calling on regional governments to take part in helping to develop smart campuses. On Sina Weibo, Chinas equivalent to Twitter, many Chinese netizens expressed concern about privacy violations of students who are required to wear such uniforms. A netizen from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, wrote, Is this going to school or going to prison? Another netizen from Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, said, Is this a violation of human rights? Another worried that this news foretold an increasingly Orwellian society in China. When will everyone have to get one of these [uniforms]? said a netizen from Shanghai, with the moniker picidaer. This isnt the first time a Chinese school has employed technology to monitor students. In May, a high school in Hangzhou City employed cameras with facial-recognition technology to track students attentiveness in class. According to Chinese media, these cameras can scan students faces every 30 seconds to analyze their facial expressions and detect their mood. This analysis will then provide a certain score to determine if a student is paying attention in class. Also in Hangzhou, a local high school last year pioneered the use of facial-recognition technology for buying lunch at the school cafeteria. Democrat Introduces Bill to Close Gym During Government Shutdown A Democrat lawmaker introduced legislation to close the gym and sauna used by members of Congress during a government shutdown, blaming Republicans for an abdication of their responsibilities as elected officials. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) introduced the Shutdown Prioritization Act (SPA) following the partial government shutdown on Dec. 23. The bill would keep the Architect of the Capitolwho is the builder and steward for landmark buildings and grounds of Capitol Hillfrom operating the gym during a government shutdown. I introduced a bill to close the Congressional gym during a government shutdown. @SpeakerRyan continues to use it during the #TrumpShutdown as federal workers face uncertainty over the holidays. The only task we have right now is ending the #TrumpShutdown. https://t.co/kB5k7SFCeD Bill Foster (@RepBillFoster) December 23, 2018 Foster introduced the bill following the partial government shutdown, which occurred on midnight Dec. 21, after lawmakers failed to reach a compromise on budget legislation. The key stumbling block in the discussions is President Donald Trumps request of $5.7 billion to build a wall on the border with Mexico. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell sent senators home until Dec. 27, after there appeared to be no immediate hope of a new deal on the bill. The partial shutdown, which has entered its fourth day, has impacted 25 percent of the government and 15 percent of the federal workforce, officials said. More than 420,000 government employees would be working without pay and over 380,000 would be furloughed, according to the projection by Senate Appropriations Committee staff. In a statement, Foster blamed President Donald Trump and Republicans for refusing to sign a clean continuing resolution to reopen [the] government, specifically singling out House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has a reputation for having a rigorous workout routine. Speaker Ryan continues to use the gym during this shutdown while federal workers face uncertainty over the holidays, Foster said. Trump Firm on Building Wall Trump told reporters at the White House on Dec. 25, that he wishes to have the whole wall along the southern border completed by Nov. 3, 2020. I cant tell when the governments going to be open. I can tell you its not going to be open until we have a wall or fence, whatever theyd like to call it, Trump said. Ill call it whatever they want. But its all the same thing. Its a barrier from people pouring into our country, from drugs, human trafficking. The border wall was one of Trumps signature promises, which he presented as necessary to ensure border security by preventing unvetted people from coming across illegally. A drone isnt going to stop it. High technology is not going to stop it. The only thing that stops it is a wall, he said. Earlier President Trump appealed to the Democrats to end the government shutdown by agreeing to fund the wall in a tweet, saying Democrats must end Shutdown and finish funding. Billions of Dollars, & lives, will be saved! I am in the Oval Office & just gave out a 115 mile long contract for another large section of the Wall in Texas. We are already building and renovating many miles of Wall, some complete. Democrats must end Shutdown and finish funding. Billions of Dollars, & lives, will be saved! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018 Its unclear how long the shutdown will last. Democrats have repeatedly opposed Trumps requested border wall funding. Trump also indicated that the shutdown could last for longer than usual because of their opposition. Epoch Times reporter Bowen Xiao and Petr Svab contributed to this report. Facebook co-founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepares to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 11, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Despite Stock Woes, Big Tech Toes the Line of Political Correctness Giant tech corporations like Google, Facebook, and Twitter have faced government scrutiny and losses in the stock market in 2018. Yet more uncertainty awaits as they finish the year committed to policing their users behavior ever more stronglyup to a standard that may prove to be untenable. After having their executives grilled in three congressional hearings over bias, privacy, and Russian bots, the companies finished the year with their stocks in a slump. Twitter and Google were down about 20 percent compared to their 2018 peaks, a decline mirroring the broader market. Facebook, on the other hand, crashed by some 40 percent, wiping out the gains of nearly two years. The legacy media and Democratic lawmakers have largely focused on the companies struggles to purge from their platforms foreign actors (mainly Russian) that are meddling in U.S. elections, and to stop user data from getting hacked or improperly shared. But conservatives, including President Donald Trump, have repeatedly accused the companies of political bias as a lineup of influential right-leaning users have been booted from the platforms. Under pressure from both sides, the companies have plowed ahead on the course of heightened restrictions of content they deem harmful, aligning with the ideology of political correctness in general, with a focus on hate speech. While the crackdown on hate speech is led under the banner of protecting people from being disparaged based on their identity, several experts have warned that the definition of hate speech is too vague and broad to be enforced consistently and evenly. Deciding Hate Hate speech usually refers to derogatory statements based on someones protected characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender identity, serious disease, or disability. The trouble is, no two people seem to agree on what exactly should or shouldnt qualify as hate speech. Facebook has pledged a commitment to removing hate speech any time we become aware of it, touting the removal of nearly 300,000 posts a month for violations. But the company also acknowledged, in the same blog post, that there is no universally accepted answer for when something crosses the line. Derogatory speech, no matter who is targeted, is protected from government regulation under the First Amendment, unless it directly threatens or incites violence. But the platforms have taken it upon themselves to police statements that may have been meant as mere provocation, generalization, or a personal insult. Facebook, for instance, prohibits expressions of contempt such as I hate, I dont like, or X are the worst that target a person or group of people who share any of the [protected] characteristics. Yet the company acknowledges that many expressions that may technically fit the bill are part of legitimate discourse. To some, crude humor about a religious leader can be considered both blasphemy and hate speech against all followers of that faith, it stated. To others, a battle of gender-based insults may be a mutually enjoyable way of sharing a laugh. Ultimately, Facebook acknowledges that its content police, which has tripled since last year to 30,000 strong, has to make a judgment call in each case. Former senior Facebook engineer Brian Amerige described Facebooks company climate as a political monoculture, in which Facebooks community standards are chaotically, almost randomly, enforced, with escalations and occasional reversals happening when the screw-ups are prominent enough to cause media attention. He tried to change the culture from within and even received attention from the leadership, but eventually reached an impasse on the issue of hate speech. Hate speech cant be defined consistently and it cant be implemented reliably, so it ends up being a series of one-off pragmatic decisions, he said. I think its a serious strategic misstep for a company whose products primary value is as a tool for free expression. Whats the Harm Proponents of hate speech regulations argue that such statements are harmful, because they may make people feel threatened. We must continue to make improvements to our service so that everyone feels safe participating in the public conversationwhether they are speaking or simply listening, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in his Sept. 5 written Congress testimony. But what makes people feel threatened can differ from an actual threat. These companies do have to kind of figure out whether theyre trying to protect people from feeling physically threatened, or whether theyre trying to protect users from feeling threatened in other ways, emotionally or psychologically, said Thomas Healy, a law professor at Seton Hall University and an expert on free speech. Another argument for hate speech regulation is that it may eventually create an environment where some people may feel encouraged to commit actual violence. Indeed, oppressive regimes have commonly eliminated their enemies after subjecting them to a barrage of dehumanizing propaganda. Yet trying to prevent physical harm that may or may not happen in the future by policing speech of individuals carries its own pernicious consequences. This has already moved us in a dystopic direction, into the realms of Nineteen Eighty Four, Brave New World, and Minority Reportthe world of thought crimes and precrimes, with people afraid to state their views because they have no idea what will bring them under suspicion, cut them off from modern modes of communication, or put them in jail, said William McGowan, a veteran journalist, Epoch Times contributor, and author of several books on the decline and corruption of media. Some European countries indeed have laws on books imposing penalties for hate speech, pushing the online platforms to remove such content or perhaps face liabilities themselves. Hecklers Veto The majority of Americans (52 percent) are against the country becoming more politically correct and are upset that there are too many things people cant say anymore, according to a Nov. 28Dec. 4 NPR/PBS/Marist poll (pdf). But the opposition splits along party lines, with 55 percent of Democrats wanting more political correctness and a mere 14 percent of Republicans wanting the same. Since online platforms commonly rely on user reports to alert them of violations, the mechanism appears doomed to produce political bias. Not only are left-leaning Americans more in favor of political correctness, but some on the more far-left, progressive spectrum have formed groups that specialize in getting right-leaning voices barred from online platforms. That leads to a situation in which a relatively small, organized group can scour someones social media for anything that approximates hate speech and inundate a tech company with complaintsan online mutation of sorts of the hecklers veto phenomenon. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has used the phrase hecklers veto to describe the situation he and others have faced at college campuses, where some individuals feel the need to not only protest or contest certain invited speakers, but also try to prevent them from speaking in the first place. Nearly two-thirds of the attempts to disinvite a speaker have come from the political left, based on 379 incidents over the past 15 years collected by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). And the ratio has skewed further left recently. Since 2017, FIRE recorded 45 disinvitation attempts, with only six originating from the right. The pro-free speech civil rights advocacy group stated that the attempts have not only increased in frequency, but are also increasingly successful. Opponents were able to cancel invitations to 25 speakers over the past two years, while in 20002001, only 10 attempts were recorded by FIRE, with just one being successful. Belief in Free Speech In a 2016 interview, Healy pointed out that while private companies are not bound by the First Amendment, the principles of free speech have been an important value of the nation. We rely on counter speech, he said. If the speech is dangerous or false, we rely on counter speech to correct that. While the mechanism is not perfect, he acknowledged, its based on Americans faith that its superior to government regulation or regulation by Facebook or whatever other entity were talking about. While online platforms, in their rhetoric, have uniformly pledged to support free speech, in practice theyve been moving away from it, according to a Google internal research document dated in March and later leaked to Breitbart. The document, titled The Good Censor, argues the tech firms have gradually shifted away from unmediated free speech and towards censorship and moderation. Several competitors have emerged, like Gab and Minds, capitalizing on their commitment to free speech and privacy. Minds has attracted about 200,000 monthly active users, while Gab has released data only on registered users, counting some 800,000. Twitter, on the other hand, has almost 330 million monthly active users, which is further dwarfed by Facebooks nearly 2.3 billion. Correction: Previous version of the article incorrectly identified the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education as right-leaning. Though the organization has accepted funding from right-leaning donors, it presents itself as non-partisan and has defended the rights of individuals tied to both right- and left-leaning causes. The Epoch Times regrets the error. The two officers were driving a Chevy Tahoe SUV, painted in the Houston PD white with blue color scheme, with all lights blazing and the siren wailing, and still a driver failed to notice them. (Rofra/Wikimedia/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Germany) Drunk Driver Rams Houston Police Car, Two Officers Severely Injured Two Houston police officers are recovering from injuries after a suspected drunk driver turned in the path of their speeding patrol car, leading to an accident that caused the patrol car to burst into flames. The crash occurred just after midnight on Dec. 24. Police officers John Daily and Alonso Reid, both 25, were responding to an emergency call, traveling at high speed with lights flashing and siren wailing. A Hispanic male, 23, driving a full-size SUV suddenly made a right turn and hit the speeding patrol car, causing it to roll over several times. The crumpled car instantly caught on fire. Officer Daily (left) and Officer Reid (right) both need your prayers today. Both officers are 25, are assigned to Southeast Patrol and have been officers since October 2017. They were both seriously injured following a crash with an intoxicated driver this morning. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/JiWeYCcaQU Houston Police (@houstonpolice) December 24, 2018 Thanks to help from a brave civilian passerby, Officer Reid exited the car. The civilian and Officer Reed the returned to the blazing wreck to rescue officer Daily. Officer Daily sustained burns to more than half of his body. The suspect was identified as Cesar Collazo, 23. Collazo was charged with two counts of felony, failure to stop and render aid, and two counts of felony intoxication assault with serious bodily injury on a public servant. Christmas Miracle Praised Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo delivered a press briefing at 3:30 a.m. at the hospital and another on Monday afternoon. The second briefing was posted on Twitter. I simply want to ask the people of the city of Houston to pray for both of these officers, officer Reed and officer Daily, Mayor Turner said in a Twitter post. Pray for their families. I had an opportunity to visit both officers this morning. Please keep them in your prayers. https://t.co/otqhAmsWOh Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) December 24, 2018 Acevedo echoed the call for prayer, and emphasized how despite a violent accident the two officers had somehow managed to survive. We know that unless something terrible happens that is unforeseen, he is expected to survive but he is in serious condition, and what we need are prayers for his full recovery, Acevedo said. This is a Christmas miracle that we are standing here talking about officers that are hospitalized, and not officers who are dead. Photos from the scene show the car in which the two officers were traveling as now barely recognizable as a car, he said. Update on Officers Daily and Reid provided by @ArtAcevedo and Mayor @SylvesterTurner streaming live here https://t.co/NPZhqmerJf Houston Police (@houstonpolice) December 24, 2018 Both the mayor and police chief had spoken with officer Reid, who was in good spirits despite the second-degree burns. They were unable to speak with officer Daily, who was due for surgery at 4:30 a.m. and scheduled for more surgery later in the day. Our officer is supposed to be flying home to see his mother and father in California but instead of going to see his family theyre going to come here because they got a call nobody should get, Acevedo said of officer Daily during the first briefing, LMT Online reported. And thats that their 25-year-old vibrant son, who is just starting his career with the Houston Police Department, is in here fighting for his life. We continue to ask for the publics prayers, and what we need to be focused on is prayers for a full recovery so officer Daily can resume his career, Acevedo said later in the afternoon. Name of Rescuer Withheld Acevedo said he hoped to have details on the identity of the driver later on the 24th, once charges had been officially filed. He declined to identify the civilian who helped rescue the two officers. We want to respect that persons privacy until we have an opportunity to celebrate this passerby that helped officer Reed get out of the vehicle, what was left of it, he said. Officer Reed and that civilian went in and got officer Daily out of that patrol car while it was engulfed in flames and beforeI would say within seconds of being able to get him out without him dying. Acevedo pointed out there had been three instances of drunk drivers hitting police cruisers that night, and emphasized there was absolutely no excuse for drunk driving. Watch Next: Texas Sheriff Talks About Why Sanctuaries Dont Help Public Safety From NTD.com Easy Netanyahu Win Predicted in First Poll Since Israel Election Set JERUSALEMIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will easily win a snap election set for April 9, according to an opinion poll on Dec. 25, the first to be published since the ballot was announced. Netanyahu announced the early election on Dec. 24, appealing directly to voters for a fresh political mandate that could help him weather possible charges in corruption investigations. An election had not been due until November 2019. The survey, published in Israels Maariv newspaper, showed Netanyahus Likud party winning 30 of parliaments 120 seats, the same number it took in the last election in 2015, and a governing majority for a Likud-led right-wing coalition bloc. The closest challenger, according to the poll, was a hypothetical party led by former Israeli army chief Benny Gantz, who has been widely touted as a potential center-left candidate. Gantz has not publicly declared a political affiliation or any intention to run. The center-left Yesh Atid party led by Yair Lapid came in third in the survey, with 12 seats compared with 11 in the current parliament. Netanyahu, now in his fourth term as prime minister, has been governing with a razor-thin majority of 61 seats in the 120-member parliament. Netanyahu is enmeshed in three graft cases and denies any wrongdoing. He is awaiting a decision by Israels attorney general on whether to accept police recommendations to bring criminal charges against him. The indictment decision had been expected within weeks, but some Israeli media reports said the attorney general could opt to delay the move out of concern he might influence the outcome of the election. The Justice Ministry said on Dec. 24after the early election was announcedthat work on the cases would continue independent of political events. Commentary accompanying the Maariv poll said that if Netanyahu wins the election, he should be able to fulfill a pledge he made on Dec. 24 to form a right-wing government similar to the one he currently leads. The poll predicted that Netanyahu could control at least 63 parliamentary seats, two more than his coalition now holds. It surveyed 502 Israeli Jews and Arabs and had a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points. Other recent polls have shown that Netanyahu has remained popular among Israelis despite the investigations against him. Netanyahu has focused in recent speeches on what he called his main achievements in meeting security challenges posed by Iran and Palestinian militants, building a strong economy, and pursuing diplomatic outreach with Arab states in the Gulf that share Israels concerns about Tehran. Netanyahu first led Israel from 1996 to 1999, and returned in 2009. His current government has been in power since May 2015. Differences over Legislation He made the announcement about early elections after members of his governing coalition met to discuss differences over legislation. The issue that broke the alliance is a long-standing debate over whether ultra-Orthodox Jewish men should continue to be exempt from the mandatory two-year military service that other Israelis are subject to. Last years Israels supreme court struck down the existing exemption, saying that it was unconstitutional and ordered parliament to make a new law. The prime minister supports keeping the exemption but some allies do not. By Jeffrey Heller Christina El Moussa, co-host of HGTV's hit show Flip or Flop, visited the HGTV Santa headquarters at Lakewood Center in Lakewood, Calif., on Dec. 13, 2014. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Lakewood Center) Flip or Flop Star Christina El Moussa Marries in Secret Newport Beach Wedding Co-star of the hit HGTV reality series Flip or Flop, Christina El Moussa, has married English television host Ant Anstead in a secret wedding. The couple revealed details of the top-secret winter wonderland ceremony on Dec. 22 in Newport Beach, Calif., in an interview with People magazine. El Moussa, 35, and Anstead, 39, have only been dating since 2017, but decided to take the plunge and tie the knotwithout letting their family and friends know ahead of time. They told 70 of their closest family and friends to come to their house on Saturday, and said that a charter bus would take everyone to the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, reported People. However, when guests arrived, they found an alter in the front yard, and the couple was married right then and there, with their children nearby. We wanted to make it about the kids, Anstead told People. Its the six of us. Were a blended family so it was really important for them to be a part of it. Anstead has a daughter named Amelie, 15, and a son named Archie,12, while El Moussa has a daughter Taylor, 8, and son Brayden, 3. El Moussa said she decided to change her last name to her husbands, Anstead, saying, We couldnt be any happier! She seemed to share that happiness with her fans on social media that same day. Eventually youll end up where you need to be, with who youre meant to be with, and doing what you should be doing, El Moussa said in an Instagram post on the day of the wedding. Anstead is an auto mechanic and co-host of the British television show, Wheeler Dealers, which restores old cars to their former glory on a limited budget. He co-hosts the show with Mike Brewer, and its been running since 2003 on the Discovery Channel in the UK and on Motor Trend in the United States. Anstead joined the series in season 14, replacing former co-host Edd China. El Moussa has been co-hosting the popular series Flip or Flop with her former husband, Tarek El Moussa, since 2013 and her term has been renewed for season eight in 2019. However, she recently signed a deal with HGTV to host her own show that premieres in 2019, Christina on the Coast, according to The Wrap. Tarek, 37, may also discuss a potential new solo series with HGTV. The co-host is reportedly happy for his former wife, with no hard feelings about her recent wedding. Tarek is happy for Christina and hes moved on, a source told Us Weekly. But still cares about her deeply. The couple split in late 2016 and issued a joint statement obtained by Us Weekly. Like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage, the statement read. We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution. There was no violence and no charges were filed. The pair confirmed they had started attending counseling and later decided to separate. During this process, we are committed to our kids and being the best parents we can be. We will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together, the statement said. Smoke rises in the distance behind an ISIS flag and banner after Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters reportedly captured several villages from ISIS in Daquq District, Iraq, on Sept. 11, 2015. (Marwan Ibrahim/AFP/Getty Images) German Police Find ISIS Flag After Suspected Attack on Railway BERLINGerman police said they found a flag of the ISIS terror group near the site of a suspected attack on a railway track in Berlin and that investigators were examining whether the perpetrators had any political motives. Its still unclear whether the flag and a text in Arabic found near the railway track were left by the same person or people who damaged the overhead contact wire, police said on Dec. 25. Since the beginning of the investigation, several pieces of evidence have been secured, police said, adding that authorities discovered a torn steel cable and the damaged overhead contact wire at the train track on Dec. 23. Train operator Deutsche Bahn informed federal police about the incident, which temporarily interrupted local train service, police said. It remains unclear if there is any connection between the Berlin investigation and a similar case in Bavaria, where unknown suspects tried to damage or even derail a high-speed train with a steel cable in October. Terror Attacks in Germany While Germany has weathered several terror attacks carried out by radical Islamists in recent years, the country so far has avoided an incident on the scale of the November 2015 ISIS assaults in Paris, which left 130 people dead. The bloodiest ISIS-linked attack in Germany took place in December 2016, outside Berlins Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, in which a truck plowed into a crowd of shoppers, killing 12 and injuring 56 others. The suspect, a failed Tunisian asylum-seeker, was killed in a shootout with police in Italy days after the attack, following a Europe-wide manhunt. In October, a 55-year-old Syrian refugee carried out an arson attack and hostage-taking at Colognes railway station, in an incident that left a 14-year-old girl with burns, and authorities indicating a terror motive. GoFundMe Refunds Over $400,000 to Donors In Fake Feel-Good Scam GoFundMe representatives said they have returned over $400,000 to donors who fell for a feel-good story about a homeless man spending his last $20 to help a stranded motorist, after the donation drive was exposed as a get-rich-quick scam. It was an irresistibly heartwarming tale, said Scott Coffina, the Burlington County Prosecutor, in a November press conference, before alleging that the feel-good story was in fact a fraudulent ruse. The entire campaign was predicated on a lie, Coffina said, according to The Associated Press. It was fictitious and illegal and there are consequences. New Jersey couple Kate McClure and Mark DAmico set up the GoFundMe campaign ostensibly to raise money for Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless veteran. But prosecutors believe the three fabricated the story to tug at peoples heart-stringsand wallets. Donors responded with extraordinary fervor to the good Samaritan tale, vastly exceeding the original funding goal of $10,000. But all of the over $400,000 raised has now been refunded, including processing and administration fees, GoFundMe spokesperson Bobby Whithorne told CBS News on Dec. 24 in an email. Meanwhile, the trio faces criminal charges of conspiracy and theft by deception, in what Coffina said was a get-rich-quick scheme that hoodwinked an awful lot of people. The Heart-Warming Tale The couple claimed the down-on-his-luck Bobbitt helped out the stranded McClure with some gas money. McClure posted the heartwarming rescue story on social media, directing people to the GoFundMe donation page. Lets do something special, McClure wrote, as news of the homeless mans supposedly selfless act quickly went viral. The funding response was overwhelming. The goal was $10,000, but within nine months the amount collected reached $402,706an extraordinary result that received broad media coverage. It has changed my entire outlook about people, my outlook about people has skyrocketed, McClure said of the donations at the time. Over 14,000 people were moved by the touching story and donated money. The Story Unravels Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said on Nov. 15 that that within hours of the GoFundMe campaign launch, Kate McClure texted a friend saying that the majority of the story was fabricated, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia. Ok, so wait. The gas part is completely made up. The guy isnt, McClure allegedly texted the friend after the campaign went live, according to the report. So shush about the made up stuff, she said, according to Coffina. The three allegedly met more than a month before the launch of the campaign, authorities believe. I had to make something up to make people feel bad, McClure allegedly said in another text to a friend. McClure claims she had no knowledge of the scheme. Speaking through attorney James Gerrow, she stated that she was unaware of the false story and claimed that DAmico and Bobbit exploited her. Im confident that in the end the evidence will reveal that Kate had only the best intentions, Gerrow said. She was used by Mr. DAmico and Mr. Bobbitt and she thought throughout that this money was going to a homeless veteran. She was unaware that they had concocted this scheme. It wasnt until September when meeting with prosecutors that she came to realize that she had been used by both of them. Money Squabbles The feel-good tale suffered its first visible upset when Bobbitt claimed through lawyers that the couple used the GoFundMe money as a personal piggy bank, and sued the couple in August for mismanaging his funds. Bobbitts attorney, Jacqueline Promislo, told The New York Post in September that the couple started to spend the money right after depositing it into their bank account. They went on shopping sprees, Promislo told the paper. [Bobbitt] tells me they had a Louis Vuitton bag and Chanel sunglasses, a new iPhone 10. Then the prosecutors office confirmed on Sept. 6 that a criminal investigation had been launched into the missing funds. Joel Bewley, a public information officer for the Burlington County Prosecutors Office, told CBS News in an email that the couple is expected to face a grand jury. If convicted, McClure, DAmico, and Bobbitt could face up to ten years in jail. Striking miners protest on the hill at the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Carletonville, 52 miles (84km) northwest of Johannesburg, on Oct. 22. AngloGold Ashanti, the world's third-largest gold producer, on Tuesday issued an ultimatum to striking workers in South Africa that they must return to the mines Wednesday or be dismissed. (Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images) Londons Streets No Longer Paved With Gold as Miners Struggle Reports that AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. is considering a London listing provide some festive cheer to a city thats lost its way as a home for gold miners. While Toronto, Johannesburg, and Sydney have long hosted the biggest producers, London vies with New York as the worlds premier gold trading hub and its financiers have bankrolled the industry since the development of South Africas giant gold fields more than 130 years ago. When junior gold miners flocked to the city in the early 2000s, a renaissance seemed at hand. That promise hasnt been realized as companies from Petropavlovsk Plc. and Acacia Mining Ltd. to Centamin Plc. struggled to reach their potential. Star performer Randgold Resources Ltd. will exit next year after its acquisition by Barrick Gold Corp., capping a slump in the market value of London-listed gold and silver miners. Thats left fund managers struggling to find liquid gold stocks as the bullion price languishes. There has been a lot of value destruction in the sector, said James Bell, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets in London. Investors are saying: not only do I have no conviction on where the gold price is going, but also these companies are fundamentally high risk. When Randgold delists, the combined market value of Londons gold and silver miners will drop to less than half the 30 billion pounds ($38 billion) of six years ago. Just over a decade ago, Petropavlovsk was worth the same as Randgold and went on to peak at more than 2 billion pounds. Today its value has slumped to just 190 million pounds as the Russia-focused producer is weighed down by crippling debt and over-ambitious expansion plans. Opportunity Knocks Barrick-controlled Acacia came to London amid hopes of emulating Randgolds success in Africa, but was hobbled by operational failures and an increasingly bitter dispute with Tanzanias government. The companys market value dropped by two-thirds since its 2010 listing and there is speculation the Randgold deal will prompt Barrick to buy back the shares in Acacia that it doesnt already own. Still, the departure of Randgoldthe best performing stock in the U.K.s FTSE this centuryleaves a gap for other producers to woo investors, according to RBC. Just last month, Resolute Mining Ltd. which is listed in Australia, said it would sell shares in London next year as it increases its exposure to Africa. The biggest prize for London could be AngloGold, the worlds third-largest gold producer. While no final decision has been made, the company favors a London listing and has been discussing the plan internally and with advisers, according to people familiar with the matter. The Johannesburg-listed company probably wont move before 2020, as it may need to exit its South African operations first, they said. Certainly, there is investor appetite for gold stocks, RBCs Bell said. There is an opportunity, he said, But it has to be the right company and it has to be the right size. By Thomas Biesheuvel From Bloomberg Georgia Man Claims $500,000 Home as His Own in Odd Sovereign Citizen Case A man has claimed a half-million dollar house as his own and has refused to move out, claiming land rights in what police have labeled a sovereign citizen case. Joel Fedd occupied a house in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and claimed it as his own before he was arrested by police, WSB-TV reported. Fedd posted images on his Facebook page showing him exploring the property and talking about how he hoped to legally claim it as his own. A family had already purchased the property but had yet to move in. He posted multiple pictures of himself standing on various parts of the property. In the pictures, a real estate companys sign indicates the house is already under contract. He also posted videos on Facebook from inside the house. They say the [expletive] $500,000, half a million, but this [expletive] free when you a [expletive] Moor, and you know where you at and who you are, what you tied to, Fedd said in one of the videos. They say it was $500,000, but thank you ancestors for the free gift. It was already mine I just had to realize that. Fedd expects there will be a legal battle once he fully moves in, but he claims he is ready and has things lined up. In another video, Fedd shows himself pasting legal documents on the windows to the home from inside, and says that these are documents he filed that allow him to occupy the home. We doing everything the legal way. I might look like a bandit, but, no. Thats what they want you to think. Im actually one of the good guys. Reclaiming whats rightfully mine, Fedd says in another video. The text next to the video says Claim It You Have The Law On Your Side. Fedd also says in the video that he just needs one more document to fully claim the house as his own and that he has practically everything else needed. Next to another video post, Fedd wrote the following: I know people dont know what I got going on and are scared but this is our land and Im willing to put my life on the line for the Future of Our Nation And Empire so at this point the property is mine I just need to close the deal with the courts and obtain that Alloadial Title Im learning as I go and Im look forward to hearing from someone claiming I dont own this property cause they will have to prove IN COURT how exactly do they own it if I dont but the thing is Everything On This Land Is Mine So Take From Me Jack Campbell lives near the property. He said the true owners of the house were locked out because Fedd changed the locks. After the owners changed them, Fedd changed them again, WSB-TV reported. At the time we were all worried about him, Campbell told WSB-TV. Weve got small kids in this neighborhood so we were all scared. Fedd was charged with criminal trespass and making false statements. The owners have since regained control of the property and have started moving in, according to WSB-TV. It Gets Weirder A Georgia family recently discovered a man had been living in their home after traveling over the holidays. He even changed the locks and claimed the house was his. Janice Henson told WSB-TV that the key to her familys home in Marietta wouldnt work when she attempted to open the door. Marietta, in Cobb County, is a city located northwest of Atlanta. A man in a wheelchair came to the door and told her to leave. The stranger also claimed to have a gun, said Henson. The police were called, leading to a five-hour standoff between officers, the SWAT team, and the suspect. WSB reported that the SWAT team broke down the door and sent a robot to locate the suspect. Minnesota Man Charged in Death of 3-Year-Old Boy in Foster Care A Minnesota man was charged in connection with the death of a young foster child, according to local reports on Dec. 21. A grand jury had indicted Charles Wayne Homich, 28, with seven counts of murder in the death of a 3-year-old boy, Zayden Lawson, KSTP reported. Zayden was in the care of Homichs girlfriend, Zeporia Fortenberry, 31, in June 2017, the report said. Fortenberry was charged in April with two counts of manslaughter in the case. Charles Wayne Homich, 28, has been indicted by the Dakota County Grand Jury with four counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder of a three-year-old child. KSTP-TV 20181221 On June 7, 2017, first responders rushed to her home in Eagan after they received a call that the boy wasnt breathing. Paramedics discovered the child was cold, had no pulse, and was not breathing. Zayden was later pronounced dead at a hospital, the report stated. Investigators discovered that Fortenberry left Zayden and other children in the care of Homich while she worked a night shift at her job. She asked Homich to change the boys diaper, the station reported. The next morning, Fortenberry said Zayden told her that his stomach hurt, vomited a couple of times, and was acting lazy, KSTP and Sun This Week reported. Fortenberry said she clothed the child in his pajamas and laid him on a mattress near her bed. She later noticed he wasnt conscious while she was on the phone with Homich. She then called 911, Sun This Week reported. But criminal complaints said that Fortenberry knew that Homich was hitting Zayden at least six weeks before his death, and she also knew the 3-year-0ld was really scared of her boyfriend, the Minnesota Star-Tribune reported. An autopsy revealed that he died of blunt-force injuries, officials said. This little boy sustained horrific injuries injuries he may have survived had the adults in his life sought the necessary medical care he so desperately needed, Dakota County attorney James Backstrom said. Homich is due in court this week, and his bail was set at $1 million without conditions, or $750,000 with conditions, according to the Star-Tribune. The new indictments in Homichs case supersede lesser murder and manslaughter charges that prosecutors had filed against him in April, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reported. Other details about the case are not clear. Eagan, Dakota County, is located south of Saint Paul, Minnesota. How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect. To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website. The Childhelp organization also can provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children), according to Childhelp. Boeing 737-33S operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle on the tarmac at the Oslo Airport Gardemoen. (AAS, Erlend/AFP/Getty Images) Norwegian Air Shores up Its Balance Sheet OSLONorwegian Air announced a $230 million cost savings program on Dec. 24 along with steps including the refinancing of one Boeing 787 Dreamliner that the budget airline said would generate more than $30 million in liquidity. It also said it was making several changes to its route portfolio as well as to its capacity. Combined these measures should improve the financial performance from the start of 2019, it said in a statement. The fast-growing carrier has been under pressure over the past 18 months to control costs and shore up its balance sheet as it looks to crack the transatlantic market by undercutting established rivals. It said its new cost-saving program was expected to generate savings of at least 2 billion crowns ($229 million) in 2019. The airline said it would provide an update on the program on April 25 with its first-quarter results. Norwegians long-haul operations have been disrupted by challenges with the Rolls-Royce engines on the Dreamliner. The Company has now reached an agreement with Rolls-Royce which will have a positive effect from the first quarter of 2019. The commercial terms of the agreement remain confidential, said Norwegian Air. It also said it had secured financing for all aircraft deliveries due in the first half of 2019. This also includes refinancing of one of the delivered (Boeing) Dreamliners, resulting in a positive liquidity effect of NOK 275 million in December 2018, it said. Norwegian has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan by ordering more than 200 new planes yet investors worry it is pushing up costs quickly without producing higher returns. The process of selling aircraft continued, it said, with significant expressions of interest in its existing fleet as well as future deliveries. The Company recently signed a letter of intent for the sale of two aircraft with delivery in the first quarter of 2019. The discussions about forming a joint venture for aircraft ownership also continues with full force, it said. Its share price is roughly back to the level it was a year ago having erased gains made in April after British Airways owner IAG said it was interested in bidding for Norwegian Air. The shares were not traded on Dec. 24 as the Oslo bourse was closed. By Gwladys Fouche The Gap logo is displayed on a window at a Gap store in San Francisco, Calif., on May 25, 2018. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Online Clothing Retailers Hunt for Better Fit to Cut Costly Returns BERLIN/MADRID, SpainModels testing fashion brands like Adidas, Benetton, and Gap are finding that almost a third of the shoes and clothes they try on are bigger or smaller than the size on the label indicates, explaining why many clothes bought online are sent back. Calculating sizes more accurately could help online retailers like Germanys Zalando and Britains ASOS cut costly returns and improve customer satisfaction. If you try on the same brand in a different color it is sometimes a different size, Zalando fitting model Savina Bellotto said as she squeezed a foot into a stiletto shoe with a shiny silver buckle that dug into her ankle. Discounting to shift stock means fashion retailers are struggling to preserve profit margins, and ASOSs warning last week of a major downturn caused retail shares to tumble. Targeting returns, fast fashion firms like Zara and H&M have introduced software that suggests sizes for online customers. Customers type in height and weight, which are processed alongside historic data on purchases and returns. Its a big burden for the retailer, said Nivindya Sharma, director of retail strategy at trend forecaster WGSN. Free returns started off as being a competitive advantage but now theyre the norm. Fast Fashion Around half of Americans expect to return clothes ordered online this holiday season due to poor fit, according to a survey by technology firm BodyBlock. Returns cost you a fortune. Firstly, youve got an unhappy customer, but also youve got the re-processing and putting it back into stock, said Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski, a partner at Columbus Consulting, which specializes in retail processes. To crack the sizing problem, Zalando, Europes biggest online-only fashion retailer, told Reuters it was augmenting the data it gathers online with feedback from models who check new styles. If we can put an article on a fitting model, just before or as an article is online, we immediately know there is a fitting problem, said Zalandos director of engineering Stacia Carr, adding that models flag about 30 percent of stock as too big or too small. Returns are a major issue for Zalando as about half the products it sells are sent back. A tradition of catalog shopping with free returns means customers in its German home market are comfortable sending back unwanted goods. Zalando co-CEO Rubin Ritter said in November the problems with processing returns had been resolved and the company was taking steps to increase the profitability of smaller orders such as making size recommendations to reduce returns. A change in fabric or design can have a big impact, Carr said, noting that size-related returns soared recently for one major denim brand after it adjusted its design. When Zalando flagged the issue, it changed back. In this era of turning around articles very quickly, the corners that get cut sometimes impact the fit of the garment, she said. Zalandos small team of models initially tested shoes, but now they try on clothes too. Dresses, its top-selling category, also have the highest rate of returns. Models try on up to 120 shoes a day, measuring the inside with a special ruler and noting how each fits at heel, ankle, and toes, while also looking for strong smells or quality issues. It is very subjective. That is why we get the average between three models, said model Gerard Nieto, as he measured a fleece-lined leather lace-up boot. The Human Touch Cracking the sizing challenge is like solving the Rubiks cube because there are so many variables, Carr said. We know the Nordics like things more loose and oversized. The further south you go, its a tighter fit, the bodies are different, she said. Weve all been surprised that weve been able to put a dent in this because it is such a complex topic. British lingerie retailer Figleaves, owned by fashion group N Brown, supplements artificial intelligence with a feature letting a buyer speak to a fitting assistant via Skype. Often its the customer care person who is showing on her body how something should fit, said CEO Miriam Lahage. Whats most important is that you have two people looking face-to-face and making a human connection. Customers like the feature and returns have dropped since its introduction around 15 months ago, she says. A rise in returns is an inevitable part of the e-commerce boom, retailers say. Theres a growing trend in return rates globally as the market matures, said Roger Graell, director of e-commerce at Spains Mango, which expects to make at least one-fifth of sales online by 2020. What we hope to do with technology is make that growth rate slower. Mango uses sizing tools powered by Berlin-based software firm Fit Analytics, which was launched eight years ago and works with more than 200 companiesincluding ASOS, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Hugo Bossacross 95 countries. Fit Analytics has more than doubled revenue every year over the past three years, says CEO Sebastian Schulze. Margins are under pressure across the industry, you have to make sure people buy several times otherwise you dont make money, said Schulze. If the fit isnt right, customers will walk. By Emma Thomasson & Sonya Dowsett Over 3,000 Patients Possibly Exposed to HIV, Hepatitis at New Jersey Clinic Health officials have said more than 3,000 patients at a New Jersey surgery center may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV pathogens. Patients who had procedures done at the HealthPlus Surgery Center in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, between January and Sept. 7 of this year may have been exposed to the bloodborne infections, according to officials cited by The Associated Press and ABC7. Officials at the New Jersey Department of Health told the news outlet the reason for the possible infections were failures in safety protocols. Deficiencies In Infection Control Surgery center administrator Betty McCabe told the Associated Press that the exposure was due to deficiencies in infection control involving the cleaning of instruments and injection of medications. McCabe said 3,778 patients were being urged to get their blood tested. Health officials said that no reports have come to their attention of the infection control problems resulting in actual illnesses. They added that the risk of infection is low. The department called it an abundance of caution to suggest that people be tested. News outlet ABC7 reported the center sent a letter to patients that included the following information: Knowing if you have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV is important because there are medicines, treatments, and other things that people with these infections can do to protect their health. You can be infected with these diseases and not feel sick at all. It is important that you get tested, even if you do not remember feeling sick. The tests are a simple blood test. All of us at HealthPlus understand this may be upsetting. We want to assure you that we will assist you during this process, including paying for all medical costs associated with testing. We recommend that you get tested as soon as possible. McCabe was cited by Fox News as saying that the surgery center has offered to cover the costs of tests checking for the presence of the dangerous pathogens. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump and First Lady Melanias Christmas Message: Spreading Love, Compassion, Cheer and Goodwill President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sent out their annual Christmas Message on Twitter on Dec. 25. Melania and I are truly thrilled to wish every American a very, Merry Christmas, said President Trump. During the Christmas season, we rejoice in Gods many blessings. We come together with family and friends to spread hope, love, compassion, cheer, and goodwill, said Melania, And we remember the events of one holy night more than 2,000 years ago. This wonderful season brings out the best in the American spirit. And we see neighbors helping neighbors and communities lifting up those who need a helping hand, added President Trump. This Christmas, we salute the brave men and women who serve our nation overseas. We send our love to the military families whose sacrifice helps keep our nation free. We give thanks to the law enforcement officers who protect our communities, and we pray for a future of peace on earth, said Melania. Helping children across the country track #Santa is becoming one of my favorite traditions! @Potus and I enjoyed working with @NORADSanta #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/CYNkARbFaI Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 25, 2018 On Dec. 24, President Trump and Melania helped North American Aerospace Defense Command track Santas sleigh across North America and spoke to young children on phone. From NTD News President Trump and First Lady Take Childrens Santa Calls WASHINGTONIt was the night before Christmas, and President Donald Trump was on the phone with children, peppering them with questions about whether they were looking forward to the holiday. Every Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, claims to track Santa Claus flight across the globe, a tradition dating to 1955, when a department store printed the phone number of a NORAD colonel in a Christmas newspaper ad by mistake. The NORAD calls were the first time Trump has been seen in public since the government shutdown began. NORAD said on Friday it would continue the tradition in the event of a shutdown, adding in a tweet that military personnel would be supported by 1,500 volunteers. Trump, who had been scheduled to leave for his Florida vacation home on Friday, has opted instead to stay at the White House during the shutdown so far, which occurred after he and top lawmakers failed to end an impasse over funding for his proposed wall along the border with Mexico. Instead of enjoying the warmth of the Florida sun, Trump has spent the lead-up to the holiday meeting with lawmakers and Cabinet officials. I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security, Trump tweeted on Monday. Trumps Republican Party holds majorities in both congressional chambers until Jan. 3, when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives. With the children, Trump keep things light as he sat beside his wife, Melania, in front of a roaring fireplace beneath a portrait of former President Abraham Lincoln. Are you still a believer in Santa? he asked his interlocutor. But even Christmas could not keep out news about the shutdown. Asked by reporters if any progress had been made on government funding talks, Trump said there was nothing to report. Nothing new, Trump said. We need border security. By Makini Brice President Trump Attends Christmas Eve Services President Donald Trump attended worship services on Christmas Eve. Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, arrived at Washington National Cathedral for a late service on Monday night. Trump most likely would have been attending Christmas services at a church near his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. But he scrapped plans to head to Florida for the holidays after parts of the government were forced to shut down indefinitely in a stalemate with Congress. Trump wants $5.7 billion for a southern border wall. Democrats and some Republicans are opposed. Russian Cosmonauts Take Spacewalk to Probe Mystery of Craft Hole Two Russian cosmonauts took a spacewalk seeking to resolve the mystery of a small hole found in the side of a craft docked at the International Space Station on Dec. 11, 2018. Russias space agency Roscosmos has ruled out a manufacturing defect causing the .07 inch (2 mm)-wide hole found in August on the Russian Soyuz capsule, but NASA has sought to dampen speculation of sabotage. Oleg Kononenko and Sergey Prokopyevs six-hour-long spacewalk began at 1600 GMT, a live broadcast by Roscosmos showed. They will take samples from the exterior wall of the Soyuz to look into the hole in the capsules internal covering. The puncture has been sealed since August, halting the oxygen leak. Officials said the crewthree U.S. astronauts, two Russian cosmonauts and one Germanwere never in danger. Scotland Seeks to Punish Viral American Hunter Due to Public Outrage An American TV presenter and hunter sparked public outrage after posting pictures to social media of her Scotland hunting trip and now faces criminal charges. Larysa Switlyk, host of Larysa Unleashed, didnt break any hunting laws with her highly publicized trip, but local authorities hope to charge her under a law that details how one can use borrowed shotguns the Daily Mail reported. In response, Scottish Parliament member Roseanna Cunningham posted a statement via Twitter about potentially even changing the law to reflect the outrage. We fully understand why so many people find these images of hunted animals being held up as trophies so upsetting. Responsible and appropriate culling of animals is a necessary part of sustainable land management and the culling of some wild animals, including deer and goats, is not illegal. However, we understand the concerns caused by these images and, in light of them, the environment secretary will review the situation and consider whether any clarification of or changes to the law might be required, read Cunninghams post. Also in response, Switlyk launched a set of T-shirts she is selling via her website. She writes that 100 percent of the proceeds from sales will go toward conservation efforts. The T-shirts contain slogans that include Dont let me get your goat, Barbaric Hunter, and Eat more goat. Switlyks social media accounts contain many photos of her hunting adventure trips, including her posing with her kills, all smiles. In one photo on Twitter where she is pictured holding up fresh meat from her hunt, she wrote: Nature is my supermarket. Fresh organic wild meat w/ no steroids, hormones or antibiotics. This is where my meat comes from, do you know where your meat comes from? Ill NEVER apologize for being a hunter! Feel free 2block me if you dont like my post,wont hurt my feelings any. Although many of the comments under the post by Cunningham agree with controlling the animal population through culling, they seem to object to the way the culling is portrayed. Dont think Americans in combat gear with sniper rifles taking congratulatory selfies qualifies as responsible culling, commented @ruth_wishart. In another exchange on Twitter, commenter @ZuluEleven said he was paid to do the culling himself, but the government had no money to pay for the services of full-time professional animal cullers. He also comments that the Scottish Highlands have for centuries run the business of hunting tourism. A link to Athina Sporting posted in the comments indeed shows a company advertising hunting trips in Scotland. Animals up for hunting include grouse, woodcock, snipe, red deer, roe deer, and wild goat. The website also includes instructional hunting videos. From NTD News Several HH-65C Dolphin helicopters like this one participated in the rescue search. (PA2 Adam Eggers/U.S. Coast Guard) Search for New Jersey Father and Son Lost in Plane Crash Called Off After 56 hours of fruitless searching, the Coast Guard has suspended the search for a father and son from New Jersey whose light plane crashed off the Florida coast. New Jersey business executive Peter Renzulli, 51, and son Daniel, 18, were flying back from Disney World in Orlando, Florida. when their single-engine Piper PA-46 Malibu crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the city of Jacksonville on Dec. 20. The pair, both accomplished pilots, took off from Kissimmee Airport bound for Princeton, New Jersey. The plane climbed to a cruising altitude of 22,000 feet. After half an hour it plunged downward steeply, hitting the water off Ponte Vedra beach, about 18 miles south of Jacksonville. #Update @USCG Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew is conducting a first light search for the downed aircraft off the coast of #Jacksonville, Florida. The #USCG Cutter Ridley crew searched through the night and remain on scene. pic.twitter.com/zv6QhmYqnK USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) December 21, 2018 Extensive Search Meets No Success The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received an aircraft distress signal around 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 20 and passed the message to Coast Guard 7th District personnel. The Coast Guard organized 21 separate sorties into the search area but turned up without a sign of the plane or its passengers. The Coast Guard searched a 1,400 square-mile space for some 56 hours, using the cutters Ridley and Sawfish, plus smaller response boats from Coast Guard Station Mayport, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, and several helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, as well as stations in Miami and Savannah, Georgia. The U.S. Navy, Customs and Border Protection, St. Johns Fire & Rescue, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office all contributed to the search, according to a Coast Guard press release. The suspension of an active search and rescue case is never an easy decision to make, said Christopher Eddy, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard 7th District. We always want the best case scenario to happen and will continue to monitor for new information that could aid responders. Family Devastated by Loss The familys attorney, Justin A. Marchetta, released a statement saying, in part, The family was devastated to learn that the aircraft could not be located. Peter and Daniel are accomplished pilots and their disappearance is heartbreaking. We ask that the privacy of the Renzulli family be respected at this difficult time and we ask that those following this story keep the Renzullis in their thoughts and prayers. Marchetta mentioned that the older Renzulli had just completed 30 hours of advanced training in the Piper, The New York Post reported. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation, but it may be several months before all of the facts surrounding this incident are known, Marchetta concluded, according to My Central New Jersey.com. Peter Renzulli was an accomplished money manager, who spent the past 17 years running financial management services. He was the president and chief financial officer of PerformAccount, and president at Bookkeepers 2 Go, LLC. The elder Renzulli was a certified public accountant and an adjunct professor at Rutgers University, his alma mater. He held a bachelor of science in accounting and a master of business administration in marketing from the same school. Daniel Renzulli graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School in 2018, and took classes at Michigan State University according to My Central New Jersey.com. Renzulli is survived by his daughter, Meredith, and wife Lori. Watch Next: Why is Falun Gong Persecuted? Although its freely practiced in over 70 countries, doing this in China can lead to unlawful arrest, imprisonment, torture, or even death. From NTD.com Technology Transfers in China Likely to Continue Despite Proposed Law The Chinese Communist Partys rubber-stamp legislature discussed the draft of a new foreign investment law during a meeting session on Dec. 23, in an apparent move to appease growing criticism of Chinas economic policies. The draft discussed by the National Peoples Congress includes a provision that allows foreign investors to transfer money out of China in either Chinese yuan or foreign currency. Previously, the central government had imposed a number of restrictions on the amount of money that could be transferred out of China, making it difficult for foreign businesses to operate. The draft also stipulates that Chinese authorities cannot use administrative means to force technology transfer. Chinas state-run media Xinhua reported that Chinas justice minister, Fu Zhenghua, said the new foreign investment law would replace previous regulations on foreign investments, such as the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Law. The item about technology transfer was thought to be a response to U.S. President Donald Trumps request. Amid the current trade dispute between the United States and China, the U.S. administration has continually criticized the Chinese regime for treating foreign investors unfairlyand cited policies that force technology transfers to Chinese joint-venture partners and other methods of intellectual property theft as the reasons for imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese goods. The U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dennis Shea, said in May that forced technology transfer was an unwritten rule for companies trying to access Chinas burgeoning marketplace. This is not the rule of law. In fact, it is Chinas laws themselves that enable this coercion, Shea told the WTO. Although the Chinese regime has rejected the criticism, even Chinese employees at foreign-invested companies confirmed that such policies exist. If you dont agree with a 100 percent technology transfer, you wont win any projectEverybody knows this. Its a rule that has existed in China for more than 10 years, Shi XL, an employee at a German industrial company based in Beijing, told The Epoch Times in a Dec. 25 interview. Its impossible that you win a project without technology transfer, Wang K., an employee at a U.S. companys Beijing office, told The Epoch Times. Neither provided their full names, citing fear of reprisals for speaking to the media. While the Chinese regime appears eager to mend its ways with its new law, China experts are skeptical that the law can be effective in stopping technology transfer. Its not that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) doesnt have laws. The CCP has many laws, which includes a very beautiful constitution. But the Chinese people cannot enjoy any of the protected rights and freedoms that are defined in the constitution, Dr. Frank Tian Xie, a business professor at University of South Carolina Aiken, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on Dec. 24. Xie doubts that Chinese authorities will follow the new law after it is rubber-stamped. The whole of China does not have an independent judicial system, Qin Weiping, a U.S.-based China-affairs commentator, told Radio Free Asia on Dec. 24. To me, what is most concerning is whether the judicial system will execute this law or not. Qin explained that the CCP has an agency, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), that oversees the countrys security and judiciary systems. The commission could influence a judge to give a verdict in favor of a domestic company, or choose to reject a lawsuit brought by a foreign firmsince the court reports to the commission. Xiang Songzuo, a Chinese economist and professor at Renmin University in Beijing, also hinted at such problems with enforcing laws, during a speech given at an economics conference in Shanghai on Dec. 15. While his speech was censored by Chinese authorities, netizens managed to circumvent the internet firewall and published a video of his speech on YouTube. Xiang noted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has recently talked about protecting the safety of entrepreneurs and their property. This shows that how seriously the problem washow flawed was our judicial system and state governance that company executives safety could be endangered when doing business in China. Japanese business magazine Nikkei also published an analysis on Dec. 24 about the proposal, noting that at the state level, its possible that authorities wouldnt force foreign companies to transfer technology, but their Chinese joint-venture partners are likely to continue pressuring foreign firms in exchange for giving them market access. Amid intensifying pushback abroad, Beijing has shifted the onus to the corporate sector, which, in turn, has forged arrangements that nudged foreign businesses into voluntarily handing over technologies to Chinese partners, Nikkei reported. Shi told The Epoch Times that, in her experience, a foreign company must find a Chinese joint venture as a partner in order to win contracts for Chinese projects. May Shortens UK Cabinets Christmas Break to Prepare for No Deal Brexit British Prime Minister Theresa May has cut her Cabinet ministers Christmas break short to prepare for a no deal Brexit, as the March 2019 UKEuropean Union divorce deadline looms. Members of the British Parliament are normally scheduled to return to work Jan. 7, but May has told her ministers to meet Jan. 2, cutting into their Christmas recess, to press ahead with preparations for all eventualitiesincluding a no-deal crash-out. Stephen Barclay, Mays Brexit secretary, will lead the Cabinet meeting, according to the Financial Times. The accelerated preparatory gathering recalls a Dec. 18 ministerial meeting that ended with the announcement of measures such as setting aside space on ferries to ensure a regular flow of medical supplies and keeping 3,500 armed forces personnel ready to support the governments contingency plans. One minister anonymously cited by The Telegraph, however, said the meeting is all about show, really [and] to prove that we are pulling out all the stops to prepare for the worst. Barclay said earlier that although the government was taking steps to prepare for a no-deal scenario, the priority is to secure a dealthat hasnt changed. As part of our continuation of preparing for no deal, a responsible government needs to ensure that we are ready for that default optionwhich we dont want to happenbut we are ready, in the event that it did happen. Thats why at Cabinet today, we agreed that preparing for no deal will be an operational priority within government, but our overall priority remains to secure a deal, he said. Not Where We Should Be Mays move to cut short her ministers break seems also to acknowledge complaints that the government hasnt done enough to counteract Brexits biggest threats. Businesses have been watching in horror as politicians have focused on factional disputes, rather than practical steps that business needs to move forward, the heads of Britains five biggest business lobby groups said on Dec. 18. The lack of progress in Westminster means that the risk of a no-deal Brexit is rising, said the bosses of the British Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, and the main manufacturers organization EEF. The five business groups said the governments preparations to ensure a smooth transition in the event of a no-deal scenario is doomed to fail. It is clear there is simply not enough time to prevent severe dislocation and disruption in just 100 days, the groups said, according to the report. This is not where we should be. Put Aside Our Differences May has yet to win the support of a deeply divided Parliament for the deal she struck last month with EU leaders to maintain close ties with the bloc. She backed out of a vote on her Brexit deal two weeks ago, after MPs debated it for three days and it became increasingly clear that it would get a thumbs-down. The prime minister has been putting pressure on parliamentarians to back her plan, in part by accentuating the threat of a no-deal departure. Michael Gove, Britains environment secretary, is said to be petrified of a no-deal Brexit, according to The Telegraph. He is said to believe Britains departure from the EU without a deal would be chaotic and hit the country with severe food shortages. May penned an article in the British tabloid the Daily Express calling on the Tories to put aside our differences as the vast majority of people want politicians to move on from Brexit to concentrate on other issues. She said its time to dispense with the titles of Leave and Remain, and instead find common ground and focus on what we can achieve together. Christmas is a time to put aside our differences and focus on what really matters, she said. Now, two and a half years after the referendum, it is time for us as a country to do the same. Britains exit from the EU has been set in law to take place at 11 p.m. (local time) on March 29, 2019. Failure to agree on a Brexit deal would mean that a departure would be abrupt. An image of deceased U.S. Army Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan is displayed on a screen as his father Khizr Khan delivers remarks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia, Penn., on July 28, 2016. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Trump Signs Bill Naming Post Office After Army Captain Humayun Khan President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Dec. 21, naming a post office after fallen Army Captain Humayun Khan, whose father criticized the then-candidate in a 2016 Democratic National Convention speech. The bill names a post office at 180 McCormick Road in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the Captain Humayun Khan Post Office, according to a White House statement. It was introduced by Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.) and was unanimously passed in the House on Nov. 29, and in the Senate on Dec. 12. I hope this will serve as a tribute to their memory and to remind everyone of our selfless service men and women who put on this nations cloth every day to defend our nation, Garrett said in a statement after the bill passed in the House. Trump alluded to the signing of the bill, along with many other bills, in a tweet on Dec. 21. He said, some of the many Bills that I am signing in the Oval Office right now. Some of the many Bills that I am signing in the Oval Office right now. Cancelled my trip on Air Force One to Florida while we wait to see if the Democrats will help us to protect Americas Southern Border! pic.twitter.com/ws6LYhKcKl Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2018 Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) released a joint statement celebrating the signing, saying were showing the Khan family that were forever grateful for his service and sacrifice for our country. Captain Khan is revered not only in Charlottesville but across the nation, the senators said. Khan was a graduate of the University of Virginia and died at the age of 27 while in service to his country during an operation in Iraq on June 8, 2004. He was killed 120 days into his tour by an improvised explosive device outside of his base in Baqubah. At the time, Khan was inspecting a guard post when a taxicab began approaching quickly. Upon seeing this, he ordered his subordinates away and ran toward the vehicle, which exploded. His efforts saved the lives of more than one hundred soldiers. He was posthumously awarded a purple heart and bronze star, and was also buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetary. During the 2016 presidential elections, the army captains father, Khizr Khan, criticized Trump for his comments on Muslim immigration. The then-candidate fired back at Khan, sparking a feud between the two men. However, in a later statement, Trump said Humayun Khan was a hero to our country and we should honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe. The real problem here are the radical Islamic terrorists who killed him, and the efforts of these radicals to enter our country to do us further harm. Given the state of the world today, we have to know everything about those looking to enter our country, and given the state of chaos in some of these countries, that is impossible, Trump said at the time. Meanwhile, Khizr became involved with Democratic campaign and fundraising efforts, according to The Hill. Garrett plans to hold a ceremony at the Charlottesville post office before leaving public office in January. Flames from the Thomas Fire in the hills of Montecito, California, Dec. 11, 2017. (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Takes Steps to Prevent Catastrophic Fires, Including More Logging President Donald Trump moved forward with policies aimed at preventing catastrophic wildfires while the media breathlessly covered the government funding battle. Trump issued an executive order on Dec. 21 to allow for active management of forest and rangelands, including thinning and removing debris from millions of acres of federal lands. The order also calls on federal officials to streamline regulations and permitting processes to allow the harvest of at least 3.8 billion board feet from U.S. Forest Service lands and 600 million board feet from Bureau of Land Management lands. That represents a massive increase in timber sales from federal lands. For example, loggers harvested 2.9 billion board feet from Forest Service lands in 2017, according to federal figures. But even Trumps increased allowance for loggers is still about one-quarter of what was harvested in 1973. Trump also asked federal officials to do more to maintain roads into hard-to-reach areas where fires can spread. Western Republicans welcomed Trumps order. GOP lawmakers said that a change in policies was sorely needed after the devastating 2018 wildfire season, which saw more than 8.5 million acres burned. While litigation activists thwarted forest management reforms, the Senate also failed to pass legislation to help minimize forest fires, Utah Republican Rep. Rob Bishop, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said in a statement. As a result, parts of the West were left in ashes. We cannot ignore these systemic issues any longer. Trump issued the order one day after signing the $867 million farm bill that included provisions allowing foresters to more quickly remove dead and diseased trees that increased fire risks. Environmentalists railed against Trumps executive order, characterizing it as a gift to the logging industry that would do little to prevent wildfires. It wont work, and we know that, Denise Boggs with the group Conservation Congress told The Sacramento Bee. All the fire ecologists are saying the same thing: You cant log your way out of this situation. Logging in the back country is just a gift to the timber industry, said Boggs, adding the order didnt mention global warming or thinning around communities in wildfire-prone areas. Democrats and environmentalists tend to blame global warming for the increasingly massive western wildfires. Republicans, however, argue that more active management of forests through thinning, clearing of dead and dying trees, and logging is needed to prevent wildfires from getting out of control. This executive order will save lives and communities throughout the West! the Congressional Western Caucus wrote in a Dec. 21 tweet. Wildfire management, usually not a national issue, became a hot topic against after the Camp Fire became the deadliest in Californias history, killing 88 people and destroying thousands of buildings. Outgoing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke blamed environmentalists for the increasingly devastating fires in the western U.S.environmentalists often sue to keep federal officials from removing trees or conducting prescribed burns. However, this issue will only be fixed through congressional action, Bishop said. The House and Senate must work to implement statutes that protect our environment and the many communities across the country who live every day with the threat of wildfire. Bishop is reportedly one of several candidates being considered to replace Zinke, who will resign by the end of the year. Michael Bastasch is a reporter with The Daily Caller. Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. Trump Wants Entire Wall Done by 2020 Election, Wont Predict End to Shutdown President Donald Trump has set a deadline of Nov. 3, 2020Election Dayfor completion of a wall that he has vowed to build along the southern border. Meanwhile, he declined to estimate when the partial shutdown of the federal government will end, maintaining his demand that Congress approve more money for the wall project. I cant tell when the governments going to be open. I can tell you that its not going to be open until we have a wall or fence, whatever theyd like to call it, Trump told reporters on Dec. 25 at the White House. Ill call it whatever they want. But its all the same thing. Its a barrier from people pouring into our country, from drugs, human trafficking. The border wall was one of Trumps signature campaign promises, which he said is necessary to ensure border security, and prevent unvetted people from coming across illegally. A drone isnt going to stop it. High technology is not going to stop it. The only thing that stops it is a wall, he said. Leading Democratic lawmakers have dismissed the wall as ineffective and unnecessary, although many of them voted for expanding a border barrier in the past. 550 Miles In the book Crippled America, published during the presidential campaign, Trump wrote: I will build a great wall on the southern border. It doesnt have to cover the entire border. Some areas are already secured with physical barriers. In other areas, the terrain is too difficult for people to cross. In his remarks at the White House, Trump took a similar approach. Its a 2,000-mile border, but much of it has mountains and region you cant get across, Trump said. He indicated he would consider the wall complete at the length of 500-550 miles. Trump pointed to the contract for construction of 115 miles of a border barrier in Texas that he approved on Dec. 24. He said hell visit the start of construction in late January, noting that some parts of the planned barrier will be 30 feet high. There may be the case of an Olympic champion who can get over the wall, but for the most part, you are not able to do it, he said. Another part of the barrier has already been built or renovated in the San Diego area. So while were fighting over funding, were also building. And its my hope to have this completedall 500-550 milesto have it either renovated or brand new by election time, he said. Shutdown About one quarter of the federal government shut down on Dec. 22, after the slight Republican majority in the Senate couldnt get Democrats on board with the wall funding, thus failing to pass one of the government spending bills. The shutdown affects about 15 percent of the federal workforce. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and incoming Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said Dec. 23 that the shutdown could potentially continue into the new year. He said the White House has since reduced the requested $5 billion in border-wall funding and hopes the Democrats can move higher than the $1.3 billion amount theyve floated previously. He also said that federal paychecks would go out as scheduled on Dec. 28, and only a future payday, scheduled for Jan. 11, would be affected. More than 420,000 government employees deemed essential would be working without pay and over 380,000 would be furloughed, according to the projection by Senate Appropriations Committee staff. The essential workers have back pay guaranteed once their agency gets funded. Those furloughed dont get the back pay automatically, but Congress has usually approved a measure to pay them for the shutdown period. Trump said hes heard from federal workers that he should maintain the partial shutdown until the wall funding is approved. I think they understand whats happening, he said. They want border security. Americans were split sharply along party lines both on the Trumps performance regarding immigration as well as whod be to blame for the shutdownwhile Democrats mostly laid the blame on Trump, Republicans would generally blame the Democratic lawmakers or everyone equally, according to a Dec. 16-18 YouGov poll (pdf). Only 6 percent of Americans blamed Republicans in Congress. Turkish-backed Syrian fighters leave their barracks in the rebel-held border town of Jarabulus on Dec. 25, 2018, as they prepare to move towards Manbij. (Nazeer Al-Khatib/AFP) Turkey Vows No Slowdown in Fight Against ISIS After US Pullout From Syria ISTANBULTurkey vowed that the fight against the ISIS terrorist group wouldnt be slowed by the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump would allow ISIS to regain territory. As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil, Kalin told a news conference on Dec. 24. He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the extremist group. Steps to Prevent a Power Vacuum Erdogan and Trump agreed in a phone call on Dec. 23 to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws. A committee of U.S. military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria. In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria, but declined to give details of the discussions. War on Terror Continues The Trump administration has made it clear that, despite the Syria withdrawal, its campaign against terrorism continues. Even with no boots on the ground in Syria, the United States maintains around 5,200 troops across the border in Iraq. Furthermore, much of the U.S. campaign in Syria has been waged by warplanes flying out of Qatar and other locations in the Middle East. The United States is currently working on stabilizing and providing early recovery efforts in areas liberated from ISIS control, including the removal of explosive war remnants and the restoration of essential services. In addition to leading the global coalition to defeat ISIS in Syria, the United States is the single largest donor for efforts in response to the conflict in Syria. Washington has provided nearly $8.1 billion in assistance for people displaced since the crisis started. A rebel spokesman said on Dec. 24 that Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the U.S. withdrawal. Yesterday units, from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed toward the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle, said Maj. Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army. U.S. forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters. Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Syria, the U.S. Defense Department said Dec. 24. The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks. US Troop Withdrawal From Syria May Leave Kurds Vulnerable President Donald Trumps announced withdrawal of troops from Syria may have pulled the rug out from under a Kurdish socialist group that the United States has supported in the fight against the ISIS terrorist group. Trump announced the withdrawal of the roughly 2,000 troops on Dec. 19, declaring ISIS defeated in the Middle Eastern country. The move puts in question the future of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), a group that has been significantly involved in fighting ISIS, but is considered by Turkey an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that the United States considers a terror group. President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria.and he is a man who can do it, Trump said in a Dec. 23 tweet. Plus, Turkey is right next door. Our troops are coming home! YPG has been aided by the U.S. forces in its fight against ISIS since 2015. U.S. commanders were impressed with the Kurds military acumen and promised them support in further fights against ISIS if they recruit a more representative array of fighters, especially Arabs, according to Gen. Raymond Thomas III, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. The United States was never on board, however, with helping YPG achieve their political goals of declaring autonomy and establishing quasi-socialist communes based on the teachings of PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, whos been imprisoned by Turkey since 1999. In 2016, when the Kurds voted to declare autonomy of three provinces they controlled in northern Syria, the move was rebuked by both Ankara and Washington, as well as the regime of Russia-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Change Your Brand The United States has tried to present YPG as independent from PKK, which has led an insurgency against the government of Turkey since 1984, with a death toll of some 40,000 people. We literally played back to them that youve got to change your brand, you know, what do you want to call yourself besides the YPG, and with about a days notice they declared that they were the Syrian Democratic Forces, Thomas told the Aspen Security Forum 2017 (pdf). I thought it was a stroke of brains to put democracy in there somewhere. But the PKK connection has been obvious. Sometimes Im a PKK, sometimes Im a YPG. It doesnt really matter. They are all members of the PKK, one of the YPG fighters told The Wall Street Journal. Up to 30,000 strong, YPG won several victories against ISIS with the support of U.S. troops and air strikes. It has lost over 6,000 fighters. The U.S. has lost five. Turkey Attack Imminent? Turkey has threatened to invade Syria and eliminate both PKK and YPG, and the Kurds have made it clear the U.S. withdrawal makes that scenario all the more imminent. Indeed, some in the U.S. administration have pushed for keeping the troops in. But it was not so much to help fight the wars for YPG, but more to use the YPG to fight for further U.S. interests in the region, such as, by proxy, to oppose Iran. Thomas described the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as our proxies, a surrogate force of 50,000 people that are working for us and doing our bidding. The United States considers Iran a sponsor of terrorism and lists a litany of other grievances, including its nuclear and ballistic missile program. Iran not only has its operatives in Syria, but also backs the Assad regime, which the United States blames for massacring Syrians. War on Terror Continues SDF also warned the U.S. withdrawal will spark the resurgence of ISIS in the region. But the Trump administration has made it clear its campaign against terrorism continues. Even with no boots on the ground in Syria, the United States maintains around 5,200 troops across the border in Iraq. Furthermore, much of the U.S. campaign in Syria has been waged by warplanes flying out of Qatar and other locations in the Middle East. The United States is currently working on stabilizing and providing early recovery efforts in areas liberated from ISIS control, including the removal of explosive war remnants and the restoration of essential services. In addition to leading the global coalition to defeat ISIS in Syria, the United States is the single largest donor for efforts in response to the conflict in Syria. Washington has provided nearly $8.1 billion in assistance for people displaced since the crisis started, including 12.1 million people suffering in Syria and 5.6 million Syrian refugees in the region. The crisis in Syria began in 2011 along with similar unrest in the Middle East during the Arab Spring protests. The Obama administration backed the opposition against Assad, trying to destabilize his regime, while Assad violently suppressed the protests against his regime. The resulting civil war allowed the rise of ISIS. Reuters contributed to this report. Facebook co-founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepares to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill April 11, 2018 in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Why Facebook Lost Users This Year People are continuing to leave Facebook, as campaigns to delete Facebook gain momentum and global scrutiny expands in the wake of the social media and social networking companys tumultuous year marred by privacy-related scandals. The latest negative publicity came from a Dec. 18 report that revealed that Facebook had shared more personal user data with 150 other technology companies, such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Netflix, than it had previously disclosed, in a bid to exempt its business partners from normal privacy regulations. Scandal After Scandal Surfaces For years, Facebook had provided business partners the ability to read private messages from users and grant access to contact lists, often without consent, according to The New York Times. The company gave Netflix and Spotify the ability to read the private messages of Facebook users and allowed Microsofts Bing search engine to see the names of every Facebook users friends without their consent. They also let Yahoo view friend posts, even as Facebook claimed that it had stopped this kind of data sharing. Facebook responded to the report with a blog post authored by Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, director of developer platforms and programs. He argued the partnerships were for the users benefit, so people could access their Facebook accounts on other platforms such as Apple, Amazon, and Yahoo, while also giving users more recommendations from their Facebook friends on other popular apps. To be clear: none of these partnerships or features gave companies access to information without peoples permission, nor did they violate our 2012 settlement with the [Federal Trade Commission], Papamiltiadis said. Facebook was already dealing with the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal in March, which surfaced after reports said the UK political consulting firm had accessed the personal information of as many as 87 million Facebook users without their permission and analyzed the data ahead of the 2016 presidential election. We dont sell data to anyone, Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, testified to Congress in April about his companys policies. Facebook has utilized a defensive strategy this year in an attempt to reassure that users data would be protected. While Zuckerberg told lawmakers the firm would tighten its data policies, the recent New York Times report indicates the company is still choosing to ignore potential privacy concerns in favor of profits. A British parliamentary committee this month released internal Facebook emails that revealed the company debated whether to give app developers, who spent money advertising with them, more access to its data. In other cases, the emails discuss whether to shut off companies that Facebook viewed as competitors. The greater concern is not only what Facebook does with its user data, but also about the security of it. Just about two months ago, Facebook reported a data breach affecting more than 50 million accounts. The incident involved hackers that exploited a vulnerability in Facebooks code that affected View As, a feature that lets people see what their own profile looks like to someone else. Its still not clear who carried out the breach and what specific data was hacked. District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine filed a lawsuit against Facebook on Dec. 19 for failing to protect the data of users. The suit, which specifically mentioned the Cambridge Analytica scandal, noted that Facebooks loose data policies enabled companies and other third-party applications to collect data. Facebook failed to protect the privacy of its users and deceived them about who had access to their data and how it was used, Racine said of the complaint. Facebook put users at risk of manipulation by allowing companies like Cambridge Analytica and other third-party applications to collect personal data without users permission. The Fall Out With the social media company holding a 2.2 billion-strong user base worldwide and a net income of $15.9 billion last year, its unclear how much the scandals have affected Facebooks bottom line. But the number of privacy breaches has hurt the companys share price and prompted a number of official investigations into the company. Facebook shares have fallen about 42 percent from its 52-week high of $218.62 to a near 52-week low of $124.06, on Dec. 24. Zuckerberg is on pace to end the year with the biggest decline in wealth among all billionaires. According to Bloombergs Billionaires Index, Zuckerberg was down more than $20 billion to date, to a net worth of $49.7 billion, having started the year with a total net worth of $72.8 billion. More than 1 in 4 Americans have deleted the Facebook app from their mobile phones, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in September. The consumer-trust headache continued, with 81 percent of users saying that they had little or no confidence in the company to protect their data and privacy, according to a Business Insider survey. The Pew survey also revealed that more than half of Facebook users 18 years old and up have adjusted their privacy settings in the past 12 months, an indication of how important digital privacy is to todays users. Some Facebook investors have even called for Zuckerberg to step down as chairman of the company, in the wake of another public-relations blowout in November that revealed the company had hired a firm to lobby against Facebooks critics. Jonas Kron, a senior vice president at Trillium Asset Management, a U.S. investor who has an 8.5 million-pound stake in Facebook, argued that there needs to be a separation in positions. Facebook is behaving like its a special snowflake, Kron told the Telegraph. Its not. It is a company, and companies need to have a separation of chair and CEO. In a conference call with reporters later, Zuckerberg denied knowing about the companys relationship with the firm named Definers, which The New York Times reported was used by Facebook to disparage other tech companies. Zuckerberg said he ended the relationship as soon as he found out about it. Stifled Voices Facebook also has faced criticisms for marking nonpolitical advertisements as political content and censoring the voices of conservatives. In one case, a campaign advertisement by Elizabeth Heng, a Republican congressional candidate in California, was blocked on Facebook. Heng said the video, which features images of the Cambodia genocide of the 1970s, had personal relevance because her parents had escaped the country. After the story received media attention from conservative media, Facebook later restored the video. Another case involved the popular conservative duo Diamond and Silk, who asked the Trump administration to investigate Facebook after the company notified them that their content was unsafe to the community and that their ban was not appeal-able in any way. Facebook later apologized adding that they mishandled the incident. Facebook also apologized to Prager University for mistakenly removing some of their videos for hate speech. Prager is a nonprofit organization that produces conservative educational videos. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Paris Tue, December 25, 2018 16:00 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f2976 2 Art & Culture louvre,Paris,Museum,France,Pierre-Soulages Free France's master of black Pierre Soulages announced Monday that he will be the subject of a vast retrospective at the Louvre museum in Paris next year, and possibly an ambitious show in New York as well. "They're borrowing works from the National Gallery in Washington, the MoMa in New York, the Tate in London. All the great museums are making loans," Soulages said in an interview to mark his 99th birthday. "They're going to take down everything in the Salon Carre to install my works," he told the Depeche du Midi newspaper, referring to the Louvre's vaunted gallery of Italian masterpieces. The show will open in December and run through March. In another interview with Le Figaro, Soulages said his dealer Emmanuel Perrotin was planning "a crazy project for my 100th birthday." "He wants to bring all my works at the Fabre Museum in Montpellier to his new gallery, which is magnificent, in New York," he said. Read also: The top 10 art exhibitions to see in 2019 "Financially it's madness. I don't know how he'll manage," he added. Considered one of France's greatest painters, Soulages said he continues working every day at his home in Sete, on the Mediterranean coast, on his trademark "Outrenoir" (Beyond Black) works. "It was the colour I chose for my clothes as soon as I was able to. My mother was scandalised, she'd tell me: 'You're already mourning me'," he told the Depeche. "As I often say, the painting that interests me the most is the one I'm going to do," he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Hong Kong, China Tue, December 25, 2018 18:00 1073 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f5a11 2 Entertainment band,Visa,Hong-Kong,China,ChthoniC Free The frontman of a popular Taiwanese metal band which advocates independence for the island was denied a visa to Hong Kong because he lacked "special skills", a music festival organizer said Monday. ChthoniC, one of Asia's most successful black metal bands, slammed the decision as "ridiculous" after they were forced to pull out of a music festival in the southern Chinese city over the weekend because band members were unable to get a visa from Hong Kong's immigration department. Frontman Freddy Lim is also a pro-independence lawmaker in Taiwan and the cancellation fuelled fears about eroding artistic freedoms in Hong Kong as authorities clamp down on pro-democracy sentiment at the behest of Beijing. Hong Kong's immigration authorities have yet to say why the visas were refused. But on Monday Denise Ho, a pro-democracy canto-pop star who had invited ChthoniC to perform at a festival, posted a letter from the immigration department setting out the reasons for Lim's refusal. "A person seeking to enter into Hong Kong ... for employment should amongst other things, possess a special skill, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the (city)," the letter stated. "Having considered the information made available and all circumstances of the case, we are not satisfied that this case meets the aforesaid criteria," it added. Lim called the government's reason "ridiculous" but added he remained hopeful. "I have many friends in Hong Kong, friends from the music scene, friends who are involved in Hong Kong's social movement, and everyone is trying so hard to change things," Lim told AFP. The immigration department did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Read also: Number of rejected Schengen visa applications for Indonesia increases ChthoniC was founded in 1995 by Lim and has gone on to become one of the region's most successful metal bands. Lim became a lawmaker in 2016 and his New Power Party calls for Taiwan to be recognised internationally as a country. He was denied a travel visa to Hong Kong later that year. Netizens in Hong Kong, where authorities have been steadily clamping down on the city's pro-independence sentiments, ridiculed the governments apparent excuse. "That means Madonna wouldn't be qualified to do a concert in Hong Kong either," wrote one Facebook user. "The song he sings, only he can sing it. How is that not a special skill?" commented another. Beijing still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. In recent years, concern has also grown in Hong Kong about its freedoms disappearing as China tightens its grip on the semi-autonomous city. A senior Financial Times journalist's visa renewal was rejected earlier this year after he hosted a speech at Hong Kong's press club by Andy Chan, the leader of a tiny pro-independence political party. Authorities did not provide an explanation for the rejection. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Karo, North Sumatra Tue, December 25, 2018 10:56 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f13a8 1 Art & Culture vihara,Buddhism,North-Sumatra Free Three Buddhist monks led a ritual on Sunday, Dec. 23, during the soft opening of Suwarnadwipa Tianzhu Chansi vihara, a new monastery located on the premises of Taman Simalem Resort in Merek subdistrict, Karo regency, North Sumatra. Hundreds of Buddhists from the province attended the ritual, which expressed gratitude for the new vihara. The event included raising the statues of the three Buddhist goddesses Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Mahasthamarapta Bodhisattva. The vihara's inauguration ceremony on Sunday included raising the statues of three Buddhist goddesses. (JP/Apriadi Gunawan) The inauguration ceremony also distributed alms to orphans and closed with the Fang Sen (also Fang Sheng), the Buddhist practice of releasing captive animals and said to be a way to show appreciation for nature. The monks, interfaith leaders and TSR staff set free a flock of birds during the Fang Sen. Read also: Christian community to build house of interfaith dialogue to fight hatred in Berlin Islamic leader Jamaludin Nasution said he was pleased to attend the event alongside other religious leaders. He appreciated the Taman Simalem Resort management for providing places of worship for different religions, as it was important for adherents to be able to observe their prayers while staying at the resort. All tourist locations should provide houses of worship, Jamaludin told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the event. Buddhist monks, interfaith leaders and Taman Simalem Resort staff release live birds during Fang Sen (Fang Sheng), which closed the inauguration ceremony of Suwarnadwipa Tianzhu Chansi vihara on Dec. 23 at the North Sumatra resort. (JP/Apriadi Gunawan) Meanwhile, general manager Eddy Tanoto said that establishing places of worship had been part of the resort's plans since the beginning. The resort now has two mosques, a church and the new vihara. They were built to symbolize interfaith harmony, said Eddy. The vihara is unique in that it is decorated with Chinese Buddhist ornaments. Firman, a Jakarta-based architect who co-designed the vihara, said almost 20 percent of the vihara's ornaments had come from China, so it bore some resemblance to viharas in that country. We used the ornaments to attract travelers, so it can also function as a tourist destination, he said. (wir/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) London Tue, December 25, 2018 13:03 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3e9f49 2 Food Christmas,London,United-Kingdom,meat,auction Free It's a Christmas Eve tradition cherished by Londoners since Victorian times: buying a hunk of meat at a massive discount in a sprawling market tucked away near St. Paul's Cathedral. Smithfield Market's annual auction is a bonanza for lovers of English beef and lamb. Sam Thompson joined hundreds of others on Monday outside the hangar-like building designed by Victorian architect Horace Jones in the 1800s in search of the freshest cut for a fraction of the supermarket price. "That's the best quality," the 39-year-old plumber said. "What you find in supermarkets is anything. Here you have good quality English meat." Entire families -- some wearing Christmas hats and others armed with sizable bags in which to bring home dinner -- showed up on Monday morning to seep in the tradition and haggle. "Get your money ready," auction organiser Greg Lawrence shouted to the gathering masses as heavy slabs of ribs and plump turkeys traded hands. The market operates as a wholesaler for the top chefs of London and beyond. Stall owners use Christmas to clear out their stock ahead of the new year. But times may be about to change. Read also: Pilgrims gather in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve There is a plan to relocate Smithfield along with the Billingsgate fish market and the New Spitalfields fruit and vegetable market to a new site outside the city centre. The City of London Corporation -- the governing body for the central financial district where the meat is bought and sold -- has already purchased a new space for the three. This would open up a large area in the very heart of one of the most expensive property markets in the world. The wholesale food market of Rungis near Paris is "a model that everybody in the world is beginning to follow," the corporation's markets director David Smith told AFP. "But we have to get legislation through parliament so it will take a long time." The final go-ahead and timeline for the move are expected in 2019. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nafisa Eltahir (Reuters) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tue, December 25, 2018 15:04 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f1a00 2 Lifestyle Dubai,United-Arab-Emirates,Christmas,Christmas-tree,expats Free For over 25 years, expatriates celebrating Christmas in Dubai have been able to buy large, fragrant Christmas trees imported from Canada and the United States - a seasonal treat in the desert Gulf state. On a sunny day with a cool breeze, a far cry from a white Christmas but typical for winter in Dubai, plant sellers opened up their trucks in the crowded working-class Satwa district. Buyers can pay anything from 200 dirhams ($54) for a 1.6m (5 ft) tree up to 5,000 dirhams for giant ones. "Plastic trees don't affect our business," said one seller, Gulshan Gafoor. "(With) real ones, you get good smells." But prices are rising, buyers said. Two years ago, Monica Wojciechowska, a Polish expat who has lived in Dubai for 17 years, said she bought a tree for 200 dirhams while this year the same size tree costs 450 dirhams. She tried to bargain, but seller Abdul Sanju had his arguments ready. "We don't grow in Dubai, in Dubai we don't have the climate. If it was in Dubai, I'd sell for 200," Sanju told her. Read also: What makes Dubai, Dubai Prices have gone up because of custom duties, he said. When Sanju's boss Muyinuddin Rafi started his Christmas tree business more than 25 years ago there were only a few shops, but now buyers have more choices as supermarkets and big stores have joined the market. Customers still come to the sellers' trucks though, because "they can actually see the tree, know the thickness, know the bushiness," said Sanju. As the sun began to set, Bon Chandana, a Sri Lankan hospital worker, came to buy a Christmas tree with his son. In the past, he said, he had spent up to 600 dirhams on trees. "I want to enjoy and (give) respect to my Jesus, my God," he said. "I'm a very small person - but (when it comes) to Christmas, very big." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Wed, December 26, 2018 05:06 1073 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3fbfd4 2 Science & Tech Samsung,galaxy,smartphone,Samsung-Galaxy-S10,camera Free Just two months before the alleged release date at the Mobile World Conference, there has been another leak about the fabled Samsung Galaxy S10: the camera is expected to get a new, artsy mode. Samsung has been demonstrating its commitment to smartphone photography innovation by increasing the lens count every couple releases; the newest fleet consists of some with up to three just on the rear and more modes and settings than the last generation. To follow the trend, Galaxy S10 is expected to gain an Artistic Live Focus feature according to Galaxy Club. Several Samsung models already have Live Focus, a mode that allows users to take bokeh shots whose blur effect can be further customized after the picture has been taken. Artistic Live Focus implies that the new model will have a whole new level of effects to make portraits even more impressive; Galaxy Club claims this option will allow users to create digital animations and give images special effects. Considering that the S10 will likely use Qualcomms Snapdragon 855, the computational photography will certainly be next level anyway since several of its competitors have not yet announced plans to release devices with a more recent SoC than the 845, though theyre doubtlessly in the works. Read also: Samsung gives first glimpse of foldable phone Apart from the camera features, it is predicted that the model will come with the punch-out Infinity-O design that the A8s showed off during its unveiling in China earlier this month. While some companies like Xiaomi and Lenovo are putting their front cameras on a mechanism that slides out from behind the display in order to reduce bezel size and omit the infamous notch, Samsung has been experimenting with hole-punch designs. At the Samsung Developer Conference in November, the company revealed four new display options that may or may not come to reality: the Infinity-U, the Infinity-V, the New Infinity, and, of course, the Infinity-O which has already hit the commercial market. Though the O display is the most likely at this point as we have already seen the technology in Samsungs mobile portfolio, it could don any of these designs. With leaks coming every couple weeks about the S10, it is hard to imagine that people will have to wait until the official reveal for more specs; hopefully, Samsung will weigh in sooner rather than later. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin James Tarmy and Katya Kazakina (Bloomberg) Tue, December 25, 2018 20:05 1073 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f6590 2 Art & Culture Saudi-Arabia,Sothebys,art,destination,travel Free Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has set multiple ambitious agendas for his desert kingdom. Turning it into a major cultural destination may end up being one of the highest-profile. For part of the plan, the Saudi government has turned to Sothebys, the biggest U.S. auction house, and Allan Schwartzman, the co-chairman of its fine art division. He rose to fame by creating an arts dreamland in the Brazilian jungle for a mining magnate who was later convicted of money laundering. The Saudi cultural center would take root in Al-Ula, an archaeologically rich region in the northwest of the country. There, the Nabateans, a formerly nomadic tribe of skilled craftsman and traders, carved elaborate buildings out of sandstone more than 2,000 years ago. The region contains an ancient city, Madain Salih, which was Saudi Arabias first Unesco World Heritage Site. Whether the project will proceed as planned is a mysteryperhaps as enigmatic as the fate of Leonardo da Vincis Salvator Mundi, the $450 million masterpiece that hasnt been seen in public since another Saudi prince bought it at auction last year. Schwartzmans connection is twofold: He serves on the advisory board of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, an entity overseeing the regions development, and he leads Art Agency Partners, Sothebys art advisory arm, which submitted a plan for a sprawling contemporary art initiative on the site. The collaboration with Sothebys is in an exploratory phase, Rosie Marsh, a spokeswoman for the royal commission, said in an emailed statement. It remains unclear how the fallout from the October murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will affect the project. Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate voted to withdraw support for the kingdoms war in Yemen and hold the crown prince responsible for Khashoggis death.Like many organizations and individuals, we are extremely concerned about recent events and unreservedly condemn acts of violence against all persons, Sothebys said in a statement. An active dialogue is underway internally about this project, as there is about all potential initiatives and partnerships the company considers. Read also: Christie's tops Sotheby's in monster week for auction sales Sothebys proposed to unequivocally position Al-Ula as unique amongst other worldwide cultural destinations as a major patron of the arts, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg. The auction house invited more than a dozen artists to submit proposals. Beginning in late October, about five of them visited the site, according to people familiar with the program who asked not to be identified discussing nonpublic details. Sothebys, Schwartzman, and the royal commission declined to comment on the art proposals, and Marsh said no works have yet been commissioned. If approved, submissions could form the backbone of a traveling exhibition that might help drum up interest in the project, according to Sothebys proposal. The artists will be asked to dream their biggest dream and envisage a project which may or may not be realized, but will represent the ultimate expression of them as an artist, Sothebys said in the proposal. The organizations website states that a strategic plan is underway; a subsequent master plan will take from six to nine months, and then the actual infrastructure construction will take from three to five years. Infrastructure and facilities must be created for visitors to experience the world-class cultural experiences that Al-Ula deserves, the projects website states. Central to the vision for this future development is local, regional and international access to the remarkable human and natural heritage of Al- Ula, said Marsh. Interpretations through contemporary art is just one direction being explored." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mary Sibierski (Agence France-Presse) Torun, Poland Wed, December 26, 2018 01:03 1073 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3fb3bb 2 Food Torun,Poland,gingerbread,food,#food,recipe Free Two master bakers dressed in white use a long knife to carve a heavy, thick slab of molasses-coloured gingerbread dough out of a huge metal vat, where, like wine, it has been maturing for a few months, deep in the cellar of one of the world's oldest bakeries. The bakers at the Kopernik Confectionery Factory in Poland's historic central city of Torun taste the matured dough, checking whether each vat is ready for baking. The factory has used a jealously-guarded secret mix of spices since it opened in 1763 and has been serving up its popular brand of gingerbread non-stop ever since, with the exception of a few years' hiatus during World War II. Only six of the factory's bakers know the exact proportion and types of spices that are used, according to spokesman Jakub Kopczynski. "Cloves preserve the dough, which of course also includes flour and sugar, allowing it to develop its unique flavour as it ages," he tells AFP. Cinnamon, ginger and pepper are also in the spice mix, he adds, though he politely refuses to divulge further details. "Like fine wine, good gingerbread must be aged and like wine making, the process requires a lot of know-how," he adds. Around him are a hundred or so vats lined up in neat rows across the factory's bottom floor, each of them weighing around 700 kilogrammes (1,500 pounds). Vegan, kosher, non-GMO The bold, inviting aroma of gingerbread spice wafts through the sprawling factory on the edge of Torun. The secret recipe draws on the city's gingerbread tradition harking back to the Middle Ages when spices from India and the Middle East first began to arrive in Torun, later a major crossroads for Hanseatic trading routes. Its origins may be ancient, but Torun gingerbread is also as trendy as it gets: the factory has acquired certification attesting that its products are vegan, kosher, non-GMO and that they do not contain palm oil. "It's always been our traditional standard; now we have formal recognition," Kopczynski adds, having moved to another part of the factory, where a conveyor belt feeds gingerbread hearts into a 36-metre-long (119-feet) oven to bake for seven minutes. The historic factory is a joint-stock company owned by current and former employees, who have shunned offers from foreign investors in order to prevent them from acquiring their prized recipe. Named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the Torun-born father of modern astronomy who is known as Mikolaj Kopernik in Polish, the factory produced 3,500 tonnes of gingerbread this year, sold in Poland and across the globe. Read also: Five Christmas feast destinations in Jakarta Luxury item Polish high school student Jagoda presses a ball of gingerbread dough into a hand-carved wooden cookie mould in the shape of a horseshoe inscribed "szczescie", or Polish for "luck". She has come with her class from the nearby city of Bydgoszcz for a hands-on baking lesson at the state museum of Torun gingerbread, nestled in the original red-brick Kopernik factory near the city's historic central square. "My family has a tradition of making decorated gingerbread cookies to give away as Christmas presents," the 17-year-old tells AFP, holding a heart-shaped cookie impressed with a flower motif in the palm of her hand. Shaped as knights, angels, princesses or horse-drawn carriages, large gingerbread cookies and cakes, pressed from intricately carved wooden moulds, were long among the most exclusive of gifts during the pre-industrial era up until the late 1700s. "Because the imported spices were so expensive, gingerbread was a luxury item which only the elite could afford," explains museum director Malgorzata Mikulska-Wernerowicz, adding that gingerbread bakers were also wealthy and stood high on the social ladder. "Kings visiting Torun received gingerbread from the city council," she says, standing next to a display with gingerbread moulds carved in applewood and pearwood dating from the 1600 and 1700s. 'Pepper-bread' Invited by a local prince, knights of the Teutonic Order came from the Holy Land to found Torun, known in German as Thorn, in 1233. The knights are believed to have brought the first spices from the Middle East, triggering demand and with it, a lucrative spice trade that helped Torun become one of Europe's wealthiest cities during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Gingerbread is still big business in Torun, with dozens of bakeries, shops and even a private interactive museum capitalising on the tradition in the city of just over 200,000 residents. Unlike the thin, crisp gingerbread snaps popular in Sweden or Britain, Torun gingerbread is chewy and meaty. Traditionally based on honey, spirits, wheat and rye flour mixed with spices, records show that the Torun variety was already being made by local German bakers in the mid-1500s and drew its name from pepper -- Pfefferkuchen -- rather than ginger. The modern-day Polish term for gingerbread -- "pierniki" -- also refers to pepper. Legend has it that Copernicus himself enjoyed munching on the treat. "He came from a family of wealthy merchants so there's no reason why he wouldn't have indulged in gingerbread," says Mikulska-Wernerowicz, with a twinkle in her eye. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 22 2018 Eco wonderland: A Christmas tree made out of about 30,000 used plastic bottles stands tall in the GPIB Paulus church in Menteng, Central Jakarta. Many churches in Jakarta are going green this year, using recycled waste for decorations.(Photo courtesy of Masyarakat Sadar Lingkungan group) Christmas is just around the corner and churches in the city are preparing festive decorations to welcome and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. While many traditionally resort to the convention of putting up a Christmas tree, real or artificial, some churches in the capital have opted to take the eco-friendly route by resorting to recycled waste. At the GPIB Paulus church in Menteng, Central Jakarta, a white Christmas tree-shaped object, decorated with small gold and white baubles and decorative lights, stands solidly. The tree is 7 meters high and made of about 30,000 used plastic bottles. It can change color once the LED light hidden underneath its fake leaves is turned on. 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 Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 22 2018 Woman for all seasons: After building a successful career as a presenter and skincare specialist, Reisa Broto Asmoro is trying her luck in acting with the new Viu series, GLOW. Presenter and skincare specialist Reisa Broto Asmoro makes her first foray into acting in the new series GLOW, where she plays a working mother with similarities to herself. Viu family drama GLOW debuts on Mothers Day, depicting the struggles of being a new mother, while one of its stars can relate to such challenges. Premiering on Dec. 22, GLOW sees the acting debut of Reisa Broto Asmoro, a skincare specialist, television host and the 2011 Indonesian representative to the Miss International competition. Acting is a whole different thing. I cant express myself the way I usually do on television, she said after the series premiere event in Jakarta on Thursday. Aside from Reisa, the three-episode series will also star Indonesian Idol finalist Agatha Suci and actress Nirina Zubir, all under the direction of Project Pop musical group member Hilman Mutasi, who helmed the 2008 comedy-drama Tarix Jabrix. The theme of the series is stitched deep into Reisas life experiences and her overall outlook on mothers and would-be mothers who just want the best for themselves and their children. The series highlights the general concerns that new Indonesian mothers have regarding raising their children in a friendly and comfortable environment, while also wanting to be a wonderful parent to them as well. GLOW centers on Reisas semifictional character Regina as she moves out of her mothers house for the first time and adjusts to a separate married life, away from the friendly neighborhood she was used to and the environment she thrived in. Moving into her new townhouse with her husband and daughter, she quickly feels the uneasiness of settling into an individualistic environment where the neighbors dont really talk to each other. GLOW, sponsored by skincare brand Ponds, also follows Reginas efforts to establish her own skincare clinic at her new home, while also settling into the new house as her husband toils at work for most of the day. The domestic life that she leads in the series sharply contrasts with her reality though, as the former beauty pageant winner is living a royal Javanese life. She has been married to Surakarta Prince KP Tedjodiningrat Broto Asmoro since 2012. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, December 25, 2018 14:08 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f005a 1 National Sunda-Strait-tsunami,IDI,PMI,Red-Cross Free Government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue to send help to victims of a tsunami in Banten and Lampung, but some small islets near the volcano have yet to be reached. The Health Ministry deployed a medical team to Pandeglang regency, Banten, on Sunday night and plans to send a second team on Monday. "The team consists of doctors and nurses who also brought with them medicine and medical equipment," Health Ministry spokesperson Widyawati said in a statement on Monday. She added that there were currently 4,561 evacuees in Pandeglang and there was a risk they might contract environmental-based diseases. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) sent 120 volunteers and six ambulances to Banten and 15 refugees to South Lampung regency to help with evacuating residents affected by the tsunami. "The PMI team in the field is helping with evacuation efforts and providing first aid to injured residents," PMI emergency response head Ridwan Sobri Carman said in a statement on Sunday. "We are also assessing what the next response should be." Meanwhile, the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has sent a medical team to Banten to help treat injured victims. "We have constructed five posts in community health centers [Puskesmas] in the affected areas Carita, Labuhan, Panimbang, Cibaliung and Sumur for emergency medical treatment," IDI Banten head Hendrarto said on Sunday. The IDI also said that it needed additional medical personnel, particularly orthopedic specialists, neurosurgeons, obstetrician-gynecologists and pediatricians, as well as additional medical supplies and ambulances. Survivors on Sebesi Island off the coast of Lampung, however, said no workers had yet reached the area and asked for help. According to Antara news agency, Sebesi Island village head Syamsiar said residents needed tents, food and other forms of aid as soon as possible. Lampung Social Agency head Sumarju Saini said the agency had received aid from both the public and government institutions, including food, blankets and clothes, which would soon be distributed to areas around the Lampung coast. About 5,000 evacuees who had taken shelter in the Lampung governor's office on Sunday have also returned to their homes. "Only a few hundred are still [at the office] because their houses [are heavily damaged]," Sumarju said on Monday as quoted by Antara. (kmt/swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Semarang Tue, December 25, 2018 15:32 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f1d7e 1 National Christmas,church,celebration Free As the country has encountered instances of intolerance throughout the year, carol services in cathedrals and churches across the country have called for interreligious unity. The Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta promoted the theme Kita Bhinneka, Kita Indonesia (We are diverse, We are Indonesia) with decorations inspired by the beauty of Indonesia's islands. "This year, we are implementing the third principle of Pancasila, the principle of the unity of Indonesia, the church's spokesperson Susyana Suwadie said as quoted by tribunnews.com. In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, archbishop of the St. Joseph Cathedral Mgr. Agustinus Agus called for maintaining diversity in Indonesia, as well as increasing security, comfort and peace. Indonesia, unity, Pancasila and diversity must be something that we constantly fight for," Agus said on Tuesday, adding that the large, growing and diverse nature of the population had been preserved since the time of the countrys founding fathers. West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji, who visited the church with West Kalimantan Police chief Insp. Gen. Didi Haryono, Tanjungpura military commander Maj. Gen. Achmad Supriadi and Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono, also said diversity does not mean division but unity. Agus said the government's visit to the church was evidence that the government was implementing its mission on unity. The priest at the Maria Catholic Church Ratu Para Rasul in Pamekasan, East Java, Rama Deddy Sulistya, also called for maintaining harmony and peace to bring love to others. We are united in diversity and this is Gods gift, he said in a carol service attended by 400 people. In Semarang, Central Java, 400,000 Catholics spread across 100 parishes in the Semarang archdiocese celebrated Christmas by reflecting on the themes related to the peace of living together as Indonesians. Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, accompanied by Diponegoro military commander Maj. Gen. Mochamad Effendi and Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono, visited the Semarang Cathedral. Ganjar said Christmas in Surabaya was tinged with joy. "I met a number of people in a happy atmosphere. They expressed happiness about the trans-Java toll road that had just been inaugurated by the President. They were also praying for the tsunami victims in Banten," he said. (ggq) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, December 25, 2018 20:59 1073 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f7dba 1 City robbery-attempt,street-crime,Christmas,Christmas-Eve,jakarta Free The Tambora police have arrested AR, 32, accused of robbing churchgoer Ratna Wati, 37, after the latter attended a Christmas service at GPT Ghosen church in Angke, Tambora, West Jakarta, on Monday night. Tambora Police chief Comr. Iverson Manossah said the suspect tried to snatch Ratnas handbag when the victim was walking with her husband to their parked car near the church. The suspect came driving a motorcycle with his partner and tried to snatch the victims handbag, facing strong resistance from Ratna. The suspect fell during the struggle and tried to run away, then a chase between the suspect and the victim occurred. During the chase, one of the suspects was arrested by the police, he said. He said the police were currently interrogating the arrested suspect. The police confiscated the victims red Anello handbag and some cash as evidence. The suspect is charged under Article 365 of the Criminal Code on violent robbery and may face a seven-year prison term. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, December 25, 2018 16:34 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f3e75 1 Politics Christmas,MarufAmin,MUI,presidential-election Free In a rare event, the non-active chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which is seen as the guardian of Islamic orthodoxy, has sent a Christmas greeting to Christians throughout the country. Maruf Amin, who is running alongside incumbent Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the 2019 presidential election, is seen wishing all the nation's Christians a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in a 22-second clip of what appears to be a official campaign video. The video immediately sparked religious and political controversy. Indonesian Muslims have long been divided over whether saying Selamat Natal (Merry Christmas) is religiously permissible. Some believe that doing so would compromise their strict monotheistic belief, arguing that Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ as God Incarnate. Others argue that Jesus is Islam's Prophet Isa so there is nothing wrong with celebrating the birth of an Islamic prophet. During his active stint as chairman of the MUI, the Islamic body in charge of issuing fatwas, Maruf previously exercised caution in his response when asked if he would wish Christians "Merry Christmas", given the ongoing and prolonged debate. The issue is debated, [so] its better not to say it, he said in December 2012 as reported by tempo.co. He reiterated his stance in 2016 as reported by tribunnews.com, that "I would rather not say ['Merry Christmas'] if disagreements existed on the issue. The MUI has never declared Christmas greetings as haram, although it clearly stated that Muslims were forbidden from taking part in Christmas Mass and donning Christmas attire in the fatwas it issued in 1981 and 2016. Responding to questions about Marufs Christmas well-wishes, MUI general secretary Anwar Abbas said the council had yet to take a stance on the issue. The MUI has never issued a fatwa on it, Anwar said. President Jokowi, who is facing negative campaigns attacking his Muslim credentials, picked Maruf as his running mate in August, shortly before officially registering his 2019 candidacy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Wed, December 26 2018 Comeback kids: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (center) poses alongside six Indonesian sailors, who were held captive by an armed militant group in Libya for almost a year, at the ministrys compound in Jakarta in April. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) The year 2018 was supposed to be the year of achievement for Indonesias push for greater citizen protection abroad, a key policy priority under Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. However, the relevant sectors still harbor the same old flaws that prevent the country from helping its citizens escape abuse, kidnapping and capital punishment overseas. This year, the government has handled 18,960 cases involving Indonesian nationals overseas and has settled 15,420 of them, according to data from the ministry. The rate, 84 percent, was higher than the 2017 figure of 62 percent. 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 Endy Bayuni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 26 2018 When Indonesia joins the Security Council on Jan. 1, a lot of expectations fall on our shoulders from both the domestic and international public for the coming two years. Unlike in previous seatings, this time Indonesia is entering the global stage as an aspiring middle power. As a non-permanent member, Indonesia along with 14 other countries in the United Nations body will bear the responsibility of ensuring peace and stability around the world. With the world being uncertain as it is, dotted by wars, tensions, trouble spots and flash points, the Security Council has its work cut out, and Indonesia will be ready to play its part during its term in the next two years. This is not the first time that Indonesia becomes a member of the council. But unlike the last time around in 2007 to 2008, it enters with more credentials that have conferred it the status of a middle power, if not, certainly a rising middle power. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 26 2018 The government is demanding that the Australian government immediately establish a task force similar to Indonesias Montara oil spill task force to resolve the 2009 oil spill in the Timor Sea. The Montara rig, operated by PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Australasia, a subsidiary of the Thai oil production company PTT, caught fire and leaked hundreds of thousands of liters of oil. Meanwhile, the Care for West Timor Foundations class action lawsuit, which was filed in August 2016, remains at Sydney Federal Court. The foundation represents more than 13,000 local fishermen. 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 Jintana Panyaarvudh (The Nation/Asia News Network) Chiang Mai, Thailand Tue, December 25, 2018 07:08 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3dd130 2 News chiang-mai,Thailand,travelers Free The Tourism industry in Chiang Mai has seen some changes recently, especially in the type, behavior and nationality of tourists, Pakkanan Winijchai, director of the Chiang Mai branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said. The number of independent tourists visiting the northern city has been rising gradually though the number of group tourists dropped slightly after a boat accident in Phuket killed 47 tourists in July, Pakkanan told The Nation in an interview last week. The 60:40 ratio of independent and group tourists over the past few years has changed to 70:30, Pakkanan added. She explained that the increasing number of free independent travelers included domestic tourists as well as foreigners, especially those from Europe, Australia and India. The director, who was posted in Chiang Mai two months ago, said the city seems to have become more popular among Europeans, especially Italians and from German-speaking countries, as well as Russians. Also, some nationalities visit Chiang Mai more often and during specific seasons. For instance, Israelis usually prefer to come during the rainy season to enjoy the sound of rain and waterfalls, as their country is more prone to droughts. But now, many of them also visit during the winter season. Last year, Chiang Mai welcomed around 10 million tourists, 7 million of whom were locals and 3 million foreigners, Pakkanan said. Of the foreigners, 1 million were Chinese. However the number of Chinese tourists dropped after the boat accident. As of November, tourist arrivals to Thailand had reached 34.43 million, up 7.53 percent, generating an estimated Bt1.8 trillion in tourism revenue, up by 9.79 percent, over the same period in 2017. China still led the list with the 10 millionth tourist arriving in the Kingdom last week. Pakkanan said Chinese tourists have gradually started returning to Chiang Mai, thanks to new flights being added to the Beijing-Chiang Mai route, bringing the number of flights up to seven daily. The TATs Beijing office reported that the trend of big tour groups has changed to small groups comprising six or seven travelers, she said. So, instead of mainly relying on Chinese tourists we have a mixed market, the director said, suggesting that tour operators make adjustments and offer more tailor-made services to serve the changing behavior of tourists. Read also: Chiang Mai womans tattoo is practical magic Tourists at Saturday Night Market on August 27, 2016 in Chiang Mai, Thailand (Shutterstock.com/Elena Ermakova /File) The TAT has transformed its strategy by offering more digital information to facilitate the change in trends, she added. For instance, she said, individual travelers usually find information and routes by themselves through the Internet and decide where they should check in, so apart from distributing booklets, the Chiang Mai office is now also providing information via digital platforms and offering a QR code for people to download e-books. However, her office is facing challenges. She said Thailand, as a popular destination, has seen an increasing number of repeat visitors, though the number of first-time visitors has dropped. The ratio of repeat tourists to first-timers stands at 70:30. The challenge for her office now is to get more first-time visitors, she said. But both types of visitors have pros and cons, she admitted. Revisiting groups usually plan their own trips and do not need to rely on tour packages. They also tend to spend less, as they connect with locally based communities and eat local food. Still, she said, its good because they boost the income for the locals. First-time visitors, on the other hand, tend to be big spenders as, never having visited the city before, they go to tourist attractions and dine at luxury restaurants, she said. Pakkanan said there is an opportunity for Chiang Mai to overcome this challenge, as the city has been evolving, with more activities and new tourist attractions emerging all the time. Chiang Mai has become a major destination, because now there are direct flights from Europe to the city. So, we can promote it as a top destination, and design package tours for tourists to stay longer, or around four to five days, compared to the two days that people previously spent in Chiang Mai, she said. The TAT is also encouraging operators in Chiang Mai to design new routes and include new places following a government campaign to promote tourism in 55 secondary cities to boost local revenue. Those who spend on accommodation and food and drink at these secondary locations can claim tax deductions of up to Bt15,000. Some Chiang Mai districts, including Chaiya Prakan, Fang and Mae Ai, have been categorized as second-tier cities. We are now promoting new routes combining Chiang Mai with second-tier cities such as Chaiya Prakan and Fang district as well as neighboring provinces like Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun, Pakkanan said. Tourists can depart from Chiang Mai, spend a night or two in the districts before heading to neighboring provinces, she explained. Pakkanan is also encouraging locals to visit the city during weekdays, so the city is not too overcrowded during the weekends. Those who opt for trips on working days will also receive benefits from the TAT and its partners. Topics : This article appeared on The Nation newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Lee Tae-hee (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) Tue, December 25, 2018 06:02 1074 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3dc95e 2 News Racism,Korea Free The Korea Tourism Organization announced it will cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea to provide consultations and legal assistance to tourists who experience racism here, starting from Thursday. Data put forth by Statistics Korea on Wednesday showed that 1 out of every 5 foreigners in South Korea suffer discrimination. Of those who said they had experienced discrimination, 60.9 percent said it was based on their nationality. Catering to the needs to protect the human rights of foreign visitors, the Tourist Complaint Center hotline (1330) will be expanded as of Thursday to deal with discriminatory experiences. The hotline originally only assisted with travel inconveniences. Read also: Racism in Korea, from TV to real life Tourists will be able to call the Tourist Complaint Center to receive consultations when experiencing direct or indirect discrimination. The NHRCK (1331) will assist travelers in reporting cases of discrimination by providing legal guidance and settling appropriate mediation procedures. Ahn Young-bae, president of KTO, said, Discriminatory experiences against tourists affect not only on the level of satisfaction of their trip, but also their perception of Korea. We hope our cooperation with the NHRCK ensures the happiness of travelers and enhances their human rights. The Tourist Complaint Centers hotline, open 24 hours a day, is provided in eight languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay. The NHRCK call center operates in English, with various interpretation services provided on site. Topics : This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, December 25, 2018 20:17 1073 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e3f709e 4 News #SundaStraitTsunami,Tanjung-Lesung-resort,Banten,tsunami,pandeglang,Hotel,travel,tourism Free Tanjung Lesung Beach Hotel and Resort in Pandeglang regency, Banten, which was hit by the Sunda Strait tsunami on Saturday night on Dec. 22, is planning to reopen its doors to guests starting Jan. 1. Pandeglang is one of the regencies that was badly affected by the tsunami. We hope to restore our operation on Jan. 1 because a number of rooms had been booked, said Setyono Djuandi Darmono, chairman of developer PT Jababeka, at a press conference on Dec. 24 at Menara Batavia in Central Jakarta. Well fix the damaged area." Read also: Tsunami damaged 69 hotels, villas: BNPB According to kompas.com, Darmono said plenty of people needed a place to stay in Tanjung Lesung, especially those who wanted to help the victims. There are also families who are looking for their relatives. Its necessary to prepare a proper place. The disaster only temporarily changes our market segmentation, but it does not halt our operation, he said. Meanwhile, Purnomo Siswoprasetijo, director of PT Banten West Java Tourism Development, said they expected to be able to operate 50 percent of the resort's cottages. Currently, the cottages that were damaged by waves are being repaired. Thirty percent out of a total 61 cottages were affected, Purnomo said. (wir/kes) Another government shutdown. Coming on the heels of Donald Trumps precipitous withdrawal from Syria, the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, and continued decline in the stock market, this merely adds to the growing sense that the American government is in near- terminal disarray. But as a political matter, it is highly unlikely to hurt either President Trump or the Republican Party. There are two reasons for this: Voters already behind Trump want the wall, and political effects of shutdowns usually fade quickly after shutdowns are resolved. That this shutdown occurs nearly two years before the next election merely adds to the fact this is probably a good gamble by Trump. Polls have long shown that controlling immigration is a high priority for Republican and Trump voters. Indeed, the midterm exit polls showed that immigration was the second-most-important issue facing the country, and voters who thought it was the most important voted Republican by a 3-to-1 margin. Republicans also overwhelmingly support building the wall. The most recent Quinnipiac poll showed that 43 percent of Americans supported building the wall, including 86 percent of Republicans and 45 percent of independents. The same poll found that 52 percent of Republicans think immigration should be the top issue for Congress in the coming year. Forcing a shutdown over the wall is not likely to gain Trump or the GOP much support, but it reinforces their position with their own voters. Thats a good thing to do this far out from the election, and sets up possible shifts to the center on other issues as goodwill has been increased first among the base. Nor do voters tend to punish a party that causes a shutdown at the ballot box. The research of FiveThirtyEights Nate Silver backs this up, and he contends that shutdowns cause political damage only if they last for a long time. That happened in late November 1995 and in the 1995-1996 holiday period, when two separate shutdowns over government spending issues that lasted a combined 27 days helped propel President Bill Clinton to reelection. But its also worth recalling that voters did not punish the congressional Republicans who were widely blamed for the shutdown. Republicans retained control of the House in 1996, which at that time was the first time since the 1920s that Republicans had won House control in successive elections. Short shutdowns in 1981 and 1984 did not keep President Ronald Reagan from winning in a landslide in 1984, nor did the much-maligned shutdown in 2013 prevent Republicans from gaining nine Senate seats in 2014, regaining control of that chamber that they have yet to relinquish. Both history and current politics are on Trumps side in this standoff. Theres no reason he shouldnt dig in for the holiday season and wait for the Democrats to offer a compromise he can live with. Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, editor at Unherd.com and author of The Working Class Republican: Ronald Reagan and the Return of Blue-Collar Conservatism. Chapin totally inspired my later work organizing We Are the World, Hands Across America, NetAid and parts of Live Aid. With Cats in the Cradle and so many other memorable songs, Harry captured the lives of many Americans and others around the world. His songs are as relevant today as they were in those days. I especially recommend There Only Was One Choice, which has some of the same dynamics as Queens Bohemian Rhapsody and was recorded around the same time. Police again announce seizure of B4.6bn in assets, allege B7bn in tax fraud by Chinese tour operator PHUKET: Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram and Immigration Chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn along with Region 8 Police Acting Commander Lt Gen Pongwut Pongsri yesterday (Dec 24) announced in Phuket that police had seized B4.6 billion in assets from the Phuket-based Chinese tour operator OA Transport Co Ltd. tourismChinese By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 25 December 2018, 01:56PM The contingent of top-flight officers had flown to Phuket expressly to make the announcement at the Royal Gems Pavilion building beside the Phuket Heroines Monument. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The contingent of top-flight officers had flown to Phuket expressly to make the announcement at the Royal Gems Pavilion building beside the Phuket Heroines Monument. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The contingent of top-flight officers had flown to Phuket expressly to make the announcement at the Royal Gems Pavilion building beside the Phuket Heroines Monument. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The contingent of top-flight officers had flown to Phuket expressly to make the announcement at the Royal Gems Pavilion building beside the Phuket Heroines Monument. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The contingent of top-flight officers had flown to Phuket expressly to make the announcement at the Royal Gems Pavilion building beside the Phuket Heroines Monument. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The huge seizure of assets came in conjunction with investigations also conducted by the Anti Money Laundering Office (AMLO), police, the military and Revenue Department officers, Gen Rungroj said. The announcment was made at the Royal Gems Pavilion Phuket, located beside the Heroines Monument in the heart of Phuket, after the contingent of top-flight officers had flown to Phuket expressly to make the announcement. Although Gen Rungroj announced that that assets were seized from 61-year-old OA Transport CEO Thongchai Rojruangrungsri, it was not made clear which assets were held in his name alone or held as assets by the companies he headed. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the relevant agencies to prosecute the group of companies and shops for tax avoidance, Gen Rungroj said. The total value of the assets seized amounted B 4.6bn, he said. Among the assets seized were 129 properties, including land and buildings in Bangkok and other provinces, and luxury hotel condominiums in Chonburi, Gen Rungroj said. The 97 items seized from the jewelry and gems company Royal Gems Pavilion amounted to B2.964bn, he added. Also seized was cash held in 30 bank accounts amounting to B136 million, with two Government Savings Bank accounts alone holding B1.5bn, Gen Rungroj noted. Revenue Department officials have checked tax payments by OA Transport Co Ltd for the years 2011-2016 and found evidence of tax evasion of over B7bn, Gen Rungroj said. The assets will now become the responsibility of AMLO, in accordance with the law, he said. Gen Rungroj also urged any persons with information about suspected illegal operations to AMLO by calling the hotline 1710. Throughout the press conference yesterday it was not made clear exactly which assets seizures were new. Police in March this year arrested Thongchais wife Nisa Rojrungrangsi, 62, and announced they were already pursuing a investigation of tax evasion amounting to B7.7bn. (See story here.) In the raid led by Gen Suarchate that resulted in the Nisas arrest, a combined team of police commandos, tourist police and other units, armed with search and arrest warrants, searched the couples house at the Panuland housing estate in Bang Ramat area of Bangkok. Thongchai was not home at the time. However, his wife Nisa was. Authorities for years have been pursuing OA Transport, which operates hundreds of tour buses and has links to numerous other businesses that cater to tourists. They claim the companies have made a fortune from zero dollar tours in which foreigners, mainly Chinese, are lured into buying cheap tour packages in Thailand but forced to buy unusually expensive souvenirs and services during their stay. In September 2016, police already announced that they had seized B4.7bn in assets from the OA Transport network of companies. (See story here.) In September last year, four members of the Rojruangrungsri family pressed charges against Bangkok and Crime Suppression Division police for false arrest after a court found them not guilty of operating zero-dollar tours. (See story here.) Habitat for Humanity completes houses 30, 31 in Watertown Two of Watertowns locally owned businesses honored for their support and partnership to Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region. OTTAWAThe federal government and Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding are asking a trade tribunal to throw out a challenge to their handling of a high-stakes competition to design the navys new $60-billion fleet of warships. In separate submissions to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the federal procurement department and Irving say the challenge by Alion Science and Technology, of Virginia, doesnt meet the requirements for a tribunal hearing. Alion was one of three companies, along with U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martin and Spanish firm Navantia, vying to design the new warships, which are to be built by Irving and serve as the navys backbone for most of this century. While Lockheed was selected as the preferred bidder and is negotiating a final design contract with the government and Irving, Alion alleges the companys design did not meet the navys requirements and should have been disqualified. Two of those requirements related to the ships speed, Alion alleged, while the third related to the number of crew berths. Alion has asked both the trade tribunal and the Federal Court to stop any deal with Lockheed. But the government and Irving say the contract is exempt from normal trade laws, which the tribunal is charged with enforcing, because of a special national security exception, meaning there is no jurisdiction for the tribunal to conduct an inquiry. Another reason the challenge should be quashed, they argue, is that Alion is not a Canadian company, which is a requirement for being able to ask the tribunal to consider a complaint. Alions challenge has been formally filed by its Canadian subsidiary, but the government and Irving say that subsidiary was never qualified to be a bidder in the competition only its American parent. The responses from the government and Irving are the latest twist in the largest military purchase in Canadian history, which will see 15 new warships built to replace the navys 12 aging Halifax-class frigates and three already-retired Iroquois-class destroyers. The trade tribunal ordered the government last month not to award a final contract to Lockheed until it had investigated Alions complaint, but rescinded the order after a senior procurement official warned that the deal was urgent. The procurement department has not explained why the deal is urgent. Lockheeds bid was contentious from the moment the design competition was launched in October 2016. The federal government had originally said it wanted a mature design for its new warship fleet, which was widely interpreted as meaning a vessel that has already been built and used by another navy. But the first Type 26 frigates, upon which Lockheeds proposal was based, are only now being built by the British government and the design has not yet been tested in full operation. There were also complaints from industry that the deck was stacked in the Type 26s favour because of Irvings connections with British shipbuilder BAE, which originally designed the Type 26 and partnered with Lockheed to offer the ship to Canada. Irving, which worked with the federal government to pick the top design, also partnered with BAE in 2016 on an ultimately unsuccessful bid to maintain the navys new Arctic patrol vessels and supply ships. That 35-year contract ended up going to another company. Irving and the federal government have repeatedly rejected such complaints, saying they conducted numerous consultations with industry and used a variety of firewalls and safeguards to ensure the choice was completely fair. But industry insiders had long warned that Lockheeds selection as the top bidder, combined with numerous changes to the requirements and competition terms after it was launched including a number of deadline extensions would spark lawsuits. Government officials acknowledged last month the threat of legal action, which has become a favourite tactic for companies that lose defence contracts, but expressed confidence that they would be able to defend against such an attack. If Premier Doug Ford wants a ferris wheel waterfront, his representatives will have to convince federal and city counterparts opposed to any efforts to blow up Waterfront Toronto. As the Ford government prepares to appoint four members to the board of the federal-provincial-city agency, after dumping past appointees, the City of Toronto and federal government are poised to use their combined eight board members as a firewall to protect existing waterfront plans. We cant allow short term thinking to shift the focus from waterfront revitalization to a sell-off, of priceless land, says Councillor Joe Cressy, a downtown representative just appointed by council, with Mayor John Torys blessing, to the 12-member Waterfront Toronto board. My understanding is the premier has made it known hes looking at changing the board in terms of its composition, not to throw in a grenade but rather to see improvements to governance. If thats all it is, count me in. Adam Vaughan, the Liberal MP representing the same shoreline residents as Cressy, says if Ford appointees to the city-provincial-federal board attempt radical changes to plans for downtown waterfront development focused on people, not profit, theyll have a fight on their hands. Like Cressy, Vaughan says Ford appears, for the moment at least, content with sweeping out past Liberal appointees and getting his own people around the boardroom table on Bay St. steps from Lake Ontario. But as a city councillor Vaughan fought his then-colleague Fords attempt to tear up decades-in-the-making Port Lands plans, for careful mixed-use development with private sector involvement overseen by government, in favour of a megamall, Ferris wheel and yacht-friendly hotel. Hopefully we can find a way to stabilize (the board) and move forward, but the vision holds, the work plan is a good one and the deliverables so far have been brilliant, Vaughan told the Star. From the federal perspective, there is no need for any wholesale changes. Were thrilled with the work (Waterfront Toronto) is doing its one of the best infrastructure programs in the country. Provincial Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton recently fired three board members, including chair Helen Burstyn, after a stinging report by provincial auditor general Bonnie Lysyk. She accused the agency of inadequately consulting with governments on the Quayside smart-city project, failing to make other projects financially self-sustaining, and more. The fourth provincial vacancy was made by the earlier resignation of Julie Di Lorenzo, a prominent developer who said efforts to draft a partnership agreement on Quayside with Google sister company Sidewalk Labs are not in the publics best interests. In a statement to the Star, McNaughton said the Waterfront Toronto needs stronger oversight and the new provincial appointees will be named in the time ahead. Any discussion at this point about specific actions we may or may not take is speculative. And I wont speculate, he said. I will say that our actions going forward will be guided by three principles: respect for taxpayer dollars, strong oversight and the protection of peoples privacy. Waterfront Toronto was set up in the early 2000s to oversee development of a once-industrial waterfront in danger of becoming a long, solid curtain of condo buildings where Torontonians hoping to visit their lake might be met by a security guard with a dog. The three levels of government contributed funding to oversee 1,150 hectares along Lake Ontario from Dowling Ave. in the west to Coxwell Ave. in the east, including more than 300 city-owned acres in the Port Lands at the south end of the east downtown core. The agency has a 12-member board four from each government, electing a chair from amongst themselves, with the option of a 13th member as chair if all three governments agree on that appointment. What worries some observers is that, while the governments appear to have equal power, Waterfront Toronto and the rules under which it operates were created in 2002 by provincial legislation that could be amended by a majority Ontario government like the one led by Ford. The province, which traditionally has a representative as board chair, has a bit more power over the board operations than the federal and city partners because Waterfront Toronto is a creature of provincial legislation, Vaughan said. But there are extensive and substantial investments by all three governments and multi-year contracts. Making real changes would not be as easy changing the size of city council ... The province has the capacity to be catalyst for change, but it doesnt have final say on the outcome. Sevaun Palvetzian, chief executive of CivicAction and a federal Waterfront Toronto appointee, said its unusual to have three levels of government at one table but the board functions well. Were all representing appointments from different orders of government but were all there, and vote, as individuals with the public interest in mind, she said. We have tonnes of work ahead of us, and the three new provincial members will bring fresh perspective and insight and expertise, but this is a ship that I have felt is moving in the right direction with many great folks rowing in the same way. Waterfront Toronto has been lauded for projects including Sugar Beach, Corktown Common, Sherbourne Common and undulating wavedecks along Queens Quay. It has been criticized for extra cost and time taken to revitalize Queens Quay, and the safety of the complete street for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The Quayside proposal has generated a lot of controversy, much of it centred on protections for privacy and data generated in the proposed neighbourhood aimed at testing technology to solve urban problems. Waterfront Toronto has just broken ground on a massive $1.25-billion flood-proofing of the east waterfront, cost-shared by the three governments, that will renaturalize the mouth of the Don River, create a new river valley and clean polluted land to unlock it for development. Terms for Torontos three current citizen board appointees expire in March. One of them, developer Steve Diamond, said he had planned to quit at the end of 2018 due to work obligations but Tory convinced him to remain until March to retain stability on the board. Tory told the Star any new members will reflect the citys full confidence in Waterfront Torontos work and plans for the future. I am not one for blowing up the waterfront corporation, to use the expression that is bandied about, Tory said. Im for making sure that as a partnership we continue to invest in projects like the naturalization of the Don and the flood protection, but also then the orderly, sensitive, compatible development of the Port Lands over time. If there are ways to improve it based on the auditor general report and other things, so be it. But Im for building that waterfront corporation, not for tearing it down. David Rider is the Star's City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering Toronto politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider Read more about: Justin Trudeaus disastrous trip to India can now be considered globally infamous. The Washington Post released a list of the 10 most-read columns in its Global Opinions section on Thursday, and not one but two of those pieces were about Trudeaus trip to India last February. At the No. 3 spot was a Bharka Dutt column headlined Trudeaus India trip is a total disaster and he has himself to blame. At number nine was Why India is being really rude to Justin Trudeau by Shivam Vij. If nothing else, this proves that for all the attention to rivalry between partisans in politics, politicians are usually their own worst enemies. Trudeau, to be fair, has willingly admitted in year-end interviews that the India trip was his biggest regret of 2018. When I sat down with him in Montreal for the Stars interview, I asked him exactly what he regretted about it or at least, what hed learned from the reputation-bruising experience. It was, Trudeau said, a lesson in the downside of social-media sensationalism, which has often played to his advantage. In other words, just as it doesnt take much effort or depth to go viral in a good way, one misstep can also go viral in a very bad way. A story with me and Trump in it gets more likes or a story about my socks gets coverage, he explained. Those are all sort of positive. But the flip side is also true . It started with a few people pointing out that there was a theoretical snub at the airport, even though there wasnt. And that started a line. Trudeau said he found it notable that journalists on the trip saw it very differently from those who were watching from afar. These reporters had a very different experience than those who were writing headlines and seeing what was getting clicks in the online world. But he says in retrospect that communications around the trip, as well as some security issues, were obviously bungled. Earlier this month, the special parliamentary committee on national security issued its report on the trip, specifically on how Jaspal Atwal, a man convicted of attempted murder, had made it into events organized by the Canadian delegation to India. Trudeau said that some elements of the trip, especially people-to-people relations with business and trade interests in India, went well. But it all got overshadowed by this narrative that caught fire, that had we been quicker to respond or had we thought about it differently it might have been salvageable, he said, though also noting that the Atwal issue was a genuine, substantive problem with how the trip was organized. What Trudeau didnt spell out for me, or any of his other year-end interviewers, was the thinking behind what most people will vividly remember about the trip the wardrobe choices, the cringeworthy efforts at cultural appropriation, dancing and bowing, and so on. Presumably all that has been rethought we likely shouldnt expect to see Trudeau sporting any other national attire anytime soon. More generally, maybe it can be even be added to the rules for all politicians about avoiding hats or any photos that show them eating. Quite apart from India, Trudeau also seems to be thinking a lot as he heads into 2019 about how bad news travels quickly on social media. He said he is aware, for instance, that foreign actors may try to harness this power to make trouble for all kinds of political people during the election, as security experts have been warning. There are going to be attempts by groups around the world, whether they are actual state actors or subgroups in different countries, to try and shift the narrative, he said. What surprised me somewhat, though, was what Trudeau saw as the antidote to mischief, misuse or worse on the social media front. Theres all sorts of things we can and must do around the tools, he said. But the biggest and most important thing is educating the public. Cynical or even skeptical people might wonder, as I did, whether this sounds a little inadequate to the magnitude of the democratic threat. But no, the prime minister insisted, education is the best weapon against misinformation. I think citizens who are thoughtful and aware of the kinds of forces and competing interests and narratives out there, they are a very, very powerful bulwark against that kind of challenge. The interview wasnt long enough for me to ask him to parse that thought with his India trip experience. Is Trudeau saying that a little more knowledge might have thwarted the narrative that took hold on his India trip? At any rate, its an enduring story, as the Washington Posts top-10 list proves and apparently a global one, too. Susan Delacourt is the Star's Ottawa bureau chief and a columnist covering national politics. Reach her via email: sdelacourt@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @susandelacourt Read more about: VANCOUVERChief William Seymour of Vancouver Islands Cowichan Tribes booked five hotel rooms for displaced families and will be attending a funeral on Christmas Eve. The tragedies that befell the First Nation were echoed throughout much of British Columbia this holiday season following a powerful storm that battered the province on Thursday. Tens of thousands of people have been left without power. But locals are banding together to make the most of a gloomy situation. We are a pretty tight-knit community. If we have the means to help, then we do it. Looking after each other is the way that we are getting by, Seymour said in a phone interview. Everybody is praying theyre going to get hydro today. They would love to be home for Christmas Day. Heavy rain and 100 km/h winds uprooted hundreds of trees, one of which struck and killed a woman in her early 20s on Thursday morning. Then in the evening, as 16 community members sat by candlelight, one candle tipped over, causing an out-of-control house fire. A falling tree sliced through the living room of another home, which housed 12 people. Both families were evacuated safely thanks to the tribes emergency program, Seymour told StarMetro. A funeral for the young woman was scheduled for Monday afternoon. Read more: No heat, water or hope for tens of thousands of B.C. residents battered by storms as Christmas approaches Climate change will cause more simultaneous disasters, researchers say Sweeping B.C. climate change plan targets heavy emitters with new rules, carbon tax incentives As for the rest of the community, they have no idea what theyre going to do for the holidays, Seymour said. We are looking at families that have to find someplace else to get together. They cant have their usual turkey dinners, and I dont know how theyre working that out ... They may be eating something cold by candlelight. Though the largest First Nations band in B.C. has been hit hard, Seymour said community members with power just under half of the population of 5,000, he estimates are opening their doors for people in need of a hot shower, a stove or even filtered water. Roughly 35 households are struggling to access clean water. But his biggest concern is for elders with mobility issues, given that theyre not expecting power to be back on until the new year. Seymour spent Monday morning phoning around to ensure theres plenty of dry wood to burn on their wood stoves. BC Hydro reported there were roughly 20,000 British Columbians without power as of late Monday morning. A large number are on Vancouver Island including the Cowichan Valley and Gabriola Island, said Tanya Fish, the Crown corporations spokesperson. Repair crews have been working 24-7 in the face of hundreds of downed power lines and trees. The Ministry of Transportation has been assisting with cleanup. But the most affected areas will be without power on Christmas Day, Fish noted. Customers in these areas have been really amazing. Theyre bringing coffee, hot chocolate and food out to crews to show their appreciation, Fish said. Meanwhile, on Gabriola Island, several residents told StarMetro that their cellphones have been their life blood. When the power went out Thursday, resident Tobi Elliot said, the community naturally stepped up to help one another. She spoke to StarMetro for 10 minutes on her way to deliver drinking water on Sunday as her cellphone dwindled to one per cent battery life and died. Locals immediately grabbed their own chainsaws and started clearing trees from roadways, she explained. Since debit and credit machines were down, people were sharing cash for essentials such as gas. Others were delivering jugs of fuel for those who needed gas. Clean water was also a commodity, as it was completely sold out by Saturday. Then late Sunday night, six boats came loose from their moorings and proceeded to thrash violently in the water. One Gabriola resident, who lives on a houseboat in the harbour, spent the night unhooking boats and fending others off. He and other people worked through the night to make sure there was minimal damage to the boats. He saved three, and three were beached, Elliot said on Monday morning. The town prepares an annual spirit feast on Christmas Day that serves roughly 250 people. But the community hall is located on the south end of the island, without generators or heat. Elliot said the dinner was almost cancelled. Everybodys families are arriving today, and weve all been wondering how to cook a turkey dinner when you have no power, she said. But organizers and volunteers decided we need to do it this year, more than ever. Theyll be serving hot turkey sandwiches, cider, coffee, tea and cookies all made in a propane-powered commons kitchen. While speaking to StarMetro by phone Monday morning, Elliot said power was starting to go back on around the town centre. She was hopeful she would get a chance to bake some sockeye salmon, which is thawed completely after more than 72 hours without power. Id already accepted Christmas would be a lot different this year, she said. We are potentially cut off from services in cities. You learn to look after yourself and your neighbours. BC Hydro will continue to update its website with outage repairs. Correction December 28, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said Tobi Elliot is a resident of Galiano Island. In fact, Elliot is from Gabriola Island. Read more about: shot of word marriage ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD ** (iStock) When Trump unexpectedly won the presidency, my friends and I agreed that Congress would never provide the necessary funds for such a boondoggle as his proposed border wall. I facetiously suggested that if The Donalds supporters really want a wall along our border with Mexico, they should start a GoFundMe page. It honestly never occurred to me that one of them would do precisely that. Brian Kolfage, a Purple Heart recipient who lost three limbs during his second deployment to Iraq in 2004, has indeed started such a page. Like a majority of those American citizens who voted to elect President Donald J. Trump, Kolfage posted on his GoFundMe page, we voted for him to Make America Great Again. Trumps main campaign promise was to BUILD THE WALL, he noted, and this wall project needs to be completed still. Trump couldnt get funding for this wall even when the GOP dominated both the House and Senate. The House, now under Democratic control, passed on December 20 a stopgap measure to fund the government that includes $5 billion for Trumps border wall. The bill is expected to be rejected in the Senate, however. Kolfage thinks he will help Trump fulfill his signature campaign promise. Sadly, this veteran who sacrificed so much in the service of our country doesnt seem to realize that its literally impossible for him to fulfill Trumps empty pledge. Building this wall along our southern border was only half of The Donalds campaign promise. And whos going to pay for this wall? Trump would bellow at his rallies. Mexico! the crowd would roar back. And then, against all odds, Trump won the 2016 election. He knew there was no way that even a bully such as himself could coerce Mexico into paying for a multi-billion dollar wall along its entire border with the United States. Trump quickly changed his tune and no longer promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, Instead, Mexico would indirectly pay for the wall because of the terrific trade deals he would personally negotiate with that nation. Yeah, right. The proposed wall itself, much like Trumps campaign promise, has also undergone a significant metamorphosis. He initially assured his followers that this beautiful wall would be a 30-foot-tall concrete barrier that stretched for more than 2,000 miles. Early this year, however, it got downsized into a modest 722-mile mix of wall and fencing, mostly updating whats been in place for decades, the New York Times reported. As of Christmas Eve morning, Kolfages GoFundMe page has collected $16.5 million dollars toward his stated goal of $1 billion. Heres the problem, though. According to the New York Times, Trumps fellow Republicans in Congress said they expect a wall to cost from $12 billion to $15 billion. We should also keep in mind that a CBS News poll from mid-November found that 59 percent of Americans dont support building such a wall. Trump and his followers will probably dismiss that finding as just another example of fake news. Denying a fact, however, doesnt lessen its reality. Mickel Jollett observed, I cant get over the fact that Christians in the Christmas season are giving money to build a Wall to keep out refugees escaping war instead of using that money to feed them. I cant get over it, either. Evangelicals, who proudly support Trump, evidently see no inconsistency between donating money to build this wall and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Matthew 25:40 records Jesus as saying, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Perhaps these evangelicals will take pride in the knowledge that they helped to finance the building of a wall that kept refugees and, by extension, Jesus out of our country. John J. Dunphys latest book, Unsung Heroes of the Dachau Trials, includes interviews with veterans of the U.S. Army 7708 War Crimes Group, who apprehended and prosecuted Nazi war criminals after World War II. Plan Internationalwas founded over 75 years ago and is one of the oldest and largest childrensdevelopment organizations (non-profit / INGOs) in the world. We work in 50developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote childrights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plans vision is of a worldin which all children realize their full potential in societies that respectpeoples rights and dignity. Plan is independent, with no religious, politicalor governmental affiliations. Medic Mobiledesigns, delivers, and supports world-class software for community healthworkers, managers, and clinical teams. Medic software in the hands of thesehealth workers improves health in the hardest-to-reach communities. MedicMobile aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, improve child health,strengthen health systems, and reduce the burden of disease. We envision a morejust world in which health workers are supported as they provide care for theirneighbors, universal health coverage is a reality, and health is secured as ahuman right. Our tools currently support more than 20,000 health workers in 18countries. The Innovation Analyst will be responsiblefor providing Technical support to the management of Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU)innovations in order to strengthen the organizations existing platforms. Tothis end, the Innovation Analyst shall assist in the design, planning andmanagement of Reach A Hand Ugandas (RAHU)s Innovation activities; and willsupport the delivery of projects around innovation solutions by working closelywith the Chief of Staff; the programs team; the Lead Innovation Architect andconsultants. The UN World FoodProgramme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency against world hunger. Itis the largest and longest serving humanitarian agency in Uganda. Currently WFPfocuses on three priority areas: Saving lives in Emergencies; BuildingResilience through Predictable Safety Nets; Improving Nutrition &Mother-and Child Health; and Supporting Small Holder Farmers to Access Markets.WFP has operations in various parts of the Country. Touched by the compassion of the nurses who tended to her... Janmabhumi newspaper, mouthpiece of the BJP in Kerala, was accused of perpetuating casteism after a cartoon appeared in its daily column, alluding to the Sabarimala conundrum. The cartoon discusses the no-privilege motion against the chief minister, on the issue of the proposed women's wall. The caption beneath read: "This should have been kept in mind while giving responsibilities to someone who should climb coconut trees." This was widely decried as a reference to the chief minister's Thiyya castetraditionally toddy-tappers. The state finance minister Thomas Isaac wrote in a Facebook post: "It is a time when we should be taking special care to excise caste even from casual and intimate conversations. That is when the mouthpiece of the party ruling the country is publishing a casteist cartoon. This shows how culturally degraded the RSS is." Women's Wall Vijayan, earlier this month, had announced the'Women's Wall' would be formed on January 1 from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram "to demonstrate the secular and progressive mindset of the state". He had announced the decision after a meeting with over 50 socio-cultural organisations here, convened in the wake of the Sabarimala women entry issue. The opposition Congress-led UDF and BJP had flayed the Left government, saying it would create a 'communal divide' among the people and alleged that the government was misusing its machinery and welfare funds for the programme. While considering petitions opposing the utilisation of public funds to organise the programme, the Kerala High Court on Thursday had directed the government to inform it of the expenditure incurred to conduct the programme. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Hrishikesh Royand A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar, also recorded the government's statement that no flood relief fund would be used fororganising the programme. The CPI(M)-led LDF government had submitted that there was no diversion of money from the flood relief fund for the 'vanitha mathil', which, it said, was a totally different programme under the Women and Child Development Department. "The Vanitha Mathil is to be considered as a campaign or event of the government forempowerment of women and to bridge the gap of gender equality," the government said. "An amount of Rs 50 crore is earmarked for various schemes aimed at preventing atrocities against women," it submitted. (With PTI inputs) Kolkata, Dec 25 (PTI) Vedanta Ltd on Tuesday said it will set up a new steel plant in Jharkhand with a capacity of 4.5 million tonne (MT) per annum at an investment of USD 3-4 billion. The plant will be part of the company's newly-acquired Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) at Bokaro, Vendanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal told reporters here. "This would be a new steel plant under ESL and in the same location at Bokaro... so it's a brownfield investment per se. The amount is likely to be to the tune of USD 3-4 billion for a capacity of 4.5 MT," Agarwal said. Vedanta would initially invest about USD 300 million to augment capacity of ESL to 2.5 MT from the existing 1.5 MT. Once the new facility is commissioned, the total capacity of ESL would be around 7 MT, he said without elaborating on the time frame. The plant would create 1,20,000 jobs in the form of direct and indirect employment, Agarwal said. "We have about 2,200 acres at ESL and are scouting for a little more... The Jharkhand government has been very cooperative in this regard," he said. In March, Vedanta was declared as the successful resolution applicant for ESL under the corporate insolvency resolution process. The company has acquired control of ESL and a new board of directors has been put in place. PTI RBT KK ABM ABM Islamabad, Dec 25 (PTI) Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday dissolved the newly-formed Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) and issued contempt notice to Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid for forming the board without its approval. The apex court also issued contempt notices to the provincial chief secretary, the secretary and additional secretary health, the Dawn reported. The court said it had asked that it be provided all names suggested for the board, but that was not done. "The board was notified without the Supreme Court's approval. The respondents are directed to respond to the contempt notices within two days," the apex court was quoted as saying by the Dawn. The Supreme Court in November dissolved the then Board of Commissioners of the PHC and ordered to form a new board within two weeks. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had summoned Dr Rashid and PHC board members and asked them to explain the reason for the resignation of Amir Raza A Khan from the chairperson's post. He had also observed that the political government would not be allowed to capture the independence of regulatory authorities. PTI SCY Vatican City, Dec 25 (AFP) Pope Francis on Monday assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism, calling on people in his Christmas homily to make "sharing and giving" more a part of their lives. "Mankind became greedy and voracious," the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics said in an address to thousands of followers in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. "In our day, for many people, life's meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess of material objects," he said. "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive." The birth of Christ pointed to a new way to live "not by devouring and hoarding, but by sharing and giving", he said during a Christmas Eve mass. We "must not lose our footing or slide into worldliness and consumerism," he added. People should ask themselves: "Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?" he asked. Pope Francis, who turned 82 earlier this month, will deliver his sixth "Urbi et Orbi" address on Tuesday, Christmas Day -- when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ -- to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square. (AFP) CPS Beijing, Dec 25 (PTI) At least five persons, including a policeman, were killed and 21 others injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians on Tuesday in southeastern China's Fujian Province, according to the state-run media. A suspect, who had a knife, has been detained and an investigation is underway, state television CGTN reported. Five people were killed and 21 others injured after the bus which had been hijacked crashed into pedestrians on the street Tuesday afternoon, state-run XInhua news agency reported, quoting local authorities. PTI ZH ZH ZH Kabul, Dec 25 (AP) A suicide bomber and extremists armed with assault rifles and explosives attacked a government building in the Afghan capital in an eight-hour-long siege that left 29 people dead and more than 20 wounded, authorities said. It ended when the three gunmen were killed. The toll could rise as police continue to search the smoldering building, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. The attack began when the suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car in front of the multi-story building that houses a public welfare department in an eastern neighborhood of Kabul, Danish said. Minutes later, three gunmen entered the building and rampaged through the office complex hunting for victims. Some employees managed to barricade themselves inside offices while police quickly evacuated 357 people, officials said. Witnesses reported hearing at least five explosions as police and gunmen traded fire. One officer died and three were wounded. Police cordoned of the area as they tried to secure the building, but Danish said the operation was painstakingly slow as officers moved carefully from room to room and floor to floor. Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said authorities received at least one telephone call from inside the building, but frightened employees were unable to provide any details. No one claimed responsibility, but both the Taliban and the local Islamic State affiliate have carried out brazen daytime attacks in the capital. The building is in area that includes several apartment buildings as well Afghanistan's department for public works. The attack came four days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of half of the 14,000 American troops and just hours after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in Kabul to discuss a negotiated end to Afghanistan's 17-year war. Qureshi, who then continued his trip to Iran, condemned the attack. Pakistan helped orchestrate last week's peace talks in the United Arab Emirates, where representatives from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan and the United States met with the Taliban. Taliban insurgents control nearly half of Afghanistan and are more powerful than at any time since a 2001 US-led invasion. They carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting security forces and government officials. The US and NATO formally concluded their combat mission in 2014, but American and allied troops remain, conducting strikes on the Islamic State group and the Taliban and working to train and build the Afghan military. (AP) CPS New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours: FGN10 CHRISTMAS-LD BETHLEHEM Thousands flock to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at Jesus's birthplace Bethlehem/Jerusalem: Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at the birthplace of Jesus, which witnessed its most cheerful celebrations in many years, breaking the despondency of last year in the wake of US administration's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. By Harinder Mishra FGN18 LD CHRISTMAS Pope assails greed, as millions celebrate Christmas Vatican City: Pope Francis has urged people to lead less materialistic lives as millions across the world celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, while US President Donald Trump put his festive foot in it by asking a child if he believed in Santa Claus. (AFP) FGN14 PAK-SHARIF Ousted Pak PM Nawaz Sharif shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore Lahore: Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail here on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. By M Zulqernain FGN15 CHINA-BUS-ACCIDENT 5 killed in China as hijacked bus crashes into pedestrians Beijing: At least five persons, including a policeman, were killed and 21 others injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians on Tuesday in southeastern China's Fujian Province, according to the state-run media. FGN16 CHINA-PAK-AFGHAN Pak, China discuss situation after Trump's move to reduce troops in Afghanistan Beijing: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Chinese counterpart Tuesday and discussed the situation arising out of the US decision to pull nearly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan and resurgence of the Taliban in the war-torn country. By K J M Varma FGN13 LANKA-SIRISENA Lanka Prez Sirisena meets party organisers, hints 2019 may be election year Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has held a meeting with his party's electoral organisers, fuelling speculation that the SLPF Chairman, who was recently at the centre of an unprecedented political standoff, may be hoping for a possible presidential re-run in 2019. PTI AMS AMS Dhaka, Dec 25 (AFP) Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term. Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear". The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained. Its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP. "Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP. Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests, but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants. "We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP. Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991.They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. The BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates. The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million. "The Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack," Ahmed told a press briefing. He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes. Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible. "If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said. Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law. The US State Department has also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government, because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence." "We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement. (AFP) SMJ SMJ Police said they responded on West Grand Avenue about 9:10 p.m. Monday and found the Chihuahua dead. A woman told police she had gotten into a fight with her husband, Jerald Jeske, 51, while in a vehicle and that he slapped her twice. New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours: FGN10 CHRISTMAS-LD BETHLEHEM Thousands flock to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at Jesus's birthplace Bethlehem/Jerusalem: Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at the birthplace of Jesus, which witnessed its most cheerful celebrations in many years, breaking the despondency of last year in the wake of US administration's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. By Harinder Mishra FGN18 LD CHRISTMAS Pope assails greed, as millions celebrate Christmas Vatican City: Pope Francis has urged people to lead less materialistic lives as millions across the world celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, while US President Donald Trump put his festive foot in it by asking a child if he believed in Santa Claus. (AFP) FGN21 PAK-LD SHARIF Nawaz Sharif shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore Lahore: Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore amid tight security on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. By M Zulqernain FGN15 CHINA-BUS-ACCIDENT 5 killed in China as hijacked bus crashes into pedestrians Beijing: At least five persons, including a policeman, were killed and 21 others injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians on Tuesday in southeastern China's Fujian Province, according to the state-run media. FGN16 CHINA-PAK-AFGHAN Pak, China discuss situation after Trump's move to reduce troops in Afghanistan Beijing: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Chinese counterpart Tuesday and discussed the situation arising out of the US decision to pull nearly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan and resurgence of the Taliban in the war-torn country. By K J M Varma FGN13 LANKA-SIRISENA Lanka Prez Sirisena meets party organisers, hints 2019 may be election year Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has held a meeting with his party's electoral organisers, fuelling speculation that the SLPF Chairman, who was recently at the centre of an unprecedented political standoff, may be hoping for a possible presidential re-run in 2019. FGN23 BANGLA-POLLS-ARREST 10,500 arrests ahead of Bangladesh poll: opposition Dhaka: Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. (AFP) PTI SMJ SMJ SMJ Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories), Dec 25 (AFP) Pope Francis assailed the "insatiable greed" of today's consumerism at the Vatican and pilgrims crowded into the church at the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem on Tuesday as Christmas celebrations began worldwide. Thousands attended mass on Monday night at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, offered his Christmas homily. "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive," the 82-year-old pope said. Pope Francis will deliver his sixth "Urbi et Orbi" address on Tuesday, Christmas Day -- when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ -- to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Visitors from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve ahead of midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. In the "little town" in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians say Mary gave birth to Jesus. Crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, looked on at the square decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a manger as carols in Arabic played through speakers. "It's a great opportunity to be in such a symbolic location for Christmas," said Lea Gudel, a 21-year-old French student studying in Jerusalem, who was in Manger Square on Monday morning. Later in the day, musical groups took the stage at Manger Square in front of the Christmas tree, illuminated as night fell, to sing Christmas carols. This year, visitors were also able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. The first church was built on the site in the fourth century, though it was replaced after a fire in the sixth century. A newer and more spacious church, St. Catherine, is located next door to the basilica and is where midnight mass is held. Hundreds of worshippers crowded into the stone church for the mass led by the Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was among dignitaries in attendance. Pizzaballa in his homily spoke of a "responsibility of caring for the city and the land where we live." "Not to own or occupy it, but to transform it from a simple urban area of private services and personal interests, to an area and place that provides the experience of communion, peace, relationship and sharing." Bethlehem, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were beginning to mark Christmas after a year in which leaders warned over violence against fellow worshippers. On Friday, Pope Francis said "new extremist groups spring up and target churches, places of worship, ministers and members of the faithful." This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of which has come from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. The US National Park Service said that it would remain unlit and closed to the public "until further notice," with checks being made for damage following an attempt by an intruder on Friday to climb the tree. The tree, whose spectacular lights were switched on at a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, became a forlorn symbol of the dysfunction gripping Washington two years into his presidency. In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with the country badly divided over its impending exit from the EU. Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack in Spain's second-largest city during the Christmas holidays. (AFP) CPS 2 main accused arrested in Beed 'honour killing' case Beed (Maha), Dec 25 (PTI) Two main accused in the suspected honour killing case of a 25-year-old man in Beed district of Maharashtra have been arrested, police said Tuesday. The duo - Balaji Landge and Sanket Wagh - were nabbed on Monday in Amravati district of the state, a senior police official said. With this, the number of those arrested in the case has gone up to three. The victim, Sumit Shivajirao Waghmare, a third year student at the Aditya Engineering College here, was stabbed to death by two men outside the educational institute on December 19, police had earlier said. He had married a fellow student, Bhagyashree Landge, two months ago against the wishes of her family, according to the police. While Waghmare and his wife were coming out of the college after appearing for an exam, Bhagyashree Landge's brother Balaji Landge and one more person confronted them and stabbed the couple before fleeing, police said. Waghmare was later taken to the Beed Civil Hospital where he was declared dead while his wife suffered injuries, they had said. Police suspected that it was a case of honour killing as Bhagyashree Landge's family was opposed to her marriage with Waghmare. The arrests were made after photos and other information related to Balaji Landge and Sanket Wagh were sent to various police stations in Maharashtra, Beed Superintendent of Police (SP) G Shreedhar told reporters here. During the probe, the duo was traced to Amravati in eastern Maharashtra, he said. "We sent our team to Amravati and both the men were nabbed from Badnera railway station there on Monday late night," he said. Asked about suspicion that the accused were hiding in the house of a former minister in Aurangabad city, the SP said a search was conducted at the residence but the two men were not found there. The Beed city police had earlier arrested a student, Krishna Kshirsagar, for his alleged involvement in the killing. According to the police, Kshirsagar, who is in his mid 20s, allegedly helped Balaji Landge flee after committing the crime. PTI CORR GK GK Mumbai, Dec 25 (PTI) At least 12 people were injured when they were attacked by a group of persons during a prayer meet in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, police said Tuesday. The victims were attending the Sunday Mass at the residence of Bhimsen Chauhan in Kolhapur's Kowad village, located on the Karnataka border, when the incident happened around noon, a police official said. A group of 10-15 men armed with swords, iron rods and glass bottles reached the residence on motorcycles and attacked the congregation, he said. They threw stones on those attending the prayer and tried to barge into the house. But some women, who were part of the prayer meet, forced the attackers to back off by throwing chilly powder on them, the official said. Twelve people were injured in the attack and they were admitted to hospital, he said. Senior police officials were monitoring the situation in the area, he said, adding that efforts were on to ascertain the reason behind the attack. PTI CORR AVI GK ABH ABH New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Out of the 2,061 Border Fencing Light poles along the international border in Gujarat's Bhuj and Gandhinagar Sector, only 616 are "functional", the BSF has told the CPWD, according to the minutes of an inter-departmental co-ordination meeting held in November. Border Security Force officers also informed the CPWD that out of 82 diesel gensets, only 38 are "functional", "affecting operational duties" by the troops on the sensitive international border, the minutes stated. The meeting was held at BSF Headquarters in New Delhi, during which senior officers of BSF and CPWD, the government's largest construction agency, discussed several projects. BSF Director General Rajni Kant Mishra and Central Public Works Department DG Prabhakar Singh also attended the November 16 meeting. India's border with Pakistan runs through four states, Jammu and Kashmir (1,225 km, which includes 740 km of Line of Control), Rajasthan (1,037 km), Punjab (553 km) and Gujarat (508 km). "Out of 2,061 BFL poles, only 616 BFL poles are functional (along the international border in Bhuj and Gandhinagar Sector). Out of 82 DG sets, only 38 DG sets are functional. "CPWD (was) requested to carry out necessary repair at the earliest as it is affecting operational duties performed by the troops deployed on the sensitive international border," stated the meeting's minutes prepared by the BSF and sent to the CPWD director general on December 12. There have been several attempts of infiltration by terrorists who cut the border fences to enter India from the Pakistani side. BFLs are maintained by CPWD in Bhuj and Gandhi Nagar Sector. According to the minutes of meeting, the CPWD intimated that work of repairing of BFLs and DG sets in Bhuj and Gandhi Nagar Sector are in progress and will be handed over to BSF after proper rectifications. It also stated that in Jammu, out of the 28 command posts in non-composite Border Output Posts, so far only three command posts have been completed and 17 are under-construction with "very slow progress" while work on eight have not yet started. It added that out of the 43 High Mast Lights in river-line gaps, so far work on 25 HML has been completed while three are under construction with "very slow progress" and 15 HML work has not started yet. PTI BUN ABH ABH Rampur, Dec 25 (PTI) Hitting out at the Congress for levelling "baseless" allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Tuesday said the people of the country will teach a lesson to those engaged in such "conspiracies" in the Lok Sabha polls next year. The Minority Affairs Minister, while addressing a 'Sushasan Diwas' programme on the occasion of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth anniversary here, said that during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections as well, then Congress president Sonia Gandhi had talked about "Kafan Chor" to tarnish Vajpayee's image. "Now, the present Congress president Rahul Gandhi is carrying forward that legacy of fake and fabricated agenda by levelling baseless allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to misguide the nation," Naqvi was quoted as saying by a statement from his office. "The people of the country will teach a lesson in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to those who are engaged in such conspiracies," he said. Naqvi said the Rafale deal was done in a transparent and honest manner, but the Congress was indulging in "shameful politics" even on the sensitive issue of national security. He said Prime Minister Modi's decision of surgical strikes and demonetisation had broken the backbone of terrorists and anti-national forces. "These decisions created frustration among the Congress and its team of conspirators," he claimed. "Out of this frustration, they first raised question on surgical strikes and then created a ruckus on demonetisation," he added. Naqvi said the Congress should realise that such conspiracies do not last too long. "The people will teach a lesson to those who had been engaged then in conspiracies against Atal ji and now are trying to defame Modi. Each and every conspiracy against national security will be defeated," he said. The Union minister said Rahul Gandhi "who does hard work for 4 days and then goes for a picnic for 4 months" is trying to compete with Prime Minister Modi "who has not taken a leave even for four-and-a-half hours during the last four-and-a-half years". The Modi government has established "steps of success" by removing the "stains of failures" left by the earlier regime at the Centre, he said. The senior BJP leader said good governance of the government will destroy all conspiracies against the prime minister. PTI ASK AQS AQS Streets and Sanitation workers found the womans body around 1:50 p.m. Monday when they unloaded a garbage can into their truck in the 10800 block of South Prospect Avenue in the Morgan Park neighborhood, said Officer Jennifer Bryk, a police spokeswoman. (Eds: Adding more quotes of Punjab CM, other inputs) Ludhiana/Chandigarh, Dec 25 (PTI) A statue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was vandalised in Ludhiana on Tuesday by two youths, who Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh claimed, owed allegiance to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He asked SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to apologise for the act of his party workers. The miscreants sprayed red and black paint on the statue at the Salem Tabri area in Ludhiana, police said. They carried out the act in full public glare and blamed Rajiv Gandhi for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, they said. Police said the miscreants demanded that statues of Rajiv Gandhi across the country be removed and Bharat Ratna conferred on him be withdrawn. The statue was later cleaned by some Congress leaders in Ludhiana. Strongly condemning the incident, the chief minister asked Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop indulging in petty politics and warned him that such acts would backfire on his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "Indulgence in such petty and condemnable actions will not absolve you or your family of the many sins of omission and commission against the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh community," Amarinder Singh said in a statement issued here. "They are well aware of the fact that the Gandhis were never named or implicated in the 1984 riots, yet they continued to drag the family into the case to further their own political agenda," said the chief minister. He said he would not let the state's hard-earned peace be disturbed by anyone. Lashing out at the Akalis, the chief minister said in their desperation to win public support, "which the party had completely lost due to its criminal acts of commission and omission in the 10 years of SAD-BJP rule, the Badals and their supporters were stooping to abominable levels". "Sajjan Kumar had already been sentenced to life term by the court and others involved in the perpetration of the riots would also face legal action," Amarinder Singh added. The SAD has stepped up attack on the Gandhi family after the conviction of Sajjan Kumar. On Saturday, the party had demanded that a special sitting of the Punjab Assembly be convened to pass a resolution for revocation of Rajiv Gandhi's Bharat Ratna. PTI SUN VSD SNE SNE Jammu, Dec 25 (PTI) An Army jawan allegedly shot dead his colleague following a spat with him in an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, police said Tuesday. "Army Havialdar Rajesh Dakua was fired upon by his colleague at an army camp in Bhaderwah last night. He was brought to the hospital, where he died after ten minutes", a senior Police officer told PTI. 40-year-old jawan was posted at 4, Rastriya Rifles headquarters at Bhaderwah, he said adding that the jawan, who opened fired on his colleague is yet to be arrested as police have asked for his custody from the Army. The exact reason behind the killing is not known, he said. A verbal spat over some issue is the reason behind the havildar's rage, an Army officer said, adding the accused will soon be handed over to the police. A court of inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he said. PTI AB RAX RAX Srinagar, Dec 25 (PTI) The miniscule Christian population of Kashmir Tuesday celebrated Christmas with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour as the devotees thronged churches for mass and held special prayers for peace in the valley. The biggest mass in the Valley was held at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road in the heart of the city, where hundreds of Christians, including women and children, assembled to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ and held special prayers. The church was decorated with colourful buntings and balloons. Among those who prayed were tourists from different parts of the country who joined the locals on the auspicious day and prayed for peace in Kashmir and rest of the world. Similar prayers were held at other churches in the city, at Saint Joseph's Church in north Kashmir's Baramulla, the oldest Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir, and at the Church in the tourist resort of Gulmarg. However, people missed 'White Christmas' as snowfall has eluded the lower reaches of the Valley so far. PTI MIJ AQS AQS Womens March Chicago organizers say they are a grassroots group not directly affiliated with Womens March Inc., though past local marches have been held in sync with the national group and other similar marches across the country. While the decision to forgo a January march wasnt based on recent controversy, Kurensky said the opportunity to further distance the Chicago organization from national Womens March leaders was a side benefit. Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower 48 states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment consists of land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses in maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment comprises Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides technical, professional, and construction services. The company's Aerospace, Technology, Environmental and Nuclear segment offers scientific, engineering, construction, nuclear, environmental, and technical support services to the aerospace, defense, technical, and automotive industries. Its Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities segment develops/rehabilitates plans for highways, bridges, transit, tunnels, airports, railroads, intermodal facilities, and maritime or port projects; develops or rehabilitates critical water resource systems, water/wastewater conveyance systems, and flood defense projects; and provides engineering design, construction management, design build, and operations and maintenance. This segment also designs and constructs buildings; offers consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and delivery services for life sciences clients; and provides services relating to modular construction and other consulting and strategic planning services, as well as offers services in containment, barrier technology, locally controlled environments, building systems automation, off-the-site design, and fabrication of facility modules. The company's Energy, Chemicals and Resources segment offers services relating to onshore and offshore oil and gas production facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, and transmission pipelines and terminals; feasibility/economic studies, technology evaluation, conceptual engineering, front end loading, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and commissioning services; and engineering, procurement, and construction solutions. This segment also provides services, such as manufacturing complex, expansions, modifications, and management of plant relocations; construction management and field construction services; and services to operate and maintain facilities. The company was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Read More Schenectady It wasn't too many years ago that General Electric Co. was a true conglomerate, with businesses reaching far beyond its origins in lighting and power generation. Insurance? You can buy it at GE. Your favorite TV programs? They're on GE-owned NBC. That new kitchen? Why not outfit it with GE Appliances? Those businesses are part of its past. And as 2018 draws to a close, the company founded by Thomas Alva Edison looks to shed its healthcare and transportation businesses, while spinning off its software unit into a separate company that will pursue the industrial internet of things. RELATED: As GE continues to fade, Schenectady moves on What's left? Its focus will be on turbines, both the stationary steam and gas turbines that feed the power grid and the lighter ones that power a large share of the world's passenger aircraft fleet. Long gone are the plastics division units, including the Selkirk plant now owned by Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), and the Waterford silicones facility, Momentive Performance Materials, now owned by private equity group Apollo Global Management. Apollo is in the midst of selling MPM Holdings, the parent firm of Momentive, to three South Korean companies for $3.1 billion. Meanwhile, GE's stock price has struggled as it copes with declining demand for its large steam turbines The decline comes as GE sought to build its market share through the ill-timed 2015 acquisition of Alstom's power unit. This year GE wrote off $23 billion in power division assets both Alstom and its existing power business a belated recognition that power's outlook was dimming. The Financial Times reported in October that Alstom had a negative book value of $7.2 billion, one factor driving the writedown. And while GE exited the insurance business, one obligation that remains is shortfalls in long-term care policies. GE expects to contribute $15 billion over the next seven years to cover those costs. Even the Hudson River could pose a continuing financial headache for GE. The company spent $1.7 billion dredging the river bottom to remove toxic PCBs it had dumped there over a period of decades. But state officials said last week that PCB levels remain unacceptably high. So what's ahead in the new year for GE in the Capital Region? Certainly the company's Global Research Center in Niskayuna is expected to play a role in the newly formed industrial internet of things unit and continue its research and development work for both the aviation and power units. Employment at GE Power has declined, and may continue to do so. Worldwide, GE has cut 12,000 jobs in its power unit, where too much capacity is chasing too few orders. Hundreds of jobs were cut locally. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. At year end, GE was still hoping to sign a sizable power contract with the Iraqi government, although it hadn't closed as of this writing. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was offering Iraq a three-month waiver on sanctions intended to block purchases of natural gas from Iran if Iraq agrees to buy up to $15 billion in GE power generation equipment. Perhaps the greatest pain locally has been felt by GE's workers and retirees, who have watched their portfolios of GE stock tumble in value. GE has lost more than $500 billion in market value since 2000. Business Insider last month drove home how much that means to a retired machinist who had 5,000 shares when he retired in 2000. He's seen his portfolio fall in value to just $30,000 from $250,000, and his annual dividend shrink to $200 from $4,800, according to Business Insider. His pension? The company is facing a $31 billion shortfall. What impact that might be having on the Capital Region economy, where a large number of GE shareholders are concentrated, isn't clear. GE's newest CEO, H. Lawrence "Larry" Culp Jr., is the first outsider to run the 126-year-old company, replacing GE veteran John Flannery, who lasted in the top job just 14 months. Culp's appointment he successfully ran the much smaller Danaher Corp. drew early praise. The sale of much of GE's stake in oil field equipment maker Baker Hughes gave GE shares a bump last month. But with GE's cash crunch continuing, the outlook for 2019 continues to be uncertain. Shares fell 22 cents, or 3.08 percent, to close at $6.93 in abbreviated Christmas Eve trading. Seoul, South Korea South Korea said Monday it will fine BMW 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported in the country. South Korea's Transport Ministry's investigation panel concluded that the German automaker deliberately tried to cover up technical problems and moved too slowly to recall vehicles after around 40 of its cars caught fire earlier this year. The ministry found the fires to be caused by faulty valves in the vehicles' exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers. BMW apologized and recalled some 172,000 vehicles of 65 different models in July and October over the fires. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. BMW AG's South Korean unit said in a statement that the ministry's findings were generally in line with the company's assessment that the fires were caused by leaks of coolants in the EGR coolers. Combined with carbon and oil sediment the leaks could combust and cause fires when the vehicles were driven at high speeds for long periods of time, but BMW said the issue could be solved by the exchange of faulty hardware. The company did not directly address the ministry's accusation that it tried to play down the severity of the problem and recalled a narrower range of vehicles than it should have during its first recall in July. The video was shared to Kevin Spacey's Twitter page just minutes after news broke that he has been charged with one count of felony sexual assault after allegedly groping the 18-year-old son of a former Boston news anchor. Titled "Let Me Be Frank," the three-minute clip in which a source confirmed Netflix was not involved features Spacey washing his hands while wearing a Christmas apron. "We're not done, no matter what anyone says. And besides, I know what you want. You want me back," he says. "Of course, some believed everything and had just been waiting with baited breath to hear me confess it all. They're just dying to have me declare that everything said is true and that I got what I deserved. Wouldn't that be easy? If it was all so simple? Only you and I both know that it's never that simple, not in politics and not in life." Though he appears to be in character, Spacey's script seems to be a thinly-veiled reference to the more than a dozen accusations of sexual assault that have seen the Oscar-winning actor go from A-list star to disgraced accused predator. "But you wouldn't believe the worst without evidence, would you? You wouldn't rush to judgments without facts, would you? Did you?" he asks. "If you and I have learned nothing else this past year, it's that in life and in art, nothing should be off the table. If I didn't pay the price for the things we both know I did do, I'm certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didn't do." Spacey was fired from "House of Cards" after the allegations surfaced. The sixth and final season of the Netflix drama was released in November with Robin Wright's Claire Underwood taking the reins, and with Spacey's Frank Underwood said to have died in his bed in May 2017. In the clip, Spacey declares that "conclusions can be so deceiving," and hints that a comeback is imminent. "Anyhow, despite all the poppycock, the animosity, the headlines, the impeachment without a trial, despite everything, despite even my own death, I feel surprisingly good," he says. "And my confidence grows each day, that soon enough, you will know the full truth.. Oh wait a minute. Now that I think of it, you never actually saw me die, did you? Conclusions can be so deceiving. Miss me?" Netflix declined to comment. New York Daily News Ginsburg recovering, up and still working Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is up and working as she recuperates from cancer surgery. A spokeswoman for the court, Kathy Arberg, also says that Ginsburg remained in New York at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. No information has been released on when Ginsburg might return home. Ginsburg underwent surgery Friday to remove two malignant growths in her left lung. Doctors say there is no evidence of any remaining disease. Now 85, the justice has been treated for cancer two other times. Last month she cracked three ribs in a fall at the court. The court next meets on Jan. 7. Despite her health problems, Ginsburg has never missed arguments. Associated Press HGTV star El Moussa gets married again "Flip or Flop" star Christina El Moussa has tied the knot, one year after finalizing her divorce from ex-husband and co-star Tarek. The HGTV personality married British TV host Ant Anstead Saturday in a surprise ceremony at their home in California. El Moussa, 35, and the "Wheeler Dealers" host, 39, kept their nuptials hush-hush, telling their 70 guests that they'd be taking them to the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, according to People. Instead, they exchanged vows in their front yard after more than a year of dating. Anstead told the outlet he and his new bride were focused on making the day about their "blended family" he has a daughter, Amelie, 15, and a son, Archie, 12, with ex-wife Louise, while Christina and Tarek have 8-year-old Taylor and 3-year-old Brayden. El Moussa celebrated the couple's one-year anniversary in October, gushing on Instagram that Anstead has shown her "what real unconditional love is." The surprise wedding comes days after a rep for El Moussa denied she was engaged after an Instagram post that said she was celebrating "something special." Christina and Tarek split in 2016 after seven years of marriage, and their divorce was finalized in January. The two continue to host their hit series "Flip or Flop" together. New York Daily News GARDINER - The body of a rock climber, who fell to his death while climbing in New York's Shawangunk Mountains, was recovered Sunday afternoon. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a press release on their website that a man had been solo climbing at the privately owned Mohonk preserve, in Gardiner, Ulster County, when he fell to his death. New York Deborah Zall, a dancer and choreographer who studied with Martha Graham and went on to make her own mark with solo works depicting extraordinary women, died on Dec. 11 in Manhattan. She was 84. The cause was pneumonia, her sister Rona Nadine Affoumado said. Zall was known for vivid portrayals of women drawn from history, including Mary Queen of Scots and the French author who wrote under the pseudonym George Sand, as well as fictional characters, like Amanda Wingfield from Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie." Lean, small of stature and angular of build, she gave performances that were praised for their commitment and focus. British critic Judith Mackrell described her as bearing "an almost unnerving resemblance to Graham herself." In a telephone interview, Penny Frank, a former colleague on the faculty of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, recalled Zall's intensity. "She was small," she said, "but she made this up with the force of her dancing. And her choreography was the same." Zall also appeared in dances taught to her by choreographers from the Martha Graham circle, including Graham's teacher, Ruth St. Denis, and Anna Sokolow, a founding member of the Actors Studio. Zall was even given permission to perform the famous 1930 Graham solo "Lamentation," in which the dancer expresses her grief through anguished movements magnified by a cloaklike costume a rare occurrence for a dancer not in the company. Over the last two decades, she had begun staging works for younger dancers. These included her own and those of her mentors, as well as pieces by the longtime Graham dancer Bertram Ross, a close friend. (When he died in 2003, Ross left the rights to all his dances to Zall.) In 2014 she formed her own ensemble, the Deborah Zall Project: In the Company of Women, consisting mostly of former members of the Graham company. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. She was a committed teacher of Graham's dance technique. "I teach the orthodox technique," she told the magazine Dance Teacher in 2015, "exactly what Martha Graham taught me." At various points, she was an instructor at the Martha Graham School in New York, the Laban Dance Center and the Place in London and, most lastingly, LaGuardia High School, where she was on the faculty from 1994 to 2011. During the late 1970s and early '80s, Zall spent considerable time in Los Angeles, where she created a work, "Pastorale," for the Los Angeles Ballet, then under the direction of John Clifford, a former New York City Ballet dancer. (She also taught at the company school.) "She was extremely musical," Clifford said in an email, "and emotionally connected to the students. And she did a spot-on Martha Graham imitation." ALBANY - A petition demanding that District Attorney David Soares drop the charges against Ellazar Williams, the teen who was shot and paralyzed by a detective in August, has been circulating the community this week. As of Tuesday afternoon 396 signatures were already collected. Last week community members came together for a forum after a grand jury cleared city detective James Olsen of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting of Williams, which left the 19-year-old paralyzed from the chest down. The teen was shot Aug. 20 when police said Williams ran from them following a disturbance at a nearby Central Avenue convenience store where a gun allegedly was displayed. Williams allegedly had a knife when Olsen shot him. Williams currently faces a felony charge of menacing a police officer and misdemeanor weapons possession. "If people want to have (Williams') menacing charges dropped, reduced and not presented, then we need to tell the district attorney not to do it," said Jackie Williams, an Albany resident said at last Wednesday's forum. "It is possible." The community members called for a petition. Their goal is to collect 400 signatures by Saturday, Dec. 29. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The petition is being supported by more than ten local organizations including the Center for Law and Justice, Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration (CAAMI), Citizen Action of New York and Albany NAACP. The petition can be found at www.actionnetwork.org/petitions/drop-the-charges-dont-prosecute-ellazar-williams 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. [December 25, 2018] JinkoSolar Awarded "2018 Best Corporate Governance for Listed Companies" by 21st Century Business Herald SHANGHAI, Dec. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or "Company"), (NYSE code JKS), a reputable solar module manufacturer in the world, today announced that it has been awarded the "2018 Best Corporate Governance for Listed Companies" by 21st Century Business Herald, a respected domestic financial media outlet, in recognition of its operation efficiency and corporate governance by its board of directors. A panel of judges analyzed each company on 78 criteria based on quantitative models generated by the value a publicly-listed company's board of directors creates. JinkoSolar was recognized for its outstanding performance in return on capital, strategic management, governance by the board of directors, and social responsibility. "We are honored to receive this prestigious award in recognition of our excellent cooperate governance which we strongly believe is the key to operating in the global capital markets," commented Mr. Xiande Li, Chairman of JinkoSolar, "Our board of directors has been leading the Company by developing corporate strategies which leverage our premium brand and global positioning. These efforts are finally being recognized by the global capital markets and our customers. Going forward, the board of directors will continue to implement strong cooperate governance policies in order to support the continuous growth of our global business, implementation of socially responsible corporate policies, and create even more value for our shareholders, customers and the industry." About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is a world-renowned solar module manufacturer. JinkoSolar has over 12,000 employees across its 6 productions facilities globally. The company distributes its solar products and sells its solutons and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in more than 80 countries worldwide. JinkoSolar has built a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 9.2 GW for silicon ingots and wafers, 6.5 GW for solar cells, and 10 GW for solar modules, as of September 30, 2018. JinkoSolar has over 12,000 employees across its 6 productions facilities globally, 16 oversea subsidiaries in Japan (2), Singapore, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates, and global sales teams in United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama and Argentina. To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends, "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company's operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Mr. Sebastian Liu JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. Tel: +86 21-5183-3056 Email: [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jinkosolar-awarded-2018-best-corporate-governance-for-listed-companies-by-21st-century-business-herald-300770684.html SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 25, 2018] FISCO BCOS Blockchain Application Contest Reveals the Grand Prize Winner SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese Consortium Chain FISCO BCOS made its international debut at 2018 Singapore Fintech Festival. On December 21st, the Final Round of FISCO BCOS Blockchain Application Contest (China) was held in Shenzhen, China. ODRChain, a mature and in-operation project implementing a public consortium chain solution to boost the procedure of arbitration, won the grand prize - one million RMB. The first prize went to Project JustSign, the joint product of JustKey and Forms Syntron. Changhong Information Security Lab's IoT Trusted interconnection solution won the second prize. The Contest aimed to discover and present practical consortium chain projects, thus improving the public exposure of advantages of consortium chains, such as experience evolution, boosting efficiency, cost savings, mutual trust, data transparency and clear responsibility. The contest provided investors with opportunities to connect with fast-growing consortium chain start-ups. All projects adopted FISCO BCOS as the underlying blockchain technology platform. Together they further tested the robustness and availability of FISCO BCOS, which in return, facilitated the sustainable development of FISCO BCOS's open-source ecosystem. Eventually, it will help launch applications in different scenarios of Distributed Business. According to Henry Ma, President of Financial Blockchain Shenzhen Consortium (FISCO) Technical Committee, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of WeBank, "Through the Contest, we inspired participants who are using blockchain technology to solve problems in their businesses and encouraged them to join FISCO BCOS - the building block of open consortium chain. Together we will enable collaborative businesses and contribute to future real economy and development of SMEs." The FISCO BCOS Blockchain Application Contest was sponsored by WeBank and was guided by China Electronics Standardizations Institutes and China Computer Federation. ZhongChao Blockchain Technology Research Institute provided academic advice. FISCO and Shenzhen Finance Technology Association co-hosted the largest and most famous consortium chain applications contest in China. 300 projects joined the contest, covering dozens of industries such as government affairs, finance, public benefits, medical, education, transportation and smart home. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181224/2334983-1 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV)-- KCTV5 is getting a first look at the two men arrested in connection to a homicide in The Northland Sunday night. Jackson Frisbie and Jimmy Abron are behind bars Monday night. Both men are being held at the Clay County jail with a million dollar bond. This year, Volkswagens traditional Christmas card features the muscular silhouette of an open-top rugged off-roader with Santa in the drivers seat. This suggests that the German automaker is looking to unveil yet another concept under the I.D. umbrella inspired by the buggy that was paramount to the creation of the Baja Rally. Bruce Meyers Manx buggy was one of the huge automotive hits of the 60s and, channeling the spirit of those years; it was a full-on DIY project that turned into a phenomenon. Now, Volkswagen , the company that powered Meyers dreams via the Beetle platform, teased a potential revival of the buggy as an electric concept part of the I.D. family. A modern Manx with none of the noise but all of the go British publication Autocar has launched the rumor that Volkswagen is actively pursuing the development of a Meyers Manx-inspired electric beach buggy a month or so ago. Now, the German car maker suggests the rumors are true after all through its latest Christmas card. According to Autocar, well first see the new buggy at next years Geneva Auto Show in March but expect it to follow the philosophy of the original: a low-slung body, big wheels that are barely contained by bulbous arches, a pair of seats without the nuisance that is doors, a chunky roll hoop behind these seats, and a free-standing windshield ahead. Apparently, this wont be the only retro-looking concept that will see the light of day in 2019. Volkswagen chairman Herbert Diess is said to have given the green light to at least one other retro EV under the I.D. family banner that is set to join the I.D. Buzz - a model that harkens back to the Volkswagen T1 of the old days. This third retro EV could be a 5-door hatchback with styling cues inspired by the original Volkswagen Bettle. Meanwhile, the idea of putting the buggy into production is said to be under active consideration" and will probably depend on the public's reaction to the prototype at Geneva. As with all the other I.D. models, the first of which is slated to go into mass-production in the third quarter of 2019, the buggy will sit on the MEB modular platform that also allows for all-wheel-drive. We dont know what the specifications of the 21st Century Manx will be but, if it will go into production, expect a range of about 350 miles (thats what the biggest 111-kWh battery package can offer). The price could be high considering this is an unusual vehicle that could be made in limited quantities as a way for VW to show that its I.D. family can also be fun and encourage outdoor activities. The original Meyers Manx buggy was built by Bruce Meyers in 1964 using the underpinnings of a Beetle. While the first 12 examples built for customers were expensive due to their all-fiberglass monocoque, the later version sat on a shortened Beetle chassis that helped lower the price and garner public interest. In fact, in just five years, Meyers company shipped over 5,000 Manx kits and finished vehicles as well as other versions based on the original two-seater design like the Manx II and the Meyers Towd. Further reading Read our full review of the 1969 HAZ Buggy. Read our full review of the 2011 Volkswagen Study Buggy Up!. Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion Concept. Read our full review on the 2017 Volkswagen I.D. Buzz. Read our full review on the 2017 Volkswagen I.D. Crozz II Source: Autocar Question: Regarding my posts about the terrible perversion of Torah and halacha that Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky has engineered with his prod... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59138213 In the US, people can justify their use of deadly force against another when it reasona... lt is clear that no one in the world has the authority to establish guilt anyone without both [the accuser and accused] coming ... Important!! email - yadmoshe@gmail.com Earl Swift: Chesapeake Requiem: A Year With the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island. I cant remember a book in recent years that taught me quite so much. Every page is vivid and rich. Tangier Island, Va., famous as a source of soft-shell crabs, is going under, literally a victim of rising seas, relentless storms and a changing economy. Swift spends plenty of time on the ground, and so is able to pierce the veils of myth and mysticism that have long surrounded the community of fewer than 500 stalwarts, whose political and religious lives are far more complex and nuanced than their stereotypes suggest. He doesnt agree with their beliefs, but his respect and affection for them are patent. A model for what serious reportage should be. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 24 The Majitha police have booked four persons, including two Delhi residents, for allegedly duping a local resident of Rs 15 lakh on the pretext of sending him to Estonia. The case was registered following an investigation carried out by an SP rank official. Sajanmeet Singh had lodged a complaint with the police in this regard in August this year. Those booked were identified as Arun Kumar and Subhash Sehgal of New Delhi, Gurjit Singh Sandhu and Rajesh Kumar of Chandigarh. A case under Sections 420, 120-B of the IPC and 13 of the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act was registered against them. He stated to police that the accused promised him to get the permanent residency of Estonia, a European country. They took Rs 15 lakh on different dates. Rajbir Singh, Investigating Officer, said the case was registered after taking legal opinion. He said no arrest has been made so far. editorial@tribune.com M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 25 The administration has extended an invite to tourists on the festive occasion of Christmas even as hotels at Gulmarg are fully booked for New Years day. The stakeholders are also hopeful that the tourism sector would revive in the winter as footfalls had remained on the lower side for the past few years. We had an interaction with the tourists. We want to tell the world that Kashmir continues to be as beautiful as it was. Over 8.5 lakh tourists have visited the Valley this year and the hotel occupancy at Gulmarg is almost 100 per cent for New Year, Adviser to Governor Khurshid Ganai told reporters on the sidelines of a function held on Christmas at Nehru Park, Dal Lake. He said bookings for the coming months looked encouraging. I am happy to hear from leading tour operators, hoteliers and houseboat owners that queries are coming and lots of bookings have been made. This is fantastic news and encouraging. For the past few months, the number of tourist visiting the Valley has been encouraging. This is outcome of the untiring promotional activities carried out by the department. Tour operators also worked very hard to convince travellers to visit Kashmir, he said. The tourism sector had been badly hit in the aftermath of September 2014 floods and then yet again by the 2016 unrest sparked by the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani. Director Tourism, Kashmir, Nisar Wani said the department would continue to promote Kashmir. We will be aggressively promoting the state in the travel marts and roadshows within and outside the country to attract maximum tourists, he said. Meanwhile, on the finding of the parliamentary panel that the GST had affected the tourism sector, Ganai said he will take up the matter with the Governor. If this is the finding, then the government needs to do something, he added. editorial@tribune.com Pune, December 25 Asserting that India should adopt a clear-cut roadmap to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened. Kumar was delivering the Lalitaditya Memorial Lecture in Pune, organised by the Sarhad organisation. He also said that there was a need to send a stern message to Pakistan for its support to militancy. A stern message needs to be sent out to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today it is not feeling the pinch it should feel, said Kumar. He said India should deal strongly with Pakistan over the training camps and terrorist launchpads. Now the USA is exiting Afghanistan. It will have implications in Kashmir. It is only a matter of time before we will feel its implications in the Valley. After the US withdrawal, the terrorist organisations will feel pumped up, emboldened, he said. Seeing Americas withdrawal as a sign of victory, terrorist outfits can feel that New Delhi can also be defeated. So, there is an urgent need for India to adopt a clear-cut roadmap to deal with terrorism in Kashmir, he asserted. The US is planning to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The American troops contribute to training and advising local forces fighting the Taliban and the Islamic State group. Underling Pakistans active role in spreading terrorism in the Valley, the former IPS officer said Pakistan was not only sponsoring terrorism but also sending its nationals to Kashmir in the garb of fighting jihad. No matter which government is in power, Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in the Valley, he said. He said militancy in Kashmir started with local terrorist organisations but now it was tilting towards Islamic extremism. The Valley has a rich history of Sufism but over the years it has moved towards Wahabism, he said, adding that efforts should be made to take Kashmir back to Sufism. Suggesting measures, he said the state needed stringent laws to deal with anti-national forces and a concrete policy to encourage youths to give up militancy. The surrender policy must ensure that youth who give up militancy are gainfully employed and discouraged from returning to it, he said. He also called for political outreach and empowerment of the civil society. He said the social media had played a destructive role in inciting sentiments of the youth. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Tribune News Service Patiala, December As many as 150 people of Faridpur Gujran village, 8 km from Rajpura, fell ill after partaking of langar organised to commemorate the sacrifice of sahibzaade of Guru Gobind Singh. The villagers had cooked food for the community and put up two stalls, one within the village and the other on the NH 44. Around midnight, around seven residents of the village, who had partaken of langar, were taken to the Civil Hospital, Rajpura, after symptoms of food poisoning. After some time, six more villagers reached the hospital with the same symptoms, over the night. By Tuesday morning, 150 persons were undergoing treatment for food poisoning at the hospitals emergency ward. Senior Medical Officer Rajpura, Dr SD Singh, said those admitted at the hospital showed symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea and were given fluids along with some antibiotics. District epidemiologist Dr Gurmeet Singh said, Patients were having symptoms of pain in abdomen, vomiting and diarrhoea, Around 150 patients had been admitted to the hospital. Out of these, 110 were discharged by Tuesday evening after their condition improved. Gurmeet Singh further said that all the patients had confirmed their participation in the community kitchen after which they had developed the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, the possible cause of which could be food poisoning. District Civil Surgeon Dr Manjit Singh said, Soon after the patients started coming to the hospital, health teams reached the village and persuaded the villagers to discontinue the community kitchen. He said the teams took samples of food and drinking water to ascertain the exact cause of the ailment. The district epidemiologist and other teams of doctors had been stationed in the village. The samples, collected from the village, have already been sent for examination. shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Lahore, December 25 Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail here on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments reference by Islamabad-based Accountability Court on Monday. After the verdict, Sharif was arrested in the court and taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after the court accepted his request. Sharif in his application to the court said that he wanted to serve the sentence at Kot Lakhpat jail as his family members and his personal physicians live in Lahore. A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their leader. However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the workers for trying to reach the jail. According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with "better class" facilities. "The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table, two chairs, a TV set and newspaper," they said. Sharif has been shifted to the barrack where former president Asif Ali Zardari was also kept in corruption cases in 1990s. Upon reaching Kot Lakhpat jail, doctors carried out a medical examination of Sharif and found him physically fit. Commenting on the verdict on Monday, Sharif said his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. Sharif's lawyers said the accountability court's verdict will be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. The Accountability Court verdict concluded a series of three court cases Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in July last year. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. The apex court set the deadline for December 24 to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the Sharif family. The three-time former prime minister has maintained that the cases against him were initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team in the Panama Papers case was biased. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Lahore, December 25 Pakistans ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore amid tight security on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments case by the Accountability Court in Islamabad on Monday. The three-time former prime minister, who was taken into custody by police following the court judgement, was taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Monday. Upon reaching Adiala jail, jail doctors carried out a medical examination of the PML-N leader and found him physically fit. On Tuesday morning, Sharif was taken to Nur Khan Air Base amid tight security. Sharif was then flown to Lahore, where he was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail. Tight security had been put in place around the jail and Rangers were deployed at the police checkposts established on the route to the prison. Shortly after his conviction in the National Accountability Courts Al-Azizia corruption case Monday, Sharifs counsel requested court to shift him to Lahore jail instead of Adiala since the veteran leader is a heart patient and his personal physicians and family members are stationed in Lahore. The request was granted. The Punjab province government approved the provision of better class jail facilities for Sharif. The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table and chair in addition to a TV set and newspaper. A large number of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their Quaid (supreme) leader. However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the PML-N workers for trying to reach the jail. PTI shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Puebla (Mexico), December 25 The governor of the Mexican state of Puebla and her husband, a senator and former governor, were killed on Monday in a helicopter crash, the countrys president said. My deepest condolences to the relatives of Senator Rafael Moreno Valle and his wife, governor of Puebla Martha Erika Alonso, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wrote on Twitter. I assume the commitment to investigate the causes and tell the truth about what happened, Lopez Obrador wrote. The helicopters two pilots and an assistant to the senator also died in the crash. The aircraft went down 10 minutes after taking off in the Santa Maria Coronango area of Puebla, and the cause of the crash is still unknown. Alonso was sworn in as governor on December 14 after an electoral tribunal certified her victory in July polls. She was the first woman to occupy the position in Puebla, where her husband was governor from 2011 to 2017. According to the local constitution, the state legislature will have to appoint an interim governor and to call an extraordinary vote that must be held in three to five months. AFP But despite the legendary discernment of the Tribune audience, the winner is seldom my personal favorite. So today I am asserting curators privilege and offering, in no particular order and lightly edited in places, my list of the 40 best tweets that showed up in my feed in the past year. The contrasting stories coming out of Building 13 at the Maximum Security Prison are worrying enough to warrant a full and independent enquiry. The casual dismissal of prisoner complaints by Prisons Commissioner Dennis Pulchan is unacceptable, and reveals an unhealthy attitude at the highest level of the prison system. - Joho said he had built a huge political base across Kenya to mount a presidential campaign - He dismissed a section of coast leaders who claimed the region could not produce a president - Joho argued coast supported other regions for the presidency and it was time they returned the favour Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho has expressed confidence in his bid to run for the presidency come 2022. According to the governor, he is confident he has built a huge political base across Kenya to mount a presidential campaign. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Meru senator Mithika Linturi claims he was never married to his wife, she was just a guest Joho is confident he has built a huge political base across Kenya to mount a presidential campaign. Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Atwoli asks Ruto to resign as deputy president for opposing Uhurus referendum call The Standard reported on Monday, December 24, Joho said Coast had supported other regions for the presidency and it was time they returned the favour. My supporters know me, when I decide to go for something I mean it. I cannot lose hope, said the governor. He said his stand on public issues affecting Kenya and the region was well documented and he intended to use it as a platform to seek the presidency. READ ALSO: Sing'ore Girls' protests poor 2018 KCSE results, students put under counselling I have assessed myself and come to conclude I can be the president of this country," said Joho. We at the Coast have been complaining of being marginalised for far too long. That narrative will disappear when we get power, he added. The governor went on to dismiss a section of coastal leaders who claimed the region could not produce a president. READ ALSO: NASA leaders accuse Ruto of hiding behind allies to sabotage Uhuru- Raila handshake He argued coast had produced politicians who had played key roles in Kenyas history, including the struggle for independence. Joho said he would exploit his new-found friendship with President Uhuru Kenyatta to foster national cohesion and ensure Coast benefits from economic and social development. 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. Girls perform better than boys in 2018 KCSE results | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko Kenya Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo and Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathathe have made surprise visits to Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers serving in different parts of Somalia. Omamo said visit was to appreciate sacrifices the soldiers and their families had made to sustain war against al Shabaab terrorists and secure Kenya. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: William Ruto gifts villagers with goats, wheat flour for Christmas celebrations Defence CS Raychelle Omamo told Kenya Defence Forces soldiers she was proud to be associated with them for their sacrifice to Kenya. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Auditor General exposes how Nyanza counties misused billions of public funds In a moving message to the soldiers, Omamo said it was not an ordinary everyday choice for anyone to put their lives in danger to protect the lives of others. Omamo and Mwathathe visited Manda, Hulugho and Kolbiyow military camps on Monday, December 24. Its not everyday people put their lives in danger like you. You are the heart of Kenya and what every Kenyan should aspire to be. I am so proud to be with you, Omamo said. The CS explained the visit was aimed at establishing the exact conditions the gallant soldiers were operating in and support them address any challenge they could be facing. I visited to be with you. I wanted to see you and your commanders and see how we can make things better. Your hard work and sacrifice is a symbol of the calm were enjoying as a country. Thank you for protecting Kenya, Omamo said. She also thanked families of the soldiers for tolerating their absence especially during such festive seasons when kinsmen were coming together to celebrate Christmas. Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathathe who accompanied Defence CS Raychelle Omamo said the troops presence in Somalia had helped avert internal attacks. Photo:Citizen. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Embu Governor Wambora's body guard killed in early morning fight with boda boda riders I want you to know you are appreciated as brave men and women that have gone beyond call of duty to protect Kenya, she said. Mwathethe lauded the troops for neutralising al Shabaab militants from Somalia saying the move had ensured Kenya was secure. We just now need to be keener and protect the soft targets. It is easy to kill a snake before it enters into the house and thats what you have been doing, Mwathethe said. Omamo and Mwathethe paid tribute to soldiers who had paid ultimate price in protecting Kenyans and those injured in the operation since Kenyan forces were deployed in Somalia in 2011. 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 Is Christmas Worth Celebrating? | Tuko TV Source: Tuko The fifth board member, Republican Kristen Gaspar, narrowly defeated a scandalized, one-term Democratic incumbent in 2016. Her north coast district is clearly a Democratic target in 2020. Nathan Fletcher, who was elected this year to replace termed-out Supervisor Ron Roberts in central San Diego, may well be the leading edge of a 3-2 Democratic takeover of the board when the last votes are counted in two years. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has voiced a protest over the sentence of Russian court in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine voices a resolute protest over an unjustified judgment delivered by the North Caucasus Military District Court of the Russian Federation to sentence Ukrainian citizens Enver Mamutov to 17 years in prison, Rustem Abiltarov, Remzi Memetov and Zevri Abseitov - to 9 years in prison on frankly trumped-up charges of terrorist activities," the Foreign Ministry press service reports. As noted, the Russian anti-terrorism legislation is widely used by the Russian occupation administration to cover political repressions against representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. "The international community condemned this unacceptable practice in the UNGA resolution on the situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, which was adopted on December 22," the press service says. The Foreign Ministry will continue to use all possible political and diplomatic levers to free Ukrainian citizens and calls on the international community to step up pressure on the aggressor state to make Russia stop violating human rights in the temporarily occupied Crimea and free the illegally detained Ukrainian citizens. "The Russian Federation must comply fully with the Crimean resolutions of the UN General Assembly of December 19, 2016, December 19, 2017 and December 22, 2018, as well as the ruling of the International Court of Justice on measures within the framework of the lawsuit of Ukraine against the Russian Federation on the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination," the statement reads. As reported, on December 24, the North Caucasus Military District Court in Russian city of Rostov-on-Don delivered sentences to the defendants in the first Bakhchisarai case "Hizb ut-Tahrir." Enver Mamutov was sentenced to 17 years in a maximum security penal colony. Remzi Memetov, Ruslan Abiltarov and Zevri Abseitov were sentenced to 9 years in a maximum security penal colony. A genuine UNHCR protection officer collects information from disembarked refugees and migrants in Tripoli, Libya, in July 2018. UNHCR/Sufyan Ararah UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is dismayed at reports of smugglers and traffickers posing as UNHCR staff in Libya and calls on the authorities for action against all criminals trying to target desperate refugees and migrants. Reliable reports by our sources and refugees suggest that traffickers and smugglers are impersonating UN staff, including UNHCR, at different locations in Libya. These criminals were spotted at disembarkation points and smuggling hubs, using vests and other items with logos similar to that of UNHCR. UNHCR information comes from refugees who report having been sold to traffickers in Libya, and subjected to abuse and torture, including after having been intercepted at sea. UNHCR is collecting more information and investigating these allegations. In Libya, UNHCR and its partners are present at official disembarkation points to provide lifesaving humanitarian and medical assistance to refugees and migrants, including food, water and clothes. Once the smuggled passengers are back on land, the Libyan authorities transport them to detention centres, managed by the Directorate for Combatting Illegal Migration (under the Ministry of Interior). UNHCR teams are also present there to monitor the situation, aid and identify the most vulnerable in order to try to find solutions, especially in third countries. UNHCR is not engaged in transferring refugees from disembarkation points to detention centres. In Tripoli, the situation of refugees and migrants living in urban areas or detained has dramatically deteriorated in recent weeks, due to heavy clashes in the Libyan capital. UNHCR has received reports of unspeakable atrocities committed against refugees and asylum-seekers in the streets of Tripoli, including rape, kidnapping and torture. One woman told UNHCR that unknown criminals kidnapped her husband and then raped her and tortured her one-year-old baby. She said the child was stripped naked and sexually harassed by the criminals. Many refugees were detained in areas close to the clashes and were at risk of being a collateral damage if rockets hit the centres. Thousands escaped detention centres, in a desperate attempt to save their lives. UNHCR is opposed to the detention of refugees and asylum-seekers, but it is present in places where refugees are located to provide them with life-saving assistance. UNHCR strongly calls for alternatives to detention to be put in place, including the immediate use of the Gathering and Departure Facility in Tripoli, which will serve as a platform to find safety in third countries, and which will be managed by the Libyan Ministry of Interior and by UNHCR. The facility has the capacity to host 1,000 vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers and is ready for use. UNHCR is further calling for strong institutional action to hold smugglers and traffickers accountable. For more information on this topic, please contact: This is done to protect the interests of the Russian state, companies and citizens of Russia, Medvedev said. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a resolution on expanding the list of individuals and legal entities from Ukraine, which are subject to sanctions. "The list of individuals and legal entities of Ukraine, to whom special restrictive measures will be applied, has been expanded. I have signed the relevant resolution. This is done to protect the interests of the Russian state, companies and citizens of Russia," Medvedev wrote on Twitter on December 25, 2018. Some 200 individuals and legal entities were added to the list. Read alsoU.S. special envoy Volker: We have long-term strategy for Ukraine (Video) As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 22 signed a decree providing for the introduction of "special economic measures" in connection with Ukraine's "unfriendly actions." The document instructs authorities to draw up lists of individuals and legal entities to whom these measures will be applied. On November 1, the Russian government introduced restrictive economic measures against Ukrainian nationals and legal entities. The sanctions affected 68 Ukrainian companies and 322 citizens. The government decree contains a complete sanctions list, which also includes a number of top Ukrainian officials such as NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov, Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, Minister for Information Policies Yuriy Stets, and others. On the recording, Dumenko is heard discussing topics such as his church's conservativism and Ukraine's standpoint towards the LGBT community. The head of Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Epiphanius Dumenko, was hoaxed into talking to a man he believed to be David McAllister, the European Union Parliament lawmaker in charge of foreign affairs. A recording of the conversation was published by the Russian pro-Kremlin prankster team Alexei Stolyarov and Vladimir Kuznetsov on Saturday, Deutsche Welle wrote. The duo, who go by Vovan and Leksus online, are well known for targeting high ranking Western politicians and diplomats, including UK's Boris Johnson earlier this year. Ukraine's church press officials confirmed Dumenko was targeted. Read alsoMetropolitan Epifaniy says open to dialogue with clergy of former UOC-MP On the recording, Dumenko is heard discussing topics such as his church's conservativism and Ukraine's standpoint towards the LGBT community. He also mentions "very noticeable support" from the U.S. in a bid to set up an independent Ukrainian church. In general, however, Dumenko remained reserved during the call, as his interlocutor raised sensitive topics. "One day, you will bless the army to free Crimea and Donbass from the occupation and separatists, so I hope this will happen soon," the man pretending to be McAllister said in heavily Russian-accented English. "I also believe that we will manage to bring reclaim Donbas and Crimea, and the war which is currently raging in Ukraine should end, because God is on our side," Dumenko says in Russian. "So you would like to bless the army?" the voice asked again. Dumenko responded by pointing to army chaplains and his plans to travel to the conflict zone and support and "bless" the soldiers. "But how can you get back Crimea to Ukraine?" his interlocutor asks. "If Ukraine becomes a strong state and we manage to unite the Orthodox believers in one local Orthodox Church, I believe that the people would () themselves want to return to Ukraine," Dumenko said. Later on, Dumenko acknowledged the efforts towards the church independence made by the government led by current President Petro Poroshenko. At the same time, the church head also insisted that the new church should remain politically neutral and separated from the state, ahead of the Ukraine presidential election. Eventually, the prankster urged Dumenko to move away from conservativism and show support to the "gays of Ukraine" and the LGBT community at large. "Naturally, I am in favor of starting a church reform, so there would not be this conservativism, so we would move away from Russian tradition and the church would be open and serve as a guide to Ukrainian people," Dumenko said. On the issue of gay people, Dumenko pointed to entrenched attitudes in Ukrainian society. "This is a bit of a complicated issue, which we should not take up at the beginning of our path," Dumenko is heard saying. "Right now, we need to work on the Ukrainian society understanding it. But it's a long road and we will work on it, talk and look for answers on these complicated questions." It was not immediately known how the two pranksters obtained Dumenko's number. In the past, the duo claimed that they had talked with the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, the late U.S. senator John McCain, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and even musician Elton John. Their success in reaching influential figures has prompted speculation that the two are connected with Russian authorities. One enemy troop was killed and another six were wounded, intelligence reports say. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 20 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with three Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action. Read alsoDefinitely preparing for something: OSINT group on Russia's fake news on NATO troops in Donbas "Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the past day. According to intelligence reports, one occupier was killed and another six were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update published on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 25, 2018. Russian occupation forces opened fire from grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns and small arms, attacking the defenders of the villages of Krymske, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Kamianka, Pisky, Taramchuk, Luhanske, Pivdenne, Chermalyk, Hnutove, and Vodiane. The enemy also employed 120mm and 82mm mortars to attack the defenders of Krymske and Pisky, while those near the villages of Kriakivka, Luhanske and Hnutove came under fire from 82mm mortars. "Since Tuesday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked the Ukrainian positions yet," the report said. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on December 25, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action (WIA). Read alsoJFO: Three Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas in past day "One Ukrainian soldier was wounded from 07:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update on Facebook. The enemy opened fire from grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns and small arms at the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Novotoshkivske. What is more, the enemy used 82mm mortars against the Ukrainian positions near the village of Zolote-4. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. FSIN Deputy Director Valery Maksimenko said on December 24 that the director of prison IK-14, Yury Kupriyanov, had been dismissed, together with an unspecified number of other officials at the prison. Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) has asked prosecutors to open a criminal case into allegations of slave-labor conditions among female convicts at a prison in Mordovia. FSIN Deputy Director Valery Maksimenko said on December 24 that the director of prison IK-14, Yury Kupriyanov, had been dismissed, together with an unspecified number of other officials at the prison, RFE/RL reported. Read alsoDoctor warns Russia placing abducted Ukrainian students life in immediate danger IK-14 was the prison where prominent activist Nadezhda Tolokonnikova served most of a two-year prison sentence for participating in a performance by the political-art group Pussy Riot in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral. She was released under an amnesty in December 2013. Since her release, she has campaigned for the rights of Russian prisoners. In September 2013, Tolokonnikova wrote an open letter in which she complained about the slave-labor conditions at the prison, as well as violent abuse of prisoners. She wrote that women must work 16 or 17 hours a day with one day off every eight weeks. She said that she had been subjected to death threats. At the time, the FSIN said it had investigated her charges and found them unsubstantiated. "Apparently, Tolokonnikova was correct," Maksimenko told TASS in Moscow on December 24. Maksimenko said the latest investigation had found that convicts were sometimes forced to work sewing clothing from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. He said prisoners were "threatened with isolation and being deprived of food for the slightest transgression." He added that prisoners sewed clothing for Kupriyanov, his relatives, friends, and business associates. Maksimenko said that the findings were the result of a surprise inspection at the prison. The inspection was triggered by a complaint from former prisoner Indira Bagayeva. "In view of the fact that such complaints had come from Mordovia before and they had been investigated repeatedly without being confirmed, it was decided to conduct a surprise inspection by employees of the central FSIN offices," he said, saying that after the team arrived, prison officials made efforts to conceal security video materials from them. While the new omicron variant could slow its rebound, business travel is expected to eventually return. While some local companies are eager to get back to their globe-trotting ways, others have realized they dont need to be on the go as much as they used to be. Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (JKPM) has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, for talking to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, about the gross human rights violations committed by the Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Dec, 2018 ) :Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (JKPM) has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, for talking to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, about the gross human rights violations committed by the Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir. According to Kashmir Media Service, All Pakistan Hurriat Conference (APHC) leader and Chairman JKPM, Mir Shahid Saleem in a statement issued in Jammu said, although Pakistan has always been extending moral, political and diplomatic support to the struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self determination, but it needs to do more to stop Indian occupation forces from killing innocent Kashmiri people especially youth in the Kashmir valley. He called upon the Pakistani leadership to redouble their diplomatic efforts and seek the support of the world community against Indian aggression and illegal occupation. Mir Shahid Saleem said India has crossed all limits of suppression and oppression and was openly committing genocide in Kashmir. He said Pakistan must play its role in breaking the criminal silence of international community over the gross human rights violations in the occupied territory. Meanwhile, several political leaders including AIP President Er Rasheed and National Conference while expressing deep concern over efforts of administration to bulldoze colonies of Muslim dominated areas in Jammu region condemned the drive in Beli Chadana and Nikki Tawi in Jammu where hundreds of policemen along with local administration were deputed to demolish the houses of inhabitants mostly of Muslims. Er Rasheed said, "There is no justification for shelling and Lathicharge on innocent inhabitants. One should not forget that their ancestors have been either massacred in 1947 or have forced to flee to Pakistan, leaving their huge properties here, which were later occupied by people of other communities," he said. National Conference leader, Mian Altaf Ahmad also expressed deep anguish over selective demolition drive launched by Jammu Development Authority at Nikki Tawi in Jammu without any prior notice andcommunication was uncalled for. He said, earlier the authorities had also carried out a demolition drivein Sidra and Samba which left many families homeless. The Federal Ombudsman has set up a 'one stop facilitation center' at the District Headquarter Hospital Kasur to reintegrate the victims of child abuse in society after providing them medico-psychological assistance via a one-window operation. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2018 ) :The Federal Ombudsman has set up a 'one stop facilitation center' at the District Headquarter Hospital Kasur to reintegrate the victims of child abuse in society after providing them medico-psychological assistance via a one-window operation. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore (FJMU), the Federal Ombudsman, District Jail Kasur and DHQ Hospital Kasur, during the first meeting of the Task Force on 'One-Stop Facilitation Center for Children's Rehabilitation' recently held at the office of Vice Chancellor FJMU, Lahore. About a month back, four task forces were formed, aimed at providing psycho-social aid to the victims of child abuse, bringing legal reforms, training police and sensitizing the society regarding the menace, in pursuant to the recommendations made in a report compiled by a panel constituted by the Ombudsman in the aftermath of Zainab rape-cum-murder case that took place in Kasur last year. According to the MoU, a Hospital Child Protection Committee would be set up, spearheaded by medical superintendent (MS) of the DHQ Hospital Kasur, which would nominate more focal persons from FJMU belonging to the other medical disciplines to provide required treatment to the patients ranging from gynecological to physiological. The MS DHQ Hospital would remain in touch with the FJMU's focal persons to ensure provision of all-out facilities to the sufferers. Talking to APP, Commissioner for Children and Focal Person on Child Abuse of Federal Ombudsman Syeda Viqar-un-Nisa said as there was no sanctioned post of a psychiatrist in Kasur, therefore, a consultant psychiatrist from FJMU was being deputed there. The psychiatrist would conduct training of other medico-psychiatrist staffers of the hospital occasionally as the victim needed constant monitoring, she added. "Psycho-social and rehabilitation aid are imperative to retrieve a child abuse victim from such mental agony as most of affected children re-emerged as child abuser," she reckoned. The commissioner said they would hold a meeting with health authorities of Punjab to create a permanent vacancy of psychiatrist in Kasur district. She also clarified that the facilitation center was established for the victims only while the appointed psychiatrist would also visit District jail Kasur to train the jail staffers, so that the accused of child abuse could also be provided with necessary treatment. (@rukhshanmir) Government troops have violated the ceasefire regime in the Idlib deescalation zone for around 600 times since the establishment of the zone, the spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th December, 2018) Government troops have violated the ceasefire regime in the Idlib deescalation zone for around 600 times since the establishment of the zone, the spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. "The ceasefire was implemented in Idlib. [Syrian President Bashar Assad's] regime often violates it, around 600 cases have been recorded. But we do not react to these provocations. We have 12 observation posts in Idlib, they will remain there in the future," Ibrahim Kalin said during a briefing in Ankara. Kalin added that Turkey would remain an active player in the Syrian conflict even after the US troops withdrawal from the region. "We will remain on the ground and at the negotiations table. We have already demonstrated it in Afrin, Jerablus and other cities. The US troops withdrawal from Syria changed many things in the region. Yesterday our president [Erdogan] talked to [US leader Donald] Trump and discussed it. We want to note that we will not allow any delays, and the fight against the Islamic State [terrorist group, banned in Russia] will continue without delays," Kalin added. As a result of negotiations between Turkey and Russia held on September 17, the two countries agreed to establish a demilitarized buffer zone between the government and rebel forces in Syria's northwest Idlib province. Though, despite the signed truce, ceasefire violations are often reported from both sides. (@FahadShabbir) Head of the Catalan government Quim Torra said on Tuesday he had submitted to the Spanish government a package of measures aimed at reconciliation of tensions in relations between Barcelona and Madrid, which includes a resort to international mediation. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th December, 2018) Head of the Catalan government Quim Torra said on Tuesday he had submitted to the Spanish government a package of measures aimed at reconciliation of tensions in relations between Barcelona and Madrid , which includes a resort to international mediation. Torra held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday but the details of the proposed package of measures had been announced only on Tuesday. According to Torra, the package of measures includes "implementation of the [Catalan] self-determination right, including creation of an international commission, which will be a mediator between the governments of Catalonia and Spain. " He also pointed out that Catalonia would not support the 2019 draft budget if its initiatives were rejected. On October 1, 2017, Catalonia held an independence referendum, which resulted in over 90 percent of those who voted backing the region's session. Madrid objected to the referendum and refused to recognize its results. On October 27 that same year, the Catalan parliament declared independence, which prompted the Spanish government to dismiss the regional government and impose direct rule over Catalonia. (@FahadShabbir) The chief of the Cyprus Naval Command, Capt. Charalambous Charalambos, has visited Russia's anti-submarine destroyer Severomorsk, which concludes its port call in Cyprus' Limassol, the Russian Northern Fleet's press service said on Tuesday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th December, 2018) The chief of the Cyprus Naval Command, Capt. Charalambous Charalambos, has visited Russia 's anti-submarine destroyer Severomorsk , which concludes its port call in Cyprus ' Limassol, the Russian Northern Fleet's press service said on Tuesday. "The chief of the [Cyprus] Naval Command of the Cyprus National Guard, Capt. Charalambous Charalambos, has visited large anti-submarine destroyer Severomorsk, which concludes its call in the port city of Limassol," the fleet said in a statement. According to the statement, the sailors also organized a tour of the vessel for Charalambos. The statement added that the ship had replenished its food and water supplies during the port call, while the Russian sailors also did sightseeing in the city. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), broadcast a Christmas message on All India Radio World Service on Dec. 25, pledging the continued commitment of Indias Catholic Church for a world of love and forgiveness, peace and harmony, and justice and truth. Indias Catholic bishops have issued a message for Christmas 2018, reiterating the Churchs commitment to the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalized. In a message broadcast on All India Radio World Service on Christmas day, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), said that the Church in India pledges to continue in the footsteps of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who was born and died poor in order to establish the Kingdom of God where love and forgiveness, peace and harmony, justice and truth may reign. May the celebration of birth of our Lord Jesus Christ give us new encouragement to usher in love, peace and harmony in our country and in the world. May each one of us promote truth and justice and may we live like true brothers and sisters on this earth, Bishop Mascarenhas urged. Below is the transcript of the Christmas message of Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas: It is with great joy and happiness that I bring to you my dear Indian brothers and sisters and men and women of good will everywhere the Christmas greetings of the Catholic Church in India. Every year on 25th of December the world celebrates Christmas the Birth of Jesus Christ. Even while houses and buildings will be decorated and illuminated with bright lights and colours, shopping malls will be full with everyone looking for gifts for dear ones, and Christmas trees, Santa Claus and Christmas functions will abound, the real attention will be focused on the Holy Mass in the Church and on the little baby Jesus lying in the manger. The star that shone that night pointing to the Birth of Jesus Christ and the Crib that we put up in remembrance of the humble birth of our saviour are just symbols of the message that our Lord Jesus Christ brought to Humanity. And the Message is GOD LOVES US. Yes, as St. John tells us, "God so loved the world that he gave his only son to humankind". The thirty-three years that Jesus walked on this earth, especially the last three years of active ministry to the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalized, reveals what this love means. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, of his life, his ministry his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It is the remembrance of all that he stood for and of everything he taught us. As our Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi would say about Jesus Christ, A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. Jesus proclaimed to us the coming of the Kingdom of God: a kingdom in which love and forgiveness, peace and harmony, justice and truth would reign. The Birth of Jesus had been prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah as the birth of the Prince of peace, his reign was foretold as a governance of righteousness. About his Kingdom the Prophet had declared, that on that day, The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the baby goat, and the calf and the lion and the fatling will live together, and a little child shall lead them. Indeed, Jesus is that little child who later taught us, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. Christmas is an occasion for us in the Catholic Church to renew our dedication and commitment to continue serving with love and compassion our countrymen and women as we have been always doing down the ages. Our nation-building, educational activities, health care services and other compassionate works are guided by Jesus Command, love your neighbour as yourself. Following the example of our Lord and master, our hearts and our lives reach out in a special way to those abandoned and excluded, to those left out on the peripheries of development, to the poor, the dalits , the tribals and to all those who remain on the margins of our society. In the words of St. Mother Teresa, an ardent follower of Jesus Christ we can say, I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money . No, I wouldnt touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly care for him for the love of God. We want to continue working with the Government and with all men and women of good will to bring solace and comfort, education and health care, love and security to all who need it. The birth of Jesus changed the world forever. Our Great Indian spiritual leader, Swami Vivekananda would say, Had I lived in Palestine, in the days of Jesus of Nazareth, I would have washed his feet, not with my tears, but with my heart's blood! Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. Today more than ever before our country and the world hunger for peace. Amidst wars and violence, mob lynchings and religious persecutions, and even as fringe elements become bolder and attempt to set communities against communities and groups against groups the voice of Jesus rings loud and clear, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". We pray for our country and for the world that the kingdom of peace and harmony may be ushered in, that the Almighty may raise many peacemakers among us. We pray for our beloved country India known for its long tradition of unity in diversity and of tolerance without discrimination, that the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the baby goat, the calf and the lion and the fatling may be able to dwell together in peace and harmony without being forced to be other than what they are. Christmas is the Birthday of Jesus who lived and died for truth and justice. Opposing discrimination of any kind he ate with outcasts and treated women with respect and dignity. He asks a Samaritan woman at the well to give him water to drink. This was a direct challenge to the social system of the day in which the Samaritans were considered low castes. In the parable of "love your neighbour", Jesus portrays the Samaritan, as the real follower of God, superseding even the Priests and the Levites who do not seem to understand Gods commandment to love ones neighbour. We pray for our country and society that the message of Jesus may echo in our ears and that we may end all discrimination based on caste or religion, on language or region. May we learn to treat each other with love, respect, and equal dignity. Jesus taught his disciples, The Truth will make you free. He stood for truth even to the point of sacrificing his life on the cross. In a world plagued by fake news, often deceived by manipulations and lies, when one finds it difficult to trust the Print, electronic and social media, Christmas reminds us that freedom comes from truth. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ who taught us to stand by the truth, to live by the truth with courage and if necessary to die for the truth. May the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ give us new encouragement to usher in love, peace and harmony in our country and in the world. May each one of us promote truth and justice and may we live like true brothers and sisters on this earth. In the name of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and in the name of the Catholic Church I wish you all God's blessings at Christmas. We pray for our political, spiritual and civic leaders and for each one of you and your families. May the Divine Child Jesus accompany you each day of the New year 2019 and may he grant you prosperity and peace. I wish you a joy-filled Christmas and a happy New Year. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas Secretary General Catholic Bishops Conference of India An Indonesian woman identifies a body in Carita, in the district of Pandeglang in Banten province (AFP or licensors) In Indonesia, rescue teams continue to look for survivors after a tsunami struck coastal districts of Java and Sumatra, At least 370 people are dead, By Alastair Wanklyn The tsunami followed the partial collapse of a volcano off the coast. One side of the mountain slid into the sea, pushing a wave towards the shore. The tsunami destroyed hundreds of homes. Many victims drowned, others were crushed by timber and metal. And when the water receded it pulled an unknown number of people out to sea. Many survivors are now homeless. A representative on one island nmearby said hundreds of survivors are cut off. They need food and medicine, the official said. Indonesia's meteorological agency said further tsunamis are possible. Thousands of survivors fled the coast, jamming roads that were already partially blocked with debris. In the regional capital of Serang, Catholics attended Mass on Christmas Eve and prayed for the victims. The nation's president, Joko Widodo visited the area. He told disasters agencies to upgrade warning systems. Indonesia has seismic monitors in areas where tectonic plates meet. But experts say it is difficult to monitor the risk of tsunamis from offshore volcanoes. This volcano, on the island of Krakatau, has triggered tsunamis many times. When it first erupted in the 1880s waves killed tens of thousands of people.He told disasters agencies to upgrade warning systems. Village officials told residents and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that it was using only Lake Michigan water after 1985, when the contaminated well was discovered, but regulators later learned that Crestwood continued to use the well for as much as 20 percent of its water supply from 1985 to 2007. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority plans to roll out new drone monitoring equipment at major airports across the country next month. (Photo: AFP/Tobias Schwarz) Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plans to roll out new monitoring equipment at major airports across the country next month. The technology has the ability to identify a drone, its serial number and the location of the controller while in flight, CASA communications manager Peter Gibson told AFP. "We can identify therefore who is flying it," he said. The technology, coupled with new registration requirements, will "dramatically" change the way rules relating to drones are enforced, Gibson added. "2019 will be a drone safety crackdown," he said. While the new equipment has been in planning for some time, the incident last week at London?s Gatwick airport - which saw nearly 140,000 passengers affected by three days of disruption after reports of drone sightings - "highlights the importance of having this capability", Gibson said. Officials will also roll out a drone registration scheme in mid-2019, so that authorities can better track who is flying them and advise of proper safety precautions. The new mobile tracking technology will be used in "known drone hotspots" like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which has seen a concerning rise of drones operating in a restricted area, Gibson said. Authorities will have greater powers to conduct safety checks, he said, and increased ability to issue fines of up to AU$10,000 (US$7,000) for those in breach of the rules. "In 2019 it could be very expensive doing the wrong thing with your drone," Gibson said. Retaken in the spring by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad during a brutal offensive to capture Eastern Ghouta, Arbin is anything but festive AFP/Maher AL MOUNES Retaken in the spring by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad during a brutal offensive to capture the rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta, Arbin is anything but festive. Rubble from razed buildings spills out into deserted streets lined with burned-out cars and twisted scraps of metal. The town looks more apocalyptic than merry. Arbin's only church, Saint George's flame-scorched walls and empty nave are a testament to the seven-year conflict that has left more than 360,000 people dead and displaced millions. "There's no celebration here. Christian homes are destroyed and their church is destroyed," says Aash. The restoration of the Greek Orthodox church, built in 1873, "will take a lot of time, money and effort", he adds. "There's not a single icon left - all of them were either burned or stolen," said the 55-year-old, approaching the altar. "We also found broken crosses." Aash fled Arbin in 2012 as fighting engulfed the town, plagued afterwards for years by violence and a crippling siege imposed by Damascus. But after regime forces retook the area, he decided to return home. "I grew up in this church, I spent all of my Christmases here... it was once overflowing with joy," he remembers. "I almost collapsed when I saw it." For him, the festive spirit "won't return until the residents and parishioners do". CONTRAST After a blistering offensive backed by Russian air power, government forces in April retook Eastern Ghouta, a key rebel foothold at the gates of Damascus. The military push and years of shelling flattened large swathes of the area and forced most of its pre-war population to flee. Before the war, Arbin was home to some 3,000 Christian residents, according to Mayor Khalil Tohme. But despite the return of relative calm to the capital and its surroundings, Arbin residents are still hesitant to come back. "We are only five Christians who regularly visit the town, the others go from time to time... most of their homes are destroyed," says Aash. A few dozen meters away from the church, Joseph Hakimeh directs a worker on a ladder as he puts the final touches to a freshly painted wall of a restored home. The contractor is getting ready to hand the keys back to the owner, and is working on three other homes in addition to his own. "We're preparing to return as soon as services and infrastructure are ready, but that needs time," he says. Sitting on a can of paint, the 39-year-old yearns for the way things once were. "I hope that next year everything will return to the way it was before -- Christmas trees, decorations, carols and prayers," he says. The mood is gloomy is Arbin, but just a few kilometres away, bright coloured lights illuminate the streets of Damascus. A giant tree decorates Abbasiyyin Square, long avoided due to its proximity to the frontline with the former rebel stronghold. "ROOTS" Festive lights and garlands also decorate homes in the predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Kassaa in eastern Damascus. But not everyone is in the Christmas spirit. Since Riad Rajiha's family arrived to the area after fleeing Arbin in 2012, they have not had the heart to celebrate. "We left our Christmas tree behind, so we missed out on decorating," says Rajiha, his eyes brimming with tears. "What's the meaning of decorating a tree in a house that's not yours?" Leafing through an old photo album, he revisits pictures of the Saint George Church in all its former glory. Large chandeliers hang from its high ceilings, its wooden pews packed with parishioners. "Our roots are there and our memories are there," says the 66-year-old, who dreams of celebrating the holiday in Arbin with his grandchildren. "I was born in Arbin, I lived in Arbin, and I hope to die and be buried there." The Hanoi Animal Health Department has been working with some concerned organisations to develop a software-based dog management plan. Hanoi has considered the use of geographic positioning chips for the management of local dogs Under the plan, dogs would be chipped with information about the dogs birth year, vaccination as well as their identification features. According to the department, the chip would help slash dog theft and stray dogs. Hanoi has called on residents to stop eating cats and dogs and prevent the spreading of diseases. Since November this year, the city has started catching stray and unattended dogs as part of efforts to fight against rabies. The dogcatchers have to date caught 12 stray dogs, fining nine dog owners; while three ownerless others have been sent to the Centre of Pet Animal Protection and Studies. According to Hanoi Animal Health Department, 493,000 dogs lived in Hanoi, the highest figure in the country. Debris of damaged buildings is seen around a swimming pool near a beach in Anyer, Serang on December 23, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Dasril Roszandi) "Vandalism, lack of funds, technical faults have caused the current absence of the tsunami buoy system," said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in a series of tweets. There was no tsunami advance warning system on the night the tsunami struck, said Mr Nugroho. He said the system had to be developed again to ensure that Indonesia had a tsunami early warning system which would be "triggered by undersea landslides and volcanic eruptions". "The absence of this system caused the failure to detect the tsunami in advance," he added. Mr Nugroho added that Indonesia does not yet have a tsunami advance warning system that can detect undersea landslide and undersea volcanic eruption. He cited examples of previous earthquakes which caused undersea landslides and triggered a tsunami, including the recent Palu tsunami-quake. Currently, the country only has an advance warning system that is triggered by earthquakes. It was first established in 2008, a few years after a 9.3-magnitude earthquake below the seabed triggered a wave that struck Banda Aceh within 15 minutes. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed 168,000 people in Indonesia alone, and left nearly 250,000 dead around the region. Mr Nugroho added: "127 volcanoes or 13 per cent of the worlds volcanoes are in Indonesia. A number of them are undersea and are small islands that when erupt can caused tsunami." He said this would serve as a challenge for government agencies, as well as institutes of higher learning, to develop such systems. Other natural disasters, including landslides, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, dry weather and tornadoes also needed advanced warning systems, added Mr Nugroho. "These will relay information to the public before disaster strikes." More than 200 people have died with hundreds more injured from the tsunami that struck the islands of Sumatra and Java on Saturday night, according to Indonesian authorities. Experts warn that another tsunami could strike Indonesia as volcanic activity of Anak Krakatoa continues. A Santa Claus on his sleigh arrives in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, on December 24, 2018 AFP/HAZEM BADER Midnight mass was to be held in Bethlehem later, while Pope Francis was also due to hold mass at the Vatican as Christians celebrate the traditional day of Jesus's birth after a tumultuous year. Much of that tumult has come from Washington, and the festive spirit was dampened there as the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. The US National Park Service said that it would remain unlit and closed to the public "until further notice," with checks being made for damage following an attempt by an intruder on Friday to climb the tree. The tree, whose spectacular lights were switched on at a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, became a forlorn symbol of the dysfunction gripping Washington two years into his presidency. In Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians say Mary gave birth to Jesus. Palestinian bagpipers perform on Manger Square in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, on December 24, 2018 AFP/Musa Al SHAER Crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, looked on at the square decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a manger as carols in Arabic played through speakers. The Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived later in the afternoon and was to lead midnight mass. The Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, on December 24, 2018 AFP/HAZEM BADER Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was to be among dignitaries attending the ceremony. This year, visitors are able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. The first church was built on the site in the fourth century, though it was replaced after a fire in the sixth century. Tourists visit the grotto at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. (Photo source: REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta) A newer and more spacious church, St. Catherine, is located next door. "It's a great opportunity to be in such a symbolic location for Christmas," said Lea Gudel, a 21-year-old French student studying in Jerusalem, who was in Manger Square on Monday morning. 'CONTINUE COURAGEOUSLY' Bethlehem, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour who was with her son and daughter and was planning to attend midnight mass. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. Palestinian police officers take pictures inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, on December 24, 2018 AFP/HAZEM BADER Later in the day, musical groups took the stage at Manger Square in front of the Christmas tree, illuminated as night fell, to sing Christmas carols. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were preparing to mark Christmas after a year in which leaders warned over violence against fellow worshippers. On Friday, Pope Francis said "new extremist groups spring up and target churches, places of worship, ministers and members of the faithful". "How many Christians even now bear the burden of persecution, marginalisation, discrimination and injustice throughout our world," the pope said. "Yet they continue courageously to embrace death rather than deny Christ." In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with the country badly divided over its impending exit from the EU. Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack in Spain's second-largest city during the Christmas holidays. The top 10 export categories in the first 11 months (Source: General Department of Vietnam Customs) The General Statistics Office of Vietnam's report on the first 10 months of the year showed that the total export revenue has reached $200.27 billion, up 14.2 per cent on-year. Turning to November, the country published data on its export performance, highlighting the contributions of the 10 largest categories. In particular, phones and accessories are still the main export items of Vietnam and continue the highest value of all commodities. Accordingly, by the end of November, the export value of this group reached $46.2 billion, up 11.67 per cent over the same period last year. The main export markets of Vietnamese phones and accessories are the European Union, China, the US, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The second position belongs to textiles with the export turnover of $27.7 billion in the first 11 months, increasing 17.12 per cent on-year. This second category mainly exports to market such as the US, the EU, Japan, and Korea. Computers and electronic products stand at the third position with the total export turnover of $26.95 billion, up 13.66 per cent. This category mainly goes to China, the US, the EU, and Korea. Machinery and equipments is the fourth category, with $15.13 billion of exports, a rise of 28.65 per cent, mainly to the US, the EU, Japan, and India. Footwear ranks fifth with $14.65 billion, up 10.9 per cent, with shipments mainly to the US, the EU, China, and Japan. Wood and wooden products ranked sixth. The export value of this category was $8.05 billion, up 16 per cent. China, Hong Kong, and Korea were the countries importing the most in this category. Fishery products are seventh, with an export turnover of $8.03 billion, up 6.07 per cent. Main export markets include Cambodia, the US, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the EU. Wood and wooden products, and transportation vehicles are the eighth and ninth. The export values of these industries reached $7.3 billion, up 14.24 per cent, and $4.78 billion, up 44.4 per cent over the same period last year. Main export markets were the US, China, Japan, and Thailand. The tenth largest export category was iron and steel, with an export value of $4.21 billion, an increase of 24.08 per cent over the same period last year. Visitors can enjoy a palm massage by letting ducks eat out of their hand in the central province of Quang Binh near the famous Phong Nha Ke Bang Cave. Photo: VNE The farm is the brainchild of 20-year-old Tran Van Quynh, who owns 120 ducks. Quynh guides visitors on how to hold a handful of seeds in their cupped palms so they ducks can munch them, creating a massaging effect. The experience is similar to the famous fish massage in Thailand where people put their legs in water tanks full of small fish that nibble at the skin. Besides the duck massage, tourists can ride buffalos in the rice fields. A visit to the farm costs between VND150,000 ($6.47) and VND250,000 ($10.78), depending on the activities you choose. Yeah1 is asked to pay $14,180 in tax arrears According to Yeah1s disclosure of information on the State Securities Commissions portal and HSX, Yeah1 Group Corporation received Decision No.14845/QD-CCT from the Department of Taxation of Ho Chi Minh City on administrative sanctions for violations pertaining to taxation. Accordingly, Yeah1 committed administrative violations by incorrectly declaring tax. Yeah1 failed to fulfil its obligations as a taxpayer as stipulated in Article 7 of the Law on Tax Administration No.78/2006 /QH11 dated November 29, 2006 as well as the Law on Amending and Supplementing Some Articles of the Law on Tax Management No.21/2012 /QH13 dated November 20, 2012. In addition, Yeah1 also used invoices which stated the business' previous address. With the above violations, Yeah1 was fined for VND75.57 million ($3,285) and charged with VND192.37 million ($8,364) of tax arrears. In addition, Yeah1 also has pay VND58.2 million ($2,532) in late payment fee. Yeah 1 will have to pay these fines within 10 days from the date of receipt of the decision. Previously, in August 2018, Yeah1 also announced on its website that internal shareholder DFJ Vinacapital and Yeah1s chairman of the board, Nguyen Anh Nhuoc Tong, were fined by the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) for illegal trading of YEG shares. Yeah1 explained that on July 18, 2018, DFJ Vinacapital's internal shareholders sold 7.82 million shares of YEG to Nguyen Anh Nhuoc Tong, who in turn sold the shares to six other individual investors. The negotiation process took place before Yeah1 was listed, and shareholders negligently failed to disclose information on the share sale. As a result, the SSC fined DFW Vinacapital for VND130 million ($5,652) and Nguyen Anh Nhuoc Tong for VND65 million ($2,826). Also, by the end of August, the SSC received a notice from Yeah1 Group about raising its foreign ownership ratio from 49 to 100 per cent. The consolidated financial statement for the third quarter of 2018 published on Yeah1 Group's website shows that for the first nine months of 2018, Yeah1 posted net sales of VND1.034 trillion ($44.9 million), up 111 per cent compared to the same period of 2017. Profit after tax reached VND131.16 billion VND ($5.7 million). At the extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on December 4, Yeah1 approved the issuance of nearly 62.56 million new shares to shareholders (ratio 1:2) to triple its charter capital, reaching VND938 billion ($40.78 million) by 2019. On the stock market, YEG shares were priced at VND264,000 ($11.48) per share, with a market cap of over VND7.2trillion ($313.04 million). Kevin Spacey has been charged with groping the 18-year-old son of a Boston TV anchor in 2016 the first criminal case brought against the Oscar-winning actor since his career collapsed amid a string of sexual misconduct allegations over a year ago. Spacey, 59, is due in court Jan. 7 on the resort island of Nantucket to be arraigned on a charge of indecent assault and battery, Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said in a statement Monday. Spacey could get up to five years in prison if convicted. A criminal complaint was issued by a clerk magistrate at a hearing Thursday, O'Keefe said. Shortly after the charge became public, Spacey posted a video on YouTube titled "Let Me Be Frank," breaking a public silence of more than a year. In a monologue delivered in the voice of Frank Underwood, his character on Netflix's "House of Cards" who was killed off after the sexual misconduct allegations emerged, he said: "Of course some believed everything and have just been waiting with bated breath to hear me confess it all; they're just dying to have me declare that everything they said is true and I got what I deserved. ... I'm certainly not going to pay the price for the thing I didn't do." He added, "Soon enough, you will know the full truth." The three-minute video ended with a burst of cliffhanger music. A spokeswoman for the actor did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Former news anchor Heather Unruh came forward in November 2017 to say the actor stuck his hand down the pants of her son, who was 18 at the time, and grabbed his genitals at the Club Car Restaurant on Nantucket in July 2016. Her son fled the restaurant when Spacey went to use the bathroom, Unruh said at the time. Unruh said her son didn't report the assault right away because he was embarrassed. "The complainant has shown a tremendous amount of courage in coming forward," Mitchell Garabedian, a lawyer for Unruh's son, said in a statement Monday. "Let the facts be presented, the relevant law applied and a just and fair verdict rendered." Spacey remains under investigation on suspicion of sexual assault in Los Angeles for an incident that allegedly occurred in 2016. Prosecutors declined to file charges over a 1992 allegation because the statute of limitations had run out. He has also faced accusations of sexual misconduct from his time as artistic director of London's Old Vic Theatre. The two-time Oscar winner was among the earliest and biggest names to be ensnared in the #MeToo movement that was sparked by sexual assault and harassment allegations against Hollywood studio boss Harvey Weinstein in October 2017. His first accuser, actor Anthony Rapp, said Spacey climbed on top of him on a bed when Rapp was 14 and Spacey 26. Spacey said he did not remember such an encounter but apologized if the allegations were true. Spacey also used the statement to disclose he is gay. Other accusers followed Rapp's lead. Spacey was subsequently fired from "House of Cards," the political drama in which he starred for five seasons, and his performance as the oil tycoon J. Paul Getty was cut from the completed movie "All the Money in the World" and reshot with actor Christopher Plummer. Some other projects he was involved in were shelved. The case against Spacey represents a rare criminal prosecution in the #MeToo era. Weinstein is awaiting trial in New York, but many other cases have been too old to prosecute, and some accusers have declined to cooperate with authorities. A tumultuous year in Afghanistan is ending with a renewed push and newfound hopes that the start of a dialogue with the Taliban may be in sight. The U.S. increased its air campaign in the country, leading to a rise in civilian casualties, but the Taliban gained territory. U.S. generals think Afghan military's losses are unsustainable. Ayesha Tanzeem looks at the ups and downs of Afghanistan in 2018. Vaulted sidewalks on State Street that had not previously been filled were removed and replaced with a wall to help maintain the structural integrity of historic buildings downtown, according to the city. The sidewalks were over old vaults that held coal used by downtown buildings, and Lockport had filled some of them. Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing Tuesday at the Libyan Foreign Ministry that killed three people. An IS statement said "soldiers of the caliphate" stormed the office of what it called an "apostate government." There was no independent confirmation of its claim, and IS frequently makes such claims to keep itself in the spotlight. Security officials in Libya said Tuesday's attack involved a suicide bomber and left plumes of smoke rising from the area. Libya has been in political and social turmoil since longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled and killed in 2011. Rival governments a U.N.-backed government in Tripoli and one led by an anti-Islamist general are jockeying for power, along with a number of militias. The United Nations has worked with various parties in Libya on a reconciliation process with a goal of establishing a unified government, ensuring security and rule of law, and fairly distributing natural resources. In addition, U.N. officials have warned that the lawlessness in Libya provides fertile ground for atrocities and illicit activities. They say widespread impunity in the country makes migrants and refugees vulnerable for exploitation and extortion by human traffickers and criminal smuggling networks. Tensions soared in the Serb-run part of Bosnia after police on Tuesday detained the man whose quest for truth in the death of his son has sparked months of anti-government protests. Bosnian Serb police said they detained Davor Dragicevic after he failed to appear for questioning. Dragicevic's lawyers said he was hurt during the arrest, which police denied. Several other people also were detained, including Dragicevic's ex-wife and some opposition politicians. Videos from the central square in Banja Luka, the main city in the Serb mini-state in Bosnia, showed police scuffling with citizens while making arrests. Police said an officer was injured. Davor Dragicevic's "Justice for David" movement has demanded information about the March death of his 21-year-old son David. Police initially said it was a suicide, but the young man's family insists he was killed by someone else. Davor Dragicevic has accused top police officials of covering up his son's slaying and protecting the killers, which authorities deny. His movement's demonstrations have drawn thousands of people and inspired citizens to also protest official corruption and the bleak economic prospects in Bosnia. After the arrests, special police were deployed to the Banja Luka square and authorities removed a memorial for David Dragicevic. Bosnians have lit candles and laid flowers around photographs of him in the square for months. Dozens of people gathered at the scene, some crying and shouting "Justice for David." They later started setting up a new, heart-shaped memorial amid occasional scuffles with the police officers securing the square. The European Union delegation in Bosnia said it was "deeply concerned" about the arrests and demanded an explanation from Bosnian Serb police. "We are following the developments closely in Banja Luka and urge everyone to stay calm and refrain from violence," the EU delegation and the EU Special Representative said. "Today's turn of events in Banja Luka sends a negative and alarming signal about the state of rule of law." Local media reported that police wanted to question Dragicevic for allegedly "endangering security" with a protest this month during the election in parliament of a new Bosnian Serb government. The Bosnian Serb government is dominated by the ruling coalition of pro-Russian nationalist leader Milorad Dodik. The opposition Party of Democratic Progress issued a statement accusing the government of "unseen repression" and demanded Dragicevic's release. Bosnia remains tense and ethnically divided following the 1992-95 war that killed over 100,000 people and left millions homeless. The country consists of a Bosnian Serb and a Muslim-Croat entity. Authorities in Cameroon say hundreds of people have fled villages in a French-speaking region after suspected Anglophone separatists abducted 15 people and torched 80 houses. The French-speaking villages of Menkefou and Choupat in western Cameroon are almost empty. An attack by suspected Anglophone separatists early Monday sent hundreds of villagers fleeing for safety. Fifty year old Constantine Njowir, a Menkefou militia member, says he was lucky to get away with only a machete wound to his leg. He says he watched helplessly as one of his militia members died after he was inflicted wounds on his chest and stomach with knives and machetes. He says besides burning houses the fighters were shooting indiscriminately and taking along people who resisted. Njowir says the armed men shouted demands that the government release all arrested English-speaking Cameroonians or pay the price Elvis Suinyuy, a government teacher in the village of Choupat, says the men threatened to return if Anglophone leaders were not freed. "They were young boys carrying guns, shooting. One man was killed. As you can see many of the people around have gone away because they have promised us that they are going to come back so we do not know their next plan," Suinyuy said. "If the government is not there to help us, there will be a serious catastrophe." Governor of the western region Augustine Awah Fonka says there were more than 300 armed men involved in the attack. He says they abducted 15 people and torched houses, cars and motor cycles, and looted property. "More than 86 houses have been destroyed by unidentified gun men made up of mostly young men and women who appeared in this village and destroyed houses and properties, had the population beaten and left them in pain, poverty, and traumatized," Fonka said. "I want to assure them that the government is going to redress the situation. More military men will be deployed to take care of the population." The government blamed Anglophone separatists in the neighboring northwest region for the attack, and said they appeared to be men fleeing from military raids. Cameroon's separatists did not issue any immediate response to the accusation. It is the second time the Bangourain region where the villages are located was attacked. The government deployed the military and asked communities near separatist areas to create village militias for self defense. Cameroon's English-speaking separatists have been protesting since 2016 against discrimination by the French-speaking majority. Their protests were initially peaceful but, in response to a government crackdown, some separatists are waging a violent campaign for independence. The insurgency gained pace in 2017when leader JuliusAyukTabewas arrested in Nigeria with 46 collaborators and extradited to Cameroon. They face a possible death penalty in Cameroon on charges of secession, terrorism and attempting to destabilize the country. Cameroon President Paul Biya earlier this month ordered the release of 289 English-speaking people arrested for supporting the separatists. While the gesture of reconciliation received widespread praise, the separatists continue to demand Biya release all of their leaders. Christmas 2018 will be a day of sadness in the tiny Guatemalan village of San Antonio Secortez. It is the day when the family of seven year-old Jakelin Caal will hold her funeral. Jakelin died earlier this month while in the custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after she crossed into the United States with her father, Nery. They were part of one of the caravans of Central American migrants. Jakelin's small white coffin arrived at the airport in Guatemala City Sunday and was brought 354 kilometers north to the dirt-poor village. Among the while balloons and flowers surrounding the casket was a hand-written message to Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales saying "We ask you for jobs, electricity, potable water, roads...so we don't have to emigrate." Nery Caal entered the U.S. in the hopes of finding work, which does not exist across much of Guatemala. It is still unclear exactly how Jakelin became ill. She was apparently well when agents arrested her and her father along with other migrants when they crossed the U.S. border into New Mexico on December 6. She became sick on the bus ride to a border patrol station and arrived with 41 degree Celsius fever. Emergency medical teams flew her to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where she died two days later. Her brain was swollen and her liver had failed. U.S. agents say the child likely had little to eat and drink before arriving at the U.S. border. Critics of U.S. immigration policy point to Jakelin's death as an example of the harsh treatment many migrants can expect when they cross the U.S. borders. President Donald Trump has said all immigrants are welcome to the U.S. but must come to the country legally. As the first two years of President Donald Trump's administration close, Republican allies still haven't figured out how best to influence a leader who takes cues from the forces that swept him to office and seems to fear losing them above all else. Republicans on Capitol Hill and even the president's closest advisers have been whipsawed over a series of recent actions that show how intently Trump relies on what is sometimes called his gut an adherence to campaign promises he made that are being reinforced by a constellation of election gurus, Fox News personalities and others who hold sway like few others. "I know he can be a handful, but he is the president," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told The Associated Press. On the domestic front, no sooner had Trump signaled he might be backing off his demand for $5 billion to build a border wall with Mexico easing away from a partial government shutdown than he took a U-turn after being scolded by conservative allies and pundits, who accused him of wavering on a campaign promise. Now, three days into the shutdown, his budget chief says it could drag into the New Year. On issues abroad, Trump acted against the advice of his national security advisers and issued a surprise decision to pull troops from Syria. That prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to step down and Trump's special envoy to the coalition fighting Islamic State militants, Brett McGurk, to resign. A drawdown of troops in Afghanistan also appeared to be in the works. As the stock market tumbled on Christmas Eve, Trump lashed out at the Federal Reserve sowing more uncertainty over his public criticism of chairman Jerome Powell. Now, as Republicans prepare to relinquish their hold on government, with Democrats taking control of the House in January, the opportunities and limits of the GOP alliance with the Trump White House may be running their course. "I am all alone [poor me] in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal,'' the president tweeted. Over and again, Trump has shown himself to be more of a tactical, than strategic, thinker, acting to avoid short-term pain rather than seeking long-term gain. When Congress was about to keep the government running without a fight over border wall money, Trump felt the outcry from his base and intervened. Trump told House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders at the White House he wouldn't sign a Senate-passed compromise bill, which would have kept border security money at $1.3 billion, not the $5 billion he wanted for the wall with Mexico. The House and Senate gaveled in for a brief Christmas Eve session Monday only to close up quickly for the holidays. "Trump is plunging the country into chaos," the Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. "Instead of bringing certainty into people's lives, he's continuing the Trump Shutdown just to please right-wing radio and TV hosts." Trump's sudden moves on Syria left top Republicans on Capitol Hill criticizing his decision to pull out all of the roughly 2,000 U.S. troops. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., signed on to a letter with other GOP senators urging Trump to reconsider. Graham used a weekend luncheon with conservative lawmakers at the White House to impress on the president the rightness of his instinct on both the border wall and the troop withdrawal in Syria, while also sharing with Trump some ideas for smoothing the policy around both issues. "I told the president, I'm not arguing with your general philosophy," Graham said. "He's a good listener." Graham reminded Trump that while shoring up the border wall is important, "a Southern wall isn't going to protect you against ISIS." It's unclear if Trump was listening. The Pentagon said Monday that Mattis has already signed the order to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. And Mattis, who was also unhappy with Trump's order to develop plans to pull out half of the 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, was being pushed out two months early. Irritated by a surge of criticism over his decision, Trump said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will take over as acting secretary on Jan. 1. Trump's allies chock up the president's year-end moves to a wager that the intense support from his base of voters will continue to propel his electoral chances in 2020 even if polling suggests otherwise. An analysis of VoteCast, a nationwide poll of more than 115,000 midterm voters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago, highlights the fractures. A small, but significant slice of voters the 18 percent who described themselves as only "somewhat" approving of the president expressed concerns. Compared with the 27 percent of voters who describe themselves as strong Trump supporters, the "somewhat" Trump voters are much more likely to disapprove of Trump on key issues and have reservations about his personality. In a warning signs for Republicans, who just lost their House majority in the November election, those voters are more likely to have voted for Democrats in 2018. They are more educated, somewhat more likely to be women, and more likely to live in suburbs. The president has been busy on the phone to allies on Capitol Hill, talking late into the night with some. Trump seemed "exuberant" at the luncheon, said one Republican, Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, who was the only member of the GOP leadership to attend. Ryan, who is retiring, and McConnell have become almost side actors to the year-end shutdown they both tried to avoid, but now will partly own. Both offices said it was up to Trump and Democrats to cut a deal. Shelby said that at lunch Trump did seem like he wanted to reach a deal. At the same time, it's not always clear whether any of the hours of conversation result in decisions that drift too far from Trump's own instinct to stay close to his base. "I don't think it's imminent we're going to reach a deal," Shelby said. "I wish we could." Zainab Sesay wasnt afraid of adventure. Born in Sierra Leone, she immigrated to the United States when she was 11. But she always felt a connection to her homeland and the family she left behind. In 2003, she decided to return. Leaving the U.S. wouldnt be easy. Zainab had a career. Friends. A family. I was working with Northrop Grumman at the time, she told VOA. It was the best company she would ever work for. She was in her mid-twenties and had a good life. But something was missing. So she gave up what she knew. It was a very daring move, to say the least, Zainab said. She had another reason to return to her home. Zainab wanted to reconnect with her grandmother, and she wanted Maya, her 5-year-old daughter, to meet her. The trip was solely to take her back to learn of my heritage and my background, Zainab said. So the two boarded a plane and, with no planned return date, left the lives they knew behind. A difficult adjustment The transition wasnt easy. It was Mayas first experience in such an unfamiliar place. And Zainab wasnt prepared for how much her country of birth had changed. But the pair adjusted. Suddenly, five months into their stay, Maya and Zainabs adventure took an unexpected turn. Maya had a medical emergency and needed to be flown back to the United States, immediately, to see a pediatrician. Zainab couldnt accompany her on such short notice, but she was determined to get Maya to the U.S. Any state would do Zainabs mother and then-fiance could travel anywhere to pick Maya up. The catch was finding a trusted adult to accompany her. Many airlines allow children as young as 5 to fly unaccompanied, but they often require itineraries for direct, nonstop flights. Getting Maya to America wouldnt be so straightforward. Zainab needed a passengers help. At Lungi International Airport, Zainab approached strangers. Is anyone traveling to America? Can my daughter accompany you? Zainab pleaded. Everyone said no. Eventually, Zainab talked to a representative with Brussels Airlines. Is there a passenger my daughter can travel with? At first the agent didnt answer. Disclosing that information was against policy. Sensing Zainab wouldnt relent, she motioned to a 28-year-old American sitting nearby, with a warning: Hes traveling to the U.S., the agent told Zainab, but hes probably not in the best emotional state to chaperone a minor. But Zainab was desperate. So I walked over, looking quite distraught. And as I approached this gentleman, he looked more distraught than I did. Bad news Tom Perriello had seen humanity at its worst. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, he attended Yale and, after earning his Juris Doctor degree, traveled to Sierra Leone, where he worked for the prosecutor on the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The tribunal had been established in Freetown, in 2002, to oversee prosecutions of individuals accused of war crimes. The country had suffered terribly during a brutal, decade-long civil war. On this day, Tom was mourning a personal setback. He had received bad news from the U.S.: His maternal grandmother, his only living grandparent, had died. He was traveling home to attend her funeral. Suddenly, a woman appeared in front of him. He looked up. This is going to be by far the most insane question you have ever received, she said. Could you please travel with my daughter? I need to urgently get her back to the States to my mother. Tom was skeptical. Trafficking scams werent uncommon. And that was the last thing he wanted to be caught up in at this moment. He declined and explained the reasons for his travels. But the woman continued pleading. He looked at the mother and her daughter. He knew this wasnt a trick. They needed him. He agreed to help. I was freaking out Zainabs frenetic state began to settle as she watched Tom and Maya board the plane. I stood by, watched that flight leave and realized, oh my god, I dont even know this guy. I didnt take any of his information. I had no clue of how to reach him. Her thinking was clouded, but there was no way to take back her actions now. And that was the last I saw of him. Around 2:30 a.m. the next morning, Zainab awoke to a frantic call from the United States. It was her mother, and she had upsetting news. In Abidjan, Cote DIvoire, Tom and Maya had been stopped. Tom didnt have proper documentation, Zainabs mother explained, and he couldnt continue to travel with Maya. He had 24 hours to prove he was allowed to accompany her; otherwise, shed be returned to Sierra Leone, undoing Zainabs risky plan. The paperwork they wanted was straightforward. But in Sierra Leone, Zainab had no access to faxes or email. But Mayas grandmother was able to procure the paperwork from the U.S., and she sent a letter to appease the airline. Zainab was horrified. I was freaking out, she said. She couldnt sleep as she waited for a call back. Hours later, the ordeal ended as quickly as it began. Zainabs mother called with good news: Maya and Tom were allowed to continue. They left Africa and made it all the way to Dulles International Airport, in Virginia, where Zainabs mom drove to pick up Maya. Tom dropped her off, and Zainabs mom gave him a hug before he walked out of their lives. Beyond any human being Ive met Zainab never knew the name of the man who helped her daughter. Over time, his face faded from memory. She wanted to reconnect, but she had no leads to follow. Its as if I was searching for an unknown person, she said. The years passed, and Zainab and Maya re-established their lives in the U.S. Toms career as a politician, diplomat and advocate flourished. He became a U.S. Congressman in 2009, serving Virginias 5th district. Hes now the executive director of the Open Society Foundations U.S. Programs. He is, by far, beyond any human being Ive met, Zainab said. Maya flourished, too, and now lives in California. She shared her story on Twitter this month, and talked about the recent reunification. It was just this month that Zainab learned Toms identity. Both sides had told their story to friends and colleagues. Eventually, a shared connection put them in touch. In a recent letter, Tom told Zainab details she never knew such as the songs he sung to Maya while they traveled together. And, how he missed his connection after landing at Dulles International Airport, in Virginia, never making it to his grandmothers funeral. I was so saddened, Zainab said, learning about his sacrifice. He is a godsend to me and my family. For Tom, the reunion couldnt be happier. It was a tremendously challenging journey, he recently told VOA. And Im really glad that it worked out well then even more ecstatic to know we were able to be back in touch. Tom and Zainab have communicated in recent weeks. But they havent met face-to-face since their fateful encounter at Lungi International Airport 15 years ago. I cant stop thanking him. I want the opportunity to be able to hug this person, just to hold him. To feel him in the flesh. Its just been this ghost of a person, 15 years. I want to just hug him, hug him tightly. And thank him. About 4,000 Jews live in Mumbai today compared to nearly 30,000 in the 1940s. One Muslim tombstone engraver specializes in carving writings in Hebrew to help members of the Jewish community continue to honor their dead. VOA's Ritul Joshi caught up with Mohammad Yasin. Pakistan has held a fresh round of discussions with staunch ally China on the "evolving political dynamics in Afghanistan" amid reports the United States plans to reduce its military presence in the war-ravaged country. Officials said Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi traveled to Beijing Tuesday for day-long discussions with Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and both sides underscored support for an "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process." Last week Pakistan organized what officials said were substantial talks between U.S. and Afghan Taliban representatives in the United Arab Emirates. The two sides are expected to meet again soon in the Gulf nation's capital, Abu Dhabi, to further the dialogue amid hopes the insurgent group would agree to engage in direct peace negotiations with the Afghan government. 'New developments' After his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Qureshi told Pakistani state television that "new developments" in Afghanistan and recent peace talks in Abu Dhabi came under discussion. He said China appreciated Islamabad's initiative for Afghan peace. "They [the Chinese] have assured us of their full support for the efforts Pakistan is making for peace and stability in Afghanistan. They appreciated the progress achieved [in Abu Dhabi] in terms of discussing all matters on the negotiating table, including [an Afghan] cease-fire," said Qureshi. He did not elaborate. The Pakistani foreign minister traveled to Afghanistan and Iran before visiting China as part of a "regional outreach" to push Afghan peace efforts. Qureshi is on a four-nation trip, with a last destination of Moscow where he will interact with Russian leaders. "Both sides believe that military means cannot resolve the Afghanistan issue, and promoting political reconciliation is the only realistic way," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said after the talks. Drawdown of U.S. troops Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi's visit comes after reports quoted officials in Washington last week that U.S. President Donald Trump has verbally ordered the Pentagon to remove half of the 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan starting next month. The White House and military commanders have not commented on the reports. The drawdown plans have fueled concerns and speculation that an abrupt withdrawal would bring embattled Afghan security forces under increased battlefield pressure from the Taliban and the move could undermine renewed peace efforts. China has intensified regional diplomatic efforts to help ease Afghanistan's political tensions with Pakistan to encourage the two countries to work together to find a negotiated end to the Afghan war. Beijing enjoys good will in Kabul and it maintains contact with the Taliban. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang launched a trilateral mechanism last year, involving its close ally, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to promote peace and regional stability. The platform is aimed at promoting security and economic and political cooperation among the three neighboring countries. The latest round of the three-way foreign minister-level dialogue took place earlier this month were Wang pledged to help Islamabad and Kabul reduce trust deficit and make joint efforts for peace. Beijing is worried that continued instability in Afghanistan would fuel troubles in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur ethnic group. Chinese authorities blame extremists linked to the outlawed East Turkistan Islamic Movement, which claims to be fighting for rights of the Uighur community, for plotting terrorist attacks in Xinjiang and elsewhere in China. The Palestinian Authority has hosted thousands of visitors for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Christmas Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, attended by many Palestinian Christians. This worshipper had a message of goodwill: To make peace, thats the message. For everyone in the world, to make peace. Bells rang out in Manger Square summoning throngs of pilgrims from around the world to the ancient grotto where tradition says Jesus was born. Gayle Weiland came from California in the United States. You know, I believe its all energy, and you can feel the energy here. It just transcends. Its spiritual. I actually am an artist and I paint angels, and I feel like Im surrounded [by angels], said Weiland. It was a big turnout of visitors this year and that is good news for Palestinian merchants in Manger Square. Shopkeeper Mary Giacaman offers pilgrims mementos from the Holy Land. We sell nativity scenes made from olive wood, we sell Christmas ornaments, anything made of olive wood or mother of pearl; we make it and sell it also, she said. Palestinians here complain that Bethlehem is walled off by the Israeli occupation, but they say that cannot take the joy out of Christmas. Its always a Merry Christmas; its always a new hope for all the people. We pray it will bring peace in our hearts, in our home, in our country, all over the world, said Giacaman. In a land torn by conflict, Bethlehem remains a symbol of hope for better times. IN PICTURES: Christmas Around the Word In his Christmas message to the city and to the world, Pope Francis said his wish this year was for fraternity, among individuals of every nation and culture and expressed hope this would help bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians, in Syria and in Yemen. My wish for a happy Christmas, is a wish for fraternity, the pope said addressing more than a million Catholics all over the world in his message from the central loggia of Saint Peters Basilica. And he added, Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another. Fraternity among persons of different religions. Pope Francis said, The Son of God tells us that salvation comes through love, acceptance, respect for this poor humanity of ours, which we all share in a great variety of races, languages, and cultures. Yet all of us are brothers and sisters in humanity! Our differences, then, the pope told the faithful, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness. As when an artist is about to make a mosaic: it is better to have tiles of many colors available, rather than just a few! The pope then turned his thoughts to conflict areas in the world, first among all the Middle East. He expressed the hope that bonds of fraternity may enable Israelis and Palestinians to resume dialogue and undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to an over 70 year conflict. Francis said he hoped the beleaguered country of Syria would once again find fraternity after these long years of war. He urged the international community to work decisively for a political solution that can put aside divisions and partisan interests, so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country. The pope also had thoughts for Yemen and expressed the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine. With respect to the African continent, the popes thoughts went to the millions of persons who are refugees or displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance and food security. He expressed a desire for the clash of arms to be silenced in order to allow a new dawn of fraternity to rise over the entire continent. Monday night the pope celebrated Christmas mass in Saint Peters Basilica which was attended by tens of thousands of people. In his homily, the pope said that in our day, for many people, life's meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess in material objects. He urged the faithful to focus on simplicity. This week will be a very busy one for the 82-year-old pontiff. He will again address the faithful on Wednesday, hold a vespers ceremony on New Years Eve and another mass on New Years Day. Three hundred scientists all have said the Earth is changing because of climate change. For the people who dont believe its real, I wonder if they are independent thinkers or if they have been influenced by President Donald Trumps administration. If the answer is the Trump administration, then all I have to say is that the administration doesnt believe in climate change because of the money manufacturers would have to pay out for clean air. If you are an independent thinker and its causing you to believe that climate change isnt true, then only time will tell. Less than a day before arriving in Moscow to salvage frayed ties with his Russian counterpart, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he no longer considers Russia a "brotherly nation." According to a television broadcast by Belsat, a Belarus-focused satellite channel headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, Lukashenko told a Monday Cabinet session that he no longer considered Minsk's longtime regional ally a fraternal state "because I was informed that Russia is not receptive to it." News of Lukashenko's comments, which were prompted by Russia's refusal to provide financial compensation for changes to recently implemented export fees, filtered into the Kremlin midday Tuesday, just hours before he was set to head into a closed door meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss a range of topics aimed at improving bilateral cooperation. Less than an hour before the high-level talks kicked off - their 12th face-to-face meeting this year - Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov countered Lukashenko's comments by declaring a "loss of trust lately" with Moscow's closest historical ally. "We don't trust the work of your customs," Siluanov was quoted as telling an informal press gaggle in the Kremlin. Bilateral ties faltered after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, which Lukashenko called "a bad precedent," likely because the small former Soviet republic, which does not being to the European Union or NATO, is economically dependent on Moscow for trade, natural gas and other natural resources. Diplomatic relations have been further strained by accusations of what Belarus calls artificially inflated taxes on oil and gas, while Russia has repeatedly expressed concerns about customs violations. Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have a duty-free arrangement under which Moscow sends crude and oil products to Minsk with no export fee. Belarus then re-exports some of those goods, pocketing the associated charges. Russia has used cheap energy exports and loans to Belarus as a way of keeping its former Soviet neighbor in Moscow's geopolitical orbit, but the arrangement has become harder to sustain as Russia's budget tightens, partially as a result of Western sanctions. Russia also has accused Belarus of skimming payments on Russian duties by exporting gasoline and other oil products under the guise of aftermarket oil-based products, such as solvents and commercial chemicals. Russia unexpectedly refused a request from Belarus for $310 million in compensation from a 2018 change in Russian oil taxes, Belarus's deputy prime minister, Igor Lyashenko, told Reuters last week. The Russian government in June approved changes in oil taxes that will see oil export duties being gradually cut over the next six years; but, as a result, Belarus believes it could lose $10.8 billion by 2024. Finance Minister Siluanov said Russia never promised any compensation to Belarus over the tax changes. "We consider such changes, including the tax maneuver in the oil and gas sector, as an internal matter of the Russian Federation," he said. According to The Moscow Times, the ongoing tensions didn't stop the men from shaking hands before Tuesday's meeting, where Lukashenko called on Putin to "not to drag old disputes into the new year." "Overall, I believe our relations have been developing quite well," Putin said upon opening the meeting, according to an official Kremlin press statement. "Of course there are some problems, which is natural given the scope of our interaction," Putin added, saying that both sides had come well prepared to address the most pressing issue - energy relations. "I suggest we listen to both sides even if we fail to reach any agreement," he said. Some information in this story is from Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering cutting in half the number of American troops in Afghanistan in coming weeks. The move, not yet confirmed by the U.S. administration, has shocked officials in the war-ravaged country and around region. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad. Before Facebook, Vu Kim Chi thought something was lacking in her job, which is to promote the economy in and around Vietnam's famed Ha Long Bay. Posting updates to her department's website, or photocopying missives to send to constituents, she said, was mostly one-sided. But after she set up an official Facebook page for Quang Ninh province, the conversations started to flow in both directions, between Chi and the local residents or businesses. That's why, when it comes to social media, she thinks more civil servants need to catch up with the rest of the country. "Social media, especially the Facebook application, is really used a lot in Vietnam," said Chi, who is deputy head of the province's investment promotion and support office. "But for public agencies that use it as a tool to interact with people and businesses, it's still not necessarily used a lot." Facebook on charm offensive Even as governments around the world are demanding more accountability and transparency from Facebook, public officials in Vietnam are looking for more ways to use the website. And Facebook is happy to oblige. The company is on something of a charm offensive in Vietnam, where it has roughly 42 million members, nearly half the country. Besides sending top officials to visit Vietnam last year, Facebook has been instructing small businesses on how to sell their products on the site, and now it is giving civil servants like Chi advice for engaging with the public. The chance to win some good will in Vietnam comes at a time when pressures are piling up on Facebook both inside the country and abroad. Globally, it has been accused of complicity in plots to convince voters to vote for Brexit or for candidate Donald Trump, as well as in what the United Nations calls ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. The company reportedly paid for research that could damage its critics' and competitors' reputations, as well as gave users' data to dozens of other firms without consent. New cyber law In Vietnam, the government told advertisers to boycott Facebook and other sites in response to users' postings that criticized the one-party state. Next month, the country will enact a cyber law requiring firms to store data domestically, which Facebook opposes. But those troubles were not front and center at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City this month where a company representative gave bureaucrats tips on making a Facebook page. "We have to understand and put more attention to the social aspect of the platform," said Noudhy Valdryno, who handles government outreach for Facebook. "That means you have to understand your followers, who are they, where do they live, what are their interests? Then you can formulate an accurate strategy to engage with your followers." The workshop included suggestions for government officials, such as posting updates on Facebook at regular intervals, shooting videos vertically to retain the attention of mobile users, and encouraging conversations among followers on the page. Tech companies welcome The event was an example of how Vietnamese officials are open to working with the tech company. It is so ubiquitous in the Southeast Asian country that when Vietnamese people say "social media" they mean Facebook, and when asked what newspapers they read, they give the answer: Facebook. "What we're talking about is effective use of technology in this day and age to achieve our goals," said Le Quoc Cuong, vice director of the Ho Chi Minh City department of information and communications. "What we're looking for is being effective, being engaging and enhancing cooperation between the government and the people." Chi says more Facebook data would help her better engage with residents around Quang Ninh, a northeastern province that hugs the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Chinese border on another. She would like regular reports, perhaps every month, with information to help analyze the province's fan page, from key words to number of "likes." So as many people worldwide have begun to decry tech companies for abusing and cashing in on users' data, there are those who still continue to see untapped potential in gathering further data. The partial shutdown of the U.S. government has moved no closer to a resolution, with President Donald Trump asserting on Tuesday the shutdown will continue until his demand for funds to construct a U.S.-Mexico border wall are met. "I can't tell you when the government is going to be open. I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they'd like to call it," Trump said in the Oval Office after a video conference with U.S. troops, who are stationed overseas. Trump claimed the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who are furloughed due to the shutdown also want the wall, despite a lack of evidence supporting the contention. On Monday, Trump asserted Democrats "must end" the standoff while Democratic leaders in Congress blamed Trump for "plunging the country into chaos." The two sides traded their accusations ahead of Christmas, the fourth day in which parts of the government are closed because Congress and Trump have not been able to agree on necessary spending legislation. While government agencies dealing with national security and public safety remain open, other offices are closed and 800,000 federal workers are on furlough. Those who are considered to be essential employees are reporting for duty, but will not get a paycheck for that work until the shutdown is over. "The president wanted the shutdown, but seems not to know how to get himself out of it," Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and incoming House speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a joint statement. "The stock market is tanking and the president is waging a personal war on the Federal Reserve after he just fired the secretary of defense," they said. Trump has demanded $5 billion for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats have offered $1.3 billion for other border security measures. The president canceled his Christmas vacation to his Florida resort because of the impasse with Congress. "I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security," he tweeted Monday. "At some point, the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy." Another Trump tweet claimed "virtually every Democrat" strongly supported a "Border Wall or Fence" but turned against the idea after he made it an important part of his campaign for president. Most Republican lawmakers, meanwhile, have rallied around Trump's demand. "One would think that securing our homeland, controlling our borders and protecting the American people, would be bipartisan prioritiesa core duty of any nation's government," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. In the past, Democrats have been open to approving additional border security funding, including money for a wall, as part of a larger deal on immigration reform. Earlier this year, Democrats were willing to support wall funding in return for protections for so-called "Dreamers" -- immigrants brought to America illegally as children a deal Trump initially hailed but later abandoned. Democrats say Trump was willing to sign a deal to keep the government operating without the full $5 billion, but backed out after those Schumer calls and "right-wing radio and TV talk show hosts" complained. "Different people from the same White House are saying different things about what the president would accept or not accept...making it impossible to know where they stand at any given moment," Schumer and Pelosi said. What is certain, though, is the government will remain closed at least through Thursday and, according to acting Chief of Staff Nick Mulvaney, quite possibly into 2019. Turkey is determined to cross to the east of the Euphrates river in northern Syria as soon as possible, Ankara's foreign minister was quoted as saying on Tuesday, signaling renewed intent to launch a military campaign delayed by the U.S. withdrawal. Turkey said this month it would launch a new military operation to sweep the YPG Kurdish militia from northern Syria, but put that on hold after the United States said it would pull its troops out. Ankara regards the YPG as terrorists and has been infuriated by U.S. support for the group in the fight against Islamic State. President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has handed the fight against Islamic State over to Turkey - and effectively given Ankara the green light to push into remaining Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria. Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters at a briefing for domestic media that Turkey aimed to cross to the east of the Euphrates as soon as possible, the Hurriyet newspaper said, without giving further details. Erdogan and Trump have agreed to coordinate to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws, Turkey has said. On Monday, Turkish-backed Syrian rebels reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, which is occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the U.S. withdrawal. Russia Meeting? The timing of that withdrawal has been unclear. In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal. Washington and Ankara have now agreed to complete their agreement on Manbij by the time the United States finishes its withdrawal, Cavusoglu also said, according to the state-owned Anadolu news agency. Cavusoglu will travel to Russia to discuss the process of the U.S. withdrawal in the coming days, CNN Turk said. Russia, the United States and Turkey are backers of warring sides in the Syrian conflict that erupted in 2011. Russia, alongs de Iran, has propped up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed various rebel groups. Washington, focused on the battle against Islamic State, backed the YPG. Erdogan told reporters on Tuesday that he will probably meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the U.S. withdrawal. But the Kremlin said Putin did not have any immediate plans to meet with Erdogan. Cavusoglu said Turkey also requested that the United States take back heavy weaponry it gave the YPG in its fight against Islamic State, Hurriyet reported. At least two people were killed and 11 wounded on Tuesday by a car bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar, a former Islamic State stronghold, the military said. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack hours later, via its Amaq news agency. Tal Afar, about 80 km (50 miles) west of Mosul, experienced cycles of sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi'ites after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and produced some of Islamic State's most senior commanders. The city, which had about 200,000 residents, came under the militants' control when Islamic State overran swathes of Iraq's north in 2014. It fell to Iraqi Security Forces, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, in August 2017, the last area to be retaken in the north before fighting moved to the Syrian border. A heavy security presence has remained since then and the city has been mostly quiet. Another Guatemalan child has died while in the custody of U.S. border patrol agents. Felipe Gomez Alonzo, an 8-year-old boy, passed away just after midnight Christmas Day the same day a 7-year-old girl was laid to rest in her impoverished Guatemalan village. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol service says while the boy and his father, Agustin Gomez, were in its custody Monday, agents noticed the child was showing signs of "potential illness." Doctors at a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico, diagnosed Felipe with a cold and fever and released him with prescriptions. The child became nauseous and started vomiting Monday night. He was returned to the hospital where he died shortly after midnight. The cause of the child's death is unknown. The Border Patrol promises an "independent and thorough review." It has also notified Homeland Security and the Guatemalan government. Meanwhile, in the tiny Guatemalan village of San Antonio Secortez, a funeral was held for Jakelin Caal. Jakelin died December 8 while also in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol. Jakelin and her father, Nery Caal, crossed into the U.S. as part of one of the caravans of Central American migrants. Among the white balloons and flowers surrounding her casket was a hand-written message to Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales saying, "We ask you for jobs, electricity, potable water, roads...so we don't have to emigrate." Nery Caal entered the U.S. in the hopes of finding work, which does not exist across much of Guatemala. It is still unclear exactly how Jakelin became ill. She was apparently well when agents arrested her and her father along with other migrants when they crossed the U.S. border into New Mexico on December 6. She became sick on the bus ride to a border patrol station and arrived with a 41-degree Celsius fever. Emergency medical teams flew her to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where she died two days later. Her brain was swollen and her liver had failed. U.S. agents say the child likely had little to eat and drink before arriving at the U.S. border. Critics of U.S. immigration policy point to the child deaths as examples of the harsh treatment many migrants can expect when they cross the U.S. borders. "The Trump administration is deliberately and unlawfully turning asylum-seekers away from points of entry and delaying the processing of individuals seeking protection to an unbearable crawl, forcing families to take desperate measures to seek safety," the human rights group Amnesty International said Tuesday. President Donald Trump has said all immigrants are welcome to the U.S. but must come to the country legally. There is no holiday cheer for striking doctors in Zimbabwe this Christmas. The country's health minister announced on Christmas eve that none of the strikers will receive their December salaries. Doctors say the strong-arming will not make them call off their almost month-long strike. Zimbabwes Health Minister Obediah Moyo announced the government was suspending all striking doctors and that they would not be paid. The doctors have been on strike since December 1, demanding that the government better equip the hospitals and pay them in U.S. dollars. The doctors say Zimbabwe's hospitals lack modern technology, medicines, and protective clothing. They say that being paid in the devaluing local currency, called bond notes, means a struggle to survive. But Moyo was firm in rejecting the doctors demands. Government does not pay salary in foreign currency. It is common cause that we do not print U.S. dollars or any other foreign currency notes," he said. "[On] payment of December salaries; the government maintains the policy of no work, no pay and those doctors and other health workers who did not participate in the unlawful collective job action have already received their December salaries. Moyo said the strike by the doctors was causing unnecessary deaths and pain of patients. He did not elaborate with any statistics to back up his claim. But the shortage of state doctors and health care workers has been noticeable in hospitals since the strike began. Mthabisi Bhebhe is secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association. He said the governments suspension of the doctors and refusing to pay salaries was not productive. The honorable minister does not fully address grievances raised by doctors. He had already suspended about 553 doctors nationwide and how do you expect the health system of this nation to continue in such a scenario? The industrial action is still ongoing, he said. Union leaders say the governments rejection of their demands has resulted in low morale among health workers. Zimbabwes health sector has deteriorated in recent years amid poor funding and a struggling economy. It largely depends on the assistance of international organizations such as USAID and the European Union. The striking doctors say they are seeking a court order to declare the governments failure to pay them illegal. The two Congressional Democratic leaders are blaming President Donald Trump for "plunging the country into chaos" on Christmas Eve when, according to the carol, all is supposed to be "calm and bright." "The stock market is tanking and the president is waging a personal war on the Federal Reserve after he just fired the secretary of defense," Senator Chuck Schumer and incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday. "The president wanted the shutdown, but seems not to know how to get himself out of it," they wrote in a joint statement. Schumer and Pelosi were referring to the partial federal government shutdown which enters its fourth day on Christmas, with no clear end in sight. Trump is demanding $5 billion for a wall along the U.S. - Mexican border. Democrats say no way and have offered $1.3 billion for what they call border security. The president canceled his Christmas vacation to his Florida resort because of the impasse with Congress. "I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security," he tweeted Monday. "At some point, the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy." Another Trump tweet claimed "virtually every Democrat" strongly supported a "Border Wall or Fence" but turned against the idea after he made it an important part of his campaign for president. Most Republican lawmakers, meanwhile, have rallied around Trump's demand. "One would think that securing our homeland, controlling our borders and protecting the American people, would be bipartisan prioritiesa core duty of any nation's government," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said of Kentucky has said. In the past, Democrats have been flexible on additional border security funding, including money for a wall, as part of a larger deal on thorny immigration issues. Earlier this year, Democrats were willing to support wall funding in return for protections for so-called "Dreamers" illegal immigrants brought to America as children a deal Trump initially hailed but later abandoned. Democrats say saying Trump was willing to sign a deal to keep the government operating without the full $5 billion, but backed out after those Schumer calls "right-wing radio and TV talk show hosts" complained. "Different people from the same White House are saying different things about what the president would accept or not accept...making it impossible to know where they stand at any given moment," Schumer and Pelosi said. What is certain, though, is the government will remain closed at least through Thursday and, according to acting Chief of Staff Nick Mulvaney, into 2019. While government agencies dealing with national security and public safety remain open, other offices are closed and 800,000 federal workers are on furlough. Those who are considered to be essential employees are reporting for duty, but are working for no pay. Congress has always approved back pay for all federal workers after past shutdowns. Five hundred Zimbabwean doctors on a 14-day suspension have dismissed as false, claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwas government that most of their demands, including provision of essential drugs and equipment in state hospitals, have almost been met. In a statement, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said the government is not being insincere in its dealings with doctors and as a result we will only return to work when the government treats our health sector with the delicacy and professionalism it deserves. The ZHDA statement dismissed claims by the government it has medical stocks at the country's supplier of drugs and other medical necessities, the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe or NATPHARM. If indeed the drugs and protective clothing are there, our members have made it clear that these should be seen at hospitals," read the statement. "This comes against a background of several promises of medicines and equipment made by the ministry since January this year, with none being fulfilled. In addition, reads part of the statement, the staked stocks will not last our institutions long (a month to two at most), and we have requested the ministry to set targets and provide timelines as to when the target stocks will be reached, but to no avail. The doctors further said the government has not been genuine about paying them in United States dollars. According to the collective bargaining agreement 2 (CBA 2) of March 2018, our salaries and allowances are pegged in United States dollars. The employer has been countlessly breaching this CBA, firstly by applying it selectively across the health workers, secondly by implementing unfairly, then unilaterally slashing on call allowances of middle level and senior doctors. The ministry did not heed our call to rectify these but has gone on to unilaterally decide to pay us in RTGS. This is a clear violation of the CBA and all we ask is the employer to honour the legally-binding contract and pay us in USD. The Zimbabwean government has already indicated that it wont pay the doctors in United States dollars due to crippling foreign currency shortages. The doctors, who have dismissed their sacking as a non-event, said the government is also misleading the nation about their salaries. The minister (Dr. Obadiah Moyo) went on to inform the nation that the least paid doctor earns USD 1,800. This is not true because we do not earn USD, and the association is yet to see a junior colleague who earns $1,800. We do not know where the minister got this figure. Our members take home an average monthly package of way less than this, with the bulk of it being the on call allowance of around $1,000 which the doctor is paid at an hourly rate for working non-stop during ungodly hours of the night. The doctors have been demanding an increase of the allowance from $7,10 per hour to $10 per hour. The government promised to increase the on call allowance in 2014 but this has not been met, according to the ZHDA. The suspended doctors are also demanding the revitalization of a vehicle loan scheme and several other issues. Dr. Moyo was unavailable for comment. Until officials announced incorrectly that Jerry Hobbs committed the murders, parents told reporters they were walking their children to school. Local and national reporters, as well as the curious, crowded outside of the Zion police station and near the scene of the murders as police and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force investigated the slayings. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images On one hand, sadly, it seems those recent photos of Cardi B and Offset riding a Wave Runner into the Puerto Rican sunset together were not a sign that the pair are getting back together. On the other hand, they were a sign Cardi B and Offset were having sex so good, the Money rapper described herself as Lazarus rising from the sexual grave. Or as Cardi explained it on Instagram Live: I just had to get fucked, thats all. Over the weekend, the rapper put the Wave Runner rental company on blast for selling or otherwise decimating the photos of her vacation with the Migos rapper and father of baby Kulture. In the end, however, it sounds like the sex was all worth it. Bitch, I feel so rejuvenated. I feel baptized, Cardi mused on Instagram Live. Bitch, I feel fucking baptized, bitch. I feel like a brand new fucking woman. Offset, meanwhile, had a similar reaction to their vacation, if the video he posted to Instagram Sunday is any indication. The Athens community is rallying behind a little girl after she lost her mother in a car accident earlier this month. Six-year-old Mia Landinger is now being raised by her grandma who unexpectedly had to bury her daughter after she was killed in a car wreck in Cullman County. WAAY 31 talked with Mia's grandma about how shes plan to make it through the holidays after this tragic loss. Its really hard, and the holidays dont make it any easier, but I try to put on a brave face for Mia," Debbie Dollar said. "You have to when youve got a little one. Debbie Dollar is now raising her six-year-old granddaughter Mia Landinger after her mother, April, was killed in a car accident two weeks ago. Nobody wants to bury a child," Dollar said. "If you have children, just keep them close. Make sure you tell them you love them. You cant tell them that enough." While Dollar says she was close to her daughter, she says Mia and April were inseparable. They were really close," Dollar said. "They would get in there on my bed and play ABC Mouse and watch movies. Theyd go to the mailbox and theyd go to the playground. But now, Mia will have to celebrate Christmas without her mom, which is why one man decided to help raise money for Christmas gifts. I thought about my daughter, who was about to turn five years old, and I thought about what it would be like if she didnt have her mom, and what difficulties theyd be facing if her grandmother had to take care of her," Mark White said. But Dollar says Mia is taking it better than expected. She said, Its okay, Nana, youre going to take care of me. And Dollar is hopeful that, with all the help theyve gotten from the community, theyre going to be okay. Well just take one day at a time and trust the Lord to get me though it and help me," she said. Mark White told WAAY 31 more than $3,000 has been raised to help buy Christmas gifts for Mia. If you would like to donate, click here. Police in Fort Worth, Texas, were involved in a standoff with a man who shot his wife's computer because he didn't like her playing loud music, the Fort Worth Star Telegram reported. Sixteen officers responded to the report of the shooting at the home of Gary Lykins. The say he held the officers at bay for four hours before surrendering without incident. His wife suffered minor injuries when she was hit by pieces of the computer when it shattered during the shooting. Lykins faces a charge of deadly conduct. A state lawmaker is proposing legislation to stop Alabama sheriff's from being able to pocket unused jail food funds. State Senator Arthur Orr is currently drafting the legislation to present during the 2019 legislative session. "I think it's time now that we push forward and try to get a statewide bill passed," said Senator Orr. In Novebmer, Morgan County voters approved an amendment to the state law ending a longtime practice of sheriff's using left over jail food funds as part of their salaries. Orr said this practice is outdated and needs to end statewide which is why he's working on new legislation for the 52 of the 67 counties in Alabama that still allow sheriff's offices to pocket the extra jail funds. "There's a lot of complex issues that you have with this particular issue. You have county commissions that don't want the responsibility. You have sheriff's that don't want to lose money and be personally responsible and liable for it." Under the amendment that passed in Morgan County the sheriff's salary will increase and the funds to feed the inmates will be in a separate account. That's Orr's goal for the whole state. He said the public scrutiny surrounding Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin's use of the jail funds has the public watching closely. "All of this attention statewide is really making the public realize why do we still have this very very antiquated system? It's time to change it." On Friday, Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson filed a civil lawsuit asking for a court injunction to prevent Sheriff Ana Franklin from spending money that she is said to have taken from funds intended to go towards feeding inmates in the county jail. Orr is working with Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice on the language of the bill. In addition to having a large lakefront hotel, DiPersio said he hopes the village will one day be the starting point for a lakefront nature trail running through five communities. He said Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park, Waukegan and North Chicago are working together to make that trail a reality, and recently received a grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to determine the trail's route. This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. One way that FirstKeys use of evictions stood out was frequently filing against the same tenant. Marrena Shorter has been hit with 11 eviction filings in four years so often, she noted, that the private process server knows her by name. She always pays up, even the late fees and court costs. But she struggles to pay on time. She works as a hospital cook. She has a disabled son at home. Her rent is almost $1,200 a month, she said about $370 of it from the Memphis Housing Authority, which has paid Cerberus entities more than $5.3 million in low-income rental assistance over the past two years, according to housing authority records obtained by The Post. FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA I was just making casual conversation with one of the families and we started talking about our childhood in Zion. He would mention someones name and I knew that person too, McDowell said. We found out that we were in the same children's club together as kids. Our longtime favorite is still the best instant-read thermometer on the market. Its dead accurate, fast, and so streamlined and simple that its a breeze to use. It does just what we want: Tell me the temp; get out of my way, as one tester put it. Its long handle gave us plenty of room to maneuver, allowing for multiple grips, and a ring of slightly tacky silicone kept it secured in our hands. The automatic backlight meant we never had to stop and adjust in low light, and the rotating screen is handy for lefties and righties needing different angles. The auto wake-up function is extremely useful; you dont have to stop and turn the thermometer on again midtask. The digits were large and legible, and its waterproof in up to 39 inches of water for up to 30 minutes. Its also calibratable, promising years of accuracy. Harry Chapin totally inspired my later work organizing "We Are the World," Hands Across America, NetAid and parts of Live Aid. With "Cat's in the Cradle" and so many other memorable songs, Harry captured the lives of many Americans and others around the world. His songs are as relevant today as they were in those days. I especially recommend "There Only Was One Choice," which has some of the same dynamics as Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and was recorded around the same time. Life taught Howell how to focus on the former to avoid the latter. She is the daughter of a Maryland waterman. Her father had only a sixth-grade education but managed to buy a boat and make a living harvesting clams. Her mother had been head cook in a cafeteria at a public school. They wanted Vee, as she was called, to go to college. And she did, earning a bachelors degree at Hampton Institute, now a university, and a masters degree from Howard. The day center strives to have a lot of different brands on offer. For many women, the simple act of choosing one type of shower gel, shampoo or lotion over another may be the only bit of agency they get that day. (There are some who think homeless people should take what theyre given. Not at N Street Village.) 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 He proposed the five-year plan on Aug. 23 with then-council member Jon Weinstein (D), who was already a lame duck, having narrowly lost the June 26 Democratic primary to Liz Walsh, a progressive political newcomer. In the general-election campaign, Walsh criticized the plan while her Republican opponent supported it. Now that she holds a seat on the council, she would have a vote if Ball proposes new flood mitigation efforts that have not already been funded. Jack took great pride in being an old-school, shoe-leather reporter who chases down stories, said Kevin McCauley, who worked alongside Mr. ODwyer for almost 30 years and is the current editor of the newsletter. Public relations just happened to be what Jack was covering. It if hadnt been PR, it would have been something else. I love watching them perform together, and around the holidays theyre always thinking of other people, Yvonne said. It was very sweet, and they took all of this upon themselves. I always told them to pay it forward and its kind of ingrained in them. In its new timeline, issued at 12:37 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, CBP said the boy was apprehended with his father about 1 p.m. on Dec. 18, a little more than three miles west of the Paseo Del Norte port of entry. The agency said they were brought to the Paseo Del Norte processing center a little after 4:30 p.m., where they were given hot food, snacks, juice and water. Agents checked on their welfare six times, CBP said. Police found the first victim, 33-year-old John Watson, dead about 7:40 p.m. Saturday in a vacant lot. Police responded about 4 a.m. Sunday to the fatal shootings of two other people: Brian Henley, 24, who was found in the drivers seat of a vehicle with an uninjured 3-year-old girl inside, and Kevin Brown, 25, who was found in the street. Authorities recover 34 bodies from ISIS grave: The bodies of 34 Ethiopian Christians executed in Libya by the Islamic State in 2015 have been exhumed from a mass grave, Libyan authorities said Monday. The grave was unearthed Sunday, after information was obtained during investigations of arrested Islamic State members, the Interior Ministry's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said on its Facebook page. A video posted on social media in April 2015 appeared to show Islamic State militants shooting and beheading the Christians on a beach. The CID displayed drone images of the mass grave, which appeared to be on a farm near the coastal city of Sirte. The bodies will be repatriated to Ethiopia once "domestic and international legal procedures are completed," it said. Hundreds of thousands of people have migrated from sub-Saharan Africa to Libya in recent years, many hoping eventually to reach Europe. The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, took control of Sirte in 2015 and lost the city in 2016 to local forces backed by U.S. strikes. Based in Berlin at the time, I felt mystified, and a bit incompetent: Why had skinheads admitted possessing illegal guns and grenades another stunning, exclusive detail in his story to Kelley, but not to German or Germany-based U.S. reporters? And good Germans were hiding Jews, but we hadnt even heard rumors of it? China will intensify its support for the development of the private sector, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to boost the vitality of market entities and enhance their confidence, an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, decided on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Premier Li Keqiang. The growth of SMEs has been high on the Chinese government's agenda. An array of policy incentives in the fiscal, tax, and financial fields and in relation to the business climate and public services has been introduced to support SME development. These policies have paid off. Premier Li Keqiang called for giving stronger support to private businesses and SMEs to ease their financing woes and promote the integrated development of businesses of all sizes. The private sector in China, which is mainly composed of SMEs accounting for 90 percent of all businesses, now contributes more than 50 percent of tax revenues, over 60 percent of GDP, more than 70 percent of technological innovations and over 80 percent of urban employment. The private businesses have become a key driving force for economic growth and social progress. "Intensified support for the growth of the private sector, especially SMEs, helps enhance the internal dynamism for economic growth," Li said. "To boost the private sector of the economy and micro and small businesses, it is crucial to create a level-playing field, especially in property protection and market access, for these businesses to compete in a law-based, neutral environment." Efforts will be made to foster a fair and convenient business environment. The views of businesses must be heeded in deciding business-related policies and reasonable transition periods should be arranged. Businesses of all sizes and all types of ownership will be treated as equals in the tendering, land use and other respects under the principle of competitive neutrality. Unless otherwise stipulated, all restrictions on the minimum registered capital and the equity structure of private firms will be removed when the firms in question invest in resources development, transportation and public utilities. Stronger innovation capacity will be supported. Catalogues of recommended products and services will be issued to help high-tech SMEs gain better access to the market. Private firms will also be supported in participating in the R&D of core technologies and the formulation of national standards. Deeper tax and fee cuts will be introduced. Financing services will be improved. The required reserve ratio cuts targeting inclusive finance will be refined. The re-lending policy targeting small firms will be expanded to qualified small and medium-sized banks and the new-type internet banking. Guideline will be issued to exempt liability for credit extended to small and micro-sized businesses under condition of due diligence. The permitting processes for the listing of private firms and re-finance will be accelerated. Asset management products and insurance funds will be employed in addressing the risks of equity-backed mortgage of listed private firms. The lawful rights and interests, including their safety and property, of private entrepreneurs will be protected in accordance with the law, the Monday meeting urged. No government department, public institution or state-owned enterprise should defer contractual payments owed to private businesses. Li stressed the importance of keeping policies well-coordinated, consistent and creditworthy to provide businesses an enabling environment and anchor market expectations. Even by Trumpian standards, the troop-withdrawal announcement looked haphazard. And it wasnt the Trump administrations only holiday surprise. On Saturday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced (on Twitter, naturally) that the president had no intention of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell. Which of course raised the possibility that he might. On Sunday, Mnuchin returned with a stunning encore: He said he had spoken with the heads of the United States six largest banks to confirm that they had ample liquidity available for lending and havent had any clearance or margin issues . . . the markets continue to function properly. I cant tell you when the government is going to reopen, he said. I can tell you its not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever theyd like to call it. Ill call it whatever they want. But its all the same thing. Its a barrier from people pouring into our country. Majroh said most of the victims were employees of the Public Works Ministry and the Ministry for Martyrs and Disabled Persons, which provides services to thousands of war veterans and others affected by conflict. Among the dead were 11 women who worked in those facilities. And what the E.U. may be willing to share may become more limited over time. Britain wants to leave the E.U. to gain more sovereignty over its own policies making Europeans fear that it could soon go in a different direction on data rules. Moreover, as technology evolves, it will force new decisions about how to balance civil liberties and safety. There is the potential for the two former partners to grow further and further apart. Our main concern is with the health problems, said Dino Argianto, who is in charge of humanitarian operations for Oxfam Indonesia. With regards to dead-body management, the problem now is the victims that have not been found and are buried under ruins. We need to find them, as they can be a source of illnesses. They can also pollute the waters. For the first time ever, the state-of-the-art Fuxing bullet trains took a family photo for the public in Beijing on Monday. [Photo by Yang Jia / China.org.cn] The newest bullet trains to hit China's tracks will take us into an exciting new world of travel in 2019. China's national rail operator, China Railway, says that the new "Fuxing" family of trains will be in use soon. For the first time ever, the state-of-the-art Fuxing bullet trains took a family photo for the public in Beijing on Monday. While sharing the same basic design, they vary in speed and purpose. The new bullet trains include a CR300BF and a CR200J, which respectively stand for their speeds of 250 km/h and 160 km/h. Two previously CR400AF trains have debuted as 17 carriage-trains, the longest ever in the Fuxing family. They can still travel at a speed of 350 km/h while carrying more than 1,280 passengers, up about 7.5 percent than previous CR400 trains, which recorded a maximum speed of 350 km/h when it traveled between Beijing and Shanghai in June 2017. As for the new unveiled models, Zhang Bo, a researcher from the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS), said that they are more comfortable, and help reduce manufacturing and operation costs, while improving energy efficiency and conservation. The former will soon join hands with existing trains to transport riders during the Spring Festival travel rush. The latter is being tested and scheduled for use a year from now. All three family members will lead or replace the current Chinese trains, according to China Railway. But the Fuxing bullet trains are the epitome of China's high-speed railway industry, as they have strong scientific research and development behind them. China's national rail operator said that various local technologies have helped solve problems in fields like paving and maintaining roadbeds and tracks, as well as building safe bridges and tunnels for the bullet trains. And efforts to further improve train infrastructure are being carried out by the entire Chinese railway industry. Hu Suoting, a researcher and also the director for the Science & Technology Department in CARS, said that efforts include engineering, equipment management, security, as well as information and intelligence technologies, which they will focus on more. Experts say passengers are the first priority, particularly during China's national holidays like February's Spring Festival, when millions travel long distances nationwide. Hu said that lining up in front of ticket offices is gradually becoming a thing of the past, and e-tickets will eventually become the norm. By the end of the year, bullet train lines in China will cover 29,000 kilometers, accounting for two-thirds of the world's total. And next, China will develop and equip smarter trains, which experts say will be in use by the 2022 Winter Olympics, with more channels opening for faster and safer trips. In the 1950s, international travel to distant places was mostly undertaken by ship. The great dream for many was to one day travel by plane. That is why cigarette-maker Peter Stuyvesant abandoned its print slogan of "The smell of the large far world" for commercials featuring an airport departure-board rotating through the names of the most glamorous cities in the world. James Bond author Ian Fleming was a key player in this global romanticisation from the moment his first 007 novel, Casino Royale, appeared in 1953. Fleming had a journalist's gift for vivid word pictures and could effortlessly conjure up for readers such exotic places as Istanbul, French Guinea and Moscow. He was so good at it that The Sunday Times sent him around the world by plane in 1959, the 13 articles he wrote en route later forming his best-selling Thrilling Cities (1963). People read Fleming to escape their constrained existences for the imagined thrills of unknown lands (though Fleming also had a sombre side, revealing in harrowing prose the genocide of the local Taino in Ian Fleming Introduces Jamaica two year later). James Bond explodes into action in vivid 4K detail on pay-TV service Stan. James Bond first appeared on the cinema screen in 1962's Dr. No, the film's producers having wisely hired a talented cameraman in Ted Moore to photograph Bond (Sean Connery) as he dashed from a London casino for the rich and famous to the sun-bleached beaches of Jamaica, where Honey Rider (Ursula Andress) so memorably emerges from an iridescently blue sea. Dr No helped fuel the world's passion for travel, but it was From Russia with Love that would set the standard for all the films that followed. Bond is sent to Istanbul to seduce Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi), then has to outsmart a Soviet assassin on the Orient Express to Venice, before nearly being killed by a steel-tipped KGB shoe and then cuddling Tatiana in a gondola on the Venetian lagoon. A 21-metre yacht that was intended to race in the Sydney to Hobart is "under arrest" and welded to the dock at Rushcutters Bay marina, after the Polish sailing crew who had chartered it launched legal proceedings against its owner in the Federal Court. The crew from Yacht Club Sopot, in northern Poland, had its race dream dashed just days out from the annual Boxing Day race, when it learned the yacht it had chartered was not fit to sail because the vessel's supposed insurance policy did not exist. On Wednesday, the Kosatka Monster Project was scheduled to set off as one of 86 yachts in the Sydney to Hobart, a race it describes on its website as "hard to resist," with "an allure that sailors dream of." The crew from Yacht Club Sopot aboard the Kosatka Monster Project, which has been pulled from the Sydney to Hobart. Credit:Facebook Instead the yacht is welded to the dock at the eastern suburbs marina, where it is under arrest and bearing a Federal Court notice, stating that "access to the ship without permission of the Admiralty Marshal of the Federal Court of Australia is prohibited and may constitute a criminal offence." A 37-year-old Perth man has been charged over an alleged home invasion in which a grandmother and two children were threatened before he ordered a seven-year-old girl to go with him. Detectives say the incident occurred in Forrestfield about 10.15am on December 19, when a man pretending to deliver a letter knocked on the door and forced his way inside. Police said he threatened a 67-year-old woman and two children, aged seven and eight, with a toy handgun. He left when the seven-year-old refused to leave with him. He was arrested on Christmas Day and is due to face Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and going armed to cause fear. Beirut: Israeli warplanes flying over Lebanon fired missiles toward areas near the Syrian capital of Damascus late on Tuesday, hitting an arms depot and wounding three soldiers, Syrian state media reported, saying that most of the missiles were shot down by air defense units. The TV station, quoting an unnamed military official, identified the warplanes as Israeli. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency earlier reported that Israeli warplanes were flying at low altitude over parts of southern Lebanon. Missiles flying into the sky near Damascus, Syria, on December 25 local time. Credit:AP The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said Israeli airstrikes targeted three positions south of Damascus that are arms depots for Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group and Iranian forces. The reported attack near Damascus is the first since US President Donald Trump announced last week that the US would withdraw its 2000 troops in Syria, a move that will leave control of the oil-rich eastern third of Syria up for grabs. Rabat: Moroccan authorities believe four suspects in the killing of two Scandinavian tourists had travelled to the Atlas Mountains intent on committing a crime but had not selected a target in advance. They were apparently acting on their own initiative, even though they had just pledged allegiance to Islamic State, an official said on Sunday. Pictures of Maren Ueland and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen are displayed during a candlelight vigil outside the Norwegian embassy in Rabat. Credit:AP Boubker Sabik, spokesman for the Moroccan security and domestic intelligence services, also said the arrest of nine more people in the case had foiled a terror plot. Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, from Denmark, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway were found dead early on Monday near the village of Imlil on a route to Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak and a popular hiking and trekking destination. Foxconn Technology Group, the biggest assembler of Apple Inc's iPhones, is ramping up its efforts in the semiconductor and chipmaking sector, in a bid to wean itself off its heavy reliance on manufacturing smartphones and diversify into new areas as the global smartphone market slows down. The company is in the final stages of talks with the Zhuhai municipal government to build a chip plant there with a total investment of about $9 billion, according to a report from Nikkei Business Daily. Most of this would be shouldered by the Zhuhai government through subsidies and tax breaks, the Nikkei said, citing people familiar with the matter. The report also said Foxconn is planning to start construction as early as 2020. However, the company declined to elaborate. Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Zhuhai municipal government in August. The partners will carry out cooperation in the field of chip and semiconductor equipment design. The initiative comes as China is making efforts to nurture its own semiconductor industry and reduce its reliance on foreign technology. Although Foxconn has been interested in the chip business, industry insiders say the threshold of tapping the chip manufacturing industry is relatively high. Moreover, high capital expenditure and a large number of experts are required. "Foxconn may encounter some difficulties in the chip design field, and the easiest method is to acquire some semiconductor companies," said James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, adding that the company's bargaining power will obviously increase if it successfully enters the semiconductor design and manufacturing sector. Foxconn has accumulated experience and strength in the assembly and manufacturing of electronic components and sophisticated instruments. Meanwhile, the semiconductor sector has a strong relevance with Foxconn's previous businesses, Yan added. As the world's largest contract manufacturer, Foxconn acquired Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp in 2016. Sharp is the only Foxconn subsidiary with experience of chip manufacturing. However, the Japanese company stopped developing semiconductor technology when it ran into financial problems in 2010. Foxconn previously failed in its bid to acquire Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp's flash memory chip business, but the group has not given up on its semiconductor ambitions. Sean Yang, an analyst from industry consultancy CINNO Research, said Foxconn currently lacks talents within the company to operate in the semiconductor field and may need to find a partner, but its rich experience in manufacturing would help it move into the chip business. The nation will accelerate the development of pilot free trade zones and ports via policy innovation and adequately expand their size to advance all-round opening-up in 2019, said commerce officials. The government will try new reform and opening-up policies in its pilot free trade zones first to ensure their feasibility, said Tang Wenhong, director-general of the department of foreign investment administration at the Ministry of Commerce. "The ministry is currently planning to add new areas for China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and designing policies to build Hainan free-trade port to accelerate its development," he said. The ministry's move is consistent with the major economic tasks announced at the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, where China's central leadership charted the course for the economy in 2019, a key year for the country to achieve its goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020. To pursue high-quality development, China should speed up the optimization and upgrading of its economic structure, enhance the capability of technological innovation, and deepen reform and opening-up, according to a statement issued after the meeting. China unveiled 53 measures in November at its 12 FTZs to further streamline administration, step up compliance oversight and services and promote innovation and exploration within those zones. Foreign carriers will be allowed to offer passenger and cargo services from Zhengzhou, Henan province, and Xi'an, Shaanxi province, both capitals of provinces with pilot FTZs, to other countries. Chongqing Pilot Free Trade Zone will set up a special port for imported pharmaceuticals and biological products for the first time. Chen Zhenchong, an official with the department of pilot FTZs and special regional development under the General Administration of Customs, said more measures will be adopted to enhance connectivity and information sharing with key economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative next year. In addition to boosting its FTZs, China will also speed up negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2019. They will be "modern, comprehensive, high-quality and reciprocal", said Zhang Shaogang, director-general of the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce. The RCEP, a proposed free trade agreement between the 10 ASEAN member states and six of their FTA partnersChina, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Indiais expected to be one of the world's largest trading blocs, accounting for 45 percent of the world population, 40 percent of global trade and one-third of the world's GDP. Negotiations on the second phase of the China-South Korean FTA, the China-Norway FTA and the China-Israel FTA are currently in progress, said Zhang. In terms of opening wider, China has agreed to cooperation deals with more than 130 countries, regions and international organizations on jointly developing the BRI and signed 17 free trade agreements with 25 countries and regions. Discover Maruia Hot Springs in New Zealand Located within the Lewis Pass National Reserve and surrounded by protective forest and mountains, Maruia Hot Springs allows you to connect with nature as you bathe in mineral hot springs and take in the breathtaking vistas. The experience You can truly immerse yourself in the ultimate outdoor healing experience at Maruia Hot Springs. Connect with nature as you enjoy a sauna experience or bathe in mineral hot springs and take in the views of the river and surrounding mountains. Stay and indulge in the middle of this picturesque national reserve and explore the area through a number of hiking trails around the property. In winter, guests can expect a fresh blanket of snow across the bathing area and to be surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making for a truly magical experience. The wonderfully remote location has plenty of hidden walks and trails for guests to explore. Accommodation at Maruia Hot Springs is peaceful, comfortable and relaxing. Options range from newly renovated rooms to an on-site campground catering for couples, families and groups. The newly renovated rooms offer 24-hour access to the indoor and outdoor natural hot springs, saunas and steam room. Rooms available include classic, classic family, deluxe and superior. Take up the unique experience of camping in the middle of the Lewis Pass National Reserve while surrounding yourself with pure nature. Picture yourself waking up and enjoying a cup of coffee as you look out at the view of the Maruia River and forests. Maruia Hot Springs offers a spacious self-contained campground located in the perfect location just three hours from Christchurch and one hour from Hanmer Springs turnoff. With stunning views, food options on-site, thermal bathing and hiking activities all wrapped into one location, it is an experience not to be missed on your next travel adventures. Treatments and services Bathe Connect with nature and bathe in New Zealands pure geothermal hot springs. With outdoor pools filled with water that flows naturally and is heated by the earths core, your body and mind will begin to slow down and relax. Experience the indoor bathhouse, inspired by Japans traditional onsens, and take time to stop and slow your mind. Other available experiences include geothermal showers and footbaths. Water has long been harnessed to encourage physical and emotional wellbeing. Benefits of hot spring bathing include detoxification, improved blood circulation, oxygenated cells, improved digestion, normalised endocrine glands and an invigorated autonomic nervous system. To contrast your hot springs bathing experience, a cold-plunge pool provides cooling relief. Heated to just eight degrees Celsius, the cold-plunge pool helps boost immune function, reduce inflammation and pain, increase your metabolism and improve lymphatic drainage. Sauna Feel the heat from the three different saunas and detox your body from the inside out. The infrared sauna provides detoxification, pain relief, improves cardiovascular and skin health, promotes weight loss and provides ultimate relaxation. The rock sauna reduces stress, relaxes muscles, soothes aches and pains, promotes detoxification, cleanses skin and supports deep sleep. Experience the steam room, which deeply cleanses the skin and boosts circulation while relaxing the muscles and relieving tension. It is the perfect all-over experience for detoxifying, revitalising and renewing the bodys natural state. Retreats Escape from the chaos of everyday life and take time to find your balance with a Wellness Retreat at Maruia Hot Springs. The healing powers of natural geothermal spring water will help you unwind and connect to your flow and your true self while taking you on a journey of wellness that equips you with practical tools for living well. The three-day immersions will open you to increased levels of energy and vitality and leave you feeling hydrated, relaxed and transformed. Daily schedules include mindfulness and movement workshops, healthy meals, on-site treatments and bathing. The food Guest will enjoy a fresh, healthy and delicious dining experience when visiting Maruia Hot Springs. The cafe serves a selection of light meals, refreshing drinks and freshly ground coffee for you to enjoy throughout your day of bathing or even just for a quick stop on your travels. The simple, fresh dishes can be enjoyed in the cafe space, which looks out over the stunning views of the Maruia River. During cooler months, dine or enjoy a coffee next to the old stone fireplace a little cafe with a lot of warmth and charm. Overlooking the Maruia River and surrounding forest, the Riverstone Restaurant serves nourishing food with complete table service and is fully licensed. Here, chefs serve wholesome, fusion cuisine in a beautiful setting. Relax and enjoy nourishing food for breakfast, lunch or dinner, which can be shared with a loved one or friends. Riverstone Restaurant prepares delicious meals using produce sourced on-site, including eggs freshly laid by Maruias own chickens as well as produce from the wider local region. Things to remember Accommodation bookings are highly recommended, especially during holiday periods. Guests are encouraged to connect with the natural outdoor environment and switch off, therefore mobile phone reception is limited and televisions are not provided. Getting there Maruia Hot Springs is located a scenic three-hour drive from Christchurch on New Zealands South Island. Connect with Maruia Hot Springs W: maruiahotsprings.nz P: 03 523 8840 (New Zealand), +64 (0)3 523 8840 (international) E: info@maruiahotsprings.nz A: Maruia Hot Springs, State Highway 7, Lewis Pass 7895, New Zealand Tesla has lowered prices of its Model 3 sedan in China, according to the US electric carmaker's official website. The price of the Model 3 Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive has been cut from 540,000 yuan (US$ 78,302) to 499,000 yuan while the Model 3 Performance is 35,000 yuan cheaper, with the new price set at 560,000 yuan. This is not the first time that Tesla has lowered the prices of its Model 3 sedan, which will be delivered to Chinese customers from the new Year. The Model 3 sedan has not been sold in the market so far, but Tesla has started taking orders through online bookings with a deposit of 8,000 yuan. On November 16, the first batch of Tesla Model 3 customers in China received a confirmation e-mail. Tesla released its price for Model 3, with the Model 3 Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive at 588,000 yuan and the Model 3 Performance at 698,000 yuan. Li Yanwei, an analyst at the China Automobile Dealers Association, said on November 16 that with the earlier price of 588,000 yuan, Tesla's Model 3 was more expensive than the Porsche Macan, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which was not competitive. On November 22, Tesla cut the prices of its Model 3s to make cars more affordable to Chinese customers. The company said that Model 3 Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive will start from 540,000 yuan and the Model 3 Performance will start from 595,000 yuan. Tesla did not immediately respond to Shanghai Daily about the reasons for the latest changes. The US company said in November that it plans to produce 3,000 Model 3 sedans per week in Shanghai when its plant becomes operational. Tesla said it would invest up to US$6 billion over the next two years. Tesla signed an agreement with the Shanghai government in July to set up a wholly-owned factory in China's economic capital. The carmaker is accelerating construction of its Shanghai plant to ensure first batch of electric vehicles will roll off the production line in three years. In 1990, when it was still under construction, Jinzhai Hope Primary School in Anhui province received its first donationabout $0.10from Chai Peiying, an elementary student living a few hundred miles away. Zhou Huosheng, a teacher in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, sent his first donation in 1993 after reading about the school in the media. Since then, the 59-year-old has contributed 480,000 yuan ($69,500), helping support more than 1,300 pupils. The primary school in Jinzhai county's Nanxi was the first to be established under Project Hope, an initiative launched by the Communist Youth League Central Committee and China Youth Development Foundation to help keep students from dropping out. The country introduced nine years of compulsory education in 1986, but extensive poverty at the time meant that an estimated 4 million children a year were quitting before completing primary school. Project Hope was launched in 1989 to reverse that trend. By 2016, organizers had raised 12.95 billion yuan, built 19,388 schools nationwideincluding 128 in Jinzhaiand helped more than 5.5 million students. Jinzhai, in a mountainous area where the boundaries of Anhui, Henan and Hubei provinces meet, was an important revolutionary base for the Communist Party of China and was where a major branch of the Red Army was founded. In the 1990s, its remote location and poor transportation links had held it back as one of China's most impoverished areas. Sun Yongqi was transferred to Jinzhai Hope Primary School to teach art in 1991. He said it was not as well-equipped as it is today but it had the best infrastructure for the area. He had started his career in 1983 at a primary school built in an old ancestral hall in Jinzhai's Tangjiahui. "The teachers were quite old, like grandmas and grandpas," he said. "The blackboard was a patch of wall smeared with cement and coated with black paint. And the roof of my dormitory leaked on rainy nights, so I had to push the bed around." When construction was completed on Jinzhai Hope Primary School in May 1990, about 300 students were absorbed from the existing primary school. By 1991, it had grown to 500. "Nanxi was very poor, and Nanxi Street was known locally as Firewood Street and Pig Manure Street. About a third of the children couldn't go to school because of poverty, and many dropped out for the same reason," Sun said. When he started at the primary school, a two-story building with 27 classrooms housed 500 students, mainly from the neighborhood, and about 30 teachers. Today, the school is almost double that size. About 50 teachers and more than 900 students inhabit a modern five-story building, with classrooms featuring high-tech multimedia equipment. Four lessons are given on weekday mornings, and on Tuesdays the final class is for extracurricular programs. Some students learn painting or computer programming, while others study music or practice calligraphy. In one class, Wang Lin, a Chinese-language teacher, was showing students how to take photographs. "I don't know that much about photography actually, but we have no teachers like that, so I teach myself about it first and then pass the knowledge to the students," Wang said. As China's economy has developed rapidly over the past 40 years, the central government has increased investment in elementary education to ensure that compulsory education is free to all. This fact, along with donations from millions of people at home and abroad, such as Chai Peiying and Zhou Huosheng, far fewer children are dropping out of school because of poverty. Yet, while the hardware at Project Hope schools is sufficient, there remains a shortage of teachers qualified in subjects such as music, physical education, art and information technology. "We're in a remote area," said Liao Guilin, 47, vice-principal of Jinzhai Hope Primary School. "Graduates prefer to work at the schools in town. Even if they teach here for a couple of years, they will leave for positions in better places, which is understandable." Sun, the art teacher, added: "I'm wondering whether we can train our own talent in music, PE, art and ITpeople who live in the town and will not leave so easily. That's one direction for Project Hope to develop." OTTAWA - Unless you really hurry, sending a letter to Santa for next Christmas will cost you a nickel more. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/12/2018 (1074 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canada Post says the cost for an individual stamp on a letter sent within Canada will cost $1.05, instead of a loonie. Other increases range between a dime to 35 cents depending on the size of the letter being sent within the country. Canada Post employee Shelly Paul delivers the mail in snowy Water Valley, Alta., Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh OTTAWA - Unless you really hurry, sending a letter to Santa for next Christmas will cost you a nickel more. Starting Jan. 14, Canada Post says the cost for an individual stamp on a letter sent within Canada will be $1.05, instead of a loonie. Other increases for mail within the country range between a dime and 35 cents depending on the size of the letter. The cost of sending letters to the United States will go up between seven and 20 cents, while overseas mail will need an extra 15 to 20 cents to get there. The new rates are the first increase since March 2014. Canada Post says the increases should generate $26 million in revenues for the postal service, of which $11 million will come from consumers and the remaining $15 million from small and medium-sized businesses. Regulatory text posted online Monday estimates that the new rates will cost the average Canadian household about 65 cents next year. The average cost for small businesses that use stamps to pay postage will be about $14.21. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Canada Post has long pointed to declines in letter mail as more Canadians opt to send emails instead of a written note. The regulatory text says that letter mail volume has almost been cut in half since 2006 about two billion letters and along with it revenue for the Crown corporation. Federal rules require Canada Post to set postage rates that are fair, reasonable and enough to help defray the costs of operation. "Given the current rate at which letter mail volumes are declining and the other financial pressures faced by Canada Post, it may no longer generate sufficient revenue to meet its service obligations in the future without regular changes in its rate structure," says a posting in the Canada Gazette, a government publication detailing new federal rules and regulations. In late November, Canada Post said it expects to finish its fiscal year with a loss. The postal service was ordered in September to increase pay for suburban and rural postal employees by 25 per cent, which the agency said would cost $550 million by the end of the year, including a charge of $130 million that was put on its books in the final quarter of 2017. Postal workers went on rotating strikes in late October, but about a month later the Liberals legislated an end to job action after Canada Post complained that a backlog of parcels had reached historic levels ahead of the crucial holiday shopping period. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/12/2018 (1074 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Christmas came a day early for 800 guests and more than 100 volunteers at Siloam Missions annual Christmas Eve feast. "Its such an exciting day. Its such an important day that it draws community together around a hot nutritious meal: a turkey dinner and all the trimmings," said Siloam Mission CEO Jim Bell. The dining hall was already filling up an hour before the meal was served at noon. Volunteers, some in Santa or elf hats, gathered in the kitchen slicing turkeys, scooping coleslaw and cranberry sauce. The annual Christmas meal brings together more people than any other event at Siloam. Not only do people in need get a classic Christmas meal with all the trimings, but the Yuletide mood lifts the spirits of guests and volunteers alike. "There are good vibes this time of the year," said Ray Caribou, 37, who is frequently at the Siloam Mission Drop-In for a meal. "There are a lot of smiley people." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chief Justice Glenn Joyal serves juice to community members during the dinner. "Every time each of us come to Siloam we feed our stomachs, but we also feed our souls," said Mayor Brian Bowman, as he thanked volunteers and encouraged the guests to look out for their loved ones and neighbours during the holidays. "We want the message to be today, here, and throughout the year that we care about our neighbours, we care about our fellow Winnipeggers and we love them." Though the Siloam Mission Christmas meal has been happening for many years, this is the second year that Chiefs at Christmas have partnered with Siloam to bring together First Nations representatives to give hope to Indigenous guests at Mondays meal. The founder of Chiefs at Christmas, Gilbert Fredette from Norway House, said that his group is about leaders meeting with and enjoying the company of Indigenous people who have fallen on hard times. "A lot of them are far from home and unfortunately not a lot of them make it home. So we are here to say dont give up, we are here for you". "I am going to be very proudly handing out meals and helping out as much as I can to spread that cheer and help people see that First Nations representatives are here on the ground and not just looking over," said Fredette. To the guests of the meal he said "We are here to serve you, our brothers and sisters from all over Manitoba." The volunteers and staff at Siloam Mission aim to bring hope and a sense of community to people seeking food and a warm place to spend the day. "Its not about coming to fix somebody because you are perfect. Its about coming to connect with someone because that teaches you that you are not perfect and that you need fixing," said John Janzen, Community Education Coordinator at Siloam Mission. "You always see with volunteers they say "you know I feel like I came here to fix and help, but now I feel like I am the one getting fixed and helped." liane.carter@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba dentists say they want to reduce crowding in hospital emergency rooms as well as patient suffering while saving the province millions of dollars. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/12/2018 (1074 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba dentists say they want to reduce crowding in hospital emergency rooms as well as patient suffering while saving the province millions of dollars. In the new year, Manitoba Dental Association president Dr. Cory Sul expects to meet with Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen to talk about setting up a dental emergency department that would be covered by Manitoba Health. "The issue is patients overcrowding our ERs and taking up too much of our health-care dollars," Sul said Monday. Every time someone goes to the ER for a dental issue, it costs the health-care system $625 for them to be seen, as opposed to $45 that a dentist would typically charge, he said. Patients who can't afford to go to a dentist are showing up too often in hospital emergency departments, where the visit is covered by Manitoba Health, but treatment is limited to writing prescriptions for pain killers or antibiotics. It's temporary relief that doesn't get at the root of the problem and costs taxpayers a fortune, Sul said. "With dental things, if you don't deal with them definitively, they're going to keep coming back," he said. And they're costing the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority $3.2 million a year, he said. "The WRHA did an audit of the problem in 2015 and found that over 90 per cent of patients got no treatment other than antibiotics and pain killers," he said. Hospital emergency rooms are not equipped for dental issues, and neither are walk-in clinics or primary-care doctors, two other available options covered under Manitoba Health. "This is a problem across Canada," he said. A 2012 Alliance for Healthier Communities in Ontario report found that more people visit the ER for dental problems than for diabetes-related issues. "This is a costly and inappropriate use of hospital ER," the report noted. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. If Winnipeg had a dental emergency department available 24-7, it would cut down on hospital ER visits for dental issues, many of which occur during the evening and overnight, when dental offices are generally closed, Sul said. The University of Manitoba's College of Dentistry at the Health Sciences Centre has the potential to serve as a dental ER, he said. "It has all of the infrastructure to see dozens of patients at one time," he said, adding it could be a win-win, with a surgeon often available at the University of Manitoba dentistry school, which is always on the lookout for more patients for its students to treat. He's hoping the health minister will consider setting up a dental ER. "Improving access to care is a huge priority for Manitoba dentists," Sul said. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca As she steps into the sanctuary at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, Anna Katchanovski pauses to give a visitor a moment to take it all in. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/12/2018 (1075 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. As she steps into the sanctuary at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, Anna Katchanovski pauses to give a visitor a moment to take it all in. The space is a revelation of light and colour, streaming through tall stained-glass windows. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The beautiful Nativity scene, created by local artist Leo Mol, is one of 36 created for the large Ukrainian cathedral on McGregor Street. After 30 years worshipping here, including more than a decade serving as the church secretary, Katchanovski is used to the cathedrals beauty. Sometimes, she says, parishioners even take it for granted; it feels so much like their home. But she can tell when someone is walking into the cathedral for the first time. The first-timers are the ones with their necks craned back, eyes wide, drinking in the soaring ceiling thats painted light blue like the sky and also, a rarer prize. There, topping the long rows of brilliant stained-glass windows that line the walls of the McGregor Street cathedral, are 14 which are the most priceless of all: these were created by iconic Winnipeg artist and former parishioner, Leo Mol. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Anna Katchanovski has been worshipping at the cathedral for more than 30 years. Even Manitoba Hydro workers who come to read the meters sometimes pause to marvel at the sight. "This is a unique house of worship in Winnipeg," says the cathedrals priest, Msgr. Michael Buyachok. Those windows are a big part of that legacy. They are a stunning collection: the Mol windows, which crown a lower set made by a Toronto company, are resplendent with motifs drawn from the long history of Ukrainian Christian life. Mol spared no detail. In the windows, Ukrainian martyrs and saints are surrounded by intricate patterns of colour. There are scenes showing the baptisms of the cathedrals namesakes: Vladimir the Great and Princess Olga. A panel marking the birth of Jesus is embellished with Ukrainian motifs, including a sheaf of wheat, and a messenger blowing a trembita, a type of long horn, to announce the words, inscribed in Ukrainian, that "God Eternal is Born." "Everything means something to us as a Ukrainian," Katchanovski says. "Leo Mol understood that." JEFF DE BOOY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The late Leo Mol was the artist behind the cathedrals famous stained-glass windows. It is the Saturday before Dec. 25, although, at Sts. Vladimir and Olga, there are still a little over two weeks until Christmas; the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church celebrates the holiday on Jan. 7, following the Julian calendar. The night before that celebration, the cathedral will be full, Katchanovski says. She wishes everyone in Winnipeg could see it. Nearly 1,000 people, the room bathed in the golden glow of the chandelier and voices of the people. Above all, there are the stained-glass windows. They are a treasure to the cathedral, not only as a rare collection of work by a pre-eminent artist, but also as a loving record of one of its own parishioners, who many here once knew. In early 2009, the last year of Mols life, his niece came from Siberia to see him. Mol and his wife, Margarethe, had little family in Winnipeg, and no children; so the visit, Katchanovski says, was long-awaited and precious. By then, the artist was 94 years old; his mind sharper than his legs. He was a familiar face at the church, where as he aged members made sure to invite him to participate in church activities. That day, Katchanovski let them into the cathedral. She watched as Mols niece wandered around the sanctuary, while her uncle sat in one of the long pews and described the intent of each of the windows hed created. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The parishs secretary, Anna Katchanovski, says newcomers are often taken aback by the beauty of the cathedrals sky-blue ceiling and majestic stained-glass windows. About six months later, Mol died. Katchanovski has often remembered that contemplative visit. "What a beautiful moment," she says. "That was his only niece that he had, and she came after all those years she had tried to come. Finally, she came and saw him, and they went over these windows, and his work. It was beautiful." When the cathedral was consecrated in 1951, the Mol windows were not yet part of its vision; to save funds for construction, and for lack of a qualified artist, most of the original windows were made of simple coloured glass. But in 1963, eminent Ukrainian artist Swiatoslaw Hordynski finished painting the cathedral interior. The priest, hoping to further beautify the space in the Byzantine tradition, reached out to Mol. That winter, Mol completed the first two windows. One features Vladimir the Greats sons, saints Borys and Hlib, who were martyrs. The other depicts 11th century saints Anthony and Theodosius, who brought monasticism to Ukraine. Mol would continue to work on the windows until 1977. Each one was sponsored by a parishioner. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Nativity scene portrayed in late artist Leo Mols window will be seen by thousands over the holidays. Since then, the windows have watched over the transformation of Ukrainian life in Winnipeg. In the early days of the cathedral, it served as a hub for Ukrainian Catholics in the city, drawing nearly 1,000 people to its Sunday service. Back then, Buyachok says, the place was so busy it had three priests, and three morning services. It was a historic place, and famous: in 1984, Pope John Paul II made the cathedral his first stop after arriving at the Winnipeg airport. Then, as it does now, it served as a beacon to newcomers. Just four days after Katchanovski arrived in Winnipeg in 1989, she went to Sts. Vladimir and Olga. Shed heard about the cathedral when she was living in Europe. "The church was the first place people are looking for," she says, of the immigrant experience. "Where can I go and pray, to meet people, but also to be part of the church that you left behind? When youre a new immigrant, this is a kind of a homeland connection. The church was always the thing that united us." As with many churches, attendance numbers have dwindled. Yet the parish does have a bright future, renewed again by waves of newcomers from eastern Europe. Today, they make up about 80 per cent of the cathedrals attendees. This year, it has been busy with weddings and baptisms: they are grateful for that, Katchanovski says. Meanwhile, some things have not changed. The cathedral still performs all of its services in Ukrainian, and publishes bilingual church bulletins the only Catholic parish in Manitoba that still does so, Buyachok says. There are 24 feast days on the Ukrainian Catholic calendar, though only six are designated as obligatory observations. But in Ukraine, it is common to celebrate all of them; so Buyachok opens the cathedral for all. "Im the only one that still does it," he says, with a smile. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The cathedral is getting older. Years of worship, weddings, baptisms and funerals have etched themselves into the buildings fixtures. The floors are showing their age. The plaster on the walls has been gently restored, in places. Each year, with the support of parishioners, Buyachok tackles another item on a long to-do list of preservation fixes. At age 79, he adds with a laugh, he may not see all of it finished; the work will continue for the life of the cathedral. Yet here, under the great blue vault of the ceiling, in the light dancing through the stained-glass windows, all of the buildings dents and well-worn places seem to fade away. There is only the wonder of the space, vast and enduring. That beauty is part of the Byzantine tradition, the priest explains, one that, here, an iconic artist helped create. "The church is not just a building, but a house of worship," Buyachok says. "Thats why we try to make it as beautiful as possible... thats the closeness that we want to feel to God. We want to express God as a universal beauty." melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca Dry powder of DNA from a South China tiger of the Guangzhou Zoo was blasted into space by the Long March 11 carrier rocket on Saturday for backup storage of the genes of this endangered species. The DNA launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China comes from the blood of a male South China tiger named Kang Kang, according to the zoo in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. On orbit about 1,000 kilometers above the ground and banking on the low temperature and vacuum in space, the launch marks a positive exploration in the protection and backup of species resources. It helps prevent the risk of losing such resources and may provide the last defense of original gene data of species on earth, protecting it from human influence. The South China tiger used to inhabit eastern, central and southern China, and stands out as a tiger species unique to China. Living South China tigers are currently seen only in zoos. The transport this time was arranged in partnership with Endless Door, an aerospace technology company in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, which has jointly developed containers for the dried DNA powder together with China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The container is designed to safeguard against space radiation and sudden high temperatures. Previous research has proven successful storage of human and animal gene samples can be achieved in orbit. The following companies are subsidiares of NOV: AG Holding UK, APL France SAS, APL Management Pte Ltd, APL Norway AS, APL do Brasil Ltda., ASEP Group Holding B.V., ASEP Otomotiv Sanayi Ticaret Ltd., Ackerman Holdings C.V., Ackerman Holdings GP LLC, Ackerman International Holland B.V., Advanced Production and Loading, Advanced Wirecloth, Aggregate Plant Products Co., American Pipe and Construction International, Ameron B.V., Ameron Holdings Pte. Ltd., Ameron International, Ameron International Corporation, Ameron Pole Products LLC, Ameron Polyplaster Industria E Comercio de Tubos Ltda., Ameron Singapore Holding, Ameron Singapore Poly Holdings Pte. Ltd., Ameron Trading Holdings Pte. Ltd., Andergauge Limited, Andergauge Redback, Andergauge USA, Arabian Rig Manufacturing Company, Axiom Process Limited, Belco Manufacturing Company, Big Red Tubulars Limited, Bondstrand Ltd., Bowen Downhole Inc., Bowen Downhole LLC, Brandt Interests, Brandt Oilfield Services (M) Sdn. Bhd., C.M.A. Canavera S.R.L., CJSC Fidmash, CJSC Novmash, CSI Inspection, Camco Drilling Group Limited, Chemineer, Coil Services Middle East LLC, Containment Solutions, Containment Solutions Services, Couoperatie Intelliserv Holding U.A., Couoperatie NOV NL U.A., Danco AS, Denali Incorporated, Denali Management, Devin International, Dreco Canada L.P., Dreco DHT, Dreco Eastern Europe ULC, Dreco Energy Services ULC, Dreco International Holdings ULC, Dreco LLC, E.C. Motors, Elmar Far East Pty Ltd, Enerflow Industries, Enerpro de Mexico, Environmental Procedures LLC, Ershigs, Fabricated Plastics Acquisitions Limited, Fabricated Plastics Limited, Fiber Glass Systems, Fiber Glass Systems (Qingdao) Composite Piping Co., Fiber Glass Systems Holdings, Fiber Glass Systems Oman L.L.C., Fiber Glass Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fiberspar, Fiberspar Australia Pty. Ltd., Fiberspar Corporation, Fiberspar Linepipe Canada Ltd., Fibra Ingenieria y Construccion S.A., FidService, Fjords Processing (Shanghai) Co., Fjords Processing 1 AS, Fjords Processing AS, Fjords Processing Australia Pty Ltd, Fjords Processing France SAS, Fjords Processing Korea Co. Ltd., Fjords Processing Limited, Fjords Processing UK Ltd., Fryma S.a.r.l., GOT German Oil Tools GmbH, GP USA Holding LLC, GPEX, German Oil Tools (Middle East) FZE, Grant Prideco (Jiangsu) Drilling Products Co., Grant Prideco (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Grant Prideco AB TCA Holding LLC, Grant Prideco European Holding, Grant Prideco Holding, Grant Prideco III C. V., Grant Prideco Inc., Grant Prideco Jersey Limited, Grant Prideco L.P., Grant Prideco Mauritius Limited, Grant Prideco Netherlands B.V., Grant Prideco PC Composites Holdings, Grant Prideco S. de R.L. de C.V., Grant Prideco USA, Grant Prideco de Venezuela, Greystone Technologies Pty. Ltd., GustoMSC B.V., GustoMSC U.S., Hebei Huayouyiji Tuboscope Coating Co., Hitec AS, Hydralift AmClyde, Hydralift France SAS, Hydralift Holdings UK Limited, Inspecciones y Pruebas No Destructivas, IntelliServ Norway AS, Intelliserv, Intelliserv GP Holdings LLC, Intelliserv International Holding, Intelliserv LLC, Interval LLC, JiangYin Tuboscope Tubular Development Co., Merpro Group Limited, Merpro Products Limited, Merpro Tortek Limited, Midsund Bruk AS, Mono Group Pension Trustees Limited, Mono Pumps New Zealand Company, Monoflo NOV S.A.I.C., Moyno Inc., Moyno de Mexico S.A. de C.V., NKT Flexibles I/S, NOV (Asia), NOV (Barbados) Holding SRL, NOV (Barbados) SRL, NOV (Caymans), NOV (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., NOV - Oil Services Angola LDA., NOV APL Limited, NOV ASEP Elmar Mexico, NOV Africa Pty Ltd, NOV Australia Pty Ltd, NOV Azerbaijan LLC, NOV Brandt Europe France, NOV Brandt Oilfield Services Middle East LLC, NOV CV1 GP LLC, NOV CV2 GP LLC, NOV Completion Tools AS, NOV Completion Tools LLC, NOV Completion and Production Solutions Korea Ltd., NOV DH de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., NOV DHT Canada Holding ULC, NOV Denmark Cooperatief U.A., NOV Downhole Argentina, NOV Downhole Bolivia S.R.L., NOV Downhole Colombia, NOV Downhole Comercializacao de Equipamentos para Petroleo Ltda., NOV Downhole Congo, NOV Downhole Eurasia Limited, NOV Downhole Europe B.V., NOV Downhole Germany GmbH, NOV Downhole Italia S.R.L., NOV Downhole Kazakhstan, NOV Downhole Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., NOV Downhole Pty Ltd, NOV Downhole Thailand, NOV Dreco GP LLC, NOV EU Acquisition SNC, NOV Elmar (Middle East) Limited, NOV Elmar NL B.V., NOV Elmar Pte. Ltd., NOV Enerflow ULC, NOV Eurasia Holding LLC, NOV European Holding LLC, NOV Expatriate Services, NOV FGS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, NOV FGS Singapore (Pte.) Ltd, NOV Fiber Glass Systems Fabricacao De Tubos E Conexoes Ltda, NOV Flexibles Equipamentos E Servicos Ltda., NOV Flexibles Holding ApS, NOV Floating Production AS, NOV Fluid Control B.V., NOV GEO GP LLC, NOV GEO LP1 C.V., NOV GEO LP2 C.V., NOV GP Holding L.P., NOV GP1 Holding LLC, NOV Gabon SARL, NOV Germany Holding GmbH, NOV Ghana Limited, NOV Grant Prideco Drilling Equipment Manufacturing LLC, NOV Grant Prideco Drilling Products Middle East FZE, NOV Grant Prideco L.L.C., NOV Holding Danmark ApS, NOV Holding Germany GmbH & Co KG, NOV Holding Germany Management GmbH, NOV Holdings B.V., NOV Hydra Rig Pte. Ltd, NOV India Private Limited, NOV Intelliserv UK Limited, NOV International Holdings C.V., NOV International Holdings GP LLC, NOV Intervention & Stimulation Equipment US LLC, NOV Intervention and Stimulation Equipment Aftermarket Comercio de Equipamentos e Servicos Ltda., NOV Kenya Limited, NOV Kostroma LLC, NOV Kuwait Light & Heavy Equipment Repairing & Maintenance Co., NOV LP (Trading), NOV MSI Pipe Protection Technologies Inc., NOV MSI Pipe Protection Technologies Mexico, NOV Mexico Holding LLC, NOV Middle East FZCO, NOV Mission Products UK Limited, NOV Mozambique Limitada, NOV NL Mexico Holding B.V., NOV Netherlands Finance Holding C.V., NOV Netherlands Finance Holding LLC, NOV North America I/P, NOV Oil & Gas Services Egypt (S.A.E), NOV Oil & Gas Services Uganda Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services Ghana Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services Nigeria Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, NOV Oilfield Services Tanzania Limited, NOV Oilfield Services Vostok LLC, NOV Oilfield Solutions Ltd., NOV Park II B.V., NOV Process & Flow Technologies AS, NOV Process & Flow Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., NOV Process & Flow Technologies Pte. Ltd., NOV Process & Flow Technologies UK Limited, NOV Process & Flow Technologies US, NOV Rig Solutions Pte. Ltd., NOV Romania, NOV Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd., NOV Saudi Arabia Trading Co., NOV Services Ltd., NOV Servicios de Personal Mexico, NOV Subsea Products AS, NOV TV2 LLC, NOV TVI LLC, NOV Tanajib Kuwait for Services and Maintenance of Oil Rigs Refineries and Petrochemicals, NOV Tuboscope Italia S.R.L., NOV Tuboscope Middle East LLC, NOV Tuboscope NL B.V., NOV Tubulars and Connectors Ltd., NOV UK (Angola Acquisitions) Limited, NOV UK Finance Limited, NOV UK Holdings Limited, NOV UK Korea LP, NOV Wellbore Technologies Norway LLC, NOV Wellbore Technologies do Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Ltda., NOV Wellsite Services Germany GmbH, NOV Worldwide C.V., NOV-BLM SAS, NOVM Holding LLC, NOW Downhole Tools, NOW International LLC, NOW Nova Scotia Holdings LLC, NOW Oilfield Services, NQL Holland B.V., National Oilwell (U.K.) Limited, National Oilwell Algerie, National Oilwell DHT, National Oilwell Middle East Company, National Oilwell Services de Mexico, National Oilwell Varco (Beijing) Investment Management Co. Ltd., National Oilwell Varco (Thailand) Ltd., National Oilwell Varco Algeria, National Oilwell Varco Almansoori Services, National Oilwell Varco Bahrain WLL, National Oilwell Varco Belgium SA, National Oilwell Varco Denmark I/S, National Oilwell Varco Egypt LLC, National Oilwell Varco Eurasia, National Oilwell Varco Guatemala, National Oilwell Varco Guyana Inc., National Oilwell Varco Hungary Limited Liability Company, National Oilwell Varco Korea Co., National Oilwell Varco MSW S.A., National Oilwell Varco Mexico, National Oilwell Varco Muscat L.L.C., National Oilwell Varco Norway AS, National Oilwell Varco Peru S.R.L., National Oilwell Varco Petroleum Equipment (Shanghai) Co., National Oilwell Varco Poland Sp.z.o.o., National Oilwell Varco Pte. Ltd., National Oilwell Varco Rig Equipment Trading (Shanghai) Co., National Oilwell Varco Romania S.R.L., National Oilwell Varco Solutions, National Oilwell Varco UK Limited, National Oilwell Varco Ukraine LLC, National Oilwell Varco de Bolivia S.R.L., National Oilwell Varco de Chile - Servicios Limitada, National Oilwell Varco do Brasil Ltda., National Oilwell de Venezuela, National-Oilwell Pte. Ltd., National-Oilwell Pty. Ltd., PT Fjords Processing Indonesia, PT H-Tech Oilfield Equipment, PT NOV Oilfield Services, PT National Oilwell Varco, PT PROFAB INDONESIA, Pesaka Inspection Services SDN.BHD., Pipex Limited, Pipex PX Limited, Pipex Structural Composites Limited, Pridecomex Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Pridecomex TA Industries, Procon Engineering Ltd., Profab Engineering Pte. Ltd., Profab Services Pte Ltd, Quality Tubing FSC, R&M C.V., R&M Canada Cooperatief U.A., R&M Energy Systems Australia Pty Ltd., R&M Energy Systems de Argentina S.A., R&M Energy Systems de Venezuela, R&M Environmental Strategies, R&M Singapore Holding LLC, R&M UK Holding LLC, RE.MAC.UT. S.r.l., RHI Holding LLC, ReedHycalog, ReedHycalog International Holding, ReedHycalog LLC, ReedHycalog UK Limited, Robannic Overseas Finance A.V.V., Robbins & Myers, Robbins & Myers (Suzhou) Process Equipment Company Limited, Robbins & Myers B.V., Robbins & Myers Foundation, Robbins & Myers GP LLC, Robbins & Myers Holdings, Robbins & Myers Holdings UK Limited, Robbins & Myers Inc, Robbins & Myers Italia S.R.L., Robbins & Myers N.V., Rodic S.A. de C.V., Romaco S.a.r.l., STAR Sudamtex Tubulares S.A., STBH2O TUNISIE, STSA, Screen Manufacturing Company Unlimited, Seabox AS, Slip Clutch Systems Limited, Smart Drilling GmbH, Soil Recovery A/S, South Seas Inspection, Subseaflex Holding ApS, T-3 Energy Preferred Industries Mexico, T-3 Energy Services, T-3 Energy Services Cayman, T-3 Energy Services Cayman Holdings, T-3 Energy Services India Private Limited, T-3 Energy Services Mexico, T-3 Investment Corporation IV, T-3 Mexican Holdings, TVI Holdings, Telluride Insurance Limited, Tianjin Grant TPCO Drilling Tools Company Limited, Tube-Kote, Tubo-FGS, Tuboscope & Co. LLC, Tuboscope (Holding U.S.) LLC, Tuboscope Brandt de Venezuela, Tuboscope Machining Services AS, Tuboscope Norge AS, Tuboscope Pipeline Services Inc., Tuboscope Services, Tuboscope Vetco (Deutschland) GmbH, Tuboscope Vetco (France) SAS, Tuboscope Vetco (Oesterreich) GmbH, Tuboscope Vetco Canada ULC, Tuboscope Vetco Capital Limited, Tuboscope Vetco Moscow CJSC, Tuboscope Vetco de Argentina S.A., Tubular Coatings Solutions Ltd., Tucom Composites Polyester Sanayi Ticaret Ltd., Varco BJ B.V., Varco CIS, Varco Canada ULC, Varco I/P, Varco International de Venezuela, Varco L.P., Varco US Holdings LLC, Vetco Coating GmbH, Vetco Enterprise GmbH, Vetco Saudi Arabia Ltd., Visible Assets, Wilson International, Woolley, XL Systems, XL Systems Antilles, XL Systems Europe B.V., XL Systems International, voestalpine Middle East Free Zone Establishment, voestalpine Tubulars Corporation, voestalpine Tubulars GmbH, and voestalpine Tubulars GmbH & Co KG. You are here: China The percentage of women dying in childbirth has reduced rapidly across China in the past two decades, according to a recent study. The study, a systematic assessment of maternal mortality ratios down to the county level, was conducted by researchers from West China Second University Hospital affiliated with Sichuan University. Researchers collected data from China's national Annual Report System on Maternal and Child Health and used data mining to analyze the maternal mortality ratios for 2,852 counties in China between 1996 and 2015. Results showed that in the past two decades, almost all counties in China had achieved the annual decline rate of 5.5 percent, a target set in the Millennium Development Goal. China has seen fast declines in maternal mortality ratios from 108.7 per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 21.8 per 100,000 in 2015, with an annual decline of 8.5 percent. Researchers also analyzed inequality of maternal mortality ratios at the country and provincial levels. They found that counties with lower maternal mortality rates were mainly concentrated in eastern and southeastern China. The study said China needed to further improve the accessibility and quality of maternal health care in rural areas by nurturing more well-trained midwives. This study will be helpful for other developing countries that are trying to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal on improving maternal health. The study was published in the journal Lancet. Actuant Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes a range of industrial products and systems worldwide. It operates in two segments, Industrial Tools & Services (IT&S) and Engineered Components & Systems (EC&S). The IT&S segment designs, manufactures, and distributes branded hydraulic and mechanical tools; and provides services and tool rentals to the industrial, maintenance, infrastructure, oil and gas, energy, and other markets. This segment offers branded tools and engineered heavy lifting technology solutions, as well as connectors for oil and gas, and hydraulic torque wrenches; and energy maintenance and manpower services. It also provides high-force hydraulic and mechanical tools, including cylinders, pumps, valves, and specialty tools; and bolt tensioners, and connectors for oil and gas, as well as other products. This segment markets its branded tools and services primarily under the Enerpac, Hydratight, Larzep, Simplex, Biach, Equalizer, and Mirage brands through a localized product, rental, and maintenance depots. The EC&S segment designs, manufactures, and assembles system critical position and motion control systems, high performance ropes, cables and umbilicals, and other customized industrial components to various vehicle, construction, agricultural, and other niche markets. This segment offers actuation systems, mechanical power transmission products, engine air flow management systems, human to machine interface solutions, and other rugged electronic instrumentations; automotive convertible top actuation, hydraulic cab-tilt and latching, and automotive electro-hydraulic convertible top latching and actuation systems; and agriculture, off-highway, concrete tensioning, rope and cable and other product lines. It primarily markets its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, as well as to other customers through a technical sales organization. The company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Read More Nevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea. It also holds exploration licenses and permits in Serbia and Macedonia, as well as in the Bisha mining district. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of January 7, 2019, Nevsun Resources Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited. Read More Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, national, and international news to professionals through desktop terminals, media organizations, and industry events, as well as directly to consumers. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation is a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited. Read More China's efforts to fight desertification in northern China have made major strides over the past 40 years, but challenges remain, according to an evaluation report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Three-North Shelter Forest Program, launched in 1978, is aimed at planting trees across more than 400 million hectares in 13 provinces in northern China by 2050. According to a report released at a news conference in Beijing on Monday by the academy, which was invited by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to evaluate the program's achievements as a third party, an accumulated area of 46 million hectares of forest has been planted in the Three-North areasNorth, Northeast and Northwest Chinaover the past 40 years at a total cost of 93.3 billion yuan ($13.5 billion). Forest coverage in the Three-North areas had reached 13.5 percent as of 2017, up from 5.05 percent in 1978. The program has started to "curb desertification" since 2000, which is "especially obvious" in key areas such as the Horqin Desert and the Mu Us Desert, according to the report. Planting helped increase the area of windbreaks by 154 percent over the past 40 years. Meanwhile, the program has helped reduce the area of soil erosion by 67 percent. The program also helped local farmers increase income. Fruit production from these forests has increased 30 times over the four decades, providing farm jobs to 313 million people, it said. Under the administration's plan, China will increase tree coverage by 3.33 million hectares per year to further combat desertification. But Zhang Yaping, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said challenges remain, including a low survival rate of trees and lack of water. Previous planning failed to take into consideration whether local water resources could support the large-scale planting, and the lack of management after trees were planted also caused a decline in the forest, he said. The academy found that an average of only 47 percent of the trees survived. Liu Dongsheng, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said at a news conference: "What's been done in the past 40 years are the easy jobs, and what's left with us are the more thorny problems." Such problems include growing forest in areas naturally hostile to trees, he said. "Costs of greening also rise because water resources become scarcer and tree saplings are more expensive," he added. The academy suggested in the report that efforts should be made to optimize the existing program plan by taking into consideration actual demands and the carrying capacity of water resources. BNP Paribas SA provides a range of banking and financial services in France and internationally. It operates through two divisions, Retail Banking and Services, and Corporate and Institutional Banking. The company offers long-term corporate vehicle leasing, and rental and other financing solutions; and digital banking and investment services, cash management, and factoring services to corporate clients, as well as wealth management services. It also provides credit solutions for individuals under the Cetelem, Cofinoga, Findomestic, AlphaCredit, and Opel Vauxhall brands; savings and protection solutions, including insuring individuals, and their personal projects and assets; and asset management, private banking, and real estate services. In addition, the company offers global market services, including investment, hedging, financing, research, and market intellingence across asset classes; security services comprising clearing, custody, and asset and fund services, as well as corporate trust, and market and financing services; and corporate trade and treasury, debt financing, specialized financing, strategic advisory, mergers and acquisition, and equity capital market services for institutional and corporate clients. The company was formerly known as Banque Nationale de Paris and changed its name to BNP Paribas SA in May 2000. BNP Paribas SA was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More 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 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 Federated Investors, Inc. is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, banking or thrift institutions, investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities, and registered investment advisors. Through its subsidiaries, it manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, balanced and money market mutual funds along with separate client-focused equity, fixed income, money market, and balanced portfolios. Through its subsidiaries, the firm invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. It invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap companies. The firm makes its fixed income investments in ultra-short, short-term, and intermediate-term mortgage-backed, U.S. Government, U.S. corporate, high yield, and municipal securities. It employs both fundamental and quantitative analysis to make its equity investments. Federated Investors, Inc. was founded in 1955 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with additional offices in New York City and London, United Kingdom. Read More China is promoting an ultrafast anti-ship ballistic missile, said to be the first of its kind in the international market, to buyers seeking a reliable and affordable deterrence against threats from the sea. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, the nation's largest maker of missiles, has brought the CM-401 supersonic anti-ship ballistic missile to market, saying it is capable of making rapid, precision strikes against medium-sized or large vessels, or against land targets. It said the weapon uses a "near-space trajectory", which means it flies between 20 and 100 kilometers above the earth, and that it maneuvers at hypersonic speeds throughout its flight. The missile will ascend to a certain altitude until its target is acquired. It will then enter an ultrafast terminal dive toward the target, according to CASIC. The company said the CM-401 features strong destructive power, good penetration capability and a mix of trajectories. It added that the missile can be mounted on various platforms, such as ships or land-based launch vehicles. According to the CASIC, the missile flies at an average speed of 1,360 meters per second - 4,900 kilometers per hour - or four times the speed of sound, during most parts of the flight, and reaches a maximum velocity of more than 2,000 m/s, six times the speed of sound as it approaches the target. It can carry a 290-kilogram warhead and has a maximum strike range of 290 km and a hit rate of 90 percent, meaning there will be nine effective hits on target out of 10 shots. The State-owned defense conglomerate made the missile system public at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition that was held recently in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. Meanwhile, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the country's major rocket maker, recently offered its M20B anti-ship ballistic missile to the international market. The road-mobile M20B also features supersonic speed and a maneuverable trajectory. Carrying a 480-kg warhead, the missile can hit a ship 120 km to 280 km away. It is suitable for rapid, precision attacks on frigates and destroyers, the academy said. Before the CM-401 and M20B, all anti-ship missiles available in the international market were sea-skimming models such as China's C-802 and CM-302 and the United States' Harpoon. China is the only country that currently fields anti-ship ballistic missiles. Its DF-21D and DF-26 are called "trump cards" in naval warfare by the Chinese military, but are not allowed for export because of a strike range said to be more than 1,000 km - far exceeding the restrictions on the export of missiles set by the Chinese government. Wu Peixin, a defense industry observer in Beijing, said that ultrafast anti-ship ballistic missiles like the CM-401 can potentially become a game changer in modern naval operations because it is very difficult for existing air-defense radars and weapons on ships to intercept such missiles due to their unique trajectories and hypersonic speeds. Therefore users will be able to effectively deter an enemy's vessels, especially aircraft carriers, from approaching their coast, Wu said. There is not enough analysis data for Eildon Capital Fund. 4.5 Community Rank Outperform Votes Eildon Capital Fund has received 13 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Eildon Capital Fund has received 6 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Eildon Capital Fund has received 68.42% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Eildon Capital Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe EDC will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe EDC will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Auditors urged government departments to further regulate the use of funds for helping the poor and improve the sharing of information to ensure that poverty alleviation is achieved. A newly released audit report said that some local governments have improperly used special funds designated for lifting people out of poverty, and their anti-poverty measures have not worked effectively. The report on the central government's budget enforcement and problem rectification for 2017 was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for review on Monday. After problems with the use of poverty alleviation funds were exposed by auditors, local governments recovered about 15 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) that had been misappropriated and imposed 649 disciplinary punishments, the report said. "For example, a fund of 5.4 million yuan for landscape improvement and wall painting in some areas was recovered and put to use after we urged local authorities to rectify the situation," Hu Zejun, head of the National Audit Office, said in explaining the report to lawmakers. Some governments that provided false data about how many people were being lifted out of poverty have also taken rectification steps, such as disclosing bidding information and making construction processes more transparent, she said. Because funds for relieving poverty in some areas were not applied properly to specific targets, regional authorities reclaimed the money and spent it optimally. They also handed down disciplinary punishments to officials who had abused the money, she said. Hu added that the fight against poverty still needs to be intensified and suggested that government departments, including financial and disciplinary authorities, increase communications, efficiently share information related to poverty alleviation and join hands in supervision. Lei Ming, director of the Institute on Poverty Research at Peking University, said the aimless use of poverty funds is a big problem. "To fulfill poverty alleviation with precise targets, officials should first learn what the poor need. It will help them accurately allocate the money or choose the most suitable way for the poor to live better lives," he said. He also applauded the audit report, adding that it is an effective tool for implementing policies against poverty and for getting governments to correct problems more quickly. The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development said on Monday that more than 80 percent of underprivileged villages and half the remaining poor counties in China would be out of poverty by the end of this year. President Xi Jinping's report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October last year identified defusing major risks, carrying out targeted poverty alleviation and preventing and controlling pollution as the three tough battles China must win. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. is an international offshore energy company. It focuses on subsea construction, maintenance and salvage services to the offshore natural gas and oil industry. The firm also provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry, with a focus on well intervention and robotics operations. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics and Production Facilities. The Well Intervention segment offers vessels and related equipment that are used to perform well intervention services primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea regions. The Robotics segment involves four chartered vessels and also includes ROVs, trenchers and ROVDrills designed to complement offshore construction and well intervention services. The Production Facilities segment includes its investment in the Helix Producer I and Kommandor LLC. Helix Energy Solutions Group was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More Zalando SE operates as an online fashion and lifestyle retailer. It offers a range of products, including shoes, apparel, accessories, and beauty products for women, men, and children, as well as free delivery and returns services. The company also sells its products through its Zalando Lounge; and brick-and-mortar stores in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Leipzig, Hamburg, Hanover, MAnster, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Ulm. It serves in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The company has a strategic partnership with Sephora SAS to create the online prestige beauty destination. Zalando SE was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Read More iShares MSCI South Korea ETF's stock was trading at $52.04 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWY shares have increased by 51.9% and is now trading at $79.06. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF's stock was trading at $24.00 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, JHMD shares have increased by 37.7% and is now trading at $33.05. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company. It provides financial and investment banking services. The firm offers a range of investment banking products and services in all capital markets, including advising on corporate strategy and structure, capital raising in equity and debt markets, risk management, market making in cash securities and derivative instruments, and brokerage and research. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking, Corporate and Investment Bank, Commercial Banking, and Asset and Wealth Management. The Consumer and Community Banking segment serves consumers and businesses through personal service at bank branches and through automated teller machine, online, mobile, and telephone banking. The Corporate and Investment Bank segment offers a suite of investment banking, market-making, prime brokerage, and treasury and securities products and services to a global client base of corporations, investors, financial institutions, government and municipal entities. The Commercial Banking segment delivers services to U.S. and its multinational clients, including corporations, municipalities, financial institutions, and non profit Read More China will proceed with its national campaign of renovating dilapidated houses for the remaining 2 million families categorized as poor and other key groups by 2020, including families with members who are disabled. The goal was disclosed in a three-year action plan released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance last week. The campaign covers four key groups: poverty-stricken families, families categorized as on a minimal living standard, families earning incomes lower than the local minimum, and families with members who are disabled. The action plan aims to ensure that the country's last section of disadvantaged families, including the 2 million registered as poverty-stricken, can move into refurbished houses before China accomplishes its mission of lifting its population out of poverty and building a moderately prosperous society. The document asks for a stricter process to identify families that can qualify, requiring the housing and urban-rural development authorities to work with departments in charge of poverty relief, civil affairs and managing people with disabilities, to recognize the right groups. Precise records should be made for every single family that receives subsidies in the renovation plan, and dilapidated houses must be renovated to a standard in line with local conditions. All houses have to be reviewed before completion, the document said. The renovation campaign, which started in 2008, has helped more than 20 million poverty-stricken families to build new homes up to 2016. According to the 2017 Statistical Communique on National Economic and Social Development by the National Bureau of Statistics, China completed renovation of dilapidated houses for 1.52 million families, who used to live below the poverty line, last year. Subsidies fluctuate for different regions, mostly ranging from 2,000 yuan ($290) to 20,000 yuan, depending on the economic situation of the families and the original condition of their homes. Families in Western and Central China are endowed with higher subsidies than those living in eastern areas. For example, the Tibet autonomous region has subsidies from 15,000 yuan up to 25,000 yuan, because of the higher cost of building new homes. The renovation plan was welcomed by disadvantaged families, such as Zheng Fang, a 26-year-old primary school teacher in Yuexi county, Anhui province. Zheng said her family was one of the beneficiaries and was given a 20,000-yuan subsidy to refurbish their house five years ago when she was still a college student. As traditional farmers, her parents spent all their earnings on her study at university, and had insufficient funds to refurbish their house that was built with mud bricks in the year she was born. "I hoped my parents could move into a better home and encouraged them to build a new one," the teacher said. "The 20,000 yuan came to our aid at the right time, though many will think it's not that much. But it helped my dream come true." Cai Jiawen, head of Zheng's village in the Dabie Mountains, said many people in rural areas have built new houses, but some cannot. Therefore, the renovation campaign can help narrow the gap between villagers and promote social fairness, he said. Li Chang'an, a researcher at the Institute of Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said housing renovation is a key part of China's poverty relief campaign. The two ministries emphasized reviewing of applicant families in the action plan as they used to do, showing the importance attached to precisely targeted families and further reducing costs, Li said. Needy families should be included into the housing renovation campaign, Li said. If not, those who really need the aid will miss out on the favorable policies, leading to inequality, he said. Meanwhile, the action plan set strict requirements concerning quality of location, structure, anti-earthquake reinforcements and construction materials. The researcher Li said the quality requirement for housing renovation not only meets the demands of beneficiary families but also is necessary to maintaining poverty relief as a sustainable process. "We wish you a merry Christmas" with pictures of Elvis Tsui seems to be the latest trend among Chinese netizens during this year's Christmas. Born in 1961, Hong Kong veteran actor Elvis Tsui has become the latest internet icon thanks to the classic character he played in the 1992 comedy movie Royal Tramp, where he looked a bit similar to Santa Claus, with a red hat and white beard. The movie Tsui starred in was adapted from The Deer and the Cauldron, a novel by late Hong Kong novelist Louis Cha. Tsui played the role of Oboi, a malicious and greedy military officer who conspires to fight for the throne. Also, the character's name Oboi is pronounced similar to "all buy" in English, which encourages people to buy some gifts for loved ones during the Christmas season. And the coincidence further increases the popularity of Tsui. Reputed as China's Santa Claus, Elvis Tsui has been frequently searched on Dec 24 on Sina Weibo, China's answer to Twitter, and his images have been adapted into micro videos, gifs and emojis at very short notice. Some clever business minds have produced tailor-made products on China's e-commerce platform Taobao. On Dec 25, an image of Tsui's character from the film has already been added into the Sina Weibo emoji list for users to choose from. "I have been waiting for more than two decades to find the Chinese Santa Claus, and he just appeared. I believe that he is the perfect image in my heart," said weibo user Xiao Midou1993. "In China's social media platforms, you never know who is the next internet icon, and I am waiting to hear from the actor," another weibo user Maao Guan added. In response to the enthusiasm shown by online users, the 57-year-old was pleased to receive the new title, and wrote on his official weibo account, "It's Christmas and the old man with a red hat and white beard is bringing you the best wishes!" 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 There is not enough analysis data for American Business Bank. 4.3 Community Rank Outperform Votes American Business Bank has received 114 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes American Business Bank has received 63 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment American Business Bank has received 64.41% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about American Business Bank and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe AMBZ will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe AMBZ will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Stage Stores, Inc. operates specialty department stores primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities in the United States. Its merchandise portfolio comprises moderately priced and brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear, and home goods. The company also offers merchandise direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce Website, and private label credit card and loyalty programs. As of August 23, 2018, it operated 764 department stores in 42 states under the BEALLS, GOODY'S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES, and STAGE names; 63 GORDMANS off-price stores; and stage.com, an e-commerce Website. The company was founded in 1988 and is based in Houston, Texas. Read More Beijing's GDP is anticipated to surpass 3 trillion yuan (US$ 435 billion) this year, meeting its annual target of 6.5-percent GDP growth, a spokesperson from the Beijing Municipal Committee of Reform and Development said on Dec. 24. The city's GDP reached 2 trillion yuan in 2013, doubling the number from 2007 in six years. The new milestone this year would mean that it took five years to add another 1 trillion yuan in its GDP, one year shorter than it previously needed. Three nation-leading development indicators Beijing's GDP grew by 6.7 percent, 6.8 percent, and 6.7 percent in the first three quarters, and officials said it would be reasonable to expect that the annual growth rate target of 6.5 percent can be achieved. "We have achieved this target in the context of functional dispersal, environmental governance and structural adjustment, and it was not an easy task," said the spokesperson. Stable employment was a major feature of Beijing's development. The employment rate of college graduates was 97 percent this year. As of end of November, 403,000 jobs had been created in urban districts, while 58,000 had been created for rural areas, both exceeding the annual target. The registered urban unemployment rate was 1.43 percent, while the surveyed urban unemployment rate remained at less than 5 percent. Meanwhile, Beijing's general public budget revenue is expected to grow by about 6.5 percent this year, and per capita disposable income of Beijing residents grows in lockstep with the rate of economic growth. Three development indicators in Beijing are now leading the country: its energy consumption per unit of GDP, which is expected to drop by about 3.5 percent; its per capita GDP, which is expected to exceed US$20,000; and the overall labor productivity, which is more than 240,000 yuan per person. 200 innovation enterprises established per day In 2018, there were 11 scientists who won either the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, or the Eni Award in Beijing. An average of 200 innovation enterprises were established per day, while 70 enterprises made to the world's unicorn list. The number of "mass entrepreneurship and innovation" demonstration bases in Beijing reached 20, accounting for one-sixth in China. The booming entrepreneurship and innovation brought vast riches: From January to October, Zhongguancun Demonstration Area achieved a total income of 4.2 trillion yuan, an increase of 13.7 percent year-on-year, with the number of venture capital cases and the total amount of investment both ranking first in the country. Beijing is also laying out future innovations in science and technology, speeding up construction of Zhongguancun Science City, Huairou Science City, Future Science City, and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. The city also boasted several homegrown achievements in fundamental and advanced subjects, and many scientific installations are being built in Huairou Science City. "Both the technology and the culture are developing fast, and the dual-wheel drive has strengthened the new momentum of economic development in Beijing," said the spokesperson. He said that Beijing's rich cultural resources are leading to strong innovative vitality. This year, the city completed projects for the protection and construction of the Grand Canal, the Yongding River in Xishan, and the Great Wall. In addition, it initiated new guidelines to support the development of bookstores, now with 1,011 locations around the city. By using reclaimed space, it built 21 cultural industry parks, while raising 16.8 billion yuan in funds for its Cultural Investment Platform. The development of high-end and sophisticated industries has also scored remarkable results. From January to November, the added value of high-tech manufacturing industries and strategic emerging industries in the whole city grew by 15 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively, while the added value of electronic equipment and pharmaceutical industries increased by 17.2 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Finance, information services, and scientific and technological services were the three major contributors to Beijing's economy, combining to account for approximately 60 percent of the city's economic growth. Consumer spending on cultural tourism, education and training, healthcare and other categories related to people's daily needs was also a strong driver for the city's economic development. Data shows that from January to November, service-related spending accounted for 54.2 percent of all consumer spending. Land reclamation and green transformation The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region was accelerated in 2018. From January to November, Beijing demolished 6,484 hectares of land that were once occupied by illegal constructions, dredged and upgraded 203 markets and logistics centers, and weeded out 656 low-end manufacturing enterprises. Beijing Industrial and Commercial University, Beijing Film Academy, Beijing City College and other colleges and universities speeded up construction of their new campuses, while Tiantan Hospital was relocated to a new address. In all, 1,600 hectares of land was reclaimed and transformed into green spaces, such as urban forest parks and recreational parks. In the city's sub-center in Tongzhou district, the main project of the first phase of the administrative office district was completed, supporting projects such as schools started construction, and the first batch of municipal departments moved into new offices. Since 2017, Beijing has launched measures to optimize the business environment and stimulate new vitality. The city analyzed and listed out the difficulties and needs of private enterprises, formulated 69 support measures, and established a relief fund of more than 35 billion yuan. Beijing is also accelerating the pace of opening up. In 2018, the city has launched 117 reform measures. It completed the pilot project for the expansion of opening up efforts in the service sector, which lasted three years and included 226 basic tasks. The city was also approved to become a national pilot city for deepening the innovation and development of trade in services, and a comprehensive pilot zone for cross-border e-commerce, with imports and exports of trade in services exceeding 1 trillion yuan for the year. WisdomTree Brazilian Real Strategy Fund's stock was trading at $16.4601 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, BZF stock has increased by 0.0% and is now trading at $16.4601. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. California Gov. Jerry Brown continued his Christmas tradition of dispensing second chances to convicted felons, issuing 143 pardons and 131 commutations on Monday. In one of his last acts as governor, Brown also ordered new testing of evidence in a high-profile, 1983 quadruple murder for which inmate Kevin Cooper and others have maintained that he was framed. Amnesty and pardons California Christmas Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Governors Heads of government Holidays and observances Jerry Brown Law and legal system North America Political Figures - US Politics Southwestern United States The Americas United States Cooper was convicted of killing Doug and Peggy Ryen, their daughter Jessica and 11-year-old Chris Hughes. The outgoing governor has now granted 1,332 pardons and 283 commutations during the last eight years -- the most of any governor in modern state history, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. During his 1975 to 1983 gubernatorial stint, the paper reported, Brown pardoned 404 people and granted one commutation. The governor leaves office next month. Brown's pardons on Monday included Cambodian and Honduran immigrants facing deportation, according to published reports. President Donald Trump lashed out at Brown last March when the Democratic governor issued 56 pardons and 14 commutations, including five pardons to immigrants facing deportation orders. ROME Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara says he is sending a message by not offering Clarence Locke Jr. a plea deal. Police say Locke slapped a Dennys waitress butt at 12:20 p.m. on May 21, and it was caught on the restaurant's surveillance video. Locke is charged with forcible touching, a misdemeanor. Locke pleaded not guilty to the charge Monday morning in Rome City Court, and the prosecution said there is no plea deal being offered. RELATED: Rome man accused of slapping Denny's waitress on the butt McNamara says he is trying to send a message, not only to Locke, but to anyone he says would treat another individual the way the Denny's waitress was treated. I don't think the judge will send him to jail based on his record and all that, and his age, everything put together, but it is meant to send a message, McNamara said. RELATED: Denny's waitress talks about having her butt slapped by customer Locke and his public defender objected to WKTVs request to allow cameras in the courtroom for Monday's arraignment. Locke did tell us as he was exiting the courtroom that he is surprised that this case has received so much publicity, even in Europe, as the case has made news in an English newspaper. "If this was 20 years ago, people would be laughing, Locke said. McNamara says that may actually be the case, but things have definitely changed, especially in the last couple of years when it comes to women being subjected to sexual harassment. "This is wrong. It was wrong then and it's wrong now, and finally the inertia of the #MeToo movement is changing, it's changing our society for the better, especially for women in the workplace." It appears this case will head to trial unless Locke pleads guilty. His public defender now has two weeks before he must present his motions to the judge. Those motions are due on June 18. MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) The White County community mourns together after losing two Twin Lakes high schoolers in a fatal crash. Pastor Brian Beeks of Monticello United Methodists Church held three vigils this weekend for the grieving community. A car crash in Cass County Friday killed 17-year-old's Faith Elise Dold and Anahi Garcia. Beeks said right now the focus is learning to move forward. There's no easy procedure," said Beeks. "How do you walk through something like this?" Erin Ellis is a member of the church and a close family friend with the girls. She said they were both really special to her. These two girls smiled with their entire faces like everything lit up when they walked into a room, said Ellis. Elise was just, she was creative," said Ellis. "She loved to draw and do anything like creative. There was no halfway with Anahi. She was like I'm gonna perform to my fullest, I'm gonna make people feel what I'm doing." As students grieve the loss of their friends. Twin Lakes Superintendent Michael Galvin said the school is preparing for students arrival back. We're gonna put together a plan for that Monday back." said Galvin. "We definitely want to make sure that we have enough staff to help." Over winter break Galvin said students are more than welcome to reach out to teachers and the church if they need someone to talk to. Arizona is the fourteenth most populous and sixth biggest state in the United States which occupies an area of about 113,990 sq miles. It was the last state to gain statehood on February 14, 1912. Arizona is surrounded by Colorado, Mexico, California, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico. The Mexico-Arizona boundary is about 389 miles long. Due to Arizonas big area and variations in altitude, the region has a wide assortment of localized climatic conditions. The low altitude areas experience a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters, although northern regions receive snowfall most winters. Snow in Arizona Yes, some parts of Arizona receive snowfall. The higher altitude regions of southeastern and northern Arizona receive snow in most winters. The highest peaks in Arizona receive about 100 inches of snow, but it rarely snows in the western and southern lowlands. Snowiest Places in the State Flagstaff The city of Flagstaff is one of the snowiest incorporated cities in the US which receives an annual snowfall average of about 100.3 inches. The snow covers the Flagstaff's ground for numerous weeks after a significant winter snowfall because the freezing night temperature refreezes the melting snow. The cold air systems from Canada and other northern American states push into Arizona bringing the temperature of the northern parts of the state to -18C. The citys snowiest winter was the 1972-73 season when it received 210 inches of snow cover. Tucson The city of Tucson is the county seat of Pima County and the thirty-third biggest US city. Tucson receives some light dusting during winter which melts within twenty-four hours. The snowfall of February 20, 2013, was the most significant snowfall since 1987. The daytime temperature of the city during winter ranges between 18C and 24C. Phoenix Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, has not received a measurable amount of snow since 1990. Snow is rare in the Phoenix, but some areas like the Cave Creek receives some dusting during winter. The heaviest recorded snowfall was the January 21-22, 1937 snowfall event when the city received about 4 inches of snow. Graupel, a type of soft hail, fell in some parts of the city on February 20, 2013, and December 30, 2010, but it was believed to be snow by the residents. Other Cities Williams city is situated on the western side of Flagstaff and receives an annual snowfall average of about 73.8 inches. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was -32C in 1937. The Grand Canyon Village gets an average of about 49.5 inches of snow while Payson gets 20.1 inches. Prescott received less than 3 inches of snow during the 2005-06 winter season as compared to the annual average of 12.8 inches. The frontal cloud bands bring rainfall and snowfall with the Bisbee getting an average of 6.3 inches of snow annually. The Most Dramatic Snowfall in Arizona The most dramatic snowfall in the history of the state occurred in December 1967 when an 8-day storm covered a considerable part of northern Arizona. It ended on December 21, 1967, and dumped 77 inches of snow in Payson, 86 inches in Flagstaff, 78.3 inches in Crown King, 91.5 inches in Heber and 99 inches in Greer. The snow event resulted in about nine deaths. The snow paralyzed the city of Flagstaff and food was airlifted to the residence of Cochise and Navajo counties. Istanbul is Turkeys largest city with an area of about 2,063 square miles. Previously, the city was known as Byzantium as well as Constantinople. From a geographical perspective, the city does not belong to one continent since it lies in both Europe and Asia. A third of the population of Istanbul lives on the Asian side while the economic center (which includes things like banks and corporations) is on the European side. Geography of Istanbul The European side consists of places such as Sultanahmed, Taksim, Sariyer, and Eyup. The Asian or the Anatolian part includes places like Kadikoy, Bostanci, and others. The Bosphorus Strait separates the European from the Asian side, which has a length of about 19 miles. The separating strait acts as a connection between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The strait separating the two continents is bridged by two suspension bridges namely the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (or the Bosporus Bridge II) and the Bosporus Bridge. Administration Officially, the city of Istanbul is the capital city of the Istanbul Province, which means that its administration falls under the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (MMI). Under the MMI, there is a smaller body known as the Municipal Council tasked with the main decisions of the city. The council makes a number of decisions including management of the city budget, the maintenance of the rich cultural aspect of the city, and other functions. In addition, the city has a powerful mayor who has the power to make powerful decisions without consulting. Economy In 2011, the city had a gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) of $301.1 billion. About 27% of Turkeys GDP is accounted for by Istanbul while almost a quarter (about 20%) of the nations labor force lives in the city. The economy is diverse with most of the revenue coming from the manufacturing sector, which produces things like tobacco and electronics. Another crucial sector is tourism with the city receiving about 12.56 million visitors in 2015. People visit to see the historical side of the city, which is persevered in the seventy museums and other sites. Demographics According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has a population of about 14,377,019 people, which represents about 19% of Turkeys population. The population growth rate is also quite high at 3.45% every year. Some of the European side with denser populations include the west, northwest, and the southwestern region of the city center. On the Asian side, Uskudar district is the most densely populated. Despite being a cosmopolitan city in historical times, Istanbul is now predominantly dominated by Muslims ever since the Ottoman Empire ended. Most of the Muslims belong to the Sunni sect followed by another sect known as the Alevis. After Turkey was established as a republic, some of the mystic sects such as Sufism were banned although they still have a substantial number of followers. Christianity also exists with the city being the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as other churches like the Armenian Patriarchate. As of 2000, active mosques in the city numbered around 2691 while active churches and synagogues were 123 and 20 respectively. Botswana is an African nation that is situated on the southern edge of the continent where it spans an area of roughly 224,610 square miles. In the past, particularly in the 1960s, the Botswana economy was one of the lowest-ranked economies in the world with its per capita gross domestic product being roughly $70. The Botswana government implemented some economic reforms that gradually transformed the country's economy. In 2017, the Botswana gross domestic product was roughly $17.41 billion which was the 112th highest in the world, and the per capita GDP was $18,146 which was the 71st highest in the world. The Botswana economy is heavily dependent on its natural resources which include minerals, arable land, and livestock. Arable Land Data from the Botswana government indicated that in 2015, Botswana's arable land was roughly 0.7% of the country's total area. Large sections of the Botswana people live in rural areas and are extremely dependent on agriculture both for subsistence and for their livelihoods. The Botswana government indicates that on average the agriculture sector contributes roughly 3% to the country's gross domestic product each year. Despite the low contribution of agriculture to the Botswana economy, the industry is still crucial to the people mainly due to its cultural significance. Most of Botswana's agriculturally productive land is situated in the eastern section of the country. Some of the most common crops in Botswana's eastern section include millet, maize, and sorghum. Botswana is often forced to import food items from other countries such as South Africa to satisfy the local demand. The Botswana agriculture sector faces several significant challenges such as soil erosion, the over-reliance on traditional agricultural methods, and perennial droughts. To combat these challenges, the Botswana government has set aside money to research on soil conservation and to develop grain varieties suited to the Botswana climate. Livestock In Botswana, livestock is some of the most critical natural resources. The most important livestock in Botswana are the cattle, which according to several estimates outnumber people in the country. In 2011, according to estimates from the government of Botswana, there were close to 2.5 million cattle in the country which was more than the population which was estimated at 2,024,787. The livestock sector contributes roughly 80% to the country's agricultural sector. Botswana cattle farmers produce more cattle than the country requires and the surplus is sold to other nations mainly in the European Union. The most significant threat facing the Botswana livestock industry is diseases such as the foot and mouth disease. The Botswana government has equipped veterinarians in the country with sufficient skills to combat the challenges that face the country's livestock sector. Beautiful Scenery Botswana has been blessed with a variety of stunning sites that attract huge numbers of tourists to the country each year. Some of the most stunning sites in Botswana are the country's national parks one of which is located in the Kalahari Desert. The Central Kalahari reserve is one of the most important in Botswana due to the vast area it covers, roughly 20,400 square miles which are approximately 10% of the state's total land area. The reserve is exceptionally famous because it is home to four distinct fossilized rivers. The central Kalahari reserve is also famous because it is home to various wildlife species such as the sable antelope, the white rhino and the blue wildebeest. Another famous site in Botswana is the Okavango Delta which is considered one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders. Data indicates that in 2016, most of the visitors to Botswana were from other African nations such as Zimbabwe and South Africa. Visitors from the United States also accounted for a large number of tourists to Botswana. Minerals Botswana's mineral sector is one of the most critical sectors in the country. Mining has been a crucial sector of the Botswana economy since the early 1970s. The country has been blessed with a vast quantity of high-quality minerals ranging from copper to diamonds. Estimates from the Botswana government indicated that in 2005 minerals accounted for close to 40% of the country's gross domestic product. In 2005, it was also estimated that minerals accounted for close to 85% of the country's total exports. In 2014, according to data from the mineral yearbook, the mining sector contributed roughly 23% of the country's gross domestic product. According to Botswana's labor department, roughly 24,000 people were formally employed in the nation's mining industry. Copper One of Botswana's most important minerals is copper which is mined at some sites such as the Selebi-Phikwe mine and the Phoenix Mine. Data indicates that copper production in Botswana decreased significantly from 2013, when the nation produced approximately 21,300 tons of smelted copper, to 2014, when it produced 14,600 tons of smelted copper. Several companies were involved in extracting copper from Botswana such as the Bamangwato Concessions Limited as well as the Tati Nickel Mining Company. Gold Since the colonial era, gold has been one of Botswana's most important minerals. The Taiti Goldfield was one of the first areas in Botswana where significant gold deposits were discovered. Several companies were set up in Botswana to take advantage of the significant gold deposits but by 2014 only a single company, Galane Gold Limited, mined gold on a large-scale. In 2014, Botswana produced roughly 2,112 pounds of gold which was a decrease from the 2013 production of 2,659 pounds. Diamond Diamonds are the most important minerals in Botswana due to the value of money they contribute to the country's gross domestic product. In 2014, it was estimated that Botswana produced roughly $4 billion worth of rough diamonds. Most of Botswana's rough diamonds were sold to other nations before they were polished. The Botswana government estimated that in 2014 the state exported close to $7 billion worth of rough diamonds. There are several major diamond mines in Botswana such as the Orapa Mine, the Jwaneng Mine, and the Damtshaa Mine. The Diversification of the Botswana Economy The government of Botswana has planned to diversify its economy to reduce its reliance on the mineral sector. The Botswana government has invited investors from several nations to diversify its economy. Update 12/26/2018 9:30 a.m. Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge says Jonathon Jamahl Bardely, 29, of Columbus, is charged with manslaughter in connection with the accident. Arledge says Bardely ran from the scene of the wreck and turned himself into authorities Christmas morning. His bond has been set at $300,000. The accident remains under investigation. Update 12/25/18 3:55 p.m. We now know the name of the woman killed as a result of a crash in Lowndes County Christmas Eve night. Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirms Deanna Clark, 32, died after being pinned between the door of the car and tree. The crash happened on Aileen Drive in northern Columbus last night. Investigators say a 29-year-old man is in custody in connection with the crash. Although the investigation is in the early stages, they say the two has some kind of relationship. Update below COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - A woman is dead, and a man is being held by law enforcement in Lowndes County after a Christmas Eve crash north of Columbus. The sheriff's office says deputies showed up on Aileen Drive around 11:50 p.m. to find a wrecked car where a 32-year-old woman was pinned between a car door and a tree. She died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. A sheriff's spokesperson says the driver fled the crash, but it appears he may have been found. A 29-year-old man is in custody, and he is being identified as the alleged driver. According to the spokesperson, the two were in some kind of relationship and were in the car together before the crash happened. Sheriff's investigators are trying to figure out what happened prior to that. Deputies were originally told they were responding to a shooting, but they found no evidence that any shots had been fired. Names of the man and woman have not been released. There is no indication what, if any, charges will be filed. See the original post below. LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - Lowndes County authorities are searching for the male driver of a vehicle that crashed into a tree, injuring the female passenger, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said. The crash happened on Aileen Drive around midnight. The driver fled the scene. The passenger was taken to the hospital, according to the sheriff's office. This is considered a domestic situation. Istanbul (AFP) - A withdrawal of American ground forces in Syria will give Turkey freer rein to target Washington's Kurdish partners in the fight against jihadists but analysts doubt Ankara's capacity to "eradicate" the Islamic State extremist group. Turkish officials have said that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heavily weighed in the decision by his US counterpart Donald Trump to pull all 2,000 American troops from Syria. Trump's shock order came after Erdogan convinced him that Turkey could eliminate the last remaining pockets of IS after the jihadists suffered a series of military defeats. Related Video: Turkey Welcomes U.S. Withdrawal From Syria "We have the strength to neutralise (IS) by ourselves," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu insisted on Tuesday. But Erdogan's main objective in Syria is actually to target the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia, which the US has trained to spearhead the fight against IS. Turkey is vehemently opposed to a Kurdish entity on its border, fearing it will strengthen the separatist ambitions of the Kurdish minority inside the country, and says the YPG is a Syrian "terrorist" offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara and its Western allies. - 'Victim of own success' - Trump said on Sunday after a telephone conversation with Erdogan that he counted on him to "eradicate" IS which he said was now "largely defeated". Turkey has repeatedly called on the US to stop training and providing armed weapons to the YPG in the fight against IS, claiming that Turkish military forces would be more effective in eliminating the jihadist threat. "Erdogan is a victim of his own success in selling Trump on the idea that Turkey is ready to assume control over the counter-IS mission in Syria indefinitely," Nicholas Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, said. Story continues "Turkey does not currently have a Syrian rebel force that is large enough, experienced enough, or legitimate enough to hold eastern Syria, and it would take many months, even with US support, for Turkey to amass such a force," he added. The last pockets of IS are in fact in eastern and central Syria, hundreds of kilometres away from the northern areas of the country which the Turkish military and Syrian rebels are accustomed to and where they led two offensives in 2016 and 2018. "IS is close to Boukamal, more than 400km (250 miles) from Turkey, impossible for Turkey to go so far. The Syrian army and Iraqi Shiite militias will handle it after the US withdrawal," said Syria expert Fabrice Balanche. "Turkey is not even able to eliminate Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), ie al-Qaeda, from its border in Idlib, I cannot see how it can eliminate IS with the help of Arab militia," he said. Idlib is Syria's last major rebel and jihadist stronghold in the country's north. - 'Real problem: logistics' - According to Balanche, Turkey could at most "prevent" an IS resurgence by closing its border with Syria to the jihadists and carrying out targeted operations like in the al-Bab region of northern Syria in 2016. Between August 2016 and March 2017, Turkish troops supported Syrian opposition fighters capture territory from IS in northern Syria. Sinan Ulgen, chairman of the Istanbul-based Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies, said that the distance between the last IS pockets and the Turkish border posed a "real problem" of logistics. "So it is not clear how Turkey would orchestrate a military campaign at such long distances from its border in hostile territory," he told AFP. Lina Khatib, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at London-based Chatham House, said Erdogan gave assurances to Trump about his ability to eradicate IS without having a "plan" for doing so. She said that Turkey's real aim was to "use this opportunity (US withdrawal) to crack down on the YPG". "Eradicating IS can only happen through a comprehensive strategy that even the current international anti-IS coalition -- which is limited to military action without adequate attention to the needed socioeconomic and political aspects of fighting IS -- does not possess," she added. If Turkey were to fight IS alone and then left the battles to Syrian Arab proxies, "militarily weaker" than the extremists, it would not be very effective, Khatib said. "This would also make Turkey vulnerable to revenge attacks by IS." Turkey was hit by a series of terror attacks blamed on IS in recent years including the last in January 2017 when a gunman killed 39 people in an Istanbul nightclub. Kinshasa (AFP) - Four activists of the opposition Filimbi movement were freed in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday after a year in prison, local media reported, days before a much-delayed presidential election. The group's coordinator Carbone Beni and three of his colleagues were released from Kinshasa's Makal prison, the UN-founded radio station Okapi said. They had been arrested on December 30, 2017, after calling for a protest march against President Joseph Kabila. In September, they were sentenced to one year in prison for "offending the head of state", among other charges. Before the verdict, they were held at a hidden location for several months. Another opposition movement, Fight for Change (Lucha) welcomed their liberation Tuesday, calling their sentence "unjust" and having been ordered by Kabila. "Prison doesn't weaken us, on the contrary, it makes us stronger," Lucha said. Presidential, legislative and provincial elections were due to have been held last Sunday, defusing a two-year-old crisis over the future of Kabila. But national election supervisors ordered a week-long postponement, blaming a warehouse fire that destroyed voting machines and ballot papers earmarked for Kinshasa. Opposition candidates are concerned over the use of the electronic voting machines, which they fear will allow massive fraud. Electoral authorities say the machines will make the ballot more efficient. On Tuesday, several opposition candidates urged mobile telephone operators in the country to disable any SIM cards used in the machines they believe will allow officials to transmit vote results from the machines before a manual count. The terminals have a touch screen for voters to click on their preferred candidate. After the election postponement, Filimbi released a statement calling for the population to mobilise against "the electoral sham put in place by the Kabila regime". BRUSLY, La. (AP) An attorney for a Louisiana teenager shown on video being slammed to the ground by police during an altercation at school says charges against two officers are a "slap on the wrist." A grand jury in West Baton Rouge Parish indicted former Brusly police Officer Dan Cipriano on a charge of simple battery Friday, local news outlets reported. Another former Brusly officer, Kip Dupre, was indicted on a charge of malfeasance in office. Both officers resigned in November after video from Brusly Middle School showed one officer wrestling with a young male student before slamming him down. Another officer later comes in to help handcuff the student and slams him against a desk. The video, taken by a school surveillance camera, was sent anonymously to local television station WAFB. State police investigated and handed their findings over to the local district attorney, whose office presented the case to a grand jury. Kwame Asante, an attorney for the student, said the family at first was glad the grand jury found enough evidence to indict the officers. But he said the family felt the evidence warranted stiffer charges. "They feel the DA's office did an adequate job by bringing it quickly to the people but feel it was a slap on the wrist based on the tape and what they saw done to their grandson," Asante told The Advocate. "This young man will still be dealing with this for a long time." It was not immediately known if either of the former officers had attorneys to represent them. Brusly Police Chief Jonathan Lefeaux had previously said he asked for the officers' resignations because he believed the incident would make it hard for them to continue working in the community. The officers then resigned. Tehran (AFP) - President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday unveiled Iran's first annual budget since the return of US sanctions, saying it had been adjusted to take account of Washington's "cruel" measures. The president announced a 20 percent increase in public sector wages in a sign of the economic challenges the Islamic republic has faced since the United States pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this year. The speech gave only a few general points of the budget -- which will now be scrutinised and voted on by parliament -- but acknowledged the pressure Iran was under. "Last year we faced some problems," Rouhani told parliament in a televised speech, referring to the widespread protests that hit the country almost exactly a year ago, sparked by anger over economic and political conditions. "Those events caused the Americans to change their position regarding the Islamic republic and the nuclear deal," he said. "The real objective of the US in all of this conspiracy and sanction and pressure... is to bring the powerful Islamic republic of Iran to its knees," he said, vowing that the US "will definitely be defeated." The renewed US sanctions include an embargo on Iran's crucial oil sector. The new budget did not say how many barrels of oil Iran hopes to sell in the next financial year, which starts in late March, but analysts believe it will be considerably less than the approximately 2.5 million it sold per day prior to Trump's withdrawal. The US granted waivers to eight key buyers of Iranian oil -- including China, India and Turkey -- though this has been a double-edged sword for Iran since it also helped push down the global price. - Forex 'practically zero' - Rouhani came to power in 2013 representing the more moderate side of Iran's ruling elite, hoping a compromise on the country's nuclear programme would reduce tensions with the West and allow foreign investment to boost the stunted private sector. Story continues The return of sanctions has ended that hope, and forced Rouhani more towards the self-sufficient "resistance economy" preferred by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Concern over the economy pushed many Iranians to secure their savings in dollars and gold, triggering a run on the Iranian rial, which has lost around half its value since Trump announced the pullout. "At one point early this year our foreign exchange cash reserve was practically zero, forcing the government to take hard decisions to save the country," Rouhani told parliament. The government has pressured exporters to return their dollars to Iran, and Rouhani said they would lose tax incentives if they failed to repatriate their cash. The central bank has used the returning dollars to shore up the collapsing rial, which has recovered to around 110,000 per dollar on unofficial exchanges. The rial's fall drove up prices across the board, with food and drink costs up 60 percent in the year to November according to the central bank. The judiciary launched a fierce crackdown on currency speculators, dubbed "economic disruptors" that has seen dozens of traders put on trial and at least three businessmen executed. The so-called "sultan of coins", Vahid Mazloomin, was hanged in October after being found guilty of amassing two tonnes of gold coins. But sanctions and fraud are only part of the story in an economy with many long-standing problems. Its banking sector is riddled with bad loans, while many key industries from oil and gas to construction are dominated by semi-state groups with opaque links to the government and military. The budget was delayed several times in recent weeks, with reports that Khamenei had demanded unspecified changes to the final document. Ottawa (AFP) - Ottawa's ambassador to Beijing has met with the second Canadian detained in China on suspicion of threatening national security, Canada's foreign ministry said Sunday. The ministry said Ambassador John McCallum had met with Michael Spavor, a business consultant, two days after meeting with another detained Canadian, Michael Kovrig, a think tank employee. "Canadian consular officials continue to provide consular services to him and his family and will continue to seek further access to Mr Spavor," the ministry said. China arrested two Canadians after Ottawa detained a senior executive from tech giant Huawei at the behest of the United States. "We are being absolutely clear on standing up for our citizens who have been detained, trying to figure out why, trying to work with China to demonstrate that this not acceptable," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to Toronto's Citytv on Friday. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also branded the arrests "unacceptable." Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer at Huawei, was released on bail in Vancouver Tuesday pending extradition to the US. She is accused of violating US sanctions on Iran. Beijing threatened Canada with "grave consequences" if she was not freed. Ottawa has repeatedly said the arrest was not political but rather a judicial process in keeping with an extradition treaty with Washington. The stretch of tranquil weather in the eastern United States will come to end as a storm moves in with drenching rain, milder air and a bit of a wintry mix from Thursday to Friday night. The storm will renew the risk of urban, small stream and even river flooding in some cases. People with travel plans through Wednesday night in the Southeast and Thursday in the Northeast should have few weather-related travel disruptions as mainly dry weather continues. Thursday will feature more dry, sunny weather for the Northeast, but it will be a frigid day in northern New England as fresh cold spills in and keeps highs to the teens and lower 20s F. The storm system poised to unleash heavy snow and severe weather over the central U.S. will begin to spread rain into the Southeastern states on Thursday and then farther to the northeast during Thursday night and Friday morning. Static Thursday SE The major airport hubs of Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; New York City and Boston may also be impacted by delays due to rain, a low cloud ceiling and/or a gusty wind at times. Commuters and people getting a head start on their New Year's Eve destinations can be slowed by rain on stretches of interstates 10, 20, 40, 70, 77, 80, 81, 85, 90 and 95. Static Friday NE 3 pm Before venturing out, motorists should ensure windshield wipers are in good working order and tire tread is not too worn, which can further heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning at highway speeds. A general 0.5-1.5 inches of rain can fall from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic spanning Thursday night to Friday evening. While these amounts are not excessive, rises can occur on small streams and creeks, given how saturated the ground is from excessive rainfall in recent weeks and months. "The soaking rain could introduce more flooding issues to the area," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok. Many small streams and the larger rivers are running near bank full in the Northeast and some remain out of their banks in the Southeast. Story continues The greatest risk for heavy rain and flooding may extend across the South, with any flooding issues in the Northeast being much more isolated. Rainfall on the order of 1-3 inches with locally higher amounts can occur over the southern Appalachians and Piedmont areas to the central Gulf coast. Much of this rain may fall during a 12 hour period. A mere 3 inches of rain in 12 hours is enough to lead to new flooding along small streams and to cause some rivers to rise by several feet once again. The rain will come with a surge of milder air, with Friday's highs expected to be in the 50s F from Buffalo, New York, to Boston, and 60s F from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia. So while people will not be able to step outside without a rain jacket or umbrella, they can get by with fewer layers than earlier in the week. In some areas of the Northeast, however, lingering cold air will put up a fight. In parts of upstate New York and New England, precipitation can start as a bit of sleet or freezing rain on late Thursday night or Friday morning, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Carl Babinski. This includes in Albany, New York, Portland, Maine, and the northwestern suburbs of Boston. This wintry mix can create a slick layer on untreated roads and sidewalks, before precipitation switches over to plain rain. NE Icy Dec 25 In northern New England, the mild conditions may never fully break free, which can allow for a lengthier period of snow, ice and slick travel in Caribou, Maine. Download the free AccuWeather app to see when and what type of precipitation will fall in your area. Conditions will turn cooler, but drier for the start of the weekend. However, AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring the potential for lingering moisture in the South to surge back northward late in the weekend. A period of snow may sweep across a part of the Northeast around Sunday, but only if a southern storm travels far enough to the north in the chillier air. Static Weekend US We are also watching New Year's Eve or New Year's Day for the potential for snow and ice in part of the Northeast, Pastelok stated. Both of these storms may bring more drenching rain to the Southeast and may bring at least one dose of the same to part of the Northeast. As a result rivers and streams are likely to remain high in the northeast and above flood stage in the Southeast. Continue to check back with AccuWeather for updates on the latest forecast for the New Year's holiday. By Sarah Dadouch and Ezgi Erkoyun ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory. "As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference. He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group. (GRAPHIC: Map of control of territory in Syria - https://tmsnrt.rs/2RgCxxb) Erdogan and Trump agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws. A committee of U.S. military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria. In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarized zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold. Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG. Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organization. FLASHPOINT? A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the U.S. withdrawal. "Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed toward the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army. U.S. forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters. In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal. Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters. Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Syria, the U.S. Defense Department said on Monday. The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks. "Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field." (Additional reporting by David Morgan and Idrees Ali in Washington and Ali Kucukgocmen in Istanbul; Editing by David Dolan, Andrew Roche and Cynthia Osterman) (Reuters) - U.S. regulators assured Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that nothing is out of the ordinary in the financial markets, Bloomberg reported on Monday citing a source familiar with the matter. Mnuchin spoke with officials from the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Bloomberg reported. The regulators also briefed the treasury secretary on their plans for monitoring markets during the government shutdown, Bloomberg reported, citing the source. (Reporting by Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Not every police dog has a tale of gunbattles and capturing terrorists, but not every police dog is Rambo. The canine cop was behind the successful operation to take down Ashraf Na'alwa, the terrorist who killed two Israeli coworkers in the Barkan shooting attack in October. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter After hunting the terrorist for months, Yamam, the Israel Police counter-terrorism unit, received concrete intelligence some two weeks ago about the terrorist's hideout in the Askar refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus. Rambo was immediately sent in to search the property. "We reached the house... and I ordered Rambo to search inside," said A., the sergeant major of command who is Rambo's handler. "We heard gunshots a few seconds later and in that moment I realized that we had found the terrorist, and believed that Rambo was not coming back." Rambo with officers of Israel Police counter-terrorism unit (Photo: Courtesy) "But then I suddenly saw Rambo coming out of the house and walking toward mehe had a gunshot wound to his neck and shrapnel all over his body. With the help of Yamam paramedics, I evacuated Rambo to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Beit Dagan. I was so happy he was alive, although my thoughts were still with my comrades I had left behind." Na'alwa was killed by the officers after a short exchange of fire. Except for Rambo, there were no injuries among the Israeli forces. Rambo and his comrades (Photo: Courtesy) The IDF said catching the terrorist proved to be a challenge. "We were very close a few times and we narrowly missed him he made almost no mistakes," an IDF source said. "He had a lot of luck, and we believe he acted as a lone wolf." After the terrorist was shot, it became clear that the weapon he used to shoot Rambo with, was the same one he used to kill Kim Levengrond Yehezkel, 28, and Ziv Hagbi, 35, in the West Bank shooting attack. "Thanks to Rambo, the terrorist was found and fighters' lives were saved," A. said. Rambo is beginning a long rehabilitation process, but his brothers in arms hope he will soon return to full operational activity. During his Tiberias mayoral election campaign, Ron Cobi did not hide the fact that he aspires to limit the ultra-Orthodox influence in the city. After he was elected mayor with 45% of the vote, Cobi instructed the municipality to hold talks with rabbis from the Tzohar religious-Zionist organization in order to incorporate them in the Kashrut supervision process in the city. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Cobi wants the religious-Zionist organization to oversee kashrut for hotels, private businesses, and wedding ceremonies, long the domain of the ultra-Orthodox. Tiberias Mayor Ron Cobi This is a revolutionary plan in a city in which the ultra-Orthodox population constitutes more than 20 percent of its residents. Nevertheless, Tiberias is one of the most visited cities in Israel, and boasts 32 hotels. In the past year, millions of pilgrims and Israelis visited the city. But hotel owners in Tiberias say they are experiencing difficulties in following the strict kashrut instructions of the local rabbinate, which interfere with their ongoing operations. "After speaking with hotel and business owners in Tiberias, I got the feeling that there is room for standardization on kashrut issues," Cobi said. "We want a body that is able to appropriately supervise (kashrut), without imposing draconian measures that exceed the official demands of the local rabbinate." Cobi tasked Rabbi Moshe Krothammer, a city council member from his faction, to hold the talks with the Tzohar rabbis. Both Cobi and Krothammer stress this is not an anti-religious initiative. Krothammer, who is a religious Zionist, has held many religion-related posts in Tiberias; he served as the head of the local Chevra Kadisha Jewish burial society, as deputy chairman of the Tiberias religious council, and as a national-religious school principal. "Hundreds of kashrut supervisors from the local rabbinate are employed by the hotels in Tiberias, in addition to the fortune the hotel owners spend on private supervision," Krothammer said. "The main problem stems from the fact that the local rabbinate issues kashrut certificates while publishing leaflets detailing strict kashrut instructions that have nothing to do with the chief rabbinate's requirements. Our motto for business owners is for them to act as they see fit, and it is their prerogative to use the services of the Tzohar organization if they so desire," he said. Avi Zandberg, owner of the Astoria Galilee Hotel and chairman of the Tiberias Hotel Association called the Tzohar kashrut supervision system proper and acceptable. "In the past, kashrut supervision services only focused on the preparation process of the food. However, today, it also focuses on the atmosphere in the hotels, which we cannot accept." "Those who are staying at hotels in Tiberias don't want the rabbinate to interfere with the atmosphere nor the staff at their hotels," he added. Krothammer also said that using the Tzohar kashrut supervision services would benefit the hotels financially. "The Tzohar Rabbinate doesn't charge a kashrut fee, rather only demands payment per supervisor. Instead of obligating the hotels to purchase expensive salads, the Tzohar supervisor will be responsible for cleaning the vegetables, and picking the ingredients himself, which would save a lot of money," he said. Israel's political system was thrown into tumult Monday with the dramatic announcement by the leaders of the coalition parties to dissolve the Knesset immediately and go to elections. Naturally, the political reality changed at the moment that the dissolution of the Knesset was announced, and politicians began looking ahead to the next government. Political leaders met to decide upon the timeline from now until Election Day. Following a discussion with the heads of all parties, it was decided that the elections for the 21st Knesset will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Knesset election timetable Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked announced that in accordance with the decision by the party leaders, she began work on the bill to dissolve the Knesset. On Wednesday, the members of the Ministerial Committee on Legislation will hold a teleconference on the bill, and later that day it will have all three readings in the Knesset plenum. After the dissolution of the 20th Knesset, the coalition and the opposition still will be able to submit agreed-upon bills, while any other legislation is shelved or frozen. As of Wednesday, January 2, 2019 the Knesset will be in recess. In the near future, Knesset members in the Likud, the Labor Party, the Jewish Home and Meretz will face the most difficult pre-election hurdle: primaries. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud, Avi Gabbay of Labour, Naftali Bennett of Jewish Home, and Tamar Zandberg of Meretz have already been elected as party leader. The Likud primaries are likely to take place in early February. The Labor Party has yet to discuss the final date, but it seems likely that they will take place end of January or the beginning of February at the latest. Meretz plans to hold the primaries between early and mid-February. It is unclear whether the decision to call snap elections was born out of desperation or whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to this conclusion in an informed and rational manner following a brainstorming session at the PM's residence in Jerusalem. I guess we will never know the answer. Or maybe it is the exact same situation we encountered back in 2015 when early elections had been announced after a failed attempt to pass the law that sought to ban the widespread distribution of free newspapers. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter But let's not kid ourselves. The coalition heads were not the ones who decided to call early elections, as they claimed in an official statement, because they would have preferred to keep the current government alive for as long as possible. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon of Kulanu even said that he will never be the one to topple a right-wing government. The order came from Netanyahu himself, because if he genuinely wanted to keep the coalition afloat, nothing wouldve stopped him and a solution to crisis triggered over the IDF draft bill would have been found overnight. Netanyahu, Regev and Amsalem (Photo: EPA) Someone must have convinced the prime minister that the elections should be held soon, before Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit publishes his decision on Netanyahus corruption investigationwhich could potentially influence the prime minister's electorate. The prime ministers associates probably convinced him that Mandelblit, who they know well, wouldnt dare release his recommendations a month before the elections, and after Netanyahu is once again elected as prime minister, Mandelblit will most likely not make his decision public right away. Go for it. You are at your best when youre the instigator, his advisors probably told him. Netanyahus advisors also most likely insisted that he shouldn't wait until former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz establishes his own political party and starts fundraising. Its such a cynical move that it pains me to the bones. Its been only a month since Netanyahu scolded Avigdor Lieberman for resigning from his post as defense minister and quitting the coalition along with his party Yisrael Beiteinu. Its also only been a month since Netanyahu sabotaged attempts made by Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked from the Jewish Home to resign from the government, claiming that the complex security situation in the country would only deteriorate if the coalition collapsed. Somehow, over the past month weve evolved from a country on a brink of war to a state that can easily afford to go to early electionswhich are expensive and draining not only for the candidates but most importantly for Israeli citizensonly to end up with the exact same coalition weve had up until this point. As evidenced by Netanyahu's claims made on Monday, the current government is the core of the coalition well have next year. Its no wonder the public doesnt trust politicians, who prioritize their personal interests above the national ones. The issue that tipped the scale in calling early elections wasnt the IDF operation to destroy terror tunnels constructed by Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border or the ongoing wave of terror attacks in the West Bank, or even the volatile situation in the Gaza Strip. IDF works on Israel-Lebanon border (Photo: AFP) Its fascinating how the reality suddenly changes when personal interests are at stake. Its an insult to the intelligence of the general public. A few bulldozers did some digging on the northern border, the prime minister took some photos with some soldiers and the hard times are suddenly behind us, despite the fact that for the past month weve been feeling as though there is a permanent cloud over the nations headsprecisely because Netanyahu warned us just how dire the security situation is. This doesnt give us the sense of security, you fool! The coalition heads said in their statement on Monday the decision to call snap elections stems from budgetary and national responsibility, which is the exact description Netanyahu used a month ago to explain why the coalition should be preserved at all costs. Its nothing but a matter of personal interest. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon wants elections before the public feels the pinch from the latest hikes in the cost of living. The ultra-Orthodox parties want elections in order for the new IDF draft law to completely collapse. Lieberman wants elections in order to salvage some seats before his popularity fades altogther. And Bennett wants to dissociate himself from the prime minister as fast as possible. As for Netanyahu, who only a few days ago said hes confident that his government will survive at least until the end of the year, is motivated mainly by his legal woes. Netanyahu might have hesitated to call early elections last week due to Mandelblits announcement that his decision will not be made because of time constraints, or maybe it was due to the pressure the prime minister had to face at home. One thing is certain, those who hoped there will be a plea deal or resignation, will be left disappointed. Netanyahu is here to stay, and well see who has the courage to challenge him. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Tuesday that he will most probably meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss US withdrawal from Syria. He did not disclose the timing of the meeting. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will travel to Russia in the coming days to discuss the same issue, broadcaster CNN Turk quoted him as saying on Tuesday. VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis offered a Christmas wish for fraternity among people of different faiths, races or ideas, describing the world's differences as a richness, not a danger, and calling for political solutions to end wars in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. He singled out the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which he said "has rent the land chosen by the Lord." Conflicts in Ukraine and tensions on the Korean Peninsula also drew the pope's attention in his Christmas Day message, which he read Tuesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Addressing tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans who flocked to St. Peter's Square on a mild, sunny day, Francis said the universal message of Christmas is that "God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters." "This truth is the basis of the Christian vision of humanity," Francis said, delivering the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and the world") message. Pope Francis delivers his Christmas Day blessing at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican (Photo: EPA) Without fraternity, he said, "even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty." He called for that spirit among individuals of "every nation and culture" as well as among people "with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another." "Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness," Francis said. He made his appeal as the trend toward nationalism, which has fueled suspicion of migrants and refugees, has gained traction in much of Europe and the United States. Other Christmas wishes expressed by the pope included one for dialogue among Israelis and Palestinians so they can "undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love." He said he hoped an internationally-brokered truce for Yemen would bring relief to that country's people, especially children "exhausted by war and famine." He also cited conflicts and vulnerable populations in much of Africa, in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ukraine. He expressed hope that the "bonds of fraternity uniting the Korean peninsula" would be consolidated. On Monday, Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass for the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica. Pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem on Monday for what was believed to be the biblical West Bank city's largest Christmas celebrations in years. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Hundreds of locals and foreign visitors milled in Manger Square as bagpipe-playing Palestinian Scouts paraded past a giant Christmas tree. Crowds flooded the Church of the Nativity, venerated as the traditional site of Jesus's birth, and waited to descend into the ancient grotto. Christmas in Bethlehem Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maaya said all Bethlehem hotels were fully booked, and the city was preparing to host an "astounding" 10,000 tourists overnight. "We haven't seen numbers like this in years," she said, adding that the 3 million visitors to Bethlehem this year exceeded last year's count by hundreds of thousands. Solemn-faced nuns and enthused tourists crossed themselves and bowed over their rosaries as they entered the church, the air thick with incense. Linda Selbmann, 24, of Chemnitz, Germany, said she had long dreamed of celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem. "It's wild to be in the place it all began," she said, sipping Turkish coffee in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. The Christmas festivities traditionally bring a boost of holiday cheer to Christians in the Holy Land, whose numbers have shrunk over the decades relative to the general population and now make up just a minority. Christmas in Bethlehem As the sun set on Manger Square, the enormous Christmas tree lit up and the city's ancient passageways shone with colored string lights and flashing crosses. Choirs sang classic carols and hymns, their voices echoing throughout the plaza. Palestinian youths peddled Santa hats to tourists and shop windows bearing signs reading "Jesus Is Here" displayed olivewood Nativity scenes and other souvenirs. Christmas in Bethlehem At a midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, addressed a packed house of worshippers and dignitaries that included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. "Visiting here has been No. 1 on my bucket list," said Yohannes Denu, 42, of Los Angeles. "There's no better place to be as a Christian, it takes me back to all the rich stories I heard growing up. To be at the center of my faith, it's joyous, it's unbelievable." In anticipation of the midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, the climax of Christmas Eve celebrations, Palestinians and pilgrims huddled in groups, some singing "Silent Night" and carrying candles. For years held under partial secrecy, Israeli ties with Gulf states have taken a public leap forward in the last several months, with a bevy of official state visits and stark declarations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These proclamations align with statements coming from Rabbi Marc Schneier, a frequent visitor to the courts of Gulf rulers and a Special Advisor to the King of Bahrain. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Speaking at an Israeli innovation summit in October, Netanyahu hinted that neighboring states are cozying up to Israel. The following day he arrived in Oman, becoming the first Israeli official to publicly visit the country in more than twenty years. Netanyahus recent visit to Oman was followed by the playing of Israels national anthem for the first time in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev. Israeli Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz traveled to Oman to discuss building a railroad between Israel and the Gulf in November. Rabbi Marc Schneier with the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ( ) Israel is at a process of normalization with the Arab world without progress in the diplomatic process with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday. In February, Schneier led the first ever Jewish Congregational mission to an Arab Gulf state. The delegation was invited by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the only Gulf nation with a Jewish community and a synagogue. An author of several books on the subject, Schneier describes himself as an interfaith leader. The son of a prominent US Rabbi Arthur Schneier, he founded The Hampton Synagogue located in New York's Westhampton Beach. Among the Gulf state leaders he met with in the past are the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan. The common wisdom that regional alliances against Iran are the main driver for the warming ties with Israel misses the mark, Schneier said, based on these meetings. Rabbi Marc Schneier with the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Speaking to Calcalist this week in Tel Aviv, Schneier predicted that Bahrain would be the first of the Gulf states to officially establish diplomatic relations with Israel, and believes this will occur in 2019. Based on closed-door meetings hes had with other Gulf leaders and foreign ministers, he estimated that Bahrain may not be the only Gulf state to do so this coming year. Recently, some Gulf leaders have publicly increased their support of Israel. Earlier this month, Bahraini minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa rejected the stance taken by the Arab League against Australias official recognition of West Jerusalem as Israels capital. In a tweet published earlier this week, he asserted that recognition of West Jerusalem as the Israeli capital is in line with the vision at the heart of the Arab Peace Initiative to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turkey said Tuesday it is working with the United States to coordinate the withdrawal of American forces but remains "determined" to clear US-allied Kurdish fighters from northeastern Syria. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters that "if Turkey says it will enter, it will," in comments carried by private DHA news agency. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter For weeks, Turkey has been threatening to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish fighters, who partnered with the US to drive the Islamic State group out of much of northern and eastern Syria. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists because of their links to an insurgent group inside Turkey. Kurdish fighters in Aleppo, 2016 (Photo: MCT) US President Donald Trump announced the planned withdrawal of US forces after a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month. The minister also said Ankara and Washington have agreed to complete a roadmap on the northern Syrian town of Manbij until the US withdraws. Under the June deal, Kurdish forces would leave Manbij, in the western Euphrates valley, but delays have infuriated Turkey. "It is crucial that the US doesn't appear as not having kept its promises," Cavusoglu said. He argued that Turkey has the "strength to neutralize" IS on its own and criticized France, which has promised to stay in Syria despite the US decision. Cavusoglu warned it would not benefit France if it was staying in Syria to protect the YPG, the main Kurdish militia in Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: AP) Erdogan, speaking to reporters in Ankara, said Turkey was taking into account Trump's announcement on Syria rather than French President Emmanuel Macron's decision. The future of the international coalition against IS, which includes Turkey, the US and France, remains unclear. The Turkish president also announced that a delegation was heading to Moscow and that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkey has been negotiating on behalf of the Syrian opposition with Russia and Iran, which support the Syrian government, as part of efforts to end the nearly 8-year civil war. Kurdish soldiers in training (Photo: AFP) A top Russian official says that Moscow expects that a hotline between Russia and the US military will be kept in place despite the impending US withdrawal from Syria. Trump announced last week that the US will withdraw all of its 2,000 forces in Syria, a move that will leave control of the oil-rich eastern third of Syria up for grabs. Russia launched its military operation in Syria in 2015 to back its longtime ally President Bashar Assad. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryakov said Tuesday in an interview with the RIA Novosti news agency that it would be a "big mistake" to dismantle a hotline that Russia and the US use to prevent potential clashes in Syria pending the US withdrawal and said he sees no indications the Americans would do that. Hezbollah said Tuesday that the IDF brought concrete mixers to seal tunnels, adding that the Israeli army has used 190 concrete mixers so far. The terrorist organization also claimed that IDF's engineering forces had begun excavation work in the area of Meiss Ej Jabal (near Kibbutz Manara). The announcement was published after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several cabinet ministers toured the Israeli-Lebanese border. According to the prime minister, Operation Northern Shield, IDF's operation to expose and neutralize terror tunnels built along the northern border "is almost entirely behind us." Syrian government troops backed by Russian forces have sent extra troops towards the city of Manbij in coordination with the militia that controls it, a militia spokesman said, as Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said they were preparing to attack it. The deployment was coordinated with the US-backed militia in Manbij, the spokesman for the Manbij Military Council said. It is part of the wider buildup of forces in the area. "The battle will soon start," Major Youssef Hamoud, spokesman for the National Army, the main Turkish-backed rebel force in the area, told Reuters. "What we see on the front now is reinforcements to all forces to reach full preparedness for the battle." US President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw US troops from Syria has triggered alarm among the largely Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). They have partnered with Washington in the war against Islamic State and now fear the US move will open the way for Turkey to launch a long-threatened attack against them. "The Russian army has restored the Syrian-Russian coordination centre to Arima village to the west of Manbij city, after its withdrawal from there a while ago," said Sharfan Darwish, the spokesman for the Manbij Military Council. Manbij was seized in 2016 from Islamic State by Syrian militia allied to the SDF, which control roughly a quarter of Syria. Its capture was a milestone in the US-backed campaign against Islamic State. Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni referred to the upcoming elections Tuesday and said that politicians need to unite in order to win. At an event of the Israel Democracy Institute and the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Livni said that politicians "must put (their) ego aside for a common goal a revolution. The only way to win the elections is to join forces." "We will pass a law limiting the prime minister's term to 10 years," she added. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering shortening his trip to Brazil due to early elections, officials from the Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday. It appears that Netanyahu will not attend Bolsonaro's inauguration and will cancel his scheduled meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. However, he is still scheduled to meet with Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro, and Brazil's foreign and defense ministers. Syria on Tuesday night accused Israel of launching a massive attack against targets in its territory, while the Israeli army confirmed its air defenses were triggered due to a missile launch from Syria. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The IDF spokesman said that "we activated the air defense systems against an anti-aircraft missile that was launched from Syuria. There was no damage or injury." The IDF did not say whether its air defense system had brought down the missile launched in Syria. The Syrian-state run SANA news agency said that "the air defense system was activated against missiles fired by Israeli war planes over Lebanese territory. We managed to shoot down most of the missiles before they hit their targets; three soldiers were wounded and damage was caused to an ammunitions depot." This is the most extensive offensive attributed to Israel since the downing of a Russian plane in Latakia in September. Syrian air defenses intercept 'hostile targets' near Damascus, December 25, 2018 Earlier, SANA reported that "the attack was carried out from the skies over southern Lebanon and we brought down some of the enemy targets. Ynet military analyst Ron Ben Yishai says that footage released by Syria clearly shows an Israeli missile being intercepted, which is why it was published. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel attacked three targets Iranian or Hezbollah arms depots located southwest of Damascus. Hezbollah's propaganda channel reported that S-200 missiles were launched against the attack missiles. At the same time, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported Israeli war planes performed mock raids above southern Lebanon. Syrian air defenses intercept 'hostile targets' near Damascus, December 25, 2018 X As in previous reports of attacks in Syria, this attack is also connected to an Iranian plane. On Tuesday morning, Boeing 747 of Iranian airline Fars Air Qeshm, which is affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, took off from Tehran International Airport (THR) to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), also in Tehran. At 5:30pm, the plane took off for Damascus International Airport where it landed shortly after 7:45 pm. The plane was apparently used to transport military equipment to the Syrian army and Hezbollah. 'A yellow spot in the sky' Residents in central Israel reported seeing a trail of smoke in the sky near Hadera apparently after the IDF air defense system went into effect. The trail was also seen in the north of the country. "We were sitting in the living room when the noise shook the entire house. We heard a launch and immediately went outside. It was flying fast, we saw a trail of smoke and a yellow spot in the sky. It's not the first time, it already happened twice since we've moved here a decade ago," said Sa'ar Pardi, a resident of Maor, a moshav in north-central Israel. Smoke trail seen in the sky near Hadera, December 25, 2018 (Photo: Sa'ar Pardi) Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would escalate its fight against Iranian-aligned forces in Syria after the withdrawal of US troops from the country. We will continue to aggressively act against Irans efforts to entrench in Syria. We do not intend to reduce our efforts. We will intensify them, and I know that we do so with the full support and backing of the United States. Earlier this month, Syria reported that air defense system had been used against enemy targets in Damascus. According to the report, the attack was carried out in the air space of Damascus airport. Not long after, the reports were removed. The Foreign Ministry attributed the attack to "the direct result of the American policy of contempt for human values and the disrespect shown in the establishment of the coalition that attacked Deir al-Zour." It was the first time the Syrians had admitted an Israeli attack since the Russian plane crash in September. In recent months there have been fewer reports of Israeli attacks in Syria, especially after the downing of the Russian aircraft. News Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey Friday announced that regardless of whether the federal government shuts down, the Grand Canyon will remain open. Visitors to the Grand Canyon will continue to have access to services like trails, shuttles and public restrooms under Arizonas Grand Canyon Protection Plan, a plan put in place by Governor Ducey following the federal government shutdown earlier this year. Regardless of what happens in Washington, the Grand Canyon will not close on our watch, said Governor Ducey. Arizona knows how to work together. We have a plan in place and were ready to go. If you have plans to visit the Grand Canyon over the weekend, keep em. The Grand Canyon will remain open. Under the Grand Canyon Protection Plan, the Arizona Office of Tourism and Arizona State Parks & Trails, in coordination with the National Park Service and local municipalities and businesses, will work together to ensure visitor services continue at the Grand Canyon. These services include: Access to hiking trails, campsites and public restrooms; Shuttle bus service throughout the park; Trash collection and snow removal; And public safety functions, such as police, fire and medical. In addition, all partner-run tours and other businesses, such as lodging, food, beverages and retail will remain operational. Background On February 9, 2018, following continued dysfunction in Washington, D.C. and another government shutdown, Governor Ducey issued an executive order to formalize plans to keep the Grand Canyon open during future federal government shutdowns. The Grand Canyon Protection Plan was submitted by the Arizona Office of Tourism and Arizona State Parks & Trails earlier this year. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a State Grand Jury indicted 47-year-old Matthew Sam Valdez, from Litchfield Park, on ten counts of Child Sexual Exploitation on Monday. Valdez was arrested on December 10, 2018, after agents allegedly located 10 images depicting child sexual abuse in his possession. Valdez, who was on pre-trial release for a separate alleged Aggravated DUI case, is being held without bond in the Maricopa County Jail. This case was investigated by the Phoenix Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson is prosecuting the case. All defendants are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey announced the appointment of U.S. Representative Martha McSally (AZ-02) to the United States Senate, following the resignation of U.S. Senator Jon Kyl. All her life, Martha has put service first leading in the toughest of fights and at the toughest of times, said Governor Ducey. She served 26 years in the military; deployed six times to the Middle East and Afghanistan; was the first woman to fly in combat and command a fighter squadron in combat; and shes represented Southern Arizona in Congress for the past four years. With her experience and long record of service, Martha is uniquely qualified to step up and fight for Arizonas interests in the U.S. Senate. I thank her for taking on this significant responsibility and look forward to working with her and Senator-Elect Sinema to get positive things done. Over the last year, Ive traveled across this great state, meeting with countless Arizonans, and listening to them, said Representative McSally. Ive heard about the challenges they face and the hopes they have for the future and Ive learned a lot. I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve and be a voice for all Arizonans. I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Kyrsten Sinema and getting to work from day one. "Because she currently represents Arizona in the US Congress, Martha McSally certainly has the knowledge and experience to represent our State in the Senate," said Senator Jon Kyl. "Moreover, she is highly energetic, smart and committed to finding practical solutions to problems facing our State and Nation. She is an excellent choice." Governor Ducey appointed Senator Kyl to the Senate in September of 2018, filling the seat vacated by the late Senator John McCain. Senator Kyls resignation from the Senate will be effective December 31, 2018. Representative Martha McSally represents Arizonas Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees and chairs the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Martha served in our nations military for 26 years, retiring as a full Colonel in 2010. During her military career, she deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan six times and was the first woman in U.S. history to fly a fighter jet in combat and the first woman to command a fighter squadron. In 2001, Martha sued the Department of Defense over a discriminatory policy that forced female service members to wear Muslim garb overseas. She successfully fought to overturn the policy, ultimately shepherding legislation that passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law. Over her two terms in the House, Martha has been repeatedly ranked one of the most effective members of Congress. She lives in Tucson, Arizona. Governor Ducey gave the following remarks on the appointment of U.S. Representative Martha McSally to the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2018: Good morning - I want to start off today by offering my sincere thanks to Senator Jon Kyl. When we stood here just a few months ago, it was at a very challenging time both for Arizona and our country. Congress had a full workload to get through. And Arizona was just coming off of a very difficult week following the death of Senator John McCain. Arizona needed someone who could hit the ground running and represent our state with experience and confidence - and thats exactly what Jon Kyl did. Over the last few months, Senator Kyl has served with the same integrity and statesmanship that marked his 26 years in Congress. He didnt have to return to the Senate. But he did, and I remain deeply grateful to him and Caryll for answering the call to serve once again when Arizona needed him most. And theres a reason he isnt here today: He didnt want to miss a vote. And thats illustrative of how seriously he takes the job of United States Senator. When I appointed Senator Kyl, he committed to serving through the end of this year. It was my hope hed serve longer, but I knew he might decide otherwise. And as you all know, last week he informed me he will be stepping down on December 31st. I gave careful consideration when deciding who should represent our state moving forward. The need for effective leadership is just as great today as it was then. But once again, the question was the same: Who is the best person available to serve the state of Arizona? Arizona needs someone who understands the critical issues; who can get to work from day one; and who embodies a spirit of service -- of putting the people we represent before all else. Martha McSally possesses these qualities. Colonel McSallys service to this country is one for the history books. 26 years in the U.S. Air Force. She served six tours to the Middle East and Afghanistan and was selected to stand up Africa Command. She was the first woman to fly in combat and the first woman to command a fighter squadron in combat. And she has represented Southern Arizona in Congress since 2015, becoming one of the most effective members in all of Congress. All her life, Martha has put service first - leading in the toughest of fights and at the toughest of times. One of the first women ever selected for fighter pilot training. Over 325 combat hours flown in the A-10 Warthog. Commander of her fighter squadron, known as the Bulldogs. And an unrelenting drive to make positive change -- even when it means challenging authority. Like when she took on the Pentagon to overturn a discriminatory policy that forced women servicemembers to wear Muslim garb - all before she even got to Congress. Martha McSally is uniquely qualified to fight for Arizonas interests in the U.S. Senate. On issues affecting Arizonas military bases and veterans, she brings a personal expertise as one whos worn the uniform. And on the important issues that affect everyday families, shes shown a talent for bringing people together and finding common ground. Im proud to call her a friend. And I know that together, with Senator-elect Sinema, she will advocate for our state and work across the aisle to get positive things done. Thank you, Martha, for stepping up. epresentative Martha McSally gave the following remarks following Governor Ducey's announcement of her appointment to the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2018: Thank you, Governor Ducey. Im humbled by the confidence youve placed in me and honored by this appointment. Over the last year, Ive traveled across this great state, meeting with countless Arizonans, and hearing from them. Ive done a lot of listening, and Ive learned a lot. Ive heard about the very serious issues that Arizonans all over our state face - As well as the hope they have for our future. Hope for a brighter tomorrow...Hope that the American dream is every bit as vibrant for their kids and grandkids. When I ran for Senate, it was with a full understanding of the monumental responsibility that comes with that office - as one of only 100 senators in the nation, and one of only two from Arizona. It is with the same appreciation for this office that I humbly stand before you today. I take seriously the call to service. The oath members of Congress swear is the same oath I took as an Air Force officer - and its one I never take lightly. As I now deploy to the Senate, I pledge to devote all my energies to ensuring all Arizonans have a voice. I also look forward to working with Kyrsten Sinema in the Senate, like we did in the House. Theres a lot of common ground between us, and Im ready to hit it running. Arizonas two Senators have always worked together -- for decades. Thats our tradition and how we are most effective - and thats how I plan to serve. This is the model that Senator Kyl served with that I witnessed first-hand as his Legislative Fellow 19 years ago. And Im honored to have the opportunity to serve in the seat of someone who served our state for decades, someone whom I have immense respect for John McCain. John McCain was a giant in the Senate. An Arizona icon. An American hero. Im going to commit to holding myself to the standard of service that John McCain exemplified -- putting country before self, and always striving to do the right thing for Arizonans. Our country faces a lot of challenges. But none as big as the opportunity we have to move America forward and secure a brighter, more secure future for all. Im again humbled by this opportunity to continue to serve. And Im ready to get to work. Thank you. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey joined New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich to sign an agreement that streamlines the distribution of natural gas, supporting economic development and the addition of new jobs. The interstate agreement, called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), promotes production and transmission of clean-burning natural gas produced in New Mexico, transmitted through Arizona, and distributed globally through the sea-port in Guaymas, Sonora. The agreement also supports the promotion of investment, research and innovation between the states around projects related to the production and sale of natural gas. In Arizona, we know how to collaborate to achieve shared goals, said Governor Ducey. Im proud to come together with our neighbors in New Mexico and Sonora to support growing international energy demands through this interstate partnership that benefits our entire region. Im proud to partner with our neighboring states to capitalize on New Mexicos abundance of natural gas as an economic driver for our state, said Governor Martinez. We have worked closely with our partners in Arizona, Sonora, and Asia to open new markets for New Mexicos natural gas producers and this agreement further promotes economic growth for our state and the region. "Joint work continues to transform our potential into productive, competitive, profitable realities with high social and economic impact, said Governor Pavlovich. The MOU went into effect upon signature today and is valid for four years. The agreement was signed by Governors Ducey, Martinez and Pavlovich today at the Arizona State Capitol. 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. The wife of the vice president, Samira Bawumia has come under a barrage of criticisms from social media users over recent comments she made concerning 'dumsor'. The second lady, while opening a newly-built at Atonsu in Kumasi, had criticised former president John Mahama and his NDC government over what she described as the lack of better policies. Citing an example, Samira stated that the NDC looked on as the power crisis, popularly known as 'dumsor' crippled businesses. The NDC government only looked on as the power crisis, which is popularly known as dumsor, destroyed businesses in the country until the NPP government came to political office to fix the dumsor," Samira said while addressing traders at the new market. READ ALSO: Stephen Appiah shares rare photo of her 73-yr-old mum who just died But it looks like a section of Ghanaians are not enthused with her claims. For many of them, the second lady's assertions were untrue because according to them, the NDC solved 'dumsor' before handing over power to the NPP. Those who thought Samira was peddling an untruth did not hesitate to 'expose' her. Selvyn described Samira's claim as a lie: READ ALSO: How your favourite Ghanaian celebrities wished you a Merry Christmas (Photos) Bright had some questions for Samira over her claim: Anafo wondered how many megawatts the NPP had added to Ghana's power capacity for such a claim to be made: READ ALSO: Meet Zainab, the pretty lady who got the highest ever GPA for a Physic student in her school Togbie brought a news item from last year to dispute Samira's claim: Piero wondered if the buying of medical drones by the NPP governemnt was a better policy than the schools and hospitals built by the NPP: READ ALSO: Slay queen vomits money in public after being used for sacrifice by 'sakawa boys' (Photo) John saw an irony in Samira openeing a market built by the NDC government and still going ahead to make such criticism: JohnPatrick described Samira and her husband as liars: Ghana News Today: Angry Residents Call on Government to Fix Damaged Bridge in Kumasi | #Yencomgh: Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page and we could feature your story. Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place Source: Yen The word 'drone' has popped up in many discussions in the country lately and has got the nation literally divided over its intended use by the New Patriotic Party's Akufo-Addo led government. However, a man and his wife employed the services of a drone during their wedding to the admiration of their guests when it got to the session where they had to exchange rings. In a video sighted by YEN.com.gh on social media, a wedding was sent into a frenzy when a drone delivered wedding rings to the couple. Locally-manufactured drone. Credit: Supplied Source: UGC READ ALSO: Stephen Appiah loses mum just days before his birthday The said video saw the bride and groom standing in front of a preacher in a church building waiting to exchange vows and rings. All of a sudden, a whirling sound was heard. All eyes turned to the back of the church only for all the guests at the wedding to see a drone being flown into the church and had the rings attached to it. There was some applause and cheers as the drone made its way to the front of the church to deliver the wedding rings. A man who appeared to be the best man for the wedding had the drone stop in front of him and he cut off the box holding the ring which hitherto, was hanging on a thread. READ ALSO: Catholic Priest reveals why he left priesthood to get married The rings were then presented to the officiating minister who blessed them for the couple. Over the past few weeks, Ghana's government has revealed plans to bring drones into the country to serve medical purposes. According to the government, the medical drones would be responsible for carrying blood and some selected medical supplies to deprived areas to ensure efficient healthcare delivery. However, the nation has been divided over the cost involved to employ the services of the drones with the government already quoting figures as high as $12 million. In a addressing the issue at a recent press conference, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo indicated that he would prefer the medical drones over the guinea fowl project embarked on by his predecessor , John Mahama. READ ALSO: Photos: 'Beef' over as Sarkodie pops up at M.anifest's show Watch: Speed Up With Prince Bright | Star Gist | #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen Newspaper Sometimes what you wish is not what you will get and that is the story of a young man who was getting ready to marry his longtime fiancee. Per Celebritiesbuzz.com.gh publication sighted by YEN.com.gh, a man has passed on just three weeks to his wedding, and a day after sending out his wedding invites to friends. The deceased identified as Noah Adejoah, was set to marry his fiancee Jemila Muhammed on December 28, 2018, in Ankpa, Kogi State. How handsome young man dies three weeks to his wedding Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Baba Spirit files lawsuit against Asamoah Gyan He however died on December 6th. Friends of the deceased have all taken to social media to pen down tributes to him. Usman Hajarat Echi wrote: "Cant still believe this, rest in peace. Wedding turns funeral. Alihamdulilah all the same, may Almighty Allah forgives Ur shortcomings." Akor Martins wrote: "I receive his wedding invite on Tuesday and i got the news of your sudden death today!! Good night brotherly and may your soul RIP Adejoh Noah." READ ALSO: Dr. Kwaku Oteng opens up on the 'sale' Angel FM YEN.com.gh had previously reported how a military man was killed after he was knocked down by a car on September 4. Though the impact was so hard the car's driving mirror yanked off, the driver failed to stop. READ ALSO: Catholic Priest reveals why he left priesthood to get married The pain was that handsome-looking Sormenah was set to get married to his fiancee, Maame Efua Addison, on October 6. Ghana News Today: Sad Story of How Woman Lost Baby at Gov't Hospital In Kumasi | #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen.com.gh - Fire has reportedly destroyed shops in Accra - According to sources, it started from a cylinder shop - Officers of the Ghana Fire Service arrived at scene and proceeded to quench the fire Information available to YEN.com.gh suggests that some shops have been burnt down after a fire spread in Accra. The incident occurred near the SIC Mall at the central business district of the capital city. The fire is believed to have started in a cylinder shop and immediately spread to other stores, causing damage along the way. READ ALSO: Ghanaians heartlessly mock Israel Laryea as he remembers his social media 'war' with NAM1 Properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis have been reportedly destroyed as a result of the incident. According to Esther, an eye witness, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service arrive at the scene, in an attempt to stop the fire. READ ALSO: EC reveals date to elect new MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon Ghana News Today: Sad Story of How Woman Lost Baby at Gov't Hospital In Kumasi | #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen Flash U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that progress is being made on the issues related with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). While posting a picture of him sitting behind a desk and reading a piece of paper, Trump tweeted, "Christmas Eve briefing with my team working on North Korea -- Progress being made." "Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim!" he said, referring to DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un. The first-ever summit of Trump and Kim occurred in Singapore in June, followed by a joint statement in which the United States agreed to provide security guarantee to the Asian nation in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization. However, differences between the two sides have remained over key issues like the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, a war-ending declaration and the momentum for talks. Trump revealed on Dec. 1 that his second meeting with Kim was likely to happen in January or February next year. Flash Turkey is working with other countries to carry the investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the United Nations, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. "Turkey is continuing its comprehensive investigation into the murder. We are cooperating with other countries in order to take the issue to the UN," Cavusoglu said at a news conference during his visit to Tunis. The minister urged Riyadh to share the results of its own investigation into the murder with Ankara and the international community. "Saudi Arabia still has not told us where the journalist's body is," Cavusoglu said. Khashoggi went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. After weeks of denials, the Saudi authorities admitted that the journalist had been killed and dismembered inside the diplomatic mission. Flash Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said Monday that the U.S. troops' withdrawal from neighboring Syria would have a negative impact on Iraq. "We have discussed ... the U.S. decision to withdraw troops from Syria, because this has great repercussions on Iraq," Abdul Mahdi told a press conference after a weekly cabinet meeting. "If there is a security tension in Syria (by the U.S. pullout), there will be a wave of migration, and Iraq will be one of the first countries to be exposed to such issue," Abdul Mahdi said. "The terrorists may leave the Syrian territory and try to go to Iraq, and this also would have repercussions on our country," Abdul Mahdi added. He stressed that Iraq needs to take precautions from now so that it will not be affected. In addition, Abdul Mahdi denied that Iraq had received any request from the United State to host its withdrawing troops from Syria. "So far, there is no confirmation and we have not been informed about the settlement of the U.S. troops in Iraq, and we have not received any request for Iraqi intervention in Syria," he added. The prime minister mentioned that the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had informed him of the pullout of the U.S. troops before the implementation of the decision, asserting that Pompeo confirmed that the United States will continue to support Iraq in its war against terrorism. Abdul Mahdi's comments came two days after he held a phone call with Pompeo, who explained the details of the scheduled pullout from Syria. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, citing the full defeat of IS militants in the country. These troops were part of a U.S.-led coalition which has been fighting and conducting airstrikes against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria. Flash Iranian foreign minister on Monday criticized the Europeans for their "slow measures" to salvage Iranian 2015 international nuclear deal. "The Europeans are acting slowly in the fulfillment of their commitments under the nuclear agreement (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the JCPOA)," Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by Press TV. "We will not wait for them unless they adopt practical steps," Zarif said. He emphasized that Iran has many options to deal with the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and would consider them based on its national interests. Washington withdrew from Iran's landmark 2015 nuclear deal in May and imposed batches of sanctions against Tehran, targeting Iran's shipping, financial and energy sectors. Iran relies heavily on the European's assistance against the U.S. pull out of the nuclear deal and their promises to guarantee Iran's interests under the 2015 accord. The EU has stressed that it would set up a legal entity to facilitate legitimate financial transactions with Iran in light of the U.S. withdrawal from the international agreement. You are here: World Flash U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to visit Turkey in 2019, Turkey's presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin announced on Monday. Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting in capital Ankara, Kalin said Trump accepted the invitation by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a weekend phone call between the two leaders, but without giving exact date of visit. The presidential spokesperson also said a U.S. military delegation was expected to arrive in Turkey this week to discuss coordination for U.S. pullout from Syria. Turkey will also closely coordinate with Russia to avoid a possible power vacuum in Syria after U.S. withdrawal, including in the area east of Euphrates, he added. Kalin stressed Turkey is determined to continue its fight against terrorism, saying "our troops will continue to stay in Syria's Idlib to assure regional security and stability." Trump announced last week a surprise decision to withdraw troops from Syria, where U.S. has backed the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia against Islamic State (IS). Flash The death toll of the tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption in Indonesia rose to 373, with 1,459 others injured, a spokesman of the agency said. A joint rescue team with heavy machinery equipment has reached more tsunami-affected areas, retrieving more victims of the catastrophe, which struck the coast along Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands Saturday night, spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. "The rescue team keeps searching in rattled areas along the coast. With hard works and supported by heavy machinery equipment, the rescuers have been able to arrive in some devastated areas which were previously difficult to reach," Sutopo told Xinhua. The search and rescue operation for victims of the tsunami, triggered by an underwater landslides after the eruption, was underway in the hardest-hit Pandeglang and Serang districts in Banten province, and Lampung Selatan, Panawaran and Tenggamus districts in Lampung province, he added. "The absence and failure of early tsunami warning systems have contributed to the huge casualties because people have no opportunity to be evacuated," Sutopo said. The impact of the catastrophe was also amplified at the tourist destination when the tsunami struck Saturday night during a peak time of holiday. The tsunami has displaced 5,665 people who were taking shelter in evacuation centers, the spokesman said, adding that the figure dropped from 11,453 as many of the evacuees had returned home. The tsunami also devastated a total of 681 houses, 69 hotels and villas, as well as 420 ships and boats, the spokesman said. The emergency relief efforts, involving thousands of soldiers, police and personnel from the search and rescue office, the disaster management office and volunteers, were focused on the search and rescue of the victims, said Sutopo. High waves of 4-5 meters slammed into the shore, Endang Permana, head of emergency department of the disaster management agency in the district, told Xinhua. The meteorology and geophysics agency has banned activities in the coastal areas after the deadly tsunami, as the assessment of volcanic eruption risk was being taken, said Sutopo. On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive tsunami triggered by a powerful quake hit countries along the Indian Ocean, killing 226,000 people, including 170,000 in Aceh province of northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island. Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatoa, is one of the 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation home to 17,500 islands, sitting on a quake-prone zone of so-called "the Pacific Ring of Fire." National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and visiting Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin (Photo: VNA) National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and visiting Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin reached the consensus during their talks in Hanoi on December 24th. The collaboration between the Vietnamese NA and the State Duma in particular and the Federal Assembly in general has developed fruitfully over the past time, both bilaterally and multilaterally, they said. The two sides have actively implemented a cooperation agreement signed in 2013, while regularly maintaining the exchange of high-ranking delegations and those of the legislatures agencies and friendship parliamentarians groups as well as sharing experience in legislation and supervision, thus improving the operational efficiency of each countrys parliament. They have also coordinated with and supported each other at multilateral parliamentary cooperation mechanisms. The State Duma Chairman said the two countries parliamentary ties should continue to be fostered. The two sides need to create a new foundation in the legislation field in order to create a momentum for the bilateral relations to further thrive in the future. Sharing the outcomes of his meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Russian guest said the two sides exchanged views on several projects and experience in building e-government and the digital economy. He affirmed that the Russian side is ready to support Vietnam in these fields. The leaders agreed that tourism cooperation between the two countries has seen gigantic development, with increases in the numbers of Russian visitors to Vietnam and Vietnamese arrivals to Russia. According to the State Duma Chairman, in 2017, 512,000 Russians visited Vietnam and the figure rose to over 700,000 this year. Russia is expected to be named in the top 10 sources of visitors to Vietnam. Russia is also willing to provide more scholarships to Vietnam to train Russian language teachers in high schools, in addition to 1,000 scholarships provided for Vietnamese students, he added. NA Chairwoman Ngan spoke highly of Russias increase of scholarships for Vietnam, expressing her belief that this is an important human resource for Vietnam as well as a firm foundation for the closer friendship between the two nations in the future. She thanked the Russian people for giving their good sentiments and valuable assistance to Vietnam during the national construction and defence. Vietnam always treasures and prioritises consolidating its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, and wishes to bolster the effective cooperation between the two countries and their localities in all fields, she said. Both host and guest agreed with pleasure that the bilateral political ties have been continuously consolidated via the regular exchange of all-level delegations. They expressed their belief that together with the Russia visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in September and the visit to Vietnam by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in November, this visit by the Chairman of the State Duma will create a strong driving force to boost the two nations all-round collaboration. The top legislator used the occasion to thank Russia for backing Vietnams run for non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. Both noted with pleasure progress made in the bilateral economic, trade and investment ties since the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) took effect in October 2016, with two-way trade reaching USD3.55 billion in 2017 and USD3.85 billion in the first ten months of this year. NA Chairwoman Ngan suggested the two countries fully tap potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation, making it match with the sound political relations, optimise advantages generated by the Vietnam-EAEU FTA, and remove non-tariff barriers, especially those against farm produce and seafood. The affiliation in energy, especially oil and gas, should continue to be an important pillar of the Vietnam-Russia cooperation, she said, lauding the plan to expand collaboration between oil and gas companies of the two countries in such spheres as liquefied natural gas (LNG), electrification and motor fuel production, she said. She added that the two countries hold substantial potential for cooperation in the high-tech sector, covering e-Government building in Vietnam and the development of the global navigation satellite system (GLONASS). Achievements have also been recorded in partnerships in national defence and security, military technology, education-training, science-technology, culture and tourism, the leader said. She stressed Vietnams support for the initiative to establish the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee between the Vietnamese NA and the State Duma, and expressed her belief that the committee will operate effectively, contributing to enhancing coordination between the two legislatures. Host and guest agreed that the committee will meet annually in rotation except one of them has other suggestions. The first meeting is slated for 2019 in Vietnam. V.V.Volodin invited Ngan to pay an official visit to Russia at an early date. The Vietnamese top legislator accepted the invitation with pleasure. Following their talks, the leaders signed an agreement on the establishment of the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee, which aims to promote cooperation between the two legislative bodies. It is also expected to create conditions for the two sides to exchange experience in legislation, supervision and decision making on major national matters and join hands in inter-parliamentary activities within international organisations and conferences, covering cooperation in Asia-Europe. The committee will also work to help expand and enhance cooperation between Vietnam and Russia across fields and assist the supervision of the implementation of valid international treaties between the two countries. At their joint press conference later, Ngan said the State Duma delegations visit is very significant and a continuation of visit exchange to bolstering the extensive cooperation between the two countries and their legislative bodies, adding that it marks a new development step in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. She said the Vietnamese National Assembly and the State Duma will do their utmost to support the bilateral cooperation across the fields and provide a favourable legal framework to step up the trade, economic, investment, and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges at all levels. The outstanding result of this visit is the signing of an agreement on the establishment of the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee between the National Assembly and the State Duma. The Vietnam National Assembly has for the first time formed such a bilateral inter-parliamentary mechanism with another parliament, said Ngan. The new mechanism demonstrates the political trust between the two countries leaders as well as the determination to boost the parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. It will allow the two countries to increase their partnership in fields with potentials, especially the parliamentary cooperation, thus taking the two countrys traditional cooperation to the next level, she added. The State Duma Chairman added that the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee is a new cooperative form that will create more impetus for the development of cooperation between the two sides in various fields, including the digital economy. It will become a new platform to seek new cooperative fields for the two countries in the future. As Vietnam and Russia have involved in the comprehensive strategic partnership, the relations between the two parliamentary agencies need to be boosted so it will contribute to promoting friendship, mutual understanding and trust, he said. We are working towards implementing agreements reached by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President V. Putin in September, 2018 and those between Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Dmitry Medvedev. The two countries parliaments need to step up the development pace of the bilateral ties using the existing cooperative forms and work together to seek for new cooperative modes, the State Duma leader said. At noon, Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet in honour of the State Duma Chairman V.V. Volodin. Earlier on December 23rd, the State Duma delegation laid a wreath at the Monument for Martyrs, paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and visited the President Ho Chi Minh relic site in Hanoi./. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin (Photo: VNA) He made the statement at a reception for visiting Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin in Hanoi on December 24th. The host highly valued V.V. Volodins official visit as well as cooperation between legislatures, States and people of the two countries. Lauding efforts of the Vietnamese National Assembly and the State Duma in signing an agreement on the establishment of an inter-parliamentary cooperation committee, the leader expressed his hope that the committee will work effectively, contributing to promoting the bilateral legislative ties and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia across fields, firstly economy, trade and investment. For his part, V.V. Volodin showed his delight at his first-ever visit to Vietnam and extended greetings of President V. Putin and other Russian senior leaders to Party General Secretary and President Trong. Recalling the Vietnamese leaders visit to Russia last September, he affirmed that the State Duma always supports enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. V.V. Volodin briefed the host on outcomes of his talks with NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, saying the formation of the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee helps intensify cooperative mechanism between the two legislatures while strengthening the bilateral ties in economy, trade, culture and education. Through the committee, the two sides will coordinate in supervising the implementation of major joint projects and agreements reached by their senior leaders, he said. The State Duma will actively participate in activities marking the 25th anniversary of a treaty on basic principles for bilateral friendship in 2019 and the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2020, the guest affirmed. V.V. Volodin is paying a two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of NA Chairwoman Ngan./. Popular evangelist, radio host and senior pastor of the Lakewood megachurch in Houston, Texas Joel Osteen has just shared some Biblical tips on how to get through grief, and it's pretty simple - take things one day at a time. "Sometimes you think, 'how can I go on another six months, or a year?' But God doesn't ask you to," Osteen told Fox and Friends. He explained that people often think far ahead and neglect the present, but God wants them to just have faith, not worry too much, and remember the good memories. Osteen added that it is important to ask God for strength for the day. Osteen, 51 is no stranger to grief himself. Back in 1999, he lost his father and said that without faith, grief would have been "very difficult" to overcome. "I encourage people, even unbelievers, to turn to God. He is the Creator, He has a purpose for us. Nothing we go through is a surprise to Him. God will be there to give you peace and strength, and to bring in new friends and help you get through those times." He then explained that in Joel Osteen Ministries, he always promotes hope because it is important for people to remain positive about life and be thankful to God even when the going gets rough. There are a lot of things to be grateful for, so he encouraged people to think of their blessings every time they wake up, because how a person starts his or her day will reflect on how the day will turn out. "It's easy to think 'Oh man, I don't feel like going to work. I've got all these problems,' or there's so much negativity coming. But if you get up and think well, 'I thank God that I've got my health or my family,' whatever it is I believe when you start the day like that, it's gonna feel better." The preacher said that everybody has issues in life, and it is important to maintain a positive perspective. At the same time, Osteen is a strong believer of the "abundant mentality" which helps people focus on their gifts and talents. Because of this, people believe that they should not remain stagnant and continuously work on improving themselves. "You believe that where you are is not where you're supposed to stay. You have to take the limits off of God, you have to make room for him to do something new in your life," he said. 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. InterContinental Da Nang Sun peninsula resort The list was made based on the real experiences of 429,000 readers at hotels, resorts and destinations around the world. Ranked at 15th, InterContinental Da Nang Sun peninsula resort, just 30 minutes from the Da Nang airport, was described as bringing the feeling of being much farther away from the real world. From the ocean- or mountain-view rooms and suites to the penthouses and the multi-bedroom villas, the accommodations are awash in chic Modern Vietnamese style; meanwhile, dining is always a memorable experience at the resort. It's the perfect pick for some beachside R&R while in Vietnam, the US magazine said. With 244 rooms and villas with sea views and private pools, JW Marriott Phu Quoc emerald bay resort and spa was ranked at 17th. In spite of only being put into operation at the end of 2016, the resort has won numerous recognitions from international magazines and organizations. The recognition of Conde Nast Traveller is not only the pride but also the affirmation of the attractiveness and new position of Vietnams tourism to the world. Other resorts that made the list are Viceroy Bali (Indonesia); Viceroy Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo (Mexico); Naladhu Private island (Maldives); LHorizon resort and spa (the US); and Angama Mara (Kenya)./. A staff member shows a chip during the China National Computer Congress 2018 in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 25, 2018. China's digital economy accounted for a bigger share of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first half of this year, with more room for further improvement, a report showed. The digital economy was estimated at 16 trillion yuan (2.32 trillion U.S. dollars) in the January-June period, according to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The CAICT said the figure was equivalent to 38.2 percent of GDP, up from the 32.9-percent ratio in 2017. In the face of looming downward pressures, China has resorted to an emerging, fast-growing digital economy for new growth momentum, which has prompted booming growth in areas including e-commerce and mobile payment, as well as technological innovation in traditional industries. (Xinhua/Long Wei) BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's digital economy accounted for a bigger share of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first half of this year, with more room for further improvement, a report showed. The digital economy was estimated at 16 trillion yuan (2.32 trillion U.S. dollars) in the January-June period, according to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The CAICT said the figure was equivalent to 38.2 percent of GDP, up from the 32.9-percent ratio in 2017. In the face of looming downward pressures, China has resorted to an emerging, fast-growing digital economy for new growth momentum, which has prompted booming growth in areas including e-commerce and mobile payment, as well as technological innovation in traditional industries. The report pointed out, however, that China's digital economy still faces imbalance. Compared to the tech-savvy service sector, agriculture and secondary industries have huge room for improvement in digitalization, and gaps are wide between different regions, CAICT researcher Lu Chuncong said. As the digital economy has become an inevitable trend, more efforts should be taken to push forward digital transformation across all industrial and value chains, Lu said. 11 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] I confess, I cant dance. I know of dance and its evolution, of course. But there have been times when Ive wished that I could perform, compose, sing, play a drum or two, and dance, even at the cost of writing (which to be fair is an art in itself too). Besides, there is something ineffable and deeply mystifying about dancing. With its fusion of movement and stillness, precision and improvisation, synchronisation and autonomy, it aspires to break away from tradition while genuflecting to it. The bedrock of traditional dance is the ves natuma, and it stems from the daha ata vannam. It was and it still remains a form of communication with the gods. Classical in the truest sense of that term, it survived colonial rule, was patronised by British officials and locals alike, and proved to be so resilient that today, it happens to be the most dominant form of dance here. The pahatha rata natuma was driven by a need to propitiate gods and demons, while the most overlooked form, the Sabaragamuwa natuma, was in part at least nourished by the other two traditions. Evolved With the changing times these dance forms have evolved to accommodate shifts in the cultural landscape. It has shifted to the bohemians and the radical artists of today, so much so that you come across dance items performed to, for instance, the accompaniment of rock music. Just as Martha Graham borrowed from classical ballet and transformed it to suit the mood of the Americans (who wanted a style they could call their own), our dancers, even the most conservative of them, have emphasised on the need to combine tradition with modernity. Dancing continues to flourish in the village where it belongs, to be sure, but it has come to the city as well. To a considerable extent, that has to do with the schoolchild. The Dancing Circle of Ananda College has a history going back to 2002. It is probably not the oldest such club in the country, but it is the oldest such club in the city. Its annual showcase item, Anada Prathibha, is to unveil this Friday (December 28th) at the BMICH commencing at 5.30 p.m. I can write on the people who are organising it and on the people who are to perform at it. But that doesnt really interest me. What interests me is the way dancing has found its way to a part of the country that is at once hostile to and receptive of the past and all that it represents. Pabasara Samodana, Secretary of the Dancing Circle, told me that both the club and event began as a response to a need to promote dancing in city schools. We unveiled a ves mangalya that year. Schools have been sponsoring the initiation ceremony for students for years, but this mangalya was different. Because of it there was an interest in traditional dance. We took advantage of that and formed a society. said Pabasara. The first Prathibha, he tells me, was held at the Tower Hall theatre, and held as three shows: one for normal ticketholders, one for students (free of charge), and one for parents and well wishers of the performers. The reaction was apparently positive. City schools hadnt seen this kind of show. School shows in Colombo were limited to the concert and the play at the time. A show for dances, drums, and masks simply did not exist. Audiences were, given this lacuna, thrilled. From then on Prathibha flourished: We held the second show at the Kularatne Hall. We always targeted a small venue. That was because while people were enthusiastic about it, it didnt get the massive crowds we usually got with a concert or play., said Pabasara.This year marks the 9th time Anada Prathibha will be held. The format as such has changed very little from previous installments, but this time around there will be new items. In a broad sense, each item has been catered for a specific audience. Its a mixture of traditional and Western dancing. We will begin, as always, with a pooja natuma. This years natuma will revolve around Ravana. Then well have a medley of items performed by primary students. Then there will be a mudra natuma based on a Hindu religious folk tale thats become part of our culture. Next there will be a showcase item for our ves muhunu. Interweaving all this will be a vannama, as is always the case in a show like this. A chain of contemporary popular songs will be followed by a Karnatic dance item and a drum medley by the former president of the Circle, Chanuka Moragoda, and his drum troupe the Yaka Crew. said Pabasara. I have two questions for these boys. Firstly, how can dance subsist at a time when belief systems are eroding among the young, and secondly, how can our dance forms flourish when only one of them, the udarata sampradaya, is taught with any kind of sustained interest? Regarding the first question, Pabasara had an interesting point to make. In the most rudimentary sense (as I pointed out before) traditional dance is an act of appeasement for the gods and an act of genuflection to the Budun-Daham-Sandun trinity. In that sense, it is both religious and cultural. In any case, Pabasara points out that no matter how sophisticated and learned he may be, the student must inculcate within himself (or herself) a sense of awe towards the divine: You cannot dance without respecting the divine, and you cannot respect the divine if you do not believe in it. The ves mangalya is the root of the udarata natum, and it originates from the kohomba kankariya, which is patently mythical and based on legend. If you cast that aside and concentrate on the outward elements of a dance item, you will not evolve as a dancer or for that matter an artist. said Prabasara. At least four people were killed and eight injured when two gunmen opened fire inside the Kudawella Fishery Harbour in Tangalle last morning, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said today. SP Gunasekara said the two gunmen who arrived on a motorbike had opened fire at the victims while the injured were admitted to the Tangalle Base Hospital. Tangalle Police said the two gunmen had used a T-56 magazine and a pistol in the shooting. Three bodies were lying at the Tangalle Hospital and one at the Nakulugamuwa hospital, he said. Police said a man attached to the Parliament staff, who had come to buy fish, was also among the victims. One out of seven injured persons was rushed to the Matara Hospital ICU due to severe injuries and seven others were admitted to the Tangalle hospital Police suspects the shooting incident had occurred following a contract was given to some other party to take revenge following a dispute between two fisheries communities in the Fishery Harbour. IGP Pujith Jayasundara today ordered the Southern Province Senior DIG, Matara and Tangalle Divisional DIGs to conduct an immediate investigation of the incident and to arrest the main suspect and others involved in it. He also ordered to send a special police team headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) to Tangalle to assist in the investigations into the shooting incident, SP Gunasekara said. Eleven police teams were deployed to carry out investigations including the scrutiny of CCTV footage and telephone tower records. The victims were identified as Jayasinghe Manachchige Sameera (40) of Modarawatte West Kudawella, Nakulugamuwa, Rathnaweera Patabendige ShashikThiwanka (23) of North Kudawella, Nakulugamuwa, Yaddehige LathishUdaya Kumara (37) of Pahajjawa, Nakulugamuwa and Kankanam Gamage Sandun Chanaka (40) Ahugammana, Delgoda (Chaturanga Samarawickrama and Chandrasena Gamage) Video by Anisha Mannage Pix by Aneesha Manage The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today said it has not yet reached any agreement with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to contest future elections together. President Maithripala Sirisena has reportedly said that the SLFP has decided to contest future elections together with the SLPP. However, when contacted, SLPP Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said they have not yet made such as agreement with the SLFP. We are open for the formation of a political alliance but no agreement has been reached with anyone as of yet. Once an election is announced, we will start having talks with those interested in forming an alliance. However, whatever the alliance may be, it should be led by the SLPP and should contest under the symbol of lotus bud, he told the Daily Mirror. He said their party was not afraid of contesting any election unlike the United National Party (UNP) or the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). It is absurd to note that the committee chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, which was appointed to review the delimitation report, has not met even once to discuss its agenda. This shows their interest in elections. We continue to press the Election Commission to get an election for the Provincial Councils, Mr. Kariyawasam said. Meanwhile, he said they are optimistic of people electing the next President from the SLPP. The next President will be elected from the SLPP and the next government too will be formed by the SLPP, he said. Commenting on their political campaign, Mr.Kariyawasam said they would hold meetings covering 25,000 Grama Seva Divisions across the country in early January next year. (Lahiru Pothmulla) WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX launched a new breed of GPS satellite for the United States Military on Sunday, marking the private space company's first contracted mission for the country's national security. A Falcon 9 rocket, carrying U.S. Air Force's first Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle 01 (SV01), was launched at 8:51 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch was previously scheduled on Tuesday but delayed four times due to technical and weather reasons. The GPS III satellite, to be deployed to medium Earth orbit, is designed to deliver positioning, navigation, and timing information. It is three times more accurate than the previous system and up to eight times stronger in its anti-jamming capability. Because of mission requirements, SpaceX did not attempt to retrieve the reusable Falcon 9's first stage after launch, according to SpaceX. The launch is a landmark for SpaceX to make a presence in the lucrative military space launch market. In April 2016, SpaceX was awarded the first National Security Space mission and it has four other GPS III missions on contract. [ Editor: WPY ] Can the UNP as it is constituted today go forwards as a progressive force of the people and for the people? There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. ~Denis Waitley After fifty long days, sanity returned to the Government quarters. The Executive ultimately blinked. The showdown on the greener patches of Colombo, the Presidential Secretariat grounds, ended in peaceful, yet a not-so-amicable settlement of swearing in of Ranil Wickremasinghe as Prime Minster again and on this occasion, for the fifth time in his long political career. That was December 16. On December 20, the new Cabinet was sworn in. When one examines the constituent members of the new Cabinet with a critical mind, the climax that was reached on December 16 was more like premature climax in an erotic sense, so to speak. The promise that was much in the air was dashed; those parliamentarians whom the critical elector wanted fired are there with more and more responsibilities and bigger Ministries. Those who failed miserably during the previous Ranil Wickremasinghes tenure as Prime Minister from August 2015 to October 2018 are back in. If the United National Partys (UNPs) leadership is not careful and sensible, an even bigger collapse seems to be in the making. The notion of being comfortable just because you beat the President at his own game is a misapprehension. The collapse that was referred to in the previous paragraph is coming. The average constituent is becoming disenchanted by the day. The Executives behaviour from October 26, 2018 is not the beginning of this coming disaster; it certainly accelerated its pace. Yet the polarization of the country along the lines of the UNP-led coalition and the Rajapaksa-led league has confirmed that a party like the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has no place in the mainstream of the countrys body politic. The JVPs history and its inglorious days of 87 89 have left a bitter memory of murder and mayhem. Its gory details and mindless and arbitrary execution of innocent fellow countrymen would take a long time to be erased. It would not be as easy as a deletion of data from a laptop which is an integral part of modern society. Nothing new in the Cabinet In such a confusing context, against such a brutally realistic backdrop, Ranil Wickremasinghe named a new Cabinet of Ministers. The only thing that is deceptively ironic is there is nothing new in that Cabinet. Decorating and rewarding failures is a cruel effecting of what should not be done. In politics, as in all other affairs of human enterprise, a long-term strategic methodology to decision-making is preferable to retail-management of daily affairs. Ancient sage, Chanakya said thus: Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, what the results might be and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead. Im sure Ranil Wickremasinghe has read Chanakyas Arthashastra, one of the original works of political science in human history, yet he does not seem to have understood the essence of Chanakyas core teachings. Repeating ones failed policies and lack of wisdom and guts to sacrifice even ones own close friends for a long-term and strategic move in favor of better and more prosperous country is a very grave mistake on the part of our Prime Minister; but he has time to rectify them, but the window of opportunity is closing fast. They say that Wickremasinghe is an enormously experienced politician, yet one wonders if Ranils experience would fit into Oscar Wildes famous quote: Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes. Nevertheless, the time Ranil and his cabinet of Ministers have is limited only to ten short months, just ten months. In the political life of a nation, ten months is a mere winks lifetime. Can the UNP, as it is today, without a major shakeup of its fundamental structure and its leadership at all levels, with a nagging lack of daring to change its course of the political life of the country, which is looking forward to leading a nation from the brink of insane leadership at the Presidential level and given the calm or ironic docility displayed by the citizenry of the land, be successful at the next elections? "Nevertheless, the time Ranil and his cabinet of Ministers have is limited" "The country is increasingly becoming disenchanted with her leaders on all sides" The answer to the aforementioned question does not look to be very promising. The country is increasingly becoming disenchanted with her leaders on all sides. A voice for more stringent adherence to principles of accountability and transparency is being heard only from the JVP quarters. The alluring dynamic for a more rational and visionary politician or politicians is irresistible. Yet there seems to be none on the horizon. Nevertheless, the UNP could be that fresh face, provided it decides to choose another alternative, an alternative that which not only presents a fresh face(s) in the forthcoming elections, but also offers itself as a serious fighter against corruption and nepotism. On these new frontiers of anti-corruption, the commander-in-chief cannot be those who have been tried and tested already, nor could it spring out from amongst those who profess a rebirth of an already dead-era. Empty slogans and selfish ego trips have not taken us anywhere. The constitutional crisis that just came to a closure ironically opened many other windows into new dimensions of politicians whose hitherto hidden agendas got unconcealed. The dilemma confronting Wickremasinghe and the UNP couldnt be clearer. The crisis brought some personalities to the notice of the conscience of the people. Some displayed remarkable strength of character by taking irrevocable steps towards the safeguard of democracy and majority rule; some showed unmistakable signs of solidarity in the face of irresistible gifts of money and ministerial postings; some young guns in the UNP itself exhibited enviable sense of discipline and strategic poise by placing the future of the Party above their selfish ambitions. Yet some failed in this crisis moment. Such men would one day be revealed for those who failed had baggage to prove such selfish and sinister motives. The social media played a decisive role, not only in exposing and running to ridicule the Executive who so richly deserved such ridicule; that specific media channel also exposed the hidden ambitions of some politicians who daydreamed about the Premiership falling on their lap; relying on the Executives unkind and crazy orders they, those unambiguously ambitious and selfish men, were rightly measured by their fellow party men and the observations made were stored away for future reference. Can the UNP go forward? But the fundamental question remains. Can the UNP as it is constituted today go forwards as a progressive force of the people and for the people? Can it be successful in future elections at which the overwhelming majority of voters are Sinhalese Buddhists? Can the failed members of the Wickremasinghe Cabinet produce the desired results which they couldnt in the period of 2015 to 2018 October? The voter is not all that ignorant when it comes to measuring of a political party as far as promises made and promises kept are concerned. In that harsh context, the constitution of the latest Cabinet does not emerge as auspicious. Ranil Wickremasinghes choices are limited and there is very little time in which he could make those choices work. He could continue to dwell in his comfort zone, amongst his closest friends and head for certain disaster; or he could make some changes in his Cabinet, replace those good-for-nothing Ministers with some aggressive and forward-looking younger ones and pursue the Rajapaksas in a very authentic way and bring them before the Courts of Law. He has a third choice too. And that is keeping the same Cabinet as it is constituted today and still pursues the Rajapaksas with more aggression and urgency. In other words, Ranil Wickremasinghe has to portray himself and his Cabinet as a totally different one from the recent past; it is extremely difficult but not impossible. The second tier-leadership of the Party and its rank and file would be more than willing and able to pursue such a novel and daring line of action. "The constitutional crisis that just came to a closure ironically opened many other windows" "The voter is not all that ignorant when it comes to measuring of a political party" Our county is in pain; she has suffered enough; her politicians have led this beautiful land into an ugly abyss of corruption, nepotism and political vandalism. Her children are living a nightmare which clothes itself in moving screens of television and Smart Phone. Those whose parents belong to the so-called elite and wealthy are meandering from one nightclub to another in Colombo as if they own the lands coffers and its limited wealth. Change is coming and its face does not look pretty, at east as it promises now. The sad and petulant countenance could be altered and it needs to be done now, not next month, not next year and not tomorrow, it has to be done now. Ranil Wickremasinghes burden is heavy; he cannot complain nor can he place that on another. He and he alone has to carry that. That is the burden of leadership. He has to both treat that burden as his privilege and take it to its logical end of good governance. His other choice is brutal, unkind and terminal: continue in the same mode and perish. He has won a battle; yet he could still lose the war. (The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com ) A special police team headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), had been sent to Tangalle to assist in the investigations into the shooting incident at the Kudawella Fishery Harbour. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said IGP Pujith Jayasundara had issued the instruction to send the special team to Tangalle. Deputy Head of the Trade Promotion Agency, under Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, Doan Thi Thu Thuy, said that the event aimed to update the latest information on the trade between Vietnam and China and support Vietnamese enterprises to overcome technical and trade barriers. The seminar also discuss the obstacles in building and protecting exported products to the Chinese market in order to enhance the formal trade of potential goods from Vietnam. In recent years, thanks to strong export growth, the trade gap between the two countries has been significantly reduced, with the trade deficit decreasing from over US$28 billion in 2016 to US$22.765 billion in 2017. According to statistics, the Vietnam - China total import-export turnover reached US$97.25 by the end of November, a year-on-year increase of 16.07%. Dao Viet Anh, Trade Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in China, said agricultural, forestry and fishery products are Vietnam's strength, particularly frozen shrimp, tra fish, crab and octopus. At the seminar, experts recommended that enterprises should improve their capacity and raise awareness in grasping the technical regulations and SPS requirements of China in order to build strategies to promote their products to this market. The Del Mar Union School District has set the dates for its school site team meetings as it seeks input on developing a prioritized capital improvement plan to guide the work implementing $186 million in Prop MM funds. The district moved away from creating a district-wide facilities task force and decided instead to hold site specific meetings to allow for a more open process that allows for the most community engagement possible, said Chris Delehanty, director of capital programs. We are very pleased to have received the support needed to pass Measure MM, said Superintendent Holly McClurg. Our district will be working with Eric Hall and Associates to gather input from our parents, community, and staff members through School Site Brainstorming Sessions that will help district staff to prioritize work and when it will be completed. With the brainstorming meetings, the public will be invited to help provide suggestions about their schools needs, set priorities and recommend timing for district projects such as improved safety and technology infrastructure, classroom renovations and repairs district-wide, as well as new construction at Del Mar Heights and the ninth school in East Pacific Highlands Ranch. Meeting dates (all meetings to be held from 6-7:30 p.m. in the schools Multi-Use Room): Jan. 14: Torrey Hills School, 10830 Calle Mar De Mariposa, San Diego, 92130 Jan. 24: Carmel Del Mar School, 12345 Carmel Park Drive, San Diego, 92130 Feb. 5: Ashley Falls School, 13030 Ashley Falls Drive, San Diego, 92130 Feb. 6: Del Mar Hills Academy, 14085 Mango Drive, Del Mar, 92014 March 5: Sycamore Ridge School, 5333 Old Carmel Valley Road, San Diego, 92130 March 6: Ocean Air School, 11444 Canter Heights Drive, San Diego, 92130 March 12: East PHR School (held at Sycamore Ridge School) March 18: Del Mar Heights School, 13555 Boquita Drive, Del Mar, 92014 March 19: Sage Canyon School, 5290 Harvest Run Drive, San Diego, 92130 For more information, go to the Districts website at www.dmusd.org and click on the Measure MM tab at the top of the page. RSVP information will be posted on both school and district websites and can be accessed at this URL (please note the web address is case sensitive): https://bit.ly/DMUSD-Facilities All members of the school and neighborhood community are invited and encouraged to participate in these meetings. At the Dec. 12 meeting, the board approved a pool of five pre-qualified architectural firms. As the district moves forward with facilities projects, it will be able to match the project with one of the firms, without having to go through a request for proposal for each project. To establish the pool of architects, DMUSD issued a request for proposals and received 22 submittals, interviewing eight firms to narrow the pool to five that include: Baker Nowicki Design Studio, Lionakis, obr Architecture, Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects and Westberg+White Architects. The firms have completed many local projectsas examples, Lionakis designed Pacific Trails and Earl Warren Middle Schools and Westberg+White Architects designed Ocean Air School as well as multiple projects in the San Dieguito Union High School District. By Jose Arcia 24 December 2018 (Mongabay) From the air one can observe the destruction wrought by an open-pit mining project in Cerro Petaquilla and on the ground people talk about its environmental consequences. A security checkpoint and a sign announce that you have reached one of the entrances of the project in the area of Molejon, Coclesito, 180 kilometers from Panamas capital city.The deforestation began with the mining of gold by Panamanian company Petaquilla Gold and has continued with copper mining by Minera Panama, a subsidiary of Canadian company First Quantum Minerals.Petaquilla Gold and Minera Panama are two different companies that share the same goal: the exploitation of metals in that underlay Petaquilla hill. Their activities are governed by a single contract endorsed by the National Assembly (Congress). However, their operations have resulted in the destruction of forest in an area of high regional biodiversity: the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor that connects the seven countries of Central America to southern Mexico.Conservationists say Panamas portion of the corridor has been severely affected by mining-caused deforestation that began 10 years ago. Satellite imagery and data show recent accelerated deforestation caused by mine expansion. Primary forest loss The concession, granted by contract law No. 9 of 25 February 1997, covers an area of 13,000 hectares that is roughly equivalent to 60 times the size of the Capital District. It is not clear what percentage of this area has been allocated to the copper project developed by Minera Panama. However, in the projects environmental impact study, the area of impact is specified at 5,900 hectares, of which about 5,500 was covered by lowland tropical rainforest. The remaining areas include 320 hectares that had already been degraded by anthropogenic activities, and 25 hectares that correspond to bodies of water. Three important watersheds are within the mines area of influence: Petaquilla River, Caimito River and San Juan River.It has been demonstrated that the clearing activities of the tropical forest could cause changes in local climatic and biological conditions in the forests adjacent to the devastated areas, states the environmental impact study carried out by Minera Panama, which, unlike Petaquilla Gold, waited for approval of the document by the National Environment Authority (now Ministry of Environment) to start construction work.Minera Panama plans to invest more than $6.3 billion and expects to export around 320,000 metric tons of copper per year.The impact of this mining activity can be seen in satellite images that show what appears to be a consequential loss of primary forest in the area of influence of the project, an area where forest was intact as of 2000.Satellite data from the University of Maryland recorded 4,500 deforestation alerts in the area in which the company operates between 8 September 2018 and 24 November 2018. Satellite images confirm these alerts, showing large areas of clearance.To corroborate the imagery and data, a Mongabay team traveled to the area.On Saturday, 10 November 2018, the heat was incessant in Coclesito, the humidity was overwhelming, and it drizzled from time to time. Minera Panama is omnipresent in the community: trucks and cars with the companys logo circulate in both directions through the only two streets of the town, and residents are dressed in work clothes from the mining company. [more] 12 December 2018 (Center for Biological Diversity) On Tuesday the Trump administration offered more than 150,000 acres of public lands for fossil-fuel extraction near some of Utahs most iconic landscapes, including Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Dozens of Utahns gathered at the state Capitol to protest the lease sale, which included lands within 10 miles of internationally known protected areas. In addition to Arches and Canyonlands, the Bureau of Land Management leased public lands for fracking near Bears Ears, Canyons of the Ancients and Hovenweep national monuments and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Utahns have demonstrated their commitment to transition away from dirty fossil fuels through clean energy resolutions passed in municipalities across our state. Yet, these commitments continue to be undermined by rampant oil and gas lease sales, which threaten our public health, public lands, and economy. While Utahs recreational and tourism economies continue to flourish, these attempts to develop sacred cultural, environmental, and recreational spaces for dirty fuels remain a grave and growing threat. said Ashley Soltysiak, director of the Utah Sierra Club. Utah is our home and the reckless sale of our public lands with limited public engagement is simply unacceptable and short-sighted.Fracking in these areas threatens sensitive plants and animals, including the black-footed ferret, Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker and Grahams beardtongue. It also will worsen air pollution problems in the Uinta Basin and use tremendous amounts of groundwater. Utah just experienced its driest year in recorded history.This is a reckless fire sale of spectacular public lands for dirty drilling and fracking, said Ryan Beam, a public lands campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. These red-rock wonderlands are some of the Wests most iconic landscapes, and we cant afford to lose a single acre. Fracking here will waste precious water, foul the air and destroy beautiful wild places that should be held in trust for generations to come.This lease sale is part of a larger agenda by Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to ramp up fossil fuel extraction on public lands, threatening wildlife, public health and the climate. This year the BLM has offered more than 420,000 acres of public land in Utah for oil and gas extraction. The agency plans to auction another 215,000 acres in March. The Trump administration also has issued new policies, which are being challenged in court, to shorten public-comment periods and avoid substantive environmental reviews.BLMs shortsighted decision threatens Utahs red rock wilderness as well as significant cultural and archaeological resources, said Landon Newell, staff attorney with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. BLMs lease everything, lease everywhere approach to oil and gas development needlessly threatens iconic red-rock landscapes and irreplaceable cultural history in the ill-conceived push for energy dominance.'Fracking destroys public lands and wildlife habitat with networks of fracking wells, compressor stations, pipelines and roads. Injecting toxic wastewater into the ground pollutes rivers and groundwater and causes earthquakes that damage infrastructure and property. Oil industry activities also pollute the air with dangerous toxins linked to human illness and death. The federal governments own report shows that oil and gas production on public land contributes significantly to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Georgia Legislature completes new districts The General Assembly has adjourned the 2021 Special Session for reapportionment, the process by which State House, State Senate and Congressional districts are decided in Georgia. Population shi... Sorry! An... Georgias Heartbeat Bill to be impacted by upcoming Supreme Court ruling The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today on one of the most significant abortion cases in years, and the after effects of its ruling will be felt here in Georgia.... Defendants found guilty of murder of Ahmaud Arbery A Glynn County jury convicted three men Wednesday of murdering Ahmaud Arbery in February of last year near Brunswick. Greg McMichael, his son Travis and William Roddie Bryan were found... Plant Farley to test outdoor sirens on December 8 Alabama Powers Plant Farley, located near Dothan, will activate the outdoor sirens around the plants 10-mile radius as part of an annual test on Wednesday, December 8 at noon CT.... Hey Long Beach! Its that time of year again when the world famous floating Christmas tree on the bay returns to Long Beach! Check out our video below all about the history of these classic Long Beach icons below. You... TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organic Potash Corporation (OPC or the Corporation) is pleased to announce that further to its press release of November 24, 2015, Karl Akueson, Founder of NCV, OPCs joint venture partner in the Ivory Coast has, acting in capacity as Trustee, for both NCV and OPC, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a major international producer of low carbon energy (the Partner) for the construction of a plant that would allow the economical viable production of renewable energy, heat, potassium carbonate, and natural fertilizers from cocoa pod husks. The Parties will continue to work towards a Joint Venture Agreement in early 2019. The Partner will be fully identified upon the conclusion of a binding agreement. It is the intention to develop a first prototype unit for the production of 1 MW of electricity, approximately 1,000 tons per year of potassium carbonate and various natural fertilizer compositions. The viability of this prototype would serve as a basis for replication of the project, on other sites in Ivory Coast, or elsewhere in Africa. In Ivory Coast, the Parties have the objective to replicate this prototype model to achieve a combined production of at least 10 MW of electricity and 10,000 tonnes per year of potassium carbonate (the Project). Africa supplies approximately 75% of global cocoa. Ivory Coast alone produces 43%. This represents a unique opportunity for major growth prospects for OPC and its technology. Mrs. Heather Welner, President, CEO stated: This venture will lay the groundwork for similar projects in Ivory Coast and throughout West Africa. OPC is proud to be a partner with NCV and a major international company and looks forward to a long and successful relationship. About Organic Potash Corporation Through its licensed, proprietary, patented technology, Organic Potash Corporation produces 99%+ pure potassium carbonate (potash) from the ash of agricultural waste, in particular, cocoa husks. The purity of the companys potassium carbonate will allow Organic Potash Corporation to target multiple industries including the Agricultural and Pharmaceutical industry. Organic Potash Corporation is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and its shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the trading symbol OPC. For further information, please visit the company website at www.organicpotash.com. For further information please contact: Mrs. Heather Welner President and CEO Organic Potash Corporation Tel: (905) 452-8060 E-mail: heather.welner@organicpotash.com Web: www.organicpotash.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although Management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. << See the full list of the 2018 Public Officials of the Year. Theres a magic quality to offering people something valuable for free. Gov. Bill Haslam knew that Tennessee, ranking near the bottom among states in granting postsecondary degrees, would lose out to rival states if it continued to have a poorly educated workforce. To entice more people into higher education, he decided to offer students two free years of college. We had to change the thinking so that more of the conversations around the dinner table were about where youre going to college, Haslam says, not if youre going to college.Haslams Tennessee Promise program offers students more than scholarships. Thousands of mentors around the state keep them focused, while mandatory community service requires students to do something in return. Nearly 60,000 have enrolled since the program got underway in 2015, not only boosting attendance figures but increasing completion rates as well. It appears to have had a trickle-down effect, with high school students trying harder because they need at least a 2.0 GPA to qualify for the benefit.The program has been emulated in states and cities from Oregon to Chicago. In order to make it work, Haslam has relied on lottery money. He understands that figuring out how to pay for a good idea is just as important as landing on that idea in the first place.Haslam, a 60-year-old Republican and a former Knoxville mayor, has been around Tennessee politics for a long time. His family owns the Pilot chain of gas stations and truck stops. Much of what hes done to improve the state is derived from a business mindset -- making a plan and then figuring out what the milestones and metrics are that allow you to review success along the way. Too often, politicians approve a policy and declare victory. Haslam understands implementation is where the real work begins.When he came into office in 2011, Haslam did a top-to-bottom review of state agencies. As is common with such exercises, he found a lot of low-hanging fruit, but Haslam was determined to push for deeper changes. He convinced the legislature to change laws regarding training and accountability, and he institutionalized reforms in personnel and management that alter the way agencies carry out strategic goals and interact with other parts of government.Most important, Haslam struck a blow against the culture of bureaucratic entitlement that had pervaded some state agencies. Naturally, there was pushback as certain services were privatized and civil service protections abolished. But managers throughout state government can now hire the best people they find to fill jobs and reward those whose performance is outstanding. It really is now much more based on how hard you work, not how long youve worked, says state House Speaker Beth Harwell.Haslam understands that government ultimately is not a business, that it provides goods and services people cant buy for themselves. States sometimes act like monopolies, he says, because they are monopolies. His approach has helped state employees overcome that mindset, providing better services virtually across the board.Tennessee still has a few low rankings, but theres one it wouldnt give up: It has the third-lowest tax burden in the country.Alan Greenblatt The establishment of the committee, which is headed by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, aims to make preparations for Vietnam to shoulder the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. Addressing the event, PM Phuc stated that, after over five decades of establishment and development, ASEAN has succeeded in building a common house, the ASEAN Community, for roughly 630 million Southeast Asian people, with three major pillars: Politics-Security, Economy, and Culture-Society. ASEANs gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 has grown around 5.1% to reach approximately US$3 trillion, making the bloc the sixth largest economy in the world. ASEAN has signed six free trade agreements (FTA) with seven leading trading partners globally. As many as 91 countries have sent ambassadors to ASEAN so far, while thirty-seven nations have joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The leader stressed that the annual ASEAN Summit meetings have become important international events with the participation of many heads of state, leaders of partner countries and world-leading powers. 2020 marks the 25-year journey of Vietnam to become a member of the ASEAN grand family, he said, stating that each success of ASEAN over the past years has recorded significant contributions of Vietnam an active, proactive and responsible member, which always joined hands with the other member countries in strengthening solidarity and developing an increasingly strong ASEAN, towards the successful construction of the ASEAN Community. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc poses with members of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee. (Photo: NDO/ Tran Hai) Vietnam wishes to continue making more pragmatic contributions to the process of building and developing a self-reliant and creative ASEAN Community, moving towards the facilitation of a harmonious, cohesive, highly adaptive and increasingly prosperous ASEAN with an important role and a high sense of responsibility in resolving global issues, PM Phuc affirmed. The leader stressed the significance of the successful organisation of the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship year in enabling ASEAN to make mid-term assessments and decide on the next steps in the remaining path towards fulfilling the goal of building the ASEAN Community 2025. The launch of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee reflects Vietnams proactivity with its 2020 ASEAN Chair responsibilities, as well as showing an urgent and serious spirit for a big external relations event of the country, he said. The PM called for joint efforts to organise the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship year with comprehensive results and three big successes: success in contents; success in ensuring security, safety and respectful protocol; and success in advertising the image of the Vietnamese identity, culture and people in the developed and prosperous ASEAN Community. Immediately after the debut ceremony, the National ASEAN 2020 Committee convened its first meeting under the chair of Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh. During the session, the chairman of the committee assigned specific tasks to the members in order to implement the PMs instructions. National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and visiting Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin reached the consensus during their talks in Hanoi on December 24. The collaboration between the Vietnamese NA and the State Duma in particular and the Federal Assembly in general has developed fruitfully over the past time, both bilaterally and multilaterally, they said. The two sides have actively implemented a cooperation agreement signed in 2013, while regularly maintaining the exchange of high-ranking delegations and those of the legislatures agencies and friendship parliamentarians groups as well as sharing experience in legislation and supervision, thus improving the operational efficiency of each countrys parliament. They have also coordinated with and supported each other at multilateral parliamentary cooperation mechanisms. The State Duma Chairman said the two countries parliamentary ties should continue to be fostered. The two sides need to create a new foundation in the legislation field in order to create a momentum for the bilateral relations to further thrive in the future. Sharing the outcomes of his meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Russian guest said the two sides exchanged views on several projects and experience in building e-government and the digital economy. He affirmed that the Russian side is ready to support Vietnam in these fields. NA Chairwoman Ngan thanked the Russian people for giving their good sentiments and valuable assistance to Vietnam during the national construction and defence. Vietnam always treasures and prioritises consolidating its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, and wishes to bolster the effective cooperation between the two countries and their localities in all fields, she said. Both noted with pleasure progress made in the bilateral economic, trade and investment ties since the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) took effect in October 2016, with two-way trade reaching US$3.55 billion in 2017 and US$3.85 billion in the first ten months of this year. NA Chairwoman Ngan suggested the two countries fully tap potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation, making it match with the sound political relations, optimise advantages generated by the Vietnam-EAEU FTA, and remove non-tariff barriers, especially those against farm produce and seafood. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan holds talks with visiting Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin in Hanoi on December 24, 2018. (Photo: NDO/Duy Linh) The affiliation in energy, especially oil and gas, should continue to be an important pillar of the Vietnam-Russia cooperation, she said, lauding the plan to expand collaboration between oil and gas companies of the two countries in such spheres as liquefied natural gas (LNG), electrification and motor fuel production, she said. She added that the two countries hold substantial potential for cooperation in the high-tech sector, covering e-Government building in Vietnam and the development of the global navigation satellite system (GLONASS). She stressed Vietnams support for the initiative to establish the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee between the Vietnamese NA and the State Duma, and expressed her belief that the committee will operate effectively, contributing to enhancing coordination between the two legislatures. Host and guest agreed that the committee will meet annually in rotation except one of them has other suggestions. The first meeting is slated for 2019 in Vietnam. Following their talks, the leaders signed an agreement on the establishment of the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee, which aims to promote cooperation between the two legislative bodies. At their joint press conference later, Ngan said the State Duma delegations visit is very significant and a continuation of visit exchange to bolstering the extensive cooperation between the two countries and their legislative bodies, adding that it marks a new development step in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. She said the Vietnamese NA and the State Duma will do their utmost to support the bilateral cooperation across the fields and provide a favourable legal framework to step up the trade, economic, investment, and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges at all levels. The State Duma Chairman added that the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee is a new cooperative form that will create more impetus for the development of cooperation between the two sides in various fields, including the digital economy. It will become a new platform to seek new cooperative fields for the two countries in the future. At noon, Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet in honour of the State Duma Chairman Volodin. Earlier on December 23, the State Duma delegation laid a wreath at the Monument for Martyrs, paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and visited the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Hanoi. Did Ethiopia fight in the crusade wars? And were the Sacarens black Africans or Arabs? Charles E. ??? Dear Charles E., The term Saracen, derived from the Greek Sarakenoi, was a collective European term for anyone practicing Islam at the time of the Crusades, applying equally to Semitic Arab or Turk. Although Spain had contact with various Moorish people, black Muslims were a relative rarity, though their religion would probably have lumped any who turned up into the same category. During the Crusader era Ethiopia was under the Zagwe Dynasty (about 960 to 1270), which was mostly involved in domestic affairs. The Zagwes did maintain contact with the Christians beyond their borders via Cairos Coptic population and Jerusalem, where they maintained a few chapels and an annex. They never forged any alliances with the Crusaders, however, and it is a measure of how much of a threat they constituted to the Muslims that Saladin, after retaking Jerusalem in 1187, expressly invited Ethiopian monks to return to the city and even exempted their pilgrims to the tax usually levied on visiting Christians. The Solomonids who took (or, according to their version of history, restored) control over the Ethiopian empire in 1270, sent out feelers to the Europeans regarding the possibilities of alliance, but nothing came of it. They did some expanding into the Horn of Africa, but that campaign was strictly meant to secure the empires eastern flank and gain more access to the Red Sea. Otherwise Ethiopia, then surrounded by Islamic states and isolated from European Christendom far to the north, had its hands full enough defending and maintaining its sovereignty as a Christian nation. Sincerely, Jon Guttman Research Director World History www.historynet.com More Questions at Ask Mr. History Dont miss the next Ask Mr. History question! To receive notification whenever any new item is published on HistoryNet, just scroll down the column on the right and sign up for our RSS feed. The blue of the ocean, the green of the hills and the white of the sands mix in a colorful and wild landscape that characterizes the protected area of Cerro Verde and Islas de la Coronilla, natural jewels that the eastern Uruguayan province of Rocha is seeking to make available for tourism, albeit in a responsible way. The coastal zone located some 300 kilometers (about 186 miles) from Montevideo and almost 30 km (19 mi.) from the border with Brazil has almost 1,700 hectares (about 4,250 acres) of land including hills and other areas consisting of seaside dunes, streams, rocky points, sandy beaches and local flora, such as the coastal scrubland of Cerro Verde. Its not easy to get there, thanks to the heightened natural level of the site, and its necessary to take a winding route through the hilly zone, along dirt and sandy pathways on all-terrain vehicles, to reach the area where several paths branch off to the inland hills and the coastal beaches. From the top of the hill, beyond the landscape and the Coronilla islands, one can also see the flora and fauna of the site, which is really marvelous, Rocha provincial tourism director Ana Caram told EFE. Cerro Verde includes portions of Uruguays Atlantic scrubland and its also one of the main habitats for the green sea turtles, a species in danger of extinction, particularly the younger animals, and there are also 10 nesting areas along the Atlantic Ocean, where the specialized Karumbe NGO has been doing intensive conservation work. In addition, the area, which was made part of the National System of Protected Areas in 2011, has a marine zone covering more than 7,000 hectares (17,500 acres) that includes a complex of ocean islands like Isla Verde - the largest and closest to the coast - and Isla Coronilla. This protected zone has two emblematic areas: one of them is Las Piedritas, which is Rochas best fishing area and was the fifth best in the world at one time. Its a place where you can even fish for big sea bass but which, at the same time, has incredible beaches, Caram said. Pham Van Chuong, Vice President of the Vietnamese committee, and Vice President of the Lao committee Alounxay Sounnalath informed each other about socio-economic development in each country and discussed regional and global issues of shared concern. Chuong noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and people, as well as cooperation between the two committees. He asked the Lao committee to send more delegations to attend peaceful activities to be held in Vietnam in 2019. He also pledged that the Vietnamese side will do its best to contribute to the Asian regional meeting of the World Peace Council in 2019, of which Laos will play the host. In reply, Alounxay Sounnalath thanked the Vietnamese side for their cooperation and support for the Lao committee, saying he believes that the two committees will continue with their collaboration and exchange of experience, information and viewpoints on regional and international issues, thus contributing to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the world. Later the same day, the Vietnamese delegation visited Chairman of the Lao National Assembly and President of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity Somphan Phengkhammi. The Vietnamese delegation of the Vietnam Peace Committee, led by its Vice President Pham Van Chuong, is on a working visit to Laos from December 24-28. Stephen Cohen reflects on major developments in 2018, in part drawing on themes in his new book War with Russia? From Putin and Ukraine to Trump and Russiagate. December 24, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The new Cold War is not a mere replica of its 40-year predecessor, which the world survived. In vital ways, it is more dangerous, more fraught with actual war, as illustrated by events in 2018, among them: The militarization of the new Cold War intensified, with direct or proxy US-Russian military confrontations in the Baltic region, Ukraine, and Syria; the onset of another nuclear arms race with both sides in quest of more usable weapons; mounting, but entirely unsubstantiated, claims by influential Cold War lobbies, such as the Atlantic Council, that Moscow is contemplating an invasion of Europe; and the growing influence of Moscows own hawks. The previous Cold War was also highly militarized, but never directly on Russias own borders, as is this one, from the small nations of Eastern Europe to Ukraine, a process that continued to unfold in 2018. Russiagateallegations that President Trump is strongly influenced by or even under the sway of the Kremlin, for which there remains no actual evidencecontinued to escalate as a dangerous and unprecedented factor in the new Cold War. What began as suggestions that the Kremlin had meddled in the 2016 US presidential election grew into mainstream insinuations, even assertions, that the Kremlin put Trump in the White House. The result has been to all but shackle Trump as a crisis-negotiator with Russian President Putin. Thus, for attending a July summit meeting with Putin in Helsinkiduring which Trump defended the legitimacy of his own presidencyhe was widely denounced by mainstream US media and politicians as having committed treason. And twice subsequently Trump was compelled to cancel scheduled meetings with Putin. Americans may reasonably ask whether the politicians, journalists, and organizations that assail Trump for the same kind of summit diplomacy practiced by every president since Eisenhower actually prefer trying to impeach Trump to avoiding war with Russia. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The same question can be asked of major mainstream media outlets that have virtually abandoned the reasonably balanced and fact-based reporting and commentary they practiced during the latter stages of the preceding Cold War. In 2018, for example, their nonfactual, surreal allegation that Putins Russia attacked American democracy in 2016 became an orthodox dogma and the pivot of their Russiagate and new Cold War narrative. Also unlike during the preceding Cold War, they continued to exclude dissenting, alternative reporting, perspectives, and opinions. Still more, these media outlets persist in relying heavily on former intelligence chiefs as sources and commentators, even though the role of these intel officials in the origins of the Russiagate narrative now seems clear. A striking example of media malpractice was coverage of the maritime conflict between Ukrainian and Russian gunboats on November 25, in the Kerch straits between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. All empirical evidence available, as well as Ukrainian President Poroshenkos desperate need to bolster his chances for reelection in March 2019, strongly indicated that this was a deliberate provocation by Kiev. But the US mainstream media portrayed it instead as yet another instance of Putins aggression. Thus was a dangerous US-Russian proxy war fundamentally misrepresented to the American public. In large part due to such media malpractice, and despite the escalating dangers in US-Russian relations, in 2018 there continued to be no significant antiCold War opposition anywhere in mainstream American political lifenot in Congress, the major political parties, think tanks, or on college campuses, only a very few individual dissenters. Accordingly, the policy of detente with Russia, or what Trump has repeatedly called cooperation with Russia, still found no significant supporters in mainstream politics, even though it was the policy of other Republican presidents, notably Eisenhower, Nixon, and Reagan. Trump has tried, but he has been thwarted, repeatedly again in 2018. Meanwhile, the charge that Russia attacked American democracy and continues to do so might best be applied to Russiagate promoters themselves. Their allegations have undermined the America presidency as an institution and cast doubt on US elections. By criminalizing both contacts with Russia and proposals for better relations, and by threatening to weed out a capacious and nebulous body of disinformation in US media, they have considerably diminished the vaunted American marketplace of free speech and ideas. Also under growing assault are traditional concepts of US political justice, which, at least based on what is known in regard to Russia, have been abused in the cases of Gen. Michael Flynn and, in Soviet-like fashion, of Maria Butina. At worst, this young Russian woman seems to have been an undeclared (but candidly open) advocate of better relations and an ardent proponent of her own country. For this, something long pursued by young Americans in Russia as well, she was held for months in solitary confinement until she confessedthat is, entered a plea. And this in a nation that has long officially promoted democracy abroad. Finally, while US political and media elites remained obsessed with the fictions of Russiagatewhich increasingly appears to be Russiagate without Russia and instead mostly tax-fraud-gate and sex-gatepostSoviet Russia continued its remarkable rise as a diplomatic great power, primarily, though not only, in the East, as documented recently in three highly informed publications far from and scarcely noted by the US political-media establishment. Meanwhile, Washingtons primary base of allies in world affairs, the European Union, continued its slide into self-inflicted, ever-deepening crisis. Stephen F. Cohen, professor emeritus of politics and Russian studies at Princeton and NYU, and John Batchelor mark the fifth anniversary of their (usually) weekly discussions of the new US-Russian Cold War. (Previous installments are at TheNation.com.) This article was originally published by The Nation. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== The Times names & shames Sputnik journalists in appalling McCarthyist hit-piece Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. December 24, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - What if protesters in Paris win, and the French government gives in to all their demands? What if taxes are reduced, wages increased, President Macron steps down? I am not talking only about the fuel tax; attempts to impose it have been already abandoned. I am not talking about increase of the minimum wage the government already agreed to rise it by 100 euro per month. What I am talking about are real, fundamental changes which many protesters seem to be desiring: substantial tax reduction for the majority of French citizens, generous increase in wages and enhancement of social benefits for all. So, if the Yellow Vests manage to win all this, then what will happen? Who would benefit? But also, who would lose? * One of my readers recently wrote to me that France should reduce its military budget and from those billions of euro saved, could easily finance demands of the protesters. Another reader wrote that the richest citizens of France (or call them elites) should be taxed heavily, and the money saved in this way could be then distributed among the poor and the lower middle class. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Sounds reasonable? Yes, definitely; reasonable and logical. The only tiny defect is: we all know that it will never happen this way. President Macron was elevated to the throne by precisely those so-called elites. In return, those rich folks expect their privileges to be guaranteed, even swollen. And to imagine that a NATO member country (in this case France) would suddenly slash its military budget and from what is saved, start to finance various new social programs for the poor and the middle class, is unrealistic, even childish. So where will the funds come from, if the French government decides to do something truly radical; radical at least by the standards of our era of turbo-capitalism: to listen to its own people? Let me stop beating about the bush and ask my question brutally and concretely: What if all demands of the Yellow Vests get satisfied; who will pay the bill? * To put all this into a context: I write this essay in Hanoi, capital of socialist Vietnam. Some time ago, I used to live in this city. I spent almost three years here, when it was still poor, and people remembered war, some even the French colonialism. Right after I arrived, what shocked me the most was that while the Vietnamese people seemed to forgive the USA, they had never forgiven the French colonialists. Why? I asked my friends. How is it possible? Wasnt the US bombing and killing campaign during the American War (which is known in the West as Vietnam War) terribly brutal, with millions of Vietnamese, Cambodians and Laotians losing their lives? Of course, it was, I was readily explained. But we fought and, despite the terrible losses and hardship, we defeated Americans in relatively short time. And anyway, it was not only them; members of the coalition also consisted of countries like South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, and of course, France. And the story continued: The French were occupying and tormenting us for much longer. They also had been humiliating our people, continuously. They enslaved up, tortured us, took our women, they raped them, and they had stolen all that we had. Near where I used to live, was a notorious Central Jail, equipped with guillotines, torture chambers, solitary confinement cells. Now, on exhibit there, are monstrous instruments used by the French colonizers, to torture and rape captured Vietnamese patriot women: beer bottles, electric wires, walking canes. Whatever the colonized Indochina had, was stolen: taken to France, in order to finance construction of grandiose theatres, railroads, metro, parks, and universities. And yes, to subsidize formation of that famous French social system which, as the Yellow Vests are now correctly saying, is being dismantled by the French elites and by the political system which they are fully controlling. Vietnamese people fought bravely against the French, finally defeating them during an iconic battle at Dien Bien Phu. But the victorious Vietnamese Communist forces inherited ransacked, divided land, stripped of its resources and even of its art work (several French intellectuals, including famous writer and later Minister of Culture in de Gaulles government, Andre Malraux, confessed to stealing art objects from Indochina, when he lived there as a young man). Needless to say, that until now, French companies are brutally pillaging many parts of Southeast Asia, through mining and other neo-colonialist projects, as they do in various areas of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Now ask in Hanoi, ask in Phnom Penh or Vientiane, whether people of Indochina (what an insulting and bizarre name was given to this part of the world by the French, during the colonial era!) are supporting Yellow Vests in Paris? Ask whether they think that if they win concessions in Paris, it would improve life in Asia. Are you guessing what the answer would be? * I dont say that demands of the people who are fighting in the streets of Paris are wrong. They are not. They are absolutely legitimate. French elites are brutal, selfish, even perverse. Present French government is simply serving them, as the US presidents are all serving huge corporations, including those deadly military conglomerates. They should go, they should disappear, give way to what is logical human evolutionary pattern: a socialist, egalitarian society. But they are not ready to go. On the contrary. They are robbing, for centuries, entire planet, and now they went so far as to plundering their own people (who were used to sharing the booty). French citizens are not used to being plundered. For centuries they lived well, and for several last decades, they were living extremely well. They were enjoying some of the most generous benefits anywhere in the world. Who paid for it? Did it matter? Was it ever important to those in Paris, in other big cities, or in the countryside? Were the French farmers wondering how come they were getting generous subsidies when they were producing excessive amounts of food and wine, but also when they were asked by the government not to produce much of anything? Did they often travel to Senegal, or elsewhere in West Africa, to investigate how these subsidies thoroughly destroyed agriculture sector in several former French colonies? Did they care that lives of millions there were totally ruined? Or that as far as Indonesia or Brazil, French corporations have been, aggressively, taking over food and beverage production, as well as food distribution, and that as a result, food prices in many poor countries skyrocketed to double or triple of what they are in Paris, while the local incomes remain, in some cases, only 10% of those in France? And the food is only one example. But this essay was supposed to be about something slightly different: about the Yellow Vests, and what will happen if all of their demands would be met. * If we agree that the regime that is governing in France, entire West, and in many of its colonies and neo-colonies, is truly monstrous, perverse and brutal, we have to come to a logical conclusion that it is not going to pay the bill for better medical care, education, as well as lower taxes and higher wages of the ordinary French citizens. If demands of the protesters are met, there will be someone else who will be forced to cover the bill. Most likely tens of millions, or hundreds of millions will be taxed. And they will not be living in France, or in the European Union, or even anywhere near. Are protesters of Mouvement des gilets jaunes, thinking about this? Does it matter to them at least a little bit? It did not in the past, either. Perhaps when few people like Jean Paul Sartre were still alive, these questions were periodically asked. But not lately; not now. Not during this rebellion on Champs-Elysees. Do people in France question how many millions would have to die in order to improve the quality of life in the French cities and in provinces? Or perhaps, to compensate, to cover the social spending, some country would have to be invaded? Would it be Iran? Or maybe Venezuela? The New York Times, in one of its articles about the French provinces, mentioned that people were complaining they cannot afford to even take their wives to a restaurant for dinner, anymore. That is truly serious, but would it justify a battle for Iran or Venezuela, and their consequent plunder, or would it excuse massacre of further few hundreds of thousands of West Papuans? * I would suggest something that would help to convince the true internationalists, as well as people all over the pillaged world, that the Mouvement des gilets jaunes is not just selfishly fighting for the benefits that would improve lives of the French citizens, at the expense of many others all over the world: They should indicate that they understand; that they are not indifferent to others. Say clearly that they are against capitalism and imperialism, against colonialism and plundering of the people and their resources in absolutely all parts of our Planet! Say that they are for freedom, equality, and fraternity of all human beings, not just French! Say that this is true revolution, true battle for improving the world, not just for more money, lower taxes, and better benefits exclusively for people who are living in France! Say that they would never accept any benefits or extra money, if they come from robbing poor and colonized nations of all that have left. If they do say all this, and if they demonstrate that they truly mean it, I will have to shout Vive la Revolution! and join them the protesters wholeheartedly. But until they do, until I am convinced that their victory would not harm others, millions of others, Ill continue to be much more concerned about people of Vietnam and Papua, about Iran, Africa, Syria or the entire Middle East, than about whether someone individual in rural France can afford to take his wife for dinner to a restaurant. Andre Vltchek , and his Twitter. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. John Pilger Says Assange Denies Meeting Manafort By Joe Lauria December 25, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - W ikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange has vehemently denied that he ever met Donald Trumps former campaign manager, according to journalist and filmmaker John Pilger, who met with Assange at Ecuadors embassy in London last week. Pilger said Assange told him the story published by The Guardian on Nov. 27 was a total fabrication. Pilger told Consortium News Pilger called The Guardian story an indication of a kind of degradation of the media today and especially of the respectable media. We discussed that a great deal. Pilger said Assange had been the target of attacks over the years that have come thick and fast. He said: And for one man to cope with them is an extraordinary feat. Only occasionally does he express angerhe does it as anyone of us would feelsay on an attack like The Guardians utterly false story. First Visit Since March Pilger had not visited Assange since before March, when the Ecuadorian government imposed a ban on his internet and phone connection, and limited visitors to his lawyers and family members. Pilgers impression on seeing him again is that Assange has lost no sharpness of mind after more than six years confined to a small space in the embassy, and now nine months cut off from the outside world. Hes in very good spirits, Pilger said. The extraordinary resilience of this man is something to behold. In his own personality, intellectually he is Julian. I cant say what hes feeling. His health is probably holding steady but he urgently needs comprehensive diagnostic work done, said Pilger. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter But people should know that Julians spirits, his whole sense of to hell with them, and his own resolve to stand up to those who would want to do a great injustice to him is undiminished, he said. Hes not leaving, they will have to throw him out. Hes not going anywhere. The United States government has admitted that it has indicted Assange for publishing classified documents that revealed apparent U.S. war crimes and corruption. Assange fears that if he leaves the embassy British authorities would arrest him on bail skipping charges and then extradite him to the U.S. for prosecution. Touchstone of Opposition Pilger said The Guardian story was the best example he could think of that expresses todays Cold War. Ive never known it to be as explicit as it is now. And that fabricated Guardian story is an example of that. He said: In the first Cold War there was an opposition in those days. There isnt a popular opposition now. The so-called liberal opposition is so confused, so disorientated, and so, almost wretched, in its uncertainty of its true allegiances, in its collusion, that there isnt a major anti-war movement. In many ways, Julian is a touchstone for opposition to so much of what is happening in our world. Of all the cases that illustrate resistance to that, there is none like that of Julian Assange. And he needs public, popular support. He needs people to go into the street outside the embassy. To go in the streets all over the world, as they have done in the past, Pilger said. Watch the entire, original video: This article was originally published by " Consortium News " Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. December 25, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Oh what a lovely big stocking-filler for the Kiev regime this week from Washington. Just in time for Christmas too, and only weeks after President Petro Poroshenko tried to incite a war with Russia from a naval provocation in the Kerch Strait. First we had US government envoy Kurt Volker announcing this week that an additional $250 million in military weapons were being packaged in Congress for Ukraine. Then the DC-based international lending institutions, the IMF and World Bank, signed off on multi-billion-dollar loans for Poroshenkos regime. US government-owned Radio Free Europe described the new financial loans as a victory for Poroshenko. The apparent investor confidence bestowed by the Washington-based development agencies will boost the incumbent presidents re-election prospects in the forthcoming ballot in March. Up until recently, Poroshenko was trailing in opinion polls and looked set for a trouncing defeat in the election. How convenient that the IMF and World Bank under the control of US government should step up to the plate with a very big helping hand. And thats not seen as interference in a countrys sovereign affairs? Since the CIA-backed coup detat in Kiev in February 2014 against the elected government of Viktor Yanukovych, it is estimated that the US has provided the cabal that seized power with up to $1 billion in military aid. And those dubious gifts keep coming, with the envoy Kurt Volker this week announcing to a forum in Brussels that the US Congress is processing an additional $250 million. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter It doesnt seem to bother American lawmakers that the Kiev regime is dominated by Neo-Nazi demagogues and paramilitaries who worship Stepan Bandera and other Ukrainian collaborators in the Third Reichs Final Solution. Just recently President Poroshenko was photographed inspecting Ukrainian special forces some of whom were donning insignia of the Third Reichs SS. As Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out in his annual press conference this week, the Kiev regime has been waging a war and a blockade against its own Ukrainian citizens in the eastern Donbas region for over four years, in which civilians continue to be killed on a daily basis. One reason why that war remains largely unknown in the West is because Western news media dont report on it. Or when they do, they distort with lies that Russia has invaded Ukraine. This is similar to how the Western news media largely forgot to report on the war in Yemen, and when they have bothered to mention Yemen at all, they again distort by calling it a proxy war with Iran. The Ukraine war against the ethnic Russian people of eastern Ukraine is driven by a rabid Russophobia subscribed to by the Kiev regime consistent with the exterminatory mentality of the Third Reich with whom their antecedents collaborated with during the Second World War. The criminal recklessness of Washington knows no bounds. Just as President Donald Trump announces this week that he is pulling out American troops from Syria (illegally present there for the past four years), the same administration is stepping up its military involvement in Ukraine. After the November 25 incident in the Kerch Strait when three heavily armed Ukrainian warships violated Russias maritime border, one might have thought that the US backers of the Kiev regime would have prevailed upon it with caution not to incite Russia. Not a bit of it, it seems. The US is giving notice that it is increasing its already hefty military support. That amounts to a green light from Washington to the Kiev regime to continue its provocations. The timing of the IMF and World Bank financing is also blatant, and equally reprehensible. The IMF said it had approved $4 billion in new money for the Kiev regime, the first tranche of which will be disbursed by December 25, Christmas Day in the Western calendar! Together, the IMF and World Bank loans will enable the Kiev regime to seek taking on even more debt from other international sources, their approval acting as an endorsement of sound economy. Ukraine is already lumbering from huge national debts of around $115 billion. The IMF and World Bank are therefore pushing the country into deeper arrears. No doubt that is part of the threadbare pattern of how Western capital will strip the country of its resources and the populace thrown into debt slavery. Nevertheless, grave legal questions arise. It is understood that the Bretton Woods institutions of the IMF and World Bank, officially affiliated with the United Nations, are forbidden from lending money to states which are in the midst of armed conflict. How is it then possible that those institutions are bank rolling the Kiev regime given the latters horrendous assault on its own people in eastern Ukraine, its explicit affiliation with Neo-Nazi ideology, and its brazen attempts to provoke a war with Russia? Furthermore, IMF lending was supposedly put on hold in 2017 because the Kiev regime was not complying with demands to crack down on corruption and implement political reforms. If anything the economic and political corruption in Ukrainian territory under the control of the Kiev regime has become an even bigger, more rampant problem. The IMF and World Bank announced their financial goodies this week without providing any evidence of purported conditional improvements. This all makes for a grim prognosis over the coming months. The Kiev regime has no intention to go back to the 2015 Minsk accords which called for a negotiated political settlement in Ukraine. As Putin remarked recently, as long as the current cabal in Kiev remains in power then conflict will be the order of the day. The US government and the Washington financial institutions are ensuring that the cabal remains in power with their generous rewards of military and capital injections. More disturbing is that the Kiev regime will feel emboldened to take its warmongering against Russia to an even more reckless level. Father Christmas is supposed to reward good boys and girls. For Washington, the gifts are evidently doled out for a Neo-Nazi rogue regime with blood on its hands. This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release Deji Adeyanju, human rights activist, currently in prison over a murder case that happened in the 2000s. The senate president said the decision to keep Adeyanju in prison till after the 2019 presidential polls, has put the Nigerian democracy in bad light. Speaking via his Twitter handle on Monday, Saraki also called on Human rights groups to wade in, on the matter, in order to avoid watching helplessly as the rights of a citizen is being trampled upon. See statement below President Muhammadu Buhari should direct the release Mr. Deji Adeyanju and ensure that his fundamental human rights are not continuously abused by the Police. The way Mr. Adeyanjus case has been handled and the last decision of the Magistrate Court to remand the young man in prison till after the conclusion of the 2019 Polls has presented our democracy in bad light. The President needs to intervene to find out whether the current travails of Mr. Adeyanju have anything to do with his frequently expressed viewpoints against the Federal Government. At this point, President Buhari should not allow the excesses and over-zealousness of some security agents to give his government a bad name. I also call on all human rights protection groups to wade into this matter and ensure that we do not watch helplessly as the rights of a citizen is being trampled upon. The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has wished Nigerians a re-enactment of the wonders, joy and peace of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. She urged the people to use the opportunity of Christmas to pray and commit to actions that will make Nigeria realise its hidden greatness. In a press statement on Tuesday to felicitate with Christians, the ACPN presidential candidate especially called on leaders in the country to emulate God who gave Jesus Christ to humanity to live among us. Ezekwesili said, That is why Christmas is all about giving to others. According to her, leaders must be ready to give of their all in sacrifice for the development of Nigeria. Christmas is one great celebration that reminds us of the need to have exemplary and sacrificial leadership in our country. Therefore, as leaders, we must be willing to emulate Christ and be willing to sacrifice for the development of Nigeria, Ezekwesili said. While I congratulate Nigerians on this glorious Christmas day, let me also urge everyone of us to prepare to vote sensibly and break out of the stranglehold of bad leadership in 2019. It is only then that our country can celebrate the Christmas of 2019 under the right quality of leadership that will bring joy to our nation and people. Vanguard President Muhammadu Buhari has, again, said he remains committed to free, fair, credible and violence-free elections in 2019, saying my word is my bond. The Nation FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to keep working for peace as the 2019 general elections draw closer.He warned that Nigerians, and not God, should accept responsibility, if peace eludes the country.The elder statesman gave the advice on Sunday evening during the 2018 Christmas Carol and Service of Six Lessons organised by the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King (CCKG) situated inside the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the State capital. This Day Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja received the letter of his adoption as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) from Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and the National Chairman of APM, Yusuf Dantalle. Buharis acceptance of the letter from Amosun was perceived to imply his Daily Sun The attackers who ambushed Badehs convoy operated on the old Keffi/Kaduna road, not the Abuja/Keffi expressway as it was being speculated. From Molly Kilete, Abuja The killers of the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, have released his farm manager. Daily Sun gathered that the farm manager, who was also Daily Sun Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Monday presented the states 2019 budget estimates of N169.652billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration. Tambuwal Daily Trust The call by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the Yoruba in South West to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 so as to have a shot at the presidency in 2023 is a clarion call for the Ndigbo in South East Nigeria, Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has said Leadership Worried over the spate of killings in the state, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taking refuge in Tsafe town of Tsafe local government area in Zamfara State have staged violent demonstration to protest wanton killings in the area. The demonstrators set ablaze the secretariat of the local government and burnt down 18 motor vehicles and motorbikes. Tribune Gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala, on Monday, stated that his ambition to be governor again was hinged on his concern that the state had lost its pacesetter status, despite its abundant resources, and that residents of the state grappled with pains and hardship. President Muhammadu Buhari, his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, and the National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole took Nigerians by surprise after they sang Christmas song to Nigerians. Christians all over the world and Nigeria, are celebrating the birth of Christ. The president, surprised his people, after he shared a video of himself and the other two, singing we wish you a merry Christmas. In his Christmas message to Nigerians, Buhari said the celebration is one that embodies a message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Jesus Christ embodies and conveys. At Christmas we reflect on the humble, symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago in Bethlehem, Judea; and the message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Jesus Christ embodies and conveys. Merry Christmas to All! Opinion Policies Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue. Feedback policy If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com). Column Policy Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions. Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020 The child patient is Dinh Viet Huy from Lam Dong province, who suffers from end-stage kidney failure. According to Doctor Trinh Huu Tung, Director of Nhi Dong 2 Hospital, the kidney from the 43-year-old donor was transported by air from Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on December 12. The operation was conducted at 21:00 the same day. On December 24, the child patient is in a stable condition and is able to urinate 4 litres of urine a day. Doctors said he will be able to return to school in six months. According to Professor Tran Dong A, an advisor on organ transplants at Nhi Dong 2 Hospital, the successful use of an organ for a child patient from a brain-dead donor opens up opportunities to save the lives of many children suffering from fatal diseases. Vietnams law does not allow the donation of viscera from under-18 children. Fauji Foundation Rawalpindi Jobs 2019 Hardware Technician Latest Fauji Foundation Computer Posts Rawalpindi 2021 Fauji Foundation Rawalpindi, Pakistan Army, Government of Pakistan are requires applications from experienced and committed candidates for the posts of Hardware Technician. How to Apply on Fauji Foundation 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. Ministry of Privatisation Islamabad Jobs 2019 Consultants Latest Ministry of Privatisation Consultant Posts Islamabad 2021 Ministry of Privatisation, Privatisation Commission Islamabad, Government of Pakistan required candidates for the posts of Legal Consultant, Banking Consultant, Capital Market Consultant, Financial Consultant, Power Sector Consultant. Skills Required Management How to Apply on Ministry of Privatisation 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. * A joint anti-terrorism training drill between the Chinese and Indian armies concluded on December 22 in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, a military source said on December 23. * Italy's rightwing-populist coalition government won a confidence vote in the early hours of Sunday (December 23) on its 2019 budget bill, sparking an outcry from the opposition. * US President Donald Trump announced on December 23 that he has picked Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan as the acting Pentagon chief. Shanahan will assume the role starting January 1, 2019, Trump said in a tweet on December 23 noon. * A Taliban commander along with five of his fighters gave up fighting and joined the government-backed peace process in Darayem district of the northern Badakhshan province on December 23, provincial government spokesman Nik Mohammad Nazari said on December 24. * With five days ahead of Bangladesh's general election, Army troops have been deployed in most parts of the country (389 out of about 500 sub-districts) to assist the civil administration in ensuring security. * Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group launched a unilateral temporary cease-fire on December 23 in the lead up to Christmas. * China will ban imports of waste foreign vessels to protect the environment, China Daily reported on December 24. * At least eight people were killed and many injured in a massive pile-up of as many as 50 vehicles, including a school bus, trucks and several cars, due to dense fog in India's northern state of Haryana early on December 24 morning. * The departing US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has signed the execute order detailing the US troop withdrawal from Syria, reported US media on December 23. * Israel's army said on December 23 night that its troops opened fire at "armed infiltrators" after the latter crossed a buffer zone near the Israeli-Syrian border. * The White House budget director said on December 23 that the White House has given a "counter-offer" to the Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, appearing to soften its position on the funding of the president's promised US-Mexico border wall. * Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said on December 23 that supporting the Palestinian cause is one of the principle policies of the country, official IRNA news agency reported. * Intense clashes erupted on December 23 between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah despite the cease-fire backed by the United Nations, local sources said. * The cybersecurity department of Beijing police said more than 3,100 suspects involved in over 6,600 Internet-related cases were detained in the capital of China in 2018. * The White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said on December 23 that the ongoing partial government shutdown would likely extend into the new year. * Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj and his Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte met in the Libyan capital Tripoli on December 23 and discussed bilateral relations and cooperation. * The Egyptian police killed 14 terrorists after hours of shootout in Arish city of North Sinai province northeastern the country, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said in a statement on December 23. By Lee Kyung-min Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance will acquire a 25 percent stake in VietinBank Insurance Joint Stock Corp. (VBI), in a move to accelerate business expansion in the Southeast Asian country, the firm said Tuesday. Korea's second-largest non-life insurer said it signed a stock purchase agreement to buy a quarter of the VBI. The deal will be finalized upon approval from the Vietnamese financial authorities. "A great synergy will be created with the business partnership boosted by the great potential of the VBI and our decades of experience and knowhow," a Hyundai official said in a statement. VBI, a non-life insurer subsidiary of Vietnam's second-largest commercial bank VietinBank, ranks 13th in market capitalization only 10 years after its establishment. It was named among the 500 fastest-growing company in the country in 2017, the same year it received an award from U.K.-based financial magazine Global Banking and Finance Review for outstanding customer service in the country. Hyundai opened an office in Ho Chi Minh City in 1997 and another in Hanoi in 2016. The acquisition is the latest of continued expansion sought by many Korean non-life insurers since the 1990s amid a growing need to identify new sources of revenue as the domestic market has all but saturated. Many Korean insurers have been and are still rushing to enter the country where about 70 percent of the population is relatively young aged between 15 and 64 because the two sectors grew at an annual rate of 15 percent and 7 percent, respectively, between 2013 and 2016. By Jung Da-min, Park Si-soo A North Korean newspaper published by the ruling Workers' Party started charging for its PDF files, in an unprecedented free-to-paid service transition for a rare source of domestic-made political news of the reclusive state. The Rodong Sinmun implemented the transition on Monday, said North Korea experts in South Korea and other countries. As of Tuesday, an icon linked to daily-updated PDF versions of the Rodong Sinmun is nowhere to be found on its website. Instead the PDF files are being sold by Korea Media, a Tokyo-based pro-North media organization. The intent behind the transition and price policy are not known yet. "As far as I know, Rodong Sinmun officials discussed the transition for over a year to set the paper's position as a propaganda machine for the ruling party with a subscription fee," a North Korea expert said asking not to be identified. The Rodong Sinmun has published a PDF-format newspaper primarily for overseas North Korean diplomats who are unable to read the printed version on the day of its publication. The files are in high demand among foreign scholars, journalists and government officials because they contain articles that aren't published by the online version of the paper. Reading articles posted on the website is still free. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning North Korea's dire human rights record for the 14th consecutive year on Dec. 17. / Korea Times file By Yi Whan-woo The Moon Jae-in administration is getting tough with North Korea over the regime's human rights abuses, although South Korea is on track for building confidence to help the stalled U.S.-North Korea nuclear disarmament talks move forward. On Dec. 17, the South threw its support behind the U.N. General Assembly's approval of a resolution condemning the North's dire human rights record. It marks the 14th consecutive year the Assembly has passed the document. South Korea's support came after Moon's three summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year. According to analysts, it is believed to be based on a lesson learned from the government of President Roh Moo-hyun, for whom Moon served as chief of staff. After Roh's 2007 summit with then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, father of Kim Jong-un, Seoul abstained later the same year from the U.N. vote assailing Pyongyang's state-perpetrated human rights violations. The U.N. approved the 2007 resolution and the two Koreas managed to maintain momentum for reconciliation efforts. But Moon came under fire during his 2017 presidential campaign, when it was called into question whether it was morally appropriate keep quiet on human rights issues just to avoid provoking Pyongyang. Moon especially was targeted for showing his willingness to inherit the legacy of the late Roh, including the inter-Korean trust-building process. North Korea, one of the world's most repressive states, restricts all civil and political liberties of its citizens, including freedom of expression, association and assembly. It prohibits all organized political opposition, civil society and trade unions and the regime uses torture in custody and arbitrary arrest to maintain fear and control. Hundreds of Catholics pray during Christmas mass at Myeong-dong Cathedral, central Seoul, Tuesday. Services and masses were held at Catholic and Protestant churches across the nation to celebrate the holy day. Yonhap President Moon Jae-in hoped Christmas serves as a day to care about the less privileged and poor in his message posted on Twitter on Christmas morning Tuesday. By citing a poem by popular poet Park No-hae, he wrote, "On Christmas morning, I am thinking of Jesus Christ's warmness that we all have in our hearts." The poem titled "A Poem of That Winter" depicts the warmheartedness of a grandmother who worries about how the poor and weak are surviving in the brutal cold. "The grandmother's heart is the same as that of Jesus," the president wrote. At the bottom of Moon's message is a picture of six little puppies wearing winter scarves that were born to a dog that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave Moon as a present during their September summit. The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said the scarves were made by first lady Kim Jong-sook and some South Korean children. Both faithful Catholics, the first couple attended Mass at a Catholic church in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, where Moon's mother resides, on Christmas Eve. (Yonhap) By Kim Hyun-bin The Moon Jae-in government still has a long way to go to handle loads of work, a group of professors said Monday while evaluating 2018. The professors picked the four-Chinese-character idiom "imjungdowon" (), meaning "hefty load but a long way to go," as the expression that best describes this year's social atmosphere. A weekly journal of professors conducted a survey from Dec. 5 to 14 to pick the most representative idiom of the year. Among the 878 participants, 38.8 percent chose imjungdowon, which is seen as an evaluation of the Moon administration's second year. Kyung Hee University professor Jeon Ho-geun, who recommended the phrase, said the idiom best expresses the government's current state, which he believes has a long way to go to fulfill its political agenda. "The current administration has many problems to overcome to fulfill its policy for peace on the Korean Peninsula and other domestic objectives. I chose the idiom in hopes the administration can overcome all hardships through strong will," Jeon said. Most of the professors who chose the idiom expressed similar hopes, supporting the government's policies and reforms, according to the journal. "There is a lot of opposition to the government's reforms and the media have been underestimating its achievements and exaggerating any errors they find. The government has its hands full in terms of problems it needs to solve," another professor who picked the idiom told the journal. "There is stubborn resistance but there is no future without reform." But another professor used the word to criticize the government and the ruling bloc, saying, "The word goes to the government officials and ruling party members who are repeating old-fashioned behaviors. I hope they'll learn the lesson from the phrase." The idiom "milwunbulwu" (), which means "clouds fill the sky but no rain," came in second with 23.9 percent of the votes. Jeju University professor Ko Sung-bin, who recommended the word, says the government has made many situations ripe for some crucial changes but seen results are not being made. "There have been drastic changes the inter-Korean talks which ended the hostile relations with the North, the U.S.-North Korea summit over denuclearization and income-led growth. But these are not bearing detailed fruit and only positive outlooks continue," Ko said. "Gongjaebulsa" (), meaning "success is possible when the person never quits," came in third with 15.3 percent of the votes. Korea University professor Kim Sun-taek, who recommended the word, stressed the strong will for reform. "I recommend the idiom in hopes the government will never give in and continue its reform drive which will bring results," Kim said. Rep. Hong Young-pyo, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), participates in a party meeting at the National Assembly on Dec. 18. / Yonhap By Park Ji-won The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is unlikely to accept repeated requests by opposition parties to investigate alleged hiring irregularities related to Moon Joon-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in, in an apparent move to spare the President from further difficulties. Political sources said Tuesday the ruling party will maintain a wait-and-see stance for a while about the request as the acceptance for an Assembly investigation into Joon-yong, if it actually happens, may put the President into jeopardy on multiple fronts. The key rationale is as the President has already confronted numerous internal challenges such as a slow progress of talks aimed at dismantling North Korea and tepid economic growth, the request may bring an early arrival of lame-duck status. Opposition parties led by the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) are asking the ruling party to investigate Joon-yong as a prerequisite to investigating LKP leader Kim Sung-tae's daughter. Kim is suspected of influencing the hiring process at KT to have his daughter hired in the country's dominant fixed-line operator. "Joon-yong would have been thoughtful as a son of the President, but no one can use him at any time as a target for a political attack," Rep. Park Kwang-on, a member of the supreme council of the DPK, wrote on Facebook, Monday. "Joon-yong was suspected of getting advantages in his job searching process, but such allegations were completely cleared both legally and ethically," the DPK lawmaker said. It is not the first time for the DPK to go on the defensive when Joon-yong's hiring-related issues have been emerged. A few days ago, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who was indicted for violating a local election law, raised the issue in what political analysts called a "survival tactics" to defend himself from further fallout. Governor Lee claimed a probe on Joon-yong about the allegations was necessary for fact-checking. After the governor's Facebook commentary, the DPK leadership council scrapped a plan to summon the governor to the party's disciplinary committee about his ongoing charges. When Governor Lee mentioned Joon-yong's case, the President's supporters asked the governor to officially leave the party. "More precisely, the DPK is unlikely to respond to the LKP leader Kim's suggestion to launch an Assembly probe into his daughter and Joon-yong, as well, as the probe would bring huge backlash from the President's supporters," one source told The Korea Times. The President's approval rating dropped to a new low last week amid an ongoing controversy over the alleged surveillance of citizens by Cheong Wa Dae and little progress in the denuclearization process. The minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) joined forces with the LKP by asking the ruling party to respond to the request by the LKP leader Kim. "It is weird for the DPK, which has been confident, to become passive when the LKP mentions Joon-yong," BMP spokesman Lee Jong-chul said in a statement last week. "The DPK should address this case sternly. If everything is fine, then there's no reason to avoid the call." Critics point out the hiring allegation surrounding Joon-yong likely will remain a major bone of contention throughout Moon's presidency. "The suspicions of Joon-yong's hiring irregularities already became a material for the other side of the ruling party to water down their controversy," political commentator Choi Soon-ae said. WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- While defending his decision to force Defense Secretary James Mattis out ahead of schedule, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that Saudi Arabia has agreed to replace the United States in helping rebuild Syria. In a slew of tweets sent at the White House, Trump said that "Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States." "See? Isn't it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the U.S., that is 5000 miles away," he noted. "Thanks to Saudi A!" The Trump administration has spared no efforts in saving ties with Saudi Arabia, despite the Congress leaders' repeated calls for reviewing it in a bid to punish Riyadh over its reported involvement in the murder of a Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, in October. Trump also defended his decision to let Mattis leave earlier than the latter's scheduled departure. The U.S. military veteran has resigned on Thursday due to unbridgeable differences with the White House host on relations with allies and the withdrawal from Syria, among others. "To those few Senators who think I don't like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO," Trump said. "What I don't like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States, both in Military Protection and Trade." "We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade," he noted. "General Mattis did not see this as a problem. I DO, and it is being fixed!" This was not the first time he has complained about the media coverage of his decisions to leave Syria and let Mattis go ever after the latter's announced resignation. He tweeted one day ago that "If anybody but your favorite President, Donald J. Trump, announced that, after decimating ISIS in Syria, we were going to bring our troops back home (happy &healthy), that person would be the most popular hero in America." "With me, hit hard instead by the Fake News Media. Crazy!" he said. Via tweets on Monday, Trump also lashed out at Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy for the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State (IS), who resigned on Friday following Mattis' announcement to leave. "For all of the sympathizers out there of Brett McGurk remember, he was the Obama appointee who was responsible for loading up airplanes with 1.8 Billion Dollars in CASH &sending it to Iran as part of the horrific Iran Nuclear Deal (now terminated) approved by Little Bob Corker," Trump said. The past week has seen a series of the Trump administration's dramatic announcements in terms of military overseas and government leadership change. The White House said on Wednesday that it has started returning U.S. troops home from Syria after claiming a victory in the fight against the IS. On Thursday, U.S. media reported that the Trump administration considers to cut half of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan down to some 7,000 servicemen. Trump tweeted also on Thursday that Mattis will retire "with distinction" at the end of February, an announcement the Pentagon later confirmed by publishing its chief's resignation letter, implying entrenched divergences with Trump. One day later, McGurk was confirmed to have resigned, in the latest sign of U.S. senior official's growing objection to Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Enraged by frequent negative news coverage of his withdrawal decision and the two officials' announcements to leave, Trump said on Sunday that he has picked Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan as the acting Pentagon chief, forcing outgoing Mattis to step down two months earlier than planned. The reshuffle at the Pentagon also came as the U.S. federal government has been partially shut down over a budget impasse, triggering an increasing sense of uncertainty in Washington over the U.S. foreign policy direction over the next year. Trump, for his part, has never been a fan of sending U.S. troops out for battles overseas. Ever since his campaign, he has urged to bring "boys" back home, while senior national security officials, including Mattis, have advocated a longer-term military deployment to secure anti-terrorism victory and national security. By Doug Bandow Amid controversy over a possible ceasefire in the trade war with China, the U.S. engineered the arrest by Canada of a top Huawei executive for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. So far Beijing has targeted Ottawa for retaliation, arresting three Canadians. Huawei is one of China's international behemoths. The arrest of Meng Wangzhou, the founder's daughter and company chief financial officer, was not for committing a genuine crime against Americans, but rather for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. Washington's use of the country's unique economic clout to coerce the rest of the world reflects extraordinary hubris. Americans would be outraged if another nation did the same to them. In recent years the U.S. has increasingly insisted that the rest of the world follow America's lead, or else. Thus, secondary sanctions have become commonplace, the economic weapon of choice. Washington is using U.S.-dominated financial markets currently in an attempt to isolate Iran. Obviously, the purpose of secondary penalties is to magnify the impact of a boycott. In some cases, such as Iraq and North Korea, Washington won U.N. Security Council support for multilateral penalties. In many instances, however, foreign governments dismiss what they see as short-sighted, counterproductive penalties. When international support is lacking, Washington threatens foreign companies. Even the slightest error can lead to huge fines. So an American secondary boycott often becomes a global squeeze if not full boycott. Commercial restrictions have become all too common, perhaps because they are easy to apply and seem to offer a costless remedy to difficult foreign policy problems. Alas, target states almost never comply and only rarely offer to negotiate. Foreign governments typically are too concerned about power and prestige to capitulate to threatening foreigners. Another reason sanctions fail is that they hurt the wrong people average folks most vulnerable to economic decline. Elites, especially with political clout, often profit from the increase in the state's economic role. Over the years opposition leaders in both Yugoslavia and Cuba complained to me that oppressive governments manipulated sanctions to their advantage. In response the U.S. and other nations increasingly tried "smart sanctions," targeting government officials and their supporters personally. However, while this approach is ethically more satisfying, evidence of its success remains sparse. No dictator has yet given in because he wanted to vacation in the West. Nevertheless, Washington continues to promiscuously impose sanctions. Today Iran is the target du jour. Unfortunately, the administration's policy toward Tehran appears to have been developed by Saudi Arabia, which is more disruptive, brutal and destabilizing than Tehran. Moreover, seeking to impose Washington's will on the rest of the world generates resentment and resistance. Even U.S. allies have tired of the blundering behemoth taking short-sighted measures and creating long-term damage, with nary a thought about the interests of anyone else. After the president killed the Iran deal, European governments began exploring strategies to protect their businesses from U.S. controls. China and Russia also are interested in these endeavors. Until now the stakes have not been important enough to drive Washington's friends and adversaries to act, let alone do so together. The Huawei case adds another dimension. Even if administration policy toward Iran was not so misguided, it should not become the tail that wags the dog. China matters far more than Tehran. The China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral connection on Earth. U.S. relations with China already are frayed, given the trade war and other differences, especially over North Korea and control of East Asian waters. Washington has substantial leverage but must set priorities. Meng's arrest effectively raises the importance of compliance with Washington's Iran sanctions. Moreover, the Huawei arrest is likely to stiffen spines in Zhongnanhai. Chinese officials want to de-escalate the trade dispute and avoid penalties against Huawei, but nationalistic, politically sensitive leaders don't want to be pushed around. The failure of President Trump to raise the issue when meeting with China's President Xi Jinping is seen as a loss of face. Indeed, China's leadership faces aroused public opinion, which tends to unite on issues of national pride. The regime fears and often accommodates public sentiments. Some Chinese have expressed fear for investments in the U.S. while others urged an economic boycott. Retaliation might extend beyond Canada. Some American business executives are now expressing unease over traveling to China. Washington's hubris threatens its foreign relationships and international authority. A backlash over Meng's arrest is certain. When it comes, it is likely to do far more than undermine America's Iran campaign. Doug Bandow ( chessset@aol.com ) is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is author of "Foreign Follies: America's New Global Empire." By Mark Leonard BERLIN The politics of Brexit is descending into chaos. The European Union is fragmenting into northern, southern, eastern, and western tribes. And now the Franco-German marriage at the center of the European project is in danger of falling apart. In May 2017, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron met for the first time, many hoped for a renewal of vows. Crowds of pro-European well-wishers urged them on. Macron, the fresh-faced reformer, seemed to have a Midas-like political touch. And Merkel was at the height of her power on the international stage, having been deemed the new "leader of the free world," supplanting the "very stable genius" in the White House, Donald Trump. Quoting the German author Hermann Hesse, Merkel observed that, "There is magic in every beginning," but added a caveat: "The magic lasts only when there are results." Eighteen months later, the magic most certainly has not lasted. Merkel has now handed over the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and will not seek another term as chancellor. And Macron, far from walking on water, has been trying not to drown in a sea of yellow-vested protesters. As both leaders' political stars have waned, so, too, have the prospects for a renewed Franco-German relationship. Just when Macron was placing his hopes in Merkel's power to lead at the European level, her grip on domestic power was slipping. After the German federal election in September 2017, Merkel struggled for six months to form a government. She did not want to form a minority government, and the remaining opposition parties didn't particularly want to govern with her. But the real damage to Merkel's power came from within. Leading politicians in the CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have attacked Merkel's decision to welcome Syrian refugees in 2015, and even cozied up to some of her sworn enemies, not least Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and Matteo Salvini, the Italian deputy prime minister and interior minister. These populists and their CSU sympathizers have used immigration as a wedge issue to attack Merkel. Macron, meanwhile, has sought to make French renewal synonymous with European renewal. Since coming to power, he has pursued a new grand bargain with Germany. In exchange for France finally getting a grip on its finances and reforming its public sector and labor market, Germany would back Macron's proposals to deepen EU and eurozone integration, including a joint eurozone budget, an EU finance ministry, and more unified foreign and defense policies. Though Merkel recently agreed to a joint budget in principle, many in France now suspect that Macron has been duped. Early in his presidency, he introduced a series of unpopular measures, slashing the wealth tax and cutting social benefits. More recently, he rolled out a fuel-tax increase to keep this year's deficit below 3 percent of GDP, in the process unleashing the sea of yellow vests now laying siege to his administration. In response, Germany has offered Macron essentially nothing. It has dragged its feet on completing a banking union and introducing eurozone investment bonds, and has paid only lip service to the idea of a joint budget. Even on defense policy, which could serve as a stand-in for meaningful economic reforms, Germany has put up resistance, watering down EU proposals for an "avant-garde" grouping and balking at Macron's proposed European Intervention Initiative (EI2). The next few months will almost certainly deliver more disappointments for Macron, and possibly even a Franco-German bust-up. After all, at a recent meeting of EU finance ministers, Germany struck yet another blow against Macron by watering down his proposal for a new digital tax on tech giants such as Google and Facebook. Though the proposal had broad support, the Germans worried that the U.S. would retaliate against their auto industry. Moreover, there is speculation that the Bundeswehr will replace its outdated Tornado fighter planes with American F-35s instead of a European-made equivalent. With the German Air Force already indicating that the F-35 is its preferred choice, Airbus CEO Dirk Hoke recently warned that, "As soon as Germany becomes an F-35 nation, all cooperation with France on combat jet issues will die." France and Germany are falling out just when anti-European forces are coming together. With an eye toward the European Parliament election in May, Orban and Salvini are actively working to create a populist federation that includes both the anti-austerity left and the anti-immigrant right. Their goal is to capture at least a third of parliamentary seats, as well as a blocking minority on the European Council. The Euroskeptics' main opponents are not politicians in their own countries, but rather Macron and Merkel. And the problem for Macron and Merkel is that they cannot necessarily count on French and German voters to support them in leading EU reforms. Indeed, far from seeing Merkel as a brake on deeper integration, many Germans regard her as overly pro-European. As for Macron, he may be the most pro-European French president in decades, but he could find himself in the position of having to run against EU budget rules that are standing in the way of his domestic reforms. The danger now is that Macron and Merkel will be lured into singing along to Salvini and Orban's tune. Their task is to avoid that trap and find a way to reinvent the political center, before it is too late. Mark Leonard is director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). Seoul, Tokyo need to coordinate closely on bilateral issues The latest military row in the East Sea between Korea and Japan has fueled additional tension between the countries on top of the historical conflict that has aggravated bilateral relations since President Moon Jae-in took office in May 2017. Tokyo claimed last week that a Korean warship aimed radar at a P-1 patrol plane of the country's Maritime Self-Defense Force (SDF) that was on a surveillance mission. The South Korean Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer was on a rescue mission for a North Korean fishing boat that went missing near Dokdo on Dec. 20. Tokyo has continued to condemn Seoul for allegedly targeting its aircraft with fire-control radar. The Japanese government and media have been overreacting, calling it "almost equal to the use of weapons." The Japanese government lodged a strong protest through diplomatic channels over the use of the fire-control radar and the South Korean defense authorities gave a sufficient explanation, emphasizing that the radar was not targeted at the SDF's aircraft. The South Korean Navy vessel located the North Korean fishing boat, rescuing three sailors and recovering one body. After repeated protests from Japan, the Ministry of National Defense explained during a briefing Monday that the Navy was engaging in routine operations for a humanitarian rescue and that no measures were taken to threaten Japan in any way. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed disappointment Monday over Tokyo's unilateral claim against our Navy. The military row was one of the subjects during a high-level meeting held at the ministry's headquarters in central Seoul with Kim Yong-kil, director-general for Northeast Asian affairs, and his counterpart Kenji Kanasugi, director-general Asian and Oceanian Affairs bureau of the Japanese foreign ministry. The controversy is just one of a series of conflicts that have severely hampered bilateral ties in recent months. The two countries have been at odds as President Moon has been moving toward destroying the Korea-Japan agreement on compensation for the Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery reached between his predecessor Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tokyo has also reacted very strongly to the Korean Supreme Court's decision in October to confirm previous judgments ordering Japanese companies to compensate Korean plaintiffs for forced labor. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has called the Supreme Court ruling "totally unacceptable" and a "breach of international law"and stressed that a 1965 bilateral agreement "settled completely and finally" claims regarding the Japanese occupation. The two countries are poles apart on various issues, but they need to maintain a close partnership especially during these critical times on the Korean Peninsula. The two sides should continue to recover relations through maintaining active dialogue and try to resolve misunderstandings in favor of a future-oriented relationship. By Lee Seong-hyon One year ago, I argued in the "2018 Global Politics Forecast" (an annual publication by the Sejong Institute) that China could stage a summit with North Korea in the New Year. First, from their recent history, I was cognizant that for China, the North Korean problem is not so much about North Korea per se, but a part of Beijing's bigger regional strategy in dealing with the U.S. Second, I identified both corroborative and unfavorable factors for the summit, factoring in Chinese top leader Xi Jinping's assertive foreign policy posture after the 19th Party Congress and the deteriorating trend of U.S.-China relational dynamics. I concluded China would want to have a summit with North Korea in an attempt to "secure China's influence over North Korea" vis-a-vis the U.S. The summit materialized in March. I am not a fortune-teller. But there were two factors I referenced at that time in orienting my inner reasoning, which I didn't divulge in my writing. One, North Korea declared it had mastered "nuclear deterrence" with the successful launch of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the continental United States. North Korea may be bluffing, but I was intrigued by the North's public posture. By making it public (regardless of Pyongyang's real nuclear capability), it now could "afford" to be more open in its international outreach. North Korea would now shift its national mandate from securing nuclear deterrence to building its economy. Economic development requires more interaction with the outside world, trade and foreign investment. On the part of China, even though the relationship between Beijing and Pyongyang had been icy for several years, I noted that China also made consistent efforts to reach out to the North, for instance, by sending high-level envoys (such as Vice President Li Yuanchao in 2013, Politburo member Liu Yunshan in 2015) even when the ties between the two nations hit the bottom. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had refused to hold a summit meeting with Kim Jong-un, due to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. If Kim would display a posture that he would now prioritize economic development, not the nuclear business, it would serve as a conduit for China to utilize the "opportunity" to meet with Kim, without Xi losing face. Second, since Kim Jong-un became North Korea's leader in late 2011, he and Xi had not held a single summit meeting. There was awareness in both Beijing and Pyongyang that a top-level meeting would be necessary to clear some of the accumulated bilateral glitches and pending issues. In 2018, China staged not just one, but three summit meetings with Kim Jong-un. Looking ahead in 2019, I expect the biggest variable in the China-North Korea relations would be "not" North Korea's nuclear weapons, but U.S.-China relations. They are structurally heading into a deeper rivalry, mistrust, competition and conflict. Amid deepening rivalry and conflict between the U.S. and China, North Korea's strategic value to China is bound to rise. In the New Year, this time, Xi will visit North Korea to see Kim, not the other way around. The timing will be planned carefully. The level of extravaganza of the Sino-North Korea summit "in Pyongyang" will easily outstrip the Singapore summit. There will be many, very many agreements of cooperation between the two socialist states. Since the U.S.-China bad mojo is likely to persist for a foreseeable mid- to long-term period, China's strategic calculus on North Korea would adjust accordingly. But this may not manifest too obviously. On the surface, both the U.S. and China want North Korea's denuclearization. In fact, "North Korea" remains the only positive bilateral area where both Washington and Beijing cooperate, as Washington pundits joke these days. It has become the last remaining symbol of cooperation that both Washington and Beijing are willing to play along for the time being. Interestingly, Washington is less cognizant about appreciating that North Korea is also a "sore spot" for China. Namely, China cannot afford to lose North Korea to the United States. That's why China was apprehensive about the rapid improvement of relations between Trump and Kim Jong-un at their Singapore meeting. When Trump and Kim emerged from their eight-hour meeting and issued a succinct four-point statement, China was keen to find out whether there was any additional "under-the-table agreement" between Trump and Kim that would put China at a strategic disadvantage. Jealousy is often quite powerful in motivating people as well as state actors. Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute. By Baek Byung-yeul LG Uplus CEO and Vice Chairman Ha Hyun-hwoi will attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in early January to seek a future growth engine for the next 10 years, the telecommunications firm said Tuesday. The head of the mobile carrier arm of LG Group has emphasized the importance of taking leadership in the fifth-generation (5G) network area as the superfast network will help more companies create business chances. To that end, some 40 executives of LG Uplus, including Ha and Executive Vice President Choi Joo-sik, Chief Strategy Officer Jeon Byung-wook, Future and Converged division chief Lee Sang-min and head of AI business Hyun Jon-yong, will take part in the CES to be held from Jan. 8 to 11. "LG Uplus is set to lead the 5G era by offering a new experience that can change everyday life of Customers," Ha said in a statement. "With LG Uplus' world-leading network, service and marketing capabilities, we will intensify cooperation with global firms at the CES event." The company said Ha will seek business cooperation chances with global information and communication technology (ICT) companies. "Ha will visit booths of LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Naver, Google, Qualcomm and Panasonic to share its 5G business roadmaps and examine closely into artificial intelligence (AI) technology-based services, devices and big data technology-based smart services," an official from LG Uplus said. The vice chairman also plans to forge business relations with companies in autonomous driving sectors. "Ha is scheduled to visit Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Honda to seek business partnership with them. He will also check newly developed technologies in the sector." The CES has long been a venue to get an up-close look at the emerging technologies. The upcoming fair will feature some 4,500 companies from 155 countries, about 500 increase from the previous year. The 2018 show garnered about 170,000 visitors. Members of GM Korea labor union stages a sit-in protest at GM Korea headquarters in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, on Oct. 19, when the company held a shareholder meeting to approve the demerger of GM Korea and GM Technical Center Korea. / Yonhap By Nam Hyun-woo After spending a year filled with struggles, GM Korea has wrapped up its 2018 business and entered two weeks of vacation so its employees can prepare for the New Year. Industry officials say, however, the holidays seem to be a "ceasefire" as the conflict between its management and labor union will likely continue in 2019. This is because neither side is backing down in their clash over the company's disputed new R&D entity, GM Technical Center Korea. According to industry officials, Tuesday, GM Korea has recently filed a regulatory filing that it will finish demerging the R&D body from it on Dec. 31 and register it on Jan. 2. Of 13,000 GM Korea employees, 3,000 will transfer to the new body, which GM Korea said will "spearhead developing new global models a midsize SUV and a crossover utility vehicle which will be produced at GM Korea." It will be led by Roberto Rempel, General Motors executive chief engineer. The move came after the Korea Development Bank, the state-run lender having the second-largest stake in GM Korea, withdrew its initial opposition and gave the green light to the spinoff. Though the new body is close to operation, it is still faced with strong opposition from the GM Korea union. On Dec. 19, the union members staged an eight-hour illegal strike for the first time in GM Korea's 16 years of history. The union has been saying it was a preliminary step for GM to scale down production in Korea and eventually withdraw from the country. But industry analysts suspect that the union is opposing the spinoff as "leverage" to demand a special collective bargaining with the company. While opposing the R&D body, the GM Korea union has been demanding the management shoulder the full amount of financial support paid to 400 employees who went on unpaid leave as the company's Gunsan plant closed in May. When the plant in North Jeolla Province closed, the government, management and union agreed to provide 2 million won to 2.25 million won to each of those 400 employees for 30 months as "living cost support." The government paid the full amount in the first six months and the remainder is scheduled to be shared equally by the labor union and the management. However, the union appears not be able to afford to pay the support, as it requires each union member to pay more for membership fees. Reportedly, the union is asking the beneficiaries to understand possible delays in payment. Since the union has been demanding the management to take the full amount, the GM Korea management expects this could be tabled if a special collective bargaining takes place. Upon noticing the Dec. 19 strike, the union even said it will postpone a strike if the special bargaining takes place. Over the union's move, the management pledged to take legal action and will not accept the union's demand for special bargaining. "The strike is illegal and risks our future," the management said in a statement over the Dec. 19 strike. "To stop further illegal strikes, the company will file injunctions to the court and file civil and criminal suits against individuals involved in strikes." By Baek Byung-yeul Choi Mi-ri, manager at Uniqlo's Dong Busan branch in Lotte Mall / Courtesy of Uniqlo Johnson & Johnson paid a steep price this year for claims that its celebrated baby powder was contaminated with asbestos. And its 2019 could be even worse. A jury ordered the company in July to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women who blamed the talc-based product for causing their ovarian cancer. The prospect of similar judgments helped erase $45 billion in J&Js market value, with the shares headed for their biggest annual loss in a decade. Next year, the worlds largest maker of healthcare products is scheduled to face almost three times as many baby powder trials. Four will be in St. Louis, in the same Missouri court where the company lost the July verdict. Several of the trials involve multiple alleged victims, including one with 38 women scheduled to start in August, according to court filings. The increased number of trials, especially in what is considered a plaintiff-friendly venue like St. Louis, doesnt augur well for J&J, said Elizabeth Burch, a University of Georgia professor who teaches mass-tort law. The more they lose, the more cases will be filed. I just dont see how they are going to get a handle on this litigation. Advertisement Investor concern over litigation risk has grown following news reports of internal documents showing company officials have known since the 1970s that some of the talc used in baby powder contained asbestos. Thousands of plaintiffs now accuse J&J of hiding the cancer risk to protect a brand that has been a staple in American homes for more than a century. Baby powder is mostly talc, a mineral used to keep skin dry and as an astringent to prevent diaper rash. But geological formations that contain talc also yield asbestos, a mineral used in products such as building insulation. Scientists have found links between asbestos and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Plaintiffs lawyers say that studies have also shown a link between talc and ovarian cancer. Women suing J&J contend they got cancer either from exposure to asbestos-laced talc or by using the powdery substance on their genitals. New Brunswick, N.J.-based J&J has insisted the product is safe. Juries in states including California, New Jersey and Missouri have handed down more than $5 billion in total awards to plaintiffs since suits started going to trial in 2016. However, some of those verdicts have been thrown out by judges. J&J has won verdicts or had hung juries in other cases. Committed defense Johnson & Johnson is committed to defending these cases based on the strong scientific evidence showing that talc does not cause cancer, Ernie W. Knewitz, a company spokesman, said in an emailed statement. Of the last five trials in 2018, two were decided in our favor, and there have been [three hung-jury] mistrials, reflecting the juries appreciation of our argument, Knewitz said. Every case that has gone through the appellate process has also been reversed, and we feel confident that the five cases currently on appeal will be reversed as well. Still, the risk for the company is significant, according to Bloomberg Intelligence litigation analyst Holly Froum. To resolve almost 12,000 talc cases, J&J may have to cough up as much as $20 billion in settlements, Froum estimates. That would provide an average per-case payout of $1.67 million. I dont believe they did anything wrong, but I think this is going to be a major overhang for a long time, said Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which owns J&J shares. I could see the number of lawsuits doubling or more, and just the cost to defend them all could reach into the billions. First settlement This month, J&J settled its first baby powder case, teaming up with talc supplier Imerys America Inc. to pay more than $1.5 million to settle a Manhattan womans claims. The company said the move didnt signal it was open to the idea of a global settlement. We do not have any organized program to settle Johnsons baby powder cases, nor are we planning a settlement program, Knewitz said. Rather, we will continue to vigorously defend the safety of Johnsons baby powder in the courtroom. In 2019, there are at least 21 trials on court calendars targeting J&J over tainted talc, including more than 15 in Californias courts and one in Georgia set to start in March. In 2018, J&J defended itself in eight talc trials. Although the companys lawyers will be busier next year, scheduling delays and pretrial maneuvering could result in cases being thrown out or trial dates being pushed back. Most of the California cases are in state court in Los Angeles, where talc cases are consolidated. The first is scheduled for Jan. 4. Kirk Von Salzen, a retired computer salesman, said his asbestos-related cancer was linked to his 30-year use of baby powder. Von Salzen, who died recently, sought more than $12 million in damages. His family is continuing his case. In October, a jury deadlocked on Von Salzens claims in his first trial. The real fireworks start in St. Louis on Jan. 22, when 13 claims by women who contracted ovarian cancer are set to go before a jury. Five of those women have died, and their cases are being pursued by family members. Each plaintiff, including St. Louis resident Vickie Forrest, used baby powder for decades before her illness was diagnosed. Their attorneys, who won the first four talc cases, will cite asbestos as a contributing factor, though the trial wont focus solely on it. Familiar foe Things could get even more interesting in April, when veteran plaintiffs lawyer Mark Lanier, who engineered the $4.69-billion verdict, will present his next talc case on behalf of 24 women with ovarian cancer. He has targeted asbestos as the cause of their illnesses. The women, who include a retired bank manager, a florist and a forklift driver, come from states such as Ohio, New York and Utah. Missouri law allows out-of-state plaintiffs to bring their claims because some of J&Js talc products were made in Missouri. J&J has been one of Laniers favorite targets over the years. He won a more than $1-billion verdict in 2016 over allegedly defective Pinnacle artificial hips. Two years earlier, he persuaded a Louisiana jury to hand down a $9-billion verdict against Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and the United States Eli Lilly & Co. over problems with its Actos diabetes medicine. Im sure J&J is quite sick of seeing Mark Lanier on the other side of these cases, said Burch, the Georgia law professor. Hes the last lawyer they want to have to face twice in the coming year. Feeley and Fisk write for Bloomberg. A woman searches through belongings at her house, which was hit by the tsunami on Monday in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia. [Photo/Agencies] President Xi Jinping sent a message to Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday to express his condolences over the deadly tsunami that hit coastal areas of the nation and killed at least 281 people. Xi sent his deep condolences to Widodo, and through him to the victims, families of the victims, the injured and residents affected on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name. Indonesia is a friendly neighbor of China, and the Chinese people are sympathetic after the disaster suffered by the Indonesian people, he said. Xi said he believes that under the leadership of Widodo and his government, the people in the disaster-hit areas will be able to overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes at an early date. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news briefing on Monday that China will provide assistance to Indonesia within its own capacity through channels including the Red Cross. Indonesia's disaster management agency said the death toll from the tsunami, believed to be triggered by a volcanic eruption had climbed to 281, with 1,016 injured and dozens missing. Rescuers raced to find survivors on Monday as experts warned that the devastated region could be slammed by more deadly waves. Local media reports said rescue teams used their bare hands and heavy equipment to haul debris from the stricken area around the Sunda Strait as thousands were evacuated to higher ground. The powerful tsunami struck without any warning on Saturday night, sweeping over popular beaches of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java and inundating tourist hotels and coastal settlements. Widodo arrived at the disaster area by helicopter on Monday. A day earlier, he expressed his sympathy and ordered government agencies to respond quickly to the disaster. The death toll "will continue to rise", Indonesian disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, according to Agence France-Presse. A joint task force including thousands of soldiers, police and personnel from the search and rescue office, the disaster management office and volunteers was racing against time to conduct searches and provide emergency relief, the spokesman said. Oxfam and other international aid agencies said they would provide assistance as local rescuers evacuated the injured and set up tarpaulins to provide shelter. Experts say Saturday's tsunami was likely triggered by a massive underwater landslide following an eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Strait. Unlike those caused by earthquakes, which trigger alert systems, such tsunamis give authorities very little time to warn residents of the impending threat. "It happened very quickly," survivor Ade Junaedi told The Jakarta Post. "I was chatting with a guest at our place when my wife opened the door and she suddenly screamed in panic. I thought there was a fire, but when I walked to the door I saw the water coming". Richard Teeuw, a geohazard expert from the University of Portsmouth in England, said the eruption and landslide may well have destabilized the volcano, heightening the risk of another tsunami, a Jakarta Post report said. "The likelihood of further tsunamis in the Sunda Strait will remain high while Anak Krakatau volcano is going through its current active phase because that might trigger further submarine landslides," Teeuw said. Anak Krakatau, a small island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, emerged around 1928 in the crater left by Krakatau, whose massive eruption in 1883 killed at least 36,000 people and affected global weather patterns for years. In Disneys Ralph Breaks the Internet, best-friend video game characters Ralph and Vanellope need to raise money to save her game in the real world. In this animated sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, they attempt to do so by leaving the world of their arcade and entering gasp the internet to compete in online games and become viral sensations. That meant whole new environments for the characters to explore, including the filmmakers attempts to visually express the internet itself. Co-directors Rich Moore (co-story writer) and Phil Johnston (co-story and co-screenplay writer) point out that Disney has a history of sending its filmmaking teams to exotic locations to soak in the essence of their films locales think of Scandinavia standing in for Frozen and the tropical climes of Moana. For Internet, the pair enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to downtown Los Angeles. I never realized until working on this movie, and going to One Wilshire was a big part of it, how physical the internet is, says Moore of visiting one of the key data hubs in America (whose actual address is on Grand Avenue, despite its name). I guess I just thought it was this thing floating up in the air, in the clouds. Its hardware. Its people stretching cables across oceans and continents. RELATED: With Ralph Breaks the Internet, Walt Disney Animation Studios enters a new chapter in its history Advertisement One of their technical advisers explained that because the original internet, the ARPANET, was never designed to grow and expand the way it did, says Johnston, the internet has evolved like a city thats built on top of itself, like Rome or Istanbul, where you have the ancient city deep underground and you have the newer city on top of that and on top of that. So in conceiving our visual design, we built it with these older websites at the bottom, which we think of as the Oldernet. You might have Netscape Navigator, that kind of thing. Then as you go up more and more, you start to see a modern city like Tokyo or New York or whatever. They populated the movies world with anthropomorphic representations of web necessities user avatars, hyperactive-brained search engines, even an algorithm predicting whats next to be cool (Yesss, voiced by Taraji P. Henson) and a virus maker (Double Dan, voiced by Alfred Molina). Dan is described by Johnston as a gigantic worm guy with a vestigial twin stuck in his neck. Hes just a grotesque, slimy character, and his skin is made of actual Spam pimentos, hair. One of the November releases most-discussed sequences is its self-referential visit to the companys Oh My Disney site, where Vanellope meets beloved film princesses such as Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas and Cinderella voiced by the original actresses when possible. Vanellope Von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman), center, tries to find her tribe amid such Disney princesses as Anna and Elsa, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Merida, Moana, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White and Tiana, in Ralph Breaks the Internet. (Disney Animation) When it came time to bring them in, it hit me: Were going to be meeting royalty, says Moore, noting how so many of the animators on their team had been inspired by those famed characters. He says the actresses were hugely game to return and kind of poke at some of the tropes about these princesses. They were so on board. The film lacks a single antagonist; the main problems come from manifestations of Ralphs insecurities, especially over possibly losing Vanellopes friendship. All this is exacerbated by the online bullying Ralph suffers, which the filmmakers say was one of their goals to address. The best advice they got from experts: Dont engage. Ignore it. Its not about you; its about whatever hurt these people are carrying, says Moore. Johnston says, We really just want families to talk about these things. We cant provide every solution. Perhaps a kid will say, This happened to me and [someone will ask], How did that make you feel? Its about teaching empathy and learning to avoid that stuff because you cant let anonymous people define who you are. REVIEW: It has wit and energy to burn, but Ralph Breaks the Internet takes a cynical turn At the heart of the movie is the friendship of Ralph and Vanellope and, say the directors, the friendship of the actors playing them, John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman. Johnston says almost every single scene where John and Sarah are together, we record them together. Maybe 20, 30 sessions over a couple of years, they were together in the booth. So theyre looking each other in the eyes, theyre interacting with each other as friends both on- and off-mic. Theres improvisation, theres rapport, theres goofing around between takes. Moore says, The reason we insist on them being together is thats a big part of what the audience is there for. You have two, not just great actors, but hilarious actors too, and its the chemistry between them that is the heart of the film and the heart of the comedy. They are friends in real life and thats a big part of the relationship that Ralph and Vanellope have. FULL COVERAGE: Get the latest on awards season from The Envelope calendar@latimes.com Felicity Jones was wandering through a museum exhibit when she noticed some black-and-white videos being projected on a wall. She had seen the 8-millimeter home movies from Ruth Bader Ginsburgs personal collection before but was nonetheless transfixed by the silent footage. She has this almost movie-star-like quality, the movie star said, staring at the Supreme Court justice on her honeymoon. Even after getting to meet and subsequently play Ginsburg in On the Basis of Sex the new biopic about the equal rights leader Jones still seems genuinely starry-eyed by the justice. And it was only a couple of years ago that she even learned who Ginsburg was. Growing up in England, Jones was unfamiliar with the 85-year-old icon until her mother heard a BBC radio program about her. Advertisement She said, Ive just been hearing about this extraordinary woman whos a lawyer in the U.S.; I think youd be really interested in her, recalled Jones, now 35. Within a year, the actress received the screenplay for a film about Ginsburgs life and excitedly shared it with her mother: Mum! This is the amazing woman weve been talking about! It was a juicy role one that Natalie Portman had previously been attached to play but Jones was most heartened to hear that the project had the blessing of Ginsburg herself. The justice advised her nephew, Daniel Stiepleman, on the facts of her life while he was at work on the screenplay. Knowing that Ruth had been involved in casting and approved my casting was incredible, Jones said. It was late on a Friday night, a few weeks before the Focus Features film was set to open in theaters on Christmas Day, and she had arrived after-hours at the Skirball Cultural Center to meet up with Stiepleman. Together, they were exploring the museums new exhibit: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Oh, Ruth loved Felicitys casting, Stiepleman insisted. It was, like, Felicity Jones from Theory of Everything? Oh, shes wonderful! Then she was like, Do you think shell sign my Star Wars poster? Jones laughed at the joke she played Jyn Erso in 2016s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and replied: She does have the Force in her, I have to say. Jones and screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman, nephew of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, spend a light moment together at the exhibit. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Stiepleman a Peace Corps volunteer turned high school English teacher turned NYU adjunct film professor had the idea to write On the Basis of Sex at the 2010 funeral of his late uncle. At the memorial, one of Martin Ginsburgs friends gave a eulogy in which he mentioned the only case he and his wife had ever argued together. And here I was, pretty newly married, and my wife and I had always looked to Ruth and Marty as our role models for what a marriage is supposed to look like, Stiepleman said. I was like, This is perfect. This would be an incredible movie. And then I thought: What kind of [jerk] am I? Im sitting here mining his life for material. A true Hollywood screenwriter, Jones kidded. A year later, Stiepleman proposed the idea to his aunt. He wanted to write a film that explored her marriage with his Uncle Marty one that began in the 1950s, when she was getting her law degree at Harvard University while simultaneously caring for a newborn daughter and her then-ailing husband, who had testicular cancer. The movie would ultimately build to focus on the 1972 tax law case that the couple argued together, helping to reverse gender discrimination laws. At first, Ginsburg didnt seem all that impressed with her nephews pitch. She told him to move forward with the idea if thats how you want to spend your time and didnt understand why Stiepleman wanted to focus on the 1972 case hardly one of the most memorable shed argued in her decades-long career. Youre fighting in court but also trying to figure out how to live at home in true equality, he said he told her. And once she figured out it was about her and Marty, she was all in. Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her husband, Marty, with their daughter, Jane, in 1958. (Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States) Quietly changing the world Growing up in Long Island in the same home his uncle was raised in Stiepleman hadnt been particularly close with Ginsburg. He saw her for Thanksgiving and Passover, viewing her as the quiet relative 50 years his senior sitting at the other end of the table. People would be, like, She changed the world! and I always found that really confusing, he remembered. Id be, like, Her? Are you sure? Shes so quiet! As a kid, I had a visual in my head of what a feminist from the 70s was, like Gloria Steinem standing in front of a crowd bringing everyone up to their feet. And here is Ruth, who keeps her head down and is quiet. Over the years, though, the two grew closer, with Ginsburg officiating Stieplemans wedding in her trademark robe and collar. So when the On the Basis of Sex team wanted access to the justice before production began, her nephew served as their conduit. Jones, who had found it helpful to meet with Jane Hawking before playing her in 2014s The Theory of Everything, requested a one-on-one meeting with Ginsburg. Prior to their sit-down, the actress observed her in court and went to her office with director Mimi Leder and costar Armie Hammer, who plays her husband in the film. The office visit was all about Armie Hammer, Jones said with a laugh. Because the moment that we walked in, Ruth couldnt take her eyes off Armie. And I could see how much affection she had for Marty because of the way in which she looked at Armie. It was a really beautiful moment, and all really useful for me to see all these nonverbal moments having read everything about her. In On the Basis of Sex, Armie Hammer plays Marty Ginsburg and Jones is RBG. (Jonathan Wenk / Focus Features) Later that afternoon, Ginsburg invited Jones to her D.C. apartment for a one-on-one meeting. At first, Jones said, they were both a bit mute because of how shy they each are. But as Ginsburg showed the actress around her place showing off Martys old kitchen pots and old family photographs the tension began to ease. She showed me her desk in her bedroom, Jones said, still wide-eyed. Its about less than a meter away from her bed, so when she wakes up, she can write down anything if shes inspired. Before the afternoon ended, Jones asked Ginsburg if she had any advice for her in approaching the role. You dont need advice, she was told. Ive seen your work, and I know you can do it. Jones spent one-on-one time with RBG while preparing to play her. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Stiepleman too felt confident that Jones could play his aunt especially because she was coming at the project with a foreigners perspective. I always thought it was to my great benefit that you were reading it from London, he told Jones, sitting on a replica at the Skirball exhibit of the Supreme Court bench. Theres a perception of who Ruth is supposed to be. For some people in America, shes a divisive person. For a lot of others, she is this heroic, sassy, sarcastic 85-year-old bubbe we all know now. And I was just trying to write Aunt Ruth who was at home with the kids. I always thought the fact that [Jones] didnt come in with those preconceptions helped you believe in the Ruth that was on the page, who I know is an accurate Ruth. Ginsburg has participated in a few promotional events for the film, attending a screening in D.C. and another in New York, where she sat for a Q&A with NPRs justice correspondent Nina Totenberg. Stiepleman said shes excited about the film, viewing it was a way to further her work. He still hasnt gotten her full review of the movie, however: After she saw it for the first time, he said her immediate remarks were, Im so glad it was Felicity. Though the actress has already played a variety of roles earning an Oscar nomination for her role as Hawking and appearing in blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man and Star Wars she said playing Ginsburg affected her in a more lasting manner. I think she taught me how important it is to not be scared to speak publicly, actually, and to be fearless, said Jones. Ive found public speaking difficult in the past, despite being an actor. Thats something Ive had to work incredibly hard at. And it was playing Ruth when I finally thought, Right, youve just gotta get on with this and embrace it, in fact, and dont be scared of it. This is an opportunity to be out there and stand up for what you believe in. Ginsburg had surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her left lung on Dec. 21 but is already back at work. (Allison Shelley / Getty Images) That message is part of why Stiepleman thinks Ginsburgs story seems to be resonating so much with Americans right now. Earlier this year, a documentary about her life, RBG, became the second-highest-grossing nonfiction film of 2018, earning over $14 million. And when it was revealed last week that Ginsburg had two cancerous growths removed from her left lung, there was an outpouring of support online, with some celebrities even offering up their own lungs. I think Ruth has something that is really lacking right now, which is authenticity, offered Stiepleman. Theres nothing she wants from you. Shes not a politician. She doesnt want your vote. Shes got a lifetime tenure. Shes not selling you anything. She doesnt want your money. So if she says something, you can actually believe she is saying it from a place she believes in. And I think we see how much she fought for in terms of gender equality and still how much further we have to go, added Jones. We dont have equal pay yet, and were in a world where we still need the Ruth Bader Ginsburgs to come forward and fight for these things. She reminds us how important it is, particularly now, to stand up for what you believe in, come forward with those views and be quite outspoken about them. Jones and Stiepleman believe Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen as leader in gender equality. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA Doctor Who fans have spent a few months with their new Time Lord, played by Jodie Whittaker, but they may not yet realize that the shows first female Doctor has come with a new musical voice playing behind her. Segun Akinola had scored only a few BBC documentary series and one indie feature when his work caught the ear of Chris Chibnall, creator of the detective series Broadchurch and the new showrunner on Doctor Who. Chibnall listened to Akinolas music and responded to the eclecticism, the heart and the energy. Working with a new composer who hasnt previously scored multi-episodic drama is thrilling but an undeniable risk, Chibnall said by email. You have to take a deep breath and decide whether the risk might be worth the reward. Segun made that risk seem completely negligible, from our very first conversation. Segun Akinola. (David Shoukry / English Photoworks) Advertisement The composers own back story did not exactly make him an obvious choice for a beloved British series thats been around for 55 years. Akinola was the first member of his Nigerian family born on British soil. He grew up in the town of Luton outside London, the son of an accountant. Even though no one else played music at home, his home life was saturated with it. If youre born to Nigerians, when youre in the womb youre probably aware of music happening outside of you, he said by phone from London. Nigerians are so vibrant and really love dancing. Akinolas father liked to spin everything from Nigerian folk to Michael Jackson to U2. One day he brought home a keyboard and asked if Segun whose name means victory wanted to learn how to play. Sure, the boy said. And that started his musical journey. He loved the drums, and after church every week he begged his parents to let him play. He might as well have been allowed to hit any old thing, he said with a laugh, because I had no idea what I was doing at that point. Music was clearly where his passion lay. He took piano and drum lessons, played in all the bands and orchestras at school, and soaked up a range of genres. As a teenager trying to decide what to pursue in higher education, he was scanning his options when his sister wrote on the bottom of the list: Follow your heart. I literally looked at this and immediately, in that instant, knew that I really wanted to do music, he said. Akinola studied composition at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and initially thought he might go into record production like his hero, Quincy Jones. But an increasing appetite in films and storytelling and the realization that Jones also scored movies pushed him toward the moving image. He attended film school, and before long he was putting it all into practice. In 2016, he scored the BBC documentary miniseries Black and British: A Forgotten History, where he was able to bring together different strands of myself, musically, for the first time, he said. I could really lean into my Nigerian heritage, but also there was the classical side of things, as well as the more contemporary and popular music side of it. Then the BBC called and said he was being considered for the newly open role of scoring Doctor Who. He met with Chibnall, and the composer asked the showrunner to describe this new Doctor. He mentioned hope and warmth, and essentially being quite a steadfast character as well, morally, Akinola said. The composer went home, and 48 hours later he sent Chibnall a demo of a melody. That music, unchanged, is the Doctors theme. It encompassed every feeling I wanted the show to have, Chibnall said. It had a punch-the-air heroism allied with an emotional sensitivity. It made me beam and it made me cry. It was everything I could ever want. Akinola was up front about one minor detail: He never had watched Doctor Who. Chibnall, who was starting with a clean slate, said that wasnt a problem. The score has new themes for each of the major characters, including the Doctors black and Pakistani companions and the TARDIS, the shows phone booth time machine. Akinola developed a series sound that features a recurring band of cello, French horn and guitar, along with some custom sampled voices like a pad made from a plucked piano string and an electronic synth created from his bongos. For some episodes, theres enough money in the budget to record a small orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. Segun Akinola at Abbey Road Studios. (Charlie Clift) For the main titles he went retro, slightly revamping the throbbing, early electronic theme created by composer Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in 1963. The show still jumps from planet to planet and back and forth through time, and Akinolas score acknowledges each new environment. Chibnall aims for inclusivity, and his series is interested in prejudice as a theme; Akinola featured solo trumpet in an episode about Rosa Parks, and a selection of Indian instruments including tabla, sarangi and male vocals for an episode in which Yasmin (the Doctors companion) visits her ancestors in Pakistan during the partition of India. I really, really wanted it to be special, in the sense that I wanted people of that heritage to feel looked after musically, Akinola said, noting that thats how Ludwig Goranssons score for Black Panther made him feel about his own roots. That was a good benchmark, that I wanted people of Indian and Pakistani descent to feel the same. Akinola didnt make a big deal about representation, or that hes one of very few composers of color scoring a major film or TV franchise. He wanted the conversation to be about the music. But even there, hes part of a wave of change that is making this beloved old institution look and sound more like the world we live in. At his core, Segun is a magnificent storyteller, Chibnall said. He zeroes in on the heart of the moment, of the sequence, of the episode and of the series. Hes given 1950s America, 1940s India and 17th century England their own specific soundtracks. Never mind deep space and alien planets. Hes brought sounds and performers and collaborators into Doctor Who who have never been connected to it before. Doctor Who Where: BBC America When: 8 p.m. Jan. 1 Rating: TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children) calendar@latimes.com A 29-year-old man who was booked into jail Monday on suspicion of beating a man to death in San Diegos Old Town earlier this month was placed on probation two years ago for rushing onto the stage at a Taylor Swift concert and fighting with security guards, officials said. Christian Ewing is suspected of attacking 57-year-old Gregory Freeman on Dec. 5 about 5 p.m., leaving him gravely injured on Rosecrans Street near Pacific Highway and Interstate 5, said San Diego police Lt. Anthony Dupree. Witnesses saw Ewing use an object to repeatedly hit Freeman, who was on the ground at the time, Dupree said. The victim was taken to a hospital where he died of his injuries on Dec. 8. Advertisement Ewing was initially arrested on Friday for a parole violation, Dupree said. He was rebooked on suspicion of murder Monday. On Aug. 29, 2015, Ewing sneaked into Swifts sold-out show at San Diegos Petco Park without a ticket. He then made his way onto the field where he was noticed by two of the pop stars security guards. They told Ewing that he wasnt allowed on the field and were detaining him until they could turn him over to stadium security when Ewing escaped. He jumped on the stage during Swifts performance and was tackled by four security guards, one of whom suffered a broken rib during the scuffle. Swift kept singing as Ewing was taken into custody behind her. Ewing underwent a psychological evaluation and spent several months at Patton State Hospital before he was deemed mentally competent to stand trial. He later pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and a misdemeanor charge of resisting an executive officer. At his sentencing hearing in March 2017, Ewing was placed on probation for two years, to be overseen by the Probation Departments mentally ill offender unit. Ewing was also ordered to stay 100 yards away from the security guard he injured, Swift and any venue where shes performing. Investigators asked that anyone with information about the Old Town killing to call police at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8472. Winkley writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Winkley writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday ordered new tests of physical evidence in the case of Kevin Cooper, whose high-profile quadruple-murder conviction three decades ago has come into question in recent years. Brown said in a statement that he was directing limited retesting of certain physical evidence in the case and appointing a retired judge as a special master to oversee this testing, its scope and protocols. Cooper has maintained his innocence throughout the case and has claimed that law enforcement planted evidence and ignored statements by witnesses that pointed to other possible suspects. He has lost more than a dozen appeals. Browns legal staff has been digging into Coopers 2016 clemency petition, discussing the case with both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Advertisement In July, Brown said he would consider Coopers request to order additional forensic testing in the case. Coopers attorneys have said some key items recovered during the investigation were never properly tested and should be analyzed using more current DNA technology. The case dates to 1983, when three family members and an unrelated boy, 11-year-old Christopher Hughes, were found hacked and slashed to death in a Chino Hills home. The boys father discovered the bloodied bodies when he went to the hilltop home looking for Christopher, who had not returned from a sleepover in time for church one Sunday morning. Through the window, he discovered the bodies of Doug and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter, Jessica, and Christopher. The victims had been stabbed a total of 143 times with an ice pick, an ax and a knife. The Ryens 8-year-old son, Joshua, was slashed across the throat but survived. News reports at the time said the case shook the community so powerfully that homeowners began locking their doors at night and parents no longer allowed their children to attend sleepovers. Two days before the killings, Cooper had escaped from a prison in Chino, where he was serving a sentence for burglary. Police found ample evidence cigarette butts, a button from a prison uniform, a leather hatchet sheath that Cooper had spent two days in a house near the Ryens after his escape. He was arrested about seven weeks after the killings. At the trial, jurors heard the lone survivor give a videotaped statement that conflicted with what he had said when he was first interviewed by authorities. After Joshua Ryen was airlifted to a hospital, he told a sheriffs deputy and a social worker that his attackers were three white men. An hour later, he said they were Latino. Later that month, the boy told a deputy that Cooper, who is black, was not the killer after he saw the mans face on a wanted poster on television. Jurors heard him say that he saw just one man or maybe a shadow in his home. The clues at the Ryens unlocked home were scant: a bloody shoe print on a sheet in the master bedroom and a single drop of blood on a wall in the hallway. At his trial and throughout the appeals process, Coopers attorneys argued that the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department had destroyed or suppressed evidence suggesting the attackers were three white men, including a convicted contract killer. Meanwhile, Cooper repeatedly maintained his innocence. At one point, he told a prosecutor: Youre trying to make me remember detail by detail. I only know what I didnt do. Cooper was convicted and sentenced to death in 1985. In 2002, the attorney generals office green-lighted additional DNA testing in the case. The results showed that Coopers DNA was on a bloody T-shirt found outside a bar near the Ryens home, on two cigarette butts inside the familys stolen station wagon and in the blood droplet inside the home. But the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals intervened eight hours before Coopers execution in 2004 to order more tests on the T-shirt. Tests later revealed that Coopers blood stains on the T-shirt had a high concentration of the chemical EDTA, which is used to preserve blood samples in police labs. Coopers attorney argued that the blood was planted. The San Bernardino County district attorneys office sent a 94-page memo to Brown in May refuting Coopers arguments and vehemently opposing any grant of clemency. Also on Monday, Brown issued 143 pardons and 131 commutations as part of his traditional Christmas Eve act of clemency. Most of those granted clemency had been convicted of drug crimes or other nonviolent offenses. Among them is Dawn Heather Steels, now known as Heather Burnett, who in 1999 was convicted of possession of ephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. She served one year in prison and three years probation. Burnett went on to work as a health and addiction counselor in Butte County. She and her husband, Jason, lost their Paradise home in the Camp fire. The governor pardoned Jason Burnett for a drug conviction on the day before Thanksgiving. In recent years, Brown has issued pardons to individuals at risk of deportation under stricter immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. Mondays pardons included four people whose convictions could lead to deportation, including Houth Chhang Taing, who has been a legal U.S. resident since he arrived as a refugee from Cambodia at the age of 5. Taing was convicted in 1996 on a number of charges after he and two others held up a charter bus. Taing served 19 years in prison and is on active parole. Since his release from prison, he has volunteered with groups that aim to reduce recidivism by assisting people leaving prison. Two other pardons were issued earlier this month to individuals who were facing immediate deportation. Also receiving a pardon was Bill Honig, the former state schools chief who was known as an ambitious crusader for education reforms. Honig was convicted in 1993 of conflict of interest with a government contract, after a nonprofit group led by his wife received more than $300,000 in government contracts. The conviction forced Honig to step down, but he remained active in education organizations after serving one year in jail and nearly four years of probation. The California Supreme Court on Monday rejected Browns attempt to commute the sentence of Kenny Lee, who is serving a life sentence for the 1992 robbery and murder of a cab driver. Lee has been in prison for 19 years, where he earned his GED and participated in various self-help groups. The state Constitution requires that, in cases where an individual had committed more than one felony, a Supreme Court recommendation is necessary for a pardon or commutation. On Friday, the court declined to recommend three other commutations sought by Brown. A representative for the governors office declined to comment. Since Brown returned to the governors office in 2011, he has issued 1,332 pardons and 282 commutations, far surpassing his recent predecessors as well as outpacing the 405 acts of clemency during his first two terms as governor. Los Angeles Times staff writers Laura J. Nelson, Maya Lau and Melanie Mason contributed to this report. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek Authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of spray-painting swastikas on President Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, police said. Jose Ortega of Los Angeles was booked Sunday on suspicion of felony vandalism, said Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. A witness saw Ortega tag the star late Sunday afternoon and called the police, Lopez said. Officers spotted the suspect on the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard and arrested him. He is being held in lieu of more than $20,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County jail records. The graffiti has since been cleaned. Advertisement Its not the first time Trumps star has been targeted by vandals. In July, a 24-year-old man allegedly took a pickax to the star and gave himself up to police. In October 2016, during the presidential campaign, another man was charged with felony vandalism after police said he bashed the star with a sledgehammer. Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after it was vandalized in July. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The star has been defaced with markers and spray paint. Some critics have scrawled anti-Trump notes and swastikas. Others have made the Hollywood spot a venue for political debate. In September, an artist who goes by the name Plastic Jesus placed what looked like prison bars made of wood over Trumps star, aiming to figuratively imprison the president. City News Service contributed to this report. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek After Aylianna Switzers birth on July 11, friends and family came by the hospital to admire the baby. The visitors often made the same remark: She looks so perfect! When you hear that, said Brandon Switzer, Ayliannas father, its hard. Now almost 6 months old, Aylianna looks healthy and happy. She smiles, kicks, babbles and cries out with powerful lungs. Her appetite is strong, too, and Brandon and Angie Switzer nicknamed their hungry daughter Milk Monster. From the beginning, through, the odds against Ayliannas survival were steep. While in utero, doctors found that she lacked kidneys and a bladder. The recommended course for this lethal pregnancy? Induce labor and allow the premature infant to quietly pass away. Advertisement There were other options, but these treatments posed risks. Even in the best-case scenario, Aylianna faced a lifetime of medical challenges. The Switzers struggled to find the right path forward. In the end, they followed their daughters lead. When she showed us she was done fighting, wed be done fighting, said Brandon, 37. And shes never shown us that shes done. At Rady Childrens Hospital in San Diego, Aylianna battles on with a cheery flair that defies her diagnosis. After reviewing Ayliannas charts very grim in the words of Angie, 36 a nurse came into the babys room. She figured shed taken a wrong turn because this baby, breathing and eating without tubes, showed no signs of ill health. Shes like an amazing baby, said Dr. Nadine Benador, Ayliannas pediatric nephrologist. I have rarely seen a baby with renal failure be so mellow. At times, Brandon has questioned his fate. He enlisted in the U.S. Army one month before 9/11; he was part of the force that invaded Iraq. Honorably discharged in 2005, he attended college in Phoenix. There he met his future wife, Angie. The couple married in 2006. Living in Colorado Springs, Colo., they began their careers Brandon is a computer engineer, Angie a civil engineer but both wanted to take on another role, as parents. They suffered two miscarriages, each within the first 10 weeks of the pregnancy. They learned of a third pregnancy in December 2017, and it initially seemed uneventful. But at 20 weeks, an ultrasound found nothing but empty space where the kidneys should have been. The news shook the couple. You felt like you were always unlucky, Brandon said. The embryo was also dealing with a total lack of amniotic fluid. Angie needed weekly injections of a solution, with MRIs giving an internal view of the procedure. During the second or third injection, the Switzers watched their daughter grab the needle and give it a shake. Man, Brandon said, this kid is feisty. Angie spent the final three weeks of her pregnancy in the hospital. Coming out via emergency Caesarian section, Aylianna announced her presence with a loud scream. I was crying, Angie said. I was so happy that her lungs were working. Aylianna was tiny 4 pounds, 6 ounces at birth but her challenges were huge. On her second day, she underwent surgery to install a dialysis catheter. That first catheter was too large for this little person. A smaller catheter worked, but the surgical site leaked. Treatment after treatment failed. Aylianna was four weeks old when Childrens Hospital Colorado sent the ailing baby to hospice. The babys team of supporters rallied, calling pediatric medical units around the country. In San Diego, the call was answered by Erin Phebus. That nurse and transplant coordinator alerted Benador, a specialist in childrens kidneys. Her diagnosis was bad, Benador said. But Ive been successful before. Ive tried with little babies and they are big people now. The Switzers arrived at Rady Childrens Hospital on Aug. 23. Within hours, Aylianna underwent surgery to expand a valve in her heart. Her parents settled in for an extended stay, moving into the Ronald McDonald House and then a San Diego apartment. At Rady, several dialysis techniques were tried, with success. Aylianna now undergoes a form of dialysis 14 hours a day, gaining strength and weight. Eventually, shell need surgery to equip her with an artificial bladder. In her lifetime, shell also need several kidney transplants. The first one cannot be attempted until she weighs at least 22 pounds. Last week, she weighed 11 1/2 pounds. Aylianna is spending Christmas in her hospital room, accompanied by her parents. Her grandfather, Thomas Switzer, is also visiting from Las Vegas. The little room can be crowded, but doctors say the baby may be healthy enough to leave the hospital by Friday. This holiday season, her parents have been counting their blessings. Angie rattles off a list of the nonprofits that have defrayed their expenses: Ronald McDonald House, Miracle Babies, Girl Scouts, Thirty-One Gifts, Fisher House, There With Care, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, CaringBridge, church groups and an army of volunteers. Parents and child are at the start of a long road, and they understand that the decisions they made may not be right for other families coping with a similar crisis. Our whole story, Brandon said, through everything, there were a lot of days when we didnt know if she would make it. Lots of days we were so happy and other days we were just crushed. Its been a roller-coaster, Angie said. But I would do it all over again, Dad said. I would do it 1,000 times, Mom said. From her hospital crib, Aylianna gave a yelp. Look out world! Grandfather Thomas said. Aylianna is here! Rowe writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. SAN JUAN COUNTY, UtahThick red mud clung to Jonah Yellowmans boots as he sidestepped down the embankment into a narrow valley of sagebrush. When he spotted perfect stems not too dry, not too long he snapped them from the waist-high bushes. Every few months for much of his life, the 66-year-old Navajo spiritual leader has trekked from his nearby home to this slice of land in southeastern Utah, not far from the base of the Bears Ears buttes, to gather sage. Throughout the year, he uses the plant in ceremonies, often sharing it with people seeking wisdom or health, or as a way to offer thanks. This is our land and our herb, Yellowman said. It has to be protected. Its all we have. Jonah Yellowman looks over firewood, gathered from Cedar Mesa, at his home on the edge of Monument Valley, Utah. Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times Last year, President Trump signed proclamations slashing the size of Bears Ears National Monument by 85% and neighboring Grand Staircase-Escalante by about half, the largest combined rollback of federally protected land in the nations history. With several lawsuits set to be decided early next year, the decision a recommendation by outgoing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose short tenure included opening millions of acres of public land for drilling struck critics as a clear example of what they characterize as a larger attack on indigenous communities. The scaling back of Bears Ears, they say, feels especially targeted, since it was a coalition of tribes that had lobbied to have the land designated as a national monument. In December 2016, President Obama signed a proclamation protecting 1.35 million acres of land as part of the newly created Bears Ears National Monument, named for the distinctive buttes that resemble a bear peering over the horizon. The land, Obamas proclamation read, is profoundly sacred to many Native American tribes. So a year later, when Trump opted to shrink the monument to about 200,000 acres, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of acres to mining operations, many tribes took it as an affront. Of the nations nearly 130 national monuments, Bears Ears was the first one that Native American tribes had proposed and fought for, said Natalie Landreth, an attorney representing several tribes that have filed suit to reverse Trumps action. This is the first monument Trump attacks, Landreth said. That is no coincidence its a direct assault on the exercise of tribal sovereignty that resulted in the monument, and an assault on the cultures the tribes are trying so desperately to protect. In court filings, the Hopi, Pueblo of Zuni, Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, as well as the Navajo Nation and several environmental groups, assert that Trump does not have the power to shrink Bears Ears. The Antiquities Act, they say, grants the president the authority to create national monuments, but not to rescind or reduce them. Shrinking the monument, the suits argue, would threaten hundreds of historical rock art panels, artifacts and kivas. Other presidents have made adjustments to national monuments, the last major reduction coming when Woodrow Wilson cut Mount Olympus National Monument currently a national park by almost half in 1915. But until now, no reduction has been challenged in court. Under Trumps downsizing, the symbolic buttes, as well as some cliff dwellings, remain protected land. But much of the land that was a part of the original monument is now unprotected. While legal back-and-forths play out in courtrooms in Washington, D.C., Yellowman and other Native Americans here wonder about what lies ahead: Will their grandchildren gather juniper and pine along the red rock mesas? Will there still be sage? I always think about the land, Yellowman said, snapping stems and clutching them like a bouquet. Will it be here for my people? Yellowmans great-great-great grandmother was born on the eastern butte. Family members told him that her cradleboard, a traditional way to carry babies, was made from the pine trees on the butte. In the 1860s, Yellowman said, the U.S. government drove his ancestors from the buttes and later marched them to Fort Sumner, N.M., where they were imprisoned, part of a forced journey known as the Long Walk. As a boy, Yellowman, who was born on a mesa in the northern part of the Navajo Nation reservation, often traveled with brothers and cousins to Cedar Mesa, a plateau near the base of the buttes, to chop and gather firewood. He recalled driving past a uranium-ore processing mill one year that a Texas-based company had built on land leased from the Navajo Nation. It left him unsettled, especially as family members who worked in the mill began to fall ill and die. Today, toxic debris from the mill, which closed in the late 1960s, still litters the land. On a recent afternoon, Yellowman walked along the acre of land where he lives on the reservation. The towering red rock spires of Utahs Monument Valley formed outlines like skyscrapers on the horizon and several abandoned cars line the property. He headed to a massive woodpile and cradled several pieces of cedar before walking up the stairs of his single-level home. Yellowman doesnt have running water or electricity, instead relying on 5-gallon jugs he fills with water at a nearby well and a wood-burning stove that heats the living room. Ive used this wood my whole life, Yellowman said, placing a log into the stove. It gives me warmth and life. I fear that one day it wont be here for others like me that the land will just evaporate because of mining and drilling. Jonah Yellowman walks along the edge a repository for radioactive material from a now-defunct uranium mill near Mexican Hat, Utah. Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times The nations sole uranium-processing mill sits along the eastern boundary of the original monument. Documents obtained last year by the Washington Post show that Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. urged the Trump administration to reduce the size of the monument, making it easier for the company to access radioactive ore. In a May 2017 letter, the companys chief executive, Mark Chalmers, wrote that the monument could affect existing and future mill operations. There are also many other known uranium and vanadium deposits located within the [original boundaries] that could provide valuable energy and mineral resources in the future, he wrote. A spokesman for Energy Fuels said the company played only a small role in the downsizing of the monument and had no plans to mine or explore the land within the original boundaries of the monument. Even if they did want to mine the area, some argue that it would be futile. There is nothing there to mine, said Rep. John Curtis, a Republican who represents Utahs San Juan County in Congress. To Curtis, Obamas actions were a federal land grab a misuse of the Antiquities Act and an infringement on Utahs rights. Last year, he introduced a bill that would codify Trumps cuts to the monument, but also ban further drilling or mining within the original boundaries. So far, its stalled in Congress. The sun sets over a corral near the Bears Ears buttes atop Cedar Mesa. Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times Some Native Americans and activists see Trumps scaling back of Bears Ears as part of a larger pattern of attacking indigenous communities, such as his decision to override the protests of tribal members and advance the Dakota Access Pipeline project near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in the Dakotas. Angelo Baca, a cultural resources coordinator with Utah Dine Bikeyah, a group that works with indigenous communities to protect culturally significant ancestral lands and has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, said efforts to undo Obamas directive are tantamount to disrespect for land and people. What we do to the land, we do to ourselves, said Baca, who is Navajo and grew up in San Juan County. We need leadership that understands such connections and respects them, but we need everyday people in this country to understand it even more, for they are more powerful than one leader could ever be. The group, which Yellowman works with, contributed to more than 200,000 public comments submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, asking it to halt planning of the newly designed Bears Ears until the lawsuits can be heard. Locally, the political fallout has been swift. Since Trumps announcement, two of the three county commissioners who supported the reduction have been replaced by candidates both Navajo who staunchly oppose the downsizing. Its the first time Native Americans, who make up nearly half of the countys population, have held a majority on the commission. Harrison Rock, 29, a clerk at the lone gas station in Mexican Hat, Utah, a town named after a nearby boulder that resembles a sombrero, said the monument reduction was an attack on Native Americans. Trump continues to attack people of color, and this is an attack that could have lasting impact, said Rock, who is Navajo. A patron at the counter waiting to pay for gas nodded in support. This country has hurt my people. And it continues to do so, Rock said. Jonah Yellowman, right, and his friend Angelo Baca cross Cedar Mesa after procuring a hot coal poker honeeshgish in Navajo from a juniper branch. Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times On a recent afternoon, Yellowman walked through Cedar Mesa in search of juniper branches. He needed to make a coal poker honeeshgish in Navajo for a ceremony he was set to oversee the next day. It was biting cold, and there were patches of snow at the base of what seemed like an endless blanket of towering juniper. Sweat lodges and hogans once dotted the terrain, Yellowman said. Some still exist, he said, but are now hidden from the public. This is a place where we can come together and have respect for one another, have respect for nature, have respect for the past, he said. Were all trying to heal this land Cedar Mesa, Bears Ears is our medicine. kurtis.lee@latimes.com Twitter: @kurtisalee As we celebrate Christmastime amid an unnecessary and indefinite government shutdown and the worst December for the stock market since 1931, Im reminded once again of my longstanding prediction: The Trump presidency will end poorly because character is destiny. Ive said it so often, I occasionally need to be reminded that I didnt coin the phrase. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus did, when he observed ethos anthropoi daimon, most often translated as mans character is his fate. Character is one of those topics, like culture or morality, that everyone strongly supports yet also argues about. When James Q. Wilson, one of the greatest social scientists of the last half-century, turned his scholarly attention to character, many of his colleagues in academia were repulsed. Even though every one of them surely believed in some notion of good character, it was assumed that to talk of it, let alone seek a definition of it or a plan for how to cultivate it, would be an exercise in lending aid and comfort to the moralizers of the right. But Wilson had a more humble and universal definition than his colleagues might have expected: decency, politeness, self-restraint, commitment, honesty, cooperativeness and the ability to think of others well-being. Advertisement Weirdly, its gotten to the point that when I say President Trump is not a man of good character, I feel like I should preface it with a trigger warning for many of my fellow conservatives. Most of the angry responses are rooted in the fact they do not wish to be reminded of this obvious truth. But others seem to have convinced themselves that Trump is a man of good character, and they take personal offense at the insult, even though I usually offer it as little more than an observation. The driving force behind nearly all of the controversies that have bedeviled his administration is his personality, not his ideology. This latter group rushes to rebut the claim, citing banal or debatable propositions: He loves his children! Hes loyal to a fault! Hes authentic! Never mind that many bad men love their children, that loyalty to people or causes unworthy of loyalty is not admirable, and that authentic caddishness is not admirable. Never mind, too, that he is not remotely loyal, to his wives or the people who work for him. Whats most worrisome is that these defenders are redefining good character in Trumps image, and they end up modeling it. Still others assume that I am referencing the presidents style, specifically his insults and Twitter addiction. They overlook that his insults are not merely an act, but rather the product of astonishing levels of narcissism, insecurity and intellectual incuriosity. His Twitter feed is simply a window into his id. The president who became a celebrity by telling reality-show contestants youre fired has not fired any of his Cabinet officials face-to-face, or even on the phone. He relies on others, or on Twitter, to deliver the news. He loves controversy because it keeps him in the center ring, but he hates confrontation. The driving force behind nearly all of the controversies that have bedeviled his administration is his personality, not his ideology. To be sure, ideology plays a role. It amplifies the anger from both his left-wing critics and his transactional defenders. Many of the liberal critics shrieking about the betrayal of the Kurds implicit in his decision to withdraw from Syria would be applauding if a President Clinton had made the same decision. And many of the conservatives celebrating the move would be condemning it. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion But his refusal to listen to advisors; his inability to bite his tongue; his demonization and belittling of senators who vote for his agenda; his rants against the 1st Amendment; his praise for dictators and insults for allies; his need to create new controversies to eclipse old ones; and his inexhaustible capacity to lie and fabricate history: All this springs from his nature. Over the weekend, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie offered an odd defense of the president. Hes like a 72-year-old relative, Christie said on ABCs This Week. When people get older, they become more and more convinced of the fact that what theyre doing is the right thing. Christie has a point. But the reason Trump wont change has little to do with age and everything to do with character. jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Locals have food at a damaged house in Banten Province, in Indonesia, Dec. 24, 2018. The Indonesian disaster agency on Monday put the death toll of the tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption at 373 with 1,459 others injured, a spokesman of the agency told Xinhua on Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren) PANDEGLANG/SERANG, Indonesia, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of a deadly tsunami hitting Sunda Strait in western Indonesia has risen to 373, with 1,459 others injured, while rescue efforts have continued amid challenges from bad weather and damaged access. Hundreds of military personnel, police, rescuers and volunteers were conducting search and rescue in the affected areas along the coastlines of western Java and southern Sumatra islands, which were struck on Saturday night by the deadly tsunami following an underwater landslide from Anak Krakatau volcano that has been erupting for months. Rescuers with heavy machinery equipment have made their access to more affected areas, retrieving more victims of the catastrophe. "With hard works and supported by heavy machinery equipment, the rescuers have been able to arrive in some devastated areas which were previously difficult to reach," spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told Xinhua. The search and rescue operation for victims of the tsunami was underway in the worst-hit Pandeglang and Serang districts in Banten province, and Lampung Selatan, Panawaran and Tenggamus districts in Lampung province. Indonesian authorities have managed to identify 185 bodies from overall tsunami dead counts in Banten province as of Monday. Those bodies were identified from 222 recovered in several affected areas in the province as of 16:00 p.m. Monday. The bodies were recovered by search teams from Banten's affected areas in Tanjung Lesung, Sumur, Panimbang, Labuan, Carita, Cinangka and Sangiang Island. Unidentified bodies have been transferred to hospitals in Serang, the provincial captial of Banten, and in Pandeglang regency for further identification process. Indonesian police headquarters spokesperson Pudjo Sulistyo said lack of identification card, finger print damage and supporting data, such as particular signature marks in the bodies were part of challenges faced by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) personnel in carrying out their jobs to quickly identify those victims. Also on Monday, President Joko Widodo visited the affected area by helicopter and praised local authorities for swift action in responding to the latest disaster. He told journalists that he has ordered the Social Ministry to give compensation to the families of the dead as quickly as possible. He praised the army and police, along with local government officials, for their work in evacuating shorefront areas, which are still considered a danger zone. National disaster agency spokesman Sutopo acknowledged on Twitter that the country's network of detection buoys had been dysfunctional since 2012, due to vandalism and budget shortfalls. "The absence and failure of early tsunami warning systems have contributed to the huge casualties, because people have no opportunity to be evacuated," he said. The impact of the catastrophe was also amplified at the tourist destination when the tsunami struck Saturday night during a peak time of holiday. High waves of 4-5 meters slammed into the shore, Endang Permana, head of emergency department of the disaster management agency in the district, told Xinhua. Saturday night's tsunami in Banten crushed the popular beaches in western tip of Java island that happened to be flocked by holidaymakers who spent togetherness with their loved ones in many hotels and resorts alongside the beach. The tsunami has displaced 5,665 people, who were taking shelter in evacuation centers, spokesman Sutopo said, adding that the figure dropped from 11,453 as many of the evacuees had returned home. The tsunami also devastated a total of 681 houses, 69 hotels and villas, as well as 420 ships and boats, he said. The meteorology and geophysics agency has banned activities in the coastal areas after the deadly tsunami, as the assessment of volcanic eruption risk was being taken. On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive tsunami triggered by a powerful quake hit countries along the Indian Ocean, killing 226,000 people, including 170,000 in Aceh province of northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island. Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatoa, is one of the 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation home to 17,500 islands, sitting on a quake-prone zone of so-called "the Pacific Ring of Fire." Anak Krakatau is the remnant of Krakatau volcano that collapsed into small volcanic islands after its ferocious eruption in August 1883, which also prompted a devastating tsunami that killed more than 36,000 people in Banten. Within three years, the Glendale Unified School District may find itself in a serious financial situation. District staff filed a first interim budget this school year and certified it as qualified. According to its own projections, that means the district may not be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years. The Glendale Unified school board approved the budget on Dec. 11 and a solvency plan, which calls for $5 million in cuts for the 2019-20 school year. Those reductions are expected to be $1 million in services and supplies and $4 million in salaries and benefits. Layoffs are not expected, school officials said. Every major budget period has a multiyear projection, so youre doing it for the current year and the future two years, said Stephen Dickinson, the districts chief business and financial officer. So, the furthest year out, call it the third year, [we] may not be able to meet the [state-required] reserve of 3% if our enrollment were to continue to decline, and if we are not able to meet our solvency targets, he added. The 2018-19 budget shows the district is deficit spending for a second straight year as total revenues are projected at roughly $293.5 million and total expenditures are listed at about $299.6 million. While the district received an increase of nearly $16 million in Local Control Funding Formula revenue this year for a total of approximately $235.3 million, employee costs were higher at roughly $252 million, or 84.1% of total expenditures. That means the districts undesignated reserve will continue to shrink until its projected to be depleted in four years. The reserve is estimated to be $18.79 million for the 2018-19 school year and will decline to about $14.9 million in 2019-20, and thats after approximately $5 million in cuts. By the 2020-21 school year, that figure is expected to be about $5.90 million before turning into a roughly $7 million deficit for 2021-22. State one-time funds are missing from the budget. Historically, we do get a wide variety of one-time funds from year to year, Dickinson said. Sometimes its been as high as $10 million or so and sometimes its been as low as $4.3 million. Also, incoming Gov. Gavin Newsom may allocate more money in his upcoming budget expected by mid-January, school officials said. Perhaps equally alarming is a General Fund balance also heading south. For 2018-19, the balance is estimated at $39.42 million and will dip to $35.25 million in 2019-20 and $30.52 million the following year. Looking back over 10 years, 2019-20 will be the lowest [Glendale Unifieds] reserves have been in 10 years, said Supt. Winfred B. Roberson Jr. While school budgeting is a continuous process, there are deadlines throughout the year, and budgets are required to be filed with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The first deadline this school year took place Dec. 15, with budgets being classified as positive, qualified or negative. The next interim budget is due March 15. A positive budget states a district can definitely meet financial obligations, while a negative rating means it cannot meet that responsibility. Glendales qualified status means meeting those obligations is questionable. The position has happened so rarely its unknown the last time the district turned in a qualified budget. School Service of California Inc., a business, financial and management advocacy educational resource group, submitted a budget review Dec. 14, which the board examined Tuesday evening. The group pointed out that one issue hampering the district has been a steady student enrollment decline. Glendale Unified hit its zenith in 2000-01 as the districts total was 30,374 students. Since then, School Service of California noted, the districts enrollment has declined by almost 15% by 2017-18, to 26,071. This year, the district projected its enrollment dropped by 281 students. Each student loss has cost the district $9,224.80 annually, according to figures from School Service of California. andrew.campa@latimes.com Twitter @campadresports As Santa Anita gets set to open its 82nd season on Wednesday, it seems to be conflicted about trying to sell its past or its future. A new advertising campaign, Timeless Tradition, preys on the memories of when horse racing was the thing to do, especially on its traditional day-after-Christmas opening day. Yet, at the same time, there is one thing for sure: This meeting is really about whats new. Theres a new race caller. Theres a new racing secretary. Advertisement Theres a new bet that is trying to bring the feel of casino gambling. Whats old is new again with the prospective return of two jockeys recovering from serious back injuries. Theres even a Hall of Fame jockey trying to reinvent himself as an agent. The job of selling all the changes and experiences of Santa Anita falls to Frank Mirahmadi, who is expanding the job of race caller to include being a track ambassador and cheerleader. He was named to this expanded position after Michael Wrona, the race caller since 2016, did not have his contract renewed. Its all about Santa Anita Park, Mirahmadi said. Its giving the Great Race Place as much positive energy as I can give it. If I were to give myself a job description, it would be to show my love for Santa Anita at all times. It will not require any special effort. Mirahmadi is no stranger to Santa Anita, having grown up in Beverly Hills and gone to the track as a teenager. He would sit in the grandstand, where he would try to perfect his future occupation, doing practice calls of races, often in the voices of people who came before him. Every announcer at Santa Anita is a race calling legend, Mirahmadi said. Joe Hernandez, Dave Johnson, Trevor Denman, Michael Wrona. I need to and will improve my work at Santa Anita in order to maintain the level of brilliance that has been displayed in that booth. Mirahmadis path to this moment has been long. Hes been the caller at his share of small and large tracks across the country. Hes called the California fair circuit, Golden Gate and Los Alamitos. He left a job at Aqueduct in New York to come back to Santa Anita. He will continue to call the summer meeting at Monmouth when Santa Anita is dark. Ive never worked this much, Mirahmadi said of his almost year-round schedule. Mirahmadis love for Santa Anita was such that he gave up a full-time job at Oaklawn Park just to audition for the Santa Anita job in 2016. He didnt get the job, losing, by his count, for the sixth time to Wrona. The consolation prize was Golden Gate Fields, a position he kept until he went to New York last year. Now, he has the job he always wanted. Its all very real now, Mirahmadi said. Ive had a lot of time to reflect. A lot of tears. A lot of emotion. A lot of gratitude thinking back to the days when I was a kid going out to Santa Anita and the years traveling the country for a lot of different jobs. Mirahmadi will have no shortage of story lines to sell this season. On Wednesdays opening day, hell call the Malibu Stakes, headlined by McKinzie, a horse that was named for the late Brad McKinzie, who hired Mirahmadi to call races at Los Alamitos. When I see McKinzie in the starting gate, I will have some emotion because Brad was a very special man, Mirahmadi said. People can touch your life and he was one of them. The amount of time I spent with him was very little, but the impact was enormous. Hell get to call Victor Espinozas expected return to racing after the Hall of Fame jockey broke his back in a training accident in July. Espinoza should resume riding in mid-January. He has been told there wont be any restrictions, said Brian Beach, Espinozas agent. He wont come back unless hes 100%. Were not looking for a certain [easy to ride] kind of horse. Well have the same plan as before. Its also hoped that jockey Corey Nakatani will resume riding during this meeting. He had back surgery after sustaining an injury in August and has started physical therapy. His return is less clear. Mirahmadi, who has called many of retired hall of fame jockey Gary Stevens races, likely will call Stevens first win as an agent for Aaron Gryder sometime this meeting. Joel Rosario is a name Mirahmadi will undoubtedly call many times as the former Southern California rider has returned after almost 4,500 races in New York since moving there in 2012. Its all good and we were just looking for a little change, said Ron Anderson, Rosarios agent. Hes very excited about the prospect of being back. The racing is good here. Starting with the second condition book, the races will be put together by Steve Lym, who replaced fired racing secretary Rick Hammerle, who had the job since 2003. Lym comes to Santa Anita from Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto and will start after the beginning of the year. Lyms job will be to get full fields so that Mirahmadi will then have to convince bettors that the tracks new roulette bet is a fun option to conventional wagers. In this bet, horses in individual races of six horses or more, will be divided into groups that will be coded as red, black or green for a separate win pool. The goal is to make it more accessible for novice bettors. Once you get people to Santa Anita, thats all you need to do. Its the best place in the world, Mirahmadi said. If you look at any Twitter feed, every day youll always see the background of Santa Anita. Someone is going to tweet a picture of Clockers Corner in the morning or the mountains in the background. Once you get them out here, youll get them back. With that as the goal, the latest chapter starts Wednesday. The death toll from a Christmas Eve attack in the Afghan capital has climbed to 40, the Health Ministry said Tuesday, as police and rescue workers combed through the smoldering public welfare building where the gunmen held out for eight hours against security forces. A suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle outside the building Monday before at least three gunmen stormed in, rampaging through the office complex hunting for victims. Some employees managed to barricade themselves inside offices while police quickly evacuated more than 350 people. Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majro says 40 people were killed and 29 were wounded. An earlier, higher toll provided by the ministry included the attackers. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and a local Islamic State affiliate have carried out a relentless wave of assaults on government targets in recent years. Advertisement Abdul Jalil, an employee who spoke to reporters Tuesday from his hospital bed, was on the second floor when the gunmen entered. They came in and they were shooting at everyone. They were shooting at the closed doors. If anyone was there, they shot them, he said. An injured man is treated at a hospital after a suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a public welfare building in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday. (Rahmat Gul / Associated Press) Jalil said he jumped from a second-story window and broke his leg. He managed to crawl 50 meters to a perimeter gate, where security personnel helped him to safety. Jalil said at least five of his coworkers jumped with him from the window, and he saw his boss jump from a third-story window. Khalil Rahman, who escaped unhurt, said: It was a massacre. We didnt know where to run. He told reporters outside the charred building that he still could hear the sounds of the screaming. It was chaos. Everyone was running everywhere, trying to hide. Why would they kill us? We are Muslims. We are not Russians or Americans, Rahman said. He said he worked for the same public welfare department during the five-year rule of the Taliban, a period that ended with the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. Even during the Taliban we were doing the same job, he said. What is our sin? 8 Catholic churchgoers rehearse a "fan dance" program for the Christmas celebration at a church in Linxi county, administrated by Xingtai, North China's Hebei Province on Monday. Photo: screenshot of a video sent to the Global Times by a local Catholic As Christians around the world greet Christmas with midnight masses and other traditions, many Chinese believers are infusing their celebrations with local cultural traditions and customs such as Chinese folk-art forms and traditional operas. Li Yurong, a Catholic in Linxi county, Xingtai, North China's Hebei Province, said a local church is rehearsing a "fan dance" with the song "Today is your birthday, Jesus Christ" for the Christmas Eve performance on Monday. The song's melody accompanies new lyrics based on the patriotic-themed song "Today is your birthday" produced in 1989 to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Video of the rehearsal sent to the Global Times by another Catholic surnamed Guo shows dancers changing the dance formation in accordance with the background music and some believers sitting beside the stage to watch the performance. Li said churches design such performances every year. "It's all about our belief and life," she noted. Besides the dancing program, Li said that believers had also planned to perform kuaiban, a traditional Chinese folk-art form whereby stories are recited to the rhythm of bamboo clappers, but instead, they picked stories from the Bible as the content. Users on Sina Weibo, also posted videos and photos showing Christians performing worship songs with local operas in Henan and Shandong Province. To ensure a sound environment for Christmas, local authorities such as those in Beijing and Ningbo, Zhejiang Province also rolled out measures to eliminate safety hazards. Zineb el Rhazoui, a French journalist who used to work for Charlie Hebdo, is dealing with an avalanche of online abuse from Muslims, for saying that Islam should submit to French law. She says she has no intention of backing down. Islam must submit to criticism, submit to humor, submit to the laws of the Republic, submit to French law, el Rhazoui said in a recent interview. For that, shes been called a whore and threatened with violence, murder and rape. The abuse got so bad that her current publisher, Ring, has addressed a complaint to Twitter, attaching screenshot of a few choice messages: I want to beat you up and I want to see you burn in hell being the more innocuous ones. The threats wont halt her activities, el Rhazoui vows. She's been speaking out against hardline Islam for years and believes she has not only the right to, but the perfect context in which to do it. She had been working for the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015 when two men broke into the magazines office in Paris and killed eight of its staff (as well as four unconnected people) to avenge the Prophet Mohammed, who, the attackers felt, had been wronged by Charlie Hebdo's highly-controversial cartoons. El Rhazoui herself was in her native Morocco at the time and, when she returned, she helped Charlie get back on its feet with its first post-shooting issue as scathing as ever. Islamophobia or a sober view? Now, she lives under 24/7 police protection, never far from her bodyguards, and remains a staunch critic of Islam or simply a person with a sober view of hardline Muslim practices and their links to terrorism, depending on which side of the fence youre on. El Rhazoui, a dual French and Moroccan citizen (she has a French mother), holds a masters degree in sociology of religion and served as Charlie Hebdos religion expert. Her divisive statements over the years have earned her the contempt of many an Islam defender. Face veils on women, a universal hallmark of Islam, are part of the same ideological chain of production that leads to terrorism, she said in a particularly scathing interview in October, triggering another wave of online abuse. Veiled women belong to and display an ideology that is the ideology of radical Islam ... whose outcome is terrorism. El Rhazoui, who wrote the book 'Destroy Islamic Fascism', has been called a racist and an Islamophobe and its cries like that, she believes, that are drowning out any attempts at reasonable discussion on Islam's shortcomings. And if you call them by their names you are Islamophobic and racist, she said in an interview with Women in the World. I can teach them a few things about Arab culture Having grown up in Morocco, el Rhazoui says theres richness and diversity in Arab culture and, to accept it, one does not have to also embrace the restrictive norms of a religion influenced by a Bedouin context 15 centuries ago. No ideology can just erase more than one millennium of civilization. She has attacked the notion that Islam is a religion of peace. Coined by English-speaking politicians and activists to separate, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Islam from radical Muslim terrorists, it is now often used as a bitterly sarcastic meme, brought up after every terrorist attack in the Western world. In recent years, Europe has had to deal with multiple terrorist attacks traced back to radical Islamist groups like Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). Some, like the August 2017 Barcelona truck rampage, the 2016 Berlin Christmas market ramming and the November 2015 Paris massacre, have claimed numerous lives and led to unprecedented increases in security with roadblocks and armed police guarding public spaces and holiday events. The problem has been exacerbated by the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe, with droves of asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa fleeing wars and poverty in their own countries. Worried by the prospect of terrorists and radicals exploiting the over-welcoming border policies of European countries, the public has been losing trust in politicians that have allowed this to happen. German Chancellor Angel Merkel, for one, has suffered a massive hit to her ratings after declaring an open border policy and, in many countries, politicians and parties with nationalist and anti-migrant views have made considerable gains in recent elections. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. A Russian strategic drone propelled by a miniaturized nuclear reactor is undergoing underwater trials, according to reports. The weapon, called Poseidon, is slated to become a new class of the countrys nuclear deterrence. Poseidon, which was previously dubbed Status-6, was officially announced in March along with other upcoming weapon systems, meant to counter the development of anti-ballistic missile technologies by the US. Its a long-range submersible drone capable of travelling at high speed deep underwater thanks to a miniaturized nuclear reactor. According to a defense source cited on Wednesday by TASS, Poseidon is currently undergoing underwater trials as part of its development. The nuclear propulsion system of the Poseidon drone is currently being tested in a sea area protected from surveillance by the likely opponent, the source said, using an old Soviet military term for the US and its NATO allies. According to the source, the torpedo is carried by a nuclear-propelled submarine of the Russian Navy and that the developer hopes to complete the project before 2027. The claimed reactor miniaturization technology that allows the creation of Poseidon is behind another weapon system, the development of which was announced this year the intercontinental-range cruise missile Burevestnik. Also on rt.com WATCH Peresvet combat laser system enter test duty in Russia (VIDEO) Other weapons include a traditional-design Sarmat ICBM, a hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, apparently meant to destroy aircraft carrier groups and similarly valuable targets, and a laser system of undisclosed purpose. The latter, some analysts believe, could be an anti-satellite weapon capable of disabling optical sensors in orbit. If you like this story, share it with a friend! Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, presides over a meeting on implementing the spirit of a speech on reform and opening-up made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 24, 2018. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Monday held a meeting on implementing the spirit of a speech on reform and opening-up made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting called on staff to study and implement the spirit of Xi's speech, made at a gathering last week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, as well as his instructions on disciplinary inspection and supervisory work. The meeting, presided over by Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, also marked the 40th anniversary of the restoration of the Party's disciplinary inspection authority. The meeting said efforts should be made to summarize and utilize the experience gained in disciplinary inspection and supervisory work over the past 40 years and continue to deepen reforms. Noting that the study and implementation of Xi's speech should be taken as an important political task, the meeting called on officials in this sector to perform their duties as stipulated in the CPC Constitution and the country's Constitution and to work on improving Party conduct, enforcing Party discipline and fighting corruption. The meeting called for resolve and tenacity to persevere in the never-ending fight against corruption and a strict standard in work to consolidate and develop anti-corruption work. It also called for efforts to staunchly safeguard general secretary Xi's core status in the CPC Central Committee and in the whole Party, as well as the authority and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. Iraq, a major Middle East grain importer, is interested in purchasing Russias durum wheat, agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement following talks with officials from the Iraqi Trade Ministry. According to the statement, the officials were asked to provide the Iraqi side with data on production volumes in different regions of Russia, as well as information about the types of wheat grown in Russia. The Moscow-based agency pledged to send all the necessary materials to the Iraqi trade ministry. Read more The Iraqi specialists have thanked us for the inspection. They stressed that the country is mainly interested in supplies of durum wheat for potentially processing it into flour, the statement reads. The parties are said to have discussed creating a working group for dealing with the issues relating to grains and derivative products. The last cargo with Russian wheat was shipped to Iraq in 2014. Back then, the country purchased 118,500 tons of wheat and meslin (a mixture of wheat and rye). That amounted to 0.5 percent of Russias total exports of wheat and meslin, according to Russias Federal Customs Service. However, Baghdad has been buying some other grains from Russian producers. Last year, Iraq purchased 453,000 tons of barley and 1,456,000 tons of rice. Iraqs annual demand for wheat is reportedly five million tons with the current import gap hovering around two million tons a year. Over the recent years, Black Sea grain suppliers have given intense competition to US ones, winning the market share in North Africa and the Middle East. In November, Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammed Hashim Al-Aani, who also oversees the grain board, said Iraq wants Russia to participate in its state tenders. Earlier this month, Rosselkhoznadzor said the countries also agreed on the building of grain storage facilities in Iraq and supplies of advanced processing equipment as part of the post-war reconstruction of the countrys agricultural sector. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section It seems the time when people in Russia could get into really big trouble with the law for buying spy tools like a GPS tracker or a secret surveillance cam for home is finally over after a final ruling by Russias Supreme Court. In its ruling announced on Wednesday, the Supreme Court made it clear, that gadgets like hidden cameras are not necessarily tools of a professional spy and people who purchase them as toys or for household purposes should not be treated the same way as illegal spooks and stalkers. The decision is somewhat of a victory for RT, which took it upon itself to fight against the apparent injustice which people faced over the supposed spy equipment. Also on rt.com WikiLeaks exposes US embassies stockpiling spy gear The article that criminalizes purchases of special technical means for clandestine collection of information existed in Russia for quite some time, either as a separate crime or as circumstantial factor under an article on illegal surveillance and wiretapping. The problem arose when pinhole cams and similar gadgets became affordable enough to become household products, not expensive tools for professional detectives. Over the years, dozens of people in Russia found themselves on the wrong side of the law after making an innocent purchase on AliExpress. People, who obviously posed no threat to public safety, would be tried and fined or even sentenced to short prison terms. Enter the case of Yevgeny Vasiliev, a farmer from a small village in the southern part of greater Urals, who bought a $7 Chinese GPS tracker to make it easier to find his wandering cow. The purchase drew the attention of the Russian security service FSB, who noticed that the tracker had a small microphone that could be turned on remotely. So hypothetically the device could be used to snoop on someones private life, which made Yevgeny a suspected criminal. Also on rt.com Cow-nterintelligence: Farmer faces spy charges for wiretapping his cow RT brought the case to the attention of President Vladimir Putin during his annual Q&A session last year. He was quite surprised that spying on a cow was a crime in Russia and ordered a thorough inquiry into how and why this law is enforced. Now, the Supreme Court has instructed all judges in Russia how to handle frivolous cases involving spy equipment. For one, items for the goal of personal security, like hidden cameras for your own home or a tracker for your pet, can be bought without problem. And if a person purchases a genuine spy tool without knowing he or she was doing something wrong, that is still not a crime, the court said. Prosecutors have to prove there was a criminal intent to illegally spy on somebody to make the charge stick. We have won, RTs chief Margarita Simonyan tweeted after the news about the decision came. As for Yevgeny, the cow-spying farmer, all charges were lifted from him and the local prosecutors office sent him an apology for the trouble. He said it was OK and he understood the criminal code needed improvement. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Suicide bomber attacks Libyas Foreign Ministry in Tripoli, 3 killed report Suicide bomber attacks Libyas Foreign Ministry in Tripoli, 3 killed report A suicide bomber has attacked Libyas Foreign Ministry in the capital, Tripoli, killing three people, security officials said on Tuesday. They added that a second suicide bomber was shot dead by guards before he could detonate his explosive vest, AP reported. At least seven other people were wounded in the attack, according to the report. While it bore the hallmarks of an Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) attack, no one immediately claimed responsibility for it. Libya is split between rival governments, each backed by an array of local militias.Source : RT - Daily news Turkey has sent massive reinforcements to areas in its south, in preparations for a push into Syrias northeast. As troops roll to the border, the countrys top officials have made bellicose remarks, vowing to fight terrorism. A large Turkish military unit has been filmed in the town of Karkamis at the Turkey-Syria border. Right across it lies the Syrian town of Jarablus, controlled by the Turkey-backed Syrian anti-government militants since mid-2016, when Turkey left the territory during operation Euphrates Shield. The video shows a number of mine-resistant, ambush-protected MRAPs, which are also used by the Turkish army and gendarmerie, as well as several covered self-propelled multiple rocket launchers. Other vehicles were also present at the scene, namely army trucks with tarpaulins and shipping containers, presumably carrying troops and equipment. The troop mobilization comes as the countrys Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said that Ankara was seeking to launch a military operation targeting the Kurdish-led militias in Syria as soon as possible. Read more The new military operation against Syrian Kurdish-led militias, which Ankara regards as terrorists, was announced by Ankara this month and had repeatedly been threatened before. Earlier this year, the Turkish army and allied militants launched Operation Olive Branch, crushing Kurdish militias in Syrias Afrin region. Kurdish-led militias the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its backbone the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) control Syrias northeast. While the militias have been receiving US military support for years, Ankara claims the YPG to be an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency in Turkeys southeast since the 1980s. Last week, the operation was postponed when Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw US forces from Syria, which have been occupying parts of the country. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned, however, that it was not an open-ended waiting period. The impact of the US troop withdrawal from Syria will be discussed during his upcoming visit to Moscow, Cavusoglu revealed. The date of his visit, however, was not specified. Also on rt.com Trumps transactional troop pullout from Syria could blow up Another power that also has boots on the ground in Syria France has already vowed to stay in the country despite the US withdrawal. The presence of French troops, however, wont stop Ankara from attacking Kurdish militants, Cavusoglu stated. If France is staying in Syria to protect the YPG, that will neither benefit France nor the YPG, the minister warned. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! US military base in Poland would pose threat to Belarus security Minsk US military base in Poland would pose threat to Belarus security Minsk The possible creation of a US military base on Polands territory is a source of threat to the security of Belarus, according to the military in Minsk. On Tuesday, the Belarusian Defense Ministry commented on reports regarding plans for a permanent US military presence in Poland. Warsaw may make a decision on the base next spring. In November, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak met with Pentagon chief James Mattis to advance discussions over a new military base in Poland dubbed Fort Trump. Polands ruling Law and Justice party wants to see concrete plans for increasing the presence of US troops on the countrys soil before national elections are held next autumn, according to analysts.Source : RT - Daily news [December 25, 2018] Meitu Internationalization in 2018: AirBrush and BeautyPlus Profitable, Overseas Users of the Meitu App Increased Drastically XIAMEN, China, Dec. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As of December 24, 2018, Meitu's three overseas products - AirBrush, BeautyPlus and the overseas version of the Meitu App have all made significant gains in revenue and user growth. With its subscription-based business model, AirBrush's revenue in 2018 has increased over 500% year-over-year (YOY) and it is now profitable. BeautyPlus, with a primarily advertising-based business model, has achieved a 165% growth in revenue for 2018 and is also profitable. The overseas version of the Meitu App has ranked first in the App Stores of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Egypt, Mongolia, and Saudi Arabia in 2018. Meitu's internationalization strategy of having technology at its core and providing localized product experiences for global users, combined with flexible business models has proved to be a successful one. "Meitu is committed to bringing a series of MTlab technologies to overseas markets and launching a new generation of beauty-enhancement functions such as the Personalized Camera, AI Portraits and AI Smart Skin Testing while continuously upgrading the photo-editing standards for our overseas users," said Meitu CTO Wei Zhang. "Moving forward, Meitu will continue its internationalization efforts with key considerations that include brand recognition, the size of a market's user base, the market entry threshold, and the potential for growth and monetization." AirBrush: Profitable with an Over 500% Revenue Increase, YOY Meitu launched AirBrush globally in August 2015, with a focus on Europe and the Americas. What started as a natural-style retouching product to help users in those markets share selfies on social media has exceeded 8 million MAU a 20% increase compared to 2017. Based on App Store Connect data, paid users now comprise over 10% of all users and the monthly repurchase rate has exceeded 80%. AirBrush has reached the top 3 in Russia, the top 5 in Brazil, and the top 30 of the United States for the App Store Photo & Video App rankings this year. Starting in the third quarter of 2018, AirBrush has applied a subscription-based business model that has resulted not only in the achievement of profitability, but also a YOY revenue increase of over 500%. Unlike many Chinese Internet companies that have entered the mature Western and emerging Latin American markets through large merger and acquisition deals and/or aggressive launches, AirBrush has achieved its growth largely through organic means. AirBrush will be implementing further product upgrades moving forward. For example, the virtual makeup experience will be upgraded to include personalized retouching recommendations based on unique facial attributes. New virtual makeup options will be introduced on a regular basis along with personalized virtual makeup experiences to help users better express their individuality. Facial recognition technology will be introduced to create a user profile for each user's retouching preferences, allowing each individual to have their own unique and personalized beauty experience. In the future, AirBrush will also attempt more international cross-brand collaborations. BeautyPlus: Profitable with an Over 165% Revenue Increase, YOY BeautyPlus, the overseas version of BeautyCam, achieved an annual revenue growth rate of over 165% YOY. It is currently profitable and mainly derives its revenue from advertising, with over half coming from programmatic advertising and the rest from direct ad sales. BeautyPlus has reached 480 million total downloads since launching in April of 2013. BeautyPlus has been collaborating with international brands to market in interactive ways while upgrading its photo-editing standards for users in Asia. In 2018, BeautyPlus cooperated with the well-known Japanese IP Sanrio to launch interactive AR filters with six characters that include Hello Kitty, Melody, and Pom Pom Purin. Other collaborations with well-known brands for AR filer cooperation include a global cooperation with DKNY Fragrances, Amazon Prime in India, and the skincare brand POND'S in Indonesia. BeautyPlus is currently taking the lead in integrating all of Meitu's overseas commercial products under the Meitu Ads brand. This will provide potential clients with an official platform for advertising cooperation while generating sales leads and more opportunities for external online traffic collaboration. To engage users and meet the specific demands of local markets, BeautyPlus has continuously introduced new functions and filters. For example, BeautyPlus has launched Japan's first pet-specific dynamic AR filter in response to Japanese users' love of taking pet pictures. The Indian market offers significant potential in terms of both population and economic growth. BeautyPlus currently has over 23 million MAU in the country, a 50% increase YOY. It captures an astonishing 37% of new downloads in the Photo Retouching App category and is currently the most popular app of its category in India. This year BeautyPlus has launched a special Diwali-themed AR filter in honor of one of the country's most cherished holiday events. BeautyPlus has also collaborated with global giants like Google in the areas of technology, marketing, and monetization. In 2018, BeautyPlus participated in Google's roadshows for various markets around the world. It has also used Google products to increase its return on investment: through Google DFP, revenue from programmatic advertising has increased by 150% YOY. The Meitu App: Tops the App Store Rankings of Six Overseas Markets 2018 has been a phenomenal year for the Meitu App overseas: it has taken the top spot in the App Store and Google Play Rankings in six overseas markets. In the Japanese and Korean markets, photos generated by the Meitu App have swept Instagram and Twitter. In South Korea , the Meitu App has surpassed Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other popular apps in August 2018 : it maintained the top spot on App Store Overall Rankings for 21 consecutive days, and 9 consecutive days on the Google Play Overall Rankings. It also ranked first in the Google Play Photography Category for 25 consecutive days. , the Meitu App has surpassed Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other popular apps in : it maintained the top spot on App Store Overall Rankings for 21 consecutive days, and 9 consecutive days on the Google Play Overall Rankings. It also ranked first in the Google Play Photography Category for 25 consecutive days. In August, the Meitu App ranked number one in the App Store Overall and Photo and Video Categories in Japan . The number of Japanese users increased fivefold in the same month. Andy the ArtBot is the main factor that led to the spike in popularity in the Japanese and Korean markets. The feature utilizes AI technology to transform real portraits into illustrations in just 5 seconds. The feature took users by storm upon its release, sparking a trend for cartoon-style photos all over the globe. . The number of Japanese users increased fivefold in the same month. Andy the ArtBot is the main factor that led to the spike in popularity in the Japanese and Korean markets. The feature utilizes AI technology to transform real portraits into illustrations in just 5 seconds. The feature took users by storm upon its release, sparking a trend for cartoon-style photos all over the globe. The Meitu App has also become popular in the Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mongolian markets. It has repeatedly taken the top spot in Thailand , topping the App Store and Google Play for overall rankings in February, and once again in mid-October. , topping the App Store and Google Play for overall rankings in February, and once again mid-October. It reached number one in the Saudi App Store (both Overall and in the Photo and Video Category) and Google Play (Photography Category) in August. The Meitu App also reached number one on the Egyptian App Store Overall App Ranking in August. It scored number one in the Mongolian App Store Overall App Ranking in August. Over 80% of the Meitu App's overseas growth is organic, which speaks to users' enthusiasm for the product and users' affinity for the Meitu brand. The Meitu App has also achieved tremendous overseas user growth this year as a result of localized operations and product innovation. By creating localized and innovative products and appealing to local celebrities and influencers, South Korea's MAU has grown by 357% YOY and Japan by 38% YOY. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia's MAU has increased by 53% YOY, Vietnam by 44%, and Thailand by 9%. Since its entry into the overseas market at the end of 2017, the Meitu App has accumulated over 111.2 million overseas downloads. Its overseas MAU in December 2018 is over 11.8 million. The Meitu App also collaborates with many well-known global brands. This includes the Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweler PIAGET, with whom the Meitu App launched an AR filter in Taiwan. It has also worked with PIAGET on an integrated marketing campaign that includes a PIAGET popup store, community and influencer marketing, as well as ads on the Meitu App and joint public relations campaigns. The Meitu app also collaborates with the Cartoon Network, including The PowerPuff Girls and We Bare Bears. Another international highlight for the 2018 year is the Meitu Magic Mirror, an SDK integration AI service that offers virtual makeup, skin testing, facial feature analysis, and intelligent makeup recommendations. December 12th marked the grand opening of the world's first Givenchy Beauty Boutique in Nanjing, China. Meitu Magic Mirror is featured prominently at the center of the store, helping to make the Givenchy Beauty Boutique a unique and high-end brand experience. Givenchy Beauty is the newest addition to the list of well-known brands collaborating with Meitu Magic Mirror: it has previously cooperated with Sephora, Make Up Forever, Watsons, DFS, Clarins and other well-known brands both in China and abroad. In September, Meitu was selected as one of the Top 50 Leading Chinese Cross-border Brands by Facebook and KPMG. Meitu's overseas users currently account for over 30% of its total user base. About Meitu Inc. Established in October 2008, Meitu (SEHK: 1357) is a world leading AI-driven photo/video processing and social sharing company headquartered in China. With a mission "to inspire more people to express their beauty", the company has developed a rich portfolio of software and smart hardware products based on the concept of beauty that include, but not limited to the Meitu app (social network), BeautyCam (photo editing & selfie camera app), Meipai (pan-knowledge short video platform), and Meitu Smartphones. Meitu's suite of apps have been installed on over 1.5 billion unique mobile devices and have amassed a massive worldwide user following, with over one third coming from outside China in countries that include the United States, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. With the largest database of human portraits on the planet, Meitu leverages AI in the pursuit of its mission. MTlab, Meitu's R&D hub, is dedicated to AI and imaging innovations like Computer Vision, Deep Learning, and Computer Graphics. Meitu has repeatedly ranked as one of the top Android and iOS apps in the world. For more information, please visit at http://corp.meitu.com/en/. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181225/2335186-1-a Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181225/2335186-1-b Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181225/2335186-1-c Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181225/2335186-1-d SOURCE Meitu, Inc. [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com/wimax's Homepage ] HOHHOT, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The farthest place Quan Yanling has ever been to is a city 100 km away from her village, but the Christmas decorations she makes have been sold to countries thousands of miles away. Quan, 51, a farmer in Hubo Village, Horqin Zuoyi Rear Banner, northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, joined a cooperative and started to make handicrafts in April. She makes Christmas snow houses, Jack-o'-lanterns and polar bear toys that are exported to 10 countries including France, Germany, Britain, Switzerland, the United States and Russia. "To my surprise, I can earn money from my hobby of making handicrafts," said Bai Yizhen, head of the cooperative. Bai first started to make Christmas decorations in April 2017. "I made 200 Christmas snow houses and earned over 300 yuan from my first order, and I received a larger order of nearly 1,000 snow houses the second time," she said. Seeing Bai's success, many women in the village came to her, and nearly 100 villagers joined her in making the handicrafts in just three months. "More and more villagers joined me, but I myself alone found it difficult to manage the business with orders increasing. With help from the village's women association, we established a cooperative," she said. Since the cooperative was established in July 2017, more than 800 women have participated, of which 80 households are recognized as living under the poverty line. Now, every member of the cooperative can earn from 1,000 to 3,000 yuan (145 to 435 U.S. dollars) a month. "With sowing and reaping machines, we no longer have to work in the field as much as we did in the past. Simply sitting at home, I sometimes found it boring. However, life is now much more fun after I started to make handicrafts," said Yang Jinlan, 56, who joined the cooperative in April. Yang is making twig decorations that will be exported to Switzerland. "I've heard that they would decorate their houses with these twigs at Christmas. I'm wondering why they like trees so much in Switzerland," Yang said. The cooperative received orders including 300,000 Christmas snow houses and 200,000 twig decorations for this Christmas season and will earn about 1.2 million yuan. Quan Yanling family used to be living under the poverty line, but now, with income from making handicrafts, farming and raising cows, her family has risen out of poverty. Her six-year-old grandson keeps her company when she makes handicrafts. "I want to make more handicrafts, earn more money and take my grandson abroad to visit the hometown of polar bears and reindeer someday," she said. WALLINGFORD Barbara Ferraro opened her front door Christmas morning to a local family delivering food, gifts and their company. The Kennedy familyparents Todd and Casey, 13-year-old Caden, 10-year-old Brady and 8-year-old Parkervolunteered to bring meals to homebound residents of Silver Pond Apartments on Tuesday. The meals were prepared by the Wallingford Community Dinners program, which serves hundreds of meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter from the First Congregational Church, 23 S. Main St. Wallingford Community Dinners continues the holiday meal tradition of founder Nancy Freyberg, who moved to North Carolina three years ago. It was the first time the Kennedys volunteered their time delivering food on Christmas. Casey Kennedy said she called Masters Manna, a nonprofit food pantry, looking for family volunteering opportunities, and was directed to Judy Namnoum, a member of the executive committee of the dinner program, now in its 38th year. Bettina Cristini, meal organizer, said the program serves about 350 meals, both in the dining room and delivered. Each event has about 50 volunteers, plus cooks and drivers. The family departed the church with two deliveries around noon, just as the meal was starting in the dining hall. Ferraro has been living in Wallingford for two years, after 37 years in New Haven. That struck a chord with mom Casey Kennedy, who is from Fair Haven. They talked about New Haven pizza while dad Todd and the kids played with Buddy, Ferraros dog, who reveled in the attention. He just wants to be petted, Ferraro said. Hes a lot of company for me. Ferraro heard about the holiday meal delivery from a neighbor. I do appreciate it, Ferraro said, as she doled out hugs and Buddy barked. The Kennedys also visited Sally Thompson and her dog, Romeo. Everybody knows him in the building, Thompson said. Here comes Romeo, they say. The family loaded back into their vehicle and drove back to the church, quietly talking about their evening plans. Caden said his favorite part of delivering the meals was their faces when we gave it to them. And petting the dogs, said Parker. Casey Kennedy reminded her sons that their small act of kindness made a difference in the lives of the senior citizens they visited. Just by delivering their food and talking to them, she said. Local business that made donations include Alyssas Cakery, BJs Wholesale Club, Dunkin Donuts, Keris Sweet Creations Pastry Shop, Mozzicatos Bakery, Mr. Ds Bakery, Neils Donuts, Shop & Shop, Sweet Cioccolatta and Zandris Stillwood Inn. Community organizations that contributed include the First Congregational Church, S&Z Corporation (McDonalds), Wallingford Elks Club and Wallingford Rotary Club/Liberty Bank Foundation. The Meriden YMCA also hosts an annual Christmas dinner and provides meal deliveries to the homebound. LTakores@record-journal.com 203-317-2212 Twitter: @LCTakores Anuradha Shukla By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The newly constituted National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) would soon test its waters, with the Central government planning to assign it the task of auditing last five years books of accounts of the fraud-hit Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS). ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) has done its primary investigation and the ministry (of corporate affairs) had already placed its request to reopen the books of accounts of the IL&FS. While the process of appointing an independent professional for the purpose is on, the general consensus is that the task should be done under the aegis of NFRA, a senior official from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) told TNIE. On Friday, the MCA had moved a petition before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking its approval to reopen accounts of three entities IL&FS, IL&FS Transportation Networks Limited, IL&FS Financial Services Limited invoking Section 130 of the Companies Act for the first time. The MCA counsel had also urged the NCLT to appoint an independent chartered accountant to take a closer look at the accounts and revise the balance sheets of all the three companies. The MCA wants NFRA to oversee the investigation and to scan last five years accounts of the companies. Post the Punjab National Bank scam that questioned the role of auditors, the Union Cabinet had, on March 1, approved setting up of an independent regulator (NFRA), which will have sweeping powers to act against erring auditors and auditing firms. In November, the Centre had notified NFRA rules, which said it will oversee the quality of service and investigate the roles of auditors of listed entities, as well as auditors of unlisted entities with paid-up capital of not less than Rs500 crore or annual turnover of over Rs1,000 crore, thus clipping ICAIs monitoring and disciplinary powers over auditors. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A second-year college student allegedly killed her mother at Tiruvallur on Monday, when the woman attempted to stop her daughter from eloping with a man whom she reportedly befriended over Facebook. Police said Devi Priya, 19, a resident of Anjaneyapuram, had befriended one Vivek through Facebook six months ago. "Recently, her parents found this and restricted her from going out and using her cell phone. She informed Vivek and decided to run away from home to live with him," said a police officer. On Monday evening, Vivek had sent two of his friends - Vignesh and Sathish - to bring Devi Priya to Kumbakonam. "As she was packing her bag, her mother Banumathi learnt that she was leaving the house and stopped her. In a fit of rage, Devi picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed her mother in the presence of the two men," said the officer. The men who witnessed the incident escaped from the house but the neighbours who spotted blood stains on the men's shirts nabbed them and handed them to the police. The police have arrested Devi Priya, Vivek, Vignesh and Sathish. Police said Devi was living with her parents Sivagurunathan, Banumathy and her sister Chamundeswari. Vivek, a native of Kumbakonam, was working in a garment shop. By Express News Service CHENNAI: The tenders saga for the privatisation of conservancy operations in eight corporation zones continues, with the Chennai Corporation rejecting all bids on Monday. Fresh tenders are expected to be called in the beginning of the new year. A senior official, who took part in the bid ratification meeting after the deadline for bid submissions ended at 3 pm, told Express that none of the five bidders were able to submit the earnest money deposit. Due to various reasons such as bank strikes, companies were not able to mobilise funds required to be considered for the project, said the senior official One of the bidders, a Pune-based company, submitted the EMD in person just before the bid deadline but it is learnt that officials from the corporation did not consider it. The EMD has to be submitted online and cannot be accepted in person, the official said. The Chennai Corporation opened bids for privatisation of eight zones in two packages on August 20. However, with stakeholders asking for more time to perform cost analysis for the project, the deadline was extended after a meeting with stakeholders on September 26. Following protests from conservancy workers on October 11, fearing that privatisation would result in job cuts, the Corporation suspended the tender on October 12. A fresh tender was called for on November 24. Sources in the solid waste management department said that the stringent parameter based payment model which will debut in this project has also deterred companies from putting their ring in the hat. Aihik Sur By Express News Service HYDERABAD: It was nearly a decade ago, the centuries-old St Josephs Cathedral in Gunfoundry was renovated, repairing or redesigning most of the interiors and features, including flooring, cracked walls, towers and other parts of the church. Not it has come to light that though that renovation work enhanced the image of the church, it has also left a centuries-old chandelier damaged. According to a church official, one of the original chandeliers brought from Scandinavia was damaged during the renovation. Now, out of the five chandeliers that hang from the ceiling in the church, only two are originals, which date back to the 19th century. It is important to note that conservation and preservation of not just St Josephs Cathedral but other churches in city is taken up privately under the aegis of the denomination the church belongs to. As for St Josephs Cathedral, since it belongs to the Anglican Church of South India, the conservation work was taken up by them. The fund was raised by the members of the congregation -- as it is done everywhere else -- and a private conservation architect was hired to carry out the renovation work. This brings up the question, would the damage of the chandelier be averted if the conservation was undertaken by the State government or the Centre? However, the bigger question is, why is the maintenance of 19th-century churches in the city taken up privately rather than by the government in the first place? A priest from St Josephs Church said that to draw funds for the maintenance from the government, the church has to be under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). However, these churches, which are under Anglican South Indian Church, are wary of giving up their places of worship to the ASI. That is because, the priest said, they would lose their autonomy over the church and would have to take permission from the ASI for any minor changes in the future. In fact, authorities of the St Josephs church -- which is enlisted as a heritage building -- in the past have not taken permission from the citys Heritage Conservation Committee whenever they have undertaken renovation. According to rules, no heritage building can be repaired or renovated without the permission of the citys Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC). This is evident from the minutes of a meeting of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority from 2006, which questioned the renovation works at the church going on then. The site was inspected by the staff of HUDA. It was noted that the Cathedral authorities are carrying out major renovation works without any application to and approval of the Heritage Conservation Committee. A letter was addressed to the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad but there was no response. Anuja Susan Varghese By Express News Service KOCHI: Its merry Christmas everywhere. But not for the sisters at the St Francis Mission House, Kuravilangad, who led a series of protests seeking arrest of Franco Mulakkal, the former bishop of Jalandhar. Standing up for justice and truth has cost them dear as they have been sidelined by their own colleagues from the Christmas celebrations at the convent. Ever since the Franco issue started, the nuns have been sidelined and alienated within the sisterhood. Preparations for Christmas celebrations at the convent always holds a special place in the nuns hearts. Decorating the Xmas tree, worshipfully preparing the crib for infant Jesus, and decking up the stage and hall for the celebrations always held a pride of place in their hearts. ALSO READ | Kerala Nun Rape: Church trying to suppress dissenting voices? We used to involve ourselves in all celebrations related to Christmas. The decorations used to get over only by the night before Christmas. Those were the days of real joy and happiness but all that are just memories now, said Sr Anupama, one of the five sisters at the convent who led the protest against Franco. However, the remaining four sisters at the convent who had supported Franco Mulakkal are active in making the arrangements for Christmas. They have not included us in the arrangements for the festive season. Therefore we have kept away from the group. Even when the carol came last night, we were not informed. These are all small events which bring happiness and memories, said Sr Anupama. ALSO READ | Kerala nun rape case: Sister Anupama heckled, asked to leave key witness' funeral Gripped in fear and uncertainty about their future, the nuns are having a difficult time at the convent where they are treated like strangers. Since Franco is capable of influencing the witnesses, we are worried about the fate of the case. But we cannot live in fear. We have equal rights at the convent like the remaining inmates. We will continue with hope till justice is served, said Sr Alfi, one of the sisters. ALSO READ | Kerala nun rape case: Priest who was key witness against Franco Mulakkal found dead in Jalandhar Equally painful is the treatment they get when they venture out to hospitals, churches or shops. They get more glares from women than men at these places. It hurts them. But the nuns say they also get support and appreciation from many people outside which helped them move forward with courage. Though life in the convent is not so warm, the nuns have set up a small farm to find solace and happiness. We have bought around 30 chicken and started a cultivating vegetables in a small space in the backyard of the convent. Though we had to face the scorn of the other inmates, we went ahead boldly as it would keep us occupied, said Sr Alfi. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The much-anticipated arrival of the migratory birds to the Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands has brought cheer amongst the birding community here. To add to their joy, the Citrine Wagtail, a rare winter visitor, was spotted after nine long years. The birds were spotted at the Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands during a study conducted by the nature lovers forum Warblers and Waders. The survey was led by Warblers and Waders founder and ornithologist C Susanth and M K Krishnakumar, president of the organisation. Citrine Wagtail was last sighted in 2009 at the Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands. It was really an interesting sighting for bird watchers and ornithologists, said Susanth. Amur Falcon, a small raptor species which breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China, was another rare sighting. The Amur Falcon normally migrates in flocks, but in Punchakari, a single female bird was seen. The bird was sighted on Sunday. According to the bird watchers, every year the migratory birds arrive during September. This year, there has been a delay. Usually, the small flocks of migratory birds appear in Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands during late November and beginning of December. Now more migratory birds are visiting Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands. The arrival of the migratory birds, including some rare sighting post the floods has immense significance. The recent floods badly impacted the states biodiversity. The heavy rain also affected the migratory movement of birds travelling from other countries and continent, said Susanth. The monitoring studies were held at Punchakari during November and early December. According to the birders, the sighting of Eurasian Cuckoo, a rare winter visitor is significant. Eurasian Cuckoo is a straggler or vagrant migrant bird and four individual birds were seen. The study also observed the arrival of small flocks of migratory wild ducks and teals at the Punchkari wetlands. Migratory water birds and waders like Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper were also spotted. Mixed flocks of Pintail Duck and Garganey teals were also seen. Migratory raptors such as the Booted Hawk Eagle, Eurasian Marsh Harrier and Pallid Harrier were also recorded during the study. Black-winged Kite, a local migrant small hawk species was also sighted. 70 Glossy Ibis bad 20 White Ibis were spotted. Another rare migratory bird that was spotted was the Greyheaded Lapwing. The flock with five individuals seen feeding with other waders in the wetlands. The study was conducted as a pre-waterfowl census ahead of the Annual Waterfowl Census which is slated to be held during January. Warblers and Waders have been conducting Annual Waterfowl census in the major wetlands of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts since 1990. This year the Annual census will begin in the first week of January. (People's Daily Online/Yu Kai) As the transportation capacity of Chinas railway systems has been further improved this year, more Chinese people will be able to enjoy comfortable trips back home during the approaching Spring Festival travel rush, according to a big data report issued by Chinese internet security firm Qihoo 360 on Dec. 20. China Railway Corp recently released a data report stating that fixed asset investment in the railway sector totaled 732 billion yuan in 2018, expanding the countrys rail way mileage by 4,000 km, including 3,500 km of additional new high-speed tracks. Facilitated by Chinas enhanced rail way capacity, over half of the passengers can get home within 12 hours, and those who must spend more than 24 hours to return home by train only account for 11 percent. Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission told the Beijing Morning Post that by 2020, bullet train services will cover 21 cities in the province. As a province well-known for massive amounts of passengers during the Spring Festival, see a huge relief in its traffic pressure will be seen during this period. The report predicted that Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Zhejiang will still be the largest sources of outflow traffic during this years Spring Festival travel rush, with Hunan, Hubei, Heinan, and Sichuan provinces being the largest destinations. It is noteworthy that Hangzhou, Zhejiang has witnessed a surge in the number of outflow passengers, indicating that it has risen as a new attraction for Chinas floating population. Over 90 percent of the hottest 10 routes during the travel rush will be in southern China, and emerging first-tier cities such as Chengdu, Wuhan and Chongqing have also become major transportation hubs, the report said. The difficulty of acquiring a ticket for returning home during this period has always challenged the returning army. Qihoo 360 launched an online system for ticket booking based on cloud computing and its security techniques in order to alleviate the situation. Users can pay in advance to acquire a ticket, and the system will offer full refunds should a given user fail to fully confirm the tickets. In addition, it will automatically allocate canceled or extra train tickets to the buyers by means of smart analysis techniques, said Wang Qian, chief designer of the cloud service. Aathira Haridas By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the cataclysmic floods hit the state, the fishers hauled out their boats and turned up for rescue work, unbidden. After the mammoth task of rescuing people, most of the boats turned into a wreck and were rendered so useless that they could not be taken into the sea. For months the livelihood of the fishers was affected. But not for long. This Christmas season, techies turned Santa, helping out the fishers at Alappad, Kollam by refurbishing their boats. As many as 14 boats were refurbished and handed over to the fishers by the Group of Technology Companies (GTech) and Natana, the cultural organisation of techies. The boats were handed over to the fishermen at a programme organised by the group at Alappad, where they sang Christmas carols and cut a cake, ringing in the festive spirit. When the floods came, they jumped into the rescue, without considering the safety of their boats. These were people who took out the boats on their own and started rescuing people. As part of the rescue mission, we were coordinating with them. After the rescue, we could get back to our jobs, but they couldn't. Their boast were totally damaged, affecting their livelihood, recalls Deepu S Nath, managing director, FAYA. After the rescue mission, the damage sustained to the boats crippled the lives of the fishermen. They could not take out their boats and it was at a time when the catch was good. It hit their livelihood adversely. Haling from that place, I knew their plight and that is how I got in touch with the GTech community, says Nayana Sooryan, a filmmaker. And that is how the fishermen's plight came under active discussion at the GTech community's meeting convened for its rehabilitation and rebuilding initiative. The affected were identified by the community. Most of the fishermen took part in the rescue mission on their own will. They were the first ones to help out. However, some of their names were not included in the beneficiary list prepared by the government. So we first chose six fishermen and refurbished their boats. In the next leg, we worked in tandem with the government, letting them know about the fishers whom we were helping out, says Deepu. As many as six boats were refurbished and given to the fishers in September. The rest 14 boats were refurbished and given away on December 22. The amount towards this end was obtained from the money raised from the Revival programme, a cultural event organised by techies.We are in the process of identifying the requirements in the areas of Poonthura. After the rescue and relief measure, now it is time for rebuilding and rehabilitation. This is the first execution of our rebuilding initiative, says Deepu. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that the ruling TDP will fight against the proposed Muslim Women Bill 2018 coming up before Parliament on December 27. Naidu assured to extend support when the delegation of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) called on him on Monday and urged him to protect the interests of Muslim community by opposing the proposed bill in the Parliament. The delegation included AIMPLB secretaries Maulana Khalid Saifullah, Jaffer Jilani, Umrain Mahepuj, Moulana Abdul Basit, Moulana Asif Nadvi, Muft Md Farooqi Khasmi, Saida Ayesha and womens wing chief organiser Dr Asma Jahera complained that the Centre was trying to get political mileage by changing the Muslim marriage (nikaah) system, in practice for the past 1,400 years. They said a majority of political parties opposed the proposed Bill since it spoke of punishing Muslim husbands under the new Act for violation of human rights. The proposed Bill was also against the principles of the Constitution, they added. Assuring them of extending cooperation to fight against the proposed Bill, the Chief Minister said that the Centre was trying to use it to gain political mileage and the Telugu Desam will strive to protect the interests of Muslims. A Sharadhaa By Express News Service How about watching Rajinikanths upcoming film Petta in Kannada? Yes, this will soon be a reality, as preparations are going on in full-swing for the dubbing of the film in the Kannada language. According to a source, the action film, written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran, is slated to release in January 2019 during Pongal. Serious discussions are on to have the Tamil flick simultaneously released in Kannada along with other languages. Our source tells us, The dialogues for the Kannada version have already been done, and dubbing is in process. Now, only an official confirmation from the producers is awaited. In that case, Petta will be the first film to release in Kannada on the same day along with other languages. Also, the upcoming Telugu film Vinaya Vidheya Rama, starring Ram Charan and directed by Boyapati Srinu is slated to release during Pongal, and might also simultaneously release in Kannada. This, after Kannada film KGF was dubbed and released nationwide in four different languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam) and all the versions were also released in Karnataka too KGF paved the way for dubbing of other language films into Kannada. this has given a cue to various production houses and distributors in the state who are contemplating the release of Tamil film Petta in Kannada too, our source says. For a long time, the dubbing debate has been on, and Sandalwood has had a divided opinion. In fact, the industry opened up to the idea when Fast and Furious 8 was dubbed and released in Kannada as Vega Matthu Udvega 8. Before that came Naanu Nanna Preeti, which was a dubbed version of the Hindi film, My Husbands Wife, This was done after the Karnataka High Court and Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled out that restrictions cannot be applied on films dubbed from other language released in Kannada. Then followed with the Tamil film Yennai Arindhaal released as Sathyadev IPS and Arambam was released as Dheera in Kannada in 2017. In 2018, Vivegam starring Ajith was released as Commando. Petta will be the first film to see a simultaneous release in Kannada too. Recently, City Express had reported that Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce was contemplating the simultaneous release of other languages films in Kannada. And this might be the first move towards that. Sajin Shrijith By Express News Service For his sequel to 2016s Pretham, Ranjith Sankar places Jayasuryas mentalist John Don Bosco in Varikkasseri Mana, a location made famous through some of the most popular mass entertainers, including Devasuram. At least four out of those were Shaji Kailas films beginning with Aaram Thampuran to the much recent Simhasanam. And it makes sense why filmmakers often opt for this place. The mass aura of a Malayalam movie hero is automatically amplified once he sets foot in Varikkasseri Mana. Now that Ive brought up Shaji Kailas, I have to say that Pretham 2 feels more like a Shaji Kailas film (sans the fiery dialogues) than a scary supernatural film. John Don Bosco even gets a mass scene that we didnt get in the first part. The scene in question has a police officer trying to intimidate Don Bosco, Shaji Kailas-style, and ends up getting humiliated. And its not a Suresh Gopi-style punch dialogue that does it: Don Bosco simply whispers a dirty secret about the officer that no one else knows about. Why use your physical prowess when you have got the mental prowess, right? The sequel also sees John Don Bosco doubling the charm. This time we have a different set of guys who are moaning about the fact that Don Bosco gets to talk effortlessly to all the pretty girls. Jayasurya also gets such a cool wardrobe (courtesy of his wife Saritha Jayasurya) that you start picturing yourself in them. Jayasurya is one factor that keeps this film afloat, the other being its ingenious concept which makes statements about movie piracy and social media trolls. I imagine Ranjith Sankars mind operates in the same way as that of the other Shankar (Tamil director). If 2.0 had a mini-budget, less ambitious Malayali cousin, Pretham 2 would be it. There is a new spooky incident to solve, and Don Bosco gets to work. For something that claims to be a horror-comedy, Pretham 2 doesnt have much in the way of horror or comedy which was also the case with its predecessor. But it has some cool ideas which I think are worth exploring and talking about. By cloaking social messages in pre-established genre tropes, Ranjith Sankar did something different with the first Pretham, and he does the same with the sequel too. But thats about it. His films are slightly sophisticated versions of the horror films director Vinayan used to do at one point. This is not a film to be seen with an arthouse mentality. If you watch it with an open mind, you might find fun in a few places. I did.Although the sequel is a big improvement over the original, some of the lowbrow, juvenile humour from the first repeats itself in this too. I assume most of the jokes which are straight out of a thousand mimicry shows are aimed at school kids and teenagers. This brand of humour doesnt work for me anymore. But I would be lying if I said that Sidhartha Sivas Mohanlal obsession didnt make me laugh in a couple of places. Though the female characters dont have much to do other than look good and remain mostly in the background, their presence in the story makes sense from a storytelling point of view. But its the men who do most of the talking. Its their show. Ranjith Sankar is a strange filmmaker. Its hard to gauge exactly what his philosophy is. We sense in his films an attempt to please all groups. He seems to have so many things to say but never bothers to take that extra leap. His ideas are quite audacious but he prefers to play it safe.In his previous films Ramante Edanthottam and Njan Marykutty, he focused on female empowerment and LGBTQ empowerment respectively, but in Pretham 2, we once again see male characters who seem to have sex on their mind all the time. It may not have bothered the two female characters in the film but it certainly did bother me. In one scene, a male character cautions another, Be careful of what you say to her. This is the age of MeToo. I wonder where this thought was when, in a much earlier scene, he was touching a 17-year-old girls leg while she is busy with acrobatics? The second half is more gripping, with Don Bosco coming up with a plan to find a criminal mastermind. There is one thing about the Pretham films that I noticed, and its their ability to read viewers minds, just like how Don Bosco does with the films supporting cast. Much thought seems to have gone into predicting how the audience would respond to a particular scene. There was one specific moment in Pretham where one character blurts out exactly what the audience was thinking about. Such moments are there in Pretham 2 as well. I watched the film at Kochis Savithas theatre, and during the long build-up in the finale, a guy next to me was asking out loud, Are they ever going to reveal who it is?, and a couple of minutes later, Sidhartha Siva quips, They will never reveal it! That was fun. By Bloomberg LG Electronics Inc. plans to begin selling big-screen TVs next year that can be rolled up and put away like a poster, the centerpiece of an effort to revive an ailing business, according to a person familiar with the matter. The envisioned 65-inch TVs will retract automatically at the touch of a button like a garage door, the person said on condition of anonymity because its an internal matter. They will sport organic light-emitting diode or OLED screens, which produce crisper images and fold more easily than traditional LCD or liquid-crystal display panels. LG is counting on so-called rollable and OLED televisions to revive a consumer electronics business thats grappling with price declines and stiffening Chinese competition. The South Korean conglomerate is shedding workers to streamline and refocus around future technologies, such as flexible displays. A prototype of the television displayed at LGs research center in Seoul can be rolled up and stuffed into a box when not in use. The company showed off the rollable screen technology earlier this year but 2019 will mark its first commercial release in TVs. LG declined to comment. OLED TVs are estimated to account for just 1.1 percent of the market this year, while LCDs claim almost 98 percent, according to data tracker Statista. But unit shipments of OLED TVs are projected to grow 70 percent next year to 4 million from an estimated 2.35 million this year, it said. LG is also preparing to make its mark on fifth-generation or 5G wireless technology, which is expected to revolutionize the mobile internet and power-up a plethora of gadgets from home appliances to cars. LG will likely unveil its first 5G smartphone at next years Mobile World Congress, the person said. U.S. telecommunications giant Sprint Corp. announced in August its working with LG to bring a device that runs on 5G to the U.S. in the first half. Plans for its own home market of Korea remain unclear, the person added. While Apple Inc. plans to hold off until at least 2020 before offering a 5G iPhone, Samsung Electronics Co. is said to plan rolling out its entry next year after first introducing three versions of its new flagship, to be dubbed the Galaxy S10. Samsung is also said to be working on scrollable and stretchable screens that could eventually go into smartphones. The company declined to comment on its progress. Unlike Samsung, LG has no plans to introduce a phone featuring foldable screens next year, one person familiar said. The company doubts the profitability of such a device given the uncertainty of demand and the cost of producing such a large screen for a mobile gadget, two people said. By PTI BAGHPAT: Ten people, including two policemen, have suffered injuries in a clash that took place between members of two factions over a trivial issue in Ketipura locality here, police said Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday and the injured were undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, Superintendent of Police (SP) Shailesh Kumar Pandey said. The SP said that the mob indulged in brick batting and attacked each other with sticks, resulting in the injuries. Police personnel who rushed to the spot came under attack as well and constables Manoj and Rahul were injured, Baghpat Kotwali In-charge Rakesh Kumar said, adding that one of the factions also used firearms. There is heavy police presence in the area and the situation is now under control, the SP said, adding that an FIR was filed against 18 named and 71 unnamed people in this regard. Two have been arrested and efforts were on to nab the others, he said. According to one of the injured, Rampal, a youth of the area, identified as Imran, had taken a cigarette from his shop Sunday without paying for it and attacked him when asked for the same on Monday morning. Rampal alleged that three members of his family, who had rushed to save him, were also beaten up by Imran and his family members. They damaged his shop and also indulged in brick batting and firing, Rampal claimed. When contacted, the other side, however, rejected the allegations. By Express News Service MUMBAI: At least 12 people were injured in an attack on a church at Kowad near Kolhapur, about 450 km from Mumbai, police said here on Tuesday. The Church was attacked during a prayer meet on Sunday. Those present during the attack claimed that the miscreants were shouting slogans of Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji as they unleashed the violence. Also, both ends of the road were blocked while the attack took place, they said. According to the case registered with the Chandgad police, some 10-15 assailants, who have not been identified so far, attacked one Bhimsen Ganpati Chavans home on Kowad-Dundge road. The house, on the Karnataka border, is also used as a place of worship and is registered as the New Life Fellowship church. Around 40 people were attending the Sunday mass when they were attacked with stones, iron rods, swords, sticks and beer bottles by the assailants who had come in cars and on bikes. The attackers struck around noon and fled into Karnataka, the complaint said. But some women, who were part of the prayer meet, forced the attackers to back off by throwing chilli powder on them, PTI said. Of the 12 injured, five are grievously hurt. They have been admitted to a hospital in Belgaum and are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A case of rioting and attempt to murder has been registered against unidentified persons, police said. Though the purpose of the attack is yet to be ascertained, the attackers are suspected to have come from Karnataka, said Kolhapur Police Superintendent Abhinav Deshmukh. Five teams of investigators have been immediately sent to Belgaum and other places in Karnataka, he added. According to Anil Bhonsale, the pastor of the Church, the attackers wanted to disturb the prayers which have been going on since past 21 years. They accused us of conversions before attacking us. The attack lasted for about half an hour, he said. (With PTI inputs) Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRI NAGAR: The year 2018 has turned out to be the deadliest in a decade in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir, with the highest number of militancy-related incidents and deaths of militants and security forces personnel taking place during the year since 2009. At least 444 people, including security forces personnel, militants and civilians, were killed this year so far, a security source said. At least 590 militancy-related incidents have been recorded in the state this year so far. In these incidents, 256 militants of different outfits operating in the Valley were killed in anti-militancy operations by security forces within Kashmir and at the Line of Control (LoC), the source said. About 25 commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansarul Gazwaul Hind (AGH) of Zakir Musa were killed in encounters with security forces this year. Among the top militants killed were LeT commander Naveed Jhat, who had escaped from police captivity early this year, Meraj-ud-Din Bangroo, Azad Ahmad Malik, Hizbs Sameer Tiger, Saddam Paddar, Mannan Wani, Jaish chief Masood Azhars nephew Usman Haider and AGHs deputy chief, Soliha Mohammad Akhoon. The security forces have killed almost all the top commanders of militant outfits in Kashmir after the launch of Operation All Out last year. Now only a handful of militant commanders, including Hizbs Riyaz Naikoo, Albadars Zeenat-ul-Islam, and Zakir Musa of AGH are active. Official statistics reveal that 87 security forces personnel died in militancy-related violence in Kashmir this year. Of the 87 security men killed this year, 45 were policemen. The data further reveal that 101 civilians died in the violence in the state this year. Among the dead civilians were those killed by security forces during clashes near encounter sites, and those shot dead by militants. Some political workers were also shot dead by militants. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India Ports Global Limited opened its office and took over operations at the Shaheed Behesti port at Chabahar, Iran, on Monday, hours after the first meeting of the Follow-up Committee for implementation of the trilateral Chabahar Agreement between India, Afghanistan and Iran. The Trilateral Transit Agreement through Chabahar Port and the routes for the trade and transit corridors were also reviewed at the meeting, where officials also agreed to finalise a protocol to harmonise transit, roads, customs, and consular matter, according to the ministry of external affairs. The trilateral agreement, signed in May 2016, entails the establishment of a transit and transport corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs. Apart from investment in the port, India has also pledged financing for a rail and road network to ship goods to landlocked Afghanistan. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: While raising their discontent over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers vandalised and smeared black colour on the statue of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Salem Tabri area of Ludhiana on Tuesday. The two leaders, were identified as Meetpal Dugri and Gurdeep Singh Gosha. They alleged that Rajiv Gandhi was the mastermind behind the riots and all his statues all over the country should be removed. They also demanded a special session of the State Assembly to pass a resolution for withdrawing Bharat Ratna given to Rajiv Gandhi. Gosha said, "We dont fear the law. Despite the Congress Government in power, we will continue to blacken the statues of Rajiv Gandhi. Soon after, Congress leader Gursimran Singh Mand cleaned the statue with his turban and milk. Meanwhile, Ludhiana Congress president Gurpreet Singh Gogi said they have registered a complaint with the police. Strongly condemning the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop indulging in petty politics, warning him that such acts would backfire in the coming Lok Sabha elections. He also asked Sukhbir to immediately apologise for the act. Indulgence in such petty and condemnable actions will not absolve you or your family of the many sins against the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh community, he further told Sukhbir. Amarinder directed the district police to immediately identify the culprits responsible for the violence and take stringent action against them, as per law. Lashing out at the Akalis, Amarinder said in their desperation to win public support, which the party had completely lost due to its criminal acts during the ten years of SAD-BJP rule, the Badals and their supporters were stooping to abominable levels. They are well aware of the fact that the Gandhis were never named or implicated in the 1984 riots, yet they continued to drag the family into the case to further their own political agenda, he added. It would have been better if you @capt_amarinder as a true Sikh & Punjab CM had condemned the Gandhi family and demanded expulsion of #1984SikhGenocide culprits Sajjan Kumar & Kamal Nath from Congress party. But you are too busy in sycophancy of Gandhi family to save your chair/1 Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 25, 2018 SAD president Sukhbir Badal reacted strongly to Amarinder's statements. "You @capt_amarinder should apologise to the Sikh sangat for failing them as CM and standing with hated Gandhi family. The community has shown what it thinks of Rajiv Gandhi in Ludhiana. Don't disrespect the sentiments of Sikhs," Badal tweeted. If you @capt_amarinder have any 'dard' for the Sikh 'qaum' you would resign as CM and stand with the community to expose Gandhi family for authoring and engineering genocide of Sikhs in 1984. But it seems you are made of stone. No amount of suffering of the community moves you," Badal said. "It would have been better if you @capt_amarinder as a true Sikh & Punjab CM had condemned the Gandhi family and demanded expulsion of #1984SikhGenocide culprits Sajjan Kumar & Kamal Nath fr Cong govt & Gandhi family refused to let police/army come to rescue of 8000 Sikhs butchered in Delhi in 1984. Today when 84 victim families blackened Rajiv Gandhis bust in Ldh Pb govt realised need to move swiftly agnst Sikhs & make imm arrest in the case. Such is Cong justice. Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 25, 2018 Congress Sewa Dal activists later blackened the faces of SAD president Sukhbir Badal and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on posters in Ludhiana in retaliation against the statute vandalization. They burnt posters of both Akali Dal leaders. Amarinder reiterated that only a few Congress, BJP and RSS workers were involved in the violence against the Sikh community in 1984 and the judiciary was proceeding to act against them. "Sajjan Kumar had already been sentenced to life and others involved in the perpetration of the riots would also face legal action," he added. "Had the Gandhis been involved in any way, they would have been named by at least some of the victims in the wake of the riots," he observed, adding that while he had personally visited the refugee camps to meet the victims, Sukhbir had packed his bags and left for the United States and was totally unaware of the developments at that time." "The Akalis, in their frustration to seize political mileage, are taking law into their hands, which his government would not allow at any cost," the Chief Minister warned, adding he would not let the state's hard-earned peace be disturbed by anyone. Punjab has a Congress government since March 2017, headed by Amarinder Singh. (With inputs from IANS) Some 40 years into Chinas reform and opening-up policy, China has not only witnessed the rise of its national strength, but has also shouldered more responsibility in the global community, including sending over 38,000 peacekeepers on 24 UN peacekeeping missions. Twenty-eight years ago, the Chinese military marked their debut in UN peacekeeping missions. In April 1990, five military observers from the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) arrived at Damascus, Syria, according to PLA Daily. Since then, Chinese peacekeepers spread to regions beyond the Middle East. Chinese faces can now be seen in Asia as well as in Africa. The types of soldiers and officers have also become more diversified, and include engineering corps, medical corps, infantry, and army aviation units. In 2017, the nations first peacekeeping helicopter unit was deployed in Sudans Darfur region for a UN peacekeeping mission. China has provided successful experiences and a bright future for the vast number of developing countries to seek modernization. The nation is a powerful force for promoting world peace and development and a major contributor to the progress of human civilization, President Xi Jinping said in a speech at the grand gathering commemorating the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up on Dec. 18. Specifically, China has dispatched the largest number of peacekeepers among permanent members of the UN Security Council and the force has made its name with successful missions undertaken with good quality and fast speed. Within 28 years, Chinese peacekeepers have constructed or renovated over 16,000 kilometers of roads, offered more than 200,000 medical treatments, and transported 1.35 million tonnes of goods. The number of landmines and explosives removed has exceeded 10,300 pieces. Through peacekeeping training courses and faculty exchange, the Chinese military has helped train over 1,500 peacekeepers for more than 60 countries and regions. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Animal rights body PETA India on Monday submitted a petition to the Environment Ministry backing the Centres proposal to ban the use of animals in circuses. If this proposal passes, India would join many other countries, including Austria, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico and Poland, in banning or restricting the use of animals in circuses. The petition was signed by over 8,000 people, including celebrities such as Raveena Tandon, Sonu Sood, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, John Abraham, R Madhavan, Dia Mirza and Sunny Leone. Students from Mumbais Ajmera Global School, Delhis Vishal Bharti Public School and Chennais German International School had also signed the petition. It is never been clearer that the days of forcing intelligent, sensitive animals to perform confusing and often painful tricks for fleeting human amusement are numbered, PETA Indias associate director (celebrity and public relations) Sachin Bangera said. In a draft notification on November 28, the Environment Ministry had invited comments from various stakeholders on the issue within 30 days.India is poised to make a great leap to protect animals, and every kind celebrity and youngster who teamed up with PETA, India, to help push this revolutionary legislation forward will be remembered on the right side of history. In 2013, the government-authorised inspection of 16 circuses across India as well as other inspections by expert teams from 2013 to 2016 revealed systemic, widespread abuse of elephants, horses, birds, and other animals.Drunken circus staff roughly handled animals, handlers were documented beating elephants with ankuses (weapons with a sharp metal hook on one end), and animals were kept continuously chained or caged and deprived of veterinary care, appropriate food, sufficient water, and safe and clean shelter, PETA India said. With Agency inputs Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand seems to have a symbiotic relationship with joining the armed forces. Its an association the people proudly wear on their sleeves, politicians in high places included. Take former chief minister and BJP MP Ramesh Pokhriyal. A couple of days ago, he proudly announced his daughter Shreyasi Nishanks induction into the Indian Army Medical Corps as Captain after her Passing out Parade at the Officers Training College at Lucknow. Pokhriyal with daughter Shreyasi Nishank She had left a plum job in Mauritius to answer the call of duty. The Medical Officers Basic Course she completed has a seven-week span. Each directly-appointed officer in the Medical Corps has to complete it before she or he is formally inducted into the services. Pokhriyal took to Twitter to point out, Uttarakhand has been the land of the braves where on an average one person from each family joins the armed forces and serves the nation. There are others like Shreyasi as well. In September 2017, Namita Pant, daughter of Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prakash Pant, joined the Judge Advocate General Branch of the Army after completing her nine-month training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Speaking to this paper, Prakash Pant said he was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw his daughter doing the slow march at the Passing out Parade. Similarly, senior politician Kashi Singh Airys son Devesh Singh Airy is serving in the Artillery Regiment of the Army since a few years. There are other children of politicians in the state who are in the Army, Navy, Air Force or the other Central Armed Police Forces. According to Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (Retd), Uttarakhand is leading the way. More lawmakers children donning the uniform would be good for the forces and the country. The generals son, too, is in the Army. By Online Desk As Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Indias largest rail-cum-road bridge on Tuesday, here are a few things you need to know about the bridge which will be a major step in improving road connections between Arunachal Pradesh and the rest of North-East India. Signed in accordance with the Assam Accord in 1985, though then Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda laid the foundation stone of the bridge in January 1997, the construction of the Bogibeel bridge started in April 2002 when then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated it. Coincidentally, the bridge is being inaugurated on the latters birthday as a tribute to him. With a length of 4.9 km and serviceable period of 120 years, it is built 17 km downstream of Dibrugarh town over the Brahmaputra river. The bridge will connect Dibrugarh with Dhemaji near Arunachal Pradesh border in Assam. It will also help in quicker movement of troops and supplies to the other state which shares its borders with China. The bridge aims to reduce three hours of road travel time (for 150 km) for passengers who are used to travelling 255 km away to the Bhupen Hazarika Setu to reach Arunachal Pradesh. Even the previous rail bridge was 560 km away and the new bridge will reduce train travel time by 4-5 hours. Built at a cost of around Rs 5,920 crore, the design of the bridge is inspired by Oresund Bridge that connects Sweden and Finland across the Oresund strait. The bridge, however, doesnt go underwater, unlike its Swedish counterpart. The Northeast Frontier Railway will run four special trains from Gogamukh in Lakhimpur district and Murkongselek in Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on the bridge's inaugural day. Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister from Congress Nabam Tuki had earlier appealed to the Prime Minister to not inaugurate the bridge on Christmas day as it is difficult for people from the state to participate in the program. By IANS SOLAPUR: Seen as a slanted attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid growing unease in ties with the BJP, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said with various scams in the country, "it seems chowkidars have become thieves" -- a takeaway from Congress slogan. Referring to what he termed as "scams" in the defence and agriculture sectors besides 'jumlas' of other schemes such as Rs 15 lakh in every Indian's bank account or the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Thackeray attacked the ruling ally Bharatiya Janata Party on various fronts. Addressing a much-anticipated rally in the temple town of Pandharpur, Solapur district, he hit out at the BJP for getting "possessed" by the spirits of gods in raking up the Ram temple before elections, but achieving nothing in the past over three decades. "I went to Ayodhya (November) and have come to the holy land of Pandharpur. I want to wake up the sleeping Kumbhakarna -- you exploited Ram temple to win elections and now you are in a slumber. We will not rest till the Ram temple is constructed," Thackeray roared. "The PM makes all kinds of promises which he says will be implemented by 2022 - this means people must vote for him in 2019. After that, he will again say everything was a 'jumla' to be said during elections," Thackeray said. He said when the BJP is questioned about the temple construction, it says the matter is "in courts". "But was it not aware of this 30 years ago?" he asked. Congratulating Janata Dal (U) chief Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan for their pacts with the BJP, Thackeray countered: "What is their stand on the Ram temple? Why are they silent on it?" He demanded a parliamentary debate on the Ram temple and Hindutva issues, where "it will become clear who is with NDA and against." READ | Only BJP government will construct Ram temple in Ayodhya, says Yogi Adityanath Dwelling on the farmers issues, he said the government has indulged in 'jumlas' such as doubling farmers' incomes, but there is no such scheme. Despite tall claims, crop insurance and debt waiver have not reached the common peasantry, he said. "There is a scam bigger than Rafale in the agriculture sector. Despite having four state-run insurance companies, the government has given out contracts to 12 companies who have nothing to do with crop insurance. The poor farmers may be debt-ridden, but they will not flee like Vijay Mallya or Nirav Mod-Mehul Choksi," Thackeray said. Touching upon Rafale, he said most questions raised on it have not been answered yet, but the government claims it has got a "clean chit' from the courts. He alleged that "there are scams in defence purchases sector" undermining the crucial requirements for the country's security. "The government is now invading privacy of individual Indians and blaming Congress for everything. Tomorrow, they will impose Emergency and say even the Congress did it," Thackeray said. READ | Will vote for party that builds Ram Temple: Crowd disrupts Rajnath speech Barely a week after BJP President Amit Shah in Mumbai expressed "confidence" in working out an alliance with Sena for the 2019 elections, Thackeray hinted otherwise. "The Shiv Sena will form the next government. We are not interested in seat-sharing talks -- that can go to hell. We want to first resolve the farmers issues and construct the Ram temple." However, probably leaving a small window open for negotiations, he added in the same breath that "the people of the state will decide whether to go for alliance", but vowed to unfurl the Sena flag over the state. Claiming that the defeat in the five state elections recently has "shattered the BJP's arrogance", he said the people of those states voted courageously without bothering about "options and alternatives" (to the BJP). Referring to the drought situation in the state, he said recently a Central team came and carried out a hurried survey. "But now he (Thackeray) would go on a tour of all the drought-hit regions of Maharashtra in January and every Shiv Sena 'shakha' (branch) will act as relief centres for farmers." Meanwhile, BJP state President Raosaheb Patil-Danve, reacting to Thackeray's hard-hitting speech, said the Rafale verdict has been given by the Supreme Court and said 90 per cent farmers have already got the benefit of the loan waiver announced in June 2017. By PTI LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval for setting up of development boards for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal to be headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath or someone nominated by him. The cabinet meeting on Monday, presided over by the chief minister, gave its nod to constitute a Bundelkhand Development Board (BDB) and a Poorvanchal Development Board (PDB), senior cabinet minister Siddhartnath Singh said. The boards will include two deputy-chairmen, two experts, 12 official members and 11 non-government members, Singh said, adding that their tenure would be for a period of three years. The cabinet also approved the setting up of the UP Traders Welfare Board to address the problems faced by traders in the state with regards to the GST. It will also be headed by the chief minister and will have three deputy chairpersons and 11 non-government members, Singh said, adding that the board would meet every three months. In another important decision, the cabinet approved the proposal for grant of "exceptional pension" to police personnel who slip into a coma as a result of serious injuries suffered during discharging their duties. Till now, the "exceptional pension" was given only to policemen who lost their lives on duty. The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal of giving 25 per cent discount to TCS on the purchase of land for establishing a Rs 2,300-crore software development unit in Noida which would employ 30,000 people. State Excise Minister Jai Pratap Singh said the cabinet also gave its approval to an excise policy for the financial year 2019-20, under which allotment of liquor vends and shops would be done on a lottery basis. In 2017-18, the Excise Department had earned a revenue of Rs 10,118 crore, while it earned Rs 15,005 crore in 2018-19, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Sadaiv Atal, a memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was dedicated to the nation Tuesday on his 94th birth anniversary. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the former statesman at the memorial built near the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where his mortal remains were consigned to flames on August 17. Vajpayee passed away on August 16 after a prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honours. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and family members of Vajpayee also offered flowers at the lotus-shaped memorial. Sadaiv (always) Atal memorial will be managed by a trust headed by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. "Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of," Modi tweeted Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be erected in Patna and the location will be decided shortly. By PTI PATNA: Holding court at the RJD's state headquarters here for the second consecutive day, Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday said he would be happy if his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav made an appearance at his Janta Durbar. The MLA and former minister, who had on Monday said he would not shy away from assuming the leadership of the party if given a chance, however, dismissed queries about a number of party leaders reportedly expressing their discomfiture over the prospect of the mercurial leader taking over the reins of RJD. "There may be some RSS-minded people in the party who will get a brainwash once they meet me personally. I do not know what they are saying and why. Elections are approaching and many people start speaking unnecessarily out of worry over tickets," Yadav told reporters. He also maintained that he was committed to helping Tejaswhi become the next Chief Minister of Bihar. "I had expressed my commitment long back, in full public view, and blown a conch to announce the Mahabharata. I have been time and again saying that it is Tejashwi who is Arjuna and I will be playing the role of Krishna. I will be there to guide him. Some people want to create a rift between brothers," he alleged. Notably, the two brothers have not been seen together ever since the elder one filed a petition seeking divorce from his wife of six months, which has met with disapproval from his family. Tej Pratap Yadav had remained conspicuous by his absence on the first four days of the winter session of the state assembly, which concluded last month, and on the final day when he made an appearance he avoided crossing paths with Tejashwi unlike on the previous occasions when the two brothers used to sit next to each other. When asked whether he would like Tejashwi to attend the Janta Durbar, Tej Pratap said why not. I would like to say to Tejashwi, if you are watching this telecast please do come and join me in listening to the woes of the people so that we may work towards solving these. Yadav, who has of late begun to display a much more active interest in politics unlike in the past when he used to devote more time to religious pursuits, was asked whether he had been advised to do so by his father whom he met in Ranchi last week. He replied in his trademark style why should I tell you what my political guru and I talked about. Do you share in public the conversations you have with your wife. When pointed out that his earthy mannerisms and acerbic wit had an uncanny similarity to those of his legendary father, Yadav said who else do you think I would have resembled. He also remarked Janata Durbar had started with Lalu. Nitish chacha (uncle) only tried to imitate that but nobody attending his version has ever been provided with a solution to his or her problems. In contrast, Lalu used to decide matters on the spot. I am trying to carry the legacy forward. The former health minister also visited a slum in the Bihar capital where he came down heavily on the Nitish Kumar government for failing to provide the citizens with proper drinking water, housing, drainage and sanitation and offering empty slogans of har ghar nal ka jal and pakki gali aur naali. Ajit Ranade By Just as lakhs of farmers marched to the nations capital demanding relief for their distress, another smaller set assembled in Shirdi, Maharashtra. This was for the annual national conference of the Shetkari Sanghatana, founded by the late MP Sharad Joshi. The three-day conference coincided with the third birth anniversary of Joshi, whose name unfortunately is fast fading from public memory. It was Joshi who first pointed out, three decades ago, that the terms of trade were heavily tilted against the farmer. Busting the popular misconception that the farm sector in India is heavily subsidised, it was he who showed that indeed the farm sector was net taxed, not subsidised. Even the World Trade Organisation had to accept this revelation, and it has become a maxim. Undoubtedly over the years, the terms of trade have shifted in favour of the farmer, but we are far from what would be socially optimal. The depressed food prices are but a manifestation of this problem. Despite a minimum support price that is 50 per cent above cost of cultivation, for 22 crops, the fact is that most prices are below cost. Additionally, there is a huge gap between what the farmer receives and what the city dweller pays for farm produce. That reflects the inefficiency of the supply chain, and perhaps monopolistic grabbing of the intermediate value by middlemen. The solution lies partly in tilting this balance toward the farmer, and partly in direct income support as well as structural reform. The two different national assemblies of farmers in December represented two, almost radically different, approaches to their problems. One set was predominantly asking for more sops, debt relief, higher subsidies and greater government intervention. The Shirdi conference, on the other hand, passed a resolution for less government, greater freedom and unshackling the farmer. When the farmer is in acute distress, and all other reforms are stymied or not functional, the only palliative is the waiver of loans. It has negative consequences. It punishes those who worked hard to repay. It depletes the treasury. It sets precedents and the expectation of future bailouts. Most importantly, it does not benefit half the farmers, who may resort to moneylenders or are landless workers tilling the land as tenant farmers. Clearly, the lasting solution is not loan waivers, but structural reforms giving more economic freedom to the farmer and large investment in infrastructure, including the finishing of incomplete last mile projects. Consider the macro context. Agriculture provides only 14 per cent of the national income, but still engages roughly half of the workforce. On average, a worker outside agriculture is earning three times more than the farmer. It is clear then that the solution to farmer distress lies outside agriculture. If industry provides jobs and livelihoods, then farm workers can be weaned away. That calls for reforms like ease of doing business, starting and shutting enterprises, reducing the inspector raj and so on. It also calls for large investments in urban infrastructure to accommodate the consequent influx of job-seekers and their families. But while we wait for all of this to happen, we also need urgent reforms to unshackle the farmer. There are just far too many controls on prices, quantities, whom he can sell to, land transfers, land ceiling, futures trading and money lending. These have to go. Agriculture is a state subject, so there is a lot that state and local governments can do to bring in reforms. Besides, as a large and diverse country, India does not need one-size-fits-all kind of solutions. Can we be bold enough to let the farmer sell his land to whomever he pleases? Can we allow the conversion to non-agricultural land use without a bureaucratic heavy hand and attendant corruption? How about completely removing restrictions on export of farm produce? Over the years, there has been strong growth in animal husbandry, which includes poultry, dairy and cattle. But beef politics has put a dent in this growth. India used to be the largest exporter of beef (which is buffalo meat), but vigilantism means even legitimate meat trade would rather shrink than take on vigilantism. Farmer-producer companies are a very promising innovation, which organise farm collectives into common stock companies. But they are still thwarted by burdensome taxes and the license permit raj. The government needs to actively support the formation of these companies, and exempt them from taxes. There are many developed countries where farmers do not live a life of penury and distress, and whose produce fetches decent prices. Even in India, the Amul revolution is a demonstration of how to tilt the balance in favour of the farmer. We need to learn from and emulate such successes. (Through The Billion Press) Neha Bhandarkar By Online Desk The year 2018 saw several natural disasters across the world claiming thousands of deaths and loss of property. From Kerala in India to California in the US, destruction has had a life-changing impact. Experts and Scientists have blamed these disasters on climate change, unplanned development and irresponsible policy implementations. [CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR FULL PRESENTATION] By Express News Service BENGALURU: Upset over Janata Dal (Secular) leader Honnalagere Prakashs murder in Maddur town in Mandya district on Monday, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy directed policemen to track down the killers and shoot them mercilessly. He was a good man. I dont know who did it. I do not know how you are going to handle it. Its your responsibility. Shoot them mercilessly, no problem. I dont care..., the angry Chief Minister instructed a police officer over phone. ALSO READ | JD(S) leader stabbed to death in Mandya, supporters protest The Chief Minister was at a helipad at the Sainik school campus in Vijayapura when he was informed of the murder by his staff around 5.15 pm. #WATCH Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy caught on cam telling someone on the phone 'He(murdered JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why did they murder him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem. (24.12.18) pic.twitter.com/j42dqiRs0a ANI (@ANI) 25 December 2018 Prakash, 48, was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants at TB Circle in Maddur town. His supporters staged a flash protest and traffic on the busy Mysuru-Bengaluru highway was blocked for some time. Prakash was close to the CM and had played an active role in the recent elections, said a JD (S) leader. The Chief Minister took to social media later and clarified that it was an emotional reaction while seeking information from the police officer. It was not an order and there is no need to read too much into it, he said. Chinese netizens share pictures of Tsui and wish each other a merry Christmas. [Photo/Weibo.com] "We wish you a merry Christmas" with pictures of Elvis Tsui seems to the latest trend among Chinese netizens during this year's Christmas. Born in 1961, Hong Kong veteran actor Elvis Tsui has become the latest internet icon thanks to the classic character he played in the 1992 comedy movieRoyal Tramp, where he looked a bit similar to Santa Claus, with a red hat and white beard. Chinese netizens share pictures of Tsui and wish each other a merry Christmas. [Photo/Weibo.com] The movie Tsui starred in was adapted from The Deer and the Cauldron, a novel by late Hong Kong novelist Louis Cha. Tsui played the role of Oboi, a malicious and greedy military officer who conspires to fight for the throne. Also, the character's name Oboi is pronounced similar to "all buy" in English, which encourages people to buy some gifts for loved ones. And the coincidence further increases the popularity of Tsui. Chinese netizens share pictures of Tsui and wish each other a merry Christmas. [Photo/Weibo.com] Reputed as China's Santa Claus, Elvis Tsui has been frequently searched on Dec 24 on Sina Weibo, China's answer to Twitter, and his images have been adapted into micro videos, gifs and emojis. Some clever business minds have produced tailor-made products on China's e-commerce platform Taobao. [Photo/Weibo.com] On Dec 25, the film's image of Tsui has already been added into Sina Weibo emoji list for users to choose from. "I have been waiting for more than two decades to find the Chinese Santa Claus, and he is the perfect image in my heart," said weibo user Xiao Midou1993. "In China's social media platforms, you never know who is the next internet icon, and I am waiting to hear from the actor," another weibo user Maao Guan added [Photo/Weibo.com] In response to the enthusiasm shown by online users, the 57-year-old was pleased to receive the new title, and wrote on his official weibo account, "It's Christmas and the old man with a red hat and white beard is ready to bring you the best wishes!" By Express News Service BENGALURU: Amid rising discontent in the party over the recent cabinet expansion, the state Congress unit on Monday expelled nine party workers in a clear warning to the dissenters. KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said that action against the nine taluk and panchayat level members was taken after a disciplinary committee found them guilty of anti-party activities. He added that it is a message of warning to anyone working against the party.The expulsion comes at a time when senior leaders like Ramalinga Reddy and Ramesh Jarkiholi have been criticising the party leadership for ignoring them in the cabinet expansion. ALSO READ | Dissenters in Congress being rewarded Nobody is above the party be it a panchayat member or an MLA or a minister. If anyone works against the interest of the party, action will be taken. We are sending a message to all the people out there that some big people may try to misuse you but dont fall into the trap. Because ultimately they will get away but you will be trapped. If there are violations we wont hesitate to take action, Gundu Rao warned all those even contemplating criticising the party. Rao, however, defended Jarkiholi and Reddy and insisted that they had no personal grouse against the party. It is natural for emotions to run high after being dropped from the cabinet but Ramesh could not fulfil his responsibilities as a minister for personal reasons. He has nothing against the party and will not leave us, Rao said about Ramesh Jarkiholi despite the former minister reiterating his threat to resign as MLA and hinting that he would take a few MLAs with him. Reddy who had kept mum for seven months accused the party leadership of not even reaching out to the disgruntled leaders. His supporters have been staging protests threatening to float a separate party. Ramalinga Reddy has not said anything against the party but insisted that he will work for the partys victory in the Lok Sabha polls. He has a grievance that he has been denied a cabinet berth. He is the most deserving person but there are other compulsions, Dinesh Gundu Rao said reacting to Reddys public outcry. Emboldened by party president Rahul Gandhis push for rewarding the deserving and avoiding the dissenters, the state Congress unit has threatened to initiate stringent action against anyone who rebels. Meanwhile, leaders like G Parameshwara and D K Shivakumar have assured the disgruntled leaders that their woes will be addressed and maintained that no leader will quit the party. M Manjunath, M Sudheer, Madhu Subbanna --- all Zilla Panchayat members from Bengaluru and Mysuru, B S Mahadevappa, Shivanna, Geetha, Devamma S, Madappa--- all Taluk Panchayat members from Mysuru Rural and M C Nagesh -- a former APMC president from Chikkamagaluru have been expelled for six years for anti-party activities. Out of 44 complaints against individuals that were scrutinised by the committee, some were found frivolous. Many individuals were let off with a warning but these nine members were expelled. Monday snapshots Ramesh Jarkiholi reiterates intention to quit as MLA. Seeks four days time to announce next course of action Ramalinga Reddys supporters demand ministerial berth for him. Reddy community leaders threaten to float own party In Bagalkot, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy says he will hold talks with disgruntled Congress MLAs Bechu S By Online Desk Janmabhoomi, the mouthpiece of the Kerala unit of the BJP, has come under fire for using a casteist slur against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In its daily front-page cartoon on Saturday, the Malayalam newspaper had portrayed two men discussing the privilege motion moved against the CM for planning a 'women's wall' on the Sabarimala issue, with a caption that read "this is what will happen if power is given to someone who should climb coconut trees." The cartoon has put the BJP, which has been vocal about the need for Hindu unity against the Left government's stand on Sabarimala, on the backfoot. The 'coconut climber' reference was to Pinarayi Vijayan who comes from the "Thiyya" community, an OBC caste, whose members traditionally worked as toddy-tappers. His father Koran was a climber by profession and the cartoon associates his current position with the ancient Hindu principle of Varnasrama Dharma - the system that prohibits people from breaking away from traditional jobs bestowed upon them, based on caste hierarchy. ALSO READ | Reinforce Wall with all religions, personalities: CM Pinarayi Vijayan Earlier, in October, the Aranmula police had filed a case against a woman from Pathanamthitta who made a similar statement against the CPI-M leader through a Facebook video. In response, the ruling party criticised the saffron group for backing age-old social evils. "These are times when people purposefully try to avoid sexist and casteist remarks even in casual conversation. Such a derogatory remark in the mouthpiece of the BJP shows the true colour of those controlling the party. This is not the first time the Sangh Parivar's insistence to establish the caste system within the democratic setup gets exposed," Kerala Finance Minister Dr TM Thomas Issac said in a Facebook post. Socio-political observers too were critical of the daily for using caste as a tool against a political rival and man holding such a high administrative post. Many said the cartoon provided solid proof that the BJP is driven by a Hindutva agenda and wants to re-establish a caste-based order in Indian society. "It is not just the cartoonist who needs to be addressed. No cartoon will get printed without the permission of the editor. It travels through various levels at the newsroom before getting published, and nobody (at Janmabhoomi) questioned the casteist element in it, which indicates the outlook of the whole firm," veteran journalist BRP Bhaskar wrote on Facebook. The cartoon comes against the backdrop of multiple campaigns by the Kerala government, including the statewide 'women's wall', against attempts to take the state back to, what some claimed were, the dark ages of casteism and patriarchy. A faction led by the BJP and RSS has declared these movements as pseudo-progressive efforts by the communists who want to tarnish Hindu traditions. "Caste is a major element operating within the BJP. While they talk about Hindu unity on the one hand, they ridicule the lower-caste communities on the other through means like these. This is a good chance for the SC/ST/OBC population of Kerala to realise that the followers of Manusmriti can never accept caste equality. The party wants to establish a political order based on Brahminical ideology which has no place for the downtrodden," said Dr PK Gopan of the Library Council. While SNDP Yogam (representing the Ezhava community) and the KPMS (representing Pulayas) have already declared their support for the 'women's wall', the Nair Service Society remains with the BJP, staunchly opposing the idea. ALSO READ | Hindu organisations to form human wall against discrimination towards women As the cartoon stirred a hornet's nest on social media platforms, many BJP sympathisers came to the defence of the newspaper stating that the cartoon is a work of art and leftists need to drop their selective backing for the right to expression. But does this argument stand? No, says Dr C Unnikrishnan, Kollam district president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (PuKaSa). "By stating that the son of a toddy tapper shouldn't be given a plum post, what idea are they trying to express? It is nothing but a pure casteist remark. This coming from the party which celebrates their Prime Minister once being a "chaiwallah" exposes their double standards and proves beyond doubt that it is the caste-based ideology that leads them," he said. Citing an episode from Kerala history, he added, "When Dr Palppu (1863-1950) requested the Maharaja of Travancore for a job after passing the medical exam, he was reminded of his traditional job of climbing coconut trees. When he mentioned his qualification, he was asked to climb bigger trees instead. They are trying to bring back that ideology to Kerala. Janmabhoomi is posing a challenge to democracy, secularism and the Indian constitution." Kerala's Left government had welcomed the apex court ruling allowing young women to enter the Ayyappa temple, while the opposition Congress and BJP launched protests against the ruling. Lakhs of women are expected to line up for the 'women's wall' from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod, extending their support to the state governments resolve to implement the Supreme Courts verdict allowing women of all ages access to the Sabarimala shrine and to protect the secular and progressive values of Kerala. By Express News Service KOZHIKODE: A group of people staged Namajapa (chanting) protest outside the residence of Bindu Hariharan, who attempted to trek Sabarimala, at Koyilandi near here on Monday. BJP and RSS workers, under the aegis of the Sabarimala Karma Samithi, also staged a namajapa protest in front of the houses of Kanaka Durga. The protests were held in front of her house at Areekode and also at the house of her husband at Angadippuram. Police shifting Bindu to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. | EPS Around 200 Sabarimala Samrakshana Samithi protesters gathered on the premises of the house and started chanting since the morning after news spread about Bindu' attempt to enter the hill shrine. The agitation continued until around 1.30 pm when the woman stopped the trekking and returned to Pampa. The two women, who were exhausted, were taken to the Government Medical College at Kottayam but the protesters did not give them any respite, hurling rotten eggs at them on the hospital premises. Six persons were arrested in connection with the incident. A large number of police personnel led by Koyilandi Circle Inspector K Unnikrishnan were deployed to avert any possible attack against Bindu's house. However, no untoward incidents were reported. Police have not registered any case in the incident. Bindu is an assistant professor at the School of Legal Studies, Palayad, Thalassery. She had also worked as an advocate at a court in Koyilandi. Kanakadurga is reportedly a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. Police arresting RSS workers for hurling rotten eggs at Bindu and Kanaka Durga on the Kottayam Medical College Hospital campus on Monday | Express CPM behind Sabarimala episode involving Manithi women: Mullappally Kozhikode: The attempt by women members of Manithi to enter Sabarimala shrine was a farce staged by the Tamil Nadu and Kerala units of CPM, said KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran. He said police and the government have enacted five such episodes in the name of women entry. (With online desk inputs) Jayanthi Pawar By Express News Service CHENNAI: Tuesday will mark the 50th year of the Keezhvenmani massacre, in the composite Thanjavur district, in which 44 Dalits were burnt alive in a hut by landowners. Half a century later what has changed for Dalits in Tamil Nadu, a state defined by Dravidian politics espousing social justice? The Keezhvenmani issue began as a labour dispute between the landowning upper caste communities and the Dalit agricultural labourers, supported by Communists, demanding higher wages. According to the writings of Mythili Sivaraman, CPM and womens rights activist, who played a key role in documenting the aftermath of the massacre, it was not just a labour dispute: the landlords were irked also by change in attitude of the workers from a subservient stance (Gentlemen Killers of Kilvenmani, 1973, EPW). While some changes in wages and land ownership took place in the aftermath of the massacre, the struggle for Dalits remains focused on landless labour and caste discrimination. D Ravikumar, general secretary of VCK one of the mainstream Dalit political parties points out that land reforms are yet to be implemented in the state. Activists and scholars note that Dalits still do not have seats in the decision-making tables. Ravikumar points out that there is rarely judicial intervention against any Dalit atrocity let alone punishment for the accused. Meanwhile, Ravikumar argues that till date, any agricultural belt has the most number of Dalits as they were known as the landless poor who would work for minimum wages. Agriculture involves skilled labour but still these workers only get 25 per cent of wages compared to unskilled labourers in urban sector, he said. Writer and scholar Stalin Rajangam says the condition of Dalits hadnt changed much over the years. Since 1968, Dalits have been able to avail benefits, including the kissan commission and life insurance, but to retain land or get a share of it is till a struggle, he says. "A few reasons that can be cited for the stagnation of the Dalit community is that the Dravidian parties claimed to have constraints as CPM has been raising its voice for the community. However, the CPM has never been in the ruling position to bring in changes. Writer Meena Kandasamys scathing article No one killed the Dalits, highlights the view of the Dravidian ideologues to the issue. When the massacre was reported, then DMK CM, C N Annadurai reportedly had said, People should forget this as they forget a feverish nightmare or a flash of lightning. Periyar, speaking a month later, reportedly said, wage is not something you can demand, a wage is that which is fixed by market conditions. Rajangam argues that changes in education and employment status in the community have happened over time, not because of any specific interventions. However, there has been change for the better, says K Samuel Raj, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), noting that before the massacre, Dalits were treated as slaves and caste Hindus virtually took ownership of them. Only after the massacre did the government begin reforms, including laws to improve the livelihood of Dalits, he says. Scholar Karthikeyan Damodaran, at the University of Edinburgh, points to changes in political representation. It would be really unjust to say that things havent changed since Keezhvenmani, as major changes have happened at the political level especially in terms of representation, he said. Now we have full-fledged political parties which work among Dalits...parties with a more solid mass base than before. This is a major change because Dalits were largely either showcasing loyalty being part of Congress or the Dravidian parties, he says. However, contemporary Dalit politics is at the crossroads, with the very term and meaning of Dalit is getting remade with some Scheduled Caste leaders contesting their classification and laying claim to higher status. The Dalit aspiration towards autonomy in political terms is also palpably missing and parties like the VCK have become mere extensions of Dravidian parties. Further, the populist nature of the Dravidian parties has resulted in an emphasis on immediate benefits rather than long-term economic changes, he argues. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The BJP held a core candidates office bearers meeting. This is the second meeting in less than a week, to assess the reasons that went into the debacle of BJP in the recent polls. Union minister JP Nadda, Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, state unit president K Laxman, MLA T Raja Singh and others took part in the day-long meeting. Though BJP national president Amit Shah was supposed to convene the meeting, the meeting kicked off in his absence considering his schedule. According to sources, the party leaders discussed about the future prospects of the party, especially in the light of upcoming parliamentary elections. DHAKA: Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term. Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear". The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained. ALSO READ | Bangladesh journalists attacked ahead of elections Its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP. "Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP. Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests, but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants. "We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP. Candidate attacks Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. The BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates. The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million. "The Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack, Ahmed told a press briefing. ALSO READ | Bangladesh Army warns of propaganda against military ahead of general elections He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes. Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible. "If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said. Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law. The US State Department has also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government, because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence." "We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement. By AFP DHAKA: At least 10 journalists were injured as ruling party activists allegedly attacked a motel in a central Bangladesh town when they were covering this week's national election, a senior journalist said Tuesday. A group of baton-wielding men attacked the motel in Nawabganj town late Monday, where journalists from several local media were staying overnight, Masud Karim, a special correspondent of the Bengali national daily Jugantor said. "The miscreants vandalised 16 cars. At least 10 journalists from Jugantor and Jamuna TV were injured during the attack," he told AFP, alleging the police delayed responding to their distress call. The newspaper also said one of its reporters has been missing since Monday evening. It blamed the student and youth wings of the ruling Awami League party for the attack, although police said they did not know the identity of the attackers. "We rescued them (the journalists) from the situation," district police chief S.M Shafiur Rahman told AFP, rejecting the allegations police did not respond to the attack in time. The chiefs of both outlets demanded immediate arrests of the attackers but the police chief said no formal complaints had been filed. Violent clashes have marred the run-up to the December 30 election, with the opposition saying hundreds of its activists and dozens of candidates have been injured in attacks by followers of the ruling party. Six people have been killed, including two from the ruling party. Two news cameramen were also attacked by alleged pro-government activists in the central Munshiganj district on Tuesday, the online edition of the private NTV station said. Top journalist lobby group Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) demanded the attackers be punished. "The state and the government will have to shoulder the responsibility and take steps to curb such attacks," BFUJ President Molla Zalal said. Press freedom has been under the spotlight in the South Asian nation as opposition and rights group have accused Prime Minister's Sheikh Hasina's government of muzzling dissent through controversial anti-press laws. By PTI DHAKA: Members of Bangladesh's opposition BNP-NUF alliance on Tuesday walked out of an Election Commission meeting, alleging that the behaviour of its chief was "inappropriate" and he was not taking their arguments into consideration during the talks. The opposition delegation led by National Unity Front (NUF) convenor and eminent jurist Kamal Hossain met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda to discuss the alleged arrests of the coalition's supporters in police crackdown ahead of the general elections this week. In the meeting, the alliance also raised the issue of debarring it from holding its wrap up election rally in the capital. It also accused police of playing a "biased role" against opposition supporters. READ| 10,500 arrested ahead of Bangladesh elections "We walked out of the meeting as the CEC was not taking into consideration our words," BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after coming out of the meeting within half-an-hour it began. The CEC's "behavior was inappropriate", he added. Alamgir is leading the party in the absence of jailed BNP chairperson and ex-premier Khaleda Zia and her convicted "fugitive" son and party's acting chief Tarique Rahman. The opposition alleged police have arrested about 10,500 of their activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week with an intention to create a "climate of fear". However, police said no one was detained without specific charge and warrant. BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed called the charges "fictitious" and an attempt to expose their activists to "ghost" cases" to favour the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. By AFP BEIJING: Eight people were killed and 22 injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians in east China's Fujian province on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported. A hijacker carrying a knife has been detained and is being investigated by local police, state television CGTN said. The incident happened at about 3:20 pm (0720 GMT) in the city of Longyan, the local Minxi Ribao newspaper reported. A policeman was among those confirmed dead. In a video posted by Duowei news, a Chinese media outlet based in the US, several injured people were shown lying on the street near a crashed bus, its front badly damaged. It also showed police wrestling a person to the ground. Blood could also be seen on the steps of the bus, which had been stopped in the middle of a road. State-run news agency Xinhua reported the suspect was a 48-year-old local man surnamed Qiu. He had attacked a female passenger before taking control of the bus, Duowei reported. Police said that on the day of the attack the suspect had quarrelled with a local official who had visited his home, adding that the pair had a long history of conflict, according to the Xinhua report. The 22 wounded in the attack were taken to local hospitals, with one person being treated for "serious injures", Xinhua said. Longyan public security bureau declined to comment when contacted by AFP. Spate of attacks China has suffered a spate of similar incidents this year. In late November, a car ploughed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in the northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19. The driver said he "chose his victims at random" and had reportedly been contemplating suicide due to domestic troubles before the tragedy occurred. In October, three people were killed when a man fleeing after committing a stabbing drove into a crowd and attacked onlookers in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The month before, a man ploughed a truck into a crowd in Hunan province and went on a rampage, attacking onlookers with knives and a shovel. Eleven died and 44 were injured. Grisly car accidents are common in China, where transportation authorities have struggled to uphold safety regulations -- which are often flouted or go unenforced. According to authorities 58,000 people were killed in accidents across the country in 2015 alone. Last month, at least 13 people died when a bus plunged off a bridge in Chongqing municipality, after the driver got into a fist fight with a passenger who had missed her bus stop. Search and rescue teams dispatched more than 70 boats, as well as a team of scuba divers and underwater robots, to find the wreckage and retrieve bodies from the water. Violent crime has also been on the rise in recent decades as the gap between rich and poor has widened rapidly. Studies also show a rise in the prevalence of mental disorders, some of them linked to stress as the pace of life becomes faster and support systems wither. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump says parts of the government will stay shut as long as Democrats refuse to build more barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border, seemingly dashing hope for a Christmas miracle that would soon allow several departments to reopen and employees to return to work. Asked when the government would reopen, Trump said: "I can't tell you when the government's going to be open. I can tell you it's not going to be open until we have a wall or fence, whatever they'd like to call it." "I'll call it whatever they want but it's all the same thing," he said at the White House after offering holiday greetings to U.S. troops stationed around the country and the world. Trump argued that drug flows and human trafficking into the U.S. can only be stopped by a wall. "We can't do it without a barrier. We can't do it without a wall," he told reporters. Democrats oppose spending any money on a wall or fence, pushing instead for increased use of technology to control access at the border. READ | US government shutdown: National Christmas tree goes dark, some parks close Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leaders of Congress, blame Trump for the stalemate and for "plunging the country into chaos." They pointed to problems beyond the shutdown, including heavy losses on Wall Street and Trump's decision to fire his defense secretary. "The president wanted the shutdown, but he seems not to know how to get himself out of it," they said in the statement. Trump had said he'd be "proud" to shut down the government in a fight over the wall, but now blames Democrats for refusing to vote for a House-passed bill that includes the USD 5.7 billion he wants for the wall. ALSO READ | US partial government shutdown Explainer: Who is working and who is not The White House presented a counteroffer over the weekend to Schumer that is between Trump's USD 5.7 billion price tag and the USD 1.3 billion Democrats have offered, said budget director Mick Mulvaney. He did not elaborate, but a Democratic aide granted anonymity to discuss the private talks said the White House offered USD 2.5 billion an initial USD 2.1 billion plus USD 400 million Democrats called a "slush fund" for the president's other immigration priorities. Mulvaney said he was waiting for Schumer's response. Schumer's office said the parties remained "very far apart." Trump chimed in Monday from the White House, where he has been cooped up in the mansion since Saturday, when the shutdown began. Trump, who typically spends Christmas at his Florida estate, tweeted at one point Monday about feeling lonely. READ | US-Mexico wall shutdown: Trump tweets he's 'all alone' at White House waiting for Democrats deal "I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security," he tweeted. "At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy!" Trump met Monday on border security with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and other department officials. Senate negotiators continued talks behind the scenes with Democrats and Republicans. The House and Senate briefly gaveled into session on Christmas Eve before quickly closing again with no further action. Several Cabinet departments and agencies have been closed since Saturday after their funding lapsed, and Mulvaney warned the shutdown could stretch into January, when Democrats are set to take back control the House. Trump excused federal employees from work on Monday and Christmas is a federal holiday, meaning the public could begin feeling the shutdown's effects on Wednesday. Some 800,000 federal workers must either work without pay for the time being, or stay home and wait to be paid later. Trump promised to make Mexico pay for the border wall. Mexico has refused. The Egyptian government has dismissed reports that a fine of EGP 2,500 would be imposed on those who abstain from being screened for Hepatitis C as part of the government's '100 million lives' campaign, in which more than 21 million Egyptians have been tested for the virus. In an official statement, the cabinet said the campaign, launched in October, offers tests to Egyptians free of charge, and does not seek profit. The cabinet said that the reports circulated on social media are "unfounded rumours that aim to defame the campaign and undermine its efforts." On Monday, the country's health ministry said that around 21,510, 820 Egyptians have been screened for Hepatitis C and non-communicable diseases as part of the campaign. Over the past three years, Egypt has been using a variety of new medications to combat the virus. The health ministry has vowed to completely eliminate the disease from Egypt by 2022. Search Keywords: Short link: By PTI LAHORE: Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail here on Tuesday, a day after an anti-corruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison in a graft case linked to the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments reference by Islamabad-based Accountability Court on Monday. After the verdict, Sharif was arrested in the court and taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after the court accepted his request. Sharif in his application to the court said that he wanted to serve the sentence at Kot Lakhpat jail as his family members and his personal physicians live in Lahore. A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their leader. ALSO READ | Pakistan court summons Nawaz Sharif in treason case over Mumbai attack remarks However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the workers for trying to reach the jail. According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with "better class" facilities. "The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table, two chairs, a TV set and newspaper," they said. Sharif has been shifted to the barrack where former president Asif Ali Zardari was also kept in corruption cases in 1990s. Upon reaching Kot Lakhpat jail, doctors carried out a medical examination of Sharif and found him physically fit. Nawaz Sharif. (Photo | AP) Commenting on the verdict on Monday, Sharif said his conscience was clear as he was never involved in any kind of corruption. "I was never involved in misuse of authority and corruption so my conscience is at peace," he said. Sharif's lawyers said the accountability court's verdict will be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. The Accountability Court verdict concluded a series of three court cases Avenfield properties case, Flagship investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in July last year. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Captain (retd) M Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. The apex court set the deadline for December 24 to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the Sharif family. The three-time former prime minister has maintained that the cases against him were initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team in the Panama Papers case was biased. By PTI BEIJING: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Chinese counterpart Tuesday and discussed the situation arising out of the US decision to pull nearly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan and resurgence of the Taliban in the war-torn country. Qureshi, who is on a three-day four-nation tour, arrived here Tuesday morning following his visit to Afghanistan and Iran on Monday. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here that Qureshi met Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan. Both sides reiterated their determination to adopt a joint course of action for regional peace and stability, to promote connectivity and work for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. In a sudden move, President Donald Trump last week announced his decision to pull around half of the 14,000 US troops stationed in Afghanistan. ALSO READ | Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi seeks US role for talks with India The move has stunned and dismayed allies, diplomats and officials in Kabul. The announcement comes during a renewed push for talks with the Taliban to end the 17-year war. "They both believed that the military means cannot resolve the problem. The political reconciliation is the only viable way out. "Various parties are willing to maintain close communication and strategic coordination in this regard. The two sides will also advance our all-weather partnership and improve our all dimensional partnership and cooperation," Hua said. Trump's decision to drastically reduce the troops was welcomed by the Taliban. Both the US and Afghanistan have been sharply criticising Pakistan for allegedly backing the Taliban whose leadership is reported to have been entrenched in the tribal areas in Pakistan. China which shares borders with Afghanistan has established a trilateral foreign ministers' mechanism for reconciliation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has conducted separate meetings with Taliban officials. Asked how China viewed the US' decision to reduce its troops strength, Hua said "the action to pull-out should be decided by the US itself." "China always believes that military means cannot resolve the Afghanistan issue. The political reconciliation process that is owned and led by Afghanistan is the only viable way-out. "This is what China has been working for constructively and we also hope we can join other parties to help accelerate such a peace and reconciliation process so that Afghanistan people can enjoy peace and development at an early date," she said. China also believe that security, stability and development in Afghanistan is also a "good thing" for the region and hoped that it can join efforts to advance the process of reconciliation. By AFP TRIPOLI: The remains of 34 Ethiopian Christians killed by the Islamic State group in 2015 have been found in a mass grave, a branch of the interior ministry said Monday. IS jihadists published a video in April 2015 showing the execution of at least 28 men, described as Ethiopian Christians. An official said Monday their bodies have been discovered near Sirte, the jihadists' former stronghold until they were ousted from the coastal city in December 2016 by forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed government. Taha Hadid, spokesman for the Sirte protection force, told AFP that the bodies of 34 Ethiopians were discovered on Sunday at a farm near the city. "According to the prosecutor general's office, these remains belong to the Ethiopians executed" by the Islamic State group, he added. The mass grave was discovered through confessions made by IS members captured during the battle to retake Sirte, according to the organised crime department in Misrata to the west of Sirte. "The bodies will be repatriated to Ethiopia once the national and international legal procedures are completed," the department said in a statement posted on Facebook. The remains of 21 Coptic Christians killed by IS in February 2015 were found last year near Sirte, all but one Egyptians, but their bodies were only returned home in May 2018. Reporter Tim Mitchell is a reporter at The News-Gazette. His email is tmitchel@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@mitchell6). Today, technology and innovation are driving changes in ways that we have never imagined, and changes appear at every level of our economy and our society. If Hong Kong is to continue to flourish, we must ensure that our young people be given every opportunity to succeed, every opportunity to tackle real-life challenges with innovative ideas and an analytical grounding. That, ladies and gentlemen, adds up to education inspired by a formidable foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM in short. While a mathematical solution is seldom as eye-catching as a physical invention, the elements of creativity and innovation in STEM are very much mathematics-based. Mathematics provides a reliable system and logical language for verifying hypotheses and proving new theories for the development of sciences, technologies and engineering. Consider your smartphone. It is the infusion of pioneer technology like AI (artificial intelligence) and big data sciences in our daily lives. But let us not forget, it is the use of mathematics and computational thinking which provide the solid theoretical foundation and efficient algorithms for the technological advancement that we are witnessing. It is the reason why my Government mandates that all students study mathematics and coding in their primary and secondary years. It's also the reason why the Education Bureau advocates mathematical modelling as an integral part of STEM education. That allows students to experience mathematics at work in real-life situations, from the control of traffic lights to weather forecasts. Of course, I'm not suggesting that every student become a mathematician. What I do hope for, or what my Government is working towards, is encouraging a community-wide, economy-fuelled awareness and appreciation of mathematics. It is, after all, a universal language, and our future demands that we be fluent in it. At the same time, we are also encouraging excellence in mathematical research, for which I've committed additional resources since taking office in July last year. The highlight of that commitment is an undertaking in my Policy Address delivered in October this year to inject $20 billion into the Research Endowment Fund of the UGC (University Grants Committee). I am naturally delighted to be here today to congratulate the winning team and the finalists of this year's competition, and applaud the 260 students in more than 90 teams who participated. I understand that they come from over 60 Hong Kong schools, and among them 19 are participating for the first time. This is testimony to the excellent work of Hang Lung Properties, the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Institute of Mathematical Sciences & Department of Mathematics, and all awards committee members, which make the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards such a great success. My thanks as well to the mathematics teachers and professors involved, whose dedication helps nurture so many brilliant students for Hong Kong. Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the 2018 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards Announcement & Awards Presentation on December 20. The Department of Health will launch the second phase of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme on January 1 next year, extending coverage to people aged 56 to 75. The programme, which began in August, is being implemented in three phases to subsidise screening tests for Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75. Phase one covers people aged 61 to 75, while phase three extends coverage to those aged between 50 and 75. Details and the commencement date of phase three will be announced later. Participants will first attend a medical consultation conducted by enrolled doctors to receive faecal immunochemical test screening. They will receive a $280 government subsidy per consultation. The subsidy applies for the second consultation to follow up on a positive test result. Under the standard colonoscopy service package, the subsidy amount is $8,500 if polyp removal is necessary and $7,800 if no polyp removal is required. Colonoscopy specialists may charge a co-payment not exceeding $1,000 when providing standard colonoscopy examinations. Currently, 722 doctors have enrolled in the programme and 97% of them will not charge any co-payment, while 176 colonoscopy specialists have also joined. About 115,000 people have participated in the programme. Click here for details. The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau is seeking public views on the implementation of the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights in Hong Kong. The bureau said the Central People's Government will submit China's third report under the covenant. It added the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will submit its report to the Central Government on the implementation of the covenant in the city for incorporation in the Mainlands report. The HKSAR Government has prepared an outline of the topics for inclusion in the report. People can submit views by February 4 via mail, fax or email. Click here for the report. FOUR people were killed yesterday morning after a Botswana-registered Toyota Wish they were travelling in collided head-on with a haulage truck near Fort Rixon along the Harare-Bulawayo Road. The accident occurred at the 393km peg along the highway and all four people in the Toyota Wish died on the spot. The accident comes after police put in place adequate and effective measures to curb road traffic accidents during this years festive season. In a statement, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the four were travelling from Botswana through the Plumtree Border Post. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Toyota Wish encroached into the lane of oncoming traffic resulting in a head on collision with a haulage truck that was travelling in the opposite direction. All the four occupants in the Toyota Wish died on the spot while the driver of the haulage truck and his passenger were injured and they were referred to the hospital for treatment, she said. She said they were appealing to motorists to exercise extreme caution and to avoid speeding. Motorists should also consider the condition of the roads especially during this rainy season. Those who are embarking on long journeys should take breaks and rests to avoid fatigue and where possible alternative drivers should be used, Snr Asst Comm Charamba said. She recently said police had escalated efforts to reduce road carnage through awareness programmes and deployment of traffic police officers on the countrys highways. Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba said police were working with other stakeholders to reduce road carnage. In Mashonaland East Province, ZRP and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) teamed up to raise awareness of traffic safety in a bid to reduce road carnage during the festive season. Herald Egypt's Ministry of Interior has said in a statement that it is implementing a comprehensive plan to secure Christmas and New Year's celebrations throughout the country. The ministry said that security units have been deployed at major roads, squares, vital facilities and houses of worship across the state to protect and preserve the safety of citizens against any act that may disturb the celebrations. The plan includes the mobilisation of mobile and rapid intervention units near areas of celebration and in the vicinity of important gatherings. On Monday, Egypt's Armed Forces said in a statement that it has intensified measures to secure New Year's and Christmas celebrations nationwide. The Ministry of Interior has conducted a number of proactive raids ahead of this year's Christmas celebrations. A statement by the Ministry last Thursday said that police killed eight high risk terrorists and arrested four others in separate shootouts and security raids around Cairo and Giza governorates. The suspects, who belonged to the Hasm terrorist group, were orchestrating a number of attacks against several targets to coincide with the upcoming Christmas celebrations under orders from the banned and terrorist-designated Muslim Brotherhood organisation, according to the statement. Coptic Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of all Christians in the country, celebrate Christmas on 7 January. However, a minority of non-orthodox Christian Egyptians observe the holiday on 25 December. Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) President Trump and first lady Melania Trump took calls from children anxious to find out where Santa is on his gift-giving journey, reports the AP. In one conversation, Trump asked a 7-year-old named Collman, "Are you still a believer in Santa?" He listened for a moment before adding, "Because at 7, it's marginal, right?" Trump listened again and chuckled before saying, "Well, you just enjoy yourself." The president took no shortage of flak on social media for what the New York Times calls "breaking the covenant in which we have all agreed to deceive our children." But he's not technically incorrect, notes the Times: While 85% of 5-year-olds believe in Santa, that number plummets to 25% among 8-year-olds. story continues below The first lady told a caller that Santa was in the Sahara. Several minutes later, she reported that Santa was far away in Morocco but would be at the caller's home on Christmas morning. She later tweeted that helping children track Santa "is becoming one of my favorite traditions!" The NORAD Tracks Santa program wasn't affected by the government shutdown, and is run by volunteers at Peterson Air Force Base using pre-approved funding. The Trumps later traveled to Washington National Cathedral to attend the Solemn Holy Eucharist of Christmas Eve. The cathedral's website said the program included readings from Holy Scripture, favorite congregational hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music, as well as Holy Communion. Trump most likely would have been attending Christmas services at a church near his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., but he scrapped travel plans after the partial government shutdown. (JFK once told a girl he talked to Santa.) (Newser) A man awaiting execution on California's death row insists he's innocent in a gruesome 1983 murder case, and newly ordered DNA tests might finally resolve the matter. Gov. Jerry Brown, in one of his final acts in office, ordered authorities to test a T-shirt, towel, and hatchet collected as evidence after the murders of Doug and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter Jessica and 11-year-old neighbor Christopher Hughes, reports the Sacramento Bee. The Ryens' 8-year-old son survived the attack in Chino Hills. Kevin Cooper, now in his 60s, was convicted, but he and supporters including New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof maintain that police framed him. story continues below I take no position on Mr. Coopers guilt or innocence at this time, said the governor. But colorable factual questions have been raised about whether advances in DNA technology warrant limited retesting of certain physical evidence. Cooper's legal team think police planted Cooper's blood on the evidence, and they hope the DNA test will turn up the blood of another person, perhaps someone in the state's criminal database, reports the AP. In Kristof's piece from several years ago, he wrote: "It appears that an innocent man was framed by sheriffs deputies and is on death row in part because of dishonest cops, sensational media coverage and flawed political leaders." Among those he called out were Kamala Harris, then the state attorney general. Now a senator, Harris supports the new DNA tests. (Read more DNA evidence stories.) (Newser) America, meet "Hallway Harry." That's the online moniker for a white New Yorker who's been caught on video verbally confronting his black neighbor, the New York Times reports. "What are you doing in my building?" the man asks. "You don't live here. I've never seen you before. I've lived here 27 years." But Chika Okafor, a producer for Bleacher Report, stood his ground when the man asked more than once for his apartment number in the Upper East Side building. "It's none of your business," Okafor tells him. When the man disagrees, Okafor asks, "Why is it your business? Do you own this building?" And so it begins. "Harry" is soon saying, "Oh, you're smooth. You're smooth. You're the smooooth king." story continues below Seems it began when "Harry" said to them, "Who the f--- are these guys?"at least that's what Okafor's companion, also a black male, says while shooting the video, per NBC New York. The man insists, "I do that to white people, too," but Okafor (who posted the video on Facebook) doesn't buy it: "To me, his behavior suggested that, one, because we were people of color we were a threat to their safety, and, two, because we are people of color we can't afford to live in that type of apartment complex," he tells the Times. Yet Okafor's neighbor may be an equal-opportunity aggressor: Another video shows him calling two white Airbnb renters "retarded" and telling them to "get out" for renting for less than 30 days. (Other, similar white-on-black encounters gave America "Cornerstone Caroline" and "Pool Patrol Paula.") (Newser) Pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem on Monday for what was believed to be the West Bank city's largest Christmas celebrations in years. Hundreds of locals and visitors milled in Manger Square as bagpipe-playing Palestinian Scouts paraded past a giant Christmas tree. Crowds flooded the Church of the Nativity, venerated as the traditional site of Jesus's birth, and waited to descend into the ancient grotto. Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maaya said all Bethlehem hotels were fully booked, and the city was preparing to host an "astounding" 10,000 tourists overnight. "We haven't seen numbers like this in years," she said, adding that the 3 million visitors this year exceeded last year by hundreds of thousands. Linda Selbmann, 24, of Germany, said she had long dreamed of celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem. "It's wild to be in the place it all began," she tells the AP. story continues below Solemn nuns and enthused tourists crossed themselves as they entered the church, the air thick with incense. Christmas traditionally brings a boost of cheer to Christians in the Holy Land, whose numbers have shrunk relative to the general population and now make up just a minority. As the sun set on Manger Square, the enormous Christmas tree lit up and the city's ancient passageways shone with colored lights and flashing crosses. Choirs sang carols, their voices echoing through the plaza. Palestinian youths peddled Santa hats to tourists and shop windows bore signs reading "Jesus Is Here." Palestinian security stationed around the square reminded visitors that amid the merriment, they couldn't quite escape the city's political reality. Others seemed unconcerned by recent violence. "This has been No. 1 on my bucket list," said Yohannes Denu, 42, of Los Angeles. "There's no better place to be as a Christian. ... To be at the center of my faith, it's joyous, it's unbelievable." (Read more Bethlehem stories.) (Newser) A post office in Charlottesville, Va., is the unlikely setting for a detente between President Trump and longtime critic Khizr Khan, reports the Daily Progress. Trump signed a bill on Friday renaming a branch the Captain Humayun Khan Post Office, after Khan's son, who was killed in the Iraq war in 2004. The branch is near the younger Khan's alma mater, the University of Virginia; Khan was the only alum killed in the war. The bill was sponsored by local Rep. Tom Garrett, who tweeted, "We can never repay the sacrifice of #CaptainKhan, but a grateful nation will continue to remember and honor you. Thank you to my colleagues & @realDonaldTrump for helping to get this over finish line!" Khizr Khan ripped into Trump at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, sparking a feud between the Republican nominee and the Gold Star family. (Read more Khizr Khan stories.) (Newser) Nissan Motor Co. executive Greg Kelly was released from detention in Japan on Tuesday after being granted bail over the alleged underreporting of his boss Carlos Ghosn's pay, the AP reports. The late-night release of Kelly, who is American, followed the Tokyo District Court's approval earlier in the day of a bail request filed last week by his Japanese lawyer. Kelly was freed on 70 million yen ($635,600) bail, ending his detention after more than a month. Television footage captured the bespectacled Kelly, wearing a beige jacket, slowly walking out of the detention center and getting into a black car. story continues below The vehicle drove past reporters waiting outside of the gate as cameras flashed. Kelly was expected to go straight to a hospital for treatment of his chronic neck problem, according to local media. Kelly and Ghosn were detained in Tokyo immediately after their Nov. 19 arrest. They are charged with underreporting Ghosn's pay by about 5 billion yen ($44 million) in 2011-2015. Kelly's Japanese lawyer sought bail after the court dismissed prosecutors' request for more detention for the two to investigate their second allegation of underreporting Ghosn's 4 billion yen ($36 million) pay. Charges for an underreporting allegation in more recent years are pending, and no trial date has been set. (Read more about Nissan's jailed former chief.) (Newser) "I am writing now because I am outraged: While my daughter languishes in prison, those actually responsible for threatening our election continue to get off easy." So writes Billie Winner-Davis in an Intercept article about her daughter, Reality Winner. A 27-year-old US Air Force veteran, Winner got five yearsthe longest-ever sentence for such a crime, her mom saysfor revealing an NSA report on Russian military phishing attacks on US election officials. But what about the misdeeds of Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, George Papadopoulos, Michael Flynn, and Michael Cohen? They "do not appear to be paying near the price that she and our family are paying," writes Winner-Davis. story continues below Manafort was allowed to visit his family for Christmas in 2017 while Winner was denied bond and celebrated "fresh fruit, a gift from a local church ... the very first fresh anything since her arrest." Gates, who apparently committed tax evasion and conspiracy, hasn't been stuck in prison. Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying about the Russia story, got 14 days. Flynn, whose crimes recently angered a judge, is charged only with lying. Cohen, charged with nine crimes, got just three years in prison. "It sends the clear message that if you are poor and powerless in this system, you will be abused," writes Winner-Davis. "I am outraged. I hope you are too." BoingBoing linked to a petition on Winner's behalf. (See why Winner-Davis "strongly" opposed an espionage charge against her daughter.) (Newser) Not brilliant: A Utah man allegedly took a homemade consent form to a rendezvous for underage sex, KSL.com reports. Adam Dimond, 31, was collared in November and charged with enticing a minor after police say showed up at a meeting for sex with a 13-year-old girl. But unwittingly he had been texting with an FBI agent who set up the arrest, per the Standard-Examiner. "In his car was a document that he made that was a consent to have sex form," says a police report. Dimond apparently admitted that he believed he'd been texting with a 13-year-old on the app Whisper and "thought about engaging in sexual acts with her." (A 3D-gun advocate has been jailed on similar charges.) (Newser) A Florida sheriff's K-9 officer was shot and killed in the line of duty Christmas Eve while helping officers take down a suspect, USA Today reports. The encounter began at a mall in Wellington, Fla., when officers confronted two men wanted for attempted murder and armed robbery. Justin Vazquez, 19, let himself be arrested outside, while 28-year-old Giovany Ramos Alvareza member of the Latin Kings Gang, per the Palm Beach Posttook off with officer K-9 Cigo in hot pursuit. Exchanging fire with officers in the parking lot, Alvarez struck the canine. "He turned, shot the dog, the dog was still able make it to him," Sheriff Ric Bradshaw tells the Miami Herald. "In the meantime, he's firing back at the deputies." story continues below As shoppers inside The Mall at Wellington Green panicked, abandoning bags and jumping counters, officers apprehended Alvarez. The wounded suspect was hospitalized in serious condition, but Cigo wasn't so luckydeclared dead at an animal hospital. Now the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is mourning its loss: "The pain felt by #K9Cigos handler/partner is strong," reads a department tweet. "Our prayers are with him tonight." Reads another: "He's a good boy and he will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace #K9Cigo." The suspects were wanted in a shooting outside a West Palm Beach bar that left a man critically hurt. No one else was injured in the arrest. (Police say a man may have had help killing his fiancee.) (Newser) Israeli warplanes flying over Lebanon fired missiles toward areas near the Syrian capital of Damascus late Tuesday, hitting an arms depot and wounding three soldiers, Syrian state media reported, saying that most of the missiles were shot down by air defense units. The report, quoting an unnamed military official, identified the warplanes as Israeli. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency earlier reported that Israeli warplanes were flying at low altitude over parts of southern Lebanon, the AP reports. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, says Israeli airstrikes targeted three positions south of Damascus that are arms depots for Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group and Iranian forces. The reported attack near Damascus is the first since President Trump announced last week that the US will withdraw all of its 2,000 forces in Syria, a move that will leave control of the oil-rich eastern third of Syria up for grabs. Following Trump's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel would "continue to act against Iran's attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria, and to the extent necessary, we will even expand our actions there." Later an unnamed military official was quoted as saying that Syrian air defenses "shot down most of the missiles before reaching their targets." It added that the Israeli warplanes fired the missiles from Lebanese airspace. Israel's military spokesman's unit did not confirm the raids, but said in a statement that "an aerial defense system was activated against an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria." (Turkey has massed troops along the Syrian border .) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi hailed the bravery and vision of late president Anwar El-Sadat in creating peace in the region. El-Sisi made the comments during a speech on Tuesday marking a century since the birth of the Nobel Peace laureate. El-Sisi said that the 1973 October War with Israel restored dignity for the Egyptian and Arab people and paved the way for El-Sadat to make peace. "The October War paved the way for president Anwar El-Sadat to carry out the most promising initiatives of the modern era," said El-Sisi. In 1978, Egypt and Israel signed at the White House the Camp David peace accords. El-Sisi stressed that El-Sadat's message was clear, that Egypt "does not accept injustice and humiliation. Egypt seeks a just peace and seeks development and prosperity for its people, its region and the world." The president also pointed out that El-Sadat dedicated his life to the homeland. El-Sadat was the third president of Egypt, serving from 15 October 1970 until his assassination by Islamists fundamentalists on 6 October 1981. The 1973 war eventually led to Israeli forces withdrawing from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 after 15 years of occupation. Search Keywords: Short link: The wife of a detained Chinese lawyer and three supporters shaved their heads yesterday and attempted to submit to a Beijing court a petition protesting her husbands indefinite detention. The four women went to the Hongsecun Peoples High Court in south Beijing in a symbolic protest against what they said highlighted the lawlessness of the country. We can go bald, but the country cannot be lawless, the four women shouted outside the courthouse after they were prevented by police from entering the premises. The Chinese words for being completely bald and having a state of lawlessness -- wufa -- are homonyms. Their husbands were all targeted during a sweeping crackdown on activists and lawyers on July 9, 2015. Attorney Wang Quanzhang, who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, disappeared in the sweep aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities. Charged in January 2016 with alleged subversion of state power, Wang is the only one of over 200 lawyers and activists arrested in the so-called 709 crackdown who is yet to be tried or released. My husband is being detained incommunicado without a proper explanation, his wife Li Wenzu told AFP. I want answers as to why the authorities arent following due process. I want to know why they arent allowing the familys lawyer to visit Wang, she said. Li said over the past three years she has submitted over 30 freedom of information requests to police, which have been sent back unanswered. In April, Li attempted to march 100 kilometres (60 miles) to a detention facility in neighbouring Tianjin to highlight her husbands plight before she was thwarted by police. I want to urge the Supreme Peoples Court to perform its supervisory duties and investigate why the second intermediate court in Tianjin that is handling my husbands case is dragging its feet, Li said. The court has surpassed the time limit prescribed by law for dealing with such cases, she said. Health concerns Liu Ermin, wife of rights activist Zhai Yanmin, said she was protesting her husbands torture while in detention. His health has deteriorated and we are still under constant surveillance, she said. The third woman was Yuan Shanshan, wife of lawyer Xie Yanyi. Xie, who defended practitioners of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, was released on bail pending trial in January 2017. He has since shed light on the torture of detained lawyers. The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has commiserated with the family of the late Prof. Sophie Oluwole over her demise.Her condolence message was contained in a press statement on Tuesday.Ezekwesili described the deceased as an academic whose contribution to education in Nigeria would be continuously cherished.She expressed concern that the professor died when her contributions were mostly needed in the country.The leading presidential candidate urged other academics to emulate the late Oduwole, saying that she is an academic icon.She said, She was a trail blazing academic for whom I would continue to have huge affection for, especially in her candour and quest for distinction. She was ever so generous to me when I became the Minister of Education and her strong support for educational development never went unnoticed.Nigeria has indeed lost a great academic at a time when our educational system is facing a serious challenge. Her death is saddening and a great loss to the intelligentsia community. I commiserate with members of her family and pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear her loss.Born in Igbara-Oke, Ondo State, in 1935, Oluwole studied History, Geography and Philosophy at the University of Lagos, after which she worked briefly as an assistant lecturer in 1972.The deceased bagged her doctorate degree in the field of Philosophy in 1984 and was the first Nigerian woman to do so.The deceased was a foremost Yoruba philosophical thinker and author whose work was influenced largely by African and western trade-religious beliefs. Gary Neville has revealed he wasnt surprised by Jose Mourinhos sacking and backed Manchester Uniteds decision to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager.Mourinho was relieved of his duties on Tuesday after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer being brought in the following day to rescue Uniteds season after a dismal start.The Norwegian made a fine start to his managerial career when his United side thrashed Cardiff 5-1 on Saturday and the players spoke in glowing terms about his effect on squad morale.And former United defender Neville believes the frosty atmosphere at the club meant the club had no option but to act.You can see Manchester United have made an appointment to create a happy ship and make sure someone who came in had respect through the whole club and knew the whole club and could connect the club, he said, speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast.Theres no doubt it was an unhappy place. There were obvious tensions with certain players that became public, then the fans were going to the stadium feeling like every game was a crossroads or one minute away from something big happening, so it wasnt a huge shock.It was the first time the Red Devils had scored five goals in the Premier League since Sir Alex Fergusons final game in charge five years ago.But Neville warned the players not to get carried away after their emphatic victory.There was an immediate bounce and impact from Ole, however it was Cardiff and we need to see if they can do it over six months, he added.If they can do that then they will get the opportunity to play for the club next season. If they do it over six games and then drop back they wont play for the club next season.The most important thing for Manchester United is sailing the ship into shore calmly, with some people needing to disembark and not come back, and some needing to come on and sail out to seas in the future. Thats the nature of the next six months.The hard work starts now for United. Anybody who thinks sacking Jose Mourinho is the answer, it is not, the hard work starts now and I am sure the people in the club are wise enough and knowledgeable to know that. A youth group in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Progressives Youth Movement, has expressed concern over the sincerity of the National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, in the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.The group in a statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Mallam Usa Abdullahi and Secretary, Udo Akpandem, said some actions of the national chairman that tend to undermine the electoral chances of Buhari have kept them worried about whether the chairman was working for the re-election of Buhari or is a fifth columnist in the APC as alleged in some quarters.The statement read in part: We view with concern the threat by Oshiomhole to report political parties other than the APC, which are adopting and campaigning for President Buhari ahead of the 2019 elections.The national chairman of the APC, Oshiomhole had been reported lately as condemning the adoption of President Buhari by political parties of former members of the party which then adopted President Buhari and campaigned for him alongside the campaign for their new parties candidates. He threatened to report them to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for fraud.We had expected that the national chairman would be happy that other political parties are adopting Buhari and campaigning for his re-election. It is illogical that a party chairman would be unhappy that other parties are campaigning for his presidential candidate.With his present stand, Oshiomhole is demonstrating that fighting his personal war against some perceived adversaries is more important to him than the successful election of President Buhari for a second term.We see a contrast in the stand of Oshiomhole and the posture of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which is encouraging members of other political parties through the platform of Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, to adopt and campaign for its presidential candidate.The group called on the National Executive Committee of the APC to convene and call Oshiomhole to order before the prosecution of his personal fights undermine the chances of the party in the 2019 elections.The national chairman has been allowed to run the party in his own fashion for too long without caution and this is already affecting the perception of the party by well-meaning members of the public. We call on the National Executive Committee of the party to convene and call Oshimhole to order before he does irreparable damage to the electoral fortunes of the party in 2019.The most important contest for the APC in 2019 and at all times is the presidential election. Our party cannot in the quest of the chairman to fight personal battles undermine its chances in the presidential election. We cannot afford to behave like the proverbial man who carried an elephant on his head and used his leg to hunt for ants. A stitch in time save nine, the statement said. The youth arm of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Progressives Youth Movement has said the National Chairman of the party, Adams Os... The youth arm of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Progressives Youth Movement has said the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole was more interested in fighting personal battle than work for the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari. The youths claimed that Oshiomhole was insincere about Buharis re-election. In a statement issued by its Chairman, Usa Abdullahi, and Secretary, Udo Akpandem yesterday, the youth stated that some of Oshiomholes actions undermined the electoral chances of Buhari. The statement reads: We view with concern the threat by Comrade Oshiomhole to report political parties, other than the APC, who are adopting and campaigning for President Buhari ahead of the 2019 elections. We had expected the National Chairman to be happy that other political parties are adopting President Buhari and campaigning for his re-election. It is illogical that a party chairman would be unhappy that other parties are campaigning for his presidential candidate. With his present stance, Comrade Oshiomhole is demonstrating that fighting his personal war against some perceived adversaries is more important to him than the successful election of Buhari for a second term. We see a contrast in the stance of Comrade Oshiomhole and the posture of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is encouraging members of other political parties through the platform of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to adopt and campaign for its presidential candidate. The group further called on the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the APC to caution the former Edo State Governor to order before the prosecution of his personal fights undermines the chances of the party in the 2019 elections. The national chairman has been allowed to run the party in his own fashion for too long without caution, and this is already affecting the perception of the party by well-meaning members of the public. Related Three dead in suicide attack on Libyan foreign ministry Egypt condemned in "the strongest terms" on Tuesday a terror attack on the Libyan foreign ministry in Tripoli, which killed at least three ministry employees and injured others. In an official statement, Egypt's foreign ministry reiterated the importance of mobilising international support for UN efforts to achieve peace and security in Libya, especially in executing security arrangements in the Libyan capital, and that Libyan institutions should be solely responsible for handling the security situation in the country. The statement also stressed Egypt's support for Libya in facing challenges, including fighting terrorist organisations. Earlier on Tuesday, three terrorists attacked Libyas foreign ministry in Tripoli using a car bomb. Two of the attackers blew themselves up and the third was killed by ministry guards. No group has claimed responsibility of the attack; however, the Islamic State group has been active in the country and has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in the past. Search Keywords: Short link: Senate President Bukola Saraki says it sems like the country has gone back to the period of military rule. Saraki said this while ... Senate President Bukola Saraki says it sems like the country has gone back to the period of military rule. Saraki said this while calling for the release of Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians. On December 13, the police arrested Adeyanju for a murder case that he and some of his associates were discharged and acquitted for 2009. He initially stood trial for the case in Kano in 2000. Before the arrest, he was arraigned for alleged cyberstalking, inciting disturbance, criminal defamation and promoting terrorism on social media. But in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, special adviser on media to the senate president, Saraki urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the fundamental human rights of Adeyanju are not continuously abused. The senate president said the case is more political than judicial. The way the matter has been handled and the last decision of the magistrate court to remand the young man in prison till after the conclusion of the 2019 polls has presented our democracy in bad light, he said. We are now looking like a country that has receded to the period of military rule. The president needs to intervene to find out whether the current travail of Deji Adeyanju has anything to do with his frequently expressed viewpoints against the federal government and why his arrest after leading a protest has now ignited all the various charges being filed against him and if it was true that the charges for which he has been remanded in prison till February had actually being adjudicated upon by the high court. It should be noted that prior to the coming to office of this government, those of us in opposition, the APC, freely criticized the Goodluck Jonathan government and flayed their actions and statements without any attempt by the administration to stifle opposing views. This administration which benefitted from such open market place of ideas, which is a key tenet of a democratic regime, cannot offer anything less to our people. At this point, President Buhari should not allow the excesses and over-zealousness of some security agents to give his government a bad name and that is why I think he should interfere and let the world know the truth about this case. The UKs foreign and commonwealth office has cautioned its citizens against travelling to several states in Nigeria due to the risk of... The UKs foreign and commonwealth office has cautioned its citizens against travelling to several states in Nigeria due to the risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings. In its latest travel advisory, the FCO warned against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The FCO also warned of potentially-violent protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) ahead of the February 2019 elections. It advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, and within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria. Most attacks occur in the north east, particularly in Borno (including central Maiduguri and along access routes connecting the city to other major towns), Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe States, the travel advisory read. There have also been significant attacks in Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi States and in the Federal capital, Abuja. You should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests as well as places visited by tourists. Besides Abuja, other major towns and cities remain particularly at risk, including Kano and Kaduna. Theres a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnaps can be motivated by criminality or terrorism, and could be carried out for financial or political gain. See Terrorism and Criminal Kidnaps The security environment in the north east has deteriorated in 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap. Kidnaps in the north east have included humanitarian and private sector workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners. As well as in north-east Nigeria, this is believed to include some northern and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa. If youre working or travelling in areas where there is a Boko Haram or ISWA presence, especially in the north-east of Nigeria, you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping. There is also a high threat of criminal kidnap in the Niger Delta region and Kogi state. Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, has said Urhobo nation has benefitted much more under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, then the past PDP-led federal government.Emerhor, who made this statement while welcoming the Vice President Osibanjo at the Osubi Airport, Okpe local government area of Delta State, said Urhobo nation has not benefited so much in the previous government like they have had it in President Buharis government.According to him, I am very happy that the Vice President is here in Urhobo land. Today, Deltans are feeling the impact of President Buhari more than they felt in the PDP government.This administration has done much more than any governments even the present State government. Look at the railway project, NDDC roads and the Maritime University, it have not been this good.And this is why we must return Buhari back to power. The truth is that Buhari administration has done well and the only way we can reciprocate the kind gesture is to reelect him.The Urhobo nation has always been in the mainstream of the Nigerian politics, and 2019 will not be different. So, I will enjoin Urhobos and Deltans to vote APC at all levels, because we cannot go back to our vomit. The National Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, has given reasons the party adopted President Muhammadu ... The National Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, has given reasons the party adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate in the 2019 election. Governor Ibikunle Amosun led the APM party officials to the Presidential Villa on Monday where they presented a letter of adoption to President Buhari. Speaking with State House correspondents, the APM boss explained that the adoption was just a formality. He said, Personally, I believe in him and the reason being that I love my country and I dont have any other country apart from Nigeria. And Buhari is the only man with the sincerity of intent to take Nigeria to the next level. This is not the Nigeria I was born into but I see that Nigeria coming back only through Buhari. Dantalle further stated as a coalition of like minds, the partys National Executive Council, NEC, took the decision to adopt Buhari because he is the only one that can restore Nigeria back to its glory of where it needs to be. Buhari is giving us back the Nigeria of our dream, he stated. On why the party did not adopt Buhari in 2015, Dantalle recalled that APM supported him up till the election. It was when the door was closed to us that we have to find a way but does not foreclose my support for His Excellency, he said. Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker on Tuesday had talks with Sudanese Minister of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity Khedr Mohamed on means of boosting joint cooperation in the electricity domain. Shaker lauded bilateral relations at economic and political levels. The meeting took up means of achieving economic development in both countries and securing energy needs, he added. Shaker said that Egypt is willing to support the electricity sector in Sudan. Egypt has already trained 5,219 Sudanese cadres, he added. The Sudanese minister also hailed cooperation between both countries. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ordered on Tuesday finalising digital and information infrastructure at the New Administrative Capital on time, a statement by the Egyptian presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady read. During a meeting with Communications and Information Technology Minister Amr Talaat, El-Sisi stressed that digital infrastructure will be Egypt's gate to the era of smart cities that rely on digital applications and the use of the latest information and communication technology (ICT) in running facilities and services. Also, the meeting tackled a proposed plan to digitalise the government services, Rady said. El-Sisi called for stepping up efforts to automate the government work, through developing management systems of government institutions, especially with regard to human and financial resources and logistics, the spokesman added. The state pays great attention to the ICT sector, as it plays a key role in achieving comprehensive sustainable development, the spokesman quoted Sisi as saying. At the end of the meeting, President Sisi directed providing advanced training for cadres and leaders to be qualified for getting access to the digital environment. Search Keywords: Short link: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the most prominent son of the former Libyan leader, should play a role in his country's political life, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was cited as saying on Monday by the RIA news agency. RIA said that one of Saif's representatives had delivered a letter from him to Moscow earlier this month in which he had set out ideas for the political future of Libya and that Saif was in regular contact with Russia. Western powers and the United Nations are pushing for the North African country to hold elections next year after a national conference to try to end seven years of conflict in the oil producer. Saif's father was toppled and killed in a 2011 revolt. Saif, who was detained afterwards before later being freed, was seen by some as a potential reformist successor to his father in the years before 2011 and remains a key figure for Gaddafi loyalists. "We support everyone. We believe that nobody should be isolated or excluded from a constructive political role," RIA cited Bogdanov as saying. "That's why we are maintaining contacts with all groups who are based in the west, east and south of the country ... Saif al-Islam has the backing of specific tribes in specific areas of Libya and all this should be part of the overall political process with the participation of other political forces." Russia is also in close contact with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar who dominates eastern Libya and has visited Moscow and held talks with top officials. Search Keywords: Short link: A British-Iranian scientist detained in Tehran in April for his alleged role in an "infiltration network" has returned to London, the Foreign Office said Tuesday. "We can confirm that a British-Iranian dual national who was detained in Tehran has returned to the UK," the Foreign Office said in a statement, when asked about Abbas Edalat. Edalat, a professor of computer science and mathematics at Imperial College London, was arrested by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which raided his home and confiscated his computer, according to the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran. The Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) charity that Edalat founded said he returned to Britain last week. Edalat's arrest and jailing was "a case of misinformation and misunderstanding by the Iranian security apparatus," CASMII said on its website. The Foreign Office did not disclose details of the academic's release. British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in Tehran in April 2016 and is serving a five-year jail sentence for sedition -- a charge she has denied. "We continue to take action on all our consular cases in Iran in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases," the Foreign Office said. Search Keywords: Short link: At least two people were killed and 11 wounded on Tuesday by a car bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar, a former Islamic State stronghold, the military said. Tal Afar, about 80 km (50 miles) west of Mosul, experienced cycles of sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi'ites after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and produced some of Islamic State's most senior commanders. The city, which had about 200,000 residents, came under the militants' control when Islamic State overran swathes of Iraq's north in 2014. It fell to Iraqi Security Forces, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, in August 2017, the last area to be retaken in the north before fighting moved to the Syrian border. A heavy security presence has remained since then and the city has been mostly quiet. 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. Its increasingly becoming apparent that embattled gold collectible firms, Menzgold Ghana Limited, may not survive the current crisis, as a Circuit Court in Kumasi has ordered the sale of its properties. The court ruled that all properties in Menzgolds Office at Amakom and Patase in Kumasi be auctioned publicly. The ruling comes at a time when reports have started emerging that the Managing Director of Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah, aka NAM 1 has allegedly fled the country. Its unclear where Nana Appiah Mensah has travelled to, and clients of the company, who cannot retrieve their funds, have been pleading passionately with government to address their concerns. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) consistently warned depositors to be careful with their dealings with Menzgold. Some have been demonstrating across the country to drum home their concerns. One of the affected customers (name withheld) claimed her mother was dying gradually due to her inability to retrieve monies with Menzgold. Cops Sue Already, about 100 retired and active police officers at the Kasoa Divisional Police Command in the Central Region have filed a writ at the Accra High Court against Menzgold in a bid to retrieve their investments. Menzgolds woes started on September 7, 2018, when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) directed it to suspend its gold trading operations with the public. The directive, according to SEC, was based on the fact that Menzgold had been dealing in the purchase and deposit of gold collectibles from the public and issuing contracts with guaranteed returns with clients without a valid licence from the commission. The move, SEC explained, was in contravention of Section 109 of Act 929 with consequences under section 2016 (I) of the same Act. The company was, however, allowed to continue its other businesses of assaying, purchasing gold from small-scale miners and export of gold. Extravagant Lifestyle Despite its inability to meet the needs of customers, management members of the company have been accused of leading ostentatious lifestyle. Secret Sales Some angry staff of the firm have alleged that management members are secretly selling off assets of the company and keeping the proceeds for themselves with the intention of relocating outside the country to enjoy their booty. The staff, in a statement, disclosed that we also wish to inform clients that management has started selling off assets for personal gain and to also settle their close friends. We confirm the travel plans of management members outside the country. Some tried and have been deported. Earlier Menzgold ordered its staff to go on forced leave to protect them from angry customers. But it has turned out that the move was simply to pave way for management members to sell the companys assets secretly. According to the staff, Its unfortunate to say that apart from certain external forces which caused this crisis, internal misappropriation is a key factor. Meanwhile, Menzgold has petitioned Parliament over its inability to pay clients. Menzgold wants the MPs to serve as arbiters in their impasse with the SEC. In the petition sent to the Finance Committee of Parliament, Menzgold asked for a comprehensive payment plan to pay completely all customers who wish to discontinue their trading of gold collectibles. Secondly, we call for the halting of the online migration until the matter is fully resolved pending directives from the regulators. President Petitioned In a related development, a client of Menzgold, Roger Knauf, has petitioned the Presidency and five other key state institutions in a bid to retrieve his monies from the beleaguered gold dealership firm. Mr. Knauf also sent the petition to the Attorney General, CID Headquarters, Interpol (Ghana), Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Financial Intelligence Centre, Bank of Ghana, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Registrar Generals Department. Amanda Clinton of Clinton, Amoo Lamptey, Barnsbury Chambers, lawyer of the petitioner, is asking the institutions to take steps to get CEO of Menzgold, Nana Appiah Mensah, to return to Ghana. The lawyer claimed Nana Appiah Mensah has relocated to South Africa. We have it on good authority that Mr. Nana Appiah Mensah has flown on his private jet with his family to South Africa, as this incident with his companies Menzgold Ghana Ltd/ Brew Marketing Consult Ltd worsens. We have also heard rumours that he may have returned briefly in order to liquidate assets, the statement read. The client, through his lawyers, asked the Attorney General to work in conjunction with all other state institutions to bring Nana Appiah Mensah to book. We humbly request that the Attorney Generals Department works with all government departments including the Presidents Office; CID Headquarters, Interpol (Ghana), EOCO, Financial Intelligence Centre, Bank of Ghana, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Registrar Generals Department, as well as our office so a coordinated attempt can be made to preserve Menzgold Ghana Ltd/Brew Marketing Consult Ltds assets, claw back money taken from Ghana, trace monies removed from the accounts in cash and coordinate with Interpol globally to claw back any remaining investors monies even whilst the criminal investigation is being conducted since this is standard protocol globally and in high-profile public interest cases in Ghana. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II has said he is not interested in ruling Ghana as Asantehene, but rather, he is interested in sowing seeds of peace and unity between various ethnic and tribal groups in Ghana, as one disturbance in any part of the country on tribal lines, spills over to affect others living else where, MyNewsGh.com has filed. According to him, God has made him and his throne great, and wouldnt need to rule Ghana to prove a point. Otumfuo was speaking at the last Akwasidae festival for the year over the weekend when he hosted Tobgui Sri III, the Awoemefia of the Anlo Traditional Area in the Volta Region as his special guest of honour. Although Im the Asantehene, Im affected when there are disturbances in the Volta Region or in Dagomba land. God has already made the Asantehene great, so, Im not interested in ruling Ghana, I rather want peace and unity, that is why I invited Togbui Sri III to join me celebrate Akwasidae, Otumfuo said. One of my cardinal principles as Asantehene is to ensure that all tribal groupings in the country stay united with a common destiny and its never my intention to rule Ghana. On Ashanti-Ewe relationship, he said:Ewes and Asantes are one people and we never fought. As Asantehene, I want unity and my priority is to unite all Ghanaians. he said. We were brothers until politicians came in, the Asantes and Anlos never fought even during the olden days when tribal groupings fought each other over territories. he added. The chieftaincy institution predated partisan politics, which has introduced lies in chieftaincy and sowing seeds of discord between ethnic groups. Ewes and Asantes have lived in harmony for centuries but politics is trying to divide us. When Togbui Sri III decided to honour my invitation, there were reports that President Akufo-Addo had influenced my meeting with him but Ive not spoken to Akufo-Addo. In Asanteman, we inter-marry, so, lets remain united and live in harmony. The politicians should take their politics and allow us to unite for a better Ghana because before politics all ethnic groups lived in unity. The Asantehene warned the faceless politicians that are trying to sow seeds of discord between Asantes and Anlo people to put their partisan politics aside and allow them to continue to live in peace and harmony. Source: Ghana Web 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 Its turning out that Ghana, under the Mahama administration, spent about $6 million on rent on its foreign missions. It was for this reason that the current government has decided to make outright purchase of a building in Oslo for its newly-established mission in Norway. The $6 million rent, according to observers, is unsustainable, and its better for the country to go for outright purchase. Currently in Norway, Ghana could be spending not less than $45,000 every month on rent if the option of outright acquisition of the property is to be jettisoned. Editor-in-Chief of New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr., defended the current governments decision to make an outright purchase of the building in Oslo, Norway. He said on Newsfile, a Joy FM news analysis programme on Saturday that the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, cannot be faulted for the price of the facility. I think the price for the facility is in order because it will become our property, he said. The Oslo property debate was started by NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Parliament when he tried to accuse the Foreign Minister of inflating the price for the building which reports say is valued at $12 million. President Akufo-Addo described the allegation as bogus during his encounter with journalists last week. According to Kweku Baako Jnr, Norway has proper systems for determining the cost of property unlike Ghana where arbitrary prices are set without any checks. The $12 million for the building and another $3 million for the residence of the ambassador were not set by the seller but independent valuers, he said. It is not a question of somebody asking another person to inflate the figures so that we can have a cut you cant do it without being caught. Explaining further, he said his checks in Parliament showed that Oslo, Norway was not included in the documents submitted to the plenary for deliberation and approval before the committee in parliament. Okudzeto Ablakwa had called the chairmans attention to some other information he had relating to the Oslo thing. The Chairman and Ablakwa came to an agreement that they were going to the floor of the house with the instant document, excluding the Oslo bit for deliberation and approval. He, however, said that Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa brought in the Oslo, Norway issue in his contribution on the floor of the house. The minister, whilst talking, mentioned Norway relative to established mission not purchase of property or properties. As we speak, we established a Mission on November 21st. The minister has given the address. We have not bought a property though we have established a residence mission. The senior journalist argued further that the intention to purchase two properties is distinct from what the minister said in the Hansard. Okudzeto Ablakwa, in expressing his reservations, proceeded to bring in what he and his chairman had agreed to hold on to for the minister to respond to the query. It was like a preemptive strike. He said the Majority Leader was brilliant in handling the issues and said the leadership of the house had told Okudzeto Ablakwa to channel his grievance through the appropriate committee. But he rather increased the noise level and partisanship was brought into the whole thing. If you dont approve you cannot spend. I am talking parliamentary business. A former Deputy Finance of Minister under NDC, Mona Quartey, who was on the panel, could not fathom why the government should use part of a loan facility secured by then NDC government from Societe Generale for the countrys missions abroad to finance the deal. We cant afford the property. We are borrowing to finance this property, she insisted. Government of Ghana, in 2016, contracted a $50 million loan facility from Societe Generale Ghana to finance the rehabilitation of Ghanas missions abroad; part of the money is what is being used to purchase the mission in Norway instead of rent which will cost the country about $45,000 every month. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo failed to submit his nomination form to contest the parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso West Wuogon because he is not a registered voter in the constituency. Mr Dumelo had picked the nomination forms but he failed to file and has not given any public explanation as to why he pulled out. However, information available to the Daily Graphic indicates that Mr Dumelos decision to pull out from the contest had come at the heels of a revelation by a Deputy National Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mame Yaa Aboagye, that Mr Dumelo cannot contest the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat in the Greater Accra Region because he is not a registered voter in the constituency. Mr Bismark Aborbi Ayitey, the NDC Chairman of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency explained that out of the total eight people who picked the nomination forms, only three returned the forms. Mr Ekow Acquah and Mr Delali B. Kwasi submitted their nomination forms at the constituency office in Accra last Saturday, and per the requirements paid GH10,000 each while Ms Dela Selasie, the only female in the race, paid GH5,000 to enable them to maintain their participation in the exercise ahead of the by-election. Mr John Dumelo and Mr Ewoenam Y.A. Attidokpo, both of whom had picked nomination forms submitted letters of withdrawal to the party on Saturday, in which they cited some personal reasons for their decision to pull out of the race. The NPPs Mame Yaa Aboagye who is also lacing her boots to contest primary to vie for the seat posited that although Mr Dumelo would be no match for the NPP in that constituency, they believed the right thing ought to be done. She told journalists that there was also no record that the actor, who is a known supporter of the NDC and had also campaigned massively for the party in 2016, had transferred his vote to the constituency. We have the register for the constituency and I know he is not a member of this constituency. When did he transfer his vote or registered here, the right thing must be done. His constituency is Hohoe, thats where he votes she said. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Flaminio and Roberta Ferrari are the owners of Gusto Ferrari, located inside the Penticton Racquet and Fitness Club on Okanagan Avenue East in Penticton. The restaurant features authentic Italian cuisine, with the focus on the more than one dozen pizzas they produce from their pizza oven imported from Flaminios second business, called Forni Ferrari in Italy. All of the ingredients used on their pizzas are imported directly from Italy. At least three people were killed when suicide bombers attacked Libya's foreign ministry in Tripoli on Tuesday, the health ministry said. The assailants were suspected to be Islamic State militants, a security source said. The three attackers began their assault with a car bomb, damaging vehicles and buildings, and then opened fire on the ministry. Two managed to get inside and blow themselves up. The other was killed by ministry guards, the source said. Heavy smoke rose from the building which was surrounded by security forces as people were rushed to hospital. The health ministry said at least eleven people were wounded. The ministry denounced the attack on its employees, saying: "the Libyan people are waging a war on terrorism on behalf of the world." Suicide bombers have targeted a number of Libya's vital institutions as militant groups take advantage of the chaotic political situation. A source from Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, one of the strongest armed groups in the capital, told Reuters their spokesman, Abdulrahman Mazoughi, died in the attack. Search Keywords: Short link: The Center City District expects the success of retailers near Rittenhouse Square to continue expanding to the greater downtown, while East Market Street is poised to realize its potential and become a hot new retail area, the groups annual report concludes. The group cited multiple positive signs: Greater Center City has become the fastest growing residential section of Philadelphia, attracting 26 percent of all those moving into the city in the last five years, the report said. The city has added 77 national retailers since 2000. More than two million square feet of retail are under construction. Hotel occupancy is up, and Center City is in the midst of reviving its historic department store district. The critical mass of large-scale, mixed-use development along Market East will create a continuous shopping and dining experience from Independence Mall to the major convention center hotels adjacent to City Hall, the report says. Steven H. Gartner, executive vice president of global retail services at CBRE Inc., says he doesnt see a retail overdevelopment in Center City, because the current retail matches the qualities that todays residential population are looking for. Its immediate, its convenient, and a lot of the retailers that are doing new deals in Center City are exactly meeting the needs of a residential population and thats a good thing, Gartner said. For many years, Broad Street was a wall and every year that goes by it is not a barrier for shoppers and diners to look at Center City as a whole. I think 2018 was the year that the wall came down. Lauren Gilchrist, senior vice president of research for JLLPhiladelphia, said Center Citys prime retail corridors low vacancy rate is a sign that downtown has a healthy retail market. Gilchrist said Center City has been under retailed for a long period of time." But the current retail selection in Center City, along with recent developments, show the city overall has been tremendously successful during this market cycle in capturing growth of young, urban-oriented professionals, Gilchrist said. According to the report, foot traffic along the citys prime retail corridor around Rittenhouse Square remains strong, but rising rents on West Walnut Street have also led retailers to pop up on the numbered streets between there and Chestnut, the report said. While searching for lower rents, retailers also can look at the burgeoning Center City East retail district, the report said. Over the next few years, this area will benefit from $910 million in investment and the addition of 1.2 million square feet of retail. The group expects the Fashion District -- from Eighth to 11th Streets along Market Street -- will add 838,000 square feet of retail and launch in fall 2019. It will add about 125 stores, including Ulta, Forever 21, and City Winery, resulting in a mixed-use space with retail, sidewalks, and cafes. Among recent projects are the Collins at 11th and Chestnut Streets, which offers 112 rental units and 95,000 square feet of retail including a Target; East Market between 11th and 12th Streets on Market Street, which includes 128,604 square feet of retail including a Moms Organic Market and Iron Hill Brewery; the Curtis at 610 Walnut St., which features 63 luxury apartments and 50,000 square feet of retail; and the Independence Collection of three office buildings and a parking garage, which will add 45,000 square feet of retail including the Bourse on 111 South Independence Mall East. While the retail market continues to evolve to provide shoppers an experience they cant get online, the Center City District reports burgeoning growth on other fronts. Since 2000, the population in Center City -- defined as between Tasker Street and Girard Avenue and the Delaware River to the Schuylkill -- has risen 21 percent to 190,000. Millennial residents represent 46 percent of the core Center City population, while wealthy empty-nesters are also moving in. Residents living in greater Center City contribute more than $365 million in retail demand. Retail has been struggling nationally due to the rise of online sales. As a result, vacancies in this years second quarter were 10.2 percent nationally and 8.4 percent regionally, the report states, while the vacancy in Center Citys prime retail corridors was 5.4 percent. In the last five years, Center City has seen a 22 percent growth in both boutique fitness and quick-service restaurants, along with a 10 percent rise in click-to-brick tenants, such as Warby Parker, which started as an online store before opening physical locations, according to the report. The Center City District identified a need for more retail focused on children, as 18 percent of households in the extended downtown neighborhoods now include school-age children. Currently, theres a scarcity of this type of retail in Center City, the report said. Theres also been a 61 percent increase in overnight leisure tourism since 2008, boosting hotel occupancy rates to 78 percent in 2017. This boost has led to 10 downtown hotel projects that will bring more than 130,000 rooms to the area by 2021. With tourists increasingly viewing Philadelphia as a travel destination of choice, we expect that retail demand generated by visitors will continue to grow in the years to come, the report states. In October 2015, Christopher Rhoads broke into Lansdales Trinity Lutheran Church in the middle of the night. Drunk and deeply depressed, he smashed vases, spread donated jars of tomato sauce around the sanctuary, and ripped and burned hymnals. On a recent morning, Rhoads returned. As light shined in through tall windows, he stood still and quiet in front of the white pews. Even in the days after the vandalism, Rhoads said, he knew he wanted to repay the church. What he didnt know was how much the church community wanted to help him, too. For three years, Rhoads and Trinity Lutherans leaders quietly built a bond, first through a conversation at a court hearing and later in meetings at the church. Then, earlier this month, writer and congregant Mark Staples thought it might be time to share this story of friendship and forgiveness. As the holidays approached and Rhoads completed his court sentence, Staples wrote a short story that included Rhoads' first public comments about his three-year journey, and it was published on a church website. Sometimes you get to tell stories that change you, Staples said, pausing as tears welled in his eyes and his voice caught. He looked at Rhoads, seated next to him in a church parlor. Hes an inspiration. Rhoads smiled. I dont think Im much of an inspiration, he said. Rhoads, 35, said he is a "way more balanced, more hopeful person now than he was three years ago. Back then, the Lansdale native was working as a roofer and battling major depression. Each morning, he struggled to get out of bed. The mental pain felt like a heavy weight he couldnt lift, he said. He drank to numb himself. He doesnt remember much about that October night three years ago, he said, but he recalls drinking at the Lansdale Tavern just down the street from the church. In the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest, authorities filled in the pieces Rhoads doesnt remember. Just before 1 a.m., an intoxicated Rhoads was kicked out of the bar. So he walked down Main Street to Acme, where surveillance cameras captured him stealing a box of fire logs from outside the grocery store. When Rhoads arrived at the church, he threw one of those logs through the window pane of a side door that led into a preschool classroom. He walked into the room, down a hallway and into the sanctuary, a peaceful, white-walled worship space with pews and an altar. In the rampage that followed, he caused almost $10,000 worth of damage. Rhoads then fled to his nearby home, he said, and woke up with no memory of how the night had ended. He said the vandalism wasnt religiously motivated he imagines that if another building had been on the same property, he would have let out his anger there, too. In the morning, facilities manager Dennis Smith said a co-worker told him the church had been vandalized overnight, and he called the police. In his 21 years at Trinity Lutheran, Smith had seen the church vandalized before, but this episode was the most destructive. His immediate concern: A funeral was scheduled to begin an hour later, and he had to prepare the space for the service. Authorities soon zeroed in on Rhoads, who was arrested on felony burglary and vandalism charges. He eventually pleaded guilty, then withdrew the plea in order to be considered for a new mental-health treatment program that can lead to lesser charges. Rhoads was sent first to a mental-health treatment facility and then to jail. In the days after the vandalism, some in the church were unsettled. By the next Sunday, the episode had been reported by local media and it was the talk of the congregation. Pastor Paul Lutz said he decided to address it in his childrens sermon, a time in the service when he preaches to children, with their parents listening from the pews. Lutz talked about the importance of forgiveness, he said, as he handed out cards that read God loves you, and so do we. About 25 children decorated the cards with colorful crayon drawings and personal messages, Lutz said. Weeks later, as Rhoads' preliminary hearing neared, the pastor approached Smith with a question: Would Smith want to go to the hearing with him and give Rhoads the cards? In the courtroom, the judge allowed Lutz and Smith to meet Rhoads and hand him their gift. You seemed a little stunned at first, Lutz recalled with a laugh. Rhoads said he was surprised that these men, whose sacred place he had damaged, were concerned about his well-being. I was just apologetic and relieved that they were willing to work with me," Rhoads said. I just wanted to right my wrong. Rhoads gave the childrens cards to a relative at the hearing for safekeeping. When he got a chance to look at them after being released on bail, he said, he was touched. One childs drawing in particular has stuck with Rhoads: an image of a little boy drinking juice boxes with Rhoads. In lieu of jail time, Montgomery County court offered Rhoads the chance to take part in Behavioral Health Court, a rigorous program focused on mental-health treatment. Had church leaders opposed this, Rhoads could have been sentenced to several years in jail, he said. But Lutz and his congregation did not want to see Rhoads incarcerated. Once I met him and talked to him, I realized it wasnt him, Smith said, motioning to Rhoads, a dark-haired man in a flannel shirt and jeans. This guy didnt do this. ... I said, Itd be a shame for him to end up in jail." So Rhoads was entered into the innovative program. When he graduated from it earlier this month, his charges were dismissed. He also started meeting with Lutz and Smith. Sometimes Lutz and Smith said they just wanted to check in and see how Rhoads was doing. In April, Rhoads started visiting the church regularly to pay it back for the damage he caused. Within a few months, using money he made working on a highway road crew, he paid the church $10,000. Today, Rhoads lives 10 minutes away from the church in Hatfield. He attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and takes antidepressants. He works two jobs as a dishwasher and maintenance man in a restaurant and, seasonally, for the road crew. For the first time in his life, he said, he feels authentically happy. He looks forward to visiting his grandparents in Pompano Beach, Fla., this winter and continuing his relationship with Trinity Lutheran. Earlier in life, Rhoads said, he thought of religion as fire and brimstone," and didnt think religious people always lived by the virtues they preached. Its opened my eyes to realize some people are like that, Rhoads said. Rhoads still doesnt consider himself a religious person. He doesnt attend services at the church, at least not yet, he said, but he has become more spiritual. Through Behavioral Health Court, he learned coping mechanisms to deal with his depression. When he is feeling well, he said, he makes plans for what to do the next time he becomes depressed. Its still a struggle every day to take care of his mental health, he said, but hes learned to make peace with the up-and-down journey. I accept the things Ive done, Rhoads said. Lutz and Smith have learned from the experience, too. Smith summed the lesson up in three words: Love thy neighbor. Lutz said he has learned the power of supporting someone as they struggle. At the end of December, Lutz plans to leave Trinity Lutheran Lansdale after seven years as pastor. He doesnt know what his next step is yet, but he said he will carry Rhoads' story with him. In a recent meeting, he asked his staff to go around the table and share their most memorable experience of the past seven years. Lutzs, of course, was Rhoads' transformation. During the pastors final Christmas sermon at Trinity Lutheran, he said, he will talk about unexpected angels. He will share the story of Rhoads and the church and the forgiveness cards, particularly the one from the little boy named Angel. It was a surprising aspect for Angel that his card meant so much, Lutz said, and it was a surprising aspect for Chris to find out that people cared about him and were willing to walk with him during that. I think thats a Christmas story." A SEPTA bus drives by at Sixth street and Allegheny Avenue in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, December 25, 2018. A SEPTA bus carrying 10 passengers was hit by at least three bullets early Tuesday morning in North Philadelphia, but no injuries were reported. JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer Read more A SEPTA bus carrying 10 passengers was hit by at least three bullets early Tuesday morning in North Philadelphia, but no injuries were reported. The bus was stopped at a traffic light about 1 a.m. at Sixth Street and Allegheny Avenue when it was hit, some bullets going through windows of the double-long bus, Fox29 WTXF-TV reported Tuesday morning. The 35-year-old driver steered the bus away from the gunfire to Broad Street and Allegheny Avenue, where she allowed the passengers to disembark, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told the station. The Route 60 bus had been westbound on Allegheny when the incident happened, and the driver found three bullet holes in the windows after proceeding to a depot at 27th and Allegheny, police said Tuesday. In this June 16, 2014, file photo, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos walks onstage for the launch of the new Amazon Fire Phone, in Seattle. On Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, Amazon became the second publicly traded company to be worth $1 trillion, hot on the heels of Apple. Read more The old man with the red suit and white beard trudged dejectedly into the psychiatrists office. The psychiatrist motioned him to lie down on the couch. What did you say your name was? "Claus. Santa Claus. " The psychiatrist did a double take. It was indeed Jolly Old St. Nick himself lying before him. Well, Santa, can I call you Santa? This is quite a privilege. What can I do for you? Doc. I need help. Im quite depressed. Do you want to tell me more? As he began his sad tale, Santa sobbed, struggling to get his words out. Its ... its ... Amazon. The word caught in his throat. I hate it, and I hate Jeff Bezos. The psychiatrist was puzzled. Santa, please go on. It started a couple of years back, but it got really bad this year. First, I noticed fewer letters coming in asking for things. Then, the wishes from kids began falling off. Suddenly, I found myself cutting back on inventory, you know, fewer things to deliver at Christmas. The psychiatrist nodded. He was beginning to see the problem. This year, first time ever, I started laying off elves. Let me tell you something, Doc. Elves dont like getting laid off. You know what they do when you give them a pink slip? No, what? They kick you in the shins, good and hard. Santa pulled up his trouser legs to reveal hideous bruises all over. He continued. Anyway, I hauled out on my sleigh for deliveries on Christmas Eve. It was much lighter last year because I have fewer presents. And fewer houses to visit. That means fewer reindeer, but I still have to care for them all. Anyway, I had some spare time to investigate. I started going down chimneys and looking at where the stockings were hung with care. You know what I found all over just about every living room? No, what? Amazon boxes. Everywhere I looked, Amazon boxes! Santa was now sobbing uncontrollably. It was all I could do to keep from tripping over those Amazon boxes to get to the milk and cookies. The psychiatrist gave an understanding look and offered him a Kleenex. And you know what, Doc? Theyre not even leaving me milk and cookies, anymore. I lost 10 pounds last Christmas. Ive had to tighten my belt three notches to keep my pants from falling down. Santa continued, It gets worse. Coming home, Rudolph and the other reindeer got buzzed. You mean they had too much eggnog? No, they actually got buzzed. By a drone. Drones! You know what drones could do? They could put me completely out of business. Santa and his sleigh would go the way of the covered wagon. Santa took the tissue and spoke softly. "Doc, Ive already started taking department store temp work. Macys. Those kids dont realize theyre talking to the real Santa. They think Im too thin to be the real Santa. And Mrs. Santa is not happy either. Now every spring when Im starting to gear up production, she is on my case. Why? Its a funny thing. The snow is melting at the North Pole. I dont know why. It used to be Shovel the snow, shovel the snow. Now its Mow the lawn, mow the lawn. Can you imagine? Mowing the lawn at the North Pole? This year I went into the warehouse. I had hundreds of snow shovels I have plenty left over if you need one, Doc. But I gave my last lawnmower to a groundskeeper in Chicago. What am I going to do? The psychiatrist said, I know where you can get a lawnmower, cheap. Really, where? They have them on Amaz ... no, forget it. The doctor looked at his watch; Santas 45 minutes were up, a good time to end the session. He scanned his schedule book for Santas return visit. Santa, when would you like to come back? Well, I have to be at this medical building next week to see the foot and ankle specialist. Why? Im laying off another hundred elves. As Santa got up to leave, the psychiatrist, honored to be Santas doctor, said, No charge, Santa. But could I ask you for something? Sure, after all thats my business. What would you like? Your autograph for my daughter. More than willing to oblige, Santa took a Christmas card from his pocket. Now, whom should I make this out to? The psychiatrist said, My daughters name is Virginia. Ive always wanted to say to her, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Santa smiled, signed the card and handed it to him. Doc, its nice to know some people still care. Is there anything I can bring Virginia for Christmas this year? The psychiatrist, forgetting himself again for a moment said, Oh no, but thank you anyway, Santa. She already has Amazon Prime. Free, super-fast delivery. The doctor tried to take the words back, but it was too late. Santa tore the card out of his hand, shot him a dirty look, stormed out, slammed the door behind him and said: And no! If I have any say in it, theres not going to be any Amazon headquarters at the North Pole! Cory Franklin is a Wilmette, Ill., physician and author of the book The Doctor Will See You Now. He wrote this for the Chicago Tribune. The U.S.-led coalition in Syria conducted air strikes last week that destroyed facilities used by Islamic State (IS) militants, the coalition said on Tuesday, less than a week after President Donald Trump declared victory over the militant group and said he would withdraw U.S. troops from the war-torn country. The coalition said its attacks during the week of Dec. 16-22, including air strikes and coordinated fires, had destroyed logistics facilities and staging areas used by IS, damaged the groups ability to finance its activities and removed several hundred ISIS fighters from the battlefield. ISIS presents a very real threat to the long-term stability in this region and our mission remains the same, the enduring defeat of ISIS, said UK Major General Christopher Ghika, the deputy commander of the coalition. ISIS is a commonly used acronym referring to IS militants. That statement presents a contrast to Trumps declaration last week that U.S. troops had succeeded in their mission to defeat IS and were no longer needed in the country. News of the withdrawal drew immediate criticism from some of Trumps fellow Republicans, who said that leaving would strengthen the hand of Russia and Iran, which both support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In response to Trump, Britains Foreign Office said last week that IS remained a threat even though it held no territory. The withdrawal may also leave exposed an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militants known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which has been among the most effective against IS militants, but is now seen under threat as Turkey weighs a new offensive in Syria. Search Keywords: Short link: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Hanukkah, The Festival Of Lights Happy early Hanukkah! This year Hanukkah started in November. We believe the last time it did was in 2013, on November 27 when it began... Letters to the Editor Land Of OpportunityStill To The Editor: I rarely take a car service in Queens. Mass transit is usually faster and its become much cheaper... At least three Sudanese protesters were wounded by gunshots on Tuesday when security forces dispersed rallies in the capital, witnesses said, after a week of demonstrations against President Omar al-Bashir's three-decade rule. A Reuters witness said security forces barred protesters at one location in Khartoum from marching on the presidential palace by firing teargas and shots in the air. Three witnesses told Reuters that three protesters were wounded by gunshots, one of them in the head. A police spokesman was not immediately available to comment. Officials have previously said the security forces exercised restraint and dealt with the protesters in a "civilised manner". Officials and witnesses have previously said at least 12 people have been killed in the unrest so far. Amnesty International said on Tuesday at least 37 people had died. Rising prices, shortages of basic commodities and a cash crisis have driven protesters to the streets across Sudan to demonstrate against Bashir, who took power in a military coup backed by Islamists in 1989. Protesters, who had gathered at several locations across Khartoum on Tuesday to march on the palace, have previously targeted offices of the ruling party, torching several of them. Bashir, one of the longest serving rulers in Africa and the Middle East, told a rally in central Jazeera state on Tuesday that people who had destroyed institutions and burned public property were "traitors" and "mercenaries". Three witnesses, one of them a doctor who has been offering medical support to the protesters, said three people were wounded by bullets. "Three guys were shot next to me. One in the neck, one in the chest, and one in the head," one of the witnesses said by telephone, asking not to identified. Since the demonstrations started spreading on Dec. 19, police have dispersed protesters with tear gas and sometimes used live ammunition, residents say. The authorities have shuttered schools and declared curfews and a state of emergency in several regions. Journalists at the daily Al-Sudani said one of their colleagues was beaten by security forces after protesters passed next to the independent newspaper's offices. Search Keywords: Short link: The death toll following the tsunami caused by the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia has risen to at least 429, the disaster mitigation agency reportedly said. On Saturday giant waves crashed into coastal towns on the islands of Sumatra and Java. It is thought that volcanic activity set off undersea landslides which in turn generated the killer waves. About 150 people are still missing, while more than 16,000 have been displaced, the agency reportedly said. Coastal residents near the volcano have been warned to keep away from beaches amid fears it could trigger a new tsunami. Anak Krakatau erupted again on Sunday, spewing ash and smoke. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 17 saudi-led coalition news cease-fire violations with UN team presence : Army's Spokesman [25/December/2018] SANAA, Dec. 25 (Saba) Spokesman of the army said in a statement on Monday that the Saudi-led coalitions militiamen carried out 17 violations of a cease-fire in Hodeidh province while the UN team in Hodeidah is present in country. Brig. Gen. Yahya Sarie said that The warplanes of the enemy intensively keep flying over Hodeidah sky simultaneously with artillery and missile attacks by militiamen on residential areas in the province. The attacks hit al-Shab and Kilo areas. He said that the 25 saudi-led air strikes hit over the past 24 hours provinces of Saada, Jizan, Sanaa, Hajjah and Bayda. Amal/AA saba Nation remembers those who genuinely think and work for the people. Atal Bihari Vajpayee knew how to win hearts and thats the reason the whole political spectrum irrespective of the political beliefs or lineage remembers him with a warm smile. December 25th is the Christmas day. The tree and the Santa image is so well engrained in the minds but now there is an addition to this canvas and that is the image of the peace loving Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at least for the Indians. The Modi government and the BJP have been working hard to give Vajpayee the due space befitting a great leader. It is building memorials, statues, holding kavi sammelans and even has issued a 100 rupee coin. BJP has its reasons to do this but Vajpayee is beyond party lines now. He is one leader for whom admiration is in abundance. Vajpayee gave several most remarkable moments for the nation. Among the best ones was the sincere move to bring peace in Kashmir. People in the valley remember him with fondness and consider him as the only genuine leader who wanted to bring peace in the valley. It was during his rule that routes between the divided parts of Kashmir were opened up. Vajpayee tried his best to make friends with Pakistan by taking the bus to Lahore but Pakistan ended up with back stabbing him with Kargil war Vajpayee is also best known for his accommodative nature. It was he who could manage the tough politics of Mamata Banerjee on one hand and Jayalalitha on the other hand. He had to face difficult time when AIADMK signed out of NDA in 1999. The most challenging periods also brought the best in him. He turned the Kargil experiment back on Pakistan. He conducted the Pokhran nuke blast and held the country strongly against the plethora of sanctions by US and some other governments. Along with the best of times he had to face several difficult periods. The worst was the Kandhar hijacking which forced India to release three hard core terrorists, the terror attack on Parliament and the 2002 Gujarat riots. Vajpayee, despite the low moments never lost cool and he did what was best known about him, work with consensus, understanding and forthrightness. His third tenure as prime minister saw a lot of economic activity in the country and the GDP growth exceeded seven percent. He was conscious of the problems that the farmers face year after year. That was the reason he propagated the interlinking of rivers. Vajpayees political understanding was commendable; equally impressive was the way he played around with words and expressions. Vajpayees oratory skills are too well known and so are his writings. Vajpayees poems are iconic and have a life about them. He was in love with Hindi and became the first to make a speech in the language in United Nations General Assembly. For many of his fellow politicians, workers and friends Vajpayee was no less than a Santa. For the masses he was a mass leader who amassed a lot of good feeling from them. A group of youngsters was busy wishing happy Christmas to each other when one of them said that it was Vajpayee birthday too. The group nodded and had smile on their face. Perhaps, this smile is what Vajpayee is all about now. Security officials say a suicide bomber has targeted Libyas Foreign Ministry in the capital, Tripoli, killing three people. They say a second suicide bomber was shot dead by guards before he could detonate his explosive vest. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, say at least seven other people were wounded in Tuesdays attack. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which bore the hallmarks of Islamic State. Advertisement Libya has been a haven for Islamic militants since a 2011 uprising toppled dictator Moammar Kadafi. The country is split between rival governments, each backed by an array of local militias. The death of a Tunisian journalist who set himself on fire to protest economic problems in the North African nation has prompted a protest that led to clashes with police. Journalist Abderrak Zorgui posted a video online before his self-immolation in the struggling provincial city of Kasserine describing his desperation and calling for revolt. He expressed frustration at unemployment and unfulfilled promises of Tunisias 2011 Arab Spring revolution. Authorities said Zorgui died of his injuries Monday soon after being taken to the hospital. His actions prompted a protest Monday night in Kasserine that degenerated into violence, with police firing tear gas to disperse protesters who blocked roads and threw stones. Interior Ministry spokesman Sofiane Zaag said Tuesday that six police officers were injured and several people arrested in the protest. Advertisement A similar self-immolation by a street vendor lamenting unemployment, corruption and repression led to nationwide protests fueled by social media that brought down Tunisias longtime authoritarian president in 2011. That ushered in democracy for Tunisia and unleashed similar movements around the Arab world. Zorguis funeral was being held Tuesday in Kasserine, which has come to symbolize Tunisias economic problems and social tensions. Unemployment and poverty are high, and the area has struggled for years against extremists in the nearby mountains who are linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State. The Tunisian National Journalists Union called for demonstrations and a possible strike in response to the journalists death. In a statement, it accused the state of contributing to Zorguis death by not cracking down on corruption. December 25, 1968 The San Diego Union The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year. Wednesday, December 25, 1968 On Christmas Eve 50 years ago, two planes landed at Miramar Naval Air Station carrying 82 surviving Pueblo crewmen and the body of the 83rd, released after 11 months in captivity in North Korea. Ordinary San Diegans lined the streets downtown for the motorcade carrying the crewmen and their families, waving and holding signs that read Welcome Home. North Korea had seized the American intelligence ship Pueblo on January 23, 1968. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: THE GREATEST GIFT Christmas Starts On An Airfield By Jack Murphy This was the nations Christmas present. The officers and men of the Pueblo were home again after 11 months of captivity in North Korea, and the emotion was almost too big to handle. At last they came together, the sailors and their families, under a buttermilk sky on Christmas eve and they were desperately eager for this moment. Their eyes began searching for their loved ones as soon as they filed off the two big jets that had carried them from Seoul, Korea, to a gentle landing at the Miramar Naval Air Station. quickly they blended into the crowd of wives, parents and children, and there was an awful lot of hugging and kissing before Gov. Reagan had a chance to greet them with a brief speech. SCENES OF HAPPINESS What a great way to begin Christmas, the governor had observed as he arrived a few minutes before the two Air Force planes touched down for the most glorious reunion of this holiday season. But happiness can be expressed in a whisper as well as a shout. This wasnt a scene of wild elation. They just grabbed each other and held on tight. Here was a sailor with one arm around his wife and the other around his mother. Here was a wife supporting a pale, gaunt husband who seemed almost too weak to stand. And here was a wife with her head pressed against her husbands chest, drawing strength and comfort from his presence. CONTENT NOW The words would come later. Now they were content just to be together again, touching each other, thanking God the ordeal had finally ended. This had been a hard thing to endure, but the Pueblo skipper, Cmdr. Lloyd M. Bucher, was smiling and waving in response to applause as he paced off the last steps of a long journey. Bucher quickly found his wife, Rose, and his sons, Mike and Mark, and once they got hold of each other, nobody would let go. 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. Some Republican leaders like to say that political trends always shift. One even noted that during his lifetime, Democrats once dominated in Southern states and Republicans controlled much of the Northeast. The reverse is true now. In San Diego County, the once-dominant Republican Party is on the wane and reversing its fortunes will take some doing. This was a bad year for the area GOP, and 2020 could be worse. The party is struggling to regain its footing against political and demographic headwinds that may blow even stronger for Democrats in the next election cycle. Advertisement Negative sentiment against President Trump certainly hurt the GOP in races at all levels throughout the county in 2018. But that may have only expedited eventual Democratic gains, which also have been fueled by the growth of independent voters who often vote Democratic. The Democratic Party has experienced success, but its influence may be stunted in San Diego County because of unusual circumstances. Despite the citys dominant Democratic voter registration, it has a Republican mayor. But Kevin Faulconer was initially voted into office during a 2014 special mayoral election, a small-turnout affair that gave the Republican advantages. Candidates matter, however, and some of Faulconers moderate sensibilities his positions on the environment and border relations, for example fit the region. Democrats helped him by getting behind then-City Councilman David Alvarez, who turned out to be a weak candidate. The 2020 race to replace the termed-out mayor will be dominated by big-name Democrats. At the moment, no major Republican is making public moves to run. More slowly, the countywide voter registration has also swung Democratic, yet the Board of Supervisors remains dominated by Republicans. Four of the supervisors were first elected more than 20 years ago, when voter registration was more favorable to Republicans. And, despite recent history, incumbents generally dont lose in San Diego. The fifth board member, Republican Kristin Gaspar, narrowly defeated a scandalized, one-term Democratic incumbent in 2016. Her north coast district is clearly a Democratic target in 2020. Nathan Fletcher, who was elected this year to replace termed-out Supervisor Ron Roberts in central San Diego, may well be the leading edge of a 3-2 Democratic takeover of the board when the last votes are counted two years from now. This isnt to say that GOP success in these areas was artificial, but the circumstances might chip away at the notion that Republicans, as some leaders suggest, have a proven ability to win in Democratic areas. In some key races, the San Diego GOP has supported conservatives over moderate candidates, a strategy that failed. In the Republican-held, but increasingly Democratic, 49th Congressional District, the party this year backed state Board of Equalization member Diane Harkey, only to see her trounced by Democrat Mike Levin. In the last open, regularly scheduled mayoral election in 2012, the GOP endorsed then-City Councilman Carl DeMaio over Fletcher, who was a Republican at the time; ultimately, the race was won by Democrat Bob Filner. Tony Krvaric, San Diego County GOP chairman, said in an email that the partys goal is to recruit candidates who best match the makeup and values of the district in which they are running. Looking forward, he also said he believed Republicans have a better chance to match the turnout of Democrats in 2020 than they did this year, which he suggested was an outlier. While Republicans are still digesting the effects of the Democratic blue wave, postmortems by party leaders here and across the country stretch from denial and wishful thinking to sober assessments that things must change. Some blame voting laws fashioned by Democrats, while others point to media reports of friction among Democrats that suggest the party could self-immolate. Ron Nehring, former chair of the San Diego and California Republican parties, has been all over social media telling Republicans to knock it off. The former is just an excuse, he said, and the latter simply wont happen. Dont kid yourself. The Democrats civil war! is a media narrative. GOP primaries in 16 were worst ever, and party won it all in November, he said on Twitter. Political parties always ALWAYS come back together after the primaries are over. By August 2020, expect Dems to be unified. Further, the progressive vs. establishment jockeying among San Diego Democrats appears to be low-key, at least compared with the fight going on nationally. Nehring and Jim Brulte, the exiting California Republican Party chairman, consider the biggest problem to be the GOPs inability to adapt to demographic changes. Our party and our candidates have yet to figure out how to consistently attract support from Hispanics and Asians, Brulte said in a column published by the Hill. Krvaric agreed that more must be done but criticized the way he believes the opposition courts minorities. Unlike Democrats who pander to voters depending on their background or gender, Republicans see all Americans as equals, Krvaric said. We definitely need to do a better job of reaching more voters as Democrats take many of them for granted and our policies are superior; school choice, lower gas taxes, and efficient government being just a few. As if to counter the notion that the Republican Party has hit the skids, Krvaric recently stated that among the 831 elected officials in San Diego County, there are almost twice as many Republicans as Democrats. He later acknowledged the obvious: Republican numbers were better before the November election. Smolens writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. michael.smolens@sduniontribune.com After Aylianna Switzers birth on July 11, friends and family came by the hospital to admire the baby. The visitors often made the same remark: She looks so perfect! When you hear that, said Brandon Switzer, Ayliannas father, its hard. Now almost six months old, Aylianna looks healthy and happy. She smiles, kicks, babbles, cries out with powerful lungs. Her appetite is strong, too, and Brandon and Angie Switzer nicknamed their hungry daughter Milk Monster. From the beginning, through, odds against Ayliannas survival were steep. While in utero, doctors found that she lacks kidneys and a bladder. The recommended course for this so-called lethal pregnancy? Induce labor and allow the premature infant to quietly pass away. Advertisement There were other options, yet these treatments posed risks. Even in the best case scenario, Aylianna faced a lifetime of medical challenges. The Switzers struggled to find the right path forward. In the end, they followed their daughters lead. When she showed us she was done fighting, wed be done fighting, said Brandon, 37. And shes never shown us that shes done. At Rady Childrens Hospital, Aylianna battles on with a cheery flair that defies her diagnosis. After reviewing Ayliannas charts very grim in the words of Angie, 36 a Rady nurse came into the babys room. She figured shed taken a wrong turn because this baby, breathing and eating without tubes, showed no signs of ill health. Shes like an amazing baby, said Dr. Nadine Benador, Ayliannas pediatric nephrologist. I have rarely seen a baby with renal failure be so mellow. One feisty kid At times, Brandon has questioned his fate. He enlisted in the U.S. Army one month before 9/11; he was part of the force that invaded Iraq. Honorably discharged in 2005, he attended college in Phoenix. There he met his future wife, Angie. The couple married in 2006. Living in Colorado Springs, they began their careers Brandon is a computer engineer, Angie a civil engineer but both wanted to take on another role, as parents. They suffered two miscarriages, each within the first 10 weeks of the pregnancy. They learned of a third pregnancy in December 2017, and it initially seemed uneventful. But at 20 weeks an ultrasound found nothing but empty space where the kidneys should have been. The news shook the couple. You felt like you were always unlucky, Brandon said. The embryo was also dealing a total lack of amniotic fluid. Angie needed weekly injections of a solution, with MRIs giving an internal view of the procedure. During the second or third injection, the Switzers watched their daughter grab the needle and give it a shake. Man, Brandon said, this kid is feisty. Angie spent the final three weeks of her pregnancy in the hospital. Coming out via emergency Caesarian section, Aylianna announced her presence with a loud scream. I was crying, Angie said. I was so happy that her lungs were working. Long road Aylianna was tiny 4 pounds, 6 ounces at birth but her challenges were huge. On her second day, she underwent surgery to install a dialysis catheter. That first catheter was too large for this little person. A smaller catheter worked, but the surgical site leaked. Treatment after treatment failed. Aylianna was four weeks old when Childrens Hospital Colorado sent the ailing baby to hospice. The babys team of supporters rallied, calling pediatric medical units around the country. In San Diego, the call was answered by Erin Phebus. That nurse and transplant coordinator alerted Benador, a specialist in childrens kidneys. Her diagnosis was bad, Benador said. But Ive been successful before. Ive tried with little babies and they are big people now. The Switzers arrived at Rady Childrens Hospital on Aug. 23. Within hours, Aylianna underwent surgery to expand a valve in her heart. Her parents settled in for an extended stay, moving into the Ronald McDonald House and then a San Diego apartment. At Rady, several dialysis techniques were tried, with success. Aylianna now undergoes a form of dialysis 14 hours a day, gaining strength and weight. Eventually, shell need surgery to equip her with an artificial bladder. In her lifetime, shell also need several kidney transplants. The first one cannot be attempted until she weighs at least 22 pounds. Last week, she weighed 11 1/2 pounds. Blessings Aylianna is spending Christmas in her hospital room, accompanied by her parents. Her grandfather, Thomas Switzer, is also visiting from Las Vegas. The little room can be crowded, but doctors say the baby may be healthy enough to leave the hospital by Friday. This holiday season, her parents have been counting their blessings. Angie rattles off a list of the non-profits that have defrayed their expenses: Ronald McDonald House, Miracle Babies, Girl Scouts, Thirty-One Gifts, Fisher House, There With Care, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, CaringBridge, church groups and an army of volunteers. Parents and child are at the start of a long road, and they understand that the decisions they made may not be right for other families coping with a similar crisis. Our whole story, Brandon said, through everything, there were a lot of days when we didnt know if she would make it. Lots of days we were so happy and other days we were just crushed. Its been a roller coaster, Angie said. But I would do it all over again, Dad said. I would do it 1,000 times, Mom said. From her hospital crib, Aylianna gave a yelp. Look out world! Grandfather Thomas said. Aylianna is here! Venezuelas foreign ministry on Tuesday described as interventionist and disrespectful U.S. comments on a weekend incident in which the countrys navy stopped two ships exploring for oil for Exxon Mobil off Guyanas coast. Each of the neighboring South American countries says the incident on Saturday occurred within its territorial waters. In response to the event, the U.S. State Department said Venezuela had behaved aggressively and called on the country to respect international law and the rights of its neighbors. It is evident that the U.S. government is interfering in a matter that is not at all incumbent upon it, with the goal of promoting corporate interests closely linked to the Washington ruling elite, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has accused the United States of plotting to invade Venezuela and overthrow his government, while Washington has placed sanctions on Venezuelas debt and members of Maduros government over accusations of corruption, human rights violations and election-rigging. A century-long territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has flared up in recent years with Exxons discovery of more than 5 billion barrels of oil and gas off Guyanas coast. In OPEC-member Venezuela, crude output is hovering near 70-year lows amid a severe economic crisis. Guyana says Caracas gave up its claim to the Essequibo, a sparsely populated jungle area making up two-thirds of Guyanas territory, after an 1899 ruling by an international tribunal, but Venezuela later backtracked on that decision. The U.N. this year referred the dispute to the International Court of Justice. Two vessels owned by Norways Petroleum Geo-Services and under contract by Exxon Mobil were conducting seismic survey work in the area. The ships stopped their work and turned east after the Venezuelan navy told them Guyana did not have jurisdiction there. When asked on Monday if there were plans for the vessels to resume their activities, Guyana Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said the government was in discussion with Exxon. Neither Exxon nor PGS immediately responded to requests for comment on Tuesday, and the U.S. State Department declined to comment. On Monday, the Caricom group of 15 Caribbean nations including Guyana - many of which have historically received subsidized oil from Venezuela under Caracas Petrocaribe program - said it viewed the interception by Venezuelas navy with grave concern. Such acts violate the sovereign rights of Guyana under international law, the group said in a statement. Search Keywords: Short link: While others did last-minute Christmas shopping, celebrated with friends and reunited with family members Monday, homeless people began gathering outside Interfaith Community Services in Escondido for a filling and warm holiday meal. It lets you know people still care, and youre not alone in your troubles, said Bobby Grant, a 62-year-old homeless Navy veteran as he sat down for a dinner of sliced ham, sweet potatoes, salad, green beans and pumpkin pie. The Interfaith meal was just one of a few holiday dinners that had been served for the homeless in the past few days. On Saturday, more than 1,000 homeless people were invited to the San Diego Rescue Mission for its annual Christmas Outreach Meal of ham, potatoes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Advertisement More than 250 volunteers pitched in to serve the meals and hand out hygiene kits and knit caps at the Rescue Mission. Father Joes Villages was expecting about 300 families to participate in its Christmas Eve dinner Monday. Christmas is all about kids, said Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joes Villages. What we want to instill with those who are with us tonight is that theyre loved, secure and safe. Tonight we make it very special. We want them to feel like an extended family. At the large tented shelter run by the Alpha Project in downtown San Diego, a ceremony was held last week to light a towering Christmas tree at the front of the structure. While no special holiday meal was served Monday, President and CEO Bob McElroy visited the 325-bed shelter with his family, with his grown son dressed as Santa. In Escondido, Interfaith usually serves breakfast and hands out sack lunches most days, but Thanksgiving and Christmas mean dinner for hundreds. Ezra Pheles, who said he had been homeless for as long as I remember, described the food as excellent. It means all the love in the world, he added, referring to the thought behind the meal. People arriving for the Christmas Eve meal included a man in a wheelchair, a young couple and elderly people, including several men with long, gray beards. Earl Brown, who will be 66 on New Years Day, refers to himself as an outsider rather than a homeless person, and said he has been an Interfaith client for about 15 years. Its the closest thing to a family Ive got, he said. Donald Weaver, 36, has been homeless off and on for about four years. He said his family had washed their hands of me, and he appreciated the care shown by Interfaith. Its hard, he said about what hes experiencing this Christmas. On one hand, Im not around my family. But on the other hand, I get to spend it with another family who loves me. Mindi and Jeff Bullick of Rancho Bernardo brought their four children to volunteer as food-servers at Interfaith for the fifth year. Our kids say its their favorite thing to do at Christmas, Mindi Bullick said. The tradition started as a way of showing their children that other people are less fortunate, and there are things you can do to help, she said. At first we were a little unsure about it, she said, adding that the feeling passed after they saw that the people at Interfaith were friendly. You just feel good doing something for somebody else, she said. And I think theres a jolliness to having children around and having an 8-year-old serve you. Interfaith Executive Director Greg Anglea said many people come forward to volunteer and donate during the holidays. Its really amazing to see the commnity come out, he said. Well have about 50 volunteers today turning whats normally a soup kitchen into a full-service restaurant. In the most recent homeless count, about 3,600 people were in shelters and about 5,000 were unsheltered and living in makeshift structures, vehicles or outside in San Diego County, With rain predicted on Christmas Eve, many homeless people also were given emergency shelter at agencies around the county. After meals were finished at Father Joes, tables in the dining area were expected to be cleared to make way for 250 cots. Interfaith, PATH San Diego/Connections Housing and other nonprofits participate in the inclement Weather Shelter Program, which is triggered when the temperature is 50 degrees or below and there is a 40 percent chance of rain. Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 A Christmas tree adorned with a U.S. flag, plates filled with tamales wrapped in banana leaves and a sit-down dinner with servings of turkey and ham marked Christmas Eve for hundreds of Central Americans gathered Monday in Tijuana. Even as they joined together for a Nochebuena celebration, waves of homesickness washed over the residents of El Barretal, the makeshift shelter in eastern Tijuana housing members of the caravan that drew thousands to the border last month. You make yourself strong in front of people, but when youre alone, you cry, said Elvin Roberto Fuentes, 28, an agricultural technician from Honduras, remembering the family left behind, the smells of pine and baking bread, the cobblestone streets and adobe houses of his hometown San Jeronimo de Copan. Its hard to pick up a backpack and say, Im leaving, said Fuentes, who joined the caravan in hopes of finding work to support his widowed mother, sister, wife and two children. Seeing slim possibilities of crossing to United States, he has decided to stay in Mexico. Advertisement Like Fuentes, most have been away from home for more than two months now, and many at El Barretal remained in transition on Monday. Some said they were preparing to work in Mexico but still needed to complete paperwork. Others were waiting for their turn to seek asylum at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, while others debated whether to attempt an illegal crossing. Ill throw myself at Gods mercy, said Aida Acevedo, 23, who left her position as a house servant in the town of Talanga, Honduras to join the caravan. She reminisced about about tamales and torrejas, a sweetened bread fritter that is a traditional Christmas treat. Mostly she was missing her two children, she said. She had thought of going back when the oldest fell ill, but was dissuaded by family members. They called me and said, You suffered so much to get there, and you are just a step away, why are you going to come back if you fought so hard to get there? Compared with the bustle of previous days, the shelter was quiet at midday Monday. Authorities said the shelters population has dropped, from 2,800 at the start in late November to fewer than 2,000 now. Many stayed near their tents, wrapped in blankets. Under an awning, a group of men placed small bets in a card games. Children played with donated trucks and dolls. Volunteers with World Central Kitchen, a U.S. nonprofit led by Chef Jose Andres, prepared for the afternoon meal, cooking turkeys on mobile roasting boxes, and setting poinsettia plants atop table cloths. On a terrace overlooking the central courtyard, 23-year-old Juan Carlos Caballero, from Trujillo, a town on Honduras Caribbean coast, sat with a group of friends by a dried-up pine tree decorated for the occasion. He rescued the tree from a woman who was throwing it away, he said. The decorations stand as symbols of the migrants spirit: The U.S. flag symbolizes our dream, he said. The lights stand for happiness, and the tree shows faith, because they were throwing it away. Down below, San Diegan Amy Tillman passed out apples and candy canes, wishing each recipient Feliz Navidad. I know what its like to be far away from my family during the holidays, Tillman said. I cannot imagine... her voice trailed off. Outside the shelter, Honduran Jose Maximiliano Perez stood talking to an aid worker. Im worrying about other things, not about Christmas, said said the 23-year-old farmer from La Esperanza in the countrys Intibuca region. He has a six-month humanitarian visa from the Mexican government but had yet to find a job in Tijuana. A large maquiladora factory had turned him down, saying he needed a document attesting that he had no criminal record; and though he has no criminal record, getting such a document is an impossible task, he said. A block away, on an empty lot, some members of the caravan spent the morning hours passing out 6,000 Honduran-style tamales cooked on an open fire. The migrants themselves made the tamales, using donations to purchase ingredients: banana leaves and chicken. Because the traditional Honduran corn dough is not available in Tijuana, they had to make do with Mexican-style Maseca, a corn dough cooked in an alkaline solution. Few were complaining, and by early afternoon, they were down to the final few. Away from his family, Medardo Maldonado, a 32-year-old deliveryman from the Santa Cruz region of Honduras, kept busy pouring soft drinks to accompany the tamales. Back home, they would roast pork, and make sandwiches on Nochebuena, and always had cake. We were all together, the entire family, and we felt happy, he said. sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com @sandradibble Authorities on Monday identified a 29-year-old pedestrian who was fatally struck on an Oceanside highway earlier this month. Adan Joe Vallesillos was killed about 9:55 p.m. on Dec. 15, according to Oceanside police and the county Medical Examiners Office. Vallesillos was apparently crossing state Route 76 at Douglas Drive in a marked crosswalk, but against a red light, when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle traveling at highway speeds, the Medical Examiners Office said. An Oceanside police officer waiting to turn left at the intersection witnessed the incident and approached the scene to assist (Vallesillos), Medical Examiners officials said in a statement. After assessing him, the officer pronounced death due to obvious fatal injuries. Advertisement His death was attributed to blunt force injuries, according to the Medical Examiners Office. The driver, who was not injured, immediately stopped, Oceanside police Sgt. Rick Davis said at the time of the crash. Police dont suspect alcohol or drugs were factors in the deadly collision. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com A mother of four from El Cajon and a father of two from Dulzura were identified Monday as the drivers killed in a head-on crash last week on a remote stretch of two-lane highway in East County near the Mexican border. Kimberly Jamie Quirino Mejia, 21, and Gilberto Antonio Contreras, 35, were driving in opposite directions about 10:50 p.m. Thursday on state Route 94, west of state Route 188 near Barrett Junction, when their cars collided, according to the county Medical Examiners Office and California Highway Patrol. Quirino Mejia was apparently speeding in the eastbound lane when she lost control of her Ford Fusion around a curve, veered into the westbound lane and collided head on with Contreras Honda Accord, the Medical Examiners Office said. After the collision, Quirino Mejias car burst into flames. Both drivers were the only occupants of their cars, and both died at the scene. Advertisement Contreras died of blunt force trauma, while Quirino Mejia died from blunt force injuries and burns, according to the Medical Examiners Office. Contreras was a husband and father of two boys, according to a GoFundMe established by his family. He was driving home when his car was struck and he was killed, according to the fundraising post. According to a family member and a GoFundMe page, Quirino Mejia was a married mother of four children who died a day before her one-year wedding anniversary. Quirino Mejias death comes less than three years after her younger brother, Jeffrey Quirino, was fatally stabbed in Spring Valley. Jose Mejia, whose brother is married to Quirino Mejias sister, said Kimberly and Jeffrey were the youngest of six siblings. Jeffrey Quirino was 17 years old when he was found with stab wounds after an apparent fight outside an apartment complex on Delrose Avenue near Jamacha Road, according to sheriffs officials. He died six days later. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com President Donald Trump said Tuesday that parts of the federal government will stay closed until Democrats agree to put up more walls along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter criminal elements. He said hes open to calling the wall something else as long as he ends up with an actual wall. In a Christmas Day appearance in the Oval Office, Trump issued a lengthy defense of his desire for a wall, saying its the only way to stop drugs and human traffickers from entering the country. In a nod to the political stakes hes facing, Trump said he wants the wall by election time in 2020. The promise of a border wall was a central component of Trumps presidential campaign. I cant tell you when the governments going to be open. I can tell you its not going to be open until we have a wall or fence, whatever theyd like to call it, Trump said, referring to Democrats who staunchly oppose walling off the border. Advertisement Ill call it whatever they want, but its all the same thing, he told reporters after participating in a holiday video conference with representatives from all five branches of the military stationed in Alaska, Bahrain, Guam and Qatar. Trump argued that drug flows and human trafficking can only be stopped by a wall. We cant do it without a barrier. We cant do it without a wall, he said. The only way youre going to do it is to have a physical barrier, meaning a wall. And if you dont have that then were just not opening the government. Democrats oppose spending money on a wall, preferring instead to pump the dollars into fencing, technology and other means of controlling access to the border. Trump argued that Democrats oppose a wall only because he is for one. The stalemate over how much to spend and how to spend it caused the partial government shutdown that began Saturday following a lapse in funding for departments and agencies that make up about 25 percent of the government. Some 800,000 government workers are affected. Many are on the job but must wait until after the shutdown to be paid again. Trump claimed that many of these workers have said to me and communicated, stay out until you get the funding for the wall. These federal workers want the wall. The only one that doesnt want the wall are the Democrats. Trump didnt say how hes hearing from federal workers, excluding those he appointed to their jobs or who work with him in the White House. But many rank-and-file workers have gone to social media with stories of the financial hardship they expect to face because of the shutdown, now in its fourth day. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leaders of Congress, said Trump wanted the shutdown, but he seems not to know how to get himself out it. Trump had said hed be proud to shut down the government in a fight over the wall. He also had said Mexico would pay for the wall. Mexico has refused. Trump followed up on a Monday tweet in which he said he just gave out a 115 mile long contract for another large section of the Wall in Texas. Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security responded to follow-up questions, despite repeated requests. The reference to 115 miles was unclear. Trump may have been referring to 33 miles of construction in the Rio Grande Valley that is set to begin in February, part of a total of 84 miles that Congress funded in March, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Asked who received the contract, Trump replied: Different people, different people. He did say he envisions a wall so tall, like a three-story building, that only an Olympic champion would be able to scale it. He also compared Democrats treatment of him over the wall to their defense of James Comey after Trump fired him as FBI director. Its a disgrace whats happening in our country but, other than that, I wish everybody a very merry Christmas, he said. Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant in Houston contributed to this report. Massive data breaches are scarily common. But even though basic steps can stymie many hackers i.e., never open an email with an attachment if you have the slightest suspicion about its origins there is still a surprising blitheness about online security. A report from Verizon in May found that governments and educational institutions were significantly less likely than retail businesses to quickly address and fix data security problems. Against this backdrop, the San Diego Unified School District revealed Friday that personal information including Social Security numbers and disciplinary records on up to 500,000 students who attended its schools since 2008 may have been breached from January to Nov. 1. The district said that an investigation that began in mid-October found about 50 employees were victims of a phishing scam that obtained their log-in information. Why did the district wait more than two months to warn those who are at risk? Hacking crimes are not like crimes of violence. Theres generally a clear digital trail to follow. But on Monday, district spokesman Andrew Sharp said it was necessary to allow a relatively complicated investigation to proceed. That probe is focused on a single suspect. District officials say current and former students who may have been affected and their family members can get details online at sandiegounified.org/datasafety. Those who see suspicious activity with their credit information or credit cards are urged to call school police at (619) 291-7678 to file a report. Advertisement Everyone should protect themselves against phishing. Be cautious about all communications you receive, the Center for Internet Security warns. And be on the lookout for a more timely update from school officials upon new developments in the case. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Its going to be a white Christmas in San Diego County in the mountains, forecasters predict. For everybody else, Christmas Day will be wet, rainy and windy, according to the National Weather Service. A storm system is coming and after about 10 p.m. tonight (Christmas Eve), well begin having scattered showers that will continue through the day on Christmas, NWS forecaster Samantha Connolly said. The storm system will bring cooler temperatures through tomorrow (Christmas Day), and snow above 5,000 feet. Connolly said temperatures will drop into the high 50s to 60s in most of San Diego County on Christmas day. She said temperatures in the mountains are expected to dip into the 30s and 40s during the storm. We will have gusty winds as well through the day and night, Connolly said. Wind gusts will be up to 30 mph along the coasts and in the inland valleys, and as much as 50 to 60 mph in the mountains and deserts. One-tenth to one-quarter of an inch of rain is expected along the coast and in the inland valleys and the deserts on Christmas. Half an inch to an inch of rain is expected in the mountains. The NWS forecaster said the storm will leave San Diego later in the day on Christmas. Wednesday, the day after the storm, is expected to be dry. But more light rain could be on the way. We have another potential storm system that could come in on Thursday and Friday, Connolly said. Were expecting a little rain from that, but not much. 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. The ministry stated that Egypt has reached an average production of 660,000 oil and oil condensates daily in 2018 Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum says that the country achieved self sufficiency in natural gas consumption in September 2018 due to the gradual increase in local production and the plan to develop major gas fields in the Mediterranean. The discovery of the large offshore fields has resulted in the halting of natural gas imports for the first time in three years. The ministry said in a statement that 2018 witnessed remarkable achievements and improvements in the oil and gas sector. "Natural gas has been extended to more than 1 million residential units in 72 highly-populated cities and villages across Egypt in 2018," the statement read. "As many as 18,784 cars have been adjusted to operate with natural gas during the period between January and November 2018." One-hundred new gas stations also became operational in 2018. Steps have also been taken to implement a phosphoric acid production complex worth $750 million in the New Valley governorate. The facility is estimated to produce 1 million tonnes of phosphoric acid per year. This year also witnessed the continued increase in oil and gas production, which achieved the unprecedented level of 6.6 billion cubic metres (BCM) per day. The ministry expects Egypt's natural gas production to stand at 6.750 BCM by the end of 2018. According to the statement, 2018 saw 61 different oil and gas explorations 43 for oil and 18 for gas which has contributed to increasing the country's energy reserves. The ministry stated that Egypt has reached an average production of 660,000 oil and oil condensates daily in 2018. Last October, Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla announced that Egypt was no longer importing liquefied natural gas, saving the government EGP 3 billion that had been earmarked annually to meet local demands. The savings are in large measure due to the massive offshore gas field Zohr, which began operation in December 2017. Zohr, with reserves of more than 30 trillion cubic feet (tcf), is among the largest gas fields discovered so far in the Mediterranean. The field's output is central to the governments plans not only to become self-sufficient but to transform Egypt into a regional energy hub. Zohrs discovery in 2015 offered the Egyptian government more than a breathing space to save on imports. The field will bring in much needed hard currency when Egypt starts exporting gas, which it is slated to do by 2019 when output from other gas fields comes online. Search Keywords: Short link: Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/24/2018 -- The size of the global hessian or jute or burlap market is estimated to be approx. US$ 1.7 Bn. India alone accounts for more than 70% of the global hessian production. Globally, there are 12 publically traded companies which are engaged in hessian or jute business. Among these 5 prominent leaders are headquartered in Indian subcontinent. The hessian fibre is extracted from the stem of jute plant. Hessian is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable. Hessian products include hessian bags (food grain bags, shopping bags, promotional bags etc.), hessian mats, ropes, yarn etc. Plastic (Polypropylene (PP)) bags are the substitute for hessian bags. But the negative environmental effects of plastic bags give credibility to hessian bags over plastic bags. Growing resistance towards plastic bags due to rising plastic waste in sea, landfill problem, etc. putting downward pressure on plastic packaging. Hessian bags are food grade, anti-static, easily allow fresh air (can keep food grains fresh). Request a PDF Brochure with Future Analysis @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=31391 Burlap or Hessian Packaging: Market Dynamics Jute industry alone provides employment to 3.7 lakh jute mill workers in India of which 2.5 lakh are present in West Bengal state (source: economic times). The hessian packaging industry in India also affects lives of more than 40 lakh jute producing farmers. Hessian products are environmental friendly and 100% bio-degradable, whereas plastic bags take many years to degrade. According to an article published by World Economic Forum: Costa Rica wants to be the first country to ban all single-use plastics. By 2050, plastic waste in sea overweighs the weight of fish life. Costa Rica is the first country to ban all the single use plastics by 2021. It includes bags, straws, cups, cutlery etc. Over the years, applications of hessian are increased and still the trend continues. Today hessian is used in shopping bags, promotional bags, door mats, weather protection sheets, ropes, book covers or pouches, gifts etc. In 1987, India passed the Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMC), which made central government compulsory to purchase hessian or jute bags for supply and storage of food grain, sugar, fertilizer and cement. Over the years, cement and fertilizers are removed from the list. And again in 2015, India once again made and approved mandatory use of jute or hessian packaging for food grains and sugar. HDPE/PP bags are cost competitive for jute or hessian packaging. Per kg cost of hessian bags costs around US$ 0.5 (Rs. 30), while the cost of HDPE/PP bags is US$ 0.2 (Rs.12) per kg. As the government is bringing various schemes and programs to educate public to use the jute or hessian packaging, the hessian packaging market is expected to grow at a healthy growth rate. Changing weather conditions may affect the hessian farm output, and may result in price fluctuations. Overall the hessian packaging market has good potential to grow in coming years. Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/burlap-or-hessian-packaging-market.html Burlap or Hessian Packaging: Market Segmentation The global burlap or hessian packaging market is segmented on the basis of product type and end use. On the basis of product type, the global burlap or hessian packaging market is segmented into burlap or jute bags (food grain bags, shopping bags, promotional bags, etc.), Sacking, Jute Yarn and Twine and others. On the basis of end use, the global burlap or hessian packaging market is segmented into Food & Beverages, Agriculture & Farm Products, Building & Construction, Chemicals & Fertilizers, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Industrial and Others (Photo Bags, Pouches, etc.). Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/24/2018 -- Market Scenario: The global capnography market is expected to grow during the forecast period from 2018 to 2027 at a CAGR of ~19.5%. Capnography is the process used to measure and determine the concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in respiratory gases by using the capnograph device. It helps to measure the actual concentration of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. The capnograph is used to monitor the inhaled and exhaled concentration of CO2. The growing pediatric population, increasing number of patients suffering from cardiac diseases, and increasing aging population are expected to drive the growth of the market. The global capnography market is estimated to grow during the forecast period due to factors such as innovation, technological advancements, and advancement of the capnography device. A strong recommendation about capnography was made by healthcare bodies such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists, European Resuscitation Council, and others to include capnography devices in healthcare facilities compulsorily. This fuels the growth of the global capnography market. Get Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1535 Key players: Smith's Medical Inc, Nonin medical Inc, Dreagerwerk AG & CO. KGaA, Welch Allyn, Medtronic, Masimo, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Care fusion cooperation, Covidien Ltd, Diamedica Limited, Edan Instruments, Inc., Hill Rom Holding Inc, Koninklijke Philips N.V., and BD Segmentation: The global capnography market is segmented on the basis of type, devices, application, and end-user. The global capnography market on the basis of type is segmented into capnograph and disposable. Capnograph is further subdivided into three segments, namely, mainstream capnography, sidestream capnography, and micro stream capnography. Mainstream capnography is further subdivided sand alone monitor, handheld monitor, and multi-parameter monitor. Based on device, the global capnography market is segmented into handheld monitors, stand-alone monitors, and others. Based on application the global capnography market is segmented into procedural sedation, critical care, emergency medicine, pain management, and general floor. Based on end-user the global capnography market is segmented into hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers. Regional Market: Based on region, the global capnography research market is segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The Americas is sub-segmented into North America and South America. The North American region is further segmented into the US and Canada. The European region is divided into two, namely, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe is further classified into Germany, Italy, France, the UK, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The Asia-Pacific region is sub-segmented into Japan, China, India, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The Middle Eastern and African region is sub-segmented into the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and the rest of the Middle East and Africa. The American market is likely to dominate the global capnography market owing to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in the aging population and the growing occurrence of asthma in pediatrics. North America dominates the global capnography market due to the development of advanced products in this region. Latin America is showing significant growth in the capnography market due to increasing use of capnography devices in healthcare facilities as recommended by government bodies. The World Health Organization has published a report on Safe Surgery that recommended the use of capnography monitoring devices during the endotracheal tube placement surgery. The American Society of Anesthesiologists also recommended the use of capnography during procedural sedation and anesthesia. The rising problems of respiratory diseases because of an unhealthy lifestyle and high-stress level impact have led to significant growth in this market. The European market is the second largest in the global capnography market. The market growth in this region is due to government funding and support from the healthcare sector. However, growing number of surgeries and changing lifestyle have contributed to the growth of the market in this region. Browse Full Reports @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/capnography-market-1535 Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing market owing to the increasing aging population and rising prevalence of diseases. The capnography market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow during the forecast period due to rising healthcare expenditure and increasing awareness about the capnography technique. Countries such as India and China are more focused on the global capnography market because of the growing purchasing power and the increasing population as compared to other developing countries. Table Of Contents: Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restraints 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Challenges 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators 4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment Chapter 5. Market Factor Analysis Continued! Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/24/2018 -- In order to study the various trends and patterns prevailing in the concerned market, FactMR has included a new report titled "China Standard Parts for Tool Making Market" to its wide online database including upcoming trends and growth factors through 2018-2028. This research assessment offers a clear insight about the influential factors that are expected to transform the global market in the near future. The report studies the china standard parts for tool making market worldwide, especially in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, India and Other Regions with production, size, growth, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions. It is imperative to note before we dive deeper into the key insights of the study what exactly a machine tool is and how are broadly they classified. A machine tool, in its simplest definition is an equipment that requires an external power source, to cut, grind or deform a metal work piece to a predefined shape. The tool in the machine tool is the primary component that comes in direct contact with the work piece to initiate the cutting or deforming process. Machine tools are generally classified into two types that includes metal cutting tools and metal forming tools. Request Here for Free Sample of Global Market Research Report Now - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=914 Standard parts, considered in the research study is focused towards those that are used in metal forming tools or presses and not in metal cutting tools and hence it can be described as secondary components attached to the metal forming tools that aids in the precise deformation of metals. With growing demand from the end use industry for newer metal forming tools in China, the consumption of standard parts have been on a rise registering a value of US$ 455.4 Mn by the end of 2017 and expected to hit US$ 703.5 Mn by the end of 2028 with a growth CAGR of 4.1% for a period of 10 years (2018-2028) From a global perspective, China is among the largest consumers of machine tools, including both metal cutting and metal forming tools. This is due to the fact that the manufacturing industry as a whole has been thriving positively in the country post the recession of 2009. Some of the important drivers contributing the growth of standard parts for tool making in China include dual growth of automotive & auto parts industry, initiation & rise of aircraft production in the country, improvements in foreign direct investments (FDI) & foreign invested enterprises (FIE) inflows, growth in fixed asset investment and others. Some of the opportunities for the manufacturers of standard parts to tap onto in order to increase the revenue returns include development new schemes such as China Manufacturing 2025 (CM2025) Initiative to increase manufacturing activities in the country. The market of standard parts in China faces competition from both developed and emerging economies which can attributed to customers preference towards quality parts that are available outside China, as well as increasing labor costs in the country can influence shifting of parts manufacturing outside China Browse Market Report with TOC Here - https://www.factmr.com/report/914/china-standard-parts-tool-making-market Standard parts for machine tools in China is segmented on the basis of component type, application, end use industry and sales channel. Looking at the component type segmentation, it is clear that among all the components taken into consideration, the segment that takes up the majority of market share in terms of value are punches & dies. This is due to the fact that these parts are used the most in metal forming tools in addition to incurring the highest price point which can also vary based the size of the component thereby taking up nearly 41% of the total value share in 2017. The largest users of metal forming tools are the automotive industry including third party workshops that provides parts to the same, hence in the end use industry segment, automotive industry in 2017 takes up nearly 48% and is expected to increase its market share by the end of 2028 with a value CAGR growth of 4.5%. If we look into the sales channel segment, direct sales segment takes up more than half of the market share is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period registering a CAGR of 4.1%. However, the fastest growing segment among all in this category is taken up by online sales segment with an expected CAGR of 4.6% in terms of value from 2018 to 2028. Some of the key players covered in standard parts for tool making market operating in China include MISUMI Group Inc., Barnes Group Inc., Erwin Halder KG, Meusburger Georg GmbH & Co KG, Lapple AG, Hong Yue Mold Fittings Ltd., Shenzhen QH Industrial Co., Ltd., Hongkai Precision Metal Stamping Tool And Product Co., Ltd., Agathon AG, STRACK NORMA GmbH & Co. KG., Changsha Borun Mould Co., Ltd., NITROGAS, S.A.U., DADCO, Inc., Jiashan Honglida Sliding Bearing Co., Ltd. among others. Buy online this Report from Here - https://www.factmr.com/checkout/914/S About FactMR FactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Blog: https://factmrblog.com/ Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/24/2018 -- The high purity aluminium market is marked by a handful of leading manufacturers that has sophisticated refining machinery to sustainably produce high purity aluminium. The refining technology of these manufacturers remains competitive in terms of removal of impurities such as Silicon, Iron, and Copper and reducing concentrations of alpha emitters such as Uranium and Thorium. Although aluminium element finds application in multiple industries due to its beneficial alloy properties, recent decades have witnessed the production of high purity aluminium for specific applications. High purity aluminium is highly sought after in the semiconductor industry and other applications such as electrolytic capacitor foils and electronic storage systems. According to the end users' requirement specifications, manufacturers in the high purity aluminium market deliver high purity aluminium in different forms such as foil, sheet, plate, pellet, ingots, billets, wires, rods or disks. Manufacturers also deliver high purity aluminium products for research and other commercial applications. Get Free Exclusive Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=625 With the higher level of electrical conductance, application of high purity aluminium has intensified in recent years and can be now found in every displays, memory chips, memory drives of smartphones, computers, tablets and LED screens of other devices. Exponentially rising utilization of high purity aluminium in electronics and technical applications is estimated to augur well for the growth of the high purity aluminium market. A new report available with Fact.MR, about the global high purity aluminium market, provides a comprehensive outlook of the industry trends. Sharp-eyed analysis of the changing global needs and consumption of high purity aluminium are few of the prime factors impacting the growth of the market. The recent restrictions enacted by Trump's Administrations on steel and aluminium import in the United States and its predictable influence on the global aluminium market is another important factor considered in the report analysis. With such thorough analysis, the report provides the most credible go-to forecast of the global high purity aluminium market. Derived from bauxite ore, based on purity levels, high purity aluminium finds application in multiple industries. Notable demand for the highly pure material is observed in electronics, chemical and high purity alloy sectors. Purity of high purity aluminium ranges from 99.99% to 99.999% which is also referred to as 4N to 6N. Manufacturing titans use three-layer electrolysis as well as the segregation or the fractional crystallization methods to refine aluminium. Demand from the Electronics Industry to Boost Market Growth The electronics industry has witnessed a steady growth in past decade. Currently, the industry is helmed by Asian countries including India, China, and Malaysia. Due to its intrinsic properties, the highly pure metal finds application in the manufacturing of electrolytic capacitor foils, high purity alumina (HPA), the semiconductor industry, photovoltaic cells, TFT LCD applications, decorative uses or for electronic storage systems. Its utilization becomes irreplaceable for the industry as the metal provide high electric and thermal conductance as well as low tensile strength. To address the increasing requirements of high purity aluminium, manufacturers are enhancing their capacities and personnel in metallurgy, application technology, metal purification, as well as trace analysis. As electronic industry significantly penetrates in other end-user industries, demand for stated electronics components is set to rise. Owing to this, the market for high purity aluminium is likely to witness persistent growth in future. Request Brochure of this Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=625 Steady Bauxite Extraction & High Purity Aluminium Production Top global locations popular for surplus bauxite resources includes Australia, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Guinea, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Russia and Republic of Suriname. Individual regional analysis has reported accretive growth of bauxite extraction in the fiscal year 2017 worldwide. For instance, the Mines Ministry of Guinea reported production of 5 million tons of bauxite from one of Guinea's largest mines per year from 2019. This represents a threefold increase in bauxite production by 2020 in Western African countries. Although China reported highest bauxite export in 2017, air pollution crackdowns may influence the future alumina and bauxite demand. Amidst this scenario, steady bauxite extraction was witnessed globally and is estimated to rise in future. According to the World Bureau of Metal Statistics, world bauxite production is projected to grow at the rate of 8% annually in 2018 and 2019, and to reach 337 million tons by the end of 2019. In addition, helmed by China, world alumina production and consumption also witnessed a rise in 2017. Thus, stable bauxite extraction and growing high purity aluminium demand is likely to influence the market growth in near future. Key Company Developments in High Purity Aluminium Market Showa Denko KK (SDK), a leading Japanese chemical engineering firm has enhanced production capacities of high-purity aluminium foil in China in 2017. High purity aluminium foil is one of the most prominent materials of aluminium electrolytic capacitor. The SDK expansion is aimed at responding to the rising demand for aluminum electrolytic capacitors worldwide. Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminium company that operates throughout Brazilian aluminium chain has recently announced reduction in alumina production by 50%. Alunorte which is owned by Norsk Hydro by 92.1% of shares, delivered lesser alumina to Albras due to reported residue leakage. Hence, Albras which is owned by Norsk Hydro by 51% of shares reported significant decline in production. Altech Chemicals Ltd., an Australia-based leading supplier of highly pure alumina (HPA), has applied for manufacturing license application to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in Malaysia. The company has plans to produce HPA from kaolin clay supplied from Altech's kaolin plant based in Western Australia. To address the rising demand from end-users, industry titans are focusing on enhancing production capacities with respect to delivery of refined, reliable and defined material quality which is a prerequisite to meet intense competition in the global market. Details associated with all the highlighted trends of the high purity aluminium market are included in the report to deliver a clear industry outlook which will help the financial community in making business decisions. Ask For Customized Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=625 This analytical research study imparts an all-inclusive assessment on the market, while propounding historical intelligence, actionable insights, and industry-validated & statistically-upheld market forecast. Verified and suitable set of assumptions and methodology has been leveraged for developing this comprehensive study. Information and analysis on key market segments incorporated in the report has been delivered in weighted chapters. A thorough analysis has been offered by the report on Market Dynamics Market Size Market Segments Demand & Supply Trends Current Issues and Challenges Companies and Competitor Landscape Value Chain Technology Regional Segments Analyzed Include North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico. Brazil) Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain) Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia) Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand) Japan Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa) Compilation of authentic and first-hand intelligence, insights offered in the report are based on quantitative and qualitative assessment by leading industry experts, and inputs from opinion leaders & industry participants around the value chain. Growth determinants, macroeconomic indicators, and parent market trends have been scrutinized and delivered, coupled with the market attractiveness for each market segment encompassed. Qualitative impact of growth influencers on the market segments across regions has also been mapped by the report. Highlights from the Report Elaborated scenario of the parent market Transformations in the market dynamics Detailed segmentation of the target market Historical, current and forecast market size based on value and volume Latest industry developments and trends Competition landscape Strategies adopted by the market players and product developments made Potential and niche segments, along with their regional analysis Unbiased analysis on performance of the market Up-to-date and must-have intelligence for the market players to enhance and sustain their competitiveness For more information on this report, please visit:https://www.factmr.com/report/625/high-purity-aluminium-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: www.factmr.com/ New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/24/2018 -- The report on the Oil Filters market for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025 digs deep into the factors including social, political, cultural and economical or latest trends that are likely to influence the industry worldwide. Researchers eyeing the business landscape aim at uncovering vital statistics about the actual composition of the target market and where the new opportunities lie. Data on the ever-changing trends and gaps in the market forms an important part of the study. The environment research further covers facts associated with government regulations, demographics, market trends and size as well as different marketing channels. To get Free Sample Report Copy click here @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/14853 The major manufacturers covered in this report: - Mobil 1 - Royal Purple - Bosch - Mann Filter - Motorcraft - FRAM - Groupe HIFI - LEEMIN - Juepai - Xinxiang Aviation - Depaike - Changzheng Hydraulic - Evotek The Oil Filters market research is carried out at the different stages of the business lifecycle from the production of a product, cost, launch, application, consumption volume and sale. The research offers valuable insights into the marketplace from the beginning including some sound business plans chalked out by prominent market leaders to establish a strong foothold and expand their products into one that's better than others. On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into - Mechanical Oil Filter - Magnetic Oil Filter - Centrifugal Oil Filter On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, including - Passenger Car - Commercial Vehicle To Purchase this Report click here @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/14853 For those who want to learn how certain drivers are influencing the overall objectives of business owners will have plenty of data to scan through in the Oil Filters market report. A quick run over the external factor influencing the business worldwide will help product owners to know their customers better. The research not only monitors the effectiveness of the product sales but also talks about the quality of services offered by the competitors. Besides, there is a section on the distribution channels and growth strategies adopted by the prominent leaders operating in the Oil Filters market. Market segment by Region/Country including: - North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) - Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Spain etc.) - Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and Southeast Asia etc.) - South America Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile etc. - Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia etc.) In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Oil Filters are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year: 2018 to 2025 Key Stakeholders - Oil Filters Manufacturers - Oil Filters Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers - Oil Filters Subcomponent Manufacturers - Industry Association - Downstream Vendors The study objectives of this report are: - To analyse and study the global Oil Filters capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025); - Focuses on the key Oil Filters manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future. - Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyse the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis. - To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region. - To analyse the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. - To analyse the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. - To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyse their growth strategies. Browse Full Report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/oil-filters-market About MarketExpertz Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges. Contact Us: John Watson Head of Business Development Market Expertz | Web: www.marketexpertz.com Direct Line: +1-800-819-3052 E-mail: sales@marketexpertz.com News: www.marketexpertz.com/market-news Bees can count up to four or five items, can choose the smaller or the larger number from a group and even choose zero against other numbers when trained to choose less. According to a new study, published in the journal iScience, bees might have achieved this not by understanding numerical concepts, but by using specific flight movements to closely inspect items which then shape their visual input and simplifies the task to the point where it requires minimal brainpower. The study demonstrates that the intelligence of bees, and potentially other animals, can be mediated by very small neuron numbers, as long as these are wired together in the right way. Brain size matters a lot when it comes to bees. They have only one million neurons in total, so they have precious little brainpower, and must implement very efficient computational algorithms to solve tasks. In comparison, humans have 86 billion neurons which are responsible for receiving information and sending commands. In order to understand how bees count, Dr. Vera Vasas from the Queen Mary University of London and Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlins Dr. Lars Chittka simulated a very simple miniature brain on a computer with just four neurons far fewer than a real bee has. The simulated brain could easily count small quantities of items when inspecting one item closely and then inspecting the next item closely and so on, which is the same way bees count. This differs from humans who glance at all the items and count them together. The researchers propose that this clever behavior makes the complex task of counting much easier, allowing bees to display impressive cognitive abilities with minimal brainpower. Our model shows that even though counting is generally thought to require high intelligence and large brains, it can be easily done with the smallest of nerve cell circuits connected in the right manner, Dr. Vasas said. We suggest that using specific flight movements to scan targets, rather than numerical concepts, explains the bees ability to count. This scanning streamlines the visual input and means a task like counting requires little brainpower. _____ Vera Vasas & Lars Chittka. Insect-inspired sequential inspection strategy enables an artificial network of four neurons to estimate numerosity. iScience, published online December 14, 2018; doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.12.009 Over the past three months, NASAs New Horizons spacecraft has been taking images to measure the brightness of its next flyby target a Kuiper belt object nicknamed Ultima Thule (also known as 2014 MU69) and how the brightness varies as the object rotates. Even though New Horizons team members determined in 2017 that Ultima Thule isnt shaped like a sphere that it is probably elongated or maybe even two objects they havent seen the repeated pulsations in brightness that theyd expect from a rotating object of that shape. The periodic variation in brightness during every rotation produces what astronomers refer to as a light curve. We are flying by Ultima Thule to see a Kuiper Belt object up close for the first time. Ultima is special for two reasons, said New Horizons principal investigator Dr. Alan Stern, a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute. First, based on its orbit type, we know that Ultima Thule was formed way out where New Horizons is, 4 billion miles away. That means Ultima was formed in the middle of the Kuiper Belt, where temperatures are close to absolute zero. Second, because of where it was formed and the fact that Ultima Thule is not large enough to have a geologic engine like Pluto and larger planets, we expect that Ultima is the most well-preserved sample of a planetary building block ever explored. In effect, Ultima should be a valuable window into the early stages of planet formation and what the Solar System was like over 4.5 billion years ago. What will Ultima Thule reveal? No one knows. To me, that is whats most exciting this is pure exploration and fundamental science. What could explain the tiny, still undetected light curve from Ultima Thule? Dr. Stern and colleagues have several ideas. Its really a puzzle. I call this Ultima Thules first puzzle why does it have such a tiny light curve that we cant even detect it? I expect the detailed flyby images coming soon to give us many more mysteries, but I did not expect this, and so soon, Dr. Stern said. Its possible that Ultima Thules rotation pole is aimed right at or close to the spacecraft, added Dr. Marc Buie, also of the Southwest Research Institute. That explanation is a natural, but it requires the special circumstance of a particular orientation of Ultima Thule. Another explanation is that Ultima Thule may be surrounded by a cloud of dust that obscures its light curve, much the way a comets coma often overwhelms the light reflected by its central nucleus, said Dr. Mark Showalter, from the SETI Institute. That explanation is plausible, but such a coma would require some source of heat to generate, and Ultima is too far away for the Suns feeble light to do the trick. An even more bizarre scenario is one in which Ultima is surrounded by many tiny tumbling moons, said New Horizons team member Dr. Anne Verbiscer, from the University of Virginia. If each moon has its own light curve, then together they could create a jumbled superposition of light curves that make it look to New Horizons like Ultima has a small light curve. While that explanation is also plausible, it has no parallel in all the other bodies of our Solar System. Choksi is wanted by investigating agencies in India for loan fraud. He and his nephew Nirav Modi fled the country in the first week of January after their companies were found cheating the state-run Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,000 crore. Mumbai: Absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi on Tuesday told a court here that he cannot bear a 41-hour long journey from Antigua owning to his poor health. Choksi in his written reply apprised the court about his willingness to join the investigation through video conferencing. In the court, Choksi accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of misleading the probe by deliberately not sharing the details of his health condition. The fugitive businessman in his 34-page long reply also underscored that he is in constant touch with the PNB banks to settle the issue. Choksi was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda last year and he took the oath of allegiance to that country on January 15. The ED has urged the court to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender and seize his properties. "IIT-Bhubaneswar will spur industrial development of Odisha, and work towards technologies to improve the lives of the people," he said in his address to the gathering on the occasion, unraveling plans to expand "healthcare infrastructure, road network, and oil and gas pipeline infrastructure" in Odisha. Bhubaneswar: Dedicating IIT-Bhubaneswar to youths with the hope that the new facility will provide employment opportunities to them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that his government aims to "develop eastern India as the gateway to South-East Asia." "I got the opportunity to dedicate IIT-Bhubaneswar to the youth. Rs 1,260 crore has been spent on its construction. This grand campus will not only be a center of dreams for the youths of Odisha but will also provide employment opportunities," Prime Minister Modi said. Prime Minister Modi, who reiterated the Union Government's commitment to all-round development of Odisha, earlier in the day inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 14,523 crore in Bhubaneswar under the Centre's 'Purvodaya' vision. Prime Minister Modi said that the total worth of the projects which were either inaugurated or for which the foundation stone was laid on Monday was worth over Rs 14,000 crore. "The investment is a continuation of the special focus on the state by the central government for rapid socio-economic development to unleash the true potential of Odisha and bring it on par with the most developed states in the country," he said. In Bhubaneswar, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation of Paradip Hyderabad Pipeline Product Project (PHPL) and Bokaro-Angul section of Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Gas Pipeline Project under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga scheme. The 1,212-kilometre long Paradip-Hyderabad product pipeline is being built by the Indian Oil Corporation at a sanctioned cost of Rs 3,800 crore. It is capable of transporting 4.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) of petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The pipeline originates at Paradip and traverses through three states-Odisha (329-km), Andhra Pradesh (723-km) and Telangana (160-km) before terminating at Hyderabad. It has delivery cum pumping stations at Behrampur, Vizag, Rajahmundry, and Vijayawada. The 667-km long Bokaro-Angul pipeline section of the landmark Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline Project, also a part of PM Urja Ganga scheme, is being built by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) at a sanctioned cost of Rs 3,437 crore. The Prime Minister also inaugurated an archeological museum at Lalitgiri, and an ESI Hospital in Bhubaneswar, which was recently ramped up from a 50 to 100 bedded hospital. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi participated in the ceremony to mark laning of sections of four national highways, namely, Chandikhole-Bhadrak section of NH 5 (New NH 16), Khandagiri Flyover, Bhubaneswar on NH 5 (New NH 16), Cuttack-Angul section of NH 42 (New NH 55) and Tangi-Puintola section of NH 5 (New NH 16). Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi issued Paika Rebellion Commemorative Stamp and coin and established Buxi Jagabandhu Research Chair at Utkal University System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe43d33c0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe466f130)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe43d33c0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe466f130)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe4447930)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe466f130)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe466f130)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe36b0338)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe4673018)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe4673018)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe402f768)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40615c0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe402f768)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40615c0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe4048b90)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40615c0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40615c0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fcb815578)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe3fc79f8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe3fc79f8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe3cce6f8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40c4780)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe3cce6f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40c4780)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fe3cdd3a8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40c4780)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe40c4780)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe2a21f88)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe4aaf7c0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe4aaf7c0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Military Santa tracker live despite US government shutdown Washington, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 The US government shutdown may have temporarily dimmed Washington's National Christmas Tree but never fear, Santa Claus is still comin' to town -- and the military is tracking his path. Just as it has since the 1950s the Canadian and American defense agency NORAD is delivering live updates on the man in the red suit's international gift delivery route. NORAD eased the fears of good little boys and girls concerned the tracker might be down, after US lawmakers failed agree on a budget, triggering a partial shutdown of federal services, including the maintenance of the Christmas tree outside the White House. "In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec. 24," the agency tweeted of the tracker, the Pentagon's largest public outreach program. "Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year." The 3-D, interactive website at www.noradsanta.org showed Santa on his delivery route, allowing users to click and learn more about the various cities along the way. Just after 0100 GMT, Father Christmas's reindeer-powered sleigh was headed for Santiago, Chile, having already delivered more than 4.2 billion gifts. In addition to tracking St Nick, volunteers donning military garb and Santa hats also respond to tens of thousands of calls and emails from eager children hoping to probe for details including their Christmas wish lists. - Do you believe in Santa? - The Trumps, who canceled their holiday trip to Mar a Lago, their residence and club in Florida, in light of the shutdown, took a turn fielding calls from the White House on Monday evening. "Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" Trump said when answering one call. But he went on to raise doubts about Santa's existence, asking: "Are you doing well in school? Are you still a believer in Santa?" Melania apparently managed to skirt that sensitive issue in calls she answered. "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you. Nice talking to you," she told one caller. The Santa tracker presented by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement misprinted a phone number to connect children with Santa and mistakenly directed them to the military nerve center hotline. To avoid disappointing the eager children, NORAD's director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, ordered his staff to check the radar to see where Santa might be and update the children on his location. Decades later volunteers are armed with a 14-page playbook with talking points to respond to queries from excited children. The Defense Department is able to follow Santa's journey thanks to satellites that pick up heat from lead reindeer Rudolph's bright red nose, which "gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch," according to Politico magazine. And for those kids skeptical of Santa's existence? "Historical data and more than 60 years of NORAD tracking information lead us to believe Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world," the Pentagon's handbook reads. Erdogan invites Trump to Turkey amid Syria pullout Ankara, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent more troops to Syria's border on Monday ahead of an imminent US withdrawal, as the White House announced he had invited Donald Trump to Ankara. Unlike several other allies of the United States, Turkey has praised President Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 of his ground forces from Syria, a country where it will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters. On Monday Ankara sent more troops to its Syrian border and said an offensive targeting the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia and IS group will be launched in the coming months. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. But the militia has also been a key US ally in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, working with American forces on the ground there. "Just as we did not leave our Syrian Arabs to Daesh (IS), we will not leave Syrian Kurds to the cruelty of the PKK," Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara. A Turkish military convoy arrived overnight on Monday at the border with local media reporting that some vehicles had entered Syria. In a telephone conversation Sunday between Trump and Erdogan, which both sides described as "productive", they agreed to avoid a power vacuum in Syria after the US withdrawal. "President Erdogan invited President Trump to visit Turkey in 2019. While nothing definite is being planned, the President is open to a potential meeting in the future," a White House spokesperson later said on Monday evening. Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told reporters on Monday that a US military delegation would arrive this week to "discuss how to coordinate (the withdrawal) with their counterparts". A Turkish foreign ministry delegation would go to Washington for talks early January, he added. - 'No slowdown' in IS fight - Trump stunned the US political establishment and allies last week with his decision, days after Erdogan had warned that Ankara would soon launch an offensive in northern Syria. Critics of Trump's decision fear that thousands of Islamic State (IS) group extremist members are still thought to be in Syria, despite Trump's claim of having defeated IS. The US leader tweeted that Erdogan had told him Ankara would "eradicate" the last IS elements. And Kalin vowed that there was "no question of a step backwards, vulnerability or a slowdown in the fight against Daesh (IS)". He added: "Turkey will show the same determination against Daesh. To beat Daesh, we don't need the PKK or the YPG. We can bring peace to this region." - Convoy enters Syria - The Turkish military convoy with howitzers, artillery batteries and several units of the armed forces, was deployed to the border district of Elbeyli in Kilis province, state news agency Anadolu reported on Monday. Parts of the convoy had entered Syria, the private IHA news agency reported, which said the reinforcements would take place "gradually". The deployment began over the weekend with around 100 vehicles, the Hurriyet daily said, and crossed into the Al-Bab region, headed towards Jarabulus and YPG-held Manbij. Jarabulus and Al-Bab were areas captured from IS during Ankara's first military operation in August 2016 which lasted until March 2017. Military reinforcements had also been sent to the Akcakale border town and Ceylanpinar district, both in the southeastern Sanliurfa province. Turkey conducted a second offensive with Syrian rebels against the YPG in its northwestern enclave of Afrin in January this year. Turkish officials have previously said Ankara has no territorial ambitions in Syria. - Warming Turkey-US relations - Trump's move has sparked dismay among many allies and turmoil within his administration. First Defence Secretary Jim Mattis resigned, then Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, stepped down. American support for the YPG, under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, has long been a source of tension between NATO allies the US and Turkey. But relations between the Turkish and American leaders appear to have improved substantially since a crisis in the summer over the detention of a US pastor, since released. Last week, the US approved the sale of $3.5 billion in missiles to Turkey, after American outrage over Ankara's major arms purchase from Russia. But there are still strains over the US refusal to extradite Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Muslim preacher who Turkey says ordered the 2016 failed coup. Military Santa tracker live despite US government shutdown Washington, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 The US government shutdown may have temporarily dimmed Washington's National Christmas Tree but never fear, Santa Claus still came to town -- with the military tracking his path across the globe. Just as it has since the 1950s the Canadian and American defense agency NORAD delivered live updates on the man in the red suit's international gift delivery route. NORAD eased the fears of good little boys and girls concerned the tracker might be down, after US lawmakers failed agree on a budget, triggering a partial shutdown of federal services, including the maintenance of the Christmas tree outside the White House. "In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec. 24," the agency tweeted of the tracker, the Pentagon's largest public outreach program. "Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year." The 3-D, interactive website at www.noradsanta.org showed Santa on his delivery route, allowing users to click and learn more about the various cities along the way. Just after 0645 GMT, Father Christmas's reindeer-powered sleigh was headed for Monterrey, Mexico, having already delivered more than six billion gifts. In addition to tracking St Nick, volunteers donning military garb and Santa hats also respond to tens of thousands of calls and emails from eager children hoping to probe for details including their Christmas wish lists. - Do you believe in Santa? - The Trumps, who canceled their holiday trip to Mar a Lago, their residence and club in Florida, in light of the shutdown, took a turn fielding calls from the White House on Monday evening. "Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" Trump said when answering one call. But he went on to raise doubts about Santa's existence, asking: "Are you still a believer in Santa Claus? 'Cuz at seven it's marginal, right?" Melania apparently managed to skirt that sensitive issue in calls she answered. "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you. Nice talking to you," she told one caller. The couple later attended a Christmas Eve service at the Washington National Cathedral. The Santa tracker presented by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement misprinted a phone number to connect children with Santa and mistakenly directed them to the military nerve center hotline. To avoid disappointing the eager children, NORAD's director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, ordered his staff to check the radar to see where Santa might be and update the children on his location. Decades later volunteers are armed with a 14-page playbook with talking points to respond to queries from excited children. The Defense Department is able to follow Santa's journey thanks to satellites that pick up heat from lead reindeer Rudolph's bright red nose, which "gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch," according to Politico magazine. And for those kids skeptical of Santa's existence? "Historical data and more than 60 years of NORAD tracking information lead us to believe Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world," the Pentagon's handbook reads. Military Santa tracker live despite US government shutdown Washington, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 The US government shutdown may have temporarily dimmed Washington's National Christmas Tree but never fear, Santa Claus still came to town -- with the military tracking his path across the globe. Just as it has since the 1950s the Canadian and American defense agency NORAD delivered live updates on the man in the red suit's international gift delivery route. NORAD eased the fears of good little boys and girls concerned the tracker might be down, after US lawmakers failed agree on a budget, triggering a partial shutdown of federal services, including the maintenance of the Christmas tree outside the White House. "In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec. 24," the agency tweeted of the tracker, the Pentagon's largest public outreach program. "Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year." The 3-D, interactive website at www.noradsanta.org showed Santa on his delivery route, allowing users to click and learn more about the various cities along the way. Shortly before 1100 GMT, Father Christmas's reindeer-powered sleigh was heading home to the North Pole, having delivered more than 7.2 billion gifts. In addition to tracking St Nick, volunteers donning military garb and Santa hats also respond to tens of thousands of calls and emails from eager children hoping to probe for details including their Christmas wish lists. - Do you believe in Santa? - The Trumps, who canceled their holiday trip to Mar a Lago, their residence and club in Florida, in light of the shutdown, took a turn fielding calls from the White House on Monday evening. "Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" Trump said when answering one call. But he went on to raise doubts about Santa's existence, asking: "Are you still a believer in Santa Claus? 'Cuz at seven it's marginal, right?" Melania apparently managed to skirt that sensitive issue in calls she answered. "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you. Nice talking to you," she told one caller. The couple later attended a Christmas Eve service at the Washington National Cathedral. The Santa tracker presented by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement misprinted a phone number to connect children with Santa and mistakenly directed them to the military nerve center hotline. To avoid disappointing the eager children, NORAD's director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, ordered his staff to check the radar to see where Santa might be and update the children on his location. Decades later volunteers are armed with a 14-page playbook with talking points to respond to queries from excited children. The Defense Department is able to follow Santa's journey thanks to satellites that pick up heat from lead reindeer Rudolph's bright red nose, which "gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch," according to Politico magazine. And for those kids skeptical of Santa's existence? "Historical data and more than 60 years of NORAD tracking information lead us to believe Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world," the Pentagon's handbook reads. India's longest road-rail bridge bolsters defence on China border Bogibeel, India, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 India on Tuesday opened its longest rail-road bridge in a poor northeastern state as part of efforts to boost defences on its sensitive border with China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi drove an inaugural cavalcade along the 4.9 kilometre (three mile) long Bogibeel bridge over the Brahmaputra river to inaugurate the project in Assam state which has taken nearly two decades and $800 million to complete. The bridge, near the city of Dibrugarh, will enable the military to speed up the dispatch of forces to neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China. With the opening of the bridge, the rail journey from Dibrugarh to the Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar has been cut by 750 kilometres. India lost territory in Arunachal Pradesh in a 1962 war with China. The bridge has been designed to bear the weight of India's heaviest 60 tonne battle tanks and so that fighter jets can land on it. India opened its longest bridge, the 9.1km Dhola-Sadiya bridge, in 2017 to connect Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, also to boost tactical defences. Construction of the Bogibeel bridge was agreed by the government as part of a 1985 agreement to end years of deadly agitation by Assamese nationalist groups. IS claims deadly Iraq attack Tal Afar, Iraq, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that rocked the former jihadist stronghold of Tal Afar in northern Iraq and killed two people. "A car bomb exploded near a cafe in the Ras al-Jadah district in the centre of Tal Afar," said Abed Alaal Abbas, an official in the city some 70 kilometres (40 miles) west of Mosul. The blast "killed two and wounded 11 other civilians", he told AFP. Iraq's joint operations command confirmed the toll. IS claimed responsibility for the attack on the Telegram messaging application, saying the blast killed three. It was the first attack in Tal Afar since Iraqi forces retook the city from the IS in August last year. The recapture of the city, which lies between Mosul and the Syrian border, was hailed as a major victory against the jihadists, who seized nearly one third of Iraq in a sweeping 2014 offensive. Syria air defences fire on 'enemy targets' near Damascus: state media Beirut, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 Syrian air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" near Damascus on Tuesday, state media reported, with a war monitor reporting an Israeli air strike. The official SANA news agency and the state broadcaster both reported that air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" to "confront" them, without giving further details. SANA said "a number of enemy targets were downed" by the air defences. "It's an Israeli raid," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. "Missiles fired from Israeli planes targeted... arms depots southwest and south of Damascus that belong to Hezbollah or Iranian forces," he added. Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets, many of them in the area south of Damascus. At the end of November Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of "hostile targets" over the Kisweh area south of Damascus. An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on reports of a strike in Syria when contacted by AFP. But the military added in a statement: "An aerial defence system went off against an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria. No damage or injuries were reported." Experts say Israel is to be greatly affected by US President Donald Trump's announcement of a withdrawal of American forces from Syria, as it would leave the area open to Iran and its partners to develop their military capacity in the neighbouring country. Israel, which had praised Trump's policies in the Middle East, has vowed not to let Tehran get a foothold in Syria. Pope urges peace, 'fraternity' as millions celebrate Christmas Vatican City, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2018 Pope Francis called for peace and "fraternity" among peoples, as millions across the world celebrated Christmas on Tuesday while US President Donald Trump caused a festive furore by asking a child whether he still believed in Santa Claus. Some 50,000 worshippers gathered at the Vatican to hear the pontiff's sixth "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) message appealing for peace in conflict zones such as Syria and Yemen, whose populations face some of the world's most desperate humanitarian crises. "My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity," he told pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square on Tuesday, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. "Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas... Fraternity among persons of different religions." Francis, the head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, had earlier used his mass on Monday night to urge people to curb "insatiable greed". The pontiff said he hoped a truce in conflict-ravaged Yemen would end a devastating war that has killed around 10,000 people since 2015 and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. "My thoughts turn to Yemen, in the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine," he said. The pope also spoke of the war in Syria, which has forced millions from their homes and reduced swathes of the country to rubble. He called for a "political solution" to the conflict "so that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country". Francis also said he hoped for renewed peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians "that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love." - 'Little town' celebrations - Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, located near Jerusalem but cut off from the city by Israel's separation barrier, has seen an increase in visitors this season after several down years because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian tourism officials and hotel operators have reported their strongest season in years. "This year is much more calm, much better than last year," said Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from the nearby town of Beit Sahour celebrating in Bethlehem with her son and daughter. "Every year I feel more in the mood to celebrate despite the political situation," the 37-year-old added, referring to the Israeli occupation. Beyond Bethlehem, Christians worldwide were marking Christmas, with services held from Indonesia to Iraq. This year's celebrations come after a year of tumult, much of which has come from Washington, where the festive spirit was dampened when the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. One festive service not affected was the military's annual Santa Claus "tracker", which sees North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) deliver live updates on his international gift delivery route. Fielding calls from children anxious to know if their presents would arrive on time, Trump risked a spell on Santa's naughty list by telling one young boy that believing in the jolly man in red at age seven was "marginal". But his scepticism is unlikely to have dampened the enthusiasm of many excited youngsters. "Historical data and more than 60 years of NORAD tracking information lead us to believe Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world," the Pentagon's handbook read. - Celebrations despite conflicts - This year in Bethlehem, visitors were also able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after a major renovation. Visitors from across the world gathered in the "little town" on Christmas Eve for midnight mass, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. While for many who celebrate the festival Christmas is a time to gather with loved ones, many were struggling with unforeseen events and hardships. At a little church just outside Indonesia's tsunami disaster zone, a few dozen congregants gathered on Christmas day to pray for the victims. The tsunami, triggered by a volcanic eruption, left more than 400 people dead when it smashed into popular beaches on southern Sumatra and the western edge of Java, inundating tourist hotels and coastal settlements. "This Christmas is different because we're celebrating it during a disaster," Rahmat Carita congregant Eliza told AFP. "For me, it's a chance to contemplate. God's love is real, we must not forget that." Later Tuesday, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will call for respect and civility in a Christmas message delivered with the country deeply divided over its impending exit from the EU. Spain's second-largest city Barcelona was meanwhile on alert after the US State Department warned of the risk of a terrorist attack during the Christmas holidays. And in France, groups of "yellow vest" anti-government demonstrators are spending Christmas day at makeshift protest camps on roundabouts across the country, eating devilled eggs and foie gras with new friends they have made in weeks of rallies against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron. burs-klm/gd China has expressed support for the announcement of Myanmar's ethnic armed groups and the military to have ceasefire and suspend all military actions in northern Myanmar. "This signifies major progress in Myanmar's peace process," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying at a press briefing Monday. Stressing that dialog and consultation is the only right way to solve problems, Hua said achieving peace and reconciliation is the common aspiration of people of all nationalities and is in the fundamental interests of Myanmar. As a friendly neighbor, China sincerely hopes that all parties in Myanmar will conform to the historical trend and take the opportunity to meet each other halfway so as to realize reconciliation, peace, and development at an early date, said Hua. China has long played an active and constructive role in promoting dialog and reconciliation among various parties in Myanmar at their request, Hua said. "We hope to continue to work with Myanmar to maintain the peace and stability in the China-Myanmar border area, and firmly support the advancement of the peace process." The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services said on Dec. 21 that it would suspend all military activities in northern Myanmar for over four months until April 30, 2019, to conduct ceasefire talks with other factions in the region. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Partly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 0C. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near -9C. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic Following the latest events in and around the Black Sea, two old questions are reappearing. Both are inviting us for a repeated elaboration: If a Monroe doctrine (about the hemispheric security exclusivity) is recognised at one corner of the globe, do we have a moral right or legal ground to negate it at the other corner? This irrespectively from the fact that Gorbachev-Yeltsin Russia unilaterally renounced the similar explication the Brezhnev doctrine about irreversibility of communist gains. Clearly, the might-makes-right as a conduct in international relations cannot be selectively accepted. Either it is acknowledged to all who can effectively self-prescribe and maintain such a monopoly of coercion, or it is absolutely (revoked and) condemned as contrary to behaviour among the civilised nations. Next to the first question is a right of pre-emption. It is apparent that within the Black Sea theatre, Russia acts in an unwilling, pre-emptive and rather defensive mode. That is not a regime change action on the other continent following the rational of extra security demand by the exclusive few. Fairly, it is an equalising reactive attempt within the near abroad. For the last 25 years, all the NATO military interventions were well beyond its membership zone; none of the few Russian interventions over the same period was outside the parameter of former USSR. Before closing, let us take a closer look on the problem from a larger historical perspective. Una hysteria Importante Historically speaking, the process of Christianization of Europe that was used as the justification tool to (either intimidate or corrupt, so to say to) pacify the invading tribes, which demolished the Roman Empire and brought to an end the Antique age, was running parallel on two tracks. The Roman Curia/Vatican conducted one of them by its hammer: the Holy Roman Empire. The second was run by the cluster of Rusophone Slavic Kaganates, who receiving (the orthodox or true/authentic, so-called Eastern version of) Christianity from Byzantium, and past its collapse, have taken over a mission of Christianization, while forming its first state of Kiev Russia (and thereafter, its first historic empire). Thus, to the eastern edge of Europe, Russophones have lived in an intact, nearly a hermetic world of universalism for centuries: one empire, one Tsar, one religion and one language. Everything in between Central Europe and Russia is Eastern Europe, rather a historic novelty on the political map of Europe. Very formation of the Atlantic Europes present shape dates back to 14th15th century, of Central Europe to the mid-late 19th century, while a contemporary Eastern Europe only started emerging between the end of WWI and the collapse of the Soviet Union meaning, less than 100 years at best, slightly over two decades in the most cases. No wonder that the dominant political culture of the Eastern Europeans resonates residual fears and reflects deeply insecure small nations. Captive and restive, they are short in territorial depth, in demographic projection, in natural resources and in a direct access to open (warm) seas. After all, these are short in historio-cultural verticals, and in the bigger picture-driven long-term policies. Eastern Europeans are exercising the nationhood and sovereignty from quite a recently, thus, too often uncertain over the side and page of history. Therefore, they are often dismissive, hectic and suspectful, nearly neuralgic and xenophobic, with frequent overtones. Years of Useful Idiot The latest loss of Russophone Europe in its geopolitical and ideological confrontation with the West meant colossal changes in Eastern Europe. One may look into geopolitical surrounding of at the-time largest eastern European state, Poland, as an illustration of how dramatic was it. All three land neighbors of Poland; Eastern Germany (as the only country to join the EU without any accession procedure, but by pure act of Anschluss), Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union have disappeared overnight. At present, Polish border countries are a two-decade-old novelty on the European political map. Further on, if we wish to compare the number of dissolutions of states worldwide over the last 50 years, the Old continent suffered as many as all other continents combined: American continent none, Asia one (Indonesia/ East Timor), Africa two (Sudan/South Sudan and Ethiopia/Eritrea), and Europe three. Interestingly, each and every dissolution in Europe was primarily related to Slavs (Slavic peo-ples) living in multiethnic and multi-linguistic (not in the Atlantic Europes conscripted pure single-nation) state. Additionally, all three European fragmentations meaning, every second dissolution in the world were situated exclusively and only in Eastern Europe. That region has witnessed a total dissolution of Czechoslovakia (western Slavs) and Yugoslavia (southern Slavs, in 3 waves), while one state disappeared from Eastern Europe (DDR) as to strengthen and enlarge the front of Central Europe (Western Germany). Finally, countless centripetal turbulences severely affected Eastern Europe following the dissolution of the Soviet Union (eastern Slavs) on its frontiers. Irredentism in the UK, Spain, Belgium, France and Italy, or Denmark (over Faroe Islands and Greenland) is far elder, stronger and deeper. However, all dissolutions in Eastern Europe took place irreversibly and overnight, while Atlantic Europe remained intact, with Central Europe even enlarging territorially and expanding economically. Deindustrialized, incapacitated, demoralized, over-indebted, re-feudalized, rarified and de-Slavicized Finally, East is sharply aged and depopulated the worst of its kind ever which in return will make any future prospect of a full and decisive generational interval simply impossible. Honduras-ization of Eastern Europe is full and complete. Hence, is it safe to say that if the post-WWII Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe was overt and brutal, this one is subtle but subversive and deeply corrosive? The key (nonintentional) consequence of the Soviet occupation was that the Eastern European states as a sort of their tacit, firm but low-tempered rebellion preserved their sense of nationhood. However, they had essential means at disposal to do so: the right to work was highly illuminated in and protected by the national constitutions, so were other socio-economic rights such as the right to culture, language, arts and similar segments of collective nations memory. Todays East, deprived and deceived, silently witnesses the progressive metastasis of its national tissue. Ergo, euphemisms such as countries in transition or new Europe cannot hide a disconsolate fact that Eastern Europe has been treated for 25 years as defeated belligerent, as spoils of war which the West won in its war against communist Russia. It concludes that (self-)fragmented, deindustrialized and re-feudalized, rapidly aged rarified and depopulated, (and de-Slavicized) Eastern Europe is probably the least influential region of the world one of the very few underachievers. Obediently submissive and therefore, rigid in dynamic environment of the promising 21st century, Eastern Europeans are among last remaining passive downloaders and slow-receivers on the otherwise blossoming stage of the worlds creativity, politics and economy. Seems, Europe still despises its own victims Terra nullius Admittedly, by the early 1990s, the security hole Eastern Europe, has been approached in multifold fashion: Besides the (pre-Maastricht EC and post-Maastricht) EU and NATO, there was the Council of Europe, the CSCE (after the 1993 Budapest summit, OSCE), the EBRD and EIB. All of them were sending the political, economic, human dimension, commercial signals, assistance and expertise. These moves were making both sides very nervous; Russia becoming assertive (on its former peripheries) and Eastern Europe defiantly dismissive. Until this very day, each of them is portraying the NATO enterprise as the central security consideration: One as a must-go, and another as a no-go. No wonder that the absolute pivot of Eastern Europe, and the second largest of all Slavic states Ukraine, is a grand hostage of that very dilemma: Between the eastern pan-Slavic hegemony and western imperialism of free market. Additionally, the country suffers from the consolidated Klepto-corporate takeover as well as the rapid re-Nazification. For Ukraine, Russia is a geographic, socio-historic, cultural and linguistic reality. Presently, this reality is far less reflected upon than the seducing, but rather distant Euro-Atlantic club. Ukraine for Russia; it represents more than a lame western-flank geopolitical pivot, or to say, the first collateral in the infamous policy of containment that the West had continuously pursued against Russia ever since the 18th century. For Moscow, Kiev is an emotional place an indispensable bond of historio-civilizational attachment something that makes and sustains Russia both Christian and European. Putin clearly redlined it: Sudden annexation of Crimea (return to its pre-1954 status) was an unpleasant and humiliating surprise that brought a lot of foreign policy hangover for both the NATO and EU. Nevertheless, for the Atlantist alarmists (incl. the Partition studies participants and those working for the Hate industry), military lobbyists and other cold-war mentality deep-state structures on all sides, this situation offers a perfect raison d\etre. Thus drifting chopped off and away, a failed state beyond rehabilitation, Ukraine itself is a prisoner of this domesticated security drama. Yet again, the false dilemma so tragically imploded within this blue state, of a 50:50 polarized and deterritorialized population, over the question where the country belongs in space, time and side of history. Conclusively, Eastern Europe is further twisting, while gradually combusted between Ukrainization and Pakistanization. The rest of Europe is already shifting the costs of its own foreign policy journey by fracking its households with a considerably (politically) higher energy bills. By Dr Lu Wei How to draw the line between the recent and still unsettled EU/EURO crisis and Asias success story? Well, it might be easier than it seems: Neither Europe nor Asia has any alternative. The difference is that Europe well knows there is no alternative and therefore is multilateral. Asia thinks it has an alternative and therefore is strikingly bilateral, while stubbornly residing enveloped in economic egoisms. No wonder that Europe is/will be able to manage its decline, while Asia is (still) unable to capitalize its successes. Asia clearly does not accept any more the lead of the post-industrial and post-Christian Europe, but is not ready for the post-West world. professor Anis H. Bajrektarevic diagnosed in his well-read No Asian century policy paper. Sino-Indian rift is not new. It only takes new forms in Asia, which in absence of a true multilateralism is entrenched in confrontational competition and amplifying antagonisms. The following lines are referencing one such a rift. *********** At the end of 2017, Brahma Chellaney, a professor with the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research, wrote an article titled "China\s Creditor Imperialism" in which he accused China of creating a "debt trap" from Argentina, to Namibia and Laos, mentioning its acquisition of, or investment in the construction of several port hubs, including Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Piraeus in Greece, Djibouti, and Mombasa in Kenya in recent years. These countries are forced to avoid default by painfully choosing to let China control their resources and thus have forfeited their sovereignty, he wrote. The article described China as a "new imperial giant" with a velvet glove hiding iron fists with which it was pressing small countries. The Belt and Road Initiative, he concluded, is essentially an ambitious plan to realize "Chinese imperialism". The article was later widely quoted by newspapers, websites and think tanks around the world. When then United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Africa in March, he also said that although Chinese investment may help improve Africa\s infrastructure, it would lead to increased debt on the continent, without creating many jobs. It is no accident that this idea of China\s creditor imperialism theory originates from India. New Delhi has openly opposed China\s Belt and Road Initiative, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as it runs through Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which India regards as an integral part of its territory. India is also worried that the construction of China\s Maritime Silk Road will challenge its dominance in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. Based on such a judgment, the Indian government has worked out its own regional cooperation initiatives, and taken moves, such as the declaration of cooperation with Vietnam in oil exploration in the South China Sea and its investment in the renovation of Chabahar port in Iran, as countermeasures against the Chinese initiative. Since January, India, the United States, Japan and Australia have actively built a "quasi-alliance system" for a "free and open Indo-Pacific order" as an alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative. In April, a senior Indian official attending the fifth China-India Strategic Economic Dialogue reiterated the Indian government\s refusal to participate in the initiative. The "creditor imperialism" fallacy is in essence a deliberate attempt by India and Western countries to denigrate the Belt and Road Initiative, which exhibits their envy of the initial fruits the initiative has produced. Such an argument stems from their own experiences of colonialism and imperialism. It is exactly the US-led Western countries that attached their political and strategic interests to the debt relationship with debtor countries and forced them to sign unequal treaties. China\s Belt and Road Initiative is proposed and implemented in the context of national equality, globalization and deepening international interdependence, and based on voluntary participation from relevant countries, which is totally different from the mandatory debt relationship of the West\s colonialism. It is an important "Chinese experience" to use foreign debts to solve its transportation and energy bottlenecks that restrict its economic and social development at the time of its accelerated industrialization and urbanization. By making use of borrowed foreign debts, China once built thousands of large and medium-sized projects, greatly easing the transportation and energy "bottlenecks" that long restrained its social and economic development. Such an experience is of reference significance for other developing countries in their initial stage of industrialization and urbanization along the Belt and Road routes. In the early stage of China\s reform and opening-up, US dollar-denominated foreign debt accounted for nearly 50 percent of China\s total foreign debts, and Japanese yen close to 30 percent. Why didn\t Western countries think the US and Japan were pushing their "creditor imperialism" on China? Some foreign media have repeatedly mentioned that Sri Lanka is trapped in a "debt trap" due to its excessive money borrowing from China. But the fact is that there are multiple reasons for Sri Lanka\s heavy foreign debt and its debt predicament should not be attributed to China. For most of the years since 1985, foreign debt has remained above 70 percent of its GDP due to its continuous fiscal deficits caused by low tax revenues and massive welfare spending. As of 2017, Sri Lanka owed China $2.87 billion, accounting for only 10 percent of its total foreign debt, compared with $3.44 billion it owed to Japan, 12 percent of its total foreign debt. Japan has been Sri Lanka\s largest creditor since 2006, but why does no foreign media disseminate the idea of "Japan\s creditor imperialism"? In response to the accusation that China is pursuing creditor imperialism made by India and some Western countries, even former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa wrote an article in July using data to refute it. Most of the time, the overseas large-scale infrastructure construction projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative are the ones operated by the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises under the request of the governments of involved countries along the Belt and Road routes or the ones undertaken by Chinese enterprises through bidding. It is expected that with the construction of large-scale infrastructure projects and industrial parks under the Chinese initiative, which will cause the host country\s self-development and debt repayment ability to constantly increase, the China\s creditor imperialism nonsense will collapse. By Sinta Stepani The newly elected President of Costa Rica, one of the worlds youngest heads of state, 38-year-old former journalist Carlos Alvarado, has vowed to fully decarbonise the countrys economy and makes it the first carbon-neutral nation in the world by 2021, on the 200th anniversary of its independence. Decarbonisation is the great task of our generation and Costa Rica must be one of the first countries in the world to accomplish it, if not the first, Alvarado said in his inauguration speech of 2018. We have the titanic and beautiful task of abolishing the use of fossil fuels in our economy to make way for the use of clean and renewable energies. Many commentators interpreted this as a decision to ban fossil fuels. Not quite true. Costa Rica does not have a legislation in place to restricting the use of fossil fuels, nor does its constituency plan to. However, it stepped up its ambition in reducing its share to the negative, climate change related global ecological footprint. Its Minister of Environment and Energy, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez plans to alter the countrys PEM (Primary Energy Mix) by gradually decarbonising it, but also by planting forests, employing better land management, and by the forthcoming carbon sequestration technologies. Aiming for carbon neutrality by ambitiously set 2021, the tiny Central American state is signalling it wants to beat bigger, more developed and wealthier countries to environmental glory. The UK and much of Scandinavia targets the 2050 as the year of zero net emissions. Germany hoped for the 95% reduction by a year of 2020, but is most probably to miss it. Costa Ricas climate change started with its leaders change Our crisis cannot be environmental Deep and structural, this must be a crisis of our cognitivity. Thus, the latest Climate Change (CC) Report is only seemingly on Climate. It is actually a behavioristic study on (the developmental dead end of) our other CC competition and confrontation, instead of cooperation and consensus. warns prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, and concludes: Cognitive mind can do it all. Well, Costa Rica has it on its grasp: Home to less than 5 million people, it has long played above its weight on the climate change policy formulation, norm setting and instrument formulations as well as on implementation policies and practical actions. Nation has produced echelons of leaders in all generational cohorts who have promoted vigorous and progressive environmental policies at home and on the international stage. Former President Jose Maria Figueres served the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moons Advisory Group on Climate Change and Energy. His younger sister, Christiana Figueres, chaired the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN block that convened the 2015 Paris climate agreement a most important instrument after FCCCs Kyoto Protocol. As curiously as foresightedly, Costa Rica holds no armed force (standing army) for a of century ever since 1948. Moreover, by 1994 the country amended its constitution to embody a right to a healthy environment for its citizens as one of the fundamental human rights. Complementing the unique constitutional right, Costa Rica has impressive practical results in greening its economy. In 2018 only, the country went 300 days using only renewable energy. As of December 2018, 98,15% of electricity is produced from water, wind, geothermal energy, biomass and the sun (thermal and photovoltaic). Back in 2015, it managed to generate 100 % of its electricity from renewable energy sources for 299 days; in 2016, it ran for 271 days and in 2017 for 300 days on everything but fossil fuels. According to the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity, the country generates most of its electricity, around 99 per cent, with a variety of methods including hydropower (78 per cent), wind (10 per cent), geothermal energy (10 per cent), biomass (1 per cent) and solar (1 per cent). However, there is still a lot to do. Almost 70 per cent of the countrys (non-electricity) energy consumption still comes for the PEM composed of fossil fuels. Transportation heavily leans on petrol while gas is still widely used for cooking and smaller vehicles. Greening politics and economy, rethinking transport In order to meet the targets (domestic and these emanating from the Paris Agreement) on carbon neutrality by 2021, Costa Rica on its national and subnational level is now focusing on transportation. Modern passengers and freight transportation is one of the largest polluters all over the world. At the same time it is one of the sectors most tedious to decarbonize. In Costa Rica itself, transportation accounts for some 2/3 of carbon/green-house gas emissions. Using incentives and subsidies for cleaner vehicles, particularly electric mode of public and personal transportation, the state and city authorities aim to greening and decarbonising. Skilful recalibration of petrol taxing and road-tolls could be one of the solutions. Of course, the easiest way to get to carbon neutrality is to introduce the carbon quotas by limiting the fossil fuels consumption. However, it has to be reconciled with the current technological possibilities to switch to electric solutions. The batteries, its life time, recharging mode and speed, dispersion and availability of sockets as well as the weight and price of batteries are some of the challenges for years if not decades to come, not only to Costa Rica but even for the worlds technological champions. On the other hand, as the countrys economy grows, demands for the old-fashioned ICE (inner-combustion engine) cars is rising. In 2017, on every newborn baby two new cars were registered (in contrast to some 120 new electric cars). For over 60% of population diesel fuelled bases, cars and locomotives are daily choice of commuting. The country already ranks second in per capita emissions in Central America, which makes further electrification both a logical choice and urgent necessity. Elsewhere in the world, governments are also struggling with how to balance financial means and the tasks; driving habits and curbing the emissions, consumeristic social styles with a future imperatives, but it seems Costa Rica is going braver and further than most. Therefore, its greening of politics, energy, economy and international conduct is worth to closely monitor and learn from. About the author: Sinta Stepani, international relations specialists based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It's the password you gave it when you set up the Hotspot. In the laptop, choose Cnnect Automatically next time you input that password. WARNING: Your phone bill will be sky-high if the laptop falls for a Windows Update download without you expecting it. U.S. stock markets fell sharply on Monday with the S&P 500 down more than two percent and the Dow off nearly three percent. President Donald Trump is blaming the Federal Reserve for stock market declines and other economic problems. In tweets, Trump has said the only U.S. economic problem is rising interest rates. He accused Fed chief Jerome Powell of not understanding the market and damaging the economy with rate hikes. The Fed slashed the key interest rate nearly to zero to boost growth during the recession that started in 2007. The central bank kept rates low for several years. Eventually, growth recovered, and unemployment dropped to its lowest level in 49 years, and Fed officials judged that the emergency stimulus was no longer needed. Fed leaders voted to reduce the stimulus by raising interest rates gradually. The concern was that too much stimulus could spark inflation. Experts say such a sharp increase in prices could prompt a damaging cycle of price increases leading to rising wage demands, which would spark another round of price hikes. Bahrain has constructed 26,401 social housing units over the last four years at an investment of BD1.4 billion ($3.7 billion) and remains committed to building another 40,000 homes in the next four years, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. For further details visit http://www.gdnonline.com Kuwait International Bank (KIB) said it has successfully sold four state properties at a public auction organised by the bank last week. A total of 15 properties (vacant land) owned by the Kuwait Investment Authority were put up for sale at the auction held at Safir International Hotel in Kuwait. Of these sold plots,, three were vacant private properties overlooking a side street in Fintas area of Kuwait, while the fourth property was located in Oqaila. Yousef Al-Ajeel, the head of the property management department at KIB, said: "The public auctions were held as per the request of property owners, in line with real estate conditions and requirements. All the 4 properties were sold off after completing necessary legal procedures and sales transactions." The KIB's property management department manages a large number of commercial complexes, residential buildings, as well as private properties owned by customers, and both the public and private sectors. The unit also offers legal services to advise clients on property transactions and resolve legal disputes related to the property; accounting services to prepare financial statements and accounting reports; and rent collection services to collect rent on behalf of property owners and provide online payment services. Services also include holding public auctions at the request of property owners, in line with local real estate laws and regulations, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Oman-based SV Pittie Sohar Textiles, a part of ShriVallabh Pittie Group - a global leader and one of the largest cotton yarn manufacturers in India, said it has launched a textile cluster with a cotton yarn production unit in Sohar, Oman. Positioning Oman on the world map of textiles industry, Pittie Group is developing a total of four modern yarn manufacturing units in the campus, covering over 2 million sq ft area, and housing the latest and most efficient automated technology in the textile industry. The new facility was inaugurated by Sayyid Taimur Bin Assad Bin Tariq Al Said in the presence of Pittie Group chairman Vinod Pittie and managing director Chirag Pittie. Sayyid Taimur also laid foundation stone of cotton yarn spinning unit (No.3) in the textile cluster. A number of senior government officials, and leaders from banking and investment sectors and businesses were also present on the occasion and toured the facility. Speaking at the event, Chirag said: "We are glad to open the facility which would significantly contribute to the nations economy. With a planned completion by November next year, these units will boast 300,000 spindles and 7,000 rotors producing over 100,000 metric tonnes of world class compact cotton yarn." "The cotton yarn spinning unit (No. 2), a 500,000 sq ft facility, will be fully operational by April," he stated. Chirag said with the work in full swing, the company could start production in a record time of approximately eight months. "This would not have been possible without the support of our lead EPC partner Inexco innovations Dubai under whose supervision we had almost 500 workers and over 100 engineers working 24x7 at the site during this period," he added. On the solid government support, Chirag said: "We have key stakeholders like Oman Sultans Special Forces Pension Fund backing us. Besides, our bankers Bank Sohar, having complete trust and confidence in this project, have been with us in every way to ensure we continue to move forward, unhindered." "With this facility having the best-in-class technology and expertise including Omani citizens, textiles could be the next large industry sector in the sultanate," he added. Other dignitaries including Sultan Al Habsi, deputy governor Central Bank of Oman; Abdul Salam Al Murshidi, executive president, State General Reserve Fund; Yahya Al Jabri, chairman Ithraa, Talal Al Rahbi, deputy secretary general, Supreme Council for Planning; Mahana Al Lamki, Governor North Batinah; Shaikh Ali Al Shamesi, Wali of Sohar and Shaikh Hammed Al Abri, Wali of Liwa were also present on the occasion. SV Pittie Sohar Textiles has also signed an agreement with Omans National Training Fund to train 1,000 Omanis for captive employment in the Textile Cluster. This comprehensive training programme, followed by guaranteed employment, will have a focus on foundational and textile technical skills and be especially suitable for Omani youth and women. Our goal is to build a strong national workforce and bring stability, comfort and pride to thousands of Omani families. We are a company which started almost 100 years ago by my great grandfather, who strongly believed that the objective of a business should not be limited to development and supply of goods but also to strengthen the foundation for the prosperity of the communities we serve, stated Chirag. The SV Pittie Sohar Textiles Training Center will be a world-class programme by itself, building on the companys vast level of operational experience in the textile industry, and will be partnered with other local training institutes to help them achieve their goals, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain is set to expand its domestic transport infrastructure network, utilising extensive multinational funding to relieve chronic congestion on its road network, according to a report. The announcement that the Bahraini government will tender the countrys first metro project in 2019 offers significant upside to our transport infrastructure outlook and mirrors the metro project initiatives in other GCC countries, stated Fitch Solutions Macro Research in its 2019 review for Bahrain. In August, the government of Bahrain had announced that it would look to issue a tender for a planned metro project in late 2019, mostly using a PPP (public-private-partnership) model. Valued at up to $2 billion, the project is expected to reach a total length of 109 km and to be built over a four year period. In seeking to develop a large-scale metro project, Bahrain will be following the footsteps of GCC peers like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, each of whom have similarly inaugurated metro projects as a means of facilitating economic diversification, it stated. This announcement offers significant upside to our construction sector outlook, said the report by Fitch Solutions. In September, it was announced that the tender for the construction of a bridge project connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is scheduled to be launched after six months. The project, known as King Hamad Causeway, is estimated to cost between $3 billion and $4 billion and includes a rail line for the GCC network as well as vehicular lanes. Project execution will start by mid-2021, with completion due in three years, stated the report. According to Fitch Solutions, the project pipeline for urban road projects has strengthened, as investment into easing congestion and improving logistics is channelled into the road network. Several announcements over the last year attest to this view including a new passenger terminal at Bahrain International Airport which is due to open in 2019. The new terminal will have a built-up area of 207,000 sq m, and will include a 4,600 sq m departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security checkpoints. The new terminal is being built as part of a multi-phase expansion plan, which also includes modernisation and expansion of the existing terminal, stated the report. An expansion programme at Bahrain International Airport, completed in 1994, included the construction of a new passenger terminal capable of handling 10 million passengers per year, and the improvement of cargo and other facilities. Since then, traffic has grown considerably and the government is currently pursuing plans to upgrade facilities at the airport, part of broader plans to develop Bahrain as a tourism destination to rival established markets such as the UAE. The Bahrain International Airport's modernisation programme started in 2016 and enabling works were completed in 2016. The $1.1-billion project, financed in large part by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, involves seven key projects, including a passenger terminal, 24 air bridges, arrival and departure lounges, and airport aprons. The expansion, which reportedly would boost the airport's annual capacity from 4mn passengers currently to 17 million, will be completed by 2019. These developments will enable Bahrain to cater for more flights, such as the new KLM Dreamliner service between Amsterdam and Bahrain and an expanding range of flights from FlyNas Airlines to and from Saudi Arabia, said the report. In January 2016, a joint venture comprising UAE-based Arabtec Construction and Turkey-based TAV Construction has received a letter of intent to build the terminal in early 2016. The award was one of several to be announced by Bahrain Airports Company at the end of the country's annual international air show. Other deals included one with CIMC for passenger air bridges, one with Vanderlande for a baggage-handling system, a contract for people movers and escalators with Kone and another for security systems with L3 Communications. In late 2015, Bahrain's government also announced plans to build the country's second airport on a purpose-built island off the north coast. The government first unveiled its plan in 2010 to build a separate airport on a manmade island. Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications had commissioned a technical study to find a location for the second airport, said the report. Fitch Solutions said Bahrain had invested heavily in its road network over the recent years and has a well-developed highway system and is linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway. However, opportunities still remain in the sector, particularly in relation to investing into easing congestion and improving logistics in the road network. Several project developments over the last year attest to this view and will support growth in the road infrastructure sector over the coming years, it added. Work on the Halat Bu Maher development project at Muharraq is progressing on schedule with completion expected by end-July 2019. The Block 216 development project is part of the ministry's comprehensive plans to modernise the countrys old streets. The project includes the construction of main streets and the organisation of intersections between B roads. Work is also under way to develop the Avenue 41 between road 4109 and road 4103 in Isa Town. The project will help facilitate traffic movement leading to and from Shaikh Salman Highway, where a street leading to road 4013 will be built. Also the project for widening of Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Avenue between Roundabout 6 in Hamad Town and Wali Al Ahd Avenue in Bahrain, through the addition of an extra lane, is also progressing well, stated Fitch Solutions in its 2019 review. The projects scope includes the installation of ground channels for future infrastructure initiatives, new traffic signals, lights and new road markings, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Kuwait has appointed a number of new ministers, including Khaled Al-Fadhel as the country's oil minister and minister of electricity and water, after the mass resignations of four others, a media report said. In a major reshuffle, the Kuwaiti Cabinet appointed Khaled Al-Roudhan as Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Services Affairs, in addition to Dr. Jenan Ramadan as Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Housing, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing Kuwait News Agency. The new appointees include Dr. Fahad Al-Afasi as Minister of Justice and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs and Saad Al-Kharaz as Minister of Social Affairs, while Fahad AlShaala was named Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs. The Cabinet also appointed Mariam Al-Aqail as Minister of State for Economic Affairs. A representative of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) was appointed as chairman to the GCC states' Air Navigation Committee in a unanimous vote during the 13th meeting of the Air Navigation Committee meeting that was held last week in Kuwait. The selections confirms the keenness of Saudi Arabia to move forward and activate the joint GCC work through the existing committees. With this selection, Saudi Arabia will continue to preside over the Committee during the upcoming meetings including the preceding periods. The meeting discussed a number of issues relating to the aviation fields, which included the harmonisation of air navigation systems, coordination of air traffic control procedures and the smooth flow of air network routes. - TradeArabia News Service Radisson Hospitality, part of the Radisson Hotel Group, has announced the signing of its first Radisson Collection hotel in Bodrum, on Turkeys southwest coast. The new agreement with Turkey-based construction and hospitality company Ant Aspat Yap ve Turizm A.S. increases the groups portfolio in the country to 25 hotels and more than 4,600 rooms in operation and under development. Radisson Collection Resort & Spa Bodrum is scheduled to open its doors in 2021. Situated on the stunning Turkish Riviera, Radisson Collection Resort & Spa, Bodrum is set to become a prestigious tourist destination. It is part of an exciting resort development that blends authentic Mediterranean architecture with European design aesthetic, and will feature a high-end retail offering, residential housing and a private marina. Elie Younes, executive vice president and chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: Were thrilled to strengthen our presence in Turkey with the introduction of Radisson Collection, our premium lifestyle brand. Bodrum is fondly known as the Turkish St Tropez, and this unique location is the perfect complement to the Radisson Collection with its amazing natural environment and its status as one of the most popular tourism hotspots in Turkey. Were pleased to see the positive rebound in the Turkish tourism sector and are confident in its future outlook especially with the increase in international tourist arrivals to Turkey, in particular from the traditional source markets of Russia, Germany and the UK. Mehmet Okay, chairman of Ant Aspat Yap ve Turizm A.S. said: Were pleased to strengthen our long-term partnership with Radisson Hotel Group, one of the worlds largest hotel groups. Were immensely proud to be developing what we believe will become a landmark resort destination in Turkey, overlooking the Bodrum Peninsula with excellent leisure facilities as part of a development that showcases premium retail, vacation homes and a private marina. Radisson Collection Resort & Spa Bodrum will feature 120 luxurious rooms and suites, offering panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. The rooms will open in two phases, initially with 80 rooms and with the remaining 40 rooms opening in the second phase, 12 months later. The first-class leisure facilities will include a spa that covers 1,150-sq-m, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and direct access to a private sandy beach. For dining, guests will have the choice of an international restaurant or al fresco dining at the pool terrace bar. The Radisson Collection Resort & Spa, Bodrum is located 12km west of Bodrum town and 46km from Milas-Bodrum International Airport. Known for its leisure attractions and vibrant nightlife, visitors to Bodrum can also enjoy the areas rich cultural heritage from Bodrum Castle to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. - TradeArabia News Service Korea said Monday it will fine BMW US$9.9 million and will file a criminal complaint against the German automaker for delaying a recall of cars with faulty engines that caught fire. Korea's transport ministry said its investigation uncovered that BMW knew about the faulty engines, but did not execute a prompt recall. The ministry said BMW deliberately tried to cover up the technical issues with the exhaust gas recirculation, or EGR, even after dozens of fires had been reported earlier this year. Cyprus bracing for new refugee influx after US pullout from Syria Nicosia, Dec 25 (Xinhua) Cyprus is bracing for a new influx of refugees following the pullout of United States troops from their present positions in Syria, government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Monday. He said the Cypriot government is worried that there may be an increase in fighting after the American pullout that would lead to another wave of refugees to neighboring countries. The Change 4 spacecraft, launched by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on December 8, 2018, has reportedly entered orbit around the Moon. It is expected to land on the lunar surface sometime in January 2019. Change 4 closer to the Moon The probe has traveled 240,000 miles to reach the Moons orbit. When it was just 80 miles above the lunar surface, the probe fired its retrorockets and positioned itself in a stable elliptical orbit. The mission controllers are currently testing all systems aboard the craft. Once the results come out positive, a landing attempt will be made next month. A communications relay satellite named Queqiao was launched by the CNSA in May this year and is already in operational orbit about 40,000 miles away from the Moon. Once Change 4 lands on the far side of the moon, it will not be in sight of Earth. As such, a relay satellite like Queqiao is required for Change 4 to communicate back home. CNSA decided to land the craft on the far side of the moon since it will be free from ionosphere interference from the Earth. The craft contains instruments and experiments from several countries, such as Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the Netherlands. The first Change lunar mission was launched in 2007 and was tasked with orbiting the Moon to create a topographical map of its surface. Next year, the space agency plans on sending the Change 5 mission to collect lunar soil and rocks. The craft has been named Change after the traditional moon goddess in Chinese mythology. A security threat In addition to sending probes to the Moon, China also has plans for building a permanent base. The construction of a robot-manned lunar base is expected to start around 2025 as per media reports. By 2030, the Chinese aim to achieve a manned landing on the lunar surface. However, Beijings attempts at sending probes to the Moon is being viewed with suspicion by U.S. intelligence agencies. Many believe that China may eventually militarize its space assets, including those on the surface or orbiting the Moon. A case in point is the Queqiao lunar satellite that is currently positioned at the Lagrangian 2 (L2) point on the far side of the Moon. This allows the satellite to potentially zoom past the Moon and sneak up on U.S. communications and intelligence satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO). You could fly some sort of a weapon around the Moon and it comes back it could literally come at [objects] in GEO and we would never know because there is nothing watching in that direction Why do you need a relay satellite flying around L2? So you can communicate with something thats going to land on the other side of the Moon or so you can fly around the other side of the Moon? And what would that mean for our assets at GEO? Jeff Gossel, Senior Intelligence Engineer in the Space and Missile Analysis Group at the Air Forces National Air and Space Intelligence Center, said in a statement (Defense One). Though the chances of Beijing using their lunar program assets for military uses against U.S. satellites is slim, American security agencies are said to be looking into the matter to develop a counter to such potential threats. Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly email On 19 December 2018, the announcement of the partial withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the total withdrawal from Syria sounded like a thunderclap. It was followed the next day by the resignation of Secretary for Defense, James Mattis. Contrary to the affirmation of President Trumps opposition, the two men hold one another in high esteem, and their difference of opinion has nothing to do with the withdrawals, but with the manner in which the consequences should be managed. The United States are facing a choice which will mark a separation and transform the world. Before anything else, in order to avoid barking up the wrong tree, we should remember the conditions and the aim of the collaboration between between Trump and Mattis. As soon as he entered the White House, Donald Trump was careful to surround himself with three senior military officers with enough authority to reposition the armed forces. Michael Flynn, John Kelly and especially James Mattis, have since left or are in the process of leaving. All three men are great soldiers who together had opposed their hierarchy during Obamas presidency [1]. They did not accept the strategy implemented by ambassador John Negroponte for the creation of terrorist groups tasked with stirring up a civil war in Iraq [2]. All three stood with President Trump to annul Washingtons support for the jihadists. Nonetheless, each of them had his own vision of the role of the United States in the world, and ended up clashing with the President. The storm whipped up by the mid-term elections has arrived [3]. The time has come to rethink international relations. Syria When in April, as he had promised, Donald Trump mentioned US withdrawal from Syria, the Pentagon persuaded him to stay. Not that a few thousand men could turn the tide of war, but because their presence acted as a counterweight to the Russian influence and a backup for Israel. However, the transfer of Russian weapons of defence to the Syrian Arab Army, particularly the S-300 missiles and ultra-sophisticated radars coordinated by the automated command and control system Polyana D4M1, changed the balance of forces [4]. From that moment on, US military presence became counter-productive any ground attack by pro-US mercenaries could no longer be supported by US aviation without the risk of losing aircraft. By withdrawing now, the Pentagon avoids the test of power and the humiliation of an inevitable defeat. Indeed, Russia has successively refused to give the United States and Israel the security codes for the missiles delivered to Syria. This means that after years of Western arrogance, Moscow has declined the sharing of control of Syria that it had accepted during the first Geneva Conference in 2012, and that Washington had violated a few weeks later. Apart from this, Moscow recognised a long time ago that US presence is illegal in terms of International Law, and that Syria can legitimately act in self-defence. The consequences The decision to withdraw from Syria is loaded with consequences. 1 Pseudo-Kurdistan The Western project for the creation of a colonial state in the North-East of Syria which would be attributed to the Kurds will not happen. Indeed, fewer and fewer Kurds give it their support, considering that this conquest would be comparable to the unilateral proclamation of a state Israel by Jewish militia, in 1948. As we have often explained, Kurdistan would only be legitimate within the boundaries which were recognised by the Conference de Sevres in 1920, in other words, in what is now Turkey, and nowhere else [5]. Yet only a few weeks ago, the United States and France were still considering the possibility of creating a pseudo-Kurdistan on Arab land, and having it administered under a UN mandate by the French ex-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kouchner [6]. 2 The Cebrowski strategy The Pentagon project for the last seventeen years in the Greater Middle East will not happen. Conceived by Admiral Arthur Cebrowski, it was aimed at destroying all the state structures in the region, with the exception of Israel, Jordan and Lebanon [7]. This plan, which began in Afghanistan, spread as far as Libya, and is still under way, will come to an end on Syrian territory. It is no longer acceptable that US armies fight with taxpayers funds for the sole financial interests of global financiers, even if they are US citizens. 3 US military supremacy The post-Soviet world order based on US military supremacy is now dead. This may be difficult to accept, but that changes nothing. The Russian Federation is now more powerful, both in terms of conventional weaponry (since 2015) and nuclear weaponry (since 2018 [8]). The fact that the Russian armies are one third less numerous than those of the US, and have only isolated troop presence overseas, cancels out the hypothesis of Russian imperialism. The Victors and the Vanquished The war against Syria will end in the moths to come for lack of mercenaries. The delivery of weapons by certain states, coordinated by KKR funds, may drag the crime on for a short time, but does not offer the hope of changing the course of events. Without any possible doubt, the victors of this war are Syria, Russia and Iran, while the vanquished are the 114 states which joined the Friends of Syria . Some of these have not awaited defeat to correct their foreign policy. Indeed, the United Arab Emirates have just announced the forthcoming reopening of their embassy in Damascus. However, the case of the United States is more complex. The Bush Jr. and Obama administrations shoulder the entire responsibility for this war. They were the ones who planned it and realised it within the framework of a unipolar world. On the other hand, as a candidate, Donald Trump accused these administrations of having failed to protect US citizens, but instead having served the interests of transnational finance. As soon as he became President, Mr. Trump persistently cut his countrys support for the jihadists and withdrew his men from the Greater Middle East. He must therefore be considered as one of the victors of this war, and could therefore logically avoid the US obligation to pay for war damage caused by the transnational companies implicated [9]. For him, it is now a question of reorienting the armed forces towards the defence of US territory, ending the whole imperial system, and developing the US economy. Afghanistan For the last few months, the United States have been discreetly negotiating with the Taliban for the conditions of their withdrawal from Afghanistan. A first round of contact with ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad took place in Qatar. A second round has just begun in the United Arab Emirates. Apart from the two US and Taliban delegations, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan are also participating. A delegation from the Afghan government has also arrived, in the hope of joining in. It has been seventeen years since the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Afghanistan, officially in retaliation for the attacks of 9/11. However, this war followed the 2001 negotiations in Berlin and Geneva. The invasion was not aimed at stabilising this country in order to exploit it economically, but to destroy any form of a state in order to control its exploitation. So far, this has worked, since every day the situation is worse than the day before. Lets note that Afghanistans misery began during the Carter presidency. National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, called on the Muslim Brotherhood and Israel to launch a campaign of terrorism against the Communist government [10]. Terrified, the government appealed to the Soviets to maintain order. The result was a fourteen-year war, followed by a civil war, and then followed by the Anglo-US invasion. After forty years of uninterrupted destruction, President Trump states that US military presence is not the solution for Afghanistan, its the problem. The place of the United States in todays world By withdrawing half of the US troops legally stationed in Afghanistan and all of those illegally occupying Syria, President Trump is keeping one of his electoral promises. He still has to withdraw the 7,000 men and women who remain. It is in this context that General Mattis asked a fundamental question in his letter of resignation [11]. He writes: "One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof." In other words, James Mattis does not contest the logic of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and Syria, but what will probably follow - the dislocation of the alliances around the United States and finally, the possible dismantling of NATO. For the Secretary for Defense, the United States must reassure their allies by giving them the impression that they know what they are doing and that they are the strongest. It matters little whether this is true or not, the point is to maintain the cohesion between the allies, whatever the cost. However, for the President, there is a clear and present danger. The United States have already lost their first economic status to China, and now their first military place to Russia. It is necessary to cease being the one-eyed man leading the blind, but first to look after ones own. In this affair, James Mattis is acting like a military man. He knows that a nation without allies is lost from the start. Donald Trump thinks like the CEO of a company. He must first clean up the deficient affiliates which are threatening to sink his enterprise. Beiheng Passage ahead of schedule From:Shanghai Daily | 2018-12-25 08:29 The largest shield machine in Shanghai which has been digging the tunnel for the Beiheng Passage completed its work for the year, seven days ahead of schedule, deep beneath Jiangsu Road. The 600th section was slotted into place yesterday, according to Shanghai Chengtou Group. Each section can be up to 2 meters long. The machine set out from Zhongshan Park in June, and encountered problems almost immediately as it passed under residential complexes near the park. Zhaofeng Villa was built in the 1930s and its foundations are not as stable as those of newer buildings. The shield machine is enormous around 20 meters in length. Minimizing the impact on residents became a huge task. Engineers went to the communities and examined every house. Automatic monitoring ensured that as the machine dug through the area, structural shifts were controlled within millimeters. The problems were not all overground. The tunnel passes underneath Metro Line 11. At the junction of Jiangsu and Changning roads, it is only 7 meters below the Metro tracks. Trains on Line 11 reduced their speed to prevent vibrations from affecting the diggers progress. Although the machine has finished its years work, three more Metro lines lie ahead and hundreds of residential buildings. After completion, the 19.1-kilometer passage between Beidi Road and Zhoujiazui Road will link Changning, Putuo, Jingan, Huangpu, Hongkou and Yangpu districts. What was the reaction to the warning by Russian President Putin when he said that the world underestimates the peril of of nuclear war, and that this tendency is increasing? The commentary in the La Repubblica is significant, speaking of his highly alarming tone. The almost absolute silence of the whole Parliamentarian arc is also eloquent. As if Italy had nothing to do with the race to stock up nuclear weapons which, warned Putin in his end-of-year Press conference, could lead to the destruction of all civilisation or even the whole planet [1]. The scenario is not alarmist, but a realistic assessment by scientists who study the effects of nuclear weapons. A specific danger emphasises Putin is the tendency to lower the bar for the use of nuclear weapons, by creating tactical low-impact nuclear charges which may lead to a world-wide nuclear disaster. This is the category including the new B61-12 nuclear bombs which the USA will begin to deploy in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and perhaps in other European countries, during the first half of the year 2020. High precision and the possibility of using less destructive warheads - warns the Federation of American Scientists may lead military commanders to insist on the use of nuclear bombs in an attack, knowing that radioactive fallout and collateral damage would be limited. Italy shares the responsibility for the growing danger of nuclear war, since, in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and not being a signatory of the UNO Treaty forbidding nuclear weapons, it is providing the United States with a primarily anti-Russian capacity, not only with its bases, but also aircraft and pilots for the deployment of nuclear bombs. This comes with the explicit or implicit consent (by renouncing real opposition) of the entire arc of Parliament. The other danger warns Putin is the disintegration of the international system for arms control, initiated by the retreat of the United States from the ABM Treaty (Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty) in 2002. Created in 1972 by the USA and the USSR, it forbade each of the two parties to deploy interceptor missiles which, by neutralising reprisals by countries under attack, would have favoured a first strike , in other words a surprise nuclear attack. Since then, the United States have developed the anti-missile shield, stretching from Europe to the borders of Russia two ground installations in Romania and Poland, and four warships cruising the Baltic and the Black Sea. Equipped with launch tubes, these ships are able to launch interceptor missiles and also cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. Italy shares the responsibility in this case also the installation of the JTAGS (Joint Tactical Ground Station) at Sigonella (Sicily). This a US satellite station for the anti-missile shield, one of five on the planet. The situation is made worse by the fact that the USA now want to retire from the 1987 INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty) - which eliminated the US nuclear missiles based in Comiso - in order to be able to deploy in Europe anti-Russian ground-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles. The Italian government is also implicated, since it endorsed this plan at the North Atlantic Council of 4 December, and is without a doubt favourable to the installation of these missiles in Italy. If these missiles arrive in Europe, the West should not be astonished if we react said Putin. A warning which was ignored by Conte, Di Maio and Salvini who continue to beat the drum for the anti-migrant Security Decree. But when US nuclear bombs and missiles arrive and put the real security of Italy in danger, they see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing. Benton police identify vehicle owner after seeking the public's help By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 24, 2018 | 10:13 AM | GOLDEN POND Officials at Land Between the Lakes are putting rules in place to prevent the spreading of a disease affecting the deer population.According to WKDZ, U.S. Forest Service officials are prohibiting the transport of harvested deer across state lines. The decision comes after officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported seven white-tailed deer have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Tennessee.In a press release, LBL Environmental Stewardship Manager John Westbrook said the serious disease can have a catastrophic impact on deer and elk herds, but hunters can help keep it from spreading by following the rules.Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials say Kentucky and Tennessee are limiting the transport of certain deer parts across state lines. Hunters cannot bring a deer into the neighboring state unless the brain and spinal column have been removed.Hunters are being encouraged to check with game processors before taking any meat across state lines. On the Net: Advertisement By The Associated Press Dec. 24, 2018 | WASHINGTON, D.C. By The Associated Press Dec. 24, 2018 | 01:35 PM | WASHINGTON, D.C. A Democratic senator is making clear that Democrats have no intention of giving President Donald Trump the billions of dollars that he wants to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown that's expended to extend past Christmas. Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley says Democrats are "absolutely willing" to commit taxpayer dollars for border security. But when an interviewer asked whether Democrats weren't going to provide any wall money, Merkley responded: "That's correct. None." Merkley tells ABC's "This Week" that "30-foot concrete wall, 30-foot steel spikes, that's not the smart way." Meanwhile, a top White House official signaled Sunday that President Trump is willing to accept less money than he's been demanding for the wall. The back and forth across the television airwaves did little to inspire hope that a Christmas season closure of some federal government operations would end later this week, when the House and Senate are scheduled to meet again. In fact, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney warned that the shutdown could stretch into January, when a new Congress is seated. Mulvaney, who also runs the White House budget office, said he's awaiting a response from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York after the administration on Saturday presented Schumer with a counteroffer in the long-running dispute over funding the wall. Mulvaney withheld specifics but placed the offer at between Trump's $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats are offering. "We moved off of the five and we hope they move up from their 1.3," Mulvaney said. But Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., argued instead for increasing the use of technology along the border instead of building "some medieval wall." Asked whether he's willing to increase the price tag as long as the money is not spent on a wall, Durbin responded: "Absolutely." A stalemate over the wall led parts of the government to shut down Saturday after funding for numerous departments and agencies expired. The closure is affecting hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country since the House and Senate, which each met in a rare weekend session, adjourned until Thursday. Monday and Tuesday, Christmas Eve and Christmas, respectively, are federal holidays, meaning the federal government would already be closed. Wednesday is the first day the public could begin to feel the effects of a shutdown, Mulvaney said. He predicted it could extend into January, when Democrats will assume control of the House based on their midterm election gains. 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 Sting snares ride-hailing cheats at Hongqiao From:Shanghai Daily | 2018-12-25 08:29 Traffic police pulled over nine illegal online ride-hailing cars at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in just 30 minutes yesterday. Shanghai Daily was with the officers at the airport, witnessing part of a nationwide campaign against illegal ride-hailing cars. Each officer was equipped with an app on their smartphone which determined whether the car they were looking at was registered as an online ride-hailing car or not. Officers have access to details of all ride-hailing cars via a platform established by the traffic authority and police. Since all ride-hailing platforms have uploaded their data, it is much easier for us to do our job, said officer Pan Rong. When the cops pulled over a car as it tried to dodge the inspection, the driver said he was just an ordinary member of the public taking a friend to the airport. Unfortunately for him, officers ran his plate and discovered he was a registered Didi driver, but not a Shanghai resident, as current law requires. He will probably be fined 10,000 yuan (US$1,450) and his drivers license will be seized for three months, said Pan. Since September 7, 47,000 non-local cars and 13,000 drivers have been kicked off ride-hailing platforms. More than 150 drivers have been caught using fake IDs. One thing for sure is that they will be banned from driving ride-hailing cars for life, said Zhou Guangyu of the city traffic authority. For those who are Shanghai residents but havent applied for certification, we urge them to do it as soon as possible. According to the traffic authority, there are 26,000 authorized drivers in the city. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-24 22:13:47|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Photo taken on Dec. 24, 2018 shows smoke rising from the site of an attack in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Another blast hit the Afghan capital of Kabul as a gun battle erupted outside the Ministry for Public Work, an official said on Monday. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah) KABUL, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Another blast hit the Afghan capital of Kabul as a gun battle erupted outside the Ministry for Public Work, an official said on Monday. The militants after detonating an explosive-laden car outside the ministry entered the compound, triggering a gun battle with police, the official said on condition of anonymity. The first blast took place at 3:20 p.m. local time outside the Ministry of Public Work, where some government entities as well as residential buildings are situated. Meantime, the Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh confirmed the attack but declined to comment on possible casualties. "It is too early to say about the casualties," he told local media. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-24 23:39:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A high-speed railway linking the scenic cities of Hangzhou and Huangshan in east China will be put into operation on Tuesday, according to China Railway Shanghai Group Co. Ltd. on Monday. The high-speed railway starts from Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, and ends in the city of Huangshan in east China's Anhui Province, threading through a series of renowned scenic spots, including Mount Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the West Lake in Hangzhou and the picturesque Fuchun River and Thousand Islands Lake in Zhejiang Province. Stretching 265 km, the high-speed railway will have nine stations. The initial operating speed of the trains will be 250 km per hour. The high-speed railway will significantly shorten the travel time between Hangzhou and Huangshan, taking one hour and 26 minutes for the fastest trains. This scenic high-speed rail line will connect with neighboring high-speed railways. From Tuesday to Jan. 4, 2019, there will be 11 pairs of trains operating on the route. As of Jan. 5, 2019, 33 pairs of trains are scheduled to transport passengers on the new high-speed rail route. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-24 23:44:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HONG KONG, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Goods of Hong Kong origin exported to the Chinese mainland begin to enjoy zero tariff from 2019, bringing new opportunities to Hong Kong companies and deepening economic ties among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, said Hong Kong business leaders. Starting from Jan. 1, 2019, goods of Hong Kong and Macao origin imported into the mainland will fully enjoy zero tariff under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), said Department of Customs of the Chinese Ministry of Finance on Monday. Aron Harilela, chairman of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, said the new policy would enhance competitiveness of Hong Kong small- and medium-sized enterprises and help to open up more economic and trade opportunities. "The new policy will encourage 'Re-industrialization' of Hong Kong. It also promote Hong Kong companies to explore more opportunities in the mainland," said Jimmy Kwok, chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries. "Hong Kong companies can take this chance to take active part in economic transformation of the mainland. They can also cooperate with their counterparts in the mainland to develop both domestic and oversea markets," said Jonathan Choi, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. With Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the upcoming land control point at Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai, allowing goods of Hong Kong origin exported into the Chinese mainland to enjoy fully zero tariff will accelerate the flow of factors of production in the Greater Bay Area, which will further facilitate trade and economic cooperation among the Greater Bay Area, said Choi. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 00:34:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top anti-graft authority said 10,295 party members and officials were punished for breaching the Party's frugality code in November. They were involved in 7,249 cases, according to a statement on the website of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. Awarding an unauthorized allowance or bonus was the most common misdemeanor, followed by giving or accepting gifts or money and using public funds for banquets. A total of 78,804 officials involved in 55,705 cases were punished in the first eleven months of 2018, the statement said. The CPC released its eight-point rules in late 2012 to reduce undesirable work practices and maintain close ties with the people, which include requirements on frugality. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 01:14:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BANGKOK, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Justice Ministry introduced electronic monitoring (EM) wrapping devices to its new control center on Monday to keep a watch on parolees. The EM control center, capable of monitoring the movements of convicted offenders wearing electronic tags both in Thailand and overseas, will be equipped with 4,000 electronic monitoring bracelets next month, according to the ministry. The control center at the Probation Department in Bangkok will get an immediate alert if the devices are disconnected, destroyed or if the wearers breach the probation conditions in any way, which will enable police to take timely action. According to the department, wearers would include people convicted of crimes, such as trespassing, physical assault and sex offenses whose victims were still afraid of them. It's an alternative to imprisonment and it reduces the chance of people learning more ways to commit crime while in prison, as well as allowing the offenders to mix in society as usual and make a living, Justice Minister Prajin Juntong said while presiding over the centre's opening ceremony. The probation department has leased the EM devices from a private company for use until September 2020. The department had earlier carried out a pilot project to put 246 parolees on the EM devices. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 01:39:17|Editor: ZX Video Player Close LONDON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Queen Elizabeth II will call upon the British people to show more respect to those with opposing views three months ahead of the UK's departure from the European Union. In her message to mark Christmas, the 92-year-old Queen urges the British people to respect each other as human beings, saying that a message of "peace on earth and goodwill to all" is needed "as much as ever." "Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding," the Queen will say in her annual festive broadcast on Tuesday. As head of state, the British monarch, who has been on the throne for 66 years, remains publicly neutral to political matters. The Queen poses for a photo after she recorded her Christmas Day message, in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London. She delivered her very first Christmas broadcast on the radio on Dec. 25, 1952. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 06:35:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHICAGO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean futures ended slightly lower on Monday, as traders waited for more U.S. soybeans to be exported to China. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, China purchased more than 2.7 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in the past two weeks. Traders had expected that China would buy more soybeans, market watchers said. U.S. farmers hope China will buy other farm products, such as corn and grain sorghum, along with soybeans. However, there were no sales confirmed on Monday. CBOT wheat futures rose on investors' short-covering, while corn futures were under pressure on weak demand from overseas markets. At the end of the session, the most active corn contract for March delivery went down 0.75 cent, or 0.20 percent to close at 3.7775 dollars per bushel. March wheat delivery was up 2.5 cents, or 0.49 percent to close at 5.165 dollars per bushel. March soybean delivery was down 0.75 cent, or 0.08 percent to close at 8.97 dollars per bushel. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 07:40:07|Editor: ZX Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The head of the UN team, which is monitoring and helping implement a ground-breaking ceasefire across Yemen's crucial port city of Hudaydah, had his first face-to-face meeting with authorities there on Monday. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert and his advance team also undertook "a familiarization visit" to the port itself, where some 80 percent of life-saving humanitarian aid, food and commercial goods arrive before being distributed, said the UN spokesman's office in a note to correspondents. Houthi opposition fighters have control of the center of Hudaydah and the port, and an offensive launched by the internationally-recognized government and their allies last June, to take the port, threatened the lives of around 300,000 children trapped in the city, said the note. Historic consultations, which were convened in Sweden by UN special envoy Martin Griffiths earlier in December, has resulted in a Security Council resolution to endorse a deal to continue peace talks in January, and "a fragile ceasefire" that has held since last Tuesday. The team arrived in Hudaydah on Sunday, and prior to its arrival, the general met with Houthi members who will be working as part of the team, formally known as the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), in the capital, Sana'a. The note said that general Cammaert was "encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately." The first joint RCC meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, according to the note. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 08:35:14|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KABUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 29 people have been killed as militants on Monday stormed a building of Afghanistan's Ministry for Public Work in Kabul, triggering explosions and a gun battle with the police, media reports said. The siege lasted for about eight hours, leaving 29 dead and over 20 injured. Casualties could rise as search on the building is still underway, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh was quoted by media reports as saying. The militants entered the compound of the ministry after detonating an explosive-laden car outside, an official said on condition of anonymity late Monday. At least two explosions were heard during the stand-off, according to the official. The first blast took place at 3:20 p.m. local time (1050 GMT) outside the Ministry of Public Work, where some government entities as well as residential buildings are situated. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 09:15:19|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian forward Hulk has expressed a desire to return to his homeland after his contract expires with Shanghai SIPG. The 32-year-old, who is tied to the current Chinese Super League champions until June 2020, said he has a lifelong goal to represent reigning Brazilian champions Palmeiras, whom he supported as a child. "There is always speculation linking me with Palmeiras because it's the team that I have always supported," Hulk told Globo Esporte. "It's my wish, I want to go back and play in Brazil, but at the moment it's difficult for that to happen. I have more than two years left on my contract and I'm happy in China." Hulk has scored 51 goals in 86 appearances for Shanghai SIPG since joining the club from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2016. His comments coincide with reports that Guangzhou Evergrande's Brazilian playmaker Ricardo Goulart could join Palmeiras in 2019 on a season-long loan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 10:30:30|Editor: ZX Video Player Close YANGON, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Myanmar-Korea cross-river friendship bridge project to link downtown Yangon and Dala, an under-developed small town lying on the southern bank of the Yangon River, has been launched to boost traffic and trade flow and narrow the development gap in western areas of Yangon region, Myanmar News Agency reported on Tuesday. The ground-breaking ceremony in Dala was attended by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior Economic Adviser of South Korea Kim Hyun-chul on Monday. The four-lane cable-stayed bridge will be 6,144 feet (1.843 kilometers) long and have a water clearance of 160 feet height with a strength of withstanding 75 tons of load. Of the cost of 168 million U.S. dollars, 136 million dollars will come from a loan of South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) through the Exim Bank of South Korea, while the remaining 32 million U.S. dollars will be funded by the Myanmar government. The bridge is designed to provide quicker access between Yangon and its western areas including Dala, Kawhmu and Kungyangon as well as Ayeyawaddy regions and Rakhine state upon completion. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 11:10:38|Editor: ZX Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Despite an earlier ruling of a U.S. judge against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the case of Otto Warmbier, President Donald Trump said here on Monday that progress is being made on the issues related to the Asian nation. Trump posted on twitter a picture of him sitting at a desk and reading a piece of paper, while Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative on the DPRK-related issues, who just came back from a visit to South Korea, was standing beside him. Trump tweeted that "Christmas Eve briefing with my team working on North Korea -- Progress being made." "Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim!" he said, referring to the top leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong Un. Earlier in the day, a U.S. federal court judge ruled that the DPRK should pay over 500 million U.S. dollars for the death of a U.S. citizen, Otto Warmbier, local media reported. Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that the DPRK should pay the money to Warmbier's parents, in a measure to hold the Asian nation accountable for the death of their son. Warmbier's parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, have been seeking more than 1 billion dollars in damages from the DPRK in a lawsuit reportedly filed in April, saying the massive financial penalty would tell Pyongyang that it cannot take U.S. citizens hostage. However, the Fox News said that the ruling is largely symbolic since the DPRK is highly unlikely to accept or obey it. Warmbier was an American university student who was arrested and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment on suspicion of stealing a propaganda poster during a visit to the DPRK in 2016. He was released in June 2017 and died six days after returning to the United States. The DPRK said that Warmbier's death was a "mystery" as his health indicators and examination results were all normal when he left the country. After Warmbier's death, the Trump administration relisted the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism in November 2017. However, the relations between the DPRK and the United States have improved since earlier this year. The first-ever summit between Trump and Kim was held in Singapore in June. In a joint statement released after the meeting, the United States agreed to provide security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization. Although differences between the two sides remained over key issues like the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration, momentum for talks continued. Trump revealed on Dec. 1 that his second meeting with Kim, was likely to happen in January or February next year. In the latest move of the Trump administration concerning the DPRK, U.S. envoy Steve Biegun said on Dec. 19 at the Incheon International Airport in South Korea that he and South Korean officials would resume discussions on how to work together to engage the DPRK "in a manner that will help us move forward and move beyond the 70 years of hostility that have divided the Korean Peninsula, the Korean people, and the United States and the DPRK." "Toward that end, upon my return to Washington, D.C., next week, I have been directed by Secretary of State Pompeo to review U.S. policy on humanitarian assistance provided to the DPRK by private and religious American organizations," he said. Biegun said he understands many humanitarian aid organizations operating in the DPRK are concerned that strict enforcement of international sanctions has occasionally impeded the delivery of legitimate humanitarian assistance to the Korean people. "I will be sitting down with American aid groups early in the New Year to discuss how we can better ensure the delivery of appropriate assistance, particularly through the course of the coming winter," he said. Biegun told the media that the United States will also "review American citizen travel to the DPRK for purposes of facilitating the delivery of aid and ensuring that monitoring in line with international standards can occur." Last year, the United States began to impose strict limits on the approval of travel of U.S. citizens to the DPRK, which may have impacted the delivery of humanitarian assistance, he said. After the DPRK released an American held for an alleged illegal entrance to the country in November,the United States came to have "greater confidence about the safety and security of Americans traveling to the DPRK," Biegun said. "The government of the DPRK handled the review of the American citizen's expulsion expeditiously and with great discretion and sensitivity through diplomatic channels," the U.S. envoy added. Washington believes "the conditions are right for us to reevaluate how these policies are implemented, and we plan to do so early next year," he added. Seoul, in its initiative to enhance ties with Pyongyang, has reportedly pressured the Trump administration into lifting some of the current sanctions against its northern neighbor so as not to step up the inter-Korean economic cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 11:25:40|Editor: ZX Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Mexico won't accept the "safe third country" status for migrants seeking refugee status in the United States, Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Monday. "Mexico has not under any circumstances accepted ... safe third country status for people who enter our territory seeking to enter the United States," Ebrard said at a press conference. Such an agreement "would mean that all migrants, all, from anywhere in the world, who transit through Mexico to apply for asylum (in the U.S.) would be returned to our country with the only alternative of applying for refuge in Mexico; that is why we will not accept a treaty of this nature," he added. The statement comes after Washington informed Mexico on Dec. 20 that all undocumented foreign migrants who cross the Mexico-U.S. border to seek asylum would be deported back to Mexico while their case was being reviewed. However, Mexico's government will prioritize human rights in immigration matters, Ebrard added. "Today, for migrants who transit the country, the experience is described as horrific. The orders we have from the president (Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador) is that the human aspect regulate all Mexican immigration policy," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 15:21:12|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The police chief of Garziwan district of the Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, along with three of his bodyguards, were killed in a Taliban attack on Monday, an official said Tuesday. The four were killed after a mortar mine, fired by Taliban militants, struck the police compound on Monday, a member of Faryab provincial council Sibghatullah Silab said. Garziwan district in the troubled Faryab province has been the scene of fierce fighting between security forces and the Taliban group over the past one week. Both the government forces and the Taliban fighters have intensified operations to gain more ground and consolidate positions ahead of snowfall and freezing winter in Afghanistan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 15:46:16|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KABUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least seven militants of Haqqani militant group, including a local leader of outfit have been killed following an Afghan Air Force-led airstrike in eastern province of Paktika, Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Tuesday. "Saifullah, the military and logistic head of Haqqani Terrorist Network killed along with six others after Air Force struck a militants' hideout in Margha village, Barmal district, eastern Paktika province, yesterday," the ministry said in a statement. As a Taliban-linked group of militants, the Haqqani network mostly operating in eastern provinces and capital Kabul, and has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces. The targeted group was involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in Paktika and neighboring provinces, the statement added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 15:46:16|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese courts concluded 2,806 cases of abducting and trafficking women and children between 2015 and 2018, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said Tuesday. People involved in 403 cases of abducting children and those buying abducted women or children in 288 separate cases received penalties in the past three years, said the SPC. During the same period, judges nationwide meted out sentences for 75,204 rape cases, and 9,889 cases of acting indecently against other adults in a forcible manner. Meanwhile, offenders in 11,519 cases were punished for indecency with children between 2015 and 2018. The SPP said that 5,472,123 divorce cases were concluded while 259,184 disputes over raising children and supporting parents were settled by courts in the past three years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 15:51:18|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian energy giant Gazprom is expected to set a new record for the annual amount of gas deliveries to Europe, indicating the need for new contracts with partners from the continent, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday. "This year we had an interesting event: for Gazprom's long-term export contracts have met the maximum annual amount of gas. This means the need to conclude additional pipeline contracts," Novak told Russia's Kommersant newspaper in an interview. Pipeline gas is the most competitive in Europe, the minister said. Novak also said Russia is ready to ensure gas deliveries under long-term contracts to the European Union in the absence of a new agreement on gas transit with Ukraine by December 2019. According to the minister, a constructive dialogue with Ukraine was hampered by the legal dispute between Ukraine's energy company Naftogaz and Gazprom over the deliveries and transit of the Russian gas. In early December, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Gazprom, Alexander Medvedev, said the company's gas exports to Europe will exceed 200 billion cubic meters in 2018. The amount in 2017 was 194.4 billion cubic meters, an all-time high since Russia started gas supply to Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 16:21:21|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close by Xinhua Writers Xiong Maoling, Sun Ding and Zhu Dongyang WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Matthew Hurlburt and his family from Arlington, Virginia were at a loss standing in front of the National Christmas Tree near the White House, as they were told to leave the area just after walking "two steps" in it. "It's a bit of a bummer," Hurlburt said. Hurlburt, along with his wife and three kids, is among the hundreds of visitors that were drawn to the famed site Monday morning only to find that they couldn't walk up to the tree -- a decades-long symbol of the festive season -- because of "a lapse in federal appropriations," as stated in a sign. "We come here every year for a Christmas Eve and see the Christmas tree," Hurlburt told Xinhua, adding that he considered it a time-honored family tradition. "We're going to walk around. We'll come back and hopefully they'll be back ready for us." The popular site was closed as a result of a partial federal government shutdown that began midnight Friday, triggered by the White House and Congress' failed attempts to resolve a budget impasse over the funding of the president's promised U.S.-Mexico border wall. The area opened for a couple of minutes Monday morning before visitors were asked to exit. A staff member told Xinhua that there are some "wire" problem, and they will reopen the site after it's fixed. The prospect of reopening was made possible by the nonprofit National Park Foundation, which announced before noon Monday that it will keep the park open and lit through Jan. 1, a move that could come as a relief for numerous Americans amid a political standoff. But what private donations can do is limited. The shutdown, the third of the year, closed about a quarter of federal offices, affecting nine of 15 Cabinet-level U.S. departments and dozens of agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Transportation and Justice. "I just feel bad for those federal employees who can't get paid," Hurlburt said. "I hope not. Especially this time of year, I am sure people need that money." More than 800,000 federal employees would have to go to work without pay or will be furloughed as a result of the shutdown, U.S. media reported. Hundreds of people have taken to Twitter to discuss the effects of the shutdown with the hashtag #ShutdownStories. Taylor Futch said her husband, a park ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, had to sign his furlough papers when his mortgage was due and with Christmas around the corner. "We have a four-year-old and a four-month-old, and we don't know when his next check will come." A security guard at the National Gallery, who declined to be named, told Xinhua that he had to go home soon if the shutdown extends into January. "What can you do?" he shrugged. What the government shutdown really means is that "you're denying services not only for residents and visitors to Washington D.C., but to people who work for the government and who depend on the government for a paycheck," David Leblang from Charlottesville, Virginia told Xinhua. Leblang, who had planned to visit the National Archive with his family, expressed his disappointment over the closure. Calling the shutdown "ridiculous," he said "it shows a lack of leadership." During the past week, the U.S. House and Senate failed to break the deadlock over the funding of the president's demand for the 5-billion-U.S.-dollar border wall, a centerpiece of Trump's 2016 campaign. The Democrats, who have long been opposed to building a physical wall, were only willing to approve funding of 1.3 billion dollars to enhance border security. Leblang told Xinhua he doesn't think a border wall is the solution to illegal immigration. "This is a political stunt," he said. "It's not designed to do anything other than appeal to a set of constituents." A retired bookkeeper from Maine, who declined to reveal his name, told Xinhua that he strongly opposes to the idea of a border wall. "Don't do that. If people want to come here, and work like us, and pay taxes. I have no problem with that," he said, addressing himself as a Democrat. Local visitor Darin Imbriaco, meanwhile, said he is "torn" over the issue. "I think that we do need better border protection, but I don't know if that's necessarily the answer," he told Xinhua. Imbriaco said that he blamed the White House for the shutdown. "Every time one of these comes up, I always think the White House should be more flexible," he said. "Just make a concession." The shutdown is "mostly just an annoyance to me," Imbriaco said, adding that it hasn't impacted his trip much, as the Smithsonian museums are still open. Officials announced Friday that the 19 museums in Washington D.C. and New York City will not close in the event of the shutdown over the holiday period, and they "will reevaluate the situation" after Jan. 1. Imbriaco said he believes it won't be long before the impasse is resolved. "I think this happens every few years. When people with stiffened jaws look at each other in the eyes. And they're just staring each other down for now. They will find a compromise," he said. Leblang, however, expects not much movement until next year. "I think we'll see more and more and more things shut down and I think at a certain point in time, one side will fold." Leblang warned that the shutdown might not end just because the Democrats take control of the House in January, given the "super majority" needed in the Republican-held Senate to override a presidential veto. The U.S. Senate will return on Thursday and consider business if a deal is reached on government funding. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said on Sunday he doesn't think things are going to move very quickly for the next couple of days. "We'll have to just wait and see which side will decide that it's time to do something right for the American people," Leblang said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 16:41:23|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Afghan security force members stand at the site of an attack in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2018. A total of 44 people, including four assailants, have been killed in a terrorist attack against two government offices in Kabul, an Afghan Public Health Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Rahmine) KABUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 44 people, including four assailants, have been killed in a terrorist attack against two government offices in Kabul, an Afghan Public Health Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. "The latest data showed 40 people, including 11 women and 29 men, were martyred and 27 others wounded in Monday's terrorist attack in Kabul," Waheed Majroh told reporters. The attack occurred on Monday afternoon when the assailants stormed buildings of Afghan Ministry of Public Works and nearby newly-formed National Authority for People with Disability and Martyrs' Families. The counter-attack ended at early hours of Tuesday. Among those lost their lives in the deadly incident were government employees, visitors and a police officer. About 357 people were rescued by the Afghan Special Operations Forces from the targeted buildings. The attack occurred in Makruyan-e-Awal locality near Shashdarak, where several foreign embassies are located. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The capital city with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by series of terror attacks by Taliban militants and Islamic State (IS) outfit over the past couple of years. On Dec. 11, a Taliban suicide car bombing targeted a security forces' convoy in western Kabul, killing eight civilians and four Afghan intelligence agency personnel. More than 2,790 civilians were killed and over 5,250 others injured in conflict-related incidents in the first nine months of year in the war-torn country, according to figures released by the United Nations mission in the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 16:51:25|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Photo taken on Dec. 25, 2018 shows the damaged Tanjung Lesung Resort in Pandeglang, Banten Province, Indonesia. The death toll from the tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption in Sunda Strait of western Indonesia has climbed to 429 so far, with a total of 1,459 others injured, a spokesman of the national disaster agency said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Du Yu) JAKARTA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption in Sunda Strait of western Indonesia has climbed to 429 so far, with a total of 1,459 others injured, a spokesman of the national disaster agency said on Tuesday. The tsunami, triggered by an underwater landslide after the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano Saturday night, destroyed 882 houses, 73 hotels and villas and scores of buildings along the coastlines, and displaced a total of 16,082 people, according to spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. The search and rescue mission was conducted both onshore and offshore along the strait between Java and Sumatra islands, as many victims were believed to be swept away by tidal waves into the sea, the spokesman said. "Ships searching the victims have already retrieved several bodies in the sea," Sutopo told a press conference at the agency's headquarters. The disaster also destroyed a sea port, and 434 ships and boats in the worst-hit Pandeglang and Serang districts in Banten province, and Lampung Selatan, Panawaran and Tenggamus districts in Lampung province. Over 2,000 soldiers and police, along with personnel from the search and rescue office and the disaster management agency office as well as volunteers, were participating in an emergency relief operation, which still put a priority on the search and rescue of the victims, Sutopo added. Heavy machinery equipment, tents and other necessities were badly needed in the emergency relief, he said. "The absence and failure of early tsunami warning systems have contributed to the huge casualties because people have no opportunity to be evacuated," Sutopo said. Mt. Anak Krakatau is surrounded by several tourist resorts, an industrial zone, a busy shipping lane and some residential areas, making the early warning system crucial in case of a tsunami. High waves of 4-5 meters slammed into the shore on Saturday night without any early warning, Endang Permana, head of emergency department of the disaster management agency in the district, told Xinhua. The meteorology and geophysics agency has banned activities in the coastal areas after the deadly tsunami, as the assessment of volcanic eruption risk was being taken, said Sutopo. On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive tsunami triggered by a powerful quake hit countries along the Indian Ocean, killing 226,000 people, including 170,000 in Aceh province of northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island. Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatoa, is one of the 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation home to 17,500 islands, sitting on a quake-prone zone of so-called "the Pacific Ring of Fire." It is the remnant of Krakatau volcano that collapsed into small volcanic islands after a ferocious eruption in August 1883, which also prompted a devastating tsunami that killed more than 36,000 people in Banten. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 17:16:28|Editor: mmm Video Player Close DHAKA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's reform and opening-up has not only immensely benefited the country and its people, but helped facilitate changes to the landscape of international relations, a Bangladeshi research institute executive said. "Never before in history has such a large population been lifted out of poverty in such short time as China did during the last four decades," Ali Ahmed, CEO of Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), told Xinhua as China marks 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up. He added. "It is often dubbed as miraculous. But there is no miracle in it." The historic cause started by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping has been a visionary step, and successive leaders of the country carried the policies forward to transform China into a big global player in an unprecedentedly short period, he said, adding that the people of China also deserve full credit for their hard work. China, now the second largest economy in the world, has helped power the world economy not only with its Belt and Road Initiative but with foreign aid into countries in need, said Ahmed, adding that many developing countries are benefitting from Chinese loans and grants, both bilateral and multilateral. "The rise of China has, therefore, been a boon not only to china herself but also to the rest of the world, especially to the relatively poorer countries." He said the Chinese way of development, with no doubt, deserves admiration. China's contribution to the development of the world has proven unique, said Ahmed, who served in the Bangladeshi government for decades prior to joining the BFTI in 2015. Paradoxically, many of the present-day leaders in the Western world, once champions of free trade and globalization, are now working against it, he said. "They have been advocating free trade and globalisation so long as their goods and services could enter duty-free (zone) without much of competition from poorer economies," the expert said. "But when they started facing competition from their erstwhile importers of finished goods and services... they are raising all kinds of barriers against them." Amid allegations that China only exports but doesn't import, China International Import Expo held in Shanghai this year is "a fitting reply," Ahmed said. "It ... witnessed a clear Chinese invitation to the others to export to their country. It has been a marvelous economic diplomacy on the part of China." The benefits China's reform and opening-up has brought to South Asia, especially to Bangladesh, have been and are to be immense, he said, adding that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016 was a display of Chinese willingness to help with the country much-needed financial and technological development. A pointer to that is the opening-up of Chinese market for duty-free and quota-free entry of Bangladeshi goods, Ahmed added. Bangladesh, the largest least developed country (LDC) in terms of the size of its population and economy, enjoys such market access under a WTO decision. China and Bangladesh have already opened discussion to arrive at a Free Trade Agreement, under which Bangladesh would continue to export its duty- and quota-free goods to China, he said. "They will be on a reciprocal basis," Ahmed said. "At the moment, and for some more years to come, the Chinese policy of opening up her market to the LDCs will continue to be of great help to them. Bangladesh, as a LDC, will reap same benefits." Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 17:16:28|Editor: mmm Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A terrorist attack on Tuesday targeted the Libyan Foreign Ministry's headquarters in the capital Tripoli, with several casualties feared, a foreign ministry source told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 17:36:32|Editor: mmm Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Monday denounced the White House for sending mixed messages over the funding of the president's promised U.S.-Mexico border wall. "Different people from the same White House are saying different things about what the President would accept or not accept to end his #TrumpShutdown, making it impossible to know where they stand at any given moment," Schumer tweeted on Monday afternoon. "Instead of bringing certainty into people's lives, he's continuing the #TrumpShutdown just to please right-wing radio and TV hosts," Schumer said. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, tweeted on the same day that he is waiting for the Democrats to come back and "make a deal on desperately needed Border Security." "At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy!" Trump said, adding in a later tweet that "Democrats must end Shutdown." The Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told "Fox News Sunday" that the White House has given a "counter-offer" to Schumer, with a number that fell between the 5 billion U.S. dollars demanded by the president and the 1.3 billion offered by the Democrats. The partial government shutdown, which began Friday night due to a budget impasse over the funding for the border wall, closed about a quarter of federal offices, affecting nine Cabinet-level U.S. departments and dozens of agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Transportation and Justice. The Senate will return on Thursday and consider business if a deal is reached on government funding. Any spending measure would need 60 votes to clear the Senate, and the Republicans currently hold a slim 51-49 majority. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said Sunday that the ongoing partial government shutdown would likely extend into the new year, when the Democrats take control of the House. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 17:41:35|Editor: mmm Video Player Close FUZHOU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 21 others were injured after a bus which had been hijacked in east China's Fujian Province crashed into pedestrians on the street Tuesday afternoon, local authorities said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 17:51:38|Editor: mmm Video Player Close LUSAKA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu has pardoned 593 prisoners from various correctional facilities across the country as part of the Christmas celebrations, a senior government official said on Tuesday. Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said in a statement released on Monday that the move was in exercise of the powers vested in the Zambian leader to exercise presidential pardon and substitution of severe sentences. He said of those pardoned, 575 were serving long sentences while 18 were serving long term sentences. The authorities, he said, were fully convinced that the pardoned inmates had fully rehabilitated and were ready for reintegration into society. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 18:06:41|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BEIRUT, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Port of Tripoli, a major port in Lebanon, has become a central destination for weekly shipments from China to the Eastern Mediterranean, the port's director told Xinhua in a recent interview. A container ship of Cosco, short for China Ocean Shipping Company, a Chinese shipping and logistics services supplier company, arrived at the Port of Tripoli on Monday from China, Ahmad Tamer said. Cosco is "one of the biggest companies for maritime containers shipping in the world," he noted. According to Tamer, the large vessel, 300 meters in length and 14 meters in depth, was docked in the port with high navigational techniques despite strong wind and heavy rain, and emptied around 1,000 containers. The Lebanese government "is keen on turning the port into a hub for regional transport services with its fast and advanced services," he noted. Also on Monday, vessels belonging to the French company CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping group, reached the port from China, Tamer added. The port director expected the number of containers arriving at the Port of Tripoli to hit 10,000 in December, while the number will grow to 150,000 in 2019, a dramatic rise of 400 percent. Tamer said all Lebanese and foreign importers from China and West Asia could benefit from the weekly shipping line undertaken by Cosco and CMA CGM, which offer "quick services at low prices." CMA CGM opened the shipping line between China and the Port of Tripoli on Oct. 9. China Harbor Engineering Company has been working to rehabilitate the Port of Tripoli since 2012, for it to be ready to receive all big vessels. The Port of Tripoli has expanded its terminal to receive the largest types of vessels in addition to creating a terminal to receive Chinese cranes capable of lifting and transporting more than 700 containers a day. Attention is turning to this port nowadays for the role that it can play in the re-construction of Syria which has been torn by a seven-year civil war. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 18:16:42|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A terrorist attack on Tuesday targeted the Libyan Foreign Ministry's headquarters in the capital Tripoli, killing at least two people, a foreign ministry source told Xinhua. The attack occurred at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), when a car bomb exploded right behind the ministry's building, the source said on condition of anonymity. Afterward, a group of gunmen entered the building from the front and back entrances and exchanged heavy fire with the security forces, he added. There was also a big explosion in the main building, triggering a fire which is yet to be extinguished, the source revealed. One of the killed is an employee of the ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 19:31:53|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close MOSUL, Iraq, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 10 others injured on Tuesday in a car bomb explosion at a marketplace in the town of Tal Afar near Iraq's northern city of Mosul, a local official said. A booby-trapped car went off at a crowded market which was recently re-opened in Tal Afar, some 70 km west of Mosul, Tariq Egrish, a member of the town council, told Xinhua. It is the first such attack since the Iraqi forces fought fierce battles to liberate the town from the Islamic State (IS) militants in August last year. The entire Tal Afar area also includes 47 villages scattered around the town, where the majority of the population are Sunni and Shiite Turkomans, in addition to the Kurds and other minorities. On Dec. 9, 2017, Iraq officially declared full liberation of its territories from IS militants after Iraqi forces recaptured all areas once seized by the IS militants. However, some IS remnants have since regrouped in desert and rugged areas, carrying out attacks against the security forces and civilians despite operations from time to time to hunt them down. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-25 19:41:56|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BANGKOK, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A bomb attack and ensuing gunfire killed one police officer and injured five others in Thailand's deep south, reports said on Tuesday. The attack happened late Monday night just opposite to a police station in Narathiwat province, according to the reports. The bomb explosion was followed by gunmen attacks on a police vehicle, an officer from the police station said Tuesday morning. Explosives of more than 20 kg and M16 guns were found on the scene. The injured were sent to a hospital early Tuesday and have left. The cause of the attack was under investigation. Narathiwat is one of south Thailand's three Muslim majority border provinces that have been haunted by gun attacks and bombings. The region was a Malay Muslim sultanate and separatist tensions have simmered for decades. Insurgency has killed more than 6,500 people since 2004.